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Microsoft: Whistler Will Unify NT/9x Code Base
NEW ORLEANS -- Microsoft Corp. has talked about a unified code base for its consumer and business operating systems for a long time. At the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) held here late last month, company officials promised the next version of Windows 2000 would be the one to bring the codes together.
"Next year the consumer segment is going to start the move in full momentum to using technology based on the Windows NT code base," says Carl Stork, general manager of the Windows Hardware Strategy Group at Microsoft.
The operating system, code-named Whistler, is the follow-on to Windows 2000. Stork assured hardware developers that they shouldn’t worry about extra work on drivers and other code for Whistler.
"If things work on Windows 2000, they’re going to work on Whistler. It’s a small, logical upgrade," Stork says.
For consumers, Whistler is two releases out. One more consumer release is planned to come out this year using the Windows 9x code base, Windows ME, which stands for Millennium Edition.
"Windows ME is the last full release of an OS product from Microsoft that’s based on the Windows 9x code base," Stork says.
Microsoft is already trying to move business clients off the 9x code base and onto Windows 2000 Professional, although it has received some customer pushback. The development team initially left some corporate networking capabilities out of Windows ME. Customer pressure forced Microsoft to put the networking functions back into the consumer-oriented operating system.
While business users and consumers will share a code base, Whistler will yield at least two client operating system packages, Stork explains. "One is optimized for business users -- a logical follow on to Windows 2000 -- and another optimized for consumers and entry-level users."
Microsoft expects to release a 64-bit version of Windows 2000 Professional later this year concurrent with the release of a 64-bit processor from Intel Corp. (www.intel.com). Redmond will offer both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Whistler, but it was not immediately clear whether Microsoft planned a 64-bit consumer version of Whistler.
Microsoft is already bringing some of the enhancements from Windows 2000 into Windows ME, including hibernation mode and the Windows 2000 TCP/IP stack.
The Whistler version is to include new multiuser enhancements, such as allowing one user to log off a machine without quitting applications.


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Restricted Space in the United States is Making Mexico More Attractive to Many
For e-commerce giants like Amazon and those that hope to keep up with Amazon, the old model doesn’t work anymore. E-commerce is generating incredible demand for industrial space, as online sellers seek to reduce their shipping time to virtually nothing. Millennials, in particular, are putting a high priority on quick shipping times, as nobody under 30 feels like they ought to wait more than 2 days for anything. This has created incredible demand for “last mile” warehouse hubs in every city — and sometimes multiple locations within a metropolitan area. E-commerce retailers are buying up and/or leasing industrial space as fast as they can, and now account for 20 percent of new industrial leasing, up from 5 percent just a few years ago. “E-Commerce only makes up about 10 percent of current sales, when it comes to the total retail market, but it’s the distribution of goods in such a short time frame that’s been a huge driver of absorbing space,” says Parker Schultz, Sales and Leasing Associate for Pacific Coast Commercial in San Diego. “This means that to succeed online, it’s necessary to put a large warehouse in every major city, and the increased demand for industrial space is driving lease prices through the roof.” Rent prices per square foot have increased 7.6 percent in Los Angeles in the last year, and are even worse on the East Coast – New Jersey reports an 11.6 increase in rent prices per square foot, and the demand shows no signs of slowing down. “In small manufacturing, there’s been a big demand, because we see lots of people that have been inspired to open their own businesses,” says Schultz. “You see the small businesses competing in almost every different sector, absorbing all this space. in the San Diego market, anything below a few thousand square feet can rent as high as $1.60 a square foot, which is almost double what the rate was a few years back.” This is pushing manufacturers to consider other options, like Mexico.
Some companies, in an attempt to combat the rent hikes, are exploring brownfield reclamation — the cleaning up of vacant, condemned or contaminated properties—, but this is an expensive and risky option that many businesses balk at. According to Parker Schultz, “it’s a lot of labor and cost, with uncertainty, because you don’t know that that work will come to fruition.” It’s possible to find prime brownfield sites in some cities, where old factories were once built near residential and retail centers, such as Ross Perot Jr.’s project to turn an old coal plant into the new Victor Center, where the Dallas Mavericks play. But this is a great example of when and how brownfield reclamations projects work, and when they don’t. It’s a viable option if you can turn the reclaimed land into a basketball arena, or shopping center, where the prime location of the contaminated land — near downtowns, subway stops or along stretches of waterfront where factories once employed hundreds of workers — gives it incredible value potential. It’s not such a great option for manufacturers, where the location doesn’t add as much value, and may actually create more issues.
In addition, any brownfield reclamation project is a roll of the dice. Cleanup projects are expensive, and often turn up even more issues than originally anticipated. Costs go over budget on a regular basis. For Vestar, who took on a brownfield reclamation project in Tempe, Arizona, the project cost $25 million more than anticipated. And any time the EPA and environmental groups get involved, the potential for costly and time-consuming lawsuits increases exponentially. “There’s lots of liability in [brownfield reclamation], because you can have one report that says you’ve cleaned up properly, and then when you go to sell your asset, if someone can discover even the smallest remnant of chemical or oil spill or environment hazard, that could jeopardize the entire project and cause substantial liability for owners – and buyers,” reports Schultz. Cleaning up a brownfield can garner you good press, making you look like a community-minded environmental crusader, but it only takes a hint of a doubt for the public to turn on you. If cleanup doesn’t go as planned, or even a rumor gets out that it isn’t being done properly, perception can change from “cleaning up someone else’s mess” to “cutting costs and putting employees and community at risk.”
Mexico is Easy
As a result, many manufacturing companies, both large and small, are looking across the border for industrial space. There are many advantages to setting up manufacturing operations in a border city like Tijuana, such as a highly skilled and educated labor force. According to Christian Carrillo, CEO of Atisa Industrial, the average manufacturer moving into their Tijuana based park “saves, on average, $2-$4 million dollars per year for every 100 employees.” That’s significant savings, especially as U.S. lease and property prices just go up and up, with no end in sight. Freeing up that much liquid capital to fund things like R&D or shareholder returns and significantly benefit a company in a competitive marketplace.
Many manufacturers are finding that outsourcing to Mexico has many advantages over sending their businesses to China. Proximity makes effective oversight much easier and simpler, which is a big factor for technology products for whom quality control is paramount. “Given the expansion of the healthcare sector, the oversight necessary to produce the quality necessary for these medical devices that might go into people’s bodies is very high. So you need a skilled, educated labor force, that can make quality products while at the same time, maintaining a level of affordability” says Schultz. Mexico also has much stricter intellectual property laws, keeping manufacturer’s patented technology from being stolen by competitors, a problem many companies have run into in China. And there’s plenty of labor available. According to Rob Hixson, Senior VP of SIOR, “ the northern Baja labor market has good demand, but supply of an excellent workforce is available, at rates below half of the Southern California market.” And, of course, it’s always nice to be able to conduct business during business hours, and Mexico is in the same time zone as the U.S. West coast (and only a few hours different from the east coast,) so there’s no need for middle of the night meetings.
As industrial real estate markets continue to tighten in the United States, smart, creative and resourceful brokers will do well to investigate options in Mexico for their clients. Mexican options are increasingly attractive and viable, whether the client is a small company based in California or a larger one in South Carolina. Looking longer term, the anticipation of a U.S. recession makes the area even more attractive as it will offer a safe haven to businesses looking to reduce costs in order to stay in business.

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SOS Business and inKind
Back in lockdown: SOS Business voucher sales hit $2 million, site teams with U.S. investor inKind to inject $5 million into small businesses
Auckland, NZ. August 18, 2020 –
SOS Business is again supporting New Zealand’s small business community as the country faces lockdown. SOS, which has now hit $2 million in voucher sales, has teamed up with U.S. restaurant investors inKind to inject $5 million into local businesses.
SOS was set up by New Zealander of the Year nominee David Downs to help keep small businesses afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been phenomenally successful, with more than 2,400 businesses on the platform and Kiwis buying up thousands of vouchers to aid their local outlets.
As CEO David, along with co-founders Joyce Quah and Naadei Atafu, has run the platform voluntarily along with a team of volunteers. Funds raised go directly to the business owners represented. Texas-based inKind, founded by entrepreneur and former restaurateur Johann Moonesinghe, is now partnering with SOS Business to help scale it to support even more local businesses. inKind will take on the operations for the platform with David staying on in an advisory role. “
inKind was a natural fit to help grow SOS, as the two platforms have similar aspirations to support small business,” David said. “SOS was set up to help our local outlets through the pandemic and Kiwis really responded - they want to support their local restaurants, cafes and bars. Voucher sales are huge, but there was also an opportunity for SOS to have even more impact through inKind. “We liked inKind’s offering, and we were chuffed they agreed to invest such a significant sum into New Zealand. We hope having inKind on board will boost our small business community further as we work through another lockdown.”
SOS will continue to operate under the same brand, and offer its existing services. However, under inKind’s leadership SOS will offer more services and innovations including financing and marketing support. Johann, who is also CEO of inKind, added, “New Zealand has been extremely successful in its fight against COVID-19, even given the latest setback. We’ve seen how committed New Zealanders are to tackling this virus together, and also supporting their local businesses.
“SOS has been a massive help for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses Kiwis love. Our plan is to expand the SOS offering, and help support New Zealanders as they work through another lockdown, and come out the other side.” inKind, which set up a similar platform in Australia called Save Hospitality, has sold over $30 million dollars worth of gift vouchers and helped more than 500 businesses across the U.S. and Australia. It intends to inject $5 million in funding for New Zealand businesses in its first year. The money will be invested through inKind’s unique funding model, which provides businesses with upfront capital in exchange for vouchers.
inKind then onsells gift vouchers to customers through the inKind app, which acts as a loyalty platform encouraging long-term engagement with customers. “The SOS platform has grown exponentially over the past few months, and I hope that with the help of inKind, we will be able to reach new heights and help all businesses in need,” said David. “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
About SOS Business Auckland-based SOS was set up by entrepreneur, author and government strategist David Downs in response to the COVID-19 lockdown. It was designed as a rescue scheme to help small businesses mitigate the impact of the lockdown. SOS acted as an agent for businesses on the platform, setting up a way for customers and supporters to buy vouchers in return for future services. It was run voluntarily.
About inKind Austin, Texas-based inKind was set up by entrepreneur and former restaurateur Johann Moonesinghe to offer a better financing model to small businesses. inKind offers upfront capital by buying vouchers which it then onsells as gift vouchers through its app. It also set up Save Hospitality in Australia and Serving Hospitality in Canada which, like SOS, was free of charge to vendors and designed to support small business through the pandemic.


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Prada held its “Shaping a Sustainable Future Society” conference last week in its New York office, converging cross-industry viewpoints in fields like architecture, artificial intelligence and art.
“Classical, that was the radical thing to do,” creative director Peter Mendelsund said of the magazine’s new, starker look.
Jason Grunberg from Sailthru explains how the company leverages technology to win shoppers over.
The brand created an innovative shape-focused sizing system which includes seven sizes for each of the three body shapes it identified.
The company is a “matchmaker” between deadstock fabric (which would otherwise be burned or landfilled) and local buyers using blockchain.
Chai will head up design and technical design across women’s and men’s apparel and accessories.
Expanding the sale in new markets outside China and innovations like live-streaming helped boost sales record.
New beauty product drops and technology innovation are more attractive than luxury houses’ narrative on heritage and sustainability.


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Sylvester Stallone has worn many (porkpie) hats throughout his life. He has been an actor, writer, director, and even a reluctant pornstar . But few remember that, in 2005, the Italian Stallion was al...


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Nigeria’s MDaaS Global builds and operates modern, tech-enabled diagnostic centers in clinically-underserved communities would future in the Meet the Africa’s Business Heroes 2020 Top 10 Finalists Online Media Roundtable.
The start-up, which goes by the slogan, Unlocking diagnostics for Africa’s next billion” started in Nigeria to provide a world-class patient experience at highly-affordable prices.
The company is led by Oluwasoga Oni, an MIT-trained system engineer.
The 2020 ABH prize competition is created to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
A statement from the organisers of the event, said that The Jack Ma Foundation will host an online media roundtable discussion and Q&A to allow accredited journalists exclusive access to the Top 10 Finalists of 2020 Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize, ahead of the grand finale in November.
The 2020 ABH prize competition is a flagship philanthropic program created by the Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) to support and inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs regardless of age, gender and sector, who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent.
The exclusive virtual event is an opportunity to hear directly from the ABH 2020 finalists on their journey in the competition so far, their businesses, and how they are working to solve the most pressing problems in their respective countries.
Learn more about the ABH competition and the drive behind Jack Ma Foundation’s passion to inspire, train and support entrepreneurs in Africa.
The 10 entrepreneurs representing 8 African countries (including Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe) have been selected from over 22,000 applications across all 54 African nations. Their businesses span key industries across Africa including agriculture, fashion, education, healthcare, renewable energy, financial services, and retail.
On November 13 and 14 at the competition’s finale, they will pitch the finale judges including Jack Ma, Founder of the Jack Ma Foundation and the Alibaba Group; Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria and Founder/CEO of The Chair Centre Group; Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group; and Joe Tsai, Executive Vice Chairman of the Alibaba Group, for a chance to win their share of the US$1.5 million prize pool.


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The business climate in South Africa is marginally lower, still laging behind conditions that prevailed in 2018, according to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“With the national and provincial elections now concluded and the new Cabinet and provincial legislature now in place, business anticipates priority focus to be on efforts to grow the economy, to create jobs, to eliminate historical social injustices, to improve education and health care, to fight crime, and broadly to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans,” Sacci said in a statement.
Sacci’s latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) shows that business confidence declined to 93.0 in May 2019 from 93.7 in April 2019 and was also one index point lower than the 94.0 level in May 2018. In 2018, the average for the year was 95.5, while the 5-month average index for 2019 so far is 93.4.
In the April 2019 to May 2019 month-to-month (m/m) analysis of the sub-indices, four of the thirteen sub-indices that make up the composite BCI improved, eight decreased and one sub-index remained unchanged.
The four sub-indices that improved are increased merchandise export volumes, lower consumer price inflation, energy supply, and increased real credit extension to the private sector.
The year-on-year decline of the BCI from 94.0 in May 2018 to 93.0 in May 2019 was driven by the investment and trade weighted rand that depreciated against the US-dollar, the British pound and the euro; the decline in the All-share Index of the JSE; the lower real value of building plans passed; fewer new vehicles sold; and declining real retail sales.
There was also an increase in import and export trade volumes and lower annual consumer inflation.


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Former senior principal correspondent at Forbes (India). Since 2008, I have been writing on corporate strategy in the automobiles, clean technology and supply chain space. Before I got onto this assignment, I was part of the team that covered feature articles at The Economic Times. I actually started out as a trainee journalist on the ET desk in 2006. I graduated in commerce from Shri Ram College of Commerce in New Delhi and now live in Mumbai. I love automobiles and spend hours reading up on them and then devote painfully long hours to work on old cars that attract my fancy. Right now I own four cars (my colleagues call them fancy, junk or whatever) and a bicycle which outside my work hours get most of my attention.
Shai Agassi wanted to make the world a better place. The company he founded, Better Place, to encourage the growth of electric vehicles filed for bankruptcy in an Israeli court yesterday.
According to Reuters: a November 2012 earnings report published by conglomerate Israel Corp, which owns about 30 percent of Better Place, said the company had an accumulated deficit of $561.5 million with more losses expected. "Revenues are still insufficient to cover operating costs, and in the light of the continued negative cash flow position, the board has decided that it has no option but to seek to make this application to the courts for an orderly liquidation of the company," Better Place said in a statement on Sunday.
In the world of electric vehicle (EV) evangelists, Shai Agassi was as big as it gets. A former SAP executive, Agassi founded Better Place in 2007, an electric vehicle infrastructure company with a revolutionary idea – one which found resonance with Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the Renault – Nissan Alliance, Simon Peres, President of Israel and was bankrolled by Idan Ofer’s Israel Corporation, GE, HSBC and Morgan Stanley. Eight months ago Agassi was booted out of Better Place and now the company is in liquidation. Why did Shai Agassi’s dream fade away?
Agassi, in fact had a fantastic idea on paper. People find it hard to buy electric vehicles because they are expensive and they are expensive because the battery used to power the vehicle is costly. Agassi’s Better Place allowed a customer to buy or lease the electric vehicle at the same price of a gasoline powered car. How? The customer didn’t have to pay for the battery. Agassi came up with the concept of the Electric Recharge Grid Operator (ERGO). Whenever the vehicle ran out of juice, a customer could walk into a battery swap station, swap the battery and continue with his journey. It took just 5 minutes to swap the battery. ERGO owned the batteries and invested in setting up the charging infrastructure.
The production commitment with Renault of about 1,00,000 EVs for Israel and Denmark. Robotic battery swap stations and charging spots were set up in Israel and Denmark. Agassi had tie-ups with Renault to sell the Renault Fluence ZE
What went wrong?
The main problem was there weren’t enough takers for Better Place’s deal. Better Place managed to sell the concept to just 400 customers in Denmark and about 900 in Israel! On the car side, Renault was the only company which supported the idea. As a result, Better Place burnt through $ 850 million of capital it raised from investors.
“I think the concept is good but the execution was flawed which is why the volumes didn’t work out. Plus Better Place spent a lot of money to prove that the battery swap technology works. Any new eco system relies on a lot of partners coming together but Better Place could not get a lot of partnerships going,” said an EV expert who didn’t want to be quoted because of his association with the company. Here it is interesting to note that last month Renault launched the Fluence ZE vehicle in France and sold about 800 vehicles. “On a similar car leasing model, the OEM has managed to sell more volumes in a month that what Better Place did in a year,” he added.
In many ways than one, this was always going to be the question. Which comes first, the electric vehicle or the infrastructure (whatever it might be, battery swap stations or charging spots)? In the Better Place model, the company spent all its money in setting up the infrastructure. A piece by The Atlantic states that each battery swap station costed the company $ 500, 000. Add to this the cost of maintaining stocks of batteries at the stations. And after the infrastructure was ready, the so called mass adoption didn’t happen. One clear limitation was that anybody who had to be a part of the Better Place model had to own a Renault Fluence ZE. Then a few sections of the Israeli media have also pointed out that Better Place didn’t market the idea well which points out to poor execution of strategy.
Chetan Maini, Chief Technology Officer of Mahindra Reva, an EV manufacturing company in India says that it is unfortunate that an innovative business model like Better Place went down. “I hope this doesn’t get killed as a concept because new business models need innovation.”


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Sous Casa’s frozen burritos aren’t just delicious and healthy — they’re also fighting food insecurity in Richmond.
Sous Casa, a new frozen burrito delivery service in Richmond, has been an idea in the minds of chef Jim Hamilton and his anonymous partner for years. It finally became a reality when the partners, who previously traveled for work, found themselves grounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This has been a pet peeve of a mine for over a decade,” said the anonymous partner. “Frozen burritos should be perfect for so many people, but a lot of people don’t look at frozen burritos as an option, because there aren’t any good options. We’re giving them one.” The business launched in June, offering a bright spot during the crisis.
Recognizing the prevalence of food insecurity in the community, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, the partners decided to build food donations into their business model. For each order placed, Sous Casa donates at least one frozen meal to a local non-profit organization, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond, Circles RVA, or YWCA of Richmond. To date, Sous Casa has donated more than 4,600 burritos to people in need.
“There’s a ton of food insecurity in Richmond that many of us don’t see. We thought this would be a good way to bring it more to the forefront locally,” said the anonymous partner. “There are a lot of people that would benefit from getting free frozen burritos. We want to give as many as we can.”
Helping make people’s lives a little easier — whether for recipients of free burritos or paying customers — is at the forefront of Sous Casa’s mission. They aim to offer food that is convenient, affordable, and delicious.
It can’t get more convenient than having food delivered right to your door. Sous Casa currently offers delivery on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with hopes of offering daily delivery in the future. Their general delivery boundaries are 288 to the west and 895/295 to the east. If you are slightly outside of those parameters, don’t fret. “We’re flexible,” said the anonymous partner. “We’re trying to figure out how to get as many freezers full of our food as possible.”
Once you receive your order, it’s surprisingly easy to reheat — unlike the frozen burritos you buy at the grocery store that require complicated, multi-step processes. Sous Casa’s burritos are ready to eat after three minutes in the microwave. The packaging is streamlined and 100 percent biodegradable, to make cleanup easy as well.
Meals are reasonably priced, with burritos and burrito bowls ranging from $3 to $4 each, and require a minimum of four items per order. The menu changes based on availability of ingredients, but some favorites remain constant — like the spicy frollo verde, frollo verde, and brrreakfast burritos — as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Sous Casa has plans to expand the menu in the future. “There are lots of different things in the works,” said the anonymous partner.
Jim Hamilton is a seasoned chef, so preparing restaurant-quality food for the freezer presented a fun challenge. Hamilton gained experience cooking at Richmond restaurants, including Millie’s, Proper Pie Co., and Kuba Kuba. For about 10 years, he has been a chef to the stars, preparing food for musicians and their road crews, including Jon Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, Beyonce, and Hugh Jackman. He was on the road with Phish until the pandemic brought touring to a halt.
“Jim is a phenomenal, highly talented chef,” said his anonymous partner. “He’s making great food that anybody would love to have on their plate at a restaurant. The only difference is we’re putting it in the freezer.”
Intent on changing people’s minds about frozen food, Hamilton and his team of local chefs work tirelessly perfecting their recipes at Hatch Kitchen, a commercial kitchen in Manchester. They did months of testing before their official launch to ensure the meals would be flavorful even after being frozen and reheated. “Everything is fabulous. Jim is at the top of his game right now,” the anonymous partner said.
While frozen burritos found at the grocery store are produced primarily with shelf life in mind, “taste is our primary focus,” said the anonymous partner. Providing a well-balanced, nutritious meal is equally important. To that end, the Sous Casa chefs prepare food using the freshest ingredients, freeze the meals, and then deliver within about two days.
In addition to expanding the menu and delivery frequency, Sous Casa also plans to grow its staff in response to their rising popularity. “We’re looking to put a lot of good Richmonders to work and to pay a fair wage — to build a team of superstars,” the anonymous partner said.
When asked what happens if one day Hamilton wants to get back to touring with bands, he said “We’ve got it covered. We are building this to last.” He added, “The goal is always to make a good frozen burrito.”
Check out Sous Casa and see if they live up to their goal. View the menu and place an order at www.eatsouscasa.com. With each order, you are helping fight food insecurity in Richmond and the surrounding area.


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At first glance,Alana Tamanini looks like one of the many young foreign tourists that one would run into. Yet the 18-year-old Brazilian student is not in Mumbai just to soak in the citys sights and smells. She is,in fact,there on work; her most recent assignment being a fashion show for Triumph,a lingerie brand. I have already walked for several lingerie brands back home,so this is not exactly new to me, she says post the show. She adds that the lure of a decent sum for a few hours of work made her take it up.
Tamanini is no isolated case,for many such foreign models make a living inside Indias lingerie industry. From ad campaigns and shoots to fashion shows,the Indian lingerie sector depends almost exclusively on foreign models.
While the promise of a quick buck attracts foreigners to the job,the lingerie companies blame unavailability of Indian models. Its not a conscious decision on our part. But Indian models are apprehensive about lingerie assignments, says Anuja Mashruwala,business development manager for the lingerie brand Soie.
This skepticism among Indian models has to do with our mindset,says fashion photographer Vikram Bawa. Indian models are not comfortable posing in lingerie. As locals,they have their family and friends here and they dont find the notion of exposing their social circle to such intimate pictures very palatable, he reasons.
Veteran model Anchal Kumar agrees; she herself is not keen on doing such shows. For foreign models,its common to be photographed in lingerie but in India,it is still frowned upon. Moreover,no Indian model wants to be typecast as a lingerie model, she says.
Adman Prahlad Kakkar agrees. In a country where actors and models are often stereotyped as being easy,a lingerie model risks more damage to her reputation, he says. Choreographer Lubna Adams also points out how lingerie models are subjected to unwelcome scrutiny. Obviously,thats something Indian women arent comfortable with. So even if they consent to doing a show,they invariably put across some conditions; for instance,they insist on wearing a sarong,which just doesnt work for a lingerie show, she explains.
Besides social scrutiny,money factors also keeps Indian models away. On an average,a foreign model charges around Rs 30,000 rupees for a show whereas the latter would charge more, says Mashruwala.
For Rashi Virmani,who has choreographed several lingerie shows,the fitness factor is of utmost importance. Foreign models have a perfect body; they dont have any love handles or inhibitions. This makes them more eligible for such a show in comparison to the Indian counterparts, she says.
The Kingfisher swimsuit calendar,which includes well-known girls from the glamour industry,remains a notable exception to the general mindset. Ultimately,its the portrayal that matters. Even though theres skin show in the calendar,its done in a classy manner. So models clamour to be a part of that project. But lingerie shoots dont enjoy that image yet, explains Kakkar. Till they do,it will be a windfall for foreign models.


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The amount of information at our disposal online is now immeasurable, creating new challenges for marketers competing for attention. But as Joel Christie, commercial director at Rocket Fuel, explains there is an intelligent way to make personal customer connections in a world where ‘cut through’ seems impossible.
If the internet were a person, it would be Brian Blessed with a megaphone – rather loud! It’s a busy place where pages change in milliseconds, articles come and go at the speed of light, and vital clicks are decided in a heartbeat. To help grasp the vastness of online information, it’s predicted that more data will be created in 2017 than the previous 5,000 years of humanity. That’s a lot for the average person to comprehend, let alone watch or read, making it more difficult than ever for brands to get the cut through they want. Welcome to the ‘attention economy’ – a world in which consumer focus is the (increasingly scarce) commodity.
The channel hop challenge
It’s hardly surprising that 41% of people (and 33% of millennials) claim to feel overwhelmed by the sheer wealth of choice on the internet, preferring friends’ recommendations on social media rather than searching for content and products themselves. There is tonnes available in an instant; and today’s restless consumers want to know that if they’re investing time watching or reading something, it’s going to be worth it. One study showed that digital natives (those born in 1990 or later) switched media platforms on average 27 times per hour – that’s about every other minute. Those born before 1990 switched 17 times per hour on average, which translates to a 30% decrease in attention span.
The brand battle
Trying to win the elusive attention of your audience is nothing new for marketers. But today, there is such volume of content and consumer messages available in one place that advertising risks getting pushed to the side or buried under mountains of other content. For brands that want to reach audiences at the perfect moment, and delight rather than annoy them, personalisation and relevance is now crucial. It is the only way to ensure ads are seen and not swallowed by an ocean of info.
Where many fall down is the reluctance to accept there are new, more technologically advanced ways to reach and connect with audiences online. In a recent Forrester study, commissioned by Rocket Fuel, only 30% of senior marketers said they use their data to understand the needs of their customer. In addition, 63% of those surveyed said they find it difficult to personalise adverts due to a lack of insights. This has to change if brands want to reach individuals at the precise moment they are ready to respond to an ad, deliver the right message wherever consumers might be on their journey, and stay ahead of competitors.
The intelligent answer
In today’s crowded online world, the only way to achieve this kind of reach, visibility, and connectivity is with the power of artificial intelligence (AI). It is not optional. The tech allows brands and marketers to identify the behavioural patterns of their consumers before searching the internet for near-infinite new customers who share similar characteristics, at speed and scale. When customers are so easily distracted, technology that learns the moments users are most likely to respond is essential. We call this Predictive Marketing – the concept of organising oceans of data then using it to pick the moments that matter for brands and consumers.
Of course, for ads to resonate, we need to do more than simply serve an ad at the right time. Fortunately, we can take a step further with ‘dynamic creative’, intelligent automation that creates up to 36 ad sizes and formats, covering every major device without the need for human intervention. Like Predictive, it’s always on, 24/7, and delivering adverts in real time. The dynamic creative optimisation process picks out the product most likely to be successful, dropping it into the right ads, at the right time, for the right user. Thousands of times, every millisecond. This is impossible to do without machine learning, and it means people see something that interests them, at the right time – making them more likely to take the next step in the journey.
In the attention economy, we expect content to be personalised, but are still surprised when ads resonate. It’s bred a routine of wilful ignorance, which is why the brands that deliver messages to the right audience at the right time will have their customers doing a double take.
There’s no way to stem the flow of content. So, if you can’t beat it, join it, by making sure you’re delivering creative that connects at the precise moment your customer is ready to receive it. The result will be higher engagement, increased sales and, most importantly, the chance to be seen and heard above the noise.


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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – O’Reilly Automotive reported a 3 percent increase in first-quarter 2017 revenue and profit, but other metrics fell short of the company’s expectations.
Growth in comparable store sales – a measurement of the change in sales for stores open at least one year – slowed to 0.8 percent, down from 6.1 percent in first-quarter 2016 and below O’Reilly’s already lowered guidance of 2 percent to 4 percent.
Although diluted earnings per share (EPS) were up 9 percent to $2.83, the increase ended O’Reilly’s streak of 32 consecutive quarters of 15 percent or greater EPS growth.
In the company’s Q1 earnings call, O’Reilly CEO Greg Henslee said mild winter weather in January and February, and delays in tax refunds for early filers, hurt the company’s results.
“We saw business improved markedly toward the end of February as our customers began to receive these income tax refunds,” Henslee added. “However, this positive trend was halted at the beginning of March as a result of cold wet weather, including late winter storms in many of our markets. This type of weather would have been a positive in January or February, but was a significant headwind to our business in much of March as customers awaited spring weather. When we look at our by-category sales, this unusual weather drove softness in weather-sensitive categories like engine cooling, rotating electrical and anti-freeze.”
Despite the challenges, Henslee praised the company’s “expense-control culture” for generating a nearly 19 percent operating profit.
“While we are obviously not pleased with our comparable store sales performance in the first quarter, we remain extremely confident in not only our business model and industry-leading supply chain but also our team of outstanding parts professionals and the Team O’Reilly culture they live every day across our company,” Henslee said. “As we move past the short-term pressures we faced in the first quarter, we believe we are very well-positioned to grow our market share by continuing to leverage our industry-leading distribution model and providing the unsurpassed levels of customer service that has put us in the industry-leading position we’ve maintained the past several years.”
Sales increased from $2.10 billion in Q1 2016 to to $2.16 billion in Q1 2017, while gross profit increased from $1.10 billion to $1.13 billion.


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The governor of Massachusetts attempted to close gun stores in his state because of the coronavirus, but a federal judge just shot him down.
The judge ruled Thursday that Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, had placed an unjustified burden on the Constitutional right of Massachusetts residents, Breitbart reported. The decision marks a victory for civil libertarians who are concerned about government overreach in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Judge rules against governor
According to Breitbart, the Trump administration had listed gun stores as “essential” in their coronavirus response guidelines, but that didn’t stop Gov. Baker from classifying them as “non-essential” in his shutdown order, causing a group of gun store owners and Second Amendment advocates to file suit.
The aggrieved parties have now had their day in court, and the judge sided in their favor, holding that the governor went too far in limiting the right to self-defense guaranteed by the Second Amendment. U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock found that the executive order’s ban on gun stores had no relevance with respect to actually fighting the virus, according to the Boston Globe.
“There’s no justification here between the goals of the emergency declared by the Commonwealth and the burdening of the constitutional rights of the defendants in this narrow area,” Judge Woodlock said.
The Second Amendment Foundation, which filed the lawsuit, hailed the judge’s ruling, Breitbart reported.
“We are delighted at the decision by U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock and the swiftness with which it was reached. Constitutional rights are never put on hold because of an emergency, including the outbreak of a virus. Too many elected officials think otherwise, and we’re having to deal with them one lawsuit a time, same as we’re taking on Governor Baker,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of the group.
The judge ruled that gun stores, upon opening up, must implement social distancing practices and that business must be conducted by appointment only, according to Boston CBS affiliate WBZ-TV. On Saturday, gun stores were clear to open again, although some shop owners expressed discontent with the fact that their businesses were targeted in the first place, Masslive.com reported.
“We’re just happy to be able to open,” said Toby Leary, co-owner of Cape Gun Works and a party to the lawsuit. “I’m sad it really took suing the government to get there for something that seemed so obvious to us.”
With anger rising against lockdowns, many Americans have complained about the seemingly arbitrary distinctions between “essential” and “nonessential” business. Many have said that churches, gun stores, and other institutions have been singled out unfairly, as establishments such as liquor stores and pot dispensaries remain open.
As for Gov. Baker, he said that he will “comply with whatever” the judge’s order mandates.
Good on this judge for upholding the Constitution. The rights of Americans are not up for grabs.


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Payment giant Visa reportedly expects to sort out its dispute with e-commerce major Amazon.com over credit card fee.
The firm hopes to continue its co-branded credit card partnership with Amazon in the US, Visa CFO Vasant Prabhu told Reuters.
Last week, Amazon said that it is planning to stop accepting payments made via Visa credit cards in the UK starting from next January.
This decision is part of American e-commerce giant’s move against high credit card fee charged by Visa.
According to Amazon, the credit card fee should be ”going down over time with technological advancements, but instead they continue to stay high or even rise.”
The firm also said last week that it is considering pulling out of its credit card partnership with Visa in the US and is currently in talks with both Mastercard and Visa on the same.
Prabhu told the news agency: “It is our expectation that there will be a resolution so that UK consumers are not impacted.
“We hope to get to the point where our relationship with Amazon goes back to being what it was.”
Separately, Visa CEO Al Kelly criticised Visa’s decision as ‘odd and unfortunate’ in an interview with Financial Times.
Kelly told the publication: “What’s different here is that Amazon unfortunately decided to take the negotiation challenges that we’re having public and oddly has chosen to threaten to punish consumers.”
Last year, Amazon removed Apple Card as a payment option for some users as result of a technical issue.


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Insect farming companies have closed a few big venture rounds in the past 18 months: France’s Ynsect, South Africa’s AgriProtein, Canada’s Enterra. What they all have in common is that they’re in the business of producing high-quality protein to feed the protein sources humans consume, like feed for fish or poultry farms.
Netherlands-based Protifarm has caught investor interest by taking insect protein straight to humans. The company raised an undisclosed amount of Series B funding to scale up its farm in Ermelo, in eastern Netherlands, and begin exporting its beetle-based “tofu” and protein powders to ingredients buyers outside of Europe. Protifarm’s CEO Tom Mohrmann says the round was well above the $10 million mark reported elsewhere.
Oost NL, the East Netherlands Development Agency, backed the round, alongside several unnamed investors.
Protifarm raises the beetle species alphitobius diaperinus, more commonly known as the “buffalo beetle” or (enticingly) the “litter beetle.” It raises the females and harvests their larvae for production into soluble powders that can be mixed into items like nutrition bars and sports drinks, and also into a tofu-like protein cake that Protifarm claims can be cooked or grilled like meat.
Operating at full capacity, the company’s 3,000-square-meter facility can raise enough bugs to meet the daily protein requirements of 90,000 people.
Insects and the “vegan lifestyle”
Protifarm’s general rationale for insect farming is the same as feed-based insect farmers: bugs are packed with nutrients; they multiply quickly and have short lifecycles; they require far fewer resources to raise than other animals, emit minimal amounts of CO2, and also solve another problem: they can consume waste.
But bugs also fit with another trend: what Protifarm’s CEO Tom Mohrmann calls (somewhat controversially) a “vegan lifestyle.”
“The number of vegetarians and vegans isn’t growing that much. What is growing is the number of people with that lifestyle,” Mohrmann tells AFN, perhaps referring to what’s more commonly known as flexitarianism. That means healthier food choices and conscious meat consumption. It’s a trend supported by the weekly tide of alternative-protein venture capital news. (This week’s exhibits: plant-based ingredients company Nutriati’s $12.7 million Series C round, plant-based meat company Meatable’s $10 million seed round, and Perfect Day’s $140 million Series C.)
But growth of the vegan protein sector doesn’t mean consumers are eliminating meat and animal products from their diets. “There’s a high correlation between vegan [product sales] and expensive meat,” Mohrmann claims. “That’s to do with choosing healthy and sustainable foods. People want to change their lifestyles.”
Insects fit into that picture for all of the aforementioned reasons around waste and resources. Mohrmann also argues that many of the ethical issues around animal consumption don’t apply to insects. The beetles Protifarm raises naturally have short life-cycles—28 days—and live in densely-packed colonies amid their own food and waste streams.
“For this species, if you pull them apart, they’ll all be on top of each other again in a minute. That’s their optimal climate,” explains Mohrmann. “It’s not like bringing animals together on a small piece of land.”
He adds: “But yes, we are killing billions of animals. I can’t argue that.”
Netherlands loves bugs?
Protifarm isn’t the first to use insect farming to bring new protein products to the mass market. Indeed, the company got its start in earnest with the acquisition of Kreca Netherlands, a decades-old insect ingredient and feed producer, in 2014.
The Netherlands hosts a number of other companies selling bug-based products and ingredients for human consumption: Tjirp makes cricket-based Dutch croquettes, or “bitterballen”, De Krekerij makes cricket burgers, and Cricket One (based also in Vietnam) takes a similar approach to Protifarm, selling cricket-based powders as a food ingredient.
Few have announced sizable funding rounds, however. Mohrmann says he believes Protifarm’s market advantage is that they have operations that can produce both at scale and affordably for the consumer market.
“If you’re selling two burgers in the grocery store for €8, that can never be sustained,” he says, alluding to the cost of other alternative-protein retail products. “Insects will always be niche and a little more expensive [than other protein sources], but our objective is to offer affordable ingredients to the market.”
To deliver affordable products, Protifarm has to scale-up its operations enough that it can run cost-effectively. The key to doing that is high-tech facilities and operational automation, says Mohrmann, who adds that this is also the only way to safely rear and scale from millions to billions of organisms. Protifarm’s facility in Ermelo is a fully “robotized” vertical farm, which is well suited for buffalo beetles because they naturally live in close proximity to one another.
“If the food industry wants to do this at large scale, there has to be automation. Otherwise you’re hiring hundreds of people,” Mohrmann says.
Mohrmann adds, however, that some manual farming processes must still be translated; the few people working on Protifarm’s site are in tune with the conditions and issues in the vertical facility and the overall wellness of the animals.
Sort-of natural selection
One of Protifarm’s other potential advantages in achieving scale is its use of selective breeding to decrease the life-cycle of the buffalo beetles it raises. It has reduced the bugs on its farm to a 21-day life cycle—a process made possible only because of the insects’ already short lifecycle.
“That’s just through natural selection, not genetic modification. We have been developing the stronger animals that can convert faster to the pupae phase”—when insects reach maturity—“and grow faster,” Mohrmann explains. “When you can increase your capacity by 25%, that’s massive.”
Protifarm’s products are currently being used in health bars, pastas, burgers, and sports nutrition products across Europe, including the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain.
The company intends to use the funding round to ramp up production at its Ermelo facility, which is currently operating at 50% capacity, and to begin developing relationships with ingredients buyers in North America and Asia.


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Samsung on Monday introduced four new budget-friendly Galaxy smartphones in the form of the Galaxy Core II, Galaxy Star 2, Galaxy Ace 4, and Galaxy Young 2. Powered by Android 4.4 KitKat with Samsung’s TouchWiz Essence UI, these will likely be positioned in emerging markets or places where the Moto E and Nokia X2 might be offered. What’s more, they might be sold alongside some [Read More...]
As expected, Microsoft on Tuesday announced its latest Android smartphone in the form of an entry-level Nokia X2. Slated for release in July, the handset features a 4.3-inch ClearBlack display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 processor with 1GB RAM, and a 5-megapixel/1-megapixel camera duo.
The Nokia X2 will feature three home screen layouts, including one (Fastlane) that looks quite a bit like the Windows Phone experience. Users [Read More...]
A big part of tonight’s T-Mobile Uncarrier 5 announcement was about the new Wideband LTE network and the VoLTE expansion. Apart from all the funny dialog and fancy slides, CTO Neville Ray took the time to tell us exactly where we’ll see these big changes. We’ve posted the lists from his announcement below.
HTC may be preparing another “Butterfly” handset for Asian markets, if Twitter leaks from a usually reliable source are to be believed. @LlabTooFeR writes that a device codenamed “B2″ will be the next phone in the Butterfly series, sporting similar hardware specs to the company’s flagship One M8. Like previous Butterfly devices, it’s said to have a glossy (likely plastic) chassis, and should be aimed primarily at Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Secret is a popular iOS app that lets you share things with others without having your name added to whatever is published. Today’s news is not only has the service managed to pull off $ 10 million in funding, but we’ll be seeing an Android app released in the future as well as more markets added to the supported list. Think of this a an anonymous social network. Currently, Secret operates in the US.
Sprint today announced 20 more markets that can now take advantage of 4G LTE data speeds. The additions are in a smattering of cities nationwide, from Bakersfield to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and added Sprint Spark in Provo, Utah, and Trenton, N.J. The additions give Sprint a total of 402 LTE markets in the U.S.
Sprint on Monday confirmed another 20 markets across the U.S. have officially seen its 4G LTE speeds. What’s more, the carrier also indicates the tri-band Spark network speeds have reached 18 markets in total.
…in such locations as Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk, Conn.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Omaha, Neb.; Peoria, Ill.; and Sarasota/Bradenton, Fla. Sprint expects to cover 250 million people with 4G LTE by mid-year. Sprint today also announced Sprint Spark™ in Provo, Utah, and Trenton, N.J,…
Looking ahead, Sprint expects to have [Read More...]
Canada is once again getting a jump on its neighbors to the south when it comes to carrier competition. Though the first major LTE network in North America was launched in the United States, Canada can [Read More...]
It’s that time of month again: Verizon says it will flip the LTE switch in five new markets tomorrow, while expanding coverage in three existing areas. New to the LTE game are:
Glens Falls, N.Y. Utica, N.Y. Lawton, Okla. Brownsville, Texas McAllen, Texas
Those markets soon to see stronger and more widespread LTE signals include:
Atlanta, Ga. Houston, Texas Spokane, Wash.
For those keeping count, this brings the total number of markets [Read More...]
Now this is interesting. Seems that some of you who have purchased apps from the Amazon Appstore are starting to see conflicts with the Android Market. A couple scenarios appear to be playing out. In some instances, the Android Market sees an app that was purchased from the Amazon Appstore, knows an updated version is available, but then fails on updating because the app wasn’t actually purchased from the Android Market. [Read More...]


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Diageo Americas supply, Inc. has filed a declaratory judgment action against the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission director challenging the constitutionality of a 1937 law that requires licensed alcohol beverage makers in the state to store their products “only within the county authorizing the operation or in a county adjacent to the county authorizing the manufacturing operation, and such possession shall be limited to storage facilities of such manufacturer” (storage Law). Diageo Americas Supply, Inc. d/b/a George A. Dickel & Co. v. Bell, No. 14-0873 (U.S. Dist. Ct., M.D. Tenn., filed March 28, 2014).
Alleging that the law has never been enforced, the complaint includes the defendant’s March 20 letter warning the company that it was in violation of the storage Law because it “is storing product (manufactured/distilled alcoholic beverages) produced at its Tullahoma, Tennessee, distillery in warehouses located in Louisville, Kentucky.” According to the company, most of its distilled alcohol beverages are stored on-site in Tennessee, but it has transported “some Distilled spirits manufactured at its George Dickel Distillery (other than George Dickel® Tennessee Whisky) to a company-owned distillery in Kentucky and stores those Distilled spirits there.”
The company contends that the law violates its Commerce Clause and Due Process rights under the u.s. Constitution, arguing that it would have to incur costs to move the Kentucky-stored spirits back to Tennessee, perhaps requiring the construction of additional storage capacity or a reduction in its manufacturing output in Tennessee with a consequent loss of jobs in the state. According to the complaint, the law “prevents Dickel from transporting its products out-of-state for storage and accordingly prevents the move- ment of commercial goods in interstate commerce.” seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, the company also claims that the law “mandates differential treatment of similarly-situated licensees who manufacture alcohol beverages in Tennessee..”


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At 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chief of police Allen Hill sent an email to all UWL students about fraudulent phone calls being made to the UWL community. These calls were made to scam people into believing they need COVID-19 testing and the fraudulent caller tried to get personal information.
“The UWL Police Department received information this morning that one of our community members received a fraudulent phone call about COVID-19 testing. The fraudster knew that our community member was associated with UWL, and stated that they needed to be tested for COVID-19 right away. Our community member was threatened with being jailed if they did not agree to the testing. This unsolicited phone call was an attempt to steal money and gather sensitive personal information.
Please be aware that these scams are on the rise, and do not give out personal information on the phone or by email. The ultimate goal of these scams is to get credit card information. Currently, there isn’t a cure for COVID-19 and no home test kits. If you receive a phone call regarding COVID-19 regarding testing or treatments, hang up and block the number. If you receive an email regarding COVID-19 testing or cures, delete the email and do not click on any links or attachments.
Some examples of COVID-19 scams include:
Treatment scams: Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home through several platforms. Go to:
Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at [email protected]
Report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov
If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint through https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx”
The UWL community has not been the only community to experience fraudulent calls related to COVID-19.
If you believe you have been scammed, contact local law enforcement. The Federal Communications Commission has posted tips to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams:
“Do not respond to calls or texts from unknown numbers, or any others that appear suspicious.
Never share your personal or financial information via email, text messages, or over the phone.
Be cautious if you’re being pressured to share any information or make a payment immediately.
Scammers often spoof phone numbers to trick you into answering or responding. Remember that government agencies will never call you to ask for personal information or money.
Do not click any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.
Always check on a charity (for example, by calling or looking at its actual website) before donating. (Learn more about charity scams.)”
Visit the FCC COVID-19 website to listen to COVID-19 audio scam examples.
For more information on COVID-19 and UWL’s actions toward it, visit UWL’s COVID-19 response planning website.


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Whole Foods' spread across the District continues: The high-end organic grocer is coming to the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.
Whole Foods had signed a lease for a new building at 800 New Jersey Ave. SE, a representative for developer W.C. Smith confirmed at the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D meeting Monday night.
The grocery store had been rumored to be interested in the neighborhood for several years, including more than two years ago. ANC 6D commissioner David Garber had been hinting on Twitter in recent days that the deal was done.
A previous effort to bring Whole Foods to the project fell apart in 2011 when the developer opted not to seek $8 million in tax breaks for the project.
Whole Foods is also rumored to be the grocery anchor the redevelopment of the old Murry's Grocery Store property on H Street NE, although that lease has not yet been confirmed.


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The PMR.africa Business Excellence Awards ceremony was held at the Randpark Golf Club on 31 August 2015, and the Johannesburg Expo Centre is pleased to announce that it achieved an outstanding rating of 4.10 out of 5.00 in the category for the top exhibitions and events venue, taking home the coveted Diamond Arrow award.
The PMR.africa magazine, which has been in existence for 25 years, publishes the survey results of its research projects, promoting companies, departments and institutions as entities for outstanding business. The purpose of the ceremony is to reward companies for excellence achieved in particular competencies.
“PMR.africa encourages companies to use the award as a unique marketing tool to enhance their competitiveness, both globally and locally,” explains chief executive officer Johan Hattingh.
“More importantly, it should be used to thank all personnel and staff for helping to illustrate that the company, department or institution is an undisputed leader in its respective industry.
“This is because we believe that behind each successful and highly-rated entity, there is a successful and hard-working team.”
This is a sentiment shared by JEC chief executive officer Craig Newman who accepted the award on behalf of the Expo Centre team.
“This award is the result of hard work by a wonderful group of people,” he says. “It’s for the people working behind the scenes so they know that what they do is valued, acknowledged and rewarded. It is also for our prospective clients whom we wish to convince of our ability to deliver.”
The PMR.africa awards are the culmination of a research process whereby companies and institutions are given a rating based on South African respondents’ perceptions of specific attributes or criteria, with a strong emphasis on evaluating and measuring customer service and customer satisfaction.
“The award is valuable in many ways,” says Mr Hattingh. “It can be referred to in any advertising or promotional material, which helps to create brand awareness and sets a benchmark for the industry, representing a goal for others to aspire to.
“Above all, the awards signify competitiveness, effectiveness, excellence, leadership, resilience, excellent customer service and customer satisfaction.”
The Sandton Convention Centre won Gold, achieving a rating of 3.85 out of 5.00, but it was the JEC that came out on top, winning its 3rd Diamond Arrow award and 5th PMR.africa award in total.
“The last time we achieved a first place was in 2011, so we are very happy to have done it again,” says Mr Newman. “It confirms to us that we are delivering on our objectives and it motivates us to raise the bar even higher.”
August was a jam-packed month for the Expo Centre with several exciting events taking place. From 14-16 August, the JEC hosted the renowned Johannesburg Boat Show featuring the Outdoor Lifestyle Show.
Visitors were able to peruse a variety of sleek new boats, including luxury high-performance boats and ski boats while Kia Motors displayed their latest products and offered test drives. The show also included fishing and diving exhibits, outdoor food, as well as braai exhibits.
“It is always well worth our time, money and effort to exhibit at the JHB Boat Show,” said a representative of Lowrance SA. “Not only does it give us a chance to expose interested customers to our offerings, but it allows us to meet with other dealers in the industry. We will definitely be back.”
The Fun & Biz Show, which aims to promote popular entertainment facilities in South Africa, took place from 13-15 August and attracted representatives from industries such as tourist attractions, design and planning, amusement park equipment, arcade game machines, stage equipment, vending and retailing equipment.
“We were excited to host our event at the Expo Centre and I am happy to say that we were not disappointed,” says Adrian Chan, organiser of the Fun & Biz Show.
“We appreciate the excellent hospitality we have received from the JEC and its staff. It makes all the difference to the event if the venue is organised and efficient.”
The Expo Centre was proud to host its second successful Jehovah’s Witness Church Convention from 21-23 August 2015.
“More than 60 000 people attended the event, and more than 4 000 cars were parked inside the venue,” says Mr Newman. “Its ample facilities make the JEC the perfect venue to host an event of this magnitude.”
Says Andre Botha, contract manager for the Jehovah’s Witness Convention: “We would like to formally thank the JEC and their staff for their excellent hospitality and professionalism.
“We have come to expect a certain standard from the venue and we have never been disappointed.”


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Clear Mini Mirth from Triplikid
Triplikid is excited to announce the release of their new Clear Mini Mirth figure that will be released on Friday September 16th 2016 at 1PM EST. Standing in at 2.5 inches tall, this water clear and downsized variant of "Mirth" will be limited to a run of 9 pieces. The figure can be ordered at Triplikid's Store for $45.00 shipped within the US. Any international inquiries should be made before hand by contacting Triplikid directly at triplikid (at) gmail.com.


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Mother daughter duo Bridget and Izabella Thynne are behind House of Torso fashion label which is set to launch its collection on November 23. Izabella Thynne is following in her mother Bridget’s footsteps to create meaningful designs to complement distinctive body types, skin tones and personalities. They call these `The core qualities’.
Originally launched in 1990 by Bridget Thynne, House of Torso was in the midst of the new and evolving world of spandex. Bridget brought what was then known as aerobic wear to Brisbane where she was working and manufacturing from home with three other employees. They were being sold to over 30 stores ranging from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Now, 20 years later, daughter Izabella Thynne is relaunching with the mindset to create garments that carry on to the street and represent her roots of South of France.
House of Torso envisions to introduce a brand new ray of Australian made creativity to the world. Inspired by the vibes of French Riviera, CEO Izabella Thynne hopes to create her own path within the fashion industry. House of Torso is working to bring a diverse and luxurious range of garments that men and women of all ages, all styles and all genders are able to wear in and out of the gym. Not only this, but Bella has big plans on keeping the original 90s vibes in her collections, with a modern and sustainable twist.
Not only this, but young Thynne is creating a business through conscious and mindful practices, with the goal to reduce carbon footprints as much as she can. She aims to educate and inspire our loving customers to not only feel good wearing our products, but feel good buying them too. Five per cent of every purchase goes directly to The Great Barrier Reef foundation.
With more than 60 reef-saving initiatives being implemented right now, this foundation is the Reef action centre, bringing people and scientists together to preserve this invaluable ecosystem and its aquatic animals, she says.
Readers also enjoyed our story about Summer on Edward Street


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In a step that moves a new industry closer to commercial reality, the premier federal food-safety agencies agreed on Thursday on how to jointly regulate cell-based meat, a laboratory-grown protein that farm groups call “fake meat.” The FDA will oversee cell collection and growth, while the USDA will oversee harvesting and processing, and have final say over labeling.
Next week, FERN is headed to Austin, where I’m moderating two panels at SXSW! One of them — The Future of Big Food: What’s at Stake? — will take on big questions about where Big Food companies are headed. As eaters increasingly want transparency about ingredients, healthier options, and more sustainable packaging, where does that leave manufacturers? And will new labeling regulations shift the grocery environment? (No paywall)
Just south of the Oregon border in Macdoel, California, the Prather Ranch has made a successful business not just selling top quality beef — but parts for the medical industry. "The hides are used to make purified collagen used in cell research. And the bones? Some have been made into screws for knee surgery," reports Lisa Morehouse in FERN's latest story, produced in collaboration with KQED's The California Report.
To cut antibiotics use in poultry production, large-scale producers are turning to slower-growing heritage chicken breeds, reports Maryn McKenna, in FERN's latest story with EatingWell magazine. It marks a reversal of the recent production model, which emphasized fast-growing birds.
The U.S. meat industry and nascent competitor Memphis Meats agreed on a standard name — “cell-based meat and poultry” — for food produced from lab-cultured animal cells on Thursday and proposed joint FDA and USDA regulation of cell-based meat.
The world’s top five meat and dairy companies — JBS, Tyson, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, and Fonterra — emit more greenhouse gases between them than ExxonMobil, Shell, or BP, according to a new report from the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy and GRAIN.
The field of lab-grown meat is "dynamic," "complex" and "evolving," said FDA leaders in declaring the agency, which regulates most of the food supply, has the technical expertise and the statutory authority to regulate so-called clean meat. The cattle industry protested that the USDA is in charge of meat safety.
An analysis of 60 global meat and fish producers found that 36 companies worth $136 billion were a "high risk" for investors, because they failed to address a range of sustainability issues including greenhouse gas emissions, animal welfare, antibiotics use, worker conditions, and food safety, said the Farm Animal Investment Risk & Return (FAIRR) Initiative.
The U.S. hog inventory is up 3 percent from a year ago, according to a quarterly report by USDA. Beef and poultry production are also expanding, leading USDA to forecast a nearly 4-percent increase in the meat supply this year. The increase is so large that per capita meat consumption is expected to increase by 5.6 pounds, to 222.4 pounds per person.
The U.S. Cattlemen's Association petitioned the USDA to establish label requirements for laboratory-grown meat and alternative proteins, said the weekly Tri-State Livestock News, of Belle Fourche, S.D. "We look forward to working with the agency to rectify the misleading labeling of 'beef' products that are made with plant or insect protein or grown in a Petri dish," said USCA president Kenny Graner.


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According to a study conducted by Wordline India, UPI has emerged as the most widely used form of digital transaction in 2022 in India. The study notes that over Rs 126 trillion was transferred using UPI within India, which is a 76% increase from 2021. The majority of these transactions, approximately 66%, were people-to-people transfers using UPI, while 18% of the transactions were made to merchants such as local grocery stores, jewelry shops, or online retailers. The research also highlights that the number of shops using QR codes has grown by 37% compared to 2021, reaching 7.6 million. The average transaction size for people-to-people transfers was Rs 2,753, while for transfers to merchants, it was around Rs 687.
The CEO of Worldline India, Ramesh Narasimhan, expressed amazement at the progress made in the digital payments ecosystem in India over the past few years, and noted that the adoption of multiple payment solutions is a boon for realizing the dream of a less-cash India.
Private banks lead in providing service for UPI transactions, with HDFC Bank having 20% of the share, followed by Axis Bank and ICICI Bank. The only state-owned bank that had a substantial contribution in this area was State Bank of India with 15% market share. Credit cards come after UPI with about 9% share in the digital transactions space. The report stated that while UPI is the preferred mode for smaller transactions, bigger transactions are done using credit cards.


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) -- A new index measuring U.S. consumers' financial health shows that the situation isn't great, but may be on the mend.
The Consumer Distress Index, developed by the nonprofit group CredAbility, combines measures of wealth, income, spending, credit, housing and employment to show how the average consumer's balance sheet is holding up.
The index shows consumers were still in a "distressed/unstable" area last quarter, where they have been since the fall of 2008. But things have improved slightly since the last three months of 2009, which may have represented a trough.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, elevated unemployment remains the key drag on consumers' financial health. Nevada -- which has the highest foreclosure and jobless rates in the country -- is the only state that's in the "emergency/crisis" level of distress.
"To use a medical analogy, the patient is still in critical condition," says Mark Cole, CredAbility's chief operating officer, who calculates the index. "Until housing and employment markets improve significantly, we cannot expect to see significant recovery in these numbers."
Cole has been working with consumers as a credit counselor for decades and said in an interview that financial difficulties have spread into new consumer brackets. Those who had been employed with "six-figure income" before the crisis erupted have drained their savings and are more worried about their financial health than low-income consumers.
Overall, the index rose by 0.2 points to 65.2 during the period ended in June. It's down from a height of 79.1 during the first quarter of 2007 but up from a level of 64.0 during the last three months of 2009.
A level of 70 is the breaking point between "weakening/at-risk" and "distressed/unstable." Despite the country's economic woes, U.S. consumers haven't fallen below the barrier of 60, which would indicate an "emergency/crisis" situation, like the one Nevada faces.
Some other key findings amid the index's components: Housing has improved due to opportunistic purchases and the expiration of federal incentives. Overall consumer credit has changed little throughout the crisis, because great improvements for creditworthy borrowers has offset delinquencies and defaults. After more a year of "hoarding cash," in Cole's words, consumers recently started to spend again, causing great concern about household budgets.
Also telling is that, even at the tail end of the bubble era in 2006 and 2007, the Consumer Distress Index indicated that consumers were "weakening/at-risk."
The consumer-distress data are useful not just for economic observers, but for investors tracking the recovery: The healthier consumers are, the better for consumer-products companies like
Procter & Gamble
, retailers like
or banks like
Bank of America
that are waiting for signs of a recovery to start lending to consumers again.
CredAbility first unveiled the index in late-May. The agency, which assists 750,000 distressed borrowers each year, calculates the index in a proprietary manner using hard data on consumers' financial condition, rather than sentiment, as other popular consumer indexes do.
--Written by Lauren Tara LaCapra in New York.
>To contact the writer of this article, click here:
Lauren Tara LaCapra
>To follow the writer on Twitter, go to
>To submit a news tip, send an email to:
Disclosure: TheStreet's editorial policy prohibits staff editors, reporters and analysts from holding positions in any individual stocks.


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Wireless Power Harvesting
At Consumer Electronics Show 2022, we have noticed the best technologies and futuristic devices to revolutionize the tech industry.
One of the surprising things announced at CES 2022 is a new wireless power harvesting technology. Can we power the smart home with ambient waves, then there is hope for us!
Smart Home Security Systems are designed to keep our homes safe from different things. We can even keep an eye on things remotely using our smartphones through smart cameras.
Samsung has showcased a new technology that powers the remote control itself through wireless waves. The remote control doesn’t even require an external battery to operate as it keeps on recharging through the wireless waves.
The company may introduce the same technology on all its television range, which can eliminate the need of using batteries in the remote control to control the television sets.
This could reduce the consumption of batteries at least for Samsung TV users. The same technology may adopt by other manufacturers in the coming future.
This could save you a few bucks as you need not replace the batteries of your TV’s remote control. It will ultimately help the planet as there will be no need for physical batteries.
But can the same techniques apply to other smart home devices such as the smart doorbell, smart security cameras, and all?
If we talk about the waves, we all are covered with different types of electromagnetic waves, such as wireless waves, FM waves, and waves that come from the Television.
What if we can use these electromagnetic waves to recharge our smart home devices? Doesn’t it look amazing?
If we talk about the past, Nikola Tesla had thought about the same by providing power to the cities through wireless transmission.
The same idea is now adopted by Samsung with their new Remote Control that can recharge itself through the Wireless Waves.
At least we are nearby this technology to use on a big scale in the coming years.
A few electronics giants have already started utilizing this thought and now coming up with self-recharging devices or battery-free remoted controls on their remote controls.
What is Wireless Power Harvesting?
Power harvesting is a new technology that could fetch power from electromagnetic waves to fuel different devices.
The transmission provides you with the harvested power which means you can harvest the power through the transmission of the waves.
The power we can pull is minimal, we can utilize the same technology to design self-recharging devices such as remote control and other small equipment.
It does look impossible; however, Wiliot has designed a self-powered computer. Yes, the new full-blown computer can recharge on its own through electromagnetic waves or we can say ambient waves.
The printed stickers are designed to recognize such ambient waves from nearby systems. The stickers can communicate with the signals and this is how the computer system can charge.
The stickers cost you a few bucks only, but it is all worth it as you could recharge the entire computer system without the power outlet or charger.
Atmosic has designed Bluetooth 5 Chips that self-recharges through power ambient.
This technology is utilized by the chipmaker to power the keyboard and eliminate the need for external batteries. The company has been working on its new generation of battery-free Keyboards using ambient waves.
The Ambient Power Technology is adopted by many electronics brands and they have already begun working on their futuristic devices using the same technology.
Since the technology pulls up only minimal power, we have to set up a set of transmitters and receivers at both ends to generate more power to run heavy-power devices.
When will the Wireless Power Harvesting Technology Be Implemented?
Many tech reporters have been questioning the implementation of this ambient wave technology at a larger scale. The technology is limited to powering the remote controls and keyboards only.
Smart Home devices and Smart Home Security Systems require a constant power supply.
We can’t use the ambient waves to recharge these devices as ambient waves fluctuate which couldn’t provide the required power to the smart home devices and smart home security system.
Besides this, the ambient waves have to face many obstacles throughout the journey. There has to be a standard to pass the ambient waves generated by other systems.
The Bottom Line:
We have to wait for a couple of more years to see this Wireless Power Harvesting Technology in real-life to power the Smart Home devices.
The amount of power we get from the ambient waves is not sufficient for smart cameras and other equipment.
The technology is being tested by many manufacturers in their upcoming devices. They will surely come up with positive results to bring battery-less smart home devices in the coming years.


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[Gizmodo] Which Tech Companies Protect Your Data From the Government?
The Electronic Frontier Foundation just released its annual "Who Has Your Back" report card, detailing the privacy policies of tech companies. Here's the rundown of who fights for your privacy in the face of government requests for your data—and who doesn't even bother. [...]
In this annual report, the Electronic Frontier Foundation examined the policies of major Internet companies — including ISPs, email providers, cloud storage providers, location-based services, blogging platforms, and social networking sites — to assess whether they publicly commit to standing with users when the government seeks access to user data. The purpose of this report is to incentivize companies to be transparent about how data flows to the government and encourage them to take a stand for user privacy whenever it is possible to do so. [...]


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Bernard J. Wolfson, senior correspondent and columnist for California Healthline, reports on the business of health care and writes a monthly consumer health column, “Asking Never Hurts.” Previously, Bernard was the business editor of the Orange County Register and its health care reporter, covering the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, along with two Register colleagues, for a groundbreaking report on cost vs. quality at 30 local hospitals.
A group of emergency physicians and consumer advocates in multiple states are pushing for stiffer enforcement of decades-old statutes that prohibit the ownership of medical practices by corporations not owned by licensed doctors. Thirty-three states plus the District of Columbia have rules on their books against the so-called corporate practice of medicine. But over the years, […]


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We have to applaud Dior on their latest announcement – Jennifer Lawrence is the is the new face of Dior Addict Lipstick. We’re just surprised, the decision wasn’t made sooner.
Already a very successful ambassador for the fashion house since October 2012 – the Hunger Games actress is brand loyal, only wearing Dior on the red carpet – the choice to make Jennifer Lawrence the face of the beauty side as well is a wise move with the 24-year-old proving to be a strong role model. Everyone J’adores JLaw!
As part of her involvement with the House of Dior, Jennifer will appear in a series of commercials and a custom-made print campaign for the brand-engaging young, confident women who exude the vibrant, seductive flair of Dior Addict make-up.
In the first, recently released, advert (main image) the Oscar-winning actress positively smoulders while wearing Dior make-up, including bronze eyeshadow, peach blush, and, most importantly, bubblegum gloss. The lipstick is just one of 44 shades that will be featured in the relaunched Dior Addict Lipstick Collection.
Following in the footsteps of fellow Hollywood beauties, including Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, it’s no surprise that Jennifer was chosen to become the face of Dior Addict. Back in early 2014, she had extended her contract with Dior for another three years — and it only seemed natural that the partnership would progress from her initial deal to promote the Miss Dior line.
Jennifer has been a popular ambassador for the brand, so much so that even during her infamous fall on stage to collect her Oscar at the 2013 Academy Awards the image was rapidly converted into a meme to look like a stunning Dior advert.
It’s been a positive year for Jennifer who was recently named on of the highest paid actress in Hollywood. After leaked Sony files revealed she and American Hustler co-star Amy Adams were paid significantly less than the male cast, she has been an ardent advocate for equal rights, saying in an interview: “If you’re doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way.” Now, it seems she is being heard. According to the Daily Mail, Chris Martin’s rumoured beau is set to earn around double the amount of money that her male counterpart, Chris Pratt, will earn in the upcoming film Passengers. According to sources she is set to make US$15-20million for the role.
As far as modern feminists go, with think Jennifer Lawrence has what it takes.


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Saturday, July 16, 2011
This vinyl Warui Inu is made in Japan and is a joint release from Medicom Toy, Japan and Kaiju Coup, USA.
The painted prototype will be on display next week at the SDCC in the DRAGATOMI booth # 4935
The first release will be in August / September by lottery in the US and Japan.
[Preview] Medicom Toy x Kaiju Coup Warui Inu
via Kaiju Coup
at 1:05 AM


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The technology industry is constantly evolving, and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and developments. Whether you’re a tech professional, an entrepreneur, or simply someone interested in technology, staying informed about the latest market trends is essential. That’s where Tech Business Insider comes in – a digital media platform that provides its readers with comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest technology and business trends.
So, what exactly is Tech Business Insider? In a nutshell, it’s a platform that provides its readers with the latest and greatest information on technology and business. The site is dedicated to providing its readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest trends, news, and developments in the tech industry. From advancements in virtual and augmented reality to the rise of big data, Tech Business Insider covers it all.
One of the standout features of techbusinesinsider.com is its commitment to staying ahead of the curve. The site’s team of experienced writers and editors are constantly monitoring the latest news and trends, ensuring that its readers are always in the know about the latest developments. For example, when the Internet of Things (IoT) was making headlines, Tech Business Insider was one of the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the technology and its potential impact on various industries.
Another advantage of Tech Business Insider is its in-depth coverage of the technology and business sectors. The platform not only provides news and press releases, but also expert commentary and analysis, giving its readers a deeper understanding of the subject matter. For example, when the rise of artificial intelligence was making waves, Tech Business Insider provided a comprehensive overview of the technology and its potential impact on various industries, helping its readers make informed decisions about this important trend.
Tech Business Insider also prides itself on its impartiality, providing its readers with an unbiased perspective on the latest developments in the tech industry. This is particularly important for those looking to make informed decisions without being swayed by any particular bias or agenda. For example, when there was controversy surrounding the use of big data, Tech Business Insider provided a balanced overview of the technology and its potential impact, helping its readers make informed decisions about this important issue.
In addition to its commitment to impartiality, Tech Business Insider is designed with accessibility in mind. The platform’s clear, concise writing style and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate and understand, regardless of your level of tech knowledge. For example, even if you’re not familiar with the latest advances in blockchain technology, Tech Business Insider provides an accessible overview that helps you understand the technology and its potential applications.
Tech Business Insider is also a great source of inspiration for those looking to start a tech business or pursue a career in the technology industry. With its focus on innovation and cutting-edge technology, the platform provides a wealth of ideas and inspiration for anyone looking to succeed in this field. For example, when the rise of digital currencies was making headlines, Tech Business Insider provided a comprehensive overview of the technology and its potential applications, helping entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts see the opportunities and make informed decisions.
Finally, Tech Business Insider is an excellent resource for keeping up with the latest market trends. With its commitment to staying ahead of the curve, in-depth coverage, impartiality, accessibility, and inspiration, it’s an essential resource for anyone looking to succeed in the tech industry. So, if you’re looking to stay ahead of the game and make informed decisions about the latest trends in technology, be sure to check out Tech Business Insider.
In conclusion, Tech Business Insider is a must-read for anyone looking to stay informed about the latest technology


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ScreenJunkies — the streaming service that features some of your favorite online series, like Honest Trailers and Movie Fights — may be getting an offsite this year.
The company unveiled their Comic-Con 2016 sweeptstakes, which will send one lucky winner and a friend on an all-expense paid trip to the con for a trip that includes flight, hotel accommodations for four days and three nights, $100 per day in spending money, ground transportation, and access to “attend special Screen Junkies events to take place at Comic-Con San Diego on July 23rd through July 25th”.
Now, what are those “special events”? It’s something called ScreenJunkies Central, which ScreenJunkies promises is a “special multi-day event LIVE from San Diego, with exclusive panels, celebrity Q&As, and so much more”.
While the contest doesn’t include badges to San Diego Comic-Con, it is a way to experience some of what the convention has to offer — and depending on the calibre of talent that ScreenJunkies is able to get in, it could be that much better.
There’s no word yet on whether general attendees will be able to attend ScreenJunkies Central, or where it might be located, but we’ll update with more information as it’s available.
You can enter the sweepstakes between now and June 27, 2016. The contest is only open to US residents.


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If you bank at HSBC in England, don’t plan on making any large cash withdrawals. At least not without a good explanation. Or, maybe even a permission slip.
That’s because a previously unannounced change in banking policy is blocking some customers from making large withdrawals without “evidence” explaining why they need the money from their accounts.
The policy affects customers attempting withdrawals for amounts as little as £5,000 ($8,253).
HSBC says it’s all done in the name of customer protection.
"We have an obligation to protect our customers, and to minimize the opportunity for financial crime,” HSBC said in a statement. “However, following feedback, we are immediately updating guidance to our customer facing staff to reiterate that it is not mandatory for customers to provide documentary evidence for large cash withdrawals, and on its own, failure to show evidence is not a reason to refuse a withdrawal. We are writing to apologize to any customer who has been given incorrect information and inconvenienced."
The change in approach comes after the BBC aired reports from multiple HSBC customers who said they were denied in their recent attempts to make cash withdrawals.
Banking customer Stephen Cotton says he attempted to withdraw approximately $11,000 to repay a loan from his mother but was blocked from doing so.
"When we presented them with the withdrawal slip, they declined to give us the money because we could not provide them with a satisfactory explanation for what the money was for,” he told the BBC. “They wanted a letter from the person involved."
Cotton says the bank wouldn’t even tell him how much he was allowed to withdraw under the new policy, which was not announced to customers when taking effect in November.
"So I wrote out a few slips. I said, 'Can I have £5,000?' They said no. I said, 'Can I have £4,000?' They said no. And then I wrote one out for £3,000 and they said, 'OK, we'll give you that.'"
In the U.S. there have been rumors of similar restrictions that major banks such as Citibank have denied. After the massive security breach at Target retail stores in December, JP Morgan did place a temporary limit on how much cash customers could withdraw from Chase ATMs at Target stores and how much they could spend on their debit cards at one time. But that limit has since been removed.
A Conservative member of the British Parliament said the change in policy “infantilizes the customer.” However, the head of retail at the British Bankers' Association defended the policy.
"I can understand it's frustrating for customers,” Eric Leenders told the BBC. “But if you are making the occasional large cash withdrawal, the bank wants to make sure it's the right way to make the payment."


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Cattaraugus County could soon become the latest community to ban personal care products containing microbeads. The tiny plastic beads can pass through sewage treatment plants and into open water. They have been found in fish that have been used for human consumption.
Cattaraugus County Legislator William Sprague told WBFO he's confident there will be sufficient votes to impose a ban. Lawmakers have set an Oct. 14 public hearing on the proposal. Sprague said local leaders recognize the urgency in taking action.
“They have become aware of how devastating it is to the environment and our lakes and streams and also it doesn’t deteriorate, it doesn’t dissolve. It’ll be there forever," he said.
Erie County took the regional lead on the campaign against microbeads when it imposed stringent regulations that ban products containing the beads. Chautauqua County is considering a similar measure.
Sprague cited data indicating that more than 8 trillion microbeads are dumped into United States waterways every day. He said such pollution can lead to unclean drinking water, an unhealthy food supply through fish consumption and the flow of contaminated water into smaller waterways.
“We in the Northeast here have one of the most pristine water sources in the United States...Someday, water will be more precious than gold, because you’ve got to have it.”
Assuming the ban is approved, retailers in Cattaraugus would have 180 days to sell the remainder of their products containing microbeads or face fines of up to $2,500.


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A 93-year-old woman recently went viral with her “I Need More Beer” sign and thanks to the good folks at Coors Light, she got what she asked for.
Olive Veronesi had been surviving the the COVID-19 quarantine the same way many of us have, by drinking plenty of ice cold beer, but when she ran out, she wasn’t about to venture out of her house to make a beer run.
That’s where the internet comes in.
One viral picture later, and Coors Light mobilized the fleet.
Molson Coors showed up at Olive’s front door this afternoon with a special delivery… 10 cases of cold Coors Light. 10 CASES!
Asked how she was feeling these days, she said “I can still kick a football and if you like, hit a home run!”
And drink beer.
When the internet can rally together to get 10 cases of beer delivered to an old lady’s house in just a matter of days, it’s moments like this that I think to myself, “hey, maybe the world isn’t completely fucked after all.”


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Speaking of Google and tracking, the saga with Google’s iOS apps and their lack of privacy nutrition labels continues. Remember that (a) Google told TechCrunch back on January 5 they expected to add the privacy labels “this week or the next week”, and (b) because they haven’t added the labels, none of these popular apps have been updated since December. This includes Google Maps, Google Photos, the main Google search app, and Google Chrome. If you look at the version histories for these apps, until January, they were all generally updated at least once per month, and often several times per month.
YouTube, Google Home, and Google Drive, on the other hand, do have privacy nutrition labels. So whatever is going on here is not company-wide.
Correction: I originally had Gmail listed as one of Google’s apps that hadn’t been updated, but it was — just yesterday, after adding the privacy nutrition label a week ago. Google just seems to be adding these labels piecemeal, one at a time.
★ Wednesday, 3 March 2021