text:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Farm milk prices paid to dairy farmers in California — who supply about 20% of the nation's milk — will drop 35.3% in February, from $1.50 to 97 cents per gallon. In California, minimum farm gate milk prices are set by the state's Department of Food and Agriculture, based on recent dairy futures trades on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and these prices are the lowest the state's farmers have seen in 30 years, according to the CDFA.
“This is an extremely difficult situation for dairy farmers,” Steve Lyle, spokesman for the CDFA, told SN.
“While the farm gate price is the lowest in 30 years, production costs are much higher than they were then. CDFA is working on a letter to the incoming U.S. Department of Agriculture secretary urging a streamlining of funding programs that could provide some assistance.”
Michael Marsh, chief executive officer of Western United Dairymen, Modesto, Calif., said that the combination of low farm prices and stubbornly high fuel and feed costs may force many dairy producers out of the industry.
“We've heard from some dairy producers that this is the straw that's broken the camel's back,” Marsh told SN.
“About 60% of dairy products go into foodservice, and with people not going out to restaurants or buying pizza, it impacts [demand],” he added.
“On the flip side, consumers will see a boon from this, in that they should have dramatically lower prices as of Feb. 1.”


text:
Dow Jones futures fell Friday morning, together with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures, as growth stocks signaled renewed losses after a bullish rebound Thursday. The FDA signaled a fast approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine after an advisory board backed it late Thursday. Disney (DIS) soared early Friday on bullish development and forecasts for Disney+ at a streaming event Lululemon earnings and share offerings from Nio stock and Twilio (TWLO) also built information.
The stock market rally commercially closed mixed Thursday but growth names staged a great rebound, but Dow Jones futures – as well as Nasdaq futures – thing to a return to selling nowadays.
Twilio inventory broke out Thursday. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) staged a bullish rebound out of just above a buy issue. Apple (AAPL) rose, but is actually stuck in the “friend zone” between 2 first entries.
TWLO stock gave up some ground overnight as the software developer announced a share featuring. Nio (NIO) fell sharply alone suggested offering, following stock sales from Tesla (Chinese EV and tsla) rivals Xpeng Motors (XPEV) as well as Li Auto (LI). Those three EV stocks fell too Friday morning.
AMD and Apple stock even fell slightly Friday. Meanwhile, Qualcomm (QCOM) sank four % on a Bloomberg report that Apple is starting improvement of the first cellular modem of its, replacing Qualcomm potato chips in the iPhone.
FDA Panel Backs Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine
A Food as well as Drug Administration advisory panel recommended Thursday nighttime that the FDA approve the Pfizer (PFE) and BioNTech (BNTX) coronavirus vaccine for people 16 and older. Panel members spoke positively regarding the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, that showed 95 % effectiveness in a final-stage trial.
The FDA claimed early Friday which it will “rapidly work” toward granting emergency utilize approval. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar expects FDA approval over the following few of days with vaccinations starting out Monday.
The FDA panel is going to review the Moderna coronavirus vaccine on Dec. seventeen.
Pfizer stock rose 2 % early Friday. Pfizer likewise upped the quarterly dividend of its by a penny to thirty nine cents a share. BioNTech stock climbed one % following a 5.5 % pop Thursday. Moderna inventory advanced 2.5 %.
Also after hours, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) claimed a surprise profit gain, but shares fell. Walt Disney (DIS) touted another top gain of Disney+ subscribers and Star Wars content and other media at a critical streaming event. Disney stock jumped prior to the open.
On Thursday, the Airbnb IPO had a big debut, skyrocketing 113 % to 144.71 after pricing at sixty eight a share, above an elevated range. Airbnb stock traded up to 165 and also as low as 141.25. That follows Wednesday’s sharp IPO inventory debuts coming from DoorDash (DASH) as well as C3.ai (AI).
AMD, Tesla and Apple stock are on IBD Leaderboard. AMD stock likewise is on the IBD 50 list.
Dow Jones Futures Today
Dow Jones futures retreated 0.6 % vs. reasonable worth, despite having Disney stock delivering a boost. S&P 500 futures sank 0.7 %. Nasdaq hundred futures fell 0.7 %. Futures are off the most terrible amounts of theirs.
Remember that immediately action in Dow futures and elsewhere doesn’t always convert into actual trading in the following regular stock market session.
Coronavirus cases around the world hit 70.85 zillion. Covid-19 deaths topped 1.59 million.
Coronavirus cases within the U.S. have hit 16.04 huge number of, with deaths previously mentioned 299,000.
Stock Market Rally Thursday
The stock sector rally had a mixed session, but development investors saw green. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2 % for Thursday’s stock market trading. The S&P 500 index dipped 0.1 %. The Nasdaq composite climbed 0.5 %. But that is after falling one % immediately after the open second Wednesday’s 1.9 % tumble.
Among the best ETFs, the Innovator IBD fifty ETF (FFTY) rose 1.2 %, even though the Innovator IBD Breakout Opportunities ETF leapt 3.7 %. The iShares Expanded Tech Software Sector ETF (IGV) climbed 1.2 %. The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) edged up 0.1 %, even with AMD stock a crucial holding.
Apple Stock In’ Friend Zone’ Apple inventory climbed 1.2 % to 123.24, rebounding out of the 21-day exponential moving average. Shares are back above a 122.08 premature entry, although they are still below a 125.49 investment point. On Wednesday, AAPL stock briefly topped the 125.49 entry before reversing reduced. Apple stock is stuck to the “friend zone,” between two plausible buy points. You might buy shares in that area, though you probably wish to wait for a decisive move above 125.49.
Just before Friday’s available, Apple fell a fraction.
Be aware that the iPhone developer may not be a strong winner in the present stock market rally. Apple stock is actually outperforming the majority of megacap stocks, but that is not saying much.
Twilio Stock Breaks Out, But…
Twilio stock popped seven % to 334.51, clearing a 333.72 cup-with-handle buy point after rebounding once more from the 10-week line of its, as reported by MarketSmith analysis. Investors likely may have invested in Twilio around 320-326 as it cleared the bulk of its the latest trading.
But after the close, the marketing communications software developer announced plans to sell 9.5 million shares. TWLO stock fell two % early Friday.

domain: news


text:
SEARCHED FOR: Return to Origin
The workflow model of GST Returns allows businesses the flexibility to upload their sales at a periodicity of their choice and allows for input tax credit (ITC) to the buyer on acceptance
AI driven e-commerce fraud prevention start-up ThirdWatch has raised an undisclosed angel funding, led by Indian Angel Network
Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited (SCTL) will open its charging stations at Gandhi Park to the public in an effort to promote e-mobility in the city.
The global tech major Apple is working on a new theme to incorporate a display in a future iPhone that wraps around the body to make for the screen on both the sides
Bangladesh's Ministry of Commerce has sent a letter to the central bank seeking information and financial details of bank transactions of 9 digital commerce companies including e-Orange, Alesha Mart and Dhamaka — most of them embroiled in money embezzlement allegations.
Between the Tokyo Olympics, the England Championships, and the Men’s T20 World Cup, there are some huge championship events to keep your eye on
According to research firm Canalys, electric vehicles may account for half of all passenger cars sold globally by 2030.
In a highly unpredictable 2020, we got a few guesses right with last year’s predictions piece. Here are things I believe we’ll see happen in 2021.
iRobot Corps which manufcature consumer robots have launched the Roomba i7+ and Roomba i7 robot vacuum with clean base automatic dirt disposal in India
The complainants alleged discrimination by Aeroflot Airlines on the basis of their race, religion, perceived ethnic origin.


text:
The founder of Holy Grail, a two-year-old startup based in Cupertino, Calif., Takes a micro-approach to solving the oversized problem of carbon capture.
The startup is in the process of prototyping a small modular direct air carbon capture device. This is a break with dozens of American and international projects aimed at recovering CO2 from large centralized sources such as power plants and industrial facilities. Holy Grail co-founder Nuno Pereira told TechCrunch that this approach will cut costs and eliminate the need for permits and project funding.
Holy Grail has a long development and testing phase, but the idea has captured the attention and capital of well-known Silicon Valley investors and founders. Holy Grail recently raised $ 2.7 million in seed funding from Lower Carbon Capital, Goat Capital, Stripe founders Patrick Collison, Charlie Songhurst, Cruise co-founder Kyle Vogt, Songkick co-founders Ian Hogarth, Starlight Ventures and 35 Ventures. Made. Existing investors Deep Science Ventures, Y Combinator and Oliver Cameron, who co-founded the Autonomous Travel Car acquired by Cruise, also participated.
According to Pereira, the carbon capture device is still in the prototype stage and many details, such as the expected size of the final product and how long it can operate, have yet to be taken into account. Separating CO2 from the air cost-effectively is a very difficult problem to solve. The company applied for a patent for this technology and refused to be too specific on many features of the device, such as the components of the device. But he pointed out that the company has a radically different technical approach to carbon capture.
“Current technology is very complex. They are basically either [using] Temperature or pressure [to capture carbon]” There is a lot to do. Compressors, calciners, and all that, ”he said. “Instead, the company uses electricity to control the chemical reactions that bind to CO2,” Pereira said. .. He also added that Holy Grail devices are scale independent to achieve cost savings. It is also modular and can be stacked and configured according to customer requirements.
As Pereira says, scrubbers focus on raw CO2 recovery, not conversion (eg, converting CO2 to fuel). Instead, Pereira explained that when the Holy Grail unit fills up, it can be collected by the company, with a serious warning that the end product has yet to be figured out, but where the carbon is reaching. Whether to do so is still an open question.
The company begins by selling carbon credits using its devices as part of a carbon reduction project. The ultimate goal is to sell the scrubber to business customers and ultimately to individual consumers. That’s right. The holy grail wants to have your own carbon capture device, maybe even in the backyard. However, the business may still have a long way to go.
“We are essentially shifting the scale factor of everything from the construction and project management of very large megaton factories to the construction of scrubbers on assembly lines like manufactured consumer goods. “
Pereira said many approaches are needed to tackle the huge problem of reducing atmospheric CO2. “The problem is too big,” he said.
Holy Grail Raises $ 2.7 Million Seed Fund to Create Modular Carbon Capture Devices – TechCrunch Source link Holy Grail Raises $ 2.7 Million Seed Fund to Create Modular Carbon Capture Devices – TechCrunchSource link


text:
A Google Maps feature released Monday that lets users dog-ear or save places they want to visit in the future could give marketers another signal in which to reach consumers through video and social content or search and display ads.
Users create their lists of favorite locations such as Best Views in San Diego, and can share them with friends through text messages and messaging apps, emails, or social media. Friends also can share lists of favorite spots or places they want to visit. The lists are available to view on Google Maps either on desktop, mobile or offline.
While the feature brings a Foursquare-like feature to Maps, the ability to share the content cements the link between the user and friends. The network of advertising options that string together local ads and Maps with services like business listings in search engine query results have become part of Google's closed ad-targeting network. The company has been working to create a walled garden by using proprietary data to finely target individuals with ads and content without the need to share the data with brands or their agency partners.
Google owns about 90% of the travel advertising market -- which equates to about $12 billion in revenue last year, with major online agencies such as Priceline and Expedia accounting for roughly half, according to RBC Capital Markets. The numbers, published Sunday in a research note, came from a RBC conference call with Skift, which provides analysis and insights on key sectors of travel.
In the published research note, RBC Analyst Mark Mahaney wrote that 60% of the 230 travel industry participants in a propriety Skift survey "do not consider themselves to be a mobile-first organization and nearly half of travel providers are receiving 20% or less of their traffic from mobile."
Mahaney said the survey numbers are one reason that companies like Priceline and Expedia, which have migrated to a mobile-first strategy, continue to gain share -- and Google too.
While Google's favorite location feature in Maps may not require a plane flight, it could require travel by car. In January, Uber announced an integration with Google that allows travelers to hail a ride through Google Maps. It also offers the ability to see the driver in route, contact the drive, and follow the status of the trip without switching over the Uber app.


text:
Worker at Valenzuela factory asks for help after receiving penny salary
MANILA – A worker at a factory in the city of Valenzuela sought help from the city’s mayor after receiving his salary in pennies.
In one Facebook post Monday afternoon, the city government of Valenzuela said the employee received his 2-day salary of P 1,056 in 5 and 10 centavo coins.
Gatchalian had a meeting with the worker and the company representative, whom the city government has identified as Next Green Factory. Business owners who are currently out of town will be called to another meeting.
“Mayor Rex reiterates that workers in the industry must be treated accordingly and not be demoralized,” the city government said.
In a separate statement, Gatchalian said he would take on the owner of the business on Wednesday, adding that a representative from the business “won’t cut it for me.”
“I will make sure that we get to the bottom of this ‘cruel and unusual’ work practice and deal with it accordingly,” he wrote on Facebook.
According to a circular issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2006, coins denominated from P1 to P5 can be accepted as payment for amounts not exceeding 1000 P.
The circular added that 1 centavo, 5 centavos, 10 centavos and 25 centavos can be used as payment for amounts not exceeding P100.
City of Valenzuela, Rex Gatchalian, factory worker, centavo coins, Next Green Factory


text:
Installation of home insulation has plummeted since Warm Front Scheme was scrapped in 2013, which may have led to millions of tonnes of additional CO2 emissions
A now-defunct national scheme which helped to support the rollout of home insulation could have saved households an additional £3.7bn on their energy bills while avoiding millions of tonnes of CO2 from...
Cosmetics company inks 22MW Virtual Power Purchase Agreement to supply more than half its electricity needs
Luxury fashion chief says businesses should pump more cash into conservation efforts
Innovation in battery technology and economies of scale will make Volkswagen's latest electric vehicle significantly cheaper to produce, company claims
Company says solar can meet up to 40 per cent of power needs across its property estate


text:
ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi Tuesday invited the American Business Council (ABC) of Pakistan to take advantage of Pakistan’s virgin territory particularly the huge hotel and tourism industries of its scenic northern parts.
Speaking at American Business Council dinner reception here, the president said after improvement in the security situation and ease of doing business by the government, Pakistan was good for all kinds of businesses and its tourism industry had great potential.
The president said huge influx of tourists was witnessed last year in Northern parts of the country, adding that in 2014 15,000 to 20,000 tourists visited northern areas of Pakistan while in 2019 the number of tourists increased to two million, which showed people were thronging to these beautiful places despite lack of resources and infrastructure.
The president said Pakistan was a virgin territory because of the security situation and now it was opening up as a beautiful Iceland of hospitality.
The president said American Business Council had been working in Pakistan for the last 36 years and it had contributed to the country’s economy. He said there was a good relationship between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump, adding the US President wanted to build stronger economic and trade ties with Pakistan which would benefit both the countries.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Paul Jones, who is also President of the American Business Council of Pakistan while speaking on the occasion said the commerce and trade relationships between Pakistan and the United States of America were really a great unsung story.
He said the USA was by more than double Pakistan’s largest export market, adding that the US was a long term trading investor in Pakistan and was among the top five investors here in Pakistan.
He said “We are proud of our relationships with Pakistan, adding that leaders of both the countries were also interested to bring further improvement in this relationship.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, Advisor on Trade Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman Kashmir Committee Sayed Fakhar imam, Parliamentarian, and businessmen also attended the dinner reception


text:
Date: 24th September 2012
24th September 2012, Cambridge, UK – The finals of the free-to-enter Discovering Start-Ups 2012 take place on 21st November when entrants will have the unique opportunity to pitch their ideas, technologies and business plans to an impressive line-up of some 25 leading investors and industry figures from companies including Orange Labs, RIM, Qualcomm, Vodafone Ventures and Google. The pitch event will be hosted at the flagship London headquarters of the legal firm Taylor Wessing and is also sponsored by Google, Rohde & Schwarz and SETsquared Partnership.
The competition has already attracted a wide range of entrants that include Lutebox, an online and mobile social mall; Carbon Hero that has developed a mobile app that detects a user's mode of transport and calculates its carbon footprint; a smart phone application called Collide, which automatically tells you when your friends are nearby and suggests local cafes, bars and restaurants along with money-off vouchers; Synelyxis, the developers of a new collaborative communication system for disaster situations; and Smart Antenna Technologies, the company behind a new patented range of smart antenna technologies.
Cambridge-based Blendology enables brand managers and event organisers to connect, engage and interact with customers in real-life and online using 'tap-to-connect' badges and devices, while Bardowl is a smartphone and tablet app that allows users to access and stream audiobooks and AquamatiX provides a new real-time collaboration platform for water/wastewater industry based on Internet of Things technology. Also entered is SmartStudy from Swindon, a publisher of social mobile learning applications that allow students to test each other in real time; TopicLogic – a web service to help busy professionals instantly find and share their files wherever they are; while Tank Top TV aggregates on-demand programme and movie listings from providers like iPlayer, 4oD and ITV Player. One of the more unusual entrants is the BIG FAT SOFT-KEY™ from Input Dynamics – a virtual button that works by simply tapping the case of a mobile device.
“The diverse range of entries already, from apps to antennas, shows that UK wireless innovation and creativity is alive and kicking,” said Soraya Jones, CEO at Cambridge Wireless. “The chance to pitch to 25 major investors and industry influencers at the same time presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and start-ups in the UK who have until 19th October to enter at http://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/dsu/."
“Now in its third year, we are delighted to link up with Cambridge Wireless to help make Discovering Start-Ups a national competition,” said Simon Bond, Founder of Silicon South West. “We want to showcase the best in wireless innovation across the UK and provide a real opportunity for new companies and technologies to get noticed.”
As well as prestigious Discovering Start-Ups trophies, the top five start-up companies will receive a free delegate ticket to Mobile World Congress 2013 in Barcelona provided by UKTI along with the opportunity to present at the Future of Wireless International Conference next June and a year’s free membership to SETsquared, to the total value of around £5,000.
For a full list of judges and entry forms, please visit: http://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/dsu.
------------------- End -------------------
About Cambridge Wireless:
Cambridge Wireless is a leading industry forum and vibrant community with a rapidly expanding network of companies actively involved in the development and application of wireless technologies. In addition to high level networking dinners and events, a strong educational programme and business development activities, Cambridge Wireless runs the annual Future of Wireless International Conference along with the prestigious Discovering Start-Ups programme and competition to support emerging, innovative wireless companies. Over 15 Special Interest Groups focused on specific technologies and market sectors, also provide opportunities for members to meet, form partnerships to exploit new commercial opportunities, and share knowledge and information about the latest industry trends and hot topics. Cambridge Wireless has partnerships with other leading industry clusters and organisations around the world to extend its international reach and to keep members up to date with the latest global developments and business opportunities. For more information, please visit www.cambridgewireless.co.uk.
About Silicon South West:
The Silicon South West network provides regular networking events, news and national and international promotion for the South West of England’s world class microelectronics design cluster. Over 100 companies connected to the microelectronics sector are concentrated in a region which includes the key towns & cities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth, and Southampton & Swindon. For further information please visit www.siliconsouthwest.co.uk.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Rennison or Allie Andrews
+ 44 (0)1442 245030
pr[at]prpr[dot]co.uk / allie[at]prpr[dot]co.uk
Silicon South West


text:
LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The long-awaited Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" has been given an official release date of Sunday, November 23rd Billboard has reported.
The album is slated to come out on a Sunday, instead of the usual Tuesday release but this is an artifact of exclusive retailer Best Buy's sales week but will push the chart numbers back to Dec. 1st according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The album has been in the making since the early 1990s when the dissolution of the band led to the album being shelved.
In the leadup to the release of Chinese Democracy, the band will debut "Shackler's Revenge." Gn'R fans can also look for the band's debut release "Appetite for Destruction" as a vinyl re-issue set to drop on October 28th.
Best Buy may also attempt to parlay the exclusive release into some traction for the Napster music service that they recently purchased. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers


text:
Listed as one of the highest polluters of plastic into the world’s oceans, last year Indonesia’s capital Jakarta announced it would ban single-use plastic bags from its street markets and malls.
Now, six months on from the bag ban, Indonesia is looking at how else it curbs its plastics problem.
This problem has been exacerbated after China banned waste imports, making Indonesia a portal for global plastic waste – and now its landfills are running out of space.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Panjaitan told the World Economic Forum that Indonesia has plans to be plastic free by 2040.
Identifying five points of action to drastically reduce the plastic problem by 2025, Indonesia will look to; reduce or substitute plastic usage, redesign plastic products with reuse or recycling in mind, double waste collection, double current recycling capacity, and build safe waste disposal facilities to manage plastic waste.


text:
Tuesday, January 13, 2015, JetBlue Airways announced daily flights linking Reno to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport beginning May 28, 2015 marking the first-ever daily nonstop service linking Reno with the nation’s most populous region and 6th largest airport.
Over a decade in the making, the deal to bring JetBlue to Reno was a broad effort by the region’s business interests and will touch all facets of the region’s economy, from tourism to economic development to business travel.
“With the influx of businesses and industry leaders relocating to Nevada for tax benefits, it makes sense that we finally have a direct connection to the World’s financial epicenter,” said Brit Crezee, Marketing Manager for Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, a leading real estate firm based in Incline Village, NV. She adds, “More convenient access between Reno and the East Coast is going help put Lake Tahoe on the map for both its World-class skiing, emerald waters and year-round recreation. There’s so much to be discovered within an hour’s drive or less from the Reno-Tahoe airport.”
For the Reno-Tahoe ski market, the JetBlue connection is “phenomenal,” said Wirth, president/CEO of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings, parent company of Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski areas. “The most lucrative ski market in the U.S. is New York. Reno-Tahoe International can now be a key cylinder in the economic engine of this area.”
Others said the nonstop flights will add credibility to the greater Northern Nevada business market that has already gained worldwide attention with the $5 billion battery gigafactory being built by Tesla Motors east of Reno.
“It’s an incredibly important connection for our prospects, and existing industries have been asking for this for years,” said Mike Kazmierski, CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. “It enables this region to compete more for effectively for regional headquarters and higher paying executive positions.”
Starting May 28, JetBlue will employ a twin-engine Airbus A320 jetliner to depart JFK at 7:40 p.m., arriving in Reno at 11:07 p.m., and then departing for the return to New York at 11:59 p.m. Reno time and arriving in New York at 8:09 a.m.
Typical roundtrip coast-to-coast costs at present can top $900. JetBlue spokespeople envisions their fares to be as low as the $450 range. The low cost carrier offers reserved seating, and customers booking flights now will have their first bag free of charge. JetBlue has announced a new fare structure for baggage but no details have yet been detailed.
Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty | 775.832.4900 | SierraSothebysRealty.com
Seven Lake Tahoe Real Estate Office Locations:
Incline Village | South Lake Tahoe | Squaw Valley | Tahoe City | Tahoe Donner | Truckee | Zephyr Cove


text:
Sandi Toksvig reopens the Watts Gallery tea shop in Compton
PUBLISHED: 21:33 10 June 2013 | UPDATED: 21:33 10 June 2013
Pete Gardner Photography
A regular visitor to Watts Gallery in Compton, comedian Sandi Toksvig opened its newly extended tea shop on Tuesday June 4.
“I would like to thank Sandi for officially opening the new extension,” says Watts Gallery director, Perdita Hunt. “We are thrilled she was able to join us and continue to be immensely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, who helped fund the work.”
With the tea shop now able to offer its menu of seasonal food to many more diners, the gallery will undoubtedly be hoping for a new influx of walkers, cyclists, gallery visitors and chapel goers this summer.
• The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday (and Bank Holiday Mondays), 10.30am to 5pm. For further information, visit www.wattsgallery.org.uk.


text:
By: Suzanne B. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A.
Protecting medical devices from ever-shifting cybersecurity threats requires an all-out, lifecycle approach that begins with early product development and extends throughout the product’s lifespan.
Today, we’re pleased to announce that industry now has advice from FDA across this product continuum with the release of a final guidance on the postmarket management of medical device cybersecurity. It joins an earlier final guidance on medical device premarket cybersecurity issued in October 2014.
To understand why such guidance is so important for patients, caregivers and the medical device community, we need to take a step back and look at how cybersecurity fits into the medical device ecosystem.
In today’s world of medical devices that are connected to a hospital’s network or even a patient’s own Internet service at home, we see significant technological advances in patient care and, at the same time, an increase in the risk of cybersecurity breaches that could affect a device’s performance and functionality.
The best way to combat these threats is for manufacturers to consider cybersecurity throughout the total product lifecycle of a device. In other words, manufacturers should build in cybersecurity controls when they design and develop the device to assure proper device performance in the face of cyber threats, and then they should continuously monitor and address cybersecurity concerns once the device is on the market and being used by patients.
Today’s postmarket guidance recognizes today’s reality – cybersecurity threats are real, ever-present, and continuously changing. In fact, hospital networks experience constant attempts of intrusion and attack, which can pose a threat to patient safety. And as hackers become more sophisticated, these cybersecurity risks will evolve.
With this guidance, we now have an outline of steps the FDA recommends manufacturers take to remain vigilant and continually address the cybersecurity risks of marketed medical devices. Central to these recommendations is FDA’s belief that medical device manufacturers should implement a structured and comprehensive program to manage cybersecurity risks. This means manufacturers should, among other things:
- Have a way to monitor and detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities in their devices
- Understand, assess and detect the level of risk a vulnerability poses to patient safety
- Establish a process for working with cybersecurity researchers and other stakeholders to receive information about potential vulnerabilities (known as a “coordinated vulnerability disclosure policy”)
- Deploy mitigations (e.g., software patches) to address cybersecurity issues early, before they can be exploited and cause harm
This approach enables manufacturers to focus on continuous quality improvement, which is essential to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical devices at all stages in the device’s lifecycle.
In addition, it is paramount for manufacturers and stakeholders across the entire ecosystem to consider applying the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) core principles for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity: to identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. It is only through application of these guiding principles, executed alongside best practices such as coordinated vulnerability disclosure, that will allow us all to navigate this uncharted territory of evolving risks to device security.
This is clearly not the end of what FDA will do to address cybersecurity. We will continue to work with all medical device cybersecurity stakeholders to monitor, identify and address threats, and intend to adjust our guidance or issue new guidance, as needed.
Digital connections power great innovation—and medical device cybersecurity must keep pace with that innovation. The same innovations and features that improve health care can increase cybersecurity risks. This is why we need all stakeholders in the medical device ecosystem to collaborate to simultaneously address innovation and cybersecurity. We’ve made great strides but we know that cybersecurity threats are capable of evolving at the same pace as innovation, and therefore, more work must be done.
Suzanne B. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A., is FDA’s Associate Director for Science and Strategic Partnerships, at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health


text:
McDonald’s announced that it’s going to use 100% pure fresh beef in its Quarter Pounders.
On Thursday, McDonald’s announced that it will start making one of its most famous hamburgers, the Quarter Pounder, with fresh beef patties, in hopes to bring back diners who left in search of tastier food.
Bringing back customers:
Earlier this month, executives admit that “hundreds of millions” of visits had been lost by once-loyal customers who drifted away in search of better quality, convenience and value.
The move to use fresh beef seeks to head off Wendy’s, a traditional rival, which likes to emphasize its usage of the fresh, not frozen, beef. Also, getting closer to the so-called better-burger chains, like Five Guys and Smashburger.
The switch to fresh beef in the Quarter Pounder will start next year in a majority of the U.S. restaurants.
Jack Russo, an analyst with brokerage Edward Jones said “Consumers are demanding more in terms of health and wellness. They want to know what’s in their products.”
Executives have been boosting traffic with the all-day breakfast and recently promoting different sizes of Big Macs. They are now starting on their mission to improve food taste meaning that other McDonald’s sandwiches, which include the Big Mac and the McDouble, could eventually be made with fresh beef as well.
Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s USA president said “By no means are we done. This is a first step.”
He said that the Quarter Pounder was the first burger line chosen for the switch, because it “is right up there with the Big Mac as we think of iconic products. It’s where we have most demanding customers.”
Fresh beef is good for business:
According to McDonald’s spokeswoman Becca Hary, after testing fresh beef in 325 restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and 77 restaurants in Tulsa, Okla., the new Quarter Pounder burgers had a double-digit sales increase.
However, Kempczinski wouldn’t specify how long the switch to fresh might take for other McDonald’s burgers.
Burgers with fresh beef will taste better as it needs to cook less, according to Kempczinski
This change means McDonald’s will have to tweak its how-to manuals for staffers. It will have to update its food safety procedures, such as the proper way to store the patties.
McDonald’s have been making improvements like pledging to have eggs from chickens that aren’t confined to cages by 2025 and eliminating artificial preservatives from Chicken McNuggets.
According to McDonald’s, a boost in annual growth of 3% to 5% starting in 2019 will occur when the company retains existing customers, lures back those who left and turns casual consumers into committed ones.
However, according to Hary, restaurants in Alaska and Hawaii aren’t making the switch, because of the distance and the logistics involved in shipping there.


text:
India, the largest trade and development partner of Bhutan
New Delhi, Jan 19 (ANI): Commerce Minister Kamal Nath today said that India continues to be the largest trade and development partner of Bhutan.
During the bilateral interaction with Bhutanese Minister for Economic Affairs, Khandu Wangchuk, he informed that the trade between India and Bhutan has grown significantly from a level of US$ 141.86 million in 2003-2004 to US $ 281.17 million in 2007-2008. In 2007-08, while India's export to Bhutan was US $ 86.69 million, the imports were valued at US $ 194.48 million.
"During April-October, 2008 foreign direct investment flows to India were valued at US $ 18,707 million as against US $ 9,277 during the same period last year, showing an increase of 102 per cent," he said..
"This shows India is a sought after destination for Investors despite slow down in the world economy," he added.
The Minister furter said that the major items of exports from Bhutan to India are electricity, cement, timber and wood products, minerals, cardamom, fruit products, potatoes, oranges and apples, raw silk and alcoholic beverages.
"Major exports from India to Bhutan are petroleum products, rice, automobiles and spares, machinery and fabrics," The Minister added. (ANI)
Stars flock to Venice as 71st Film Festival kicks off
August 29, 2014 at 2:29 AM
Horror movie filmed in Paris catacombs opens in US
August 29, 2014 at 2:25 AM
Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt meet to discuss Nile dam project
August 29, 2014 at 1:21 AM
Ceasefire violation in Kashmir post flag meeting appalls villagers
August 28, 2014 at 9:10 PM
Art exhibition in Kolkata promotes tribal style of painting
August 28, 2014 at 9:06 PM
Protesters seek dismissal of Railway Minister post rape allegation on son
August 28, 2014 at 9:04 PM


text:
New ban prohibits Denver residents from throwing out electronics
June 26, 2013
Looking out at the stockyard in front of his warehouse, Scott Dassler ticked through a list of how almost everything in front of him could be recycled, from the power lines to the metal siding to the wood fence posts, if someone put forth the effort to shred them.
“There really is no need for landfills if everyone took (recycling) seriously,” said Dassler, who co-owns and operates Denver Metro Recycling. “Not everyone takes it seriously, though.”
If they don’t already, Colorado consumers will have to start taking recycling seriously once a new ban on the disposal of electronics goes into effect July 1.
Under the ban, Colorado residents will no longer be able to throw old or unwanted electronics, known as e-waste, in the trash. While phones can still be thrown away, prohibited items include television sets, laptops, tablets, DVD players and video game consoles.
Read more: New ban prohibits residents from throwing out electronics – The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23515683/new-ban-prohibits-residents-from-throwing-out-electronics#ixzz2X4MoJdNt
Trending In: Regional
- Mountain Town News: Booming summers too much of a good thing? (Column)
- Denver just became a ski-in, ski-out town
- Mountain Town News: Billionaire gets key OK for Wolf Creek
- Colorado’s most expensive toll lane, the I-70 Mountain Express Lane, to open
- Colorado news roundup: Crews trying to stamp out southern Colorado wildfire


text:
Commemorating the Pet Theft Awareness Day
LCA ( Last Chance for Animals ) – a non-profit welfare organization – will lead the way in marking the Pet Theft Awareness day on 14th February. And this will be in response to the burgeoning problem of pet theft that has plagued many pet owners for the last several years. So if you have a treasured furry or purring companion, this Valentine’s Day is a good time to educate yourself on the best ways of preventing the theft of your 4-legged pal. And this is quite important as statistics show that only a mere 10% of pets stolen are recovered by their previous owners. Unfortunately, the rest will suffer cruel fates in the hands of dog breeders, guinea pig labs or animal sadists.
Having said that, you can take a step to protect your pet by marking the 14th day of this year’s February to be a day when you take the initiative to implement a few safety checks for them. For instance, you should have your pet neutered/spayed to curb their natural tendency to roam or discourage an illegal pet breeder. It also the opportune time of the year to update the current photo that you have of your pet and get them a new identification tag for their collar. And speaking of identity, you can take it a notch higher and have your barking buddy or cuddly companion microchipped. This will make it significantly easier for you to track them down should they get lost or stray unexpectedly.
Be Part of the Network
LCA’s News Van will be doing rounds and hosting special appearances in your nearest town. Be sure to be on the lookout for LCA’s volunteers who will be giving away vital information regarding pet theft this Valentines.


text:
Sport shooters and hunters have seen ammunition prices skyrocket over the last year, and it’s about to get worse thanks to the Biden administration’s recent actions.
The White House’s newly-announced sanctions against Russian firearms and ammunition manufacturers are part of the U.S. response to the poisoning and imprisonment of Aleksey Navalny, a sharp critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Stephen Gutowski, the firearms reporter who founded The Reload, said the sanctions are coming at a terrible moment for U.S. shooters. The American ammunition market is in the middle of a product drought thanks to panic buying and hoarding. Store shelves are bare and prices have gone up from around 20 cents per round to 60 or 70 cents, depending on the caliber.
“It’s inevitable at this point, supply is going to decrease and prices are going to increase due to the president’s actions,” he said.
The way the sanctions are structured, new import permits for Russian ammo will be denied. Companies that currently have import permits will not have their permits renewed when they expire. The result will be no more Russian ammunition available for American shooters.
“In two years, there won’t be any Russian-made ammo in the United States. Starting Sept. 7, when the sanctions kick in, the amount will slow, and that will create an immediate demand for this ammunition,” he said.
That makes the already tight ammunition market worse, as American makers struggle to get up to capacity.
“If you remove the Russian supply, it’s going to increase how long it take for store shelves to be stocked again,” Gutowski said.
Russian companies make some unique rounds for Russian guns, like the 7.62mm bullet for AK-47 rifles, and the 9X18 mm round for Makarov pistols. Russians also make vast quantities of ammunition for popular American guns, and they make it cheaply, according to Gutowski.
“Russian-made ammunition is very common in the United States,” Gutowski said.
JR Hoell, secretary for the New Hampshire Firearms Coalition, suspects the real cause for sanctions has nothing to do with Russian politics and is instead an ill-fated attempt to stifle Second Amendment rights by choking the market.
“It makes it look like he’s doing something, but he’s really appeasing the radical left while creating a mad rush on firearms and ammunition,” Hoell said.
Gutowski’s heard similar sentiments from many gun owners and activists who believe sanctions have more to do with a domestic political attempt to restrict guns than any foreign policy aims. He said the ammo companies targeted by the sanctions have little to do with the Russian government. Those suspicions are fueled by the fact that the Biden administration is allowing Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline to be completed, a much more important asset to Putin.
“I’ve seen people question the (official) reason,” Gutowski said.
The National Rifle Association isn’t happy about the move, calling it the “newest overreach by President Biden on his crusade against law-abiding American gun owners.
“NRA is reviewing all political, legislative, and legal options to fight this new policy,” the organization said in a statement.
Gun and ammo buyers have already seen their shopping options dwindle with Walmart getting out of the ammunition market. Hoell blames Biden for what he expects will be another round of panic buying, leading to more shortages.
“Every time someone clamps down on firearms or ammunition, sales skyrocket,” Hoell said. “Personally, I think it’s going to impact the 2022 elections.”
People can still buy ammunition, but the prices are high and the dissatisfaction will increase, Hoell said. He said the sanctions are just another radical-left attempt to restrict gun freedoms.
“At some level, there will be a backlash and it will show up at the ballot box,” Hoell said.


text:
La Honda Advisors is pleased to announce that our client, Neato Robotics Inc. (“Neato Robotics”), an innovator and leader in the robotic vacuum industry, has been acquired by Vorwerk Group. La Honda Advisors acted as sole financial advisor to Neato Robotics in this transaction.
The Vorwerk Group first invested in Neato Robotics in 2010. With this acquisition, the German family-owned enterprise enhances its strategic position on the emerging global market for home robot vacuums. Neato will operate within the Vorwerk Group as a wholly-owned independent business unit, with its own brand identity and corporate culture. There will be no changes to leadership or daily operations.
About Neato Robotics
Neato Robotics designs robots for the home to improve people’s lives, allowing them to spend less time doing household chores and more time on the things they love. Neato drives innovation with intelligent laser navigation, mapping, smart home connectivity, and superior cleaning technologies. Neato was recently recognized for its leadership, culture and dedication to its employees by being named to the Bay Area News Group’s 2017 list of the “Top 100 Workplaces” in the San Francisco area based on employee feedback. Neato was most recently awarded the ‘Best Smart Home & Appliances’ for its Botvac D7 Connected at IFA 2017 in Berlin. Learn more at www.neatorobotics.com.


text:
Just 5 weeks remain until one of the biggest fundraising days of the year: Giving Tuesday 2018.
Often stylized as #GivingTuesday on social media, the day encourages people to take a break from holiday shopping and set aside the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to support favorite causes instead.
Giving Tuesday is widely seen as the kickoff to year-end giving season, so it’s hard to believe the holiday has only been around since 2012! The growth each year has been astounding, and 2017 brought in a whopping 63% more than 2016.
Do you have plans for your #GivingTuesday campaign in place?
In today’s infographic, we share must-read stats on last year’s #GivingTuesday results, forecasts for this year, plus 3 quick tips to spread the word.
A whopping $274 million was donated in Giving Tuesday campaigns last year, up 2,000% from the day’s inception in 2012. There’s not a whole lot of industries that can boast that level of growth.
We took a closer look at the data and put together 3 quick tips to get or increase your share of the pie.
Tip 1: Use actionable buzzwords in your social media copy.
DataKind’s 2017 Giving Tuesday study reveals the words most commonly used to raise #GivingTuesday awareness on social media, including:
- Giving / Give
You might consider incorporating some of these action-packed, urgent words into your tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram captions. More importantly, use language that feels authentic to your organization and inspires supporters to take action.
Tip 2: Optimize your Giving Tuesday website for mobile devices.
The NonProfit Times reported a 28% increase in online donations in 2017 compared to 2016, and the number of people donating online is only going to increase. Technology fundraising firm Blackbaud noted 26 percent of online donations were made on a mobile device.
How does your Giving Tuesday landing page look on phones and tablets?
Studies show mobile users are 34% more likely to donate when they visit a “responsive” website—one that automatically resizes the content to fit the size of a mobile user’s screen—than a clunky standard website not customized for mobile viewing.
Tip 3: Have a welcome plan in place.
63% of Giving Tuesday donors give only to the cause on that day! This might mean they are brand new to your cause, heard about it from a friend, saw it shared on Facebook, found it via Google search or a news article they read online.
Depending on the nature of your nonprofit, you can open this up and offer more ways to get involved.
Hands-on volunteer opportunities, for example, are popular during the holiday season. Whether sorting a food pantry, doing administrative work, interacting with patients or helping beautify the office, volunteer engagement benefits not only your organization in the short term, but leaves a much longer lasting impression than a financial transaction.


text:
Insurance intermediary BGL Group has outsourced the management of its contact centre for three years.
Sabio will take over support of the voice and data networks at five UK sites and one in South Africa.
BGL, which is the company behind comparethemeerkat.com, uses virtualised Avaya technology at its contact centres.
The company has more than two million customers and 2,000 staff.
"We are committed to providing a high quality, streamlined service to the 2.2 million customers BGL Group looks after, so it is imperative that our customer service infrastructure is always available to support internet and contact centre activities," said Dean Freed, senior manager, IT, at BGL Group.
Sabio's Intelligent Support operation will provide BGL with 24 hour support monitoring from Sabio's dedicated centre in Glasgow.


text:
Chris Dallas sits in a hidden corner office inside HarvesTime Foods, located just above the produce section, peeking out at the fresh Roma tomatoes and avocadoes (a steal-of-the day at three for $1.98). Sitting here, Dallas, who’s a partner along with his three brothers in the beloved neighborhood store (2632 W. Lawrence Ave.), tries to view the store through the eyes of his customers, taking into account the homemade hummus and guacamole, an extensive meat and deli counter and a fiesta of brightly colored piñatas.
But some days, the co-owner is more preoccupied with the electricity it takes to refrigerate and light the 20,000-square-foot grocery store.
“Grocery stores are gluttons,” Dallas says.
As he explains that he’s doing what he can to temper that gluttony, an earthquake-like rumble comes from the roof, as if on cue. It’s from the construction workers who are toiling above, installing the last patches of a large awning of solar panels.
The solar panel awning is scheduled to be finished before the week of Nov. 21, but its functioning will depend on weather. When it’s finished, Dallas says that when it’s sunny outside, the awning should soak in enough rays to power the store’s lights for the entire day; the rest of the necessary electricity will still be delivered the old-fashioned way — from the power company.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), solar power accounts for less than 1 percent of energy in the United States. Dallas sees it as his duty, as a good neighbor and businessman, to make the right choices for now as well as the future.
“I’ve gotten green over the years,” says Dallas. "I’ve learned to appreciate nature.”
Dallas spends a lot of time outdoors. Whether he’s cycling along country roads, walking through a forest preserve or swimming in Lake Michigan, he tires of seeing trash buried in the beauty of the nature.
“It’s pathetic to say that I’m going to leave my kids the garbage to pick up,” he says.
Since HarvesTime opened in 1995, a sister store to Edgewater Produce in Andersonville, Dallas and his brothers have made small changes along the way to improve its sustainability, including placing an emphasis on recycling, replacing lights with energy-efficient bulbs, carving skylights into the store to provide natural lighting and replacing single-pane windows with double panes for better insulation. Still, he knew he could do more.
The solar panel idea evolved when he decided to replace an old awning, which had been shredded by the elements. His initial vision: A beautiful metallic covering that would shade the outer length of the store — which nearly doubled in size in 2005 — and bear the HarvesTime Foods name.
After getting an astronomical quote (Dallas says it was the same price he originally paid for the HarvesTime building) for the metal awning, his plans changed. He decided if he was going to be spending that much green he might as well do something, well, green. So Dallas began looking into alternative energy.
He says he was pleasantly surprised by the quote he received from Chicago-based Solar Services on an awning of solar panels.
“It was on the outer reach of affordability,” he says. “It was less than the sheet metal awning that I was contemplating a year before.”
Plus, the company told him that through energy savings, the solar panels ought to pay for themselves within 10 years.
And because it’s green energy, he’s receiving assistance from the state of Illinois’ Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program, which provides a rebate of 30 percent of the project’s cost (capping off at $30,000) and he’ll also receive federal tax credit. Rebates aside, it’s still an expensive endeavor. But to Dallas, it’s well worth it.
“For me it’s a pain in the pocket to put up solar panels. But at least I will produce part of my electricity not having to worry that I have to burn off nuclear energy or coal,” he says. “We can say we’ve done something because it’s good.”


text:
Melbourne, Australia: Word travels fast in the watch industry! Just days after Tudor unveiled their 2021 Watches & Wonders novelties, The Hour Glass hosted its inaugural event in the newly renovated Melbourne boutique at 252 Collins Street. To celebrate the occasion, The Hour Glass organised an intimate cocktail event with the full collection on display.
The boutique gallery space, replete with exposed brickwork and architectural elements, embraced the Tudor DNA, with an abundance of blood-red rose bouquets peppered throughout the space, and smartly-dressed waiters serving champagne and zesty negronis. Following the opening event, The Hour Glass hosted a two-day exhibition open to the public. Unsurprisingly, the exhibition proved to be a hit amongst local watch enthusiasts and Tudor watch collectors.
It should come as no surprise that the new ‘Panda’ and ‘Reverse-Panda’ Black Bay Chrono’s proved to be a hit. With its black tachymeter bezel, contrasting dial and sub-dial colour schemes and slimmed-down case, the Black Bay Chrono has a lot going for it. Attendees to the exhibition were also particularly enthralled by the muted allure of the Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K (REF M79018V-0001). ‘In the metal’, the 18K gold case appears positively refined. Borderline discreet! Any premature apprehensions of an “overly flashy” Black Bay were immediately dispelled upon seeing the green-dialled satin-finished 39MM case on the wrist.
DISCOVER OUR NEW TUDOR WATCHES


text:
Singapore - Crude was mixed but well-supported in Asia on Friday as upbeat Chinese and US economic data sparked hopes that the world's largest economies were turning the corner, analysts said.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in December fell 16 cents to $86.93 a barrel while Brent North Sea crude for December delivery gained three cents to $108.20.
A rebound in China's manufacturing sector coupled with positive jobs numbers from the United States was propping up crude prices, IG Markets said in a report.
"November started on a firm footing with upbeat economic data out of the world's two biggest economies rallying their local markets," it stated.
Data released Thursday showed China's manufacturing activity growing for the first time in three months in October, reinforcing hopes that the world's largest energy consumer was finally emerging from a slump.
In the US, manufacturing activity picked up for a second straight month in October after three months of slight contraction, with growth the strongest since May, the Institute for Supply Management said Thursday.


text:
Here’s a great reason to throw a party. On October 24th, chefs, food banks, schools, farmers' markets and food-lovers across America will observe Food Day opens in a new tab, a national day of awareness-raising and fund-raising to promote healthy eating and affordable, accessible food. We encourage and challenge YOU to take the lead and host a fundraising party for your local food bank or a food-related charity that you believe in. We’ve partnered with the Food Day initiative and Epicurious to make it easy, rewarding and fun to host a Food Day event opens in a new tab.
Food Day is centered on 6 basic principles opens in a new tab:
Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods
Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness
Expand access to food and alleviate hunger
Protect the environment and animals by reforming factory farms
Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids
Support fair conditions for food and farm workers
Sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the nonprofit watchdog group that has led successful fights for food labeling, better nutrition and safer food since 1971, Food Day is people-powered and does not accept funding from government or corporations — though restaurants, supermarkets and others are encouraged to observe Food Day in their own ways. But the most important ingredient in Food Day is you — and we invite you to organize an event and help make Food Day a success.
Check out these region-specific seasonal menus opens in a new tab, choose a charitable cause to support (here’s a food bank locator opens in a new tab) and send out your invites! We partnered with Epicurious to provide this free, downloadable Food Day Dinner Party Kit opens in a new tab, which contains great ideas for planning any party big or small, plus conversation starters, recipes and even pumpkin-carving stencils.
Also, Epicurious is hosting a Facebook contest opens in a new tab where you can submit a photo and description of your Food Day event for a chance to win a matching donation (up to $1000) for the food-related charity of your choice.Aren’t quite up to hosting your own event? Visit Food Day opens in a new tab to find out about events happening across the country and find one close to you.Which of the six Food Day principles means the most to you? What will you be doing on October 24th, the first annual Food Day?


text:
Want more?Hear all Kim Komando Today episodes here.
Listen and subscribe
About Kim Komando Today
Want to learn more about this digital life we’re all immersed in? Each day, Kim Komando shares the tech news that impacts you, smart tips to get more out of your devices, and essential ways to protect yourself from hackers and scammers — all in just 30 minutes.
Tech Refresh: Space internet, Mac malware, Windows 10 pro tip
February 26, 2021SpaceX is poised to bring fast internet to the areas that need it most, and it just got faster. Malware is targeting new Macs, and Ben has a Windows 10 pro tip every PC user should know. Plus, the crew talks about the best ways to sell old tech — or which cupboard to stash it in if you can't be bothered.
Digital privacy in 2021: Take a hard look at your apps
February 23, 2021If you’ve ever used an app for messaging, dating or even praying, your secrets have gone to X-Mode, which sells location data to military contractors. Which apps are tracking you the most? Kim talks to Sean O'Brien, the principal researcher at ExpressVPN's Digital Security Lab, about all the creepy details. By the time you're done, you'll be looking at your phone in a whole new light.


text:
Coca-Cola HBC shares skyrocket as bottler posts record revenue despite impression of Ukraine war
- The anchor bottler reported web gross sales revenue hit a record €9.2billion in 2022
- HBC’s comparable working income beat analyst forecasts to achieve €929.7m
- Coca-Cola HBC shares had been the most effective performer on the FTSE 100 on Tuesday
Coca-Cola HBC shares soared on Thursday after the bottler beat revenue forecasts and noticed gross sales surge towards a difficult financial backdrop.
The anchor bottler’s web gross sales revenue elevated by 28.2 per cent to a record €9.2billion in 2022, following value hikes and stable natural progress in established and growing markets.
Trading acquired an additional enhance from buying a majority stake within the Cola Bottling Company of Egypt, useful forex actions and quantity growth in glowing, vitality and occasional manufacturers.
Results: Coca-Cola HBC reported web gross sales revenue elevated to a record €9.2billion in 2022 following value hikes and powerful natural progress in established and growing markets
Net income tumbled by round 1 / 4 to €415.4million, primarily on account of impairment prices associated to the agency’s resolution to restructure its operations in Russia amid the escalation of the Ukraine war.
But comparable working income rose to their highest ever ranges of €929.7million, in comparison with a forecast vary of €860million to €900million, as did free money circulation.
This was despite margins being squeezed by larger manufacturing, advertising and vitality prices and a one-off profit from promoting property in Cyprus in 2021.
Zoran Bogdanovic, the corporate’s chief government, mentioned: ‘We delivered a robust efficiency in 2022 towards a difficult backdrop, reaching record ranges of revenue, comparable EBIT and free money circulation.
‘Consumer demand for our merchandise and in our classes remained good. The energy of our portfolio and constant funding in our capabilities allowed us to steadiness pricing and blend enhancements, whereas additionally reaching one other yr of robust share positive aspects.’
Coca-Cola HBC shares had been the most effective performer on the FTSE 100 Index on Tuesday, rising 6.1 per cent to £20.60, though they continue to be under ranges previous to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The group expects natural revenues in 2023 to exceed its 5 to six per cent goal span, though it warned that underlying working earnings may fall by as much as 3 per cent this yr.
Part of the hit to income is ready to return from antagonistic forex actions, however HBC additionally predicts that the common value of every case bought to prospects would rise by a ‘low teenagers per cent.’
Energy and commodity costs have elevated because the Russian navy’s offensive escalated in February 2022, sending firms throughout the globe scrambling for methods to rein in prices whereas households battle to handle their payments.
Most firms have hiked costs in a bid to move on a few of these prices to their customers.
Although a price of dwelling disaster has seen a shift in client spending, packaged beverage and meals makers have continued to see resilient demand.
The Coca-Cola Company, which owns a 21 per cent holding in Swiss-headquartered HBC, credited value hikes with its natural revenues tipping above $10billion within the ultimate three months of final yr.
This helped the multinational drinks big’s working revenue offset larger advertising and working bills to climb by nearly 1 / 4 to $2.1billion
Aarin Chiekrie, fairness analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, moreover mentioned the agency’s broad combination of merchandise, which embrace Fanta, Sprite and Schweppes, ‘has undoubtedly performed a big half in its resilient gross sales too.’


text:
Martindale Electric has announced the arrival of its latest CABLOK series, which provides installers and maintenance teams with a simple and reliable solution for locking off multiple breakers, switches and valves, to prevent the re-energising of circuits and systems during maintenance, as part of a safe isolation procedure.
Following the acquisition by the Scolmore Group earlier this year of Sangamo, the specialist supplier of time switches and heating controls, it has now been announced that the Sangamo range of products will be available from group company, ESP (Elite Security Products). This will make the Sangamo range much more widely and readily accessible to customers through the electrical wholesale channel.
As well as launching new and innovative products, Scolmore is committed to making improvements to existing products to enhance their performance. The new Inceptor EVO LED Bulkhead is a prime example, offering all the same great features of the original version, but now with the addition of corridor function which will help reduce energy consumption. Scolmore has a patent on the product's unique design.
Aurora Lighting, one of the world’s largest private LED lighting and technology companies, has launched its new linear at Light+Building 2018, which, once installed as part of the AXiO smart lighting platform can assist in reducing energy savings by up to 50% by using control and engage with customers and staff alike.


text:
Leading mystery shopping provider accelerates growth by adding online reputation management to their services mix
CONCORD, NH – August 21, 2018 – 360 Intel, a leading provider of mystery shopping services, today announced they have added online brand reputation management to their suite of services. This new service is designed to help business owners and operators control their brand’s online ratings, reviews and reputation with an integrated platform that monitors and manages social media, as well as aggregates ratings sites.
“We have heard clients talk about the pain they have in managing social media and online reviews for years now,” stated Tyler Goodwin, CEO of 360 Intel. “We are thrilled to provide an offering that simplifies this and enhances their ability to manage their brand’s reputation online. Now they can know exactly how customers feel about their brand, as well as monitor how prospective customers may perceive them.”
Online brand reputation management is a hot topic for business operators and marketing leaders today. With 91% of online searches not going past page 1, and Google becoming the first place prospective customers go to learn about a business, not monitoring an online reputation is no longer an option for businesses. The impact can be severe if companies don’t react quickly to public comments, and consumers expect transparency in a brand that can only be accomplished online.
The platform, which is provided in an integrated dashboard with their mystery shopping service, is feature-rich with capabilities designed to take the complexity out of managing the various social channels.
The robust feature set includes:
- Online review management
- Competitive benchmarking
- Location listing monitoring
- Social media monitoring & management
- Posted photo monitoring
- Rank tracking
- Review booster
- Sentiment analysis
- System integrated workflows
A video overview is available to learn more.


text:
Tata Motors’ (NYSE: TTM) stock price has slumped since the beginning of the current fiscal year and continues to tumble with the recently released disappointing quarterly results and the latest developments in the U.S. with respect to the imposition of tariffs on imported automobiles in the country. Although Tata Motors’ home brand, Tata Motors Limited has displayed substantial strength recently, its Jaguar Land Rover division which contributes more than 90% to the company’s total value (according to Trefis estimates), and close to 80% to its revenue, has remained weak due to unfavorable market conditions in the U.K. and EU. This has led to investors losing confidence in the company’s stock and has thus resulted in its stock price slumping by 64% since the beginning of the current year.
Why Is Diesel Car Demand Dampening In U.K. And EU?
Tata’s JLR division’s sales volume has increased at a much slower pace in FY 2017-2018 as a consequence of the Volkswagen diesel scandal which occurred in 2015. Regulatory authorities across U.K. and Europe which are JLR’s key markets are imposing additional restrictions on the usage of diesel vehicles as they strive for a cleaner environment. The U.K. government has increased the imposed taxes on diesel vehicles, whereas the EU has imposed more stringent emission targets which would be effective post-2021. On the backdrop of such an unfavorable market environment, consumer confidence on diesel vehicles has deteriorated across U.K. and EU and have thus reduced their demand for diesel automobiles. Sales of diesel vehicles in Europe declined by 8% in 2017 and U.K. diesel sales have already declined by 32% in the first four months of 2018.
How Is It Impacting JLR?
JLR has a diesel dominated portfolio and hence the change in consumer perspective about diesel vehicles has consequently impacted the demand for JLR automobiles as well. JLR’s retail sales in 2018 grew marginally by 1.7%. This compares to a retail growth of 13% experienced a year ago. This decline was predominantly led by a 13% retail sales slump experienced in U.K. and a 5% decline in sales experienced in Europe.
The charts below have been created by using our interactive dashboard.
In addition to declining volumes, the company’s value has experienced a far larger value impact from its declining margins in 2018. Margins declined in FY18 as a result of increased incentive offerings by the company in several of its key markets, in an effort to enhance its sales volume. JLR’s operating margins in FY18 declined by 170 basis points (bps) compared to the same period last year. This has negatively weighed on the Tata’s overall consolidated margins as well. The pressure on margins is likely to continue as the company continues to invest in newer models and technologies to match the rising spends incorporated by its peer companies. Consequently, Tata Motors downgraded its long-term EBIT margin to the range of 7%-9% in its latest quarter results from its initial guidance of 8%-10% announced a quarter ago.
Looking ahead, JLR’s recently released luxury electric variant, I-Pace, is expected to support the company’s declining sales of other variants to a certain extent in the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, a brighter outlook for China is also expected to enhance the company’s total sales volume. However, despite the comparative stronger sales expected in 2019, the pressure on margins is expected to continue and weigh on the company’s stock price in the near term.
What’s behind Trefis? See How it’s Powering New Collaboration and What-Ifs
Like our charts? Explore example interactive dashboards and create your own.


text:
With litigation and settlement costs connected to the various e-book pricing cases behind it, profits at Simon & Schuster rose 20% in the first quarter ended March 31 compared to a year ago, despite a 3% decline in sales. Operating income before depreciation and amortization hit $12 million in the quarter, while sales fell to $171 million from $176 million. In addition to lower legal costs, the bottom line benefitted from higher sales of more profitable e-books. Digital book sales increased 14% and represented 30% of total revenue for the first quarter, compared with 26% in the first period of 2012.
S&S's children's division had the best performance in the quarter, CEO Carolyn Reidy told PW, pointing to strong sales of two books by Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Princess and City of Lost Souls. "Her audience keeps getting bigger and bigger," Reidy said. Sales in the adult group were down, hurt by strong sales last year of the Steve Jobs book and 11/22/63. Strong sellers in the quarter included Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult.
The growth in digital, Reidy noted, was strongest in its international markets and young adult, with sales of adult fiction, which had been driving e-book sales to this point, growing at under the 14% companywide average. Reidy said S&S is not seeing the fall off in print sales of popular authors that had occured the last couple of years and believes the print and digital markets "are coming toward an equilibrium. Print sales are holding on."
The solid first quarter was achieved while S&S continues its standoff with Barnes & Noble over terms. Reidy said the two companies are still in discussions to resolve the dispute, but that no agreement has been reached. She said she feels sorry for the authors whose books have been affected by the disagreement, and added that S&S appreciates the support it has received from the author community.
Reidy said she is optimistic about prospects for the year. In the second quarter, S&S has high hopes for The Center Holds by Jonathan Alter, Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson and The Silver Star by Jeannette Walls.


text:
|Page (1) of 1 - 08/28/08||email article||print page|
iPhone Users Can Now Track Gustav at Weather UndergroundHurricane Tracking Maps and Public Advisories Now Available on Weather Underground's iPhone Web Site i.wund.com (August 28, 2008)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 08/28/08 -- Weather Underground, the nation's first online provider of weather related content, today announced the launch of a Tropical Weather section for iPhone users at http://i.wund.com/tropical
The service enables iPhone users to access a wide range of hurricane tracking maps including 5-day forecast maps, computer model maps, satellite maps, wind maps and historical maps. The service also provides a number of text products such as public advisories, marine advisories and discussions.
"We have brought the product to market as quickly as possible in light of the active hurricane season we are experiencing in the Atlantic this year," said Alan Steremberg, President and co-founder of Weather Underground. "People in areas threatened by severe tropical weather can use the new iPhone service, along with our regular mobile site, to keep themselves and their families safe when they don't have access to a computer."
This iPhone service is the latest in a suite of online products that Weather Underground provides for people wishing to keep track of tropical weather. Its flagship web site www.wunderground.com provides access to an even greater range of hurricane tracking maps and model data. Weather Underground's Director of Meteorology and former hurricane chaser, Dr. Jeff Masters, provides in-depth hurricane analysis and commentary on his widely read WunderBlog. Dr. Masters is currently posting regular updates on Hurricane Gustav at www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html
Weather Underground also launched its US Severe Weather service on the iPhone site. This service provides a map of the US highlighting all areas with severe weather advisories -- including tropical storms, thunderstorms, heat advisories, winter weather statements, fire alerts, flood warnings and tornado alerts. Text advisories can also be viewed by state and city.
For other mobile users, Weather Underground's Tropical and Severe Weather services are also available on its regular mobile site, http://m.wund.com
About Weather Underground
The nation's first online weather service, Weather Underground is committed to delivering the most comprehensive, reliable weather information possible. The company's state-of-the-art technology monitors conditions and forecasts for locations across the world. With thousands of international users contributing local observations from personal weather stations, Weather Underground is able to provide up-to-the-minute weather conditions for the most finely targeted areas. In addition to serving free online weather information to millions of Web users, Weather Underground delivers custom-designed weather page solutions to an array of businesses and media clients -- both online and in print.
Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=824446
Copyright @ Marketwire
Related Keywords: Weather Underground, Marketwire, Apple Computer, Internet Technology, Meteorology, Other,


text:
Slaves to chocolate
Child slave labour is still an issue in chocolate production, but some smaller companies are raising the bar on ethics.
Barry Callebaut is the biggest cocoa company you’ve never heard of. It is one of three companies – alongside Cargill and ADM – that grind an estimated 40% of the world’s supply. This is then sold on to the more familiar companies featured in this guide.
In November 2014 Barry Callebaut echoed a prediction by Mars Inc. that the world’s supply of cocoa will be running dangerously low by 2020. Panic-inducing headlines followed. “Cocoa crisis”, announced the Guardian. “Help! We’re running out of chocolate”, screamed the Daily Mail.
Analysts predict smaller bars, rising prices and more fillers like nuts and nougat.
Cocoa prices peaked in August at $2,000 a tonne, a 25% price rise in a year. But in 1980 the price (adjusted for inflation) was $6,000 a tonne. In the 1970s, 50% of the price of a bar of chocolate was for the cocoa, a figure which had decreased to 12% by the 1980s and was just 6% in 2012. The deteriorating economic viability of cocoa farming is cited as a key reason for declining production.
The real cocoa crisis
The year 2020 is significant in the world of chocolate for another reason: it is the year by which the industry has committed to a 70% decrease in the amount of cocoa being produced with the worst forms of child labour (including child slave labour) in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana – producers of more than half of the world’s cocoa. It is a target which has been weakened and pushed back an outrageous fifteen years since the industry first promised to deal with the issue in 2001. And with the demand for sustainably sourced cocoa predicted to reach 50% of supply by 2020, it will equate to little more than what the market will demand anyway, should the target be met.
Anti-slavery campaign group STOP THE TRAFFIK present an overview of the current situation below.
The encouraging news is that the top of the score table above is filled with smaller, more ethical companies, which counter the mainstream trend through the development of genuinely responsibly-sourced chocolate.
How the brands compare on criteria to end child trafficking:
This table ranks the companies in this guide according to the methodology developed by STOP THE TRAFFIK. We’ve added the additional criterion of whether the company sources all of its chocolate from outside of West Africa. Those that don’t are marked down in the Workers’ Rights column on the score table for likely use of child labour.
Top scorers are those whose range is 100% certified or sourced from outside West Africa and fulfils some of the other criteria. We have accepted organic certification as this includes a requirement not to use child labour that interferes with their education.
The devastating impact of palm oil production on local communities and the environment is now common knowledge. See our palm oil free list to see which chocolate brands receive a best and worst rating for palm oil.
As of December 2014, palm oil will need to be labelled as such on packaging, rather than the generic term ‘vegetable oil’ which is often used to disguise its presence. Many companies have already implemented the change but we have spotted a few that have not: Elizabeth Shaw, Cavalier and Ritter Sport.
In the USA, 93% of the soya, 88% of the corn and 90% of the sugar beet is genetically modified (GM).5 Derivatives of these crops are regularly used as ingredients in chocolate products (soya lecithin, high fructose corn syrup and sugar).
According to GM Freeze, products containing GM ingredients have been creeping quietly onto British supermarkets shelves. They are mostly highly processed and often from North America. In Europe, GM ingredients must be labelled. GM Freeze have published a list of products containing GM on their website which have been spotted around the UK. You can contribute to the research by letting the organisation know if you spot GM on a label. The products of American chocolate company Hershey’s occur a number of times on the list and Nestlé also makes an appearance.
According to the European Feed Manufacturers’ Association, at least 85% of the EU’s compound feed production is now labelled to indicate that it contains GM or GM-derived material. This means that much of the milk used in chocolate comes from animals fed a GM diet; a number of companies in this report consequently lose marks in the Genetic Engineering and Animal Rights categories.
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter at an atomic level, allowing scientists to build new materials from the ‘bottom up’. Campaign groups have raised concerns, particularly about its poorly understood impact on the environment and human health, and the apparent failure of regulatory regimes to address the associated risks.
A few years ago, all kinds of sci-fi-sounding nano-innovations in the food sector were promised. A number of the companies involved are featured in this product guide.
Kraft (Mondelez) and Nestlé were reported to be developing interactive or “smart” foods, capable of changing colour, flavour or nutrients according to the person consuming them. “From fun stuff like drinks that change colors”, reported Forbes back in 2005, “to innovative foods that can adjust for a consumer’s allergies or nutritional requirements.”
Today, however, only a limited amount of information is available about what is both on the market and under development.
The Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Centre has published an inventory of commercialised nano-products. “Years ago Kraft promoted the fact that they were doing research with nano, but now they say they’re not”, according to Todd Kuiken from the Centre. “The bigger food companies backed away. We think they got a little gun shy.”
Nano-clusters of cocoa particles are in one of the few products made with nanotechnology that we know has been commercialised: Nanoceuticals™ Slim Shake Chocolate.
In Europe legislation was passed in 2011 requiring that nanofoods be labelled, which is due to be implemented by December 2014. But in March the European Parliament (EP) kicked out a Commission proposal which would have excluded certain products from the labelling regime, namely things that are already on the market and those with a nano-component of less than half.
“The EP has repeatedly called for proper nano-labelling and it is highly surprising that the Commission even tried to weaken what has been decided by both Parliament and the Council. Consumers have the right to know and make their own choice. They do not want the Commission to do that for them,” said Swedish parliamentarian Carl Schlyter.
Kuiken says that it is probable that in the USA there are human-engineered nanoparticles in food that both regulators and the public are unaware of, particularly in highly processed foods. But he cautions against scare-mongering: “We just don’t know. And we need to avoid creating a fear that might not be based on reality”.
Changing chocolate supply chains
Carolyn Kitto, STOP THE TRAFFIK Campaigns Co-ordinator, provides an update on progress to stop child labour in the cocoa industry.
Much of the chocolate that we buy in the UK is made with cocoa beans grown in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa.
Hundreds of thousands of children work in West Africa’s cocoa plantations. Thousands, as young as ten, are trafficked from Cote D’Ivoire and neighbouring countries. Their freedom is taken and they are forced to work long hours without receiving any money for their work. They are beaten and have to work in dangerous conditions. Most of them have never tasted chocolate. As recently as this year, Interpol intercepted children being trafficked into cocoa harvesting.
Since 2006 STOP THE TRAFFIK activists have campaigned for ingredients like violence and exploitation to be taken out of chocolate. Gradually, small changes have started to happen, and today the chocolate industry is in a very different place than when we started.
Change is afoot…
Success has included four of the largest five global chocolate companies, Nestlé, Mars, Hershey’s and Mondelez, releasing certified chocolate bars and announcing plans to clean up their supply chains. Current credible certifiers of cocoa supply chains are Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. Ferrero is yet to certify any products. Nestlé has now certified their entire Australian and New Zealand chocolate bar range, and has announced its UK and Ireland chocolate ranges will be certified by the end of 2015. Mondelez has a ‘Cocoa Life’ plan but no point of sale communication and little transparency.
We have learnt that companies will only make changes when they are put under pressure by consumers. It is vital we maintain the momentum. The Harkin-Engel protocol, a voluntary agreement which was signed by the world confectionery industry in 2001, was only really acted on after people began campaigning.
Actions speak louder than words. We wait to see the promises of some companies implemented.
…but our message hasn’t changed
We want to end the buying and selling of people. We want to ensure no children are bought or sold to work in the cocoa supply chain.
There is a big difference between business sustainability and community or ethical sustainability. The big fear of the chocolate companies is that the world’s supply of cocoa is going to run dry. For them, the issue of sustainability is more closely linked to securing their supplies, rather than ensuring that the communities who provide the raw product are able to pay a living wage to workers, which would eliminate the need to use trafficked labour. We believe that a key contributor to the human trafficking solution is paying farmers a sufficient wage, enough for them to employ adult labour.
Our message is simple. We want to end the trafficking of children from the West Coast of Africa, where the majority of our chocolate comes from.
How do we get to traffic-free chocolate?
We believe that certification through credible, independent bodies such as Fairtrade, UTZ Certified and Rainforest Alliance, is a key step in eradicating child trafficking in the chocolate industry. Certification is not without its faults and it is not a guarantee. However, the certification bodies do seek to prevent trafficking and other forms of exploitation. If these are found, the certification bodies have systems in place to deal with the situation.
Different certification bodies have different strengths and weaknesses, but they all address labour and workers’ rights to some extent, and include the issue of child trafficking in their auditing processes. Certification also provides transparency so that the supply chain can be traced back to the cooperative, and sometimes the farm, where the cocoa is grown. This increases the ability of chocolate companies to track where and how their cocoa is grown.
Certification shows a company where their problems are, allowing them to start to deal with the issues. Certification logos such as Fairtrade also communicate information to consumers at the point of sale, empowering them to make informed choices.
Certification is a developing and growing system. Evaluation, monitoring and assessment are needed to ensure it is effective. STOP THE TRAFFIK actively engages with certification bodies, encouraging them to improve their standards and mechanisms in tackling human trafficking, and their monitoring and reporting of progress in the cocoa industry.
We also believe there are steps that must be taken by governments and by civil society. However, STOP THE TRAFFIK focuses on the role of companies for several reasons:
1) Companies have a very large share of the profits in the cocoa trade. With big profits come big responsibilities.
2) In 2001, chocolate companies promised that they would end child trafficking in cocoa supply chains by 2005 and they still haven’t achieved this.
3) The Big Five chocolate companies (Mars, Nestlé, Mondelez, Ferrero and Hershey’s) dominate the global chocolate market. If these five were to change how they do business, the rest would have to follow.
STOP THE TRAFFIK’s chocolate box
Certification alone is not enough. There are six criteria that STOP THE TRAFFIK believes need to be met by the big chocolate companies to ensure trafficking and the worst forms of child labour are stamped out of chocolate supply chains for good.
These six steps cover a range of factors that we think are necessary to bring about the end of child trafficking in the cocoa industry.
Public deadline for certification: A public deadline to certify a company’s entire range of cocoa. Deadlines should be realistic yet ambitious, demonstrating a commitment for change. It should include a plan with milestones and tonnages, and contain clear, consistent and credible communication to the consumer at the point of purchase.
Product certified: Third party certification on at least one product or range.
100% Certified: Third party certification on 100% of chocolate range.
Annually report on money spent to redress child trafficking, such as child labour remediation programmes. These must differentiate between economic and social impacts.
Living Wage: Take clear action to ensure that farmers and their dependents receive a sufficient income. This should include a needs inventory and a calculation of what a living income should be.
Impact assessment of programme by independent third party auditors.
We won’t stop campaigning until human trafficking has ended. What about you?
More info from www.stopthetraffik.org
Fairtrade in the classroom: Nestlé vs. class 3 and 4
Ethical Consumer last looked at chocolate companies in 2009, and flagged the educational materials produced by STOP THE TRAFFIK. One EC reader, a teacher called Anne, decided to use STOP THE TRAFFIK’s ‘Chaga and the Chocolate Factory’ story as the basis for her class’s slot during the school’s harvest festival assembly, which was themed ‘Africa and seeds’.
With the harrowing subject matter of child trafficking and slavery on a West African cocoa plantation, we asked Anne if she was confident that it was appropriate for her class of seven to nine year olds. She was unconcerned: “When you give children a scenario of other children that are worse off than them they respond positively,” she told us. “Some of the pupils in my class had very hard lives.”
After reading the story, the class decided that they wanted to turn it into a play for the assembly. Two weeks of rehearsals and chocolate-related activity followed.
The children decided that they wanted to change the story slightly and leave out the part where a child working on the plantation died. They thought it would be too sad for the younger children attending the assembly.
They talked about the Fairtrade products they could buy at the local Co-operative supermarket and a couple met with the manager, seeking help and advice getting Fairtrade products into the school. Some met with the headmaster.
They wrote to Nestlé asking the company to make Kit Kats Fairtrade.
They decided to open their assembly performance with a “We want Fairtrade!” demonstration, and made the necessary banners. “Children that age have a strong sense of right and wrong, and they want justice,” said Anne.
During those weeks the class engaged not only with the story but with their own learning. For the first time that term they were all successful in completing their times tables tests.
After the assembly, the class received a reply from Nestlé. “I read it out to the class, but it was written in such complex language that no-one had any idea what they were saying,” said Anne. “The children suggested writing again, explaining that if their teacher didn’t understand the reply, what chance did 7,8 and 9 year olds have!”
A couple of weeks after sending their second letter to Nestlé, Anne spotted in the paper a full page Nestlé advert saying that the four finger Kit Kat would become Fairtrade certified. When the children saw the advert there was much cheering: “We did it!” they shouted.
Ferrero USA, the Hershey Company, Mars Inc., Lindt & Sprüngli, and Nestlé are all members of the National Confectioners Association. This is considered by Ethical Consumer to be a corporate lobby group which may have applied political pressure for laws and regulations to favour the interests of businesses over protections for consumers, workers, social welfare or the environment. In April 2014 the NCA was reported to be preparing to spend $2 million on a public relations campaign to challenge the idea that sweets and chocolate play “a role in the American obesity crisis”.
The Lotte Group, which bought Chocolaterie Guylian in 2008, is a South Korean company and the country’s fifth largest conglomerate by assets. It operates in a range of sectors, from food to petrochemicals via retail, finance and construction. It consequently picks up associated marks on the table. Sales in 2013 were $75.7 billion.
Madécasse is manufactured where the cocoa is grown, Madagascar. The model is a more structural response to global inequality than Fairtrade, which usually involves the sale of low-value bulk commodities. Although 60-65% of the world’s cocoa comes from mainland Africa, virtually none of it is transformed into chocolate there. Consequently Madécasse, which has only been in existence for a few years, is the largest exporter of finished chocolate from the African continent. The cocoa is certified under the Fair For Life programme, a parallel system to Fairtrade. This requires certification all the way along the production process, right up to the company’s offices in the USA.
Nestlé, which owns nearly 30% of L’Oréal, conducts animal testing. According to its website: “We can assure you that we use animal testing as little as possible, and that our care of animals always complies with the highest standards. Animal testing should only take place where absolutely necessary, as part of the regulatory process to commercialise a product, or as part of the development of novel food products, such as those with healthcare benefits.”
Iconic British chocolate company Cadbury’s was gobbled up by American Kraft Foods for £11.5 billion in 2010. The American food giant then spun off its international food business into the newly-formed company Mondelez.
Fairtrade pioneer Divine is 45% owned by Kuapa Kokoo, the 65,000 member strong Ghanaian farmers’ co-operative that produces the company’s chocolate.


text:
September 25, 2015
In 2008 three major U.S. regulatory agencies announced the ground-breaking ToxCast initiative to reduce reliance on animals for chemical testing. Since then, the impetus to shift to non-animal test methods has continued to grow.
On September 8, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an original member of the ToxCast program, announced a partnership with Unilever to expand that effort by advancing cutting-edge methods to evaluate the safety of chemicals without using animals or animal data.
Global giant Unilever, the world’s third largest manufacturer of consumer goods, has research facilities worldwide including in the U.S. The company owns over 400 brands and is the world’s largest producer of food spreads. Unilever is recognized in the U.S. for its signature product lines: Dove, Hellman’s, Knorr and Lipton.
The goal of the EPA-Unilever collaboration is to develop chemical safety tests and risk assessments which are more human-relevant. Using the automated chemical screening technologies that are part of the ToxCast project, the EPA will further develop and provide data. Unilever will contribute funding in addition to its years of copious research data on consumer products.
The EPA ToxCast program is a massive automated screening system which can quickly and effectively scan and assess thousands of chemicals.
Central to the project is the use of human cells or cellular components that deliver accurate and human-relevant information in contrast to animal tests.
A robotic device is used to mass screen chemicals
Photo credit: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
While Unilever still does animal testing, the company claims it is limited to areas where there are no alternatives and says they are committed to ending it entirely.
Julia Fentem, Vice President of Unilever’s Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, said “This research collaboration is strategically very important for Unilever’s long-held ambition to eliminate the need for any animal testing while also continuing to ensure the safety of consumers and our environment. If we had robust scientific tools to accurately and rapidly predict exposures to chemicals at the cellular and molecular levels within the human body, this would be a huge step forward in being able to conduct safety risk assessments without using animal data.”
For the animals who suffer the toxic effects of exposure tests that force them to inhale and ingest chemicals, an end to these kinds of tests cannot come soon enough.
Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research (CAARE), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, established to highlight and promote research without animals.
Please donate to support CAARE’s mission to reduce animal suffering by disseminating information about the power and progress of research without animals.