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McClatchy reported a widening third-quarter loss Thursday amid a continuing decline in advertising revenue, continuing a decade-long trend.
Sacramento-based McClatchy, publisher of The Sacramento Bee , said it lost $9.8 million during the quarter, compared to a loss of $1.1 million a year earlier. Excluding certain one-time charges, such as severance expenses, the company reported an “adjusted net loss” of $2.1 million, compared to a profit of $3.2 million last year.
McClatchy also disclosed that it is “discussing sale terms under nonbinding letters of intent” with potential purchasers of The Bee’s main office and production building in midtown Sacramento.
The company previously announced it would try to sell the property, which also serves as McClatchy’s headquarters, and lease space back from the buyer. McClatchy has been selling other properties around the country to reduce debt, and has a pending deal to sell The Bee’s parking garage to developer Sotiris Kolokotronis.
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The latest financial results show McClatchy, like other newspaper publishers, continues to struggle with the transition to a digital-first media landscape. Total revenue fell 6.6 percent in the quarter, to $234.7 million, led by a drop of 11.1 percent in advertising sales. The company blamed “softness in traditional print advertising and direct marketing” for the continued drop in ad sales.
Print advertising, once the mainstay of the newspaper business, accounted for just 28 percent of McClatchy’s total revenue during the quarter.
On the plus side, digital advertising grew 4.9 percent. Digital-only advertising – those ads not tied to print ad sales – jumped 15.2 percent. Circulation and other audience revenues climbed 1.9 percent, to $91 million. The number of digital-only subscribers rose to 80,300, an increase of 3.3 percent from a year ago.
President and Chief Executive Pat Talamantes said McClatchy is making progress in its digital transformation. “We know this has been a long trip, but we’re starting to see green shoots,” he said on a conference call with investment analysts.
McClatchy shares closed at $18.46, up 10 cents, on the New York Stock Exchange.


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The new logo program for omega-3s ingredient suppliers launched recently by GOED is not in response to the Prop 65 fish oil lawsuit in California, and in fact has been in the planning stages for more than two years, says Adam Ismail, executive director.
"We have reached the point in GOED's lifecycle where we felt it was important to support our members' efforts," Ismail explains. "GOED members actually sign affidavits agreeing to adhere to strict standards, and we feel this is a significant commitment. In our mind, the logo program is just a first step in a multi-year process for the leading omega-3 manufacturers and marketers continuing to set the bar on quality and ethics issues."
The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, or GOED, is made up of 80 businesses that comply with GOED's monograph standard, and adhere to a code of ethics in their marketing practices. These members include Martek Biosciences, Ocean Nutrition Canada, Solae, Aker BioMarine and Nordic Naturals, among others.
The B2B program is designed to help finished product companies identify suppliers who have made a commitment to quality, ethics and consumer education that is a mandatory part of GOED membership. It is not, however, an approval program.
"We are supporting the logo with a trade advertising campaign in the leading international trade print and online publications, as well as driving interested parties to a website where they can verify that their suppliers are indeed GOED members in good standing and have made that commitment," Ismail said.
Companies can become members of GOED at different levels, with membership dues ranging from around $2,500 to $20,000 per year. All members of GOED are able to use the logo.
GOED's monograph, which can be viewed here, establishes standards for omega-3 quality and safety that are the strictest in the world.
The organization is based in Salt Lake City. For an interview with Ismail, see the October issue of Functional Ingredients.

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SolarCity shares drop on outlook
(5:54 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- SolarCity Corp. SCTY shares fell in the extended session late Wednesday after Elon Musk's clean energy company provided a fourth-quarter outlook showing a greater-than-expected loss. SolarCity shares fell 7.4% to $55.24 on heavy volume. The company forecast an adjusted loss of 55 cents to 65 cents for the fourth quarter, while analysts expect a loss of 53 cents a share. For the third-quarter, SolarCity reported an adjusted loss of 43 cents a share on revenue of $48.6 million. Analysts expected a loss of 48 cents on revenue of $42.7 million.
Prudential swings to profit, but revenue dips
(4:45 PM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Prudential Financial Inc. [s:pru] swung to a third-quarter profit. Net income for the financial services business was $981 million, or $2.07 a share, compared to a net loss of $627 million, or $1.34 a share, a year earlier. Revenue fell 18% to $10.8 billion, from $13.2 billion a year earlier, the insurance company said Wednesday. Analysts had expected earnings of $2.11 a share on revenue of $11.9 billion, according to FactSet. Shares in Prudential were down 0.2% in after-market trading.
Whole Foods posts 7% higher profit
(4:28 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Whole Foods Market Inc. WFM reported late Wednesday its third-quarter profit rose to $121 million, or 32 cents a share, from $113 million, or 30 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the quarter rose to 2% to $2.98 billion from $2.91 billion, while comparable store sales rose 5.9%. Analysts polled by FactSet had predicted the specialty supermarket chain would earn 31 cents a share on $3.04 billion in revenue. The company revised its full-year earnings outlook to $1.65 to $1.69 a share. Analysts, on average, had expected the company to earn $1.46 a share for the full year. Whole Food's shares fell as much as 8% on the report in after-hours trade.
Activision beats Street targets for third quarter
(4:09 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Activision Blizzard Inc. ATVI, -2.87% reported third-quarter results on Wednesday afternoon that beat Wall Street's targets. For the third quarter ended Sept. 30, Activision reported earnings per share of 5 cents on revenue of $691 million, compared to earnings per share of 20 cents on revenue of $841 million for the same period last year. Adjusted for deferred revenue from the sale of certain game titles and stock-option expenses, the company said earnings per share would have been 8 cents on revenue of $657 million, compared to earnings of 15 cents per share on revenue of $751 million for the same period last year. Analysts had been expecting adjusted earnings of 3 cents per share on adjusted revenue of $593.4 million, according to FactSet. Activision shares were up nearly 2% in after-hours trades following the report.
Qualcomm earnings jump; shares slip on forecast
(4:07 PM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Qualcomm Inc. QCOM, +0.32% reported a strong jump in earnings and revenue for its fourth fiscal quarter on Wednesday afternoon, beating Wall Street's forecast for the period. Qualcomm shares were down nearly 5% in after-hours trades following the report, as the company's forecast for the current quarter was below analysts' expectations. For the period ended Sept. 29, Qualcomm reported net income of $1.5 billion, or 86 cents per share, compared to net income of $1.27 billion, or 73 cents per share, for the same period last year. The company said adjusted non-GAAP earnings would have been $1.82 billion, or $1.05 per share. Revenue jumped 33% to $6.48 billion. Analysts were expecting adjusted earnings of $1.09 per share on revenue of $6.35 billion for the period.
Microsoft leads tech stocks higher
(10:00 AM ET) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Tech stocks rose modestly on Wednesday morning, led by a strong gain at Microsoft Corp. MSFT, +0.15% The software giant's shares were up more than 2.7% to $37.65 in early trades. Reuters reported late Tuesday that the company has narrowed down its "shortlist" for CEO candidates, which reportedly include Ford F, -0.12% chief Alan Mulally and former Nokia NOK, +1.26% CEO Stephen Elop. Former Skype CEO Tony Bates is also reportedly on the list of candidates. Also, Nomura analyst Rick Sherlund raised his price target on the stock, citing the potential for a new leader and reorganization "potentially extracting a lot more value out of the current assets." Qualcomm QCOM, +0.32% shares edged higher in early trades ahead of the company's fourth fiscal quarter report, due after the close. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, -0.48% rose 0.3% to 3,953.
Chesapeake rises premarket on third-quarter profit
(7:27 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - Chesapeake Energy Corp. CHK, +0.64% reported a third-quarter profit of $202 million, or 24 cents a share, swinging from a loss of $2.01 billion, or $3.19 a share, a year earlier. Adjusted to exclude certain items, the firm earned 43 cents a share, up from 10 cents a share a year earlier. Revenue jumped to $4.87 billion, from $2.97 billion a year earlier, the energy company said Wednesday. Analysts had expected earnings of 43 cents a share on revenue of $3.8 billion, according to FactSet. The company also disclosed that it is cutting its expectations for full-year capital expenditures, but didn't give a figure. Shares in Chesapeake were up 2.35% in premarket trading.
Time Warner third-quarter profit rises
(7:19 AM ET) NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Time Warner Inc. TWX, -28.57% said Wednesday its third-quarter profit jumped to $1.18 billion, or $1.26 a share, from $822 million, or 84 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The media company said adjusted per-share earnings from continuing operations rose to $1.01 a share from 84 cents a share. Total revenue in the third quarter was little changed at $6.86 billion from $6.84 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by FactSet expected earnings of 89 cents on sales of $6.94 billion. The company is on track for "another very successful year," Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes said in a statement. Time Warner shares rose 1.5%.
Humana profit falls 14%; provides 2014 guidance
(6:22 AM ET) LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Humana Inc. HUM, -1.18% on Wednesday said third-quarter profit fell 13.6% to $368 million, or $2.31 a share, from $426 million, or $2.62 a share in the year-ago period. Revenue climbed 6.9% to $10.32 billion from $9.65 billion last year. Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected earnings of $2.15 a share on revenue of $10.34 billion. The health-care company reiterated its full-year guidance for 2013 and said earnings per share are expected to come in between $8.65 and $8.75. For 2014, the firm expects earnings in the range of $7.25 to $7.75 a share, including 50 cents to 90 cents for investments in and startup expenses of the company's state-based contracts and health-care exchange businesses. Consolidated revenues for 2014 are forecast to exceed $43 billion.


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Luxury jewelry house Nirav Modi is expanding its retail presence in the U.S. with the opening of boutiques in Las Vegas and Hawaii this month. A 1,300-square-foot Hawaii boutique will open at Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center on Nov. 17 and a 1,500 square-foot Wynn Las Vegas Resort boutique on Nov. 11. The brand currently has 10 boutiques worldwide, including London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Macau, Mumbai and New Delhi. Demand for the brand in the U.S. has increased since the opening of its New York boutique on Madison Avenue in 2015.
As the global luxury jewelry market continues to grow, expansion in the United States was a natural decision, said founder Nirav Modi. “The U.S. is an incredibly important market for us and we’re looking forward to expanding access to our jewels,” he said. “The American consumer is particularly conscious when purchasing fine jewelry — they are experienced luxury buyers with an eye for craftsmanship and detail. The boutiques in Hawaii and Las Vegas will be our second and third in the United States, with further expansion planned for the next few years.”
Modi said he targeted Las Vegas and Honolulu because they are global destinations for luxury retail that attract consumers from around the globe. “There is a very interesting mix of consumers, who travel frequently to both of these destinations for shopping and are luxury aficionados,” he said.
As with the company’s existing boutiques, the new locations will evoke a similar sense of femininity with identifiable characteristics. As a reference to Mr. Modi’s unique use of minimal metal against white diamonds, a signature technique that gives the diamond a feeling of weightless transparency, the Nirav Modi boutiques will feature glass and light juxtaposed against shades of taupe and pink. The brand is known for the distinctive paper art seen in windows and displays in all locations, inspired by 19th century Luminism and the treatment of light within meticulously detailed objects.
Both locations will include a main sales floor and a private viewing room, where customers can find the core collections, including the Embrace, Jasmine and Luminance collections, which feature jewels with patented cuts and proprietary techniques, as well as the bridal collections. Nirav Modi’s patented diamond cuts include the Jasmine, the Endless, the Ainra and the Mughal cut. Its high-jewels will also be showcased at the new boutiques on a rotating basis.
“Retail expansion has been a natural progression for us, owing to our extensive global customer base,” said Modi. “The U.S. has always been a significant market for us and we wish to tap more of these conscious consumers, who are experienced luxury buyers with an eye for craftsmanship and detail.”
He called a brick and mortar presence “imperative in crucial markets such as the U.S. The markets that we have chosen for all our boutiques are major hubs in terms of culture, business and tourism and most global travelers go through these cities. This aids in increasing our global footprint and gives us an opportunity to offer our jewels to jewelry connoisseurs.”
The brand is known for combining sophisticated western jewelry techniques and India’s rich traditions. A passionate art collector, Modi draws inspiration from diverse sources, ranging from ancient mythology to paintings by Rubens and Claude Monet, Art Nouveau architecture and contemporary Indian artists.


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By Our Reporter
Masaka: President Museveni has today visited and pledged to support Kyesiiga Green Village farming Center at Lwemonde village, Kyesiima parish, Kyesiiga sub county in Masaka District.
He said he will accord them all the necessary support including giving them a Canter Truck to help them in their farming activities such as transporting their yields from the gardens to the marketplace.
On arrival, the President was warmly received at the farm by the former Vice President of Uganda, H.E Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and a team of Kyesiiga Green Village farming Center led by Kabito James where he was showed a number of agricultural products including; coffee plantations, pineapple plantations, nursery beds, and a solar irrigation power plant which pumps water to the tank used for watering the agricultural farm.
While addressing the farmers, President Museveni commended them for being obedient and transforming their lives through embracing government development programs like: Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UDCA) and Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
He went ahead and told the farmers to add value to their produce so that they can benefit more from their sweat.
Representing the farmers, Mr. Kabito told the President that they have 20 acres of coffee plantation, 40 acres of pineapple plantation, two and a half acres of passion fruits and half an acre of nursery bed.
Concerning profits, Mr. Kabito informed President Museveni that they used to earn Shs.9m per year from 450 coffee plantations using the old method of farming and with the newly invented method of farming they earn Shs.23m per year in one acre of land with 1300 coffee plantations. He explained that in each acre they insert 450-1300 coffee seedlings. He added that the new method can help to increase the quantity of coffee in Uganda. On the side of pineapples, they have 40 acres and yield Shs.12m per year.
The model farmer Kabito also expressed gratitude to the President for the visit. He noted that they earn a living through modern farming, and their vision is transforming the community from subsistence farming to commercial farming. He added, in the bid to attain their vision, they first train their seedling customers, sensitize the community on mindset change, and also employ 20 workers.
He appreciated the President for initiating developmental programs like: Uganda Coffee Development Authority and Operation Wealth Creation which supplied him with 1000 coffee seedlings, 20,000 pineapple seedlings which have transformed his life and the community.
He concluded by informing the President the hardships they encounter whilst cultivating their produce and transporting them to the market. He opened up that they normally use 50% to 60% of the proceedings in transporting their produce and therefore it’s worthwhile appreciating him for saving them the burden through vowing to get them a canter truck.


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Sony is to cut the PSP Go's recommended retail price by £65 in the UK.
The portable will be available for £159.99 from November 1, compared to its previous price of £225, the firm has confirmed to CVG.
Sony said earlier today that the system's price would be dropped from $249 to $199 in the States and from 26,800 yen to 16,800 yen in Japan.
In August, Mortal Kombat executive producer Shaun Himmerick revealed that the studio had received a PSP2 unit.
Although Sony hasn't confirmed the existence of the follow up to the PSP, it has reportedly informed developers and publishers that PSP2 will launch at the end of next year.


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FREEHOLD, N.J. (WPVI) -- Would you pay to park at the mall?
For five dollars, you could avoid circling around and around, engaging in blinker wars, and following people from the front door to their spot.
The Freehold Raceway Mall is now offering premium parking on weekends for five dollars.
That gets you a prime, close-up spot guaranteed in one of the 60 best spaces in the lot between Macy's and Nordstrom.
Some stores say their clients are already canceling appointments because they don't want to pay for parking.
The mall's representative says those paid spaces only account for about one-percent of the mall's available parking spots.
Handicapped spots will remain free.
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Shower manufacturer and designer, Roman is running an exclusive promotion for their retail partners to celebrate the football World Cup this Summer.
The promotion offers a complementary football ‘Fanbox’ with every Decem Shower Enclosure, Wetroom Panel, Bath Screen; or Lumin8 Shower Enclosure they order from the 12th June through to the 9th July 2014.
The ‘Fanboxes’ will include all the essentials needed to keep you going throughout the football matches, including savoury snacks, sweet snacks, a bottle of wine or Brazilian beer along with a Roman branded football stress ball.
Roman will also be offering the retailers a chance to win an extra prize each week on Twitter, as the company will be holding weekly twitter football competitions using the hashtag #Fanbox.
David Osborne, Managing Director of Roman, commented: “We hope our promotion receives a lot of interest from our retailers and adds to their excitement and enjoyment of the Tournament this summer – and good luck to England!”


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May 18, 2012 | by Natesh Sood
In order to commemorate an important milestone for DoubleTwist, the folks behind the app have decided to launch a special sale promotion for its current paid apps which includes AirSync, DoubleTwist app upgrades, and the DoubleTwist Alarm Clock. Over two million users are actively using the DoubleTwist apps available in the Google Play store. The sale is 50% off on the paid apps, so the AirSync app, which is usually $5.00 is now $2.49. In addition, the DoubleTwist Alarm Clock app is typically $2.00, but with the deal it is just $0.99.
There is no word on how long the DoubleTwist promotion will last for, but my bet is at least through the weekend. If you wanted to test out some of the DoubleTwist apps but never wanted to pay the price, now might be the time to indulge your curiosities.


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This holiday season, Laketa Smith is dropping something major from her shopping list: credit-card debt.
Smith, founder of the New York City Meetup Money Ladies, focused the group’s November meeting on coping with the social pressure to overspend during the holidays, and finding frugal ways to celebrate.
“We were talking about giving [with] financial integrity, giving time and experience and making things,” Smith said.
It’s far easier said than done. New York ranks 26th among all states for percentage of the population spending more than it makes, says financial Web site WalletHub.
More than one-third of Americans carry a monthly credit-card balance totaling an average of $7,743, according to Experian credit bureau research cited on Creditcards.com. By pulling out the plastic for holiday gifts without creating a budget, many shoppers buy a painful hangover for years to come.
’Tis the season to find another strategy, experts said. They recommend simple steps, from paying off debts before they come due, to limiting time on social media immersed in friends’ conspicuous consumption, to making a list and sticking to it in the store, this December.
Start with a budget. If you find that term too restrictive, try money coach Ashley Feinstein’s idea of “happiness allocation,” which involves steering limited funds toward the things you want most. Don’t be afraid to suggest to your closest friends or relatives, as Feinstein did last year when she quit her job to found her company, to skip lavish gifts.
“People are relieved,” Feinstein said.
Next, be sure to create a list, and pay with cash, advises New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin. Prepaid debit cards are another option, as long as you understand the fees.
“We want to make sure that holiday spending does not put people in debt,” Menin said.
If you want to use your credit card, pay it off once a week, suggests Karen Carlson, director of education at consumer information Web site Debt.org. That way you’ll regulate your spending as you go, rather than getting socked on your January statement.
For those New Yorkers who may have already made simple changes to their spending habits but are still struggling, free help paying down debt, building savings or opening a bank account is available at the city’s financial-counseling centers, which can be found online or by calling 311.


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New in Body Treatments (page 32 of 32)
By Judi Bailey
Learn more about identifying this disorder and helping clients who demonstrate its symptoms.
Rates of eczema and hay fever in the United Kingdom appear to have stabilized, after charting a steady rise over recent decades.
However, the study also found that rates of systemic allergic reactions -- including the severe condition known as anaphylaxis -- have surged in the past 20 years.
The researchers analyzed data gathered from numerous sources: national surveys, primary care doctors, prescription and hospital admission records, and death records.
Over the past three decades, diagnoses of allergic rhinitis and eczema in children have tripled, but there appears to have been a recent decrease in the prevalence of symptoms. Hospital admissions for eczema have stabilized since 1995, the researchers found, while admissions for allergic rhinitis have decreased to about 40 percent of their 1990 levels.
Between 1971 and 1991, the number of consultations with family doctors about hay fever increased by 260 percent and by 150 percent for eczema. However, these rates have stabilized in the past 10 years, the study said.
Hospital admissions for anaphylaxis have soared by 700 percent, for food allergy by 500 percent, and for the skin allergy urticaria by 100 percent.
Prescriptions for all types of allergies have increased since 1991.
The researchers said that some of the trends could be related to changes in medical practice and care but could also be explained by changes in the sources of allergic disease.
The study was published in the current issue of Thorax.
HealthDay News, September 7, 2006
The FDA is seeking to ban over-the-counter sales of skin bleaching drug products.
The FDA cites the possible risk ofand skin discoloration from hydroquinone typically found in these products.
However, those cancer studies were done on rats, not people.
"The actual risk to humans from use of hydroquinone has yet to be fully determined," the FDA states in its proposal, published in the U.S. government's Federal Register.
The type of skin discoloration noted by the FDA is called exogenous ochronosis, a darkening of the skin. The FDA cites research linking the condition to hydroquinone use.
The FDA isn't proposing a ban on prescription skin bleaching drug products. But all such products would need to submit a new drug application for the FDA's review.
Not all skin lighteners contain hydroquinone. The FDA knows of 200 products containing hydroquinone in strengths from 0.4% to 5%, about two-thirds of which "appear to be marketed as OTC [over-the-counter] drugs," says the FDA.
The FDA is taking comments on its proposal until Dec. 27.
WebMD spoke with dermatologist Susan Taylor, MD, of Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia, and the Skin of Color Center in New York about the FDA's proposal.
"I feel that hydroquinones are safe and effective treatment for pigmentary disorders," Taylor says. "I feel comfortable recommending that my patients continue to use hydroquinones if they have a pigmentary disorder."
"I think the evidence is quite weak with the link between hydroquinones and cancer," Taylor tells WebMD.
"Data on rats and mice cannot necessarily be extrapolated to human data," she says.
"In Africa, people have used hyrdoquinones for long periods of time ... meaning years, 10, 20, 30, years ... and at high concentrations," Taylor says. "We've not seen a proliferation of various types of cancers reported from that population.
Exogenous ochronosis is rare in the U.S., Taylor notes.
"If you look at the case reports, it's probably less than 200," Taylor says. "So it's really not a significant problem here in the United States."
Millions of Users
Taylor points out that "many patients have disorders that are truly disfiguring and devastating. And these conditions can be improved significantly with hydroquinone products."
"It's important therapy and it's used by millions and millions of people," Taylor says.
She says hydroquinone products are primarily used to lighten dark areas of the skin due to conditions including injury,, , and sun damage.
"So there are real problems and this is a real solution," Taylor says. She adds that filing new drug applications can cost millions of dollars.
"My concern is that we could lose prescription products that we have," Taylor says. "That would have major consequences, I think."
"It's safe, effective; it's the gold standard, and I think our patients would benefit from continued use for these problems. I think those three points sum it up for me," Taylor says.
SOURCES: U.S. Government Printing Office, Federal Register, Aug. 29, 2006; vol 71: pp 51146-51155. Susan Taylor, MD, Society Hill Dermatology, Philadelphia, Skin of Color Center, New York.
By Miranda Hitti, WebMD, August 30, 2006
Try your hand at Bioelements’ Sebum Control Massage Treatment that treats oil-rich skin with soothing, nonstimulating massage techniques. 800-433-6650, email@example.com
Try the all-natural Eastern Ocean Spa Manicure from Eiji Salon in New York, which embodies relaxation and rejuvenation. 212-838-3454
Because spas are seen as places for nurturing and wellness, spa professionals are offering special treatments and products this summer that encourage safe skin care. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that more than 90% of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. International SPA Association (ISPA) members want to help lower that percentage.
From sunscreens, lotions and moisturizers, to treatments and products that give the appearance of a tan without the need for the sun, ISPA members are offering consumers numerous safe ways to enjoy this summer. “With 2,500 members in 73 countries, ISPA’s network of spas and product companies can make a real difference in the skin care habits of consumers,” says ISPA president, Lynne Walker McNees. “With some 57 million Americans having visited a spa, the industry is dedicated to promoting positive health habits of spa-goers.”
In addition to products and treatments that offer sun protection or help repair skin already damaged by the sun, ISPA members also report an interest in the following offerings this summer.
- Facials featuring antioxidants and vitamins to replenish winter-worn skin.
- Body polishes and scrubs to get rid of sallow winter skin and allow skin care moisturizers to soak in more easily.
- Cooling and hydrating wraps and peels to help spa-goers beat the summer heat or cool down after too much time in the sun.
- Of course, pedicures to keep feet looking great in sandals and around the pool.
- And, as the No. 1 treatment, massage is popular year-round and can be customized for summer to include ingredients that offer soothing from the sun, such as aloe. Also, incorporating fruits, herbs, plants and flowers that grow in the warmer months are popular additions to massages offered in the summer.
Aesthetics Complete, Inc./Germaine de Capuccini introduces its Spa Marine Privilege therapies. Spa Pearl Therapy hydrates, smoothes, firms and covers the skin, and Spa Gold Therapy protects, stimulates and enriches. 800-842-9922, firstname.lastname@example.org
Exposure to cats shortly after birth raises a child's risk of eczema, new research suggests.
The study, which tracked 486 children until the age of 1, was presented Sunday at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Diego.
While 27.6 percent of kids with cats as pets developed eczema in that time, only 17.8 percent of kids without cats developed the dry skin condition.
On the other hand, being around two or more dogs in the home conferred a slightly protective effect, said lead researcher Dr. Esmeralda Morales, a pediatric pulmonary fellow at the University of Arizona, in Tucson.
"Other studies have found that having cats or dogs at home seems to be protective against allergic disease, so we expected to have similar findings," Morales said in a statement.
Morales noted that the children in the study who developed eczema by the age of 1 might still wind up having a reduced risk of asthma or allergies later in life. "The findings do seem to add more questions about pets and asthma and allergies. Since there are a lot of contradictory data out there already, clearly it's a topic that needs further research," she added.
A gene linked to eczema has been identified by an international team of scientists and the finding may help in the development of new treatments for the common skin condition.
The gene produces a protein called filaggrain, which helps the skin form a protective outer barrier. Reduction or absence of the protein, normally abundant in the outermost layers of skin, results in dry and flaky skin. This study found that about 10% of Europeans carry a mutation that switches off this gene.
"It was a really tough project, but because we had experience in this type of gene, we managed to crack it where others had failed," Professor Irwin McLean of the University of Dundee in Scotland, told BBC News. "We see this as the dawn of a new era in the understanding and treatment of eczema and the type of asthma that goes with eczema as well."
The findings appear in the journal Nature Genetics.
HealthDay News, March 21, 2006


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I am very proud of the writing of the students in my “Monetary and Financial Theory” class. I ask them to write three blog posts a week. Here is a great one, from Chenrui Gao:
After a long period of fruitless lobbying efforts, Tesla Motor, a public electric car manufacturer, decidee to stop selling its luxury vehicles in New Jersey because the state doesn’t allow it to sell cars directly to consumers. Besides Texas and Arizona, the New Jersey government stands firmly with the dealers and made itself the third state to ban direct sales. Tesla’s mistrust of dealers and its strong faith in directing selling motivates its defense for manufacturer sales. However, dealers afraid that the directing selling could spread to other manufacturers are resisting Tesla’s plan resolutely. The heated discussion between the manufacturer and the state government once again brings back the issue of whether manufacturer sales should be banned or not. I want to argue that manufacturer sales should become an available option because it could benefit both manufactures and consumers.
First of all, manufacturer sales could become a very effective cost-cutting measure. If the manufacturers could avoid the cost of distributing cars to dealers all over the country and accept orders direct from consumers, the vehicle price could be significantly lower. Research by Gerald Bodisch indicates that the cost of the auto distribution system in the United States averages up to 30 percent of the car price. We know form the last financial crisis that General Motors and Chrysler suffered a lot and received 17.4 billion dollars in loans under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. They need effective plans to improve their financial performance and earn more profit. These companies could cut distribution costs by reducing the number of dealers from 6200 to 4100. Also, the build-to-order model could save much of the money spent on storage for products, adding to profitability. According to other research, the total value of new car inventory held by 20700 car dealerships in 2008 was about 100 billion dollars and the annual carrying cost of that inventory was estimated as 890 million dollars. GM started to use this method to produce Celta in Brazil eight years ago and now the Celta is one of the sales leaders in the local market.
Moreover, sometimes it is necessary to let manufactures sell their products directly so that the consumers can have better service. For example, some high-tech vehicle manufacturers like Tesla would do better at explaining their products than dealers who barely know about the functions by studying the instructions themselves.
Some might argue that the Auto Franchise System enforced by most of the states historically benefits manufactures because it helps them focus on developing and producing cars. And they might say dealers do better at assessing and fostering consumer demand than manufactures. However, those arguments assume that the production of a type of vehicle large-scale and that the demand for them is enormous, otherwise a national-wide distribution of dealers is just a faster way to increase costs. The emerging market of electric vehicles is still in its infant stage, with manufacturers Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt and Tesla all fairly new to electric cars. They need more flexible ways to lower costs and expand the market.
Although the Auto Franchise System may make sense in some situations, manufacturers should be allowed to use another distribution system when that fits the product better.


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Square (SQ) Lifted to Buy at Vetr
Vetr upgraded shares of Square (NYSE:SQ) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Monday morning. They currently have $48.00 price target on the technology company’s stock.
SQ has been the subject of several other reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Square from $26.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 19th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Citigroup boosted their target price on Square from $30.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Square to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 16th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on Square in a research report on Thursday, October 12th. They set an outperform rating and a $35.00 target price for the company. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on Square from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and twenty-five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $36.96.
Square (SQ) opened at $39.50 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $15,350.00 and a PE ratio of -232.35. Square has a 12-month low of $13.84 and a 12-month high of $49.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.
In other news, insider Ajmere Dale sold 1,451 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $58,040.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 109,586 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,383,440. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Sarah Friar sold 38,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.24, for a total value of $1,814,016.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 355,566 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,796,937.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,648,627 shares of company stock worth $64,395,445. Company insiders own 32.68% of the company’s stock.
Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. State of Wisconsin Investment Board raised its stake in shares of Square by 563.2% during the 4th quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board now owns 328,661 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $11,395,000 after purchasing an additional 279,107 shares in the last quarter. Global X Management Co. LLC raised its stake in shares of Square by 167.5% during the 4th quarter. Global X Management Co. LLC now owns 103,660 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $3,594,000 after purchasing an additional 64,912 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank bought a new stake in shares of Square during the 4th quarter worth approximately $514,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Square by 288.6% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 45,432 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $1,576,000 after purchasing an additional 33,741 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC bought a new stake in shares of Square during the 4th quarter worth approximately $304,000. Institutional investors own 54.66% of the company’s stock.
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Square, Inc (Square) is a commerce ecosystem. The Company enables its sellers start, run and grow their businesses. It combines software with hardware to enable sellers to turn mobile devices and computing devices into payments and point-of-sale solutions. Once a seller downloads the Square Point of Sale mobile application, they can take their first payment.
To view Vetr’s full report, visit Vetr’s official website.
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Hungary's calendar-adjusted retail sales decreased for the twelfth consecutive month in March 2013, decreasing by 2.9% y/y to HUF 659.7bn (EUR 2.27bn), the statistics office said on May 24 revising preliminary figures, released earlier this month and showing an annual drop of 2.8%. The drop in March was faster than February’s 1.2% y/y decline. In monthly terms, sales edged down by 0.7% in seasonal and calendar-adjusted terms, after stagnating in the previous month.
The annual drop reflected a decline in both food and non-food trade, down by 1.1% y/y and 3.4% y/y, respectively. In addition, automotive fuel sales contracted by 4.8% y/y. Within the non-food category, the steepest decrease of 11.8% y/y was reported for sales of furniture and electrical goods as well as for sales of textiles, clothing, footwear, down 6.2% on the year. The turnover in non-specialized stores dropped by 2.4% y/y. Sales in second hand stores and cosmetics declined by 3.9% y/y and 0.5% y/y, respectively.
On the other hand, sales in pharmaceutical stores as well as in the books and computer equipment stores reversed to an annual growth in March. Mail orders retail trade remained the fastest growing segment (23.8% y/y), positively influenced by the strong expansion of online sales. However, the sector had a relatively low contribution to the overall index.
EU funds should not be held hostage to politics, a senior Slovak minister insisted on June 27 as the European Commission debates placing conditions on cohesion funding. The idea of limiting funds ... more
Hungarian trucking company Waberer’s said on June 19 that it is seeking a market capitalisation of up to €350mn as it issued a pricing range for its IPO on the Budapest Stock Exchange. The ... more
Slovakia has made not offered the European Commission a pledge to take part in the migrant quota scheme, Prime Minister Robert Fico suggested to parliament on June 15. The statement comes shortly ... more


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February 10, 2016
Renaissance Rialto, a new redevelopment project, is moving forward on 1,500-acres of land that includes the former 500-acre Rialto Airport. Developers are in talks with potential tenants for 700-acres of industrial space, as well as a planned 60-acre shopping center. The residential plan includes a mix of 1,300 rental and for-sale housing units.
Developer for the project is Lewis-Hillwood Rialto Company, LLC., a joint venture between Lewis Planned Communities (part of Lewis Group of Companies) and Hillwood, a Texas-based company owned by Ross Perot.
Construction on the first 300,000 square feet of retail space is slated to start this summer, with the opening scheduled for late next year. The full build-out of the entire Renaissance Rialto project is expected by 2030.


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Photo Credit: Flipkart
Lenovo K10 Plus has now been spotted on Flipkart, and the landing page suggests that the phone will launch on September 22. Key specifications of the phone have also been teased on the Flipkart page. It suggests that the phone will sport a waterdrop-notch, a Snapdragon 632 SoC, and a triple rear camera setup at the back. The Lenovo K10 Plus is listed to pack a 4,050mAh battery that is touted to last up to 39 hours of calling as well.
The Flipkart landing page confirms that the Lenovo K10 Plus will be launched in India on September 22. The phone will be launched at 12pm (noon) IST, and will be available on the e-commerce site. Key specifications of the phone and its colour options are also teased on Flipkart. The listing says that the Lenovo K10 Plus will sport a 6.22-inch HD+ display with a 19:9 aspect ratio, 87 percent screen-to-body ratio, and a waterdrop-style notch.
The phone is listed to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 SoC paired with 4GB RAM and Adreno 506 GPU. Internal storage is listed to be at 64GB. Triple rear camera setup includes a 13-megapixel main sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and PDAF. There's a secondary 8-megapixel 120 degree wide-angle sensor, and a tertiary 5-megapixel depth sensor. Up front, the Lenovo K10 Plus houses a 16-megapixel selfie sensor.
As mentioned, it is listed to pack a 4,050mAh battery that claims to last up to 398 hours of standby time, 130 hours of music playback, 39 hours of calling, 15 hours of video playback, and 9 hours of continuous gaming. The phone is seen to support a 3.5mm audio jack, and comes in two colour options – Black and Blue.
All the other details regarding pricing and other key specifications should be announced on launch day.


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Priced between Rs 79,990 and Rs 1.4 lakh, HP's range will compete with the likes of Asus and BenQ, who have a strong line-up of gaming devices.
Desktop PC continues to be most popular corporate device among businesses, a reflection that mobile device adoption in the workplace is not yet mature, according to Gartner.
As the graveyard for failed startups expands, the E-commerce store you shop from this Diwali might not exist next year. For bigger firms, mergers would inevitable as large late stage investments shrink.
Enables cloud providers to offer virtualised desktops to their customers as a service.
The market was impacted by high inflation, global economic uncertainty and limited share of wallet.
Many SMEs are testing the virtualisation concept through proof of concept/pilot programs, says AMI research.
Introduces the Lenovo ThinkCentre M72e and ThinkCentre M92/p Desktop PCs that offer enterprise-class productivity, reliability and manageability in a tiny form factor.
Products announced by HP are the HP Compaq Elite 8300 All-in-One, HP Compaq Pro 6300 All-in-One, HP ENVY 23 All-in-One and HP Pavilion 23 All-in-One.
Announces HP Z220 Workstations and HP EliteBook Mobile Workstations.
As part of the roll-out, over 100 desktops in the bank's head office were migrated to Citrix XenDesktop solution using thin clients.
AMD today announced the launch of its widely anticipated 2nd-Generation AMD A-Series Accelerated Processing ...
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS includes support for desktop virtualisation from Citrix and VMware, alongside Microsoft RDP 7.1.
Intel plans to work with ODMs and chassis vendors to develop system solutions that are designed around common ingredients.
Releases six desktop PCs under its CM and CG Series with models featuring Intel's H61 to Z68 chipsets.
HP today unveiled a new portfolio of 3D desktops for consumers; the new HP TouchSmart620 3D Edition PC, ...
The company is utilising both the Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization 2.2 platform as well as the Red Hat Enterprise 3.0 Beta
Lenovo recently launched two AIOs (All In Ones), the ThinkCentre Edge 71z and the ThinkCentre Edge 91z.
No one does HTPCs as well as ZOTAC. Apart from graphics cards, this branch of Sapphire (the makers of AMD ...
The combined desk-based and mobile PC market in India totalled nearly 2.5 million units, says Gartner
Enterprise and business sector workplaces don‘t have to be a dull and boring place, at least that‘s what HP believes.
While broadband Internet has spread wide and far in our country, there‘s a sizable population that‘s still computer illiterate and in order to
Dell, a company better known for their laptops and desktops in India have announced their new Inspiron One 2320 desktop line-up.
With a steady rise in the number of patent infringement cases, every major corporation out there is in the race for getting itself the best possible technology patented.
Lenovo India has announced the launch of the new All-in-One IdeaCentre B320 that comes with a OneKey TV function feature. The USP of the product is that the
PC desktop enthusiasts worldwide will have to wait a while before the AMD Bulldozer processors for desktops, Zambezi, arrives. On the other hand, AMD has


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Fearful of a supply shortage, dealers are stocking up on Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
Read This Article
Sixty years ago, scientists, engineers, and my favorite cartoon TV show predicted a world of flying cars, cloud-dwarfing skyscrapers, and robotic maids.
The four year investigation into claims that 1.56 million Ford SUVs were at risk of rolling away has been closed.
Unintended acceleration claims didn't fall back into vogue until sometime around 2009 when Toyota recalled approximately 10 million cars and trucks en masse because of the ailment, among other things.


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Married At First Sight is returning in late January and already one of the grooms is calling his wife a “psychopath.” You can practically smell the ratings.
Channel Nine dropped the promo online and it was like nothing had changed and no lessons had been learnt – reality television at it’s best and worst.
Season after season the network gets backlash for its questionable casting choices. A groom has already been written out of this season before it’s aired and who could forget Bryce and Melissa?
Still, the show always manages to become a water-cooler conversation and occasionally people do find love. Did I mention Melissa and Bryce are having twins?
To celebrate the new season Nine has released a pretty spicy promo. It has it all – drama, slightly creepy romance and of course lots of women in wedding dresses.
Oh, and a man calling his wife a “psychopath” so perhaps he didn’t get the perfect match!
Love it or hate it, people keep watching it. The show is a consistent hit for the network it was even beating the news in the ratings last season.
So ready or not! The show is back and the headlines are already writing themselves.
Famed British director Ridley Scott has opened up on one of the most famous ads in history – Apple’s “1984” ad that aired during the Super Bowl that same year and turned the computer company into a household name (and, just recently, the world’s first $US3 trillion company.) The dystopian spot – named after Orwell’s […]
In this guest post, Cam Blackley, chief creative officer and Emily Taylor, chief strategy officer at M&C Saatchi Group AUNZ offer up their industry predictions for 2022. And they’re as crazy as the year we just had… Making predictions off the back of 2021 feels a little stupid. Because 2021 was crazy as 2020 was […]
Brown Brothers and Gelato Messina have partnered to celebrate the ‘it’ drink of summer, creating a limited edition Prosecco Rosé gelato as part of the brand’s ‘Let’s Go’ campaign, developed by Communicado. The end result – which Messina chefs said was inspired by Prosecco cocktails like the Peach Bellini – is a gelato combining blood […]
Australian men’s lifestyle publication Man of Many is the first Australian publisher to sign on and partner with Ipsos. The new exclusive and preferred provider to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Australian for the independent reporting of digital audience measurement data. The move comes after Man of Many has seen a huge growth in its […]
BWS have teamed up with M&C Saatchi and Carat to bring back the popular BWS Cooler app campaign, following huge success in both 2020 and 2021. This year, $20 million dollars’ worth of prizes are available, including free drinks, electronics, gift vouchers and even hot air balloon rides, plus every swipe is an entry into […]


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Li Nan expects that the Apple Vision Pro third generation will be able to threaten all non-shared screens indoors
Li Nan expects the Apple Vision Pro 3rd gen to threaten all non-shared indoor screens
【PhoneAuto News】On June 7th, PhoneAuto noticed that Li Nan, former senior vice president of Meizu Technology, stated in a post that, according to his prediction, conservatively estimated, if the relevant technology progresses smoothly and undergoes three generations of product optimization, Apple’s Vision Pro will threaten all non-sharing screens (which may include smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.) in indoor scenarios. Currently, besides hardware technology and cost, game matching is the biggest shortcoming of Apple’s Vision Pro.
Over a decade ago, Apple’s iPhone changed the entire mobile phone industry. Now, the Vision Pro, recently released by Apple at WWDC 2023, has also attracted widespread attention. Many netizens have their own opinions on whether this product can bring about the next technological revolution. However, currently, the selling price of Apple’s Vision Pro is $3,499 (about 25,000 yuan), which makes it out of reach for most ordinary consumers.
According to Apple’s official introduction at WWDC 2023, Vision Pro is a new AR platform and a revolutionary product. Its body is equipped with multiple cameras, digital crowns, headbands, and speakers, and users can directly control the device with their eyes, hands, and voices. At the same time, Vision Pro is also Apple’s first 3D camera, capable of shooting and reviewing 3D videos.
- Samsung One UI 60 update model list exposed, S23 series to be released in October
- The release date of vivo X100 Pro+ and X Fold3 has been exposed, and they may appear in Q1 of next year
- Xiaomi 14 Pro is equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and features a centrally located single-hole extremely narrow curved screen
According to analysts from TrendForce, considering factors such as the time and region of the release, product price, and the lack of necessary application functions, it is estimated that the shipment volume of Apple’s Vision Pro in 2024 will be only about 200,000 units.
- Q1 global smartphone production was only 250 million units, hitting a new low in the same period in nearly a decade
- Honor 90 series first sale was a success 23 minutes broke the all-day sales record of Android phones in the past year
- Eight reasons to buy are added! Honor 90 series officially on sale starting from 2499 yuan
- OnePlus Ace 2V 618, up to 200 yuan off, price guarantee throughout the entire process, every day is the lowest price
- Samsung will release new foldable screens, the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, in late July
- Difficulty in Choosing a New Phone on 618? These Recommended Models Start at Only 1499 Yuan
- Media review of Apple’s first VR headset powerful but immature, cannot save the Metaverse


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While smartphone-makers are busying on upgrading camera features to help their flagship devices stand out, HUAWEI chooses to focus on developing a whole new mobile AI (artificial intelligence) experience. Taking a huge step towards the goal, HUAWEI launches the first-ever mobile chipset with built-in AI – Kirin 970 recently.
The HUAWEI Kirin 970 processor is a new generation of hyper-fast mobile chip featuring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Its mobile AI platform requires a lot of power and with the NPU, HUAWEI’s next smartphone will be able to dedicate power to perform AI-based tasks. The NPU will also enable cloud-based AI and on-device AI to run alongside each other faster than ever before, thus improving the AI experience.
HUAWEI Kirin 970 processor comes with tons of high-end features, such as powerful graphics performance (integrated 12-core GPU), better power management (10nm structure) and improved LTE capability (Cat 18 support). It could process 2,000 images per minute (faster than other chips in the market) too.
HUAWEI’s upcoming Mate series (featuring Kirin 970) will be announced in a few weeks. Till the time comes, we will be able to see how powerful it is!


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Why you’re going to want Nike’s Broken Heart Air Force 1 sneakers
If you're anti all things Valentine's Day, Nike's latest drop is guaranteed to mend the hole in your heart.
With Valentine's Day now just one week away, Nike has dropped a slew of themed kicks to celebrate the day of love. If the thought of happy couples holding hands makes you feel a little queasy though, the label has got your back with a new Air Force 1 Sage Low made especially for the broken hearted.
Where to buy: Nike
The sneakers arrive in a black leather and mesh upper paired with black laces and a chunky white midsole. In an ode to all the single ladies and gents, the iconic Swoosh this time appears in a blood-red colourway that's cracked in two.
The University Red hue also appears on the tongue tab and heel, adding a further pop of colour to the monochrome design. An engraved silver heart-shaped locket meanwhile dangles from the laces in a final Valentine's Day-esque flourish.
The Air Force 1s have already been released to members on the US Nike site, so we're hoping to see them appear on the Australian Nike site in the coming week. We're anticipating the drop to be a sellout, so you may want to keep refreshing that tab if you're eager to get your hands on a pair.
In other Nike news, the label is already gearing up for the 2020 Olympic Games with the release of an Air Max 97 pack inspired by the Olympic Rings. Nike has also now revealed another Air Max 97 silhouette aptly dubbed Gold Medal which will be available later in the year when the Games begin in Tokyo.
For more Nike updates, release dates and current offers, you can check out our Nike hub.
In support of the ongoing bushfire crisis, Finder will continue to provide information and support for the Australian community during this incredibly difficult time. For guides on what to do if you're affected or how you can help, head to our Australian Bushfires hub.


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A man chose briefs over boxers to wear on his head as he held up a coffee shop in Idaho and stole a safe, police said.
Coffee shop owner Jason Wilson told the Idaho Statesman that he believes the man was not prepared when he entered Big Star Coffee in Fruitland with an accomplice. Mr Wilson asked: "Who robs something with underwear on their head?"
Investigators said the pair made off with about 500 US dollars in cash from the safe. Their actions were captured on surveillance cameras inside and outside the shop.


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It’s official: The former east side Kmart building is now owned by Runnings.
Reggie Kuipers, SIOR and Michael Bender, CCIM, SIOR represented the Nohlgren Trust, the entity that owned the storied 92,000 square foot property.
The former Kmart property was sold to Runnings in early 2020 for $4.61 million, with a subsequent sale of the CarSwap parcel for $650,000, for a total sale price of $5.26 million.
The sale of the East 10th Street property took over a year to complete.
“Over the course of the deal, we had several complicated encumbrances to clean up,” Kuipers said. “But at the end of the day, it’s not the negotiations or complications that count. It’s the signed purchase agreement and getting the deal across the finish line that counts.”
What’s in store for Runnings
Runnings, owner of Campbell’s Supply Co., plans to move into the space in September 2020 after renovations are completed, with a grand opening set for October.
The location will be one of two Sioux Falls stores that Runnings will continue to operate, allowing the retailer to expand its selection of sporting, outdoor, home, and farm goods. Once the move is completed, the company plans to sell the existing 53,356 square foot Campbell’s building located at 3101 East 10th Street.
“[Kuipers] has been very responsive and forthcoming with ideas and plans that would help us reach this goal,” said Nohlgren Trust representative Jim Olson. “His suggestions often resulted in positive movement in the process, and I appreciate all he did.”
Olson also noted Bender’s commitment to the process from strategy to negotiations.
“What people don’t see are the hundreds of emails, calls, and texts clients and brokers share as a deal like this comes together,” said Bender. “The trust that’s built as we solve new problems is one of the best parts of this job.”
History in the making
After selling for $7,000 in 1948, the property at 3709 East 10th Street became the East Park Drive-In Theater with a sold-out crowd on opening night. Fast forward 31 years to 1979, and the Nohlgren Trust was formed to guide the business development of the site. Kmart and other businesses were planned and built in the years following.
“We knew the land would be someday be too valuable for a theater, and it would be more valuable as a commercial development,” said Harold Hanson in a 1979 Argus Leader story.
For more information on how the Bender team can assist in becoming part of your commercial real estate team, contact Reggie or Michael.


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A FORMER councillor has questioned the focus of Chester's ambitious £300m Northgate Development.
Andrew Needham, 80, chairman of the Cheshire Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and a former Tory county councillor, believes the development, which has been mooted in various forms since 1991, is “risky”.
Last month, Cheshire West and Chester Council made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire 70 properties as part of the next phase of the development.
Mr Needham said that, in light of the council's investement in the £80, Baron's Quay development in Northwich, the project in Chester should have less emphasis on retail development.
Speaking during the public questions section of a Local Plan Working Group meeting, Mr Needham said that much of the retail space at Barons Quay had no tenants.
He added: “In view of this, the proposal for CPO of 70 properties in Chester seems risky.
“CPRE believe that the Northgate scheme should have a greater proportion of residential. More people living in the City - rather than shoppers commuting in and out.
“There is a housing crisis – but there is no shortage of shops.”
A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said that no answer was given to Mr Needham's question in the meeting.
“The allocation at Northgate for retail and leisure was made through the Local Plan (Part One) and the site now has planning permission so it wasn’t directly relevant to the agenda discussion on site allocations through the Local Plan (Part Two).”
Last month, the owners of 70 properties in the city centre were told that they would have to make way for the development.
The counciln has made a Compulsory Purchase Order on properties in Hunter Street, St Martins Way, the rear of Watergate Street and Northgate Street behind Town Hall Square.
This will allow the new mixed use retail and leisure development, which will include a 100,000 sq ft House of Fraser store, multi-screen cinema and a four-star Crowne Plaza hotel and spa, to be built.
When the CPO was announced, Councillor Brian Clarke, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “We understand that making a CPO to acquire property interests can be difficult for property owners so we have been meeting and talking with them for some time to try and get an agreement that is right for all parties.
“This is a necessary step towards delivering the new Chester Northgate. We are now closer than we have ever been before. The finish line may be in the distance but we are marching towards it.
“We are committed to creating and investing in a vibrant city. We have delivered on Storyhouse, we have delivered Frodsham Street and our residents can trust that we will deliver on Northgate too.”
See full story in the Chester Leader


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A popular flashlight app for Android phones which has around 50 to 100 million subscribers has been found guilty by the FTC for sharing users personal information.
The app was also found to have been instantly sending customers information to advertising networks as soon as the app was installed and before the user could accept the license agreement of the app.
“When consumers are given a real, informed choice, they can decide for themselves whether the benefit of a service is worth the information they must share to use it,” Jessica Rich, FTC’s Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection said. “But this flashlight app left them in the dark about how their information was going to be used.”
GoldenShores has been ordered to delete any personal information collected from consumers and will have to fully inform users on how and why their data is collected.
They have also been ordered to obtain “affirmative express consent” when it comes to sharing personal information.


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Share-A-Gift’s annual Toy Shop for families in need residing in the Boulder Valley School District will be offered this year with a drive-thru, contactless pick-up.
Each child in the family will receive a preselected bag of new toys and/or a bike, based on the child’s ages.
To donate money for the purchase of toys, go to shareagift.org. New toys and used bikes for children ages 0 to 14 can be donated directly at two contactless toy drives. The toy drives are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 5 at 5311 Western Ave., Boulder.
For families in need living in the Boulder Valley School District, the drive-thru Toy Shop will be held Dec. 19.
For more information, go to shareagift.org.


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While it’s no secret that restaurants have suffered the past 10 months, those in the day-to-day business say their stories still aren’t being heard enough.
And they have a simple message: Let us open.
Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge, said on a United Fresh Produce Association BB #:145458 ReFresh webinar on the foodservice industry, he feels like he’s in a tunnel and he can see the light at the end of it, but he doesn’t know how long it is.
Bobby Stuckey, co-founder and master sommelier of Frasca Hospitality Group, Boulder, CO, and co-founder of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, said the coalition speaks for the restaurant owners who have trouble being heard.
“Politicians make decisions based on the information that they have,” he said. “They don’t understand what the farmers and restaurants mean to them.”
Grinstead said that while retail sales of fresh fruit and vegetables are up, foodservice sales are down even more than that, so Americans’ produce consumption has fallen, meaning they’re less healthy.
Stuckey said most people get a majority of their vegetables in restaurants, which is another reason the country needs them to open.
One of the biggest problems he said is the different rules state by state and even county by county.
Without allowing them to open, Stuckey said “I see a huge number of closures in the next eight weeks.”
Matthew Tate, director of strategic sourcing of produce for hospitality procurement provider Avendra, Rockville, MD, said he’s also concerned about the short-term viability of many restaurants.
“I’m worried we’re past the tipping point” for many operations, he said.
Early in the pandemic, Tate said his company was more worried about produce suppliers, but they proved resilient.
Dan Simons, co-owner of Farmers Restaurant Group, Washington, DC, said with his restaurants based around the nation’s capital, he forecasts the next three months to be bad for foodservice.
“Then I see a hockey stick,” he said, referring to exponential growth on a chart. “I’m very optimistic for spring and longer term” as outdoor dining opens back up.
Tate is less optimistic, as he sees travel budgets remaining lower for most companies, which will curtail travel and dining.
“We’re looking at 2024-25 to get back to pre-COVID occupancy,” he said.
When people return, Stuckey predicts fine dining will see the biggest boost.
“People want to get taken care of, that hospitality,” he said, noting that fine dining feels safer to customers, and that social distance feels more normal.
Simons expects that people won’t be as adventurous when they return to restaurants.
“We expect a consumer push toward nostalgia,” he said. “They want what they missed. We will see huge demand of people wanting something familiar.”
Grinstead said it’s important to get the word out that the foodservice industry is still suffering, and consequently, so are Americans.
“Tell your Congresspeople and mayors and make sure they know about this devastation,” he said.


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SOKAL DESK:: In the rapidly changing global situation Emirates’ loyalty programme- Emirates Skywards is keeping pace.
Members can now earn 25 per cent bonus Tier Miles, not just Skywards Miles, on everyday spends online and at retail outlets in the UAE during these challenging times.
The initiative is a first from Emirates Skywards, and it joins less than a handful of global airline loyalty programmes offering a similar benefit, according to a media release.
Tier Miles are normally linked to miles flown and determine tier status – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. But by earning Tier Miles on everyday spends, even without flying, members can now step up each tier quicker, unlock many more travel benefits, and go places with better comforts when Emirates resumes services.
As online shopping gains traction and the UAE eases restrictions, all members have to do to earn Tier Miles is to use their Emirates Skywards co-branded credit cards and apps: Skywards Everyday and Namshi, from the online fashion retailer.
Members gain one bonus Tier Mile for every four Skywards Miles they earn until 31 July 2020 and have the opportunity to earn up to 25,000 Tier Mile, the release added.
Members will continue to earn Skywards Miles through their spends, and these can be redeemed for reward tickets, upgrades, tickets for concerts and sports events and other experiences, and to reduce the cash component when booking flight tickets.


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Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) announced that it’s made a proposal to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Mylan NV (NASDAQ:MYL).
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE:TEVA) announced that it’s made a proposal to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Mylan NV (NASDAQ:MYL). The transaction is valued at $82 per Mylan share, and the deal would be about half stock and half cash.
As quoted in the press release:
The Teva cash and stock proposal provides Mylan stockholders with a substantial premium and immediate cash value, as well as significant potential for future value creation through participation in a financially and commercially stronger company.
Teva’s proposal also provides Mylan stockholders with a more attractive alternative to Mylan’s proposed acquisition of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE and TASE: PRGO), as announced on April 8, 2015, as well as to Mylan on a standalone basis. Teva’s proposal would provide Mylan stockholders with consideration representing a 37.7% premium to the stock price of Mylan on April 7, 2015, which is the last day of trading prior to Mylan’s press release regarding its unsolicited proposal for Perrigo, and a 48.3% premium to the unaffected stock price of Mylan on March 10, 2015, which is the last day of trading prior to widespread speculation of a transaction between Teva and Mylan.
Erez Vigodman, president and CEO of Teva, commented:
Our proposal is compelling for both Teva and Mylan stockholders and other stakeholders. Our proposal would provide Teva stockholders with very attractive strategic and financial benefits and Mylan stockholders with a substantial premium and immediate value for their shares, as well as the opportunity to participate in the significant upside potential of the combined company – one that would transform the global generics space and leverage it to hold a unique leadership position in the pharmaceutical industry. We have long respected Mylan’s business, and we are confident that Mylan’s Board of Directors and stockholders will agree that our proposal represents a significantly more attractive alternative for Mylan and its stockholders than Mylan’s proposed acquisition of Perrigo.


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Quigley announces interim CEO
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. The Quigley Corp. on Thursday announced that Quigley chairman Ted Karkus has been appointed interim CEO by the board.
Karkus will serve in this role effective June 18, and will be compensated at a rate of $5,000 per week for his services.
The news came one week after Guy Quigley announced his resignation as chairman, president and CEO of the company. The resignation followed a proxy contest, which culminated on May 20 at the company’s annual meeting, that favored shareholder Ted Karkus and his proposed slate of directors. Quigley Corp. also accepted the resignation of Charles Phillips, COO, and Wendy Quigley, accounting operations manager.
“Despite everything that has been said and done during the course of this proxy contest, my goal has been, and continues [to be], to build stockholder value,” Quigley stated. “I am very proud of our work over the past 20 years. Cold-Eeze is a highly respected product and well-established household name, and Quigley Pharma has several compounds that have reached a point of value inflection,” he said.
NPA criticizes remarks tying dietary supplements to tainted products
WASHINGTON The Natural Products Association on Thursday released a statement criticizing the erroneous link between legitimate dietary supplements and tainted products. “Increased scrutiny by professional sports leagues on steroid usage, which the Natural Products Association commends, has unfortunately also led to increased and unsubstantiated allegations that a ‘tainted’ or mislabeled dietary supplement is to blame when an athlete tests positive for a banned substance,” said David Seckman, NPA executive director and CEO.
“As the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 mandates, all ingredients must be listed on product labels and product claims must be substantiated. If this is not the case, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—along with the Federal Trade Commission—have the authority under DSHEA to act promptly,” he said.
Seckman also noted that not all substances banned by professional sports organizations as performance enhancers are either bad or illegal. “Performance enhancers [that] are not necessarily dangerous or illegal … include caffeine, commonly used over-the-counter cold remedies and prescription medications,” he said. “Athletes have the right and responsibility to avoid their use. However, the consuming public who benefits from legitimate medications or dietary supplements – as well as a trip to the local coffee house – should not be denied their use if an athlete is unwilling or unable to follow the rules established by their sport.”
U.K. pharmacy launches Celebrity Slim meal replacement program
NEWCASTLE, England Rowland’s Pharmacy on Wednesday announced the introduction of the Australian meal replacement program Celebrity Slim.
The program incorporates guidance on adopting healthy lifestyles in addition to following a nutrition regimen—replacing two meals a day with one of Celebrity Slim’s shakes, soups or bars.
“The nation’s fight to become healthier is extremely important and we need to help any way we can,” said Kenny Black, managing director, Rowlands Pharmacy. “Celebrity Slim is a scientific, yet realistic program that allows [dieters] to make steady progress towards their target weight. Studies show that people who take part in a meal replacement program have much greater weight loss success than those who just go on a fad diet.”
The product is made from a nutritionally balanced blend of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In an effort to encourage healthy weight loss and the fight against obesity, Rowlands Pharmacy will offer free weight management consultation to all Celebrity Slim customers.
Celebrity Slim was first launched in Australia in February 2007.


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Intel said to feed Google solid state drives
SSD shortage coming?
Intel is working its close ties to Google for solid state storage drive sales, according to a report.
Sources have told Digitimes that Google plans to test out SSD storage in an effort to lower power consumption at its vast data centers. The ad broker-cum-search engine will turn to Intel for the SSD gear. And, if true, that's great news for Intel, which hopes to make a run at turning SSDs into a big business.
As the report tells it, Intel will supply flash memory, while Marvell will provide the controllers.
For what it's worth, our sources tell us that Digitimes report is flat out wrong.
Still, it's interesting to speculate about Google paying for the more expensive SSDs on the data center scale. Like many service providers, Google is finding that lowering energy costs is its top priority.
Of course, there are performance implications as well.
Given the secretive nature of Google, it's rather hard for outsiders to tell what the company is up to. It's also damn hard to tell if the company's supposed data center magic really lives up to its billing or if the company just blows tons of cash and time designing its own systems.
Anyway, the report goes on to cite memory makers grumbling about a potential shortage of NAND flash chips due to increased server-side interest in SSDs.
Google and Intel enjoy a very tight relationship with Intel making custom motherboards for its chum. Intel's server chip customers have taken notice of this arrangement. ®


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The top executives of American Color – who last week agreed to sell the debt-laden and money-losing company to a competitor – stand to collect more than $5 million in one-time payments for staying on a during a 90-day transition period after that deal closes.
Chairman and CEO Steve Dyott, CFO Pat Kellick and President Kathleen DeKam also will be paid their regular salaries and keep their car allowances and other benefits during the move later this year under the umbrella of Maryland-based Vertis Communications.
The payments – $2.8 million to Dyott and almost $1.2 million each to Kellick and DeKam – amount to 145 percent of their combined fiscal 2007 compensation. By comparison, Brentwood-based American Color lost $7.2 million during the third quarter of its fiscal 2008 – its eighth consecutive quarter of red ink.
To view the execs’ new employment agreements, click here.


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The beauty supply shop acknowledged now that It had been the victim of another information breach — the second in as many decades. However, where does one episode end and another begin?
Sally beauty hours acknowledged on Thursday that it Has become the victim of a data breach: the next to impact the business in only over a year.
The beauty products vendor advised clients Earlier this month it had been investigating reports of strange action on charge cards used at a number of its U.S. places. On Thursday it confessed a violation in an announcement by CEO Chris Brickman.
“We think it is in the best interests of the Customers to alert them that we now have enough evidence to affirm an illegal celebrity masturbation intrusion to our charge card systems has really happened. But, we are not going to speculate on the range of the intrusion because our forensics analysis is still underway,” said Brickman. “We’re working diligently to address the matter and also to care for any clients who might have been influenced by the event”
The official acknowledgement includes ten times Following the internet site KrebsonSecurity.com raised the specter of a breach in the Denton, Texas, company. Composing on May 4, Brian Krebs explained that financial institutions were reporting a”pattern of deceptive action” with sally beauty hours in the middle.
That are the next violation in as many years. In 2014, the business acknowledged that it had been the victim of hackers that jeopardized stage of purchase systems with malware which stole customer charge cards.
Sally Beauty sells and distributes products through 4,900 stores in North America, South America and Western Europe.
But is that the sally beauty hours leak really a second Episode, or only a continuation of this earlier, 2014 breach? It is not apparent, however sally beauty hours answer into this 2014 breach should surely make’incomplete incident reaction’ a plausible explanation of how a big US company becomes breached twice in a couple of decades.
One of the red flags is a dispute within the size of the 2014 breach. While Krebs originally reported that the violation affecting as many as 260,000 clients. Sally Beauty would affirm only a considerably smaller episode, stating only 25,000 customer accounts were compromised. sally beauty hours did not provide any explanation for the discrepancy in the amount of affected clients.
Writing last week, nevertheless, Krebs quoted that a Former sally beauty hours worker”Blake Curlovic,” stating that the firm had reason to understand the 25,000 figure was counterfeit (“Curlovic” seems to have been a fictitious name). Quoting”Curlovic,” Krebs wrote that a Secret Service analysis implied that”260,000 was likely on the low end,” and the number”ought to happen to be nearer to about a million, dependent on the amount of credit trades Sally Beauty had daily.”
The Krebs narrative paints an unflattering portrait Of Sally Beauty as a firm that leaned heavily on a single IT security seller, TripWire, then was not able to respond if that seller’s technology made it crystal clear that malicious actors had jeopardized the business’s network.
Among other matters, Curlovic revealed that Sally Beauty was not able to thwart an unsubtle malware attack which spread FrameworkPOS — malicious, information sneaking software — to a 6,000 point of purchase systems utilized by the business, even then malware malfunctioned, interfering with the performance of Web logon, an agency which enabled point of sale terminals to communicate with all the company’s network. 1 potential rationale more credit card numbers weren’t stolen, in other words, may be the the attackers botched their construct of FrameworkPOS — that the cyber criminal equal of their gun jamming.
In this environment, it is entirely plausible To feel that the Turks behind the initial breach claimed a toehold on Sally Beauty’s corporate community and then manipulated that months afterwards, once the coast was clear.
So is that what happened? It is difficult to understand. What’s clear is that a blueprint of lackluster response to cyber events at this merchant. In the March 2014 violation and also the episode this past month, it required Sally Beauty over a week to confirm that an incident had happened and customer information were stolen. While it’s clear that a firm may want to wait to speculate about the size and extent of an event, taking a complete week to confirm that data has abandoned the organization’s network looks excessive.
And, in the two events, Sally Beauty was Unwilling to come clean with what it knows about the amount of the violation of its system. As mentioned: the corporation would acknowledge just to info on 25,000 clients being stolen from the March 2014 episode, despite considerable evidence to the contrary to banks and credit card companies.
In its announcement yesterday, Sally Beauty’s CEO Diminished to”speculate about the range of the intrusion because our forensics analysis is still underway.” If the pattern holds true, the outcomes of the forensic investigation won’t ever find the light of day, unless motivated by regulators or client suits.
The Simple Fact is: nothing regarding the hack of Sally Beauty is that odd. Mr. Krebs theorizes — probably correctly — that the Company was another notch on the belt of Ukrainian and Russian cyber Offenders who carried out similar attacks retailers this past year. Obtaining Hacked, nowadays, is not any sin. But organizations differentiate themselves not Just how nicely they float off attackers, however well they manage the fallout of (inevitable) breaches. On this score, Sally Beauty is not likely to Wear the pageant crown anytime soon.


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Clipped From The Decatur Herald
DECATUR HERALD BRENDA SENSENIG, widow of Jay Sensenig, looks over a model of the proposed Berg- ner's store to be located in ' - Bergner's to Locate in Mall Mew St ByEarlMerkel P.A. Bergner & Co. will open a store in the planned Hickory Point Mall in Fprsyth next year that could ultimately employ from 250 to more than 500 persons, most of them hired locally. According to Thomas P. Lis-ton, board chairman and chief executive of the Bergner's chain, the new store will have a retail floor area of more than 120,000 square feet. "All but a handful of the people we hire will be from the Decatur area," Liston told a group of area officials and businessmen Wednesday. . "About 95 per cent of the store staff will be hired from this area." j Liston, speaking at a luncheon at the Country Club of Decatur held to formally an- Construction Could Begin In Two Months, Blitt Says The developer of the Hickory Point Mail in Forsyth said Wednesday that construction could begin within two months. Irwin Blitt, a partner in the Kansas development firm of Cophagen, White and Blitt, said that construction bids were received Tuesday from competing contractors. "We'll take about four or six weeks analyzing the bids before we make a bid award," he said. "After that, construction would start as soon as the contractor can get his equipment to the site maybe even the week after the award." Blitt said that the current target date for opening of the first stores at the mall is August, 1978. "That will include the (J.C.) the Hickory Point Mall, husband, as president of mercial Properties, Inc., ore to nounce the plans for the store, said that the Bergner company had waited nearly a decade for an opportunity to locate in the Decatur market area. "We've been working for 10 years for a vehicle to bring us into Decatur," Liston told the group. "And when Irwin Blitt approached us, I told him to count us in." Blitt is a partner in the Kansas firm of Cophagen, White & Blitt which is developing the Hickory Point Mall. The Decatur Bergner store will be the 17th store in the Penney store," he said, "which is planned to open Aug. 17." Opening of the Bergner's department store, which was formally announced Wednesday, is scheduled for October, 1978. "They'll be a little behind, because they're doing their own construction," Blitt said. Penney's store facilities will be built by the successful winner of the contracting award. Locsl Museum Suggestion Expected By Bruce F. Paulsen A recommendation is expected to be made today on how the Macon County Historical Society may receive $11,-600 in tax money levied on its behalf by the county board. Her been involved in the devel-Com- opment of the mall before his had death March 7. Bergner offi- Bergner-Weise chain in Illinois and Wisconsin and is part of a program to open two new stores each year for the next five years. "The store here will not be conventional," Liston said. "There's nothing like it in Pe-kin, Champaign, Chicago, St. Louis or anywhere else. "We're recognized as innovators in the department store field, and the Hickory Point Bergner's will be a whole new, concept in merchandising." That concept, he said, involves architectural features to direct the flow of customers through "open space" display and counter areas. "The effect is such that the merchandise appears to be in the open as does the entire store," he said. "There's easy access to all areas no 'blind alley' counters or display areas." Design features in the two-level store include glass-sided escalators and a glass elevator located in a see-through core in the center of the store. Liston said Bergner's "does not come into a community just to do business we intend to be good citizens.'" torical museum which may be owned or operated by that county." Wainscott wanted to know if the county board could appoint the historical society's directors and hire its administrator Staff photo by Bob Strongman cials announced their intentions to build a store in the mall Wednesday. ersons Immediate evidence of that attitude, he said, would come at the opening of the store. Congratulatory floral displays usually presented by local manufacturers are not accepted at Bergner openings, with the company instead recommending donations to a hospital fund. "We kind of put the muscle on local manufacturers to donate to the fund instead of flowers," Liston said. "Then we parcel out that money to local hospitals on a per-bed basis." Such gifts, he said, usually total between $15,000 and $18,-000. Along with standard department store wares, the Hickory Point Bergner's will-have a complete bridal service department, a travel bureau and a restaurant. The Bergner operation cur- rently owns 10 stores across Central Illinois, including ones in Peoria, Pekin, Bloomington, Peru, Galesburg and Champaign. Along with the Hickory Point store, a store in Quincy is also scheduled for opening in the fall of 1978. The company also owns seven Weise's department stores in Illinois and Wisconsin and is the state's largest retail store complex outside the Chicago area. of the opinion to Historical Society President Harold Wick-line. Wickline said he is organizing efforts to make proposed bylaw changes to allow the society to receive the money from the county.


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Push for pig trotter deal with China
A potential pig trotter export deal to China, which could be worth up to £50m to the UK economy, is being pushed by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson this week.
Paterson is assisting Prime Minister David Cameron on his trade mission to China, which is expected to tot up around £130m in UK export deals.
Major inroads for pork exports from the UK and China were made in June 2011, before a landmark £50m deal went ahead in May last year.
Paterson’s talks this week could see the original and economically important pork agreement extended. “Pig trotters at home will often go to waste, but in China they are a real delicacy. Opening an export market for trotters worth £7.5m will be a further boost for our farming industry on top of the deals we have made on pig semen and cuts of pork last year,” Paterson said.
Pork exports to China have risen dramatically and, in the first six months of this year, increased by 591% compared to the first two quarters of 2012.
The Environment Secretary said he wanted to press forward with the trotter deal and with other trade deals to create an “enduring legacy of lucrative export opportunities” for British businesses.
As part of this push, Paterson also signed a trade agreement for pig semen, which will allow people in China to farm British pig breeds – a market estimated to be worth £45m to the UK economy by the farming sector.
Paterson also said he planned to progress trade negotiations for other British commodities, such as poultry meat, pet food and event horses, said to be worth a combined £130m to the UK economy.
Mick Sloyan, Bpex director, said the news to export pigs’ trotters would be a boost to the industry. He explained that the deal could be worth £7.5m a year to the sector and explained that the Chinese market was one Bpex was especially keen to develop.
“Bpex and Defra have been working in partnership over many years to gain access to the Chinese market and the Prime Minister’s visit is an important step in developing that trade even further. Though there is agreement in principle, it will still be some time before the deal is finally tied up as Chinese vets need to visit the UK.”
Meanwhile, Jack Dobson, joint managing director for Dunbia, is also in China on the Prime Minister’s trade mission.
The deal was agreed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China and is reported to be worth £7.5 million a year.
UK food and drink in figures:
- The UK food and drink industry contributed more than £96bn to the UK economy last year;
- Nearly 4m people employed by the UK food industry;
- The UK’s largest manufacturing sector, creating more than 8,500 new products annually;
- Food exports from the UK have increased by nearly 50% in the last decade, worth £18.2bn.
- last year
- uk food
- uk economy
- trade mission
- pig trotter
- uk economy last
- drink industry contributed
- trade mission read
- prime minister’s trade
- minister’s trade mission


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The letter from secretary of state Greg Clark and minister of state Claire Perry, tells the Big Six firms that their current moves to make the market fairer for customers are "tentative". The temporary cap, which will allow the regulator Ofgem to limit standard variable tariffs (SVTs) until 2020, with the option to extend the cap annually until 2023, would affect 11 million households.
People on SVTs have often ended up on the tariff because they have failed to switch tariff or supplier.
However, consumer groups warned that the new price cap would "not fix the market" and could deter customers from switching.
The letter said: "There is in effect a two-tier market. Those households who are prepared to shop around can, on average, save around £300 from switching from a standard variable tariff of the Big 6 to the cheapest tariffs on the market. But far too many customers remain on poor value tariffs. It is of particular concern that these customers typically tend to be more vulnerable than those who are getting the best deals. While we have seen recent tentative steps by large suppliers to improve their treatment of loyal customers, in our view these do not go far enough.
"We have said previously that our intention is to introduce a temporary cap to protect consumers, while the objective of a more competitive market is achieved. I am sure that you support that objective."
Peter Earl, Head of Energy, comparethemarket.com, said: “The price cap legislation will not fix the problems in the energy market. It targets Standard Variable Tariffs, whose days already look numbered with some of the largest suppliers in the market already having published plans to scrap them for their customers. The danger is that energy customers are lulled into staying with one provider rather than shopping around in the mistaken belief that the cap will level the playing field. It won’t - thousands will still be on uncompetitive default tariff."
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "A price cap is a halfway house. Politicians have to make their minds up. Do they see competition and switching as the solution, or do they want to regulate prices?"


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Worst Is over for Our Hotels, Motels
NEW figures that show Fraser Coast hotels and motels struggled to fill rooms for much of 2012 will not be repeated this year, a leading tourism operator has said.
The latest accommodation data released by Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the Fraser Coast had a room occupancy rate of 53% from July-September 2012, the lowest across the state.
The Fraser Coast also had the lowest occupancy rates in Queensland in the previous quarter at only 43%.
Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge owner Mr Lennon said the low occupancy was not an ongoing trend, with the summer months proving to be a big boost for most accommodation businesses.
aDecember was our best month on record, ever,a he said.
aThe October, November, December quarter has just been a cracker for everyone.a
Mr Lennon said the outlook for the Fraser Coast industry was positive going into 2013, despite the figures showing a drop in takings year on year.
aWe are seeing a big growth in that drive visitation,a he said. …