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Volkswagen Group's mobility startup, MOIA, has introduced a ride pooling concept just one year after its inception.
The MOIA concept aims to provide new mobility options that will significantly reduce traffic in major cities and is being unveiled at TechCrunch in Berlin.
Ole Harms, MOIA CEO, said: “We want to create a solution for the typical transport problems that cities face, such as traffic, air and noise pollution, and lack of space, while simultaneously helping them reach their sustainability goals.
“In a short time, we’ve laid the groundwork to add a new mobility component to the urban mix. In 2018, we’ll be ready to launch our ride pooling concept internationally and take the first steps toward our goal of reducing the number of cars in major cities by one million in Europe and the USA by 2025.”
As a first project, the entire ecosystem including the newly designed car will launch in Hamburg at the end of 2018.
“We’ll be able to offer the complete ride pooling value chain – as needed or just individual pieces,” said Harms.
Various operator models will be possible and can be developed together with cities and partners, it said.
In addition to the car, the system consists of a customer app, which passengers use to book and pay for a MOIA.
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Lodging Econometrics Reports Industry Investment Reached $21B In 2013
Wednesday February 5th, 2014 - 9:35AM X
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PORTSMOUTH, NH—Lodging Econometrics just revealed that the lodging industry reached an estimated total investment of $21.8 billion in 2013, which represents its highest level since 2009. In addition, the number is expected to accelerate higher in 2014 and into the latter part of the decade as well.
The company, based here, just released its Winter 2014 U.S. Transaction Trends Executive Summary. The report also noted that in 2013, 1,171 hotels were sold or transferred, a decrease of 19 percent versus last year. Of the 1,171 transfers, 775 were individual single asset transactions, which increased 18 percent versus last year. Another 395 were portfolio transactions, which decreased49% year over year.
For hotel transactions with a reported selling price, activity totaled $16.8 billion in 2013. Privately Held Equity Funds and Hotel Companies accounted for 62% of sell side activity with a combined $10.4 billion.
Tags: Lodging Econometrics • investment • Hospitality • Quarterly Results •
As we begin 2015, and what is expected to be a healthy year for the hotel industry with expansion, progress and innovation as key catalysts for growth, Hotel Business is right on board with that momentum, bringing you, with this issue, our own updated product.

domain: news


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Labour would cap credit card interest2nd October 2017
Banks to strip back consumer lending16th October 2017
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned governments around the world about the impact of fuelling growth with debt-driven consumer spending.
They say that after initially supporting economic growth, consumer debt begins to weigh down an economy when growth is driven by debt.
The IMF’s report, released ahead of their annual meeting, said: “An increase in the household debt-to-GDP ratio is typically associated with higher economic growth and lower unemployment, but the effects are reversed in three to five years.
“Moreover, higher growth in household debt is associated with a greater probability of banking crises.”
The report comes after a series of warning about high levels of personal debt in the UK.
The Bank of England said last month that the UK lenders could lose £30bn on credit card loans, personal loans and car finance deals if interest rates and unemployment rose sharply.
Debt charity StepChange, meanwhile, released data showing that over 40% of its clients were falling behind on payments in the first half of 2017.
They also said that 6.5 million Brits have used credit to pay for necessities like food.
One of the report authors, Nick Valckx, said: “Debt greases the wheels of the economy. It allows individuals to make big investments today – like buying a house or going to college – by pledging some of their future earnings.
“That’s all fine in theory. But as the global financial crisis showed, rapid growth in household debt – especially mortgages – can be dangerous.”
The IMF focuses on the mortgage market because it says this is where the most risk lies. The market for mortgage borrowing is ten times the size of the consumer debt market in the UK.
A sudden rise in interest rates or uptick in unemployment could be particularly damaging in the UK, because there is a high share of homeownership and a high proportion of homeowners have floating-rate mortgages.
Higher mortgage repayments can also make it more difficult for homeowners to pay back other debts in full and on time.
Mortgage debt has risen steadily since 2008, but the number of borrowers has got smaller as more homeowners pay off their debts and first-time buyers find it difficult to enter the market.
The report suggests that household debt can be reduced by new rules to moderate borrowing, such as higher down payments being required and new rules about what proportion of household income can be spent on debt.
Following warnings from the Bank of England, the rise in consumer debt has slowed down in the second half of 2017.
Get advice on managing your debts. Speak to a qualified debt adviser today. Call: 0800 611 8888.


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Inspired and focused, ILC Dover employees work tirelessly to bring essential equipment to healthcare providers across the nation
4/22/20, Frederica, DE—Every day, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, ILC Dover employees manage rigid workplace safety restrictions and work long hours to deliver critical products that protect healthcare providers from infectious disease, enable pharmaceutical customers to deliver critical drugs and help the US provide security to our nation.
“Our staff at ILC Dover is doing everything they can to help healthcare workers do their job effectively and safely,” said President and CEO Fran DiNuzzo. “Personal protection has been an ILC Dover watchword for more than 70 years. What has changed is the demand for the products. We are ramping up personal protective equipment (PPE) production to over 30 times what it was last year. The ILC Dover team has stepped up to this challenge with a determination and spirit that is synonymous with our culture.”
Innovation in a Time of Crisis
In the face of exceptional demand and supply chain challenges, ILC Dover identified its respirator hood supply would not allow them to meet the demands of the healthcare market. Responding to this issue, the company’s R&D team designed a new powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) hood for workers on the frontline of the pandemic. Doug Durney, PPE Product Line Director at ILC Dover, explained that the EZ BioHood™ is manufactured in-house at ILC Dover headquarters in Frederica, DE, using existing materials and equipment. The entire process, from design to NIOSH approval, took only five weeks. The normal NIOSH approval process alone is typically several months.
All of this innovation and increased productivity leads to growth— and ILC Dover is hiring.
Protecting the Workforce
As the COVID-19 story continues to evolve, ILC Dover stays committed to providing a safe, productive workplace for its over 600 employees. Identified by the State of Delaware as an essential business, ILC Dover proudly rises to the challenge of meeting unprecedented demand for its products.
“The safety of our employees is a top priority,” said DiNuzzo. “To protect our workforce, we made adjustments early and quickly. We continue to stay ahead of guidelines from the CDC, WHO and the State of Delaware in our procedures and process for protecting our employees.”
Starting in mid-February, ILC Dover took many preventive measures, including:
- Cleaned and sanitized all facilities intensely and frequently
- Provided PPE, including face masks, to all employees working in facilities
- Eliminated close contact between production teams
- Moved all non-essential team members to work at home
- Eliminated face-to-face meetings by utilizing virtual meeting technologies
- Suspended all non-essential company travel on a global basis
- Limited visitors at all sites
“We’ll fully support our employees if anyone contracts COVID-19, encounters someone with a confirmed infection or needs to care for a family member,” DiNuzzo added. “Our benefits program provides continuation of pay and benefits for individuals dealing with healthcare and daycare challenges.”
Ensuring the Supply of Mission-Critical Products to Healthcare Customers
Along with ensuring a safe environment for employees, another top priority for ILC Dover is keeping customers supplied and mitigating business interruptions. As a leading provider of solutions that improve efficiency, safeguard workers and products, and prevent disasters, the continuous supply from ILC Dover is critical, from advanced pharmaceutical and biopharma products to flood protection to personal safety equipment and more.
“The pandemic was yet another example of the ILC Dover team taking on a daunting challenge in an unprecedented time: maintaining an uninterrupted supply of high-quality products for all our customers while ramping up the production of essential healthcare PPE by 30 times during a global pandemic, said DiNuzzo. “It was more than a team goal. It is the team’s mission.”
“ILC Dover has a reputation for pushing innovation Beyond Boundaries™,” DiNuzzo said. “We believe nothing is impossible. Our incredible employees prove this every day by solving complex problems for our customers. We couldn’t be prouder of our team.”
About ILC Dover
ILC Dover is a world-leader in the innovative design and production of engineered flexible protective solutions, for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical, flood protection, personal protection, bulk packaging, and aerospace industries. Our customers will attest to our relentless dedication to high value products, advanced technology, and responsive service, as our visionary solutions have improved efficiency while safeguarding people, product, and infrastructure in hazardous conditions through flexible protective solutions since 1947. For more information, visit ilcdover.com.


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Published June 2020
PORTLAND, OR – As several states now require people to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, Nike is set to release a new Nike Air Face Mask that will utilize air pump technology to contour the mask to the wearer’s face.
Published November 2019
GLENDALE, AZ – After being visited by three ghosts, local businessman Walter Bandict, has announced that he will no longer offer his employees paid time off and medical benefits.
Published August 2012
PALO ALTO, CA – The American Red Cross has set up a relief fund for the victims of last week’s mild wind that affected hundreds of wealthy residents in Palo Alto.
Published November 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – Despite protests from the North Pole and Keep Christmas Free, Congress passed a set of new laws aimed at reducing Santa Claus’ role in Christmas.
Under the new laws, presents can no longer be delivered by chimney, reindeer can not fly within 300 miles of a major metropolitan area and if stopped by police, Santa Claus must provide documentation proving his legal authority to travel within the United States.
Published May 2011
MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin State Legislature has passed new laws that Governor Scott Walker says will “make the Wisconsin work force more attractive to companies.” The laws will allow companies to pay workers in credit, charge for the use of equipment, and allow companies to chain workers to workstations.
“We’ve ensured that every company will have employees that are… forced to work for them” said Senator Lena Taylor.
Published January 2010
O. M. G! Can you believe this? It is I, your corpulent collaborator of cool, and I am back with another dishing of gossip and goodness.
Published March 2006
WASHINGTON, DC – After hundreds of thousands have protested recent proposals for overhauling the immigration system, President Bush will be touring the nation in support of a new proposal for both protecting United States borders and ensuring the availability of cheap labor.
Published January 2006
ENGLEWOOD, CO – In a surprising and risky move, the telecommunication company MCI has decided to replace its entire sales workforce with children ranging from ages six to eight-years-old.
Published October 2005
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – After years of research, food developers for the Arby’s chain of restaurants have announced they have made a major breakthrough in genetic research that will save the company millions of dollars and at the same time provide a higher quality of sandwich.
Published March 2001
HOUSTON, TX – Scientists at DNA Research Laboratories in Houston, TX have isolated what they believe to be the gene that causes ‘shifting’ in males. The discovery may lead to treatments and help to prevent the defect in future generations.


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Of course, this has wide-ranging ramifications for marketing and advertising. As well as a number of other sectors like travel. Similarl, entertainment and FMCG.
To help marketers keep on top of what this means for them, their jobs and their industry. Similarly, we’re collecting together the most valuable and impactful stats in this roundup. Update regularly since 20th March 2020.
Amazon, Meta and Alphabet to account for half of ad market in 2025, thanks to acceleration from Covid-19
Thanks to a boost in social and ecommerce advertising over the course of the pandemic. Similarly, new research from WARC Data suggests Amazon. Meta and Alphabet could account for half of a potential $1 trillion advertising market by 2025. 2021 saw what WARC calls a ‘meteoric rise’ in the value of the market. Growing 23.8% year-on-year to total $771 billion. It is predict to increase even further over the coming years, climbing 12.5% and 8.3% in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Travel ad spend set to grow at six times of overall ad market by 2023
The sector’s nevertheless impressive double-digit growth throughout 2021 – 24% – is predict to rocket even further in 2022 to 36% according to Zenith’s analysis. If this lofty expectation is reach, it could mean that the travel advertising sector could grow at six times the rate of the overall ad market between 2021 and 2023. Despite this, the travel industry will not meet or succeed pre-pandemic spending until the latter year.
It is expected that much of this increased advertising investment will remain dedicated to digital channels, with travel marketers having spent 63% of budgets on these formats in 2021 alone. This could rise to an even more substantial 70% by 2023, as more consumers grow accustomed to using travel apps and digital concierges. However, that’s not to say they are neglecting traditional mediums. In fact, 20% of budgets are spent on newspapers, magazines and OOH – well above the 13% budget ringfenced for these formats by the average brand.
UK advertisers set to spend record £7.9 billion this 2021 festive season
The Guardian reports new WARC figures that predict advertisers are set to spend £7.9 billion on marketing efforts in the three months to December, marking a new record since the study began in 1982. According to analysis, an extra £1 billion will be invested in advertising, equating to a 13% rise on last year’s advertising spend across the same nepal mobile number list period, which was somewhat subdued due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
Spend on TV advertising is expected to increase by 9% to £1.56 billion, as brands battle it out with their headline Christmas ads. If this is indeed reached, it will signify the largest annual growth rate recorded by the vertical in more than a decade. Investment in search advertising could rise by as much as 15%, while online display may see a 12.7% increase. Together, these two verticals are set to account for 65% of all ad spend in the fourth quarter.
Contact between clients and marketing agencies rose notably during the pandemic, but this has not improved relationship scores
Data indicates that 35% of global clients contact their agencies every day during this periods. Similarly, up from 21% in the first quarter of 2020. Likewise, the number of agencies that contact clients every day throughout that six months rose to more than half (51%), compared to 31% prior.
Overall, agencies have said that working hours have been less respected as a result. Similarly, with many clients asking for last-minute changes due to the uncertain nature of the global market. Meanwhile, the increased need for agency support among clients has led to a perceived lack of focus and an increased intensity of day-to-day tasks. High numbers of virtual meetings have also cited by survey respondents, leading to a lack of time for ‘valuable discussion’ and a deterioration in mental health among marketers. Consequently, many agency staff have taken leave citing burnout.
44% of B2B marketers have ‘completely changed’ their marketing channel mix since the pandemic began
Data from Salesforce’s seventh annual State of Marketing report. Similarly, this time covering trends in 2021. Shows that 44% of B2B marketers have ‘completely changed’ their marketing channel mix. Similarly, since the pandemic began to meet new challenges and a shift in behaviour. Another 45% said that their mix had ‘somewhat changed’, leaving just 11% of B2B marketers’ strategies unaffected.
A huge 91% of marketing organisations now use social media as part of their mix. Similarly, tying with digital ads as the most commonly use channel across the sector. Video is ranke third, with 90% of companies embracing the format. Similarly, indicating that even more B2B marketers have jumping on the trends in the past year.


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Treasury plan for land value duty falls on stony ground
Businesses have poured scorn on a Treasury proposal to scrap business rates and replace them with a land value tax.
The proposal is an attempt to save struggling high streets and will be put forward as part of a fresh review of the business rates system to be announced by Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, in his first budget.
However, business groups and rates experts said that exploring a land value tax would delay an urgently needed overhaul of the £30 billion-a-year levy.
“By the time a land value tax or any other alternative that might be considered could be delivered, many retailers will have gone to the wall and some high streets will no longer be there to be saved,” Jerry Schurder, head of business


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Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Launches on iOS and Android September 7
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is confirmed to launch on iOS and Android on September 7th. The game expands the story and universe first brought to light by the beloved FFVII.
The game was first announced back in 2021 alongside the battle royale game Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier. Initially, Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis was meant to launch in 2022. However, the game was pushed due to delays. In the lead-up to the release of Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, developers Applibot alongside Square Enix held a close beta testing phase in July.
Release Date Announcement!
FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS will be officially released on iOS and Android on September 7 2023! Don't forget to pre-register now!
— FINAL FANTASY VII EVER CRISIS_EN｜FF7EC (@FFVII_EC_EN) August 10, 2023
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is said to reimagine the timeline of FFVII and the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII. The game includes storylines from Final Fantasy 7, Advent Children, Before Crisis, Crisis Core, and Dirge of Cerberus. Final Fantasy Ever Crisis. The game also maintains its chibi-like character design seen in FFVII.
The will be free-to-play but will feature microtransactions. According to Engadget, the close beta version showed the game having gacha mechanics in order to gain access to cetain weapons and items.
Preregistration for Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis is currently available on the App Store and Google Play Store. Applibot is giving away milestone rewards as more players sign up. Currently, they’ve crossed the one million mark with only 1.2 and 1.5 million benchmarks left.


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Isle Of Man Supports Blockchain Businesses
In an initiative designed to support companies in their efforts to comply with current (and future) regulatory environments, Digital Isle of Man has a dedicated blockchain office and sandbox now open for business. These developments are part of the island’s ongoing strategy to position itself as an international centre of excellence for businesses that rely upon blockchain technologies.
An island of enterprise
A self-governing British Crown dependency sitting in the Irish Sea between Ireland and England, the Isle of Man has a unique status. Geographically speaking, it lies within the British Isles but does not belong to the UK, nor is it a member of the European Union. In recent years this has allowed the island to exploit its advantageous legal and economic status. The island created four executive agencies of the Department for Enterprise (DfE) in November 2017: Finance Isle of Man, Business Isle of Man, Visit Isle of Man and Digital Isle of Man. Each is tasked with encouraging business partnerships which deploy private sector knowledge and expertise to create jobs, develop products and promote opportunities for the island.
While the DfE’s finance, business and visit agencies appear to have a clear and obvious focus, the digital agency’s brief seems to be more wide-ranging and less easy to define – which perhaps reflects the fact that the emergence, development and application of new digital technologies is usually harder to predict with any certainty.
Commenting upon the purpose and motivation driving the new blockchain initiative, Lyle Wraxall, CEO of Digital Isle of Man, explained that this move demonstrates the island is a fully supportive jurisdiction prepared to work collaboratively with the blockchain industry. Thus the DfE is seeking to accommodate both ‘premium blockchain businesses and the world’s top exchanges’. In pursuit of this aim, Wraxall revealed that the island’s legislators will introduce new tech-agnostic regulation to reflect the philosophy and best practice observed in similar high-quality jurisdictions elsewhere in the world.
The digital agency joined the British Blockchain Association (BBA) in June 2018, and its new office will play a key role in facilitating dialogue between companies and regulators. This will assist blockchain platforms in the design phase as they seek to future-proof their planned initiatives in line with all applicable legislation and regulation in various jurisdictions. On application, firms can use the new sandbox which will function as a digital test bed for new projects. These facilities, which open in March 2019, will help to streamline the process of delivering new initiatives and early adopters will be able to use the service without charge.
The Isle of Man has well-established links with digital business. For instance, revenues from the e-gaming sector (nearly 40 licensees, including international companies like PokerStars and Microgaming) already furnish 18% of the island’s GDP. And besides the substantial economic contribution of online casino businesses, the island is also home to Quanta, the first licensed blockchain-enabled lottery project, and space-oriented concerns such as ManSat and SES Satellites. In addition, there have been exchanges located here since 2013, as well as blockchain concerns such as CoinCorner, Luckbox and Qadre which all have their headquarters on the Isle of Man.
The future of cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are perhaps the most controversial of the new digital assets. Ever since the arrival and acceptance of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, digital currency has been viewed by some as a breath of fresh air for the world’s careworn banking systems, and by others as a dangerously volatile source of economic disruption. It has certainly brought an additional measure of trust and transparency to the financial world, which has been quick to seize upon the security benefits of features such as blockchain technology. However, virtual currency has also been subject to disruptive market fluctuation which tends to attract get-rich-quick speculators while at the same time dissuading genuine investors.
During some ten years of trading, Bitcoin and its many spin-offs have proved that blockchains are secure. However, large-scale hacking, theft and other criminal activities have left cybercurrency with some issues and the 2018 crash has served to confirm its reputation for volatility. But despite this, even detractors have had to admit that the original concept of digital currency remains largely intact: A currency system which can retain its value, serve as a viable means of secure transactions and exchanges, is far more practical than the concept of precious metals, and has proved itself capable of remaining beyond the influence of governments and global banking systems.
Predicting the future performance of cryptocurrency has proved extremely difficult. Most observers believe the crash is now over and that the market should start to see further gains over the longer term. However, they also warn that, with the exception of the few best-performing currencies, many minor e-coinage will simply disappear. This view is supported by the fact that the 15 top coins account for 85% of today’s market.


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Posted by Local IT Care on 2012-10-24 20:06:41 UTC
Apple used its October event to unveil its new US$329 iPad mini. The 7.9-inch tablet was criticized by analysts who scoffed at the device's price tag, which is $130 more than the Kindle Fire HD and $90 than the Nexus 7. Phil Schiller spoke to Reuters about this sticker shock and said that customers won't mind paying a little extra for an iPad because it's a premium device.Schiller said that "the iPad is far and away the most successful product in its category. The most affordable product we've made so far was $399 and people were choosing that over those devices. And now you can get a device that's even more affordable at $329 in this great new form, and I think a lot of customers are going to be very excited about that."
tell a friend


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- It will support blood oxygen monitoring
- The fitness band will feature AMOLED display
- It is capable to provide 14 days of battery life
Mi Band 6 will be official in the market of India next week and the Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi has posted a teaser video before the announcement to add fuel into the fire of the excitement.
The Chinese brand has shared a short video on its official Twitter handle and teasing the launch of its upcoming fitness band in the country. The device is already confirmed to launch in India on August 26 along with a laptop and many other smart products.
Specifications of Mi Band 6
The smart band features a 1.56-inch 2.5D curved AMOLED display with a resolution of 152 × 486 pixels resulting in 326PPI. It can crank the brightness up to 450 nits. According to the company, the display is 50% larger than its predecessor. Users can access up to 130 watch faces and even customise them with pictures in the smartphone gallery.
Looking over the smartness it offers up to 30 exercise modes with auto-detection of activities such as Outdoor running, walking, treadmill running, outdoor cycling, rowing, and elliptical training. It also comes with 24×7 heart rate monitoring(PPG) and SpO2(Blood Oxygen measurement). It can also detect your Sleep breathing quality, REM, and nap time periods. Other health-focused features include Breath exercise, Stress monitoring, Female health tracking, Xiao AI and PAI(Personal Activity Intelligence).
In terms of connectivity, it hosts NFC for payments (in China only), and Bluetooth 5.0, It also offers 5ATM water resistance. The 125mAh battery lasts up to 14 days and can be charged via a magnetic charger.
Read interesting news, reviews as well as tips & tricks on TechnoBugg website, and stay updated with the latest happenings of the tech world on the go with Technobugg App. Also follow on Google News and join our Telegram channel for the latest updates.


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SEOUL: Mobile gaming is gaining significant traction among South Korean consumers, with customer numbers set to triple by 2015.
According to new research by Nomura, reported by ZDNet Asia, there will be 33.1m mobile gamers in the nation in 2015, up from 10.2m in 2011. Korean government forecasts suggest the nation's total population will hold steady at around 50m over this period.
Revenues for the sector are forecast to rise by 60% this year to $305.5m, with growth rates gradually tapering to 12% by 2017, by which time the market will be worth over $800m.
The Asian nation was a pioneer in the development of ultra-fast fibre optic broadband connections, and the pattern has been repeated for the mobile web. Nomura said Korea had the "world's fastest ramp up" of next-generation LTE services.
The rapid pace of expansion is also partly due to Korea's comparatively late transition from feature phones to smartphones, with consumers now playing catch-up to their US and European counterparts.
Regulatory pressures have also played their part, with the authorities demanding their right to pre-screen games before they went on sale in Korean app stores. This issue was resolved in November 2011.
Going forward, Nomura said it expected "freemium" – with mobile games available to users for nothing, but extra features accessible within the games charging a fee – to become the dominant monetisation model for developers.
Research from Google and Ipsos released in August 2011 revealed that Korean smartphone users are among the most engaged in the world, with the typical user having downloaded 42 apps to their device.
Data sourced from ZDNet Asia/Nomura/Warc; additional content by Warc staff


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Turkmen state concern to buy pipes, metal products via tender
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 22
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
Turkmennebit (Turkmenoil) state oil concern of Turkmenistan has announced a tender to buy pipes and rolled metal products.
All those interested to participate in the tender are invited to:
- send a bid indicating the bidder’s full name, legal status, country of registration and details;
- get a package of tender documents by paying $575 (including VAT).
Bids from offshore companies will not be accepted.
Tender offers will be accepted until January 19, 2018.
Fax: 40-39-39 (for submitting applications); 40-31-59, 40-31-31, 40-36-05 (for technical issues).
Applications should be submitted to: 56 Archabil Avenue, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.


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Tencent eyes a comeback in India with Undawn
According to reports, Tencent has released its latest online game, Undawn, in India through its subsidiary Level Infinite, which is based in Singapore and Amsterdam. This marks Tencent's attempt to launch a new title directly in India since its apps were banned in 2020 due to national security concerns and escalating tensions between India and China.
Undawn is a multiplayer game designed primarily for mobile platforms, available on Android and iOS, with a companion PC version on Steam. India is a significant market for mobile gaming, with a market share of over 90%, making it an attractive target for Tencent.
Despite the ban on Tencent's apps, its subsidiaries based in other regions continue to have their games available in India. For example, Tencent owns Supercell and Riot Games, which have ongoing operations and esports commitments in India, possibly due to their primary operations being in Europe and the US. It seems that Tencent is learning from their subsidiaries' experiences and testing the market with Undawn.
Undawn is the only game available under the Level Infinite label in India. However, if the launch proves successful, Tencent may introduce more games under this label in the country. This move demonstrates Tencent's interest in leveraging India's passion for mobile gaming and expanding its presence in the Indian market.
Source: Lewis Rees Staff Writer at PocketGamer


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2. Mobile is Everywhere – Not surprisingly, Pew Research reveals nearly 100% (91%) of US adults have a cell phone. Over half of those with a cell phone have a smartphone. The younger a person is (see the post about millennials above), the more likely they are to have a cell phone. 81% of people aged 25-34 have a phone, while 18% of those 65 and over have one.
3. Do Not Track – According to the IAB, 1 in 5 internet users now send a Do Not Track request. The IAB expects that number to increase to 50%. Mike Zaneis, general counsel for IAB says “that the high numbers of people with active do-not-track signals means that ‘it is no longer tenable’ for the ad industry to allow consumers to opt out of online behavioral advertising by setting a do-not-track signal.” Instead, according to MediaPost, the ad industry appears to be proposing to “de-link” or “de-identify” data about users who activate do-not-track headers.
4. Birthday Hugs from Facebook… kind of – Who doesn’t love getting birthday wishes on their birthday? And thanks to Facebook, you can usually get a swarm of them on your special day. But who wants just regular old social media birthday wishes when you can have a good old birthday hug? Outback Steakhouse and a Brazilian ad agency came up with a birthday hug chair to do just that. The person of honor sits in the chair and connects to their Facebook account. Each time someone wishes them a happy birthday on their timeline, the chair will hug them. Would you sit in the chair? (It certainly sounds better than the usual wait staff singing to you like you get with most restaurant birthdays.)


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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - The Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau is seeing a record number of visitors on its website this spring.
So far this month, Visitvablueridge.com has had 76,000 unique visitors. That number represents each person who goes to the website.
In March 2015, the website only had 47,000 unique visitors.
The convention and visitor's bureau said it credits the increase to a new online and print-advertising campaign.
"We're so excited over the popularity of Virginia's Blue Ridge," said Landon Howard, the president of Virginia's Blue Ridge. "It's growing every month with all that's going on in our region. We're seeing a lot of activity."
A $25,000 Virginia Tourism Corporation Grant helped pay for the ad campaign.


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Have you noticed more TV ads for Xbox One or PlayStation 4? According to research firm iSpot (via The Wall Street Journal) chances are it’s the PS4, as Sony has been spending a lot more money than Microsoft on TV ads this year.
According to iSpot, Sony spent $59 million on PlayStation TV ads through the end of May 2014, whereas Microsoft spent $34.7 million on Xbox TV ads during the same period. Both companies focused on the same channels, spending the majority of that cash on FOX, ESPN, and Comedy Central. Microsoft also advertised on AMC (home to The Walking Dead) and TBS, while PlayStation also advertised on Fox Sports 1 and TNT.
iSpot’s data, which accounts for the number of times an ad was aired, viewed online, and the number of social interactions it generated (tweets, Facebook likes, and shares), shows that PlayStation’s “Greatness” TV spot was Sony’s most effective ad. For Microsoft, Xbox’s “All-in-One” ad was the most effective.
While iSpot’s study suggest that the PS4 has generated more “digital actions” overall, a recent study from Movoto suggests that the Xbox One is the more popular console on Facebook.


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Azelis, a service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, has published its second sustainability report, covering the group-wide sustainability performance in 2020.
In 2015, the company defined the fundamentals of its sustainability program, following the Paris Agreement on climate change and the release of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations. The program consists of four pillars, each with goals and KPIs, within which Azelis also contributes to a number of United Nations sustainable development goals (UNSDGs).
In 2020, the company laid the grounds for an updated sustainability strategy, Action 2025. Throughout the year, it made several advances across each of its four pillars: people, products, governance and environment.
Another edition of the company-wide employee satisfaction survey, which has been in place since 2014, was conducted. The company succeeded in reaching its 2025 goals for loyalty and working conditions and is very close to its goal for engagement, it says. It intends to raise the bar of the 2025 goals by the end of 2021.
The company continued with the identification of sustainable products and intensified sustainable formulation work. For this, it focused on products that minimise or eliminate the use of hazardous substances. Progress was also made on the sustainable sourcing due diligence procedure in 2020. This was reinforced by the company’s membership to Together for Sustainability, a joint sustainability initiative and global network of 31 chemical companies.
Regarding governance, the company launched its SpeakUp! Policy and SpeakUp! Line, which are available to employees and any third-party stakeholder for reporting malpractices. The lines are designed to ensure a culture where employees are encouraged to speak up in a safe environment, and where they will not feel victimised or retaliated against.
Finally, the company is committed to a carbon intensity reduction target of 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. It also set targets of using 100% of electricity in its offices and sites from renewable sources as well as decarbonisation in its operations and supply chain.
Dr Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis Chief Executive Officer, said: “Perhaps the most important lesson of 2020 was that we cannot and must not continue as before the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the responsibility of all of us, as businesses, as consumers, as human beings, to act more sustainably and responsibly. Despite the turmoil 2020 brought, it has been yet another pivotal year of progress for Azelis.
“More than ever, sustainability is a driver of innovation for Azelis and innovation is a driver of sustainability. Across all market segments, our formulation experts are helping customers reduce their environmental impact by developing innovations that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. They are also creating formulations and practices that deliver enhanced performance while protecting human health and the environment. Our innovations catalyze sustainability in the market segments we serve and their value chains, and will help realize concepts such as circular economy.”
Maria J. Almenar Martin, Group Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) and Sustainability Director, said: “As Group Sustainability Director I look back at our 2020 sustainability achievements proudly and with excitement and confidence to the years to come to reach our 2025 sustainability targets. With our recently awarded Platinum rating from EcoVadis and this latest edition of the sustainability report, we confirm to all our partners the proven track record of our sustainability efforts and commitments since we started our journey back in 2015. We are in a resolute course of action to be catalyst of change when it comes to sustainable business models and become the benchmark for the industry.”
The company has identified “digitalisation, innovation and sustainability” as growth drivers. With its redefined sustainability strategy, Azelis is aiming to build a resilient, thriving and responsible business.


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Coffee is the most popular morning beverage. But, studies show a coffee estrogen link that could potentially affect your health. Should you be concerned?
Many of us find coffee as a crutch to get through our daily lives. We drink it to start our mornings. It’s consumed to finish the workday. We may even find ourselves drinking coffee to keep us awake on long drives.
Did you know new research suggests coffee may not be as good as it seems? This is particularly the case for women.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests some concerning finds. Drinking just two cups of coffee per day may lead to hormone imbalances.
The research suggests a coffee estrogen link where drinking coffee affects estrogen levels. The study is the first of its kind to investigate the link between coffee and estrogen. Let’s examine the relation between caffeine consumption and hormone regulation.
The Coffee Estrogen Link
The results from the study were discussed in an article on Prevention.com. The study had some very interesting results.
For white women, drinking two cups of coffee caused estrogen levels to decrease. This would prevent hormone-related diseases like breast cancer.
However, among black and Asian women the study shows that estrogen levels actually increased. This would put these populations of women at a higher risk of developing hormone-related diseases.
The coffee estrogen link shown may have been affected by other influences. Many women in the study reported drinking soda. Further research is needed to see if any of the ingredients in soda affected hormone levels in women.
This research can be branched out further. Energy drinks may also play a role in hormone regulation among women. Really, any caffeinated beverage should be examined.
What exactly does caffeine do to mess with hormone regulation? It’s said that caffeine makes the body more acidic.
When the body becomes acidic, too much estrogen is produced. This also leads to low progesterone levels. When the two are not in balance it causes estrogen dominance which leads to a variety of diseases and conditions.
A study by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Research is described here. This shows that women who are heavy coffee drinkers had 70% more estrogen than women who consumed less than one cup per day. Further studies also show a slew of other birth-related conditions that can arise to a body being too acidic.
So what is the take home message?
In short, further research is needed before any claims can be made. If you drink less than one cup of coffee per day, hormone changes should not be noticeable. For modest to heavy coffee drinkers, there is a potential risk for hormone imbalances.
Coffee makes your body more acidic. This makes you prone to estrogen dominance. Keep a watchful eye on your body. If you are concerned look for other ways to replace your caffeine addiction.


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Weight Watchers announced plans to launch its own meal kit service, adding to the growing number of companies competing in this relatively young industry.
The meal kits are part of Weight Watcher’s new WW Healthy Kitchen initiative. Along with meal kits, the company is partnering with Gibson Overseas to offer a line of kitchen tools, including “infuser water bottles, pineapple corers and pots with internal portion-measuring marks,” according to an article in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Weight Watchers meal kits will include fresh, pre-measured ingredients and recipes that you can cook at home, similar to traditional meal kit companies. However, Weight Watchers meal kits will be available in supermarkets rather than delivered to your door. The company is working with California-based meal kit company FreshRealm, and plans to roll the new kits out later this year.
Companies like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh have popularized meal kit delivery services and continue to grow, despite competition from major players entering the market like Amazon and Walmart. Customers like the convenience and accessibility of meal kit services, but some are turned off by having to purchase a subscription, and would prefer to have the option to purchase meal kits on demand. It’s much easier for large companies like Amazon and Walmart to provide less expensive choices as well as individual meal kits, since they have the distribution network in place. The growing competition has affected Blue Apron’s stock prices since its IPO last year.
Weight Watchers is another large company looking to enter the competitive meal kit market, but is hoping to capture customers who are specifically looking to lose weight. This uniquely angles them to be an attractive alternative, especially for meal kit fans who have had limited options in diet-based meal kit choices apart from specialty services that provide gluten-free, Keto and Paleo-based meals.
“We know people today need the tools, inspiration and community to develop healthy habits in their day-to-day lives,” Weight Watchers CEO Mindy Grossman said in a statement. “We are delivering the solutions that make healthy eating and cooking accessible, easier and simpler for all.”
Weight Watchers was struggling in the stock market and membership base back in 2015, until it signed Oprah Winfrey as a spokesperson. Since, the company has made a comeback, and has launched some enticing new offerings, including an app, virtual coaching, and a new healthy lifestyle emphasis on its program. Weight Watchers also revamped its point system, providing free points for healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, leaving more choice for its customers to have flexibility in their meal planning.
It seems the meal kit offering is an extension of Weight Watcher’s new focus on creating an overall healthy lifestyle program.


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HARDI's Annual Conference in December, the organization’s Emerging Leaders program sought to strengthen the HVACR industry by developing the talent of its up-and-coming distributors, manufacturers, and vendors.
Manufacturers showcase new products at 2016 AHR Expo
February 22, 2016
Nearly 61,000 HVAC industry representatives enjoyed sun and reasonable temperatures as the 2016 AHR Expo rolled into Orlando, Florida. Preliminary numbers show that more than 18,254 exhibitor personnel welcomed 42,672 visitors.
The geothermal industry is acutely aware that government-issued commercial and residential tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2016. Currently, geothermal heat pumps in commercial applications are eligible for a 10 percent income tax credit, and residential applications may receive up to a 30 percent incentive.
While there are still a significant number of single-speed motors still in operation, many OEMs are making a concerted move toward variable-speed equipment in order to meet a growing demand for higher efficiency. To help OEMs meet their goals, and to meet increasingly stringent motor efficiency regulations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), motor and drive manufacturers have introduced their smartest, most efficient products yet.
HVAC contractors are constantly seeking accurate, energy-efficient, year-round solutions to their customers’ humidification and dehumidification needs. A number of those solutions were on display at the 2016 AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida.
According to HVAC manufacturers, customers are looking for highly efficient furnaces that shave dollars off their utility bills while providing the best possible levels of comfort. As a result, most furnaces displayed at the AHR Expo were designed to meet these market demands.
As the DOE mandates minimum efficiency performance and the EPA delists ozone-depleting refrigerants, manufacturers are being tapped to create speed-controlled compressors that run on an array of natural refrigerants.


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2014 Merger and Acquisition Review
2014 was the best year for mergers since 2007 largely due to the consumer confidence over the health of the economy and speculation about its future growth. Overall, worldwide mergers and acquisitions valued over $3.4 trillion about $900 million behind the 2007 number. In the United States, from 2013-2014 we saw a 54% increase in money spent on mergers and acquisitions valuing at $1.5 trillion.
The biggest industries regarding M&A activity were mostly healthcare, telecom and technology. The combined three industries accounted for over $1 trillion. Experts expect shareholders to push their boards and officers for more deals in the coming year. The boost to the bottom line that comes with such dealings makes them attractive to those holding stake in a company. Many refer to the atmosphere of deal making as contagious, those who are not making deals feel they are going to be left behind so they start striking up deals. We may be in store for a surplus of M&A activity this coming year.
In the health-care industry we may be seeing a bump in deal making activity from the Affordable Care Act, coupled with the expiration of patents for a few prescription drugs that will soon move to generic versions.
What will be in store for the coming year? With 2014’s latest inversion tax block, many deals fell by the wayside, 3 out of 5 failing to finalize in the UK and Ireland. Speculation is swirling on both sides of the growth prediction for this coming year. Some think that due to the recent tax block, deals will slow down, especially in the healthcare industry. While others believe that the psychology behind striking deals will lead us into a deal making craze for 2015. Whatever the outcome may be, it will be an exciting year!
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Several 2018 beverage trends bode well for the tea business.
- Five of every $25 spent dining out is for beverages.
- Beverage servings increasingly are non-alcoholic.
- Millennials, now the largest cadre of consumers, favor tea.
- Sales of loose leaf tea in 2017 grew in volume and value.
2017 Packaged Tea SalesWholesale tea sales are estimated at $12 billion last year with RTD accounting for $7.14 billion. Hemphill says the fastest growing segment in tea is ready-to-drink, up 3.1 percent in 2016 and expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2017. RTD accounts for 46 percent of total tea volume, while tea bags represent 44 percent. Loose leaf accounts for less than 1 percent of tea by volume but grew by 4 percent in the first half of 2017, he said. Flavored and fortified water showed the greatest gain in volume at 12.3 percent. Carbonated soft drinks experienced their 13th straight annual decline (-0.8 percent). Consumption of liquid refreshment beverages overall grew by 3.4 percent and topped 32.9 billion gallons. RTD tea was 1.7 billion gallons of that total. Demand for tea sold in single-serve capsules continued its decline, according to retail sales data from IRI. In the 52 weeks ending Nov. 5, the entire category lost 11.5 percent dollar share in grocery, drug, convenience and mass market stores, earning $116 million on 15 million units sold. Hemphill reported a similar 11.1 percent decline in 2015-16. The beverage landscape is changing. “Niche categories continue to outperform traditional mass-market categories,” explains Hemphill, who noted a slowing of sales in early 2017 but still lists RTD tea as a “winner” with a gain of 4.8 percent, up 641 million gallons in the 10 years ending 2016.
Foodservice Tea MarketMarket research firm Technomic reports $181 billion was spent on away-from-home beverages in 2016. This is equal to about 113 billion beverage servings. Inexpensive, refreshing and healthful, tea is a major beneficiary as sales of regular and diet soda, milk and fruit beverages declined. "Beverages account for $1 out of every $5 consumers spend away from home," writes David Henkes, Technomic senior principal. "They are a critical part of the overall experience, and because of their central importance, it's absolutely crucial for restaurant operators and their suppliers to understand how innovation impacts consumer satisfaction." The 2017 Away-From-Home Beverage Study notes that “key attributes like taste and refreshment still dominate the consumer mindset, there is an increased emphasis on beverage health and functionality due to demographic (i.e., generational, ethic) and regulatory (e.g., regional soda taxes, mandatory calorie labeling) shifts.”
Consumer Beverage TrendsConsumers are more conscious than ever about making responsible food choices, and increasingly want to know what is in their food and how it is produced, says Lu Ann Williams, director of innovation at Innova Market Insights. She labels the trend “mindful choices” in the company’s Top Ten Trends for 2018 report. “While coffee is clearly trending among millennial and Generation Z consumers, tea is also seeking to reinvent itself among the younger generations. With the taste and experiential associations of coffee and the healthy image of tea, the industry is increasingly using coffee and tea as ingredients and flavors outside the hot drinks and iced tea and coffee subcategories across a wide variety of products as varied as energy bars, yogurt and jam,” she said. Utilizing traditional marketing surveys Mintel International annually identifies beverage trends, two of which for 2018 mention tea. What Mintel found in Global Food & Drink Trends 2018:
- Consumers say that managing and releasing stress is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle.
- Texture is the next facet of formulation. Vibrantly hued drinks attract attention in image-centric media, but texture can also make products captivating for customers seeking food and drink that is perceived as fresh, functional, filling or simply fun.
- Consumers want authenticity. The vast majority of 2,000 consumers (86 percent) surveyed in Australia, U.S. and U.K. believe authenticity is important when deciding the brands they like. But more than half (57 percent) think that fewer than half of brands create content that resonates as authentic.


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Five Star Equities Provides Stock Research on First Solar and SunPower
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 06/14/12 -- Solar stocks rebounded sharply Tuesday as First Solar Inc. stated that demand from Europe has grown unexpectedly. First Solar has delayed the closing of a German plant to meet unexpected demand in Europe. "First Solar's comments fit in with what several Chinese companies have also been saying, which is that demand remains strong," stated David Smith, the portfolio manager of Gabelli Green Fund. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Solar Industry and provides equity research on First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) and SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ: SPWR).
First Solar, as part of their global restructuring plan, which included cutting their staff by 30 percent, had previously planned to shut down their German plant in October. First Solar "is returning to a full work schedule" at their Frankfurt factory, Mitchener said in an e-mail Tuesday. The plant will operate "near full production capacity through October, and then begin to wind down production and close the facility by year-end." Shares of First Solar surged over 20 percent in Tuesday trading.
Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on companies in the Solar Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.FiveStarEquities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.
Last week Bloomberg reported solar panel makers were boosting production in 2012 as demand in China was expected to double. The $36 billion market is shifting from Europe to Asia. According to estimates compiled by Bloomberg shipments from the five biggest producers of polysilicon solar modules are expected to rise 27 percent to 37 percent, with China's Suntech Power Holdings Co. and Yingli Green Energy Holdings Co. leading the way.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance predicts that China, who trails only Germany and Italy in new installations, will become the top solar market in 2013 as subsidies for new projects are being cut by European nations. "Europe is going down and Asia is going up," said Matt Feinstein, an analyst at Lux Research Inc.
Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer


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E-cigarette maker Juul will pay millions to settle claims it marketed to minors, and Georgia will get a sizable cut.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The proposed settlement is around $440 million.
Dozens of states, including Georgia, spent two years investigating Juul.
“Underage vaping has reached epidemic proportions, and our office is committed to protecting Georgia’s youth from products that could be harmful to their health. That includes holding accountable those that unlawfully try to sell dangerous and addictive e-cigarettes to minors in our state,” said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
Georgia will get $19 million in the settlement.
In addition to the payout, Juul has agreed not to market to minors, use cartoons in advertising or sell flavors without approval.
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The 2023 NRF Foundation Honors – presented by American Express and PwC – is the NRF Foundation’s biggest stage for telling the story of how retail builds extraordinary careers. The event on January 15 in New York City included the celebration of The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future honorees:
- Ministry of Supply Co-Founder & CEO Aman Advani
- The Home Depot Senior Director of Workforce Programs Erin Izen
- Gap Inc. Head of Customer and Community Belonging & Enablement Bahja Johnson
- Walmart Inc. Global CTO and CDO Suresh Kumar
- Steve Madden Founder, Design & Creative Chief Steve Madden
The List 2023 was presented onstage by American Express President of U.S. Merchant Services Colleen Taylor and PwC Vice Chair of Consumer Markets Barbra Bukovac. They commended the honorees for sparking innovation and creating opportunities and reflected on their appreciation for – and personal connections to – the retail industry.
"Communities are built through personal connections," Bukovac says. "One of the most important things my first retail job taught me was how to connect with people, and it’s why I’m so honored to serve on the board of the NRF Foundation who creates opportunities for so many students starting their careers in retail to connect with educators, employers, customers and each other."
The connections that retailers build with their customers are going strong.
"It was so awesome to see the malls and shopping centers packed again with shoppers this past holiday season," Taylor says. "Retail is alive and thriving."
The 2023 NRF Foundation Honors – co-hosted by Bloomingdale's Chairman and CEO Tony Spring and Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner – drew more than 700 attendees and raised $3 million for the NRF Foundation’s programs and resources.
Throughout the fall, the NRF Foundation featured the honorees on The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future in “20 Questions” interviews that highlighted how they each built exciting careers in retail. View those conversations on demand now and learn more about The List here.


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February 8 (Renewables Now) - German chemicals company Wacker Chemie AG (ETR:WCH) saw the fourth-quarter 2017 sales of its polysilicon division drop by 9% in annual terms due to lower available volumes for sale.
The division booked sales of EUR 270 million in October-December 2017, as compared to EUR 297 million (USD 363.2m) a year before, the German firm said on Thursday. The decline was mainly caused by a drop in volumes after the company temporarily shut down its manufacturing facility in Charleston, Tennessee. The plant, with an annual polysilicon production capacity of 20,000 tonnes, suffered an explosion in September 2017 that lead to a chemical leak and fire.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) at Wacker’s polysilicon unit stood at EUR 65 million, down 25% on the year. The prior-year result included EUR 13 million of special income from advance payments and damages from solar-sector clients, while no such income was recorded in 2017. The division’s EBITDA in the quarter down not include any significant payments from insurers for the Charleston incident.
The company's overall 2017 sales and EBITDA both rose by 6% year-on-year to EUR 4.92 billion and EUR 1 billion, respectively. According to preliminary estimates, Wacker’s net profit will be EUR 885 million, improving from EUR 189 million a year earlier. “Thanks to very robust customer demand at both our chemical and polysilicon businesses, we continued to expand sales and earnings in 2017,” CEO Rudolf Staudigl said, adding that the company has either met or exceeded its forecast for the year.
(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.223)


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The following article was taken from the blog of Todd Tarson and can be found at:
Potential 'Good News'... again... in a week
So where did you catch Ironman or The Dark Knight this summer?? Well if you live in Kingman you didn't spend the cash within the current city limits and probably had to walk, bike, or drive 40 or so miles (one way) to catch the summer blockbusters.
Our good pal Dave Hawkins sent me the following article...
EIGHT SCREEN CINEMA PROPOSED FOR KINGMAN
Kingman's theater drought could end next year. The community has been without a movie house since Cinemark ended its run at The Movies on Stockton Hill Road late last year.
Cinemark would open at a new location under a site plan and conceptual elevation renderings submitted to the City of Kingman. "This would be the first step," City Planning Administrator Tom Duranceau said of the initial documents filed with the city.
The Mountain View Plaza project would occupy ten acres at Hualapai Mountain Road and Eastern Avenue. Undescribed commercial retail development is planned on a 4.15 acre parcel.
The 5.85 acre parcel would include 446 parking spaces, a two story 21,000 square foot commercial retail building and an eight screen, 26,000 square foot movie house to be leased by Cinemark.
Duranceau said the developers have not yet filed engineering or building plans. He said the project must conform to design standards specified for the Hualapai Mountain Road corridor.
Duranceau said developers envision a seven month construction campaign for the movie theater once all necessary approvals are secured.
City Council members Ray Lyons and Kerry Deering recently expressed frustration that local residents have had to travel to Lake Havasu City, Laughlin and elsewhere to enjoy a movie. They both speculated that Kingman may be the biggest city in America without a theater.
I'm gonna venture to say that whoever ends up being responsible for developing a new movie theater (and one as nice as this one sounds like it might be) is probably going to get a few free lunches once they open up the box office.
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NEW YORK, NY (Krapsody) - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that sudden acceleration events in Toyota vehicles over the past decade led to several instances of collisions, serious injuries, and at least 19 confirmed deaths associated with eight or more popular models. In record time Toyota has now decided to recall those vehicles with sticking accelerator pedals.
To alleviate the problem, Toyota will install new and improved airbags starting this week in over 5 million vehicles.
In a press conference earlier today, Toyota Motor Company representative, Phil Graves, stated that Toyota "...[has] taken these measures so that in the event a gas pedal sticks on any of our vehicles, and if firm and steady application of the brakes and/or frantic waving of the arms fails to stop the vehicle, Toyota's improved airbags will reduce the amount of injuries or fatalities to Toyota owners."
"We want to make sure our customers understand that this situation is rare and generally does not occur suddenly. Rather it's a slow and painful process...until the accelerator pedal sticks and you fly off into the stratosphere like a bat out of hell...or into a brick wall. But that's the worst case scenario. We're trying to remain optimistic."
"Our message to Toyota owners is this – if you experience any issues with your accelerator pedal, please contact your dealer without delay. If you are not experiencing any issues with your pedal, we are confident that your vehicle is safe to drive. But just to be sure, get the new airbags installed..it can't hurt. We'll even throw in a crash helmet, a months supply of adult diapers, and a new set of floor mats," Graves added.
"Nothing is more important to Toyota and our lawyers - I mean..our LOYAL customers than the safety and reliability of the vehicles our customers drive," noted Graves. "We understand the safety concerns the public has."
"Our entire organization of 172,000 - um, wait a sec. We um..recalled...uh, laid-off rather, quite a few 'defective airbags' - uh, defective airbag installers..over the holidays," Graves eyes glaze over a bit, "Ok, so our entire organization of 153, that's 153 North American employees and dealership personnel are working around the clock, without food, water, or sleep, to replace the airbag systems for our customers. The suspense is killing us."
"Rest assured, we've come to the most safe and viable solution for this problem. In upcoming weeks we will address reports about those steering wheels popping off during operation on all vehicles manufactured since 2001. Thank you."


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Don't-Miss Android Stories
With that design, comes an Apple-like price. But don’t let that scare you away.
For the time being, we can’t recommend buying the Mos Go. The company is working on updated firmware to fix critical issues.
From iCloud photo sharing to the cursor's tiny magnifying glass, some of iOS's smallest touches are easy to overlook until they're gone.
Both devices were previously touted at hitting 18W, with the confusion apparently the result of a marketing error.
A teardown of the version 1.6.1 update shows more detailed workout options and a round icon to match nicely with the Pixel Launcher.
You now have more sophisticated tools for drawing, wireframing projects, and editing photos on an Android phone or tablet.
Google sacrifices very little in the smaller, less expensive version of its hot new phone.
Allo may be the cool kid in the world of Google's messaging efforts, but Google is still finding time to bring Hangouts up to speed.
It's the first phone with Google's Tango technology, which bakes in a number of augmented reality experiences.
Many who bought the Pixel shortly after launch are still waiting for their phone to arrive long after it was promised.
This multi-functional camera lens kit works on most standard sized smartphones, and brings even more life to your photos with 180-degree fisheye, 0.65x wide angle and 10x macro lenses.
Give your curvy smartphone the right amount of protection and style that it deserves.
The latest move attempts to improve the app discovery process so it's not unfairly used by developers seeking an advantage.
The new tricks are neat, but this early release version of the app is quite crash-prone and shouldn't be relied on for everyday use.
The latest version of Android has built-in tools to help you manage storage space.


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India Inc's top leaders, ace economists & macro-economic experts speak on the day's big trends & developments.
Ananth Narayan, Professor at SP Jain College says the inflow or outflow and currency depends on the CFD and FDI and states that India will have regular outflows of around $ 2-3 Bn for upcoming months.
Jim Rogers from Rogers Holdings says crude prices are expected to cool off but may rise towards the end of the year and that shale production should stabilize at current levels.
Stability in the management at Infosys after increase in stock prices, and five pronged approach to digital investment that Salil Parekh has initiated.
Paul Hermelin, CEO, Capgemini, talks about 'Fast & Furious' Delivery of Digital Business and how it has been successful In Mobilising Indian Skill Force.
GCPL's Business Head Sunil Kataria says they weren't able to capitalize good monsoons in the last 3-4 years but is hopeful for high rural growth this year.
Exports will be a key focus area for the company, in existing markets like Saudi Arabia and also in new base like Germany and France, says Dilip Piramal, MD & Chairman,VIP Industries.
Global economy needs sustainability & steady prices when it comes to crude oil, OPEC’s consensus on production target remains key to crude price movement.
Fine organics, a leading player in the oleochemicals space will be opening its IPO today and will be closing on june 22
The issue for railway consultancy firm RITES opens today. The government is looking to divest a 12% stake via the IPO and the price band is set at Rs 180 - 185 per share.
ICICI Lombard sells 17.7 Lk shares or 0.84% equity at Rs 270/sh
In pact with Reliance Nippon to sell Mutual Fund products
Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras to offer mutual fund distribution on pan India basis
Plans to sell part of se Asia biz as part of strategy to exit non scalable biz
To sell Singapore & Thailand units valuing them at $ 500Mn
Singapore & Thailand biz contributes 16% to revenues & 2% to EBITDA
To turn focus to domestic market
Avendus cap-KKR emerge as frontrunner to acquire IDFC MF
Offer of Rs 3,000-4,000 Cr made by FIN services firm


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Madefire and Dark Horse have announced that Hellboy will be coming to the Motion Book service, starting with the current Hellboy in Hell series.
This comes as the latest approach from Dark Horse, who have been pursuing a noticeably different digital tactic from all the other major comics publishers. Eschewing ComiXology for their own Dark Horse Digital, this new move is being promoted as being part of a high-end digital reading product – in essence, that Madefire will provide a high-quality digital read.
This also means Dark Horse join a growing list of companies to put their comics through Madefire, including Top Cow, IDW, and Boom Studios. The first ‘episode’ of Hellboy in Hell is up on the Madefire website now.
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Arthritis is a real problem among our canine friends. According to experts, the number of dogs affected by the condition have more than tripled since 2015. An affliction most commonly associated with elderly humans, arthritis has numerous causes, including genetic makeup, a previous injury, smoking heavily, and infections. What is causing this rapid increase in the number of dogs being diagnosed? Animal Friends, a pet insurer that recently undertook a survey of over 20,000 pet health records, is pretty sure that pet parents are having a hand in the health of their dogs – and has warned that diagnoses could rise further.
How is this possible? For starters, our pets are being spoiled more than ever, eating plenty of food and treats that they'd normally never touch. This, combined with a lack of exercise and poor lifestyle choices, has meant that our dogs are obese. While we may feel as though we are spoiling our beloved pets, we're actually doing more harm than good. The media is filled with scary stories regarding the obesity crisis and our fear of exercise, but did you realize that this also extends to our pets?
British Veterinary Association President Sean Wensley tends to agree: "It is entirely plausible that we are experiencing a pet obesity epidemic, with increasing numbers of pets – including dogs – that are overweight or obese. And we know that carrying excess weight is a clear risk factor for arthritis. The chief reason is that owners are giving their pets excess or inappropriate food… Pets have relatively small bodies compared to us and can really struggle to burn off the excess calories that they are being given," he told the UK's Telegraph newspaper.
In addition to the factors introduced by pet parents comes the simple fact that our furry friends are living far longer these days. Arthritis is commonly associated with general wear and tear, and is, in many cases, unavoidable. Pet parents who have any concerns regarding arthritis should contact their veterinary practice in order to seek the right kind of treatment.


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Capacity Trucks debuted its new zero-emissions lithium-ion-powered terminal truck at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. This new electric terminal truck is the latest in Capacity’s zero-emissions line of products designed for port, intermodal and distribution/warehouse applications.
The Capacity EV terminal truck is powered by a Hyster-Yale electric powertrain and available with an option of 130 kWh or 260 kWh lithium-ion battery and, according to Capacity, is expected to operate for the length of a normal shift before recharging is needed, delivering consistent power and maximizing uptime. The company notes that the battery can be recharged in as short as one hour.
The truck is on display at Capacity’s ACT Expo booth #6788. Capacity’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric terminal truck, which debuted at TMC earlier this year, is also on display.


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The California Legislature is considering Assembly Bill 319, which would ban products intended for use by children if made from plastics containing certain chemicals, including bisphenol A. The bill's proponents cite a scientifically unorthodox hypothesis that tiny exposures to bisphenol A -- far below those widely considered safe -- might harm health.
Everyone wants to protect the health of children, but this bill is unnecessary, scientifically unsupportable and counterproductive in that many of the targeted products enhance the health and safety of children and adults. Its passage would trigger needless fear in parents and others who use these products. In truth, years of scientific research around the world clearly demonstrates that the many important products made with bisphenol A are safe for use by people of any age.


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Aston Martin has announced exciting details on its newly released Vantage Roadster. Mirroring the iconic Vantage coupé in design, tactility, pace and handling, yet bringing its own unique driving passion, it’s in a class of its own.
Aston Martin has been keen to ensure the new Vantage Roadster offers the same “emotional appeal” of the hard-top two-seater. So while the uncompromising silhouette is strikingly familiar, it features the addition of an exquisitely tailored fabric retractable roof for an enhanced experience.
Matt Becker, Aston Martin Chief Engineer, commented:
“Convertible sports cars are often seen as compromised when compared to their Coupe equivalents, but the Vantage Roadster remains absolutely dedicated, true to its mission of delivering precise, agile and expressive handling dynamics combined with stonking straight-line performance. And of course, there’s the added dimension of driving a great-sounding sports car with the roof down”.
Receiving what Aston Martin claims is the fastest fully automatic soft-top hood, the new Vantage Roadster will allow you to go from top-down to up in under seven seconds at speeds of up to 31mph, perfect for the unpredictable British weather.
As to be expected from a convertible, the Roadster forgoes some of its boot capacity to house the retractable roof. However, despite losing 150-litres, there remains a useable 200-litres, more than enough for a golf bag and accessories.
The use of a new Z-fold roof mechanism and strong but lightweight structural bracing means the retractable roof adds a modest 60kg to the overall weight of the Roadster compared to the hard-top Vantage.
While keen to retain the coupé’s ‘strong dynamic ability and sporting character’ the Vantage Roadster will utilise the same 4.0-litre 503bhp V8 engine as the coupé. Alongside the familiar roar comes plenty of potent power, with 0-60mph achievable in 3.7 seconds, just 0.2 seconds shy of its hardtop counterpart, up to a top speed of 190mph.
The Vantage Roadster will use the same electronic and mechanical systems as the regular Vantage. However, bespoke tuning to the rear suspension, altered software for the adaptive dampers and recalibrated ESP system will ensure the Roadster has a unique feel.
As standard, the Vantage Roadster will come mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. But alongside a raft of new options comes a notable addition - a seven-speed manual gearbox originally launched on the limited-run Vantage AMR.
Other new additions released to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vantage nameplate include a more traditional ‘vane’ grille, which is softer and more sculpted than the existing ‘hunter’ grille. On top of that, are striking new colours and distinctive alloy wheel options.
Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer, said of the Vantage Roadster:
“Open-top Aston Martins are always firm favourites with our customers, so it’s very exciting to introduce the Vantage Roadster. For many, driving with the roof down is the true definition of the sports car experience as it truly brings your senses to life. Vantage has always delivered the purest of thrills, but in Roadster form, that adrenaline rush is set to go to the next level”.
The new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is available to order now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second quarter of this year - just in time for you to enjoy open-top motoring through summer.


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Volkswagen's sales in Russia through official dealers totaled 1,391 in the first quarter of 2003, which was 17.8% less than in the same period of last year. The German car giant's Russian headquarters told Rosbalt that its leading seller in the first quarter of this year was the Volkswagen Passat. The company also sold 607 Passat Limousines, 82 Passat Variants, 167 Golfs, 9 Golf Variants, as well as 10 luxury class Phaetons. The Phaeton made its debut on the Russian market last autumn and costs between EUR 60,000 and 120,000.
In the first nine months of 2002, Volkswagen sold over 6,000 cars through its official network of dealers, which was 13% more than in the same period of 2001.
It has long been understood that the West has been trying to subject Russian borders to total control. We have not seen such activity even during the Cold War
The co-author of this disaster is the Dutch government, which did not find either strength or desire to save the lives of its citizens who were flying on that plane. The Dutch authorities did not demand Ukraine to comply with international aviation regulations


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Days numbered for counterfeit handsets
GOVERNMENT| Sept. 10, 2011, 2:22 p.m.
By Carole Kimutai, Nairobi, Kenya
Kenyan authorities have unveiled their plan for phasing out the use of counterfeit and grey market handsets in the country.
The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) held a consultative meeting Friday 9th September 2011 with Kenya’s four mobile network operators, government agencies (Kenya Bureau of Standards, Anti-Counterfeit Agency, Office of the President, Kenya Police and the National Security Intelligence Service (NSIS), and the Kenya Revenue Authority, and equipment manufacturer Nokia to discuss the way forward on the phasing out of the use of counterfeit mobile handsets in Kenya.
According to statistics from CCK, out of 25.2million subscribers in Kenya, 9.39 percent are using counterfeit handsets. Use of counterfeit handsets denies holders of Intellectual Property rights of their legal right to benefit from the fruits of their innovations, exposes consumers to health and security risks, and denies the Kenya government revenue.
Overall (apart from handsets), the government of Kenya is said to lose close to 20 billion shillings in revenue through counterfeit products.
A statement from CCK says the meeting held yesterday resolved to stop the activation of new SIM cards using counterfeit mobile handsets. “No new SIM cards would be allowed to operate in counterfeits handsets tentatively as from 30th September 2011,” says the statement.
However, a meeting of the technical teams from the four mobile operators, equipment manufacturers and CCK shall be held on Wednesday 14th to deliberate on the suitability of the 30th September date.
Consequently, it was also agreed that use of counterfeit handsets shall be phased out of the market by the end of the year. “Consumers using counterfeit mobile handsets therefore have (tentatively) up to 31st December 2011 to replace their mobile phones or risk de-activation.”
CCK is reassuring the public that the phasing out of counterfeit handsets shall be done in a coordinated manner to involve all stakeholders including government agencies, industry players, consumers and equipment manufacturers.
Towards this, a public awareness campaign will be done to sensitize consumers on the rationale behind the phasing out of counterfeit mobile handsets, the dangers associated with use of counterfeits, and the tentative deadline for deactivation of counterfeit mobile phones.
There ongoing discussions between the four mobile networks about sharing data on stolen handsets, and expanding the initiative to other East African countries to stem export of stolen handsets.
If the programme goes on as planned, more than two million mobile subscribers in Kenya will be switched off. Considering that most users are based in urban areas, if the phase out is not done well, it will cripple communication and have a massive impact on core services that depend on mobile telephony.
The last few months has seen a growth in mobile subscribers that was boosted by a vicious price war prompted by Bharti Airtel when it bought Kuwait owned Zain. According to the CCK quarterly sector (second quarter October-December 2010/2011) statistics report released in May 2011, there was a 12 percent growth with 2,935,223 new mobile subscribers. Although there are no figures on subscriber numbers from the various mobile operators on who is using a counterfeit phone, it will be interesting to see who loses what market share.
In Kenya, SIM cards are sold for less than a dollar and the price of handsets remains prohibitive for majority of the Kenya population who are currently grappling with inflation that has led to high cost of necessities like food and fuel.
There has been an entry of mobile brands in the country who are partnering with mobile operators to sell low-end smart phones, a strategy that is part of growing the data market – where most operators are setting sights as voice revenues dwindle.
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As confidence in mainstream banks remains low due to prohibitive interest rates, customers are embracing Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO) as an alternative.
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War rages in the Middle East, the recession brings more layoffs every day -- and the stock market is skyrocketing.
The bombs drop, and the bulls roar. Since the United States attacked Iraq on Jan. 16, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has shot up more than 400 points, almost 18 percent.
Some say the war is the cause.
Howard Mosher, a retired investor in Sunrise, said money managers are betting that Saddam Hussein is at the end of his rope and that the war will end soon.
"These people are figuring if the war ends soon, our whole economy changes for the better," Mosher said.
Others point to declining interest rates.
"It's not the war causing the bull market but the drop in interest rates," said Jeremy Siegel, professor of finance at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Investors historically have looked at war as a buy signal, Siegel said.
Siegel translated an investor's proverb from the days of Napoleon: "Sell on the trumpets of war, buy on the sound of the cannons."
To many investors and market experts, the buying frenzy on Wall Street that has coincided with the war makes perfect sense. Bull markets frequently precede the end of recessions by a few months.
Others, such as Albert E. Sindlinger, head of a consumer research firm in Wallingford, Pa., take a less historical view.
"What the stock market sees is green grass in the valley of that recession down there," said Sindlinger. "But right behind that green grass is the Grand Canyon."
Those taking the dark view note that the war continues, costing the U.S. half a billion dollars a day, and the economy seems to be changing for the worse.
Huge companies such as Sears and Chrysler are laying off thousands. Even preachers are getting laid off. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale recently laid off four ministers.
Mysterious may be the ways of the Lord, but investors and market experts understand all of this.
Siegel said bull markets usually forecast the end of a recession.
"The stock market always starts its rally in the middle of a recession or depression," Siegel said. "The stock market has bottomed out from four to 10 months before the end of every recession since World War II."
Siegel thinks the current rally is nearly over. One signal is that individual investors are beginning to buy stocks, he said.
Some of those investors buy stocks directly, but many buy through mutual funds, which dominate the market by pooling billions of individual investments. And money from individuals has been pouring into one of the nation's largest mutual fund companies, Boston-based Fidelity Investments, during the past three weeks.
"Right now, we're seeing a buying frenzy," said Neal Litvack, vice president of marketing at Fidelity. "We haven't seen this kind of money coming into equities for a long time."
Litvack attributes the rise to the jump in the Dow.
"What this last three weeks has done is thawed investors," Litvack said.
Maybe so, but consumers are still cautious.
Retail sales in January showed the first year-over-year decline in 29 years. Fear of terrorist attacks has strangled the U.S. travel industry. Car sales are off 19 percent. And the housing market is in the dumps.
This at a time when home mortgage rates are at the lowest point in five years. The decline in oil prices has led to a drop in the cost of gasoline at the pump, and even consumer food prices -- in meats and vegetables -- declined slightly last month.
But declining prices do not provide job security.
David Cross, consumer economist at The Futures Group in Washington, said consumers are cautious about their spending habits not from fear of war but from fear of losing their jobs.
"What really is worrying most consumers right now is these big layoffs that have occurred," Cross said. "We've lost almost a million jobs since last June."
And yet there always are optimists.
Some small businesses, such as Brandy's Shoes in Pompano Beach, have not only avoided layoffs but also hired more people and made significant capital investments.
Marvin Bransdorf, owner of Brandy's, said he has hired three more employees and spent $100,000 in the past six months remodeling his store. Bransdorf, in business for 12 years, said war news has paralyzed some business owners.
"They're just not going after business; they're waiting."
Bransdorf isn't. He said his sales are up 25 percent over last year.
"So I gotta be doing something right," he said. "People ask me how's business, and I'm embarrassed to tell them, business is good."


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Counterfeit drugs are killing Americans and some companies are turning to technology for help. Specifically, artificial intelligence.
The CDC reports that overdose deaths from fake prescription drugs have been increasing since 2019.
“When you can identify every item irrefutably, you can make sure that counterfeit items don’t come in,” said Alitheon CEO Roei Ganzarski.
Alitheon has a smartphone app that can validate over-the-counter drugs by taking a picture of the packaging and verifying which pharmaceutical company produced them.
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“Every pill, every bottle, whatever it is that they (the pharmaceutical company) want to protect… every one that goes by, a camera automatically takes a picture of every one of them,” Ganzarski said. “In that instance, a digital fingerprint, or what we call a feature print, is created and stored.”
Alitheon tests a lot of medicine that you could find in a pharmacy, but the app can also identify fake pills that are laced with fentanyl.
NEXT-GEN AI-POWERED VOICE TRANSLATOR PREVIEWED BY VASCO AT CES
“It might be counterfeit fentanyl, it might be other medicine laced with fentanyl,” Ganzarski said. “The ability for us to identify every item as a unique item that came from the original manufacturer means that you cannot get away with tampering.”
The latest data from the DEA reports that almost 60 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills were seized in 2022.
“We’re just trying to keep a lid on it,” said Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force Commander Jay Baines. “It’s so prevalent wherever we go. Fentanyl is obviously the drug of choice right now.”
RISK OF CYBER INCIDENTS WEIGH HEAVILY ON BUSINESSES FOR 2024, REPORT FINDS
The task force currently has a strong method for identifying fentanyl, but Baines also thinks artificial intelligence could help the cause.
“That technology would be extremely important for us to have something like that,” Baines said. “That we could actually, you know, use our smartphones and pull something up immediately to see what’s going on.”
The most recent data from the CDC reports that the number of overdose deaths from counterfeit prescription drugs more than doubled from the middle of 2019 through the end of 2021.
Read the full article here


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Nearly 40 million credit and debit cards may have been wrongly accessed at Target stores nationwide between November 27 and December 15. Security experts predict the holiday shopping nightmare could be one of the largest retail security breaches in United States history.
MasterCard and Visa spokespeople told KrebsOnSecurity.com that both companies initially believed the breach only extended from November 27–Black Friday–through December 6. In recent days, however, security experts have uncovered evidence that indicates the breach extended for at least an additional week, perhaps all the way to December 15. Continue reading As Many As 40 Million Aards Affected by Target Stores Security Breach
The genetics-testing company 23andMe agreed last week to stop issuing health results to customers who purchased the $99 testing kit after November 22.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanded, in a warning letter sent to 23andMe in late November, that the company stop selling and marketing the test due to concerns about the product’s clinical and analytical validity. Moving forward, 23andMe will only offer ancestry information and raw data, according to Venturebeat.com. Continue reading 23andMe Agrees to stop Offering Portions of its Genetic Testing kit
During this busy season of online shopping, cyber security experts are warning consumers to be on their guard against cyber-attacks that could affect computers, smartphones and, of course, wallets.
Cyber security expert Bob Bunge says greed is behind most fake websites, email scams, viruses, trojans and other malware. Continue reading Safety Tips for Secure Online Shopping this Holiday Season


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By Oliver Kazunga
Bread manufacturer Baker’s Inn is set to install a $5 million third production line at its Belmont plant in Bulawayo, a development that will see the company producing 220 000 loaves a day up from 120 000.
The bakery, a division of Simbisa Brands which is a subsidiary of Innscor Africa, last February announced an intent to increase its market share to at least 55 percent within 12 months.
Baker’s Inn general manager Mr Felix Vazhure told Business Chronicle:”Currently, with the two production lines here, we are producing 120 000 loaves a day. The plant that is coming here from Harare is five-years-old and it produces 100 000 loaves a day. On the 19th or 20th of April that plant will be moved this side.
“If we are to knock it down now, it means we will not be able to meet demand during the Easter and Independence holidays as demand for bread will be high”.
Mr Vazhure said with the subdued production capacity at the firm, Baker’s Inn was not able to meet demand in the southern parts of the country.
As a result, the Bulawayo factory was presently receiving 40 000 additional loaves a day from Harare and thus 160 000 loaves were being supplied into the southern region market.
The Baker’s Inn boss said the coming in of a third production line would see their Bulawayo factory being able to efficiently supply their local market.
Baker’s Inn Belmont factory supplies Bulawayo, the Midlands, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, and Masvingo provinces as well as Eastern lowveld in Chiredzi.
Turning to employment figures, Mr Vazhure said the coming on board of the third production line would create an additional 200 jobs indirectly.
“On the production side we employ 135 people. Now with the coming in of a new plant, we are looking at employing an additional minimum of 60 people on the production side.
“Actually, there are more people selling than those employed in the production section because there (production) you can automate but on selling you cannot,” he said.
Presently, Bakers Inn employs 532 people in the southern region and if the new plant is set up an additional 200 people in the region will be employed. Bakers Inn Bulawayo factory is operating at full throttle, said Mr Vazhure. The Chronicle