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Assembla, which offers a version control service for the enterprise with a strong focus on Subversion, today announced that it has acquired Cornerstone, one of the most popular Subversion clients for MacOS. Read More
Fortnite, which has topped 50 million players, has released an update to the game in the form of version V.2.2.0. The patch is significant in that it brings a long-awaited update to the Battle Royale map. Fortnite Battle Royale quite literally takes a page out of the PUBG playbook. In it, 100 players are dropped into a map, where they loot for gear and try to take down the competition. But… Read More
New research advances techniques for finding and exploiting known vulnerabilities in IoT devices automatically.
Group Nine Media has hired Stacy Green to lead its human resources team. The company was created at the end of 2016 by the merger of Thrillist, The Dodo, NowThis and Seeker. CEO Ben Lerer said that at the time, he assumed there would be a “Lego-like” process of combining the best teams from each organization — and since Thrillist had the largest HR staff, it seemed natural… Read More
Birch Finance, a TechCrunch Disrupt 2016 Battlefield alum, has raised a $1 million seed round from AGP Miami, Kevin Johnson, the former CEO of Ebates and Frank Azor, founder of Alienware. The plan is to grow Birch Finance’s user base and increase its opportunities for monetization. Birch Finance aims to help people make the most of the credit cards in their wallets by telling them… Read More
Eyeota is looking to sell audience data to advertisers around the world, and it’s announcing that it’s raised $12.5 million in Series B funding for further growth.
The company was actually founded back in 2010, but it didn’t raise its Series A until two years ago. CEO Kevin Tan admitted that the company had been “difficult for early-stage investors to wrap their head… Read More
Okta and fellow cloud company ServiceNow got together to build an app that helps ServiceNow customers using their security operations tools find security issues related to identity and take action immediately.
The company launched the Okta Identity Cloud for Security Operations app today. It’s available in the ServiceNow app store and has been designed for customers who are using both… Read More


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The proposal is centred on an EIT-Food Communications platform on sustainability and transparency, a communication system co-created with consumers with a central focus on increasing consumer trust in the food chain that helps consumers make better food choices that are sustainable and at the same time demonstrating industry’s commitment for better transparent communication. We are proposing that a labelling system such as the front-of-pack nutrition wheel could offer an opportunity for the transparency information relating to sustainability indicators to be displayed on food packaging to aid communication with the consumer.
Building a business model to enhance consumer trust and influence decision making using a sustainability transparency labelling system
European consumers are ever more aware that eating healthy is important (IRI, 2017), meanwhile obesity is still increasingly prevalent in almost all countries.
PERFECT - Plant Extract for Reduced-sugar Foods, including Extruded Cereals, bars & biscuits, using innovative processing Technologies
Excessive sugar consumption is a contributing factor for a variety of non-communicable diseases (e.g. diabetes, that currently affects 9% of the global population).
What are the health benefits of some traditional festive foods? This Christmas, the EIT Food Health Claims Unpacked project celebrates relaunching their digital platform and explain which festive foods we....
As part of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy sets out a vision to change the way Europeans value food sustainability and to position Europe as....

domain: news


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Propeller Health refill app serves more pharma chains
The pharmacy refill app of Propeller Health, a Madison-based digital health company, can now be used to place orders in five of the nation’s seven largest pharmacy chains, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal.
Propeller Health’s app has expanded from Walgreen’s pharmacies to include those of CVS, Kroger, Rite-Aid, and Walmart. These five chains account for more than half of U.S. market share for prescription drugs.
The company’s sensor and software products help people with asthma and lung disease manage their medications. Founded in 2010, it now is part of ResMed, a publicly traded medical device company in San Diego. Propeller Health employs 74 people in Madison.


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TEWKSBURY, MA — Labor Day marks the end of summer, and in a usual year features parades, beach trips, and big parties. This year, of course, the holiday is going to look much different.
Because of coronavirus, most students in Massachusetts won't return to school for a week or more, and health officials are warning residents to be cautious if attending barbecues and other events. And speaking of events, most usual Labor Day celebrations have been called off this year.
If you're sticking around the area this weekend, here's an idea of what's open and closed on Labor Day.
Government offices — Closed, including federal, state and local. Most offices were already closed (or had limited hours) due to the pandemic.
U.S. Post Office — No regular mail delivery on Sept. 7.
Businesses — Banks will mostly be closed. Chain stores and small businesses typically use the Labor Day weekend for big sales, so most will be open as usual.
Transit — No LRTA service. MBTA operates on Sunday schedule.
Trash — Trash pickup is delayed one day.
A brief history of Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in 1882, with a parade in New York City, but the question of who first proposed the idea of a holiday to honor workers is in dispute more than a century later.
Congress didn't recognize the holiday until what History.com calls a "watershed moment" in American labor history: the 1894 Pullman Palace Car Company strike in Chicago. The strike led to sending federal troops into the city to quell rioters. Just days later, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making Labor Day, the first Monday of September, a national holiday.


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The cyber threat has never been greater, with high profile DDoS attacks putting the issue high on the agenda for both businesses and governments. Only at the end of last year an attack which was reported to be the largest of its kind, brought down most of the internet across the UK and America. The growth of such incidents stems from the simple fact that more ‘things’ are now connected to the internet than ever before.
The continuing spate of attacks have therefore shone a bright spotlight on IoT security – highlighting it to be both weak and ineffective. It’s an issue which the industry has taken seriously for some time, but a sharp rise in both incidents and media headlines will naturally propel the problem further up the value chain.
The daunting task of security
The crux of the problem stems from the physical time and associated cost involved in IoT deployments around the secure provisioning of devices, and how we get a device onto the network. This has historically been a daunting task, often to the point of impossible.
Traditionally with any IoT deployment, someone has to physically go out and set devices up – even if that means climbing up a windmill in the rain. The uncertainty of custody, manual passwords and the need for onsite intervention throughout the product lifecycle then create security issues, which can often lead to that person having to go back out to climb the windmill.
However, the security fears over such antiquated inadequacies which have long plagued the industry can be solved, but to do so it must start with the IoT service piece, rather than at the device-end. From that starting point a circle of life can be created – ensuring seamless and secure connectivity in a way that means the person who was once climbing the windmill is now sitting comfortably in a chair.
The circle of life for IoT
A SIM, such as the AnyNet Secure, is specifically designed as an automated solution to enable connected devices to remotely and securely activate, connect, certify and authenticate.
This means when a connected-product (such as that windmill, or a smart toy) is created on the IoT service, it triggers a set of functions to set up the policy and certificate for the device, which provide the security and identification material for the device.
That in turn is delivered to the cellular service provider, which provisions the subscription plan and networking connectivity of the device. More importantly, the security material is also then delivered over-air into the SIM within the device. No manual passwords or onsite intervention is required and the need for the release of third party security keys to manufacturers is also removed.
As a result, the device isn’t only remotely managed at installation but throughout the lifecycle of the product. This means that if the device has a security threat and it is decided to revoke or replace the certificate, it can be done from the console.
Similarly, if there’s a change in ownership (for instance, the windmill has been sold to someone else) the data might need to be re-provisioned. Without having to visit the site that data can be routed into a different place.
So the person who was previously climbing up the windmill is now sitting in a chair putting the identification material into the terminal.
Securing the future of IoT
50 billion devices are predicted to be connected to the internet by 2020, so it’s little wonder why McKinsey estimates the IoT market to grow to a value of $3.7 billion by that same year.
As the market grows however it will become more pivotal than ever to ensure businesses are equipped to grasp the opportunities, rather than unnecessarily wasting time and money implementing IoT projects – or climbing windmills in the rain.
Yet fears over the security of connected devices continue to dominate the headlines and are still widely heralded as a major reason why organisations do not even embark on M2M or IoT deployments.
In an industry which is at the forefront of innovation, the inability to defend against security threats simply cannot be allowed to hold back the potential benefits which could be yielded from IoT.
By Ian Marsden, CTO at ESEYE


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A leader of the LulzSec hacking group is walking free after serving about seven months in prison because of his cooperation with police that has helped prevent hundreds of other attacks.
U.S. prosecutors say a hacking group's mastermind should be spared a long prison sentence due to his quick and fruitful cooperation with law enforcement.
Law enforcement agencies in 111 countries collaborated to disrupt thousands of online pharmacies in what Interpol claims was the largest ever global operation targeting organized criminal networks that sell fake medicines.
A hacker has confessed in court to hijacking other people's computers to make murder threats in a bizarre case that saw the source code for a virus stashed in the collar of a cat.
A former network engineer for oil and gas company EnerVest has been sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty in January to sabotaging the company's systems badly enough to disrupt its business operations for a month.
A U.S. criminal indictment against Chinese Army personnel over alleged hacking describes how stolen intellectual property was funneled to Chinese companies, an unresolved question for analysts.
The U.S. Department of Justice's decision to bring computer hacking and economic espionage charges against five alleged members of the Chinese army is an attempt by President Barack Obama's administration to redirect a global discussion about cyberha...
The U.S. Department of Justice has shuttered the Blackshades malware operation, which sold potentially pernicious software that was installed on as many as 500,000 computers worldwide.
Law enforcement agencies from 16 countries on three continents last week arrested 97 people after executing raids targeting those suspected of creating, buying and using a notorious Trojan program called BlackShades.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged five supposed members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army with hacking into computers and stealing trade secrets from six U.S. organizations in the nuclear power, steel and solar industries, the agency a...
The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to charge Chinese military officials with hacking US companies to obtain trade secrets.
A former owner of several Subway fast-food restaurants in southern California pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from a gift card scheme that involved tampering with several other Subway stores' computerized cash registers.
Andrew Auernheimer, known online as "weev," has won an appeal against his conviction for exploiting a vulnerability in AT&T's website to collect the email addresses of Apple iPad users. The 2010 incident earned him a 41-month prison sentence.
The U.S. Department of Justice has brought charges against nine alleged members of a criminal organization that distributed the Zeus Trojan used to steal millions of dollars from bank accounts nationwide.
Russian-Morrocan hacker Farid Essebar, known online as Diabl0, was arrested in Bangkok at the request of law enforcement authorities from Switzerland who want him extradited to face charges in connection with computer fraud offenses and credit card i...
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WECnology reaches dealers via Twitter
WECnology LLC is reaching out to tire dealers via Twitter to help them better understand today’s technology.
Tire dealers who visit the company’s Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/wecnology will be able to interact with the WECnology staff and also find links to articles from WECnology’s newsletters, partner and third-party Web sites, and online industry publications.
The posts provide technology-related tips and tools plus advice and news affecting the tire industry.
Many of WECnology’s tweets are specific to technology advancements that can save a tire dealer money, such as a link to an article about the benefits and cost-savings derived from cloud computing, the company notes. The article describes how tire dealers can reduce the expense of data storage and software investments by adopting the new technology.
Other post examples address the interests of tire dealers who are looking to make their retail businesses more female-friendly.
“WECnology is dedicated to addressing the technology-related concerns of tire dealers, which is why we have established a presence on Twitter,” says Erik Croswell, director of sales and marketing. “While our staff does an excellent job responding to individual inquiries from the increasing visitors that our Web site receives each month, answering questions publicly on Twitter will allow us to reach a wider audience. Some tire dealers may even learn business-building technology details they didn’t realize that they needed to know.
“Since WECnology does not actually sell the products and services we recommend, we are able to present unbiased information,” continues Croswell. “We only endorse and recommend best-of-breed companies that have proven to benefit today’s tire dealers when it comes to technology. Our primary concern is providing tire dealers with the most up-to-date technology information available.”
For more information, see the company’s Web site at http://www.wecnology.com.


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Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has announced VAT is to be cut to 5% for the hospitality sector, along with an “eat out to help out” discount at restaurants in his summer economic update.
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Despite the hefty sum, many in the industry believe that the amount does not come close to the actual costs incurred by the thousands of banks and other financial institutions that issue cards under the Visa name.
Retailer Target announced in late December, 2013 that hackers infiltrated the company’s transaction records, compromising the debit and credit accounts of over 40 million cardholders. The theft became one of the largest data-breaches in history. On Tuesday, the retailer and Visa came to an agreement over the card issuers’ losses due to the breach. Although neither company would confirm the amount of the settlement, a source familiar with the case has said that Target could pay Visa up to $67 million in order to reimburse the banks for costs related to the breach. A similar $19 million dollar settlement agreement between Target and MasterCard fell through in May, after the threshold of at least 90 percent of banks approving the deal was not met. In that case, the banks found the amount to be insufficient. On Monday however, Visa announced the negotiations had yielded that threshold, thus certifying the settlement. $67 million is the maximum amount scenario in negotiations between the two companies, with people close to the case saying that Target has agreed to the maximum.
Although the deadline for consumers who had their data compromised between November 27th and December 18th 2013 to file a claim passed on July 31st, Target is extending its offer to the few institutions that rejected the deal. The retailer will offer these institutions compensation “using a settlement formula that would enable them to achieve the same economics as the Visa issuers that have already settled with Target and Visa.” Spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in a statement, “Target is pleased that we have reached a settlement agreement with Visa related to the data breach we experienced during the fourth quarter of 2013.” Snyder also noted that, “The costs of the settlement are already reflected in Target’s previously reported fiscal 2013 and 2014 results.” The data breach was also largely responsible for the ouster of former Target Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel in May, 2014. In addition to the 40 million debit and credit card numbers, industry analysts estimate about 70 million customers had some form of identifying information stolen during the hack.
Despite the hefty sum, many in the industry believe that the amount does not come close to the actual costs incurred by the thousands of banks and other financial institutions that issue cards under the Visa name. Several banks previously decried the settlement parameters, calling the compensation insufficient for the actual costs of issuing new cards and the hiring of additional call-center staff to field an increase in consumer questions. Trade groups representing banks and credit unions, especially smaller institutions, have repeatedly cited the financial hardship due to the Target and subsequent Home Depot breaches. One group estimates the banking industry as a whole to have spent over $350 million dealing with the two widespread retail identification thefts.
Minneapolis Star-Tribune – Bree Fowler/Associated Press
Patch – Marc Torrence
Wall Street Journal – Robin Sidel


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Thirty-one inmates have been released from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Kano.
The spokesman to the minister of justice, Umar Gwandu, said on Sunday that the presidential committee on Correctional Centres Reform and Decongestion facilitated the release of the inmates during a visit to Kano.
“The committee was in Kano for an on-the-spot assessment of the conditions of correctional centres and inmates with a view to making payment of fines for inmates who were convicted of minor offences but were unable to pay the fines, as well as a general review of peculiar cases.
“During the visit, 19 inmates were released through payment of fines by the Federal Ministry of Justice. Three were released through payment of fines by the Buni Yadi Foundation and two were released as well through payment made by Policy Vault Africa.
“Similarly, an additional seven inmates were released due to old age,” he said.
He also noted that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) brought to the attention of the chairman of the committee, Ishaq Bello, the special case of Rahama Husseini.


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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Overexposure is not always a bad thing, if Lululemon Athletica Inc.’s stock is any indication.
Since the maker of high-end yoga wear announced on March 18 that it is pulling its luon pants after they turned out to show a bit more of the backside than intended, its shares have risen 24%.
Earnings may be another matter. On Monday, the market will find out how much sheer pants have hurt the company’s bottom line when it reports first-quarter earnings.
Back in March, Lululemon LULU, -1.96% cut its forecast for first-quarter same-store sales to a range of 5% to 8% from 11% previously. It also lowered its revenue outlook to a range of $333 million to $343 million versus $350 million to $355 million.
Lululemon is likely to report earnings of 30 cents a share in the first quarter, according to a consensus survey by FactSet.
In the tech sector, Texas Instruments Inc. TXN, -2.44% is scheduled to provide a financial update for its second quarter so far. In April, the chip maker said it expects earnings of 37 cents to 45 cents a share and revenue of $2.93 billion to $3.17 billion.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet are projecting TI to post second-quarter profit of 41 cents a share on revenue of $2.89 billion on average.
“We expect TI to narrow Q2 guidance ranges to the upper end of the prior range, driven by steady improvements as the semi cycle continues its modest recovery off the Q1 trough,” Betsy Van Hees, an analyst at Wedbush, said in a report.


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WASHINGTON, D.C., April 4 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The Black Unity Family, a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of groups and individuals co-convened by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner and Melanie L. Campbell, released the following ‘Letter […]
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif., April 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In recognition to his dedication to business ethics, Phillip (Phil) M. Ramos, Jr., CEO of Philatron International, Inc, was appointed to the Business Ethics Panel of the upcoming 6th Annual Orange Catholic Foundation Conference on Business and Ethics.
AUSTIN, Texas, April 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — According to an appearance on the Alex Jones Show, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura blasted the official 9/11 story – citing that evidence disproves the government’s claims that jet fuel melted the Twin Towers’ steel girders.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., April 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Finally, there’s a new way to enjoy a night on the town in your own car and never worry about getting a DUI. Those with a lot to lose from a DUI arrest call it their ‘career insurance.’ Safe Ride Solutions (SRS) is a national network of […]
COSTA MESA, Calif., April 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Today was a perfect Southern California day for students at Prince of Peace Christian School: warm, sunny, with a 100% chance of learning. Students from pre-school to sixth grade observed and tended their seedling crop. The young plants are three to four inches high and ready to […]
PITTSBURGH, Pa., April 3 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In these tighter economic times, consumers can give themselves a raise by spending less at the discount shopping source Retail Closeout Mall. This online store offers closeout, liquidated, overstocked, surplus, and discontinued merchandise. Since October of 2007, the online store has continued its growth, tripling the number of […]
HOUSTON, Texas, April 2 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Today Financial Softworks, LLC announced the release of DashBook 1.0, Microsoft(R) Windows based software, expressly designed for small and medium sized publishers. According to founder Gregory Carrier, ‘DashBook is focused on the idiosyncrasies of selling books.’
MOUNTAIN LAKES, N.J., April 2 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Soaring gas prices, a looming recession, and higher energy bills all add more pressure to businesses to effectively make money. However, Visionsoft is doing their part to help these businesses to save energy while positively affecting their bottom line.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., April 2 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ONEsite, Inc., the leading provider of enterprise community and social networking software, announced today the launch of its new Class A datacenter and a series of wide ranging performance enhancements to the patent-pending technology of the ONEsite Platform.
PORTERSVILLE, Pa., April 1 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Adams Manufacturing has discovered that many consumers want to know more about which resin chair is best for them. Basically, all stacking resin chairs come in three sizes. The smallest are called low-backs. They’re the most economical. They’re usually about 31 inches high at the back, and they […]


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GameArts Acquired and Grandia Online Announced
Today, an announcement was made that a company called GungHo has just acquired GameArts as the culmination of a long-running relationship with the Grandia series' creators. For those who don't know who GungHo are, they been one of the driving forces behind the online and community-based games in the land of the Rising Sun, and were responsible for the incredibly popular PC MMORPG, Ragnarok Online.
In light of this acquisition, a new title in the Grandia franchise, Grandia Online, has been announced. No platforms have been specified as of yet, but we can hope that perhaps the PS2 will see some MMORPG love; The last its seen was with Square-Enix's Final Fantasy IX.
10/18/2005 Dave Beaudoin


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India has emerged as the global sourcing hub when it comes to fashion retail and Apparel Sourcing Week (ASW) reflects just that in all its essence and spirit.
Boasting 150-plus exhibitors from counties like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Mauritius, Hong Kong and Australia with their equally exciting range of product ensemble, the third edition of ASW will be the veritable one-stop sourcing platform for global buyers, who will converge at the Sheraton Grand in Bengaluru in massive numbers on 20th and 21st July.
The US $ 88 billion strong fashion apparel retail market in India in itself is a major attraction for apparel manufacturers from the world over. What’s more, the presence of 5000 buyer delegates from India besides those from UAE, Australia, USA, EU and many other destinations apart from fashion apparel sourcing specialists, retailers and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands from emerging markets and traditional strongholds, makes ASW an even more interesting platform for the manufacturers to make their presence felt.
What makes ASW a favourite amongst brands, buyers and retailers is Apparel Resources (AR) - the proud organiser of the event, considered the voice of the apparel industry of Southeast Asia - thanks to our dedicated, decades-old, much-read print and online verticals!
None have such an in-depth understanding of the pulse of each manufacturing destination like us even as we look to play the perfect matchmaker (between the buyers and the garment makers) through the third edition of ASW, going beyond the concept of the so-called regional front .
Hand-picked carefully on the key parameters of product specialisation, delivery, shipment and sustainability, these exhibitors (small, medium and large) at ASW, we are sure, will fulfil every requirement of the buyers.
Make sure to be a part of ASW as we look forward to facilitate a seamless sourcing experience for the greater interest of all players in the fashion retail chain, in an environment of networking, knowledge and inspiration.
Look forward to seeing you all @ASW 2023!
Apparel Sourcing Week 2023, a two-days Sourcing Show not only provides the Asian manufacturers a platform to showcase their products & manufacturing capabilities to the Brands & Retailers from all over the world including India, but also extends them a chance to attend the multiple seminars (headed by industry experts), workshops, open-house discussions and networking opportunities organised during these three days, which would help the manufacturers get a better understanding of Indian and International Retail and evolving dynamics of sourcing in various markets and retail formats.
Apparel Resources is well known for its benchmark publications – Apparel Online, StitchWorld and Resource Guide published from India, Bangladesh & Vietnam. These publications have been around in the industry for over 35 years, supporting, guiding and standing by garment exporters and the retail industry globally, providing them a platform to source better.


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Some featherbrain bird-napped a baby parrot out of its cage at the pet store, and now the clock's ticking.
The 6-week-old Congo African gray eats a specially formulated food and will quickly die without it, say the managers of The Pet Shop at Whitehall Mall, where the $1,500 bird was stolen between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"They're robbing this bird of its life," said assistant manager Ceil Williams, adding no charges will be pressed and no questions asked if the bird is returned to the store or taken to a veterinarian's office.
Employees noticed nothing suspicious Wednesday evening but soon discovered the parrot missing from the cage it shared with a macaw of the same age.
The bird not only eats a special food but has to be fed correctly. "If you don't shoot the food into the beak correctly, it will go down into the bird's lungs and kill it within two or three hours," Williams said.
African grays are prized because they are excellent mimics. "I have one that talks like a 4-year-old child," Williams said. "Who would be this brazen? It's like stealing an infant out of a crib."
Anyone with information is asked to call Whitehall police at 610-437-3042; or The Pet Shop at 610-266-8200.


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Saybrook print-plant sale details revealed
OLD SAYBROOK The former R.R. Donnelley plant, sold earlier this month to a Stamford-based developer and once valued at $6 million, ended up selling for $1,041,667.
The deed to the plant was submitted to Town Hall last week, and new owner Kurt Wittek said he is already in "advanced negotiations" with at least three potential tenants to occupy portions of the nearly 300,000-square-foot building.
The former printing plant is situated on a 33-acre site between Old Saybrook High School and Schoolhouse Road.
Wittek purchased the plant as part of an $8.5 million package deal that also included Donnelley plants in Ohio and Florida.
Wittek said he plans to lease to tenants who will bring light industrial and manufacturing businesses, and the accompanying jobs, to the community.
When Donnelley closed the Old Saybrook plant in June 2002, 500 jobs went with it. The company was the towns largest employer and highest taxpayer.
Donnelley had printed publications such as Sports Illustrated and Time magazine at the Old Saybrook location for 41 years before announcing the closing in 2001.
"We are delighted," said Economic Development Commission Chairwoman Wilma Asch of the sale of the plant. "We look forward to working with Mr. Wittek and creating a win-win situation for the community."
Wittek said one potential tenant, whom he declined to name, appears ready to sign a lease. If an agreement is reached, the tenant could begin to occupy a portion of the building in as little as 90 days, he said.
Neal Jones can be reached at Njones@nhregister.com or 860-664-4118.


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It seems that Essence magazine has a big controversy brewing. Big time.
The controversy comes from the recent hiring of a white woman, Elliana Placas, as their new fashion editor.
Former fashion director at Essence, Michaela Angela Davis, exclaimed recently on her Facebook page that “It’s with a heavy heart I’ve learned Essence Magazine has engaged a white Fashion Director. I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally. The fashion industry has historically been so hostile to black people – especially women. ”
The news has created a lot of heated response. Many argue that it's inappropriate for a white woman to direct a magazine for black readers. Others, including CNN blogger Sophia Nelson, argue that "Essence is setting a very positive example in the magazine industry and at one of the world's largest corporations, Time Warner, that talent not race matters."
Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt Murray is sticking to her guns and defending her choice. “I got to see firsthand her creativity, her vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. As such, I thought she’d make an excellent addition to our team. And I still do. This decision in no way diminishes my commitment to black women, our issues, our fights. I am listening and I do take the concerns to heart.”
Did Essence do the right thing by hiring Elliana Placas? What do you believe was the motivation behind this controversial choice?


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Fans of microblogging site Twitter may have felt a bit restricted in the past, with the tight 140-character limit, but the latest app function offers a new way to express yourself, offering a chance for you to post videos directly on to the platform.
From this week, you can capture, edit and share videos of up to 30 seconds directly from your Twitter app. Twitter says the camera has been designed to be easy to use, so that the content can be shared in just a few taps. And iPhone users will be able to upload old videos from their camera roll, as well (a feature that will be available on Android devices soon).
The video function is one of two brand new updates that Twitter launched this week. The other is the opportunity to private message a group of up to 20 people at a time – great news for those who prefer a more private chat function. This could be a good way to bring like-minded people together in one place, as members in the same group don’t even need to be following each other. When you’re added to a group, you’ll get a notification. If you’re new to Direct Messages altogether, watch this video to find out more.


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Kazakhstan has released the results of a pilot program for its national digital currency, the digital tenge. The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) plans to share some of the results with stakeholders in July next year. While the final decision on the launch will be taken in December 2022, and the final results of a comprehensive study will guide the model development. The NBK will set up a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) on distributed ledger technology.
Digital currency might be used for cross-border transactions.
The bank also confirmed the possibility of Kazakhstan’s citizens utilizing the digital currency for payment and how it will be programmed. The bank used a series of hypothetical scenarios to determine the possibility of using the digital currency between second-tier banks and external users and the likelihood of using the digital currency for cross-border transactions with the existing regulations. The digital currency will serve as a third form of the national currency in Kazakhstan. The currency will be an additional payment means alongside cash.
The bank was also advised to set up a “Digital Tenge Hub.”
The digital currency can also be for business among individuals and groups as it’ll be backed by the central bank. The results will also reveal the need to expand the digital currency pilot program to involve market and infrastructural participants in several scenarios. The bank was also advised to set up a “Digital Tenge Hub,” which enables contributions from other market players for creating the digital currency. “The NBK of the Republic of Kazakhstan will ensure the development of a final model to decide on the introduction of the [digital tenge] and perform a presentation of interim results of the study and discussion with all stakeholders in July 2022,” according to the report.


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Over the years, there have been a number of breweries that have opened in Redmond.
But before those businesses opened, the proprietors would brew their own beer at home.
“They had to start somewhere,” said Glenn Rollolazo.
And to brew at home, they had to have the right equipment.
In the last year, the Redmond resident opened Brewhouse Provisions (17725 N.E. 65th St., Suite 250 in Redmond), a homebrew shop that sells equipment and ingredients for small-batch brewing, ranging from one gallon to up to a 15-barrel commercial system. The store also carries the necessities for wine, cheese and soda making.
Brewhouse opened in fall 2015 and while the business is new to Redmond, Rollolazo, who grew up on Education Hill and graduated from Redmond High School in 1987, is not new to the business.
It all started while he was attending the University of Washington when an uncle introduced him to home brewing.
As someone who has always liked to cook, Rollolazo liked the creativity behind brewing. He said beer is made up of four basic ingredients: water, grain, yeast and hops. It is up to the brewer to be creative and find the right balance of flavors. People can also add fruits and other botanicals such as vanilla beans or cocoa nibs to enhance their beer, Rollolazo said.
After college, he took a hiatus from brewing when he joined the military. But when Rollolazo, who was living in California and just moved back to Redmond few years ago, returned to civilian life, he picked it back up as he said he needed a hobby. He was a regular home brewer but would have to drive anywhere from 20 minutes to upwards of an hour due to traffic to the nearest supply store. After constantly complaining so much, his wife suggested he open his own supply business closer to their home.
“It’s always been my dream to open my own business,” Rollolazo said.
That dream came true in 2010 when he opened South Bay Brewing Supply in Torrance, Calif. The city has since become a mecca for craft brewing in southern California, Rollolazo said.
Although Brewhouse has been open less than a year, Rollolazo said he already has regular customers. And because a number of them live in apartment buildings and are unable to brew at home, he has also opened his space to allow people to brew onsite.
Rollolazo also offers samples in his store every now and then to feature certain hops or other new products as well as demonstrations every second Saturday of the month at around 10:30 a.m.
While Brewhouse carries a wide variety of ingredients for beer brewing, one thing the store does not carry is beer-making kits. Rollolazo said this is because he likes to engage with his customers, talk to them about what they plan on brewing and help them if their results end up not tasting right.
The basics of brewing beer are fairly simple, but there are details in the process that people need to be aware of to get the right results and that is what Rollolazo helps with as a business owner.
“It’s like trying to learn Chinese,” said Bobby Wood, a regular at Brewhouse and taproom manager at the nearby Postdoc Brewing.
He said initially, people just need someone to help them and tell how to do things correctly.
Customers do not get this kind of personal service if they order products online, Rollolazo said.
For Rollolazo, being able to share his passion for brewing with others and introducing his hobby to people is the heart and soul of his business. He said it is more gratifying to share it with others.
As time goes on, Rollolazo said he would like to expand Brewhouse to include a small-batch brewery to sell his own beer and more.
“It’ll be community based,” he said about his future plans for his business.
And the immediate community is a good one as Brewhouse is in close proximity to many of the breweries in Redmond including Postdoc and Mac & Jack’s Brewery, which are in the same business park and across the street, respectively. In addition, Black Raven Brewing, Hi-Fi Brewing, Bushnell Craft Brewing Co. and Malt & Vine are only a few minutes away by car.
Rollolazo said he hopes to see more breweries open in Redmond, and the city become home to beer nerds just as it has been established as a home for tech nerds.
“If you’re a beer nerd, come on by,” he said.


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Hours after hosting a “women in gaming” luncheon at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Microsoft threw a party with scantily clad dancers in school girl outfits. It wasn’t a good look, and the company has since apologized.
The photos surfaced after a series of tweets by Tin Man Games editor Kamina Vincent brought the incident to light.
“I like dancing, I like talking to devs,” wrote Vincent. “But not at this
#GDC16 party. Thanks for pushing me out of this party, Microsoft. [...] Making a formal complaint tomorrow. I will not stand for this. I’m trying to encourage women into the industry then this happens.”
As the photos made their way around Twitter, the backlash was swift, and it didn’t take long for Microsoft executives to take notice.
First, there was head of Xbox marketing Aaron Greenberg.
Soon after, head of Xbox Phil Spencer released a statement to The Verge:
At Xbox-hosted events at GDC this past week, we represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was not consistent or aligned to our values. It was unequivocally wrong and will not be tolerated. I know we disappointed many people and I’m personally committed to holding ourselves to higher standards. We must ensure that diversity and inclusion are central to our everyday business and core values. We will do better in the future.
Update 6:05 pm: Phil Spencer has released a longer response:
How we show up as an organization is incredibly important to me. We want to build and reflect the culture of TEAM XBOX – internally and externally – a culture that each one of us can represent with pride. An inclusive culture has a direct impact on the products and services we deliver and the perception consumers have of the Xbox brand and our company, as a whole.
It has come to my attention that at Xbox-hosted events at GDC this past week, we represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was absolutely not consistent or aligned to our values. That was unequivocally wrong and will not be tolerated. This matter is being handled internally, but let me be very clear – how we represent ourselves as individuals, who we hire and partner with and how we engage with others is a direct reflection of our brand and what we stand for. When we do the opposite, and create an environment that alienates or offends any group, we justly deserve the criticism.
It’s unfortunate that such events could take place in a week where we worked so hard to engage the many different gaming communities in the exact opposite way. I am personally committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion is central to our everyday business and our core values as a team – inside and outside the company. We need to hold ourselves to higher standards and we will do better in the future.
Apologies are the easy part, though. It’s on Microsoft to stop this from happening again, and ensure their outreach to women seems genuine.


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According to the latest J.D. Power and Associates survey of smartphone users, GPS tops the list of features that users want most in their smartphones. Looks like location is going to be one of the big wireless must-have features for mobile business in 2008.
According to the latest J.D. Power and Associates survey of smartphone users, GPS tops the list of features that users want most in their smartphones. Looks like location is going to be one of the big wireless must-have features for mobile business in 2008.Here is a look at some of the study's findings:
The study's wireless usage patterns revealed that there isn't a faultless smartphone available on the market. Most smartphones can use improvements. Among smartphone users, 13% said they've had to repair their smartphones: software application issues, smartphones locking up, or displays not working were most common problems.
Over 40% of users want their smartphones to have GPS capabilities, 26% want Wi-Fi, 22% want a touch screen, and 19% want integrated TV capabilities.
Location, location, location is the name of the game. This is especially interesting since the it smartphone of 2007, the iPhone, does not have GPS. But why are smartphone users (and by extension business users) so interested in location and GPS?
I can come up with three reasons off the top of my head. First, most smartphone users travel frequently, both in their cars around town and for longer business trips out of town. Having an easy-to-use GPS navigation system built into a smartphone gives users a one-stop-shop for directions anywhere they go.
Second, location is the key to mobile search. While Google, for example, is taking off with mobile users the mobile version Google Maps, not the mobile version of Google's core search, has captured the public's imagination. In order for search to really take off on cell phones, it's going to need location. And while mobile search is improving, it's nowhere near as location-enabled as it needs to be.
And the third reason is proximity. I think smartphone users want to be able to capture the power of proximity and locality when they use their smartphones, whether that's location-enabled promotions or shopping or being able to transmit location to friends and family for face-to-face meetings.
How Enterprises Are Attacking the IT Security EnterpriseTo learn more about what organizations are doing to tackle attacks and threats we surveyed a group of 300 IT and infosec professionals to find out what their biggest IT security challenges are and what they're doing to defend against today's threats. Download the report to see what they're saying.
2017 State of IT ReportIn today's technology-driven world, "innovation" has become a basic expectation. IT leaders are tasked with making technical magic, improving customer experience, and boosting the bottom line -- yet often without any increase to the IT budget. How are organizations striking the balance between new initiatives and cost control? Download our report to learn about the biggest challenges and how savvy IT executives are overcoming them.


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Webinar: ‘The Rise of Connected Consumerism’
Brian Solis, Principal Analyst at Altimeter Group, and Caroline Waterson, Head of Digital Strategy, IBM Industry Solutions, will be the presenters of “The Rise of Connected Consumerism,” a one-hour webinar set for Monday, Sept. 24 at
10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT.
Customer behavior is evolving fast, and companies that don’t adapt are going the way of the dinosaur. The hyper-connected consumers of Generation C are changing the way we do business — and our society as a whole.
In this webcast, Solis and Waterson will to learn how to survive and thrive in this new era of connected consumerism, and get a guide to developing your own evolutionary approach to marketing success.
Participants will learn:
- How consumers are forcing a natural selection of businesses fittest for survival—and how to make sure yours is one of those able to adapt to change.
- Why investing in technology in new and emerging channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ isn’t nearly enough to improve engagement.
- Ways to become the business counterpart to Generation C — a connected marketer — in order to lead the way to business transformation.
To register for the webinar, click here.
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22B and TME; gobbledygook to many, catnip to people like us. Here's your new wallpaper!
In the long and storied history of both the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza, two models continue to be held in the highest regard: the Tommi Makinen Edition, and the 22B.
The Mitsubishi celebrated Makinen's four consecutive WRC titles; the Subaru marked the 40th anniversary of the brand as well as three constructors' titles in a row. These cars not only represent the zenith of their respective manufacturers' rallying exploits, but also the peak of Japanese turbo nutter rally saloon popularity.
At the turn of the millennium no supercar was safe from an Evo or an Impreza on the loose; no handling day could be considered complete without the appearance of one, or both; young fans swooned over the very latest version in magazines, or discovered another JDM oddity on Gran Turismo. It was a whole new performance car obsession, and surely no two cars encapsulate that incredible fascination like the Tommi Makinen and the 22B.
Earlier this week we took a Final Edition WRX STI to this Subaru v. Mitsubishi grudge match. The classic shootout is one you can read in Autocar in a couple of weeks, with our Subaru sayonara coming this weekend. It's going to be a tough goodbye to write, that's for sure...


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WEST LOOP — After 2½ years in business, West Loop restaurant Más will close its doors for good this week.
The Mexican restaurant helmed by Chef Eloy Suarez, at 800 W. Washington Blvd., will officially close Saturday, confirmed managing partner David Rambhajan. The restaurant is closing because the business lost its lease as new owners purchased the building, he said.
The two-story building at Washington and Halsted was bought by West Loop-based R2 Companies for $5.3 million earlier this year. R2 Companies plans a compete a gut renovation of the building in 2017, said Matt Garrison, principal of the company.
Harold's Chicken Shack also lost their lease, Garrison confirmed. Perman Wine Selections, located in the building at 802 W. Washington, has a lease through April 2018.
"We are actively looking for a new tenant to take the space at that time," Garrison said.
The developer is in advanced discussions with "several exciting tenants" to sign leases for Class A retail space on the first floor of the building once the renovation is complete, Garrison said.
The building's second floor will be transformed into a single-tenant creative office space with a private rooftop deck and 10 dedicated parking spaces.
As part of the rehab work, R2 Companies plans to commission a "fabulous mural" for the alley and will be doing extensive work on the masonry, windows, mechanical systems and exterior of the building.
"It will be an exceptional building when it is complete next June," Garrison said.
Más, which opened in May 2014, may reopen in a new location, Rambhajan said, but owners have not made a final decision. A new location may not be in the pricey West Loop, where retail space is now "unbelievably expensive," the entrepreneur said.
"Stay tuned," he said.
To bid farewell to the restaurant, Más will host one last party in celebration of New Year's Eve on Saturday night. Tickets, which includes two drink tickets, food, party favors, live DJs and a champagne toast at midnight, are $49 and can be purchased online.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here.


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The Detroit News
Ford’s Kansas City Plant Begins Deliveries of E-Transit
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Ford Motor Co. this week began shipping its new all-electric E-Transit cargo van from its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri to customers across the U.S., the Dearborn automaker said Feb. 8.
Shipments of the electric version of the popular van kicked off as Ford said it had netted more than 10,000 orders from 300 customers of varying sizes, including 1,100 orders from retail giant Walmart Inc. Already, the automaker said Feb. 8, it’s working to increase production of E-Transit to meet demand as it aims to boost annual electric vehicle production capacity to 600,000 by the end of next year.
E-Transit is the company’s second all-electric vehicle, following the launch of the Mustang Mach-E in late 2020. The F-150 Lightning, a battery-electric version of America’s best-selling truck and Ford’s flagship product, is slated to launch this spring (including the version aimed at commercial and government fleet customers) with some 200,000 orders on the books.
It's official. We're now shipping E-Transits to our @FordPro customers across the U.S.
300+ commercial customers have already ordered 10,000+ electric vans, all of which (vans + batteries) are assembled by @UAW workers at @Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant #BuiltFordProud pic.twitter.com/CWRLLz398v — Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) February 8, 2022
E-Transit also is the first vehicle to launch under the umbrella of Ford Pro, the stand-alone commercial vehicle business Ford launched last year as it centers its turnaround strategy on its strength in the commercial vehicle segment, electrification and connected vehicle services. The automaker has committed to spending $30 billion on electrification through 2025, with E-Transit falling under that investment.
“E-Transit is a testament to the fact that an electric commercial fleet is no longer a vision of tomorrow, but a productivity-boosting modern reality,” Kumar Galhotra, president of the Americas & International Markets Group for Ford, said in a statement.
With the launch of E-Transit, Kansas City Assembly in Claycomo, Mo., became Ford’s first plant in the U.S. to assemble both batteries and all-electric vehicles in-house. The company invested $100 million in the plant and added about 150 full-time jobs in vehicle and battery pack assembly to support E-Transit production.
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing above or go here for more info
Ford and some of its competitors are placing big bets on commercial and government fleet customers becoming the leaders in the electric and digital transition transforming the automotive industry.
General Motors Co. has launched an electric delivery van business. Stellantis NV has lined up Amazon.com Inc. as the first buyer for an electric version of its cargo van. And both automakers have electric versions of their popular pickup trucks planned.
Ford, meanwhile, has signaled that its commercial business is at the forefront of the company’s growth strategy. Ford Pro is targeting revenue of $45 billion by 2025, up from $27 billion in 2019. Executives have said that commercial customers recognize the potential cost and productivity improvements that electric, digitally connected vehicles offer.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC


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Bahrain's economy remains on a recovery path heading into 2014, boosted by a normalisation of oil output, continued improvements in non-oil business activity, and steadfast fiscal support from the government. We forecast real GDP growth of 4.3% this year and 3.4% in 2014, up slightly from our previous projections of 3.7% and 3.2%. There is the potential for a robust recovery in private consumption in 2013, helped by strong base effects after growth of only 0.7% in 2012. We forecast a 6.0% expansion in 2013, moderating to 4.0% in 2014. This has positive implications for food and drink spending.
Headline Industry Data (local currency)
- 2013 food consumption growth = +13.9% year-on-year (y-o-y); compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to 2017 = +7.6%
- 2013 soft drink value sales growth = +10.2% y-o-y; CAGR to 2017 = +5.7%
- 2013 mass grocery retail sales = +18.1% y-o-y; CAGR to 2017 = +9.5%
Key Company Trends
Promising Soft Drinks Outlook: Bahrain, much like its regional Gulf neighbours, has seen soft drinks sales soar over the last decade. Buoyed by impressive consumer spending power across the Gulf Cooperation Council, core carbonates continue to perform well. However, we believe the non-carbonated segment offers greater long-term growth potential. With bottled water and functional drinks gradually gaining momentum over our forecast period to 2017, diversification beyond core carbonates will likely shape the industry's growth trajectory.
Waitrose Ups Exposure in Lucrative MGR Market: Upscale UK-based retailer Waitrose has recently increased its foothold in the lucrative UAE mass grocery retail market. Due to launch its sixth store in Abu Dhabi, the move highlights dynamic growth prospects for value added, premium positioned produce, spurred by both increasing Emirati and expatriate demand. BMI expects Waitrose to continue to perform in both its UAE and Bahrain outlets. With both countries the only locations in which the upscale retailer has established international operations (despite an impressive array of international supply deals for the Philippines to the Turks and Caicos Islands), confidence in the growth potential of both markets is further highlighted.
Key Risks To Outlook
A marked drop in oil prices concomitant with a slowdown in growth in Europe, the US and China would pose a significant risk to the country's near-term growth outlook, and likely lead to a marked deterioration in the country's balance of payments and fiscal dynamics. In terms of the latter, Bahrain's breakeven oil price is now close to US$120/bbl, which is by far the highest in the Gulf. Meanwhile, a more pronounced regional crisis stemming from an uptick in tensions between Iran and the West could see risk premiums spike higher, particularly for Bahrain.


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In advance of a congressional hearing on consumer access to banking services this week, ABA today wrote to leaders of the House subcommittee on financial institutions and consumer credit voicing its support for several bills that would provide increased flexibility for brokered and reciprocal deposits.
Among these were H.R. 5660 — introduced by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) — which clarifies that traditional deposit account products involving a direct, continuing relationship between a customer and an insured depository institution should not be considered brokered deposits, and H.R. 4116 — introduced by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) — which updates the definition of “deposit broker” to allow a limited exemption for reciprocal deposits. The association also recognized a bill proposed by Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) that clarifies that prepaid card deposits are not considered brokered.
“Modern banking and technology… allows banks to gather stable deposits from outside of their branch networks,” ABA said. “Although we believe that the FDIC has the necessary flexibility under existing law to tailor its regulation and supervision of banks with respect to brokered deposits, we strongly support efforts to provide statutory clarity in this area.”


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Tubs of the signature Dunkaroos frosting is heading to a grocery store near you.
Dunkaroos lovers are going to rejoice over one of Betty Crocker’s latest products. Feeding off the popularity of the popular '90s snack, the company has announced it will be selling 16-ounce tubs of the vanilla frosting in grocery stores. The frosting is one of five different seasonal products Betty Crocker is launching that includes cupcake and cookie mixes. The consumption of sugar has actually decreased during the pandemic, but more people than ever are baking at home. Betty Crocker hopes the new mixes will inspire people to try something new at home.
Dunkaroos returned to the shelves this summer after fans pleaded with the company on social media to bring it back. Discontinued in 2012, the snack packs with vanilla cookies and vanilla frosting with sprinkles were a favorite lunch box treat for millennials. After the successful relaunch of Dunkaroos, the brand has also launched a Dunkaroos breakfast cereal and a yogurt duo. The Dunkaroos Frosting by the pint puts an end to running out of the frosting before you finish the cookies.
An Instagram poll run by Betty Crocker found 97 percent of people said they have been baking more since being in quarantine. These new kits are meant to foster the public’s appetite for unique baking products.
“We’re glad that consumers are re-discovering a love for baking during these strange times,” said Amanda Burlison, Senior Brand Manager of Betty Crocker. ”Our spring baking kits offer unique opportunities to find joy, connect with those you love and share sweet moments together.”
In addition to Dunkaroos Frosting, Betty Crocker is launching four seasonal kits:
Courtesy of Betty Crocker
Reese’s Pieces Surprise Cupcake Kit ($4.98): Create those surprise inside cupcakes with this new cupcake kit. It comes with a chocolate cake mix, Reese’s pieces in a special pouch, green frosting, and coordinating cupcake liners.
Hershey’s Kisses Blossom Cookie Kit ($4.98): This takes the traditional peanut butter blossom cookie and steps it up a notch with pastel sprinkles.
Giant Cookie Kit ($4.98): Make it an Easter to remember with this giant Easter egg cookie kit. It comes with egg imprinted parchment paper to help you make the perfect egg, as well as Easter-themed sprinkles and vanilla frosting.
Lemon Cookie Mix ($2.00): This adds a little twist to its traditional sugar cookie and creates the perfect lemon cookie mix.
All of Betty Crocker’s seasonal products will be available at grocery and big box stores beginning in February.


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The uncertainty of the last few years has left most of us eager to regain control of our lives – and a key part of that is taking charge of our health. According to a recent survey of more than 11,000 consumers in 16 countries, including Canada, a majority of consumers consider health and fitness an “essential” part of their lives. Even though 66% of respondents to the survey – conducted by global professional services firm Accenture – said they feel financially squeezed, 80% intend to maintain or increase their spend on health and fitness in 2023, whether that be via vitamins, supplements or exercise classes.
“For grocery, [health and wellness] used to be in that nice to have space and now it’s a need to have,” says Krystal Register, senior director, health and well-being at the Food Industry Association (FMI). That the average grocery store is already teeming with nutritious foods and beverages makes it an ideal destination for all these health and wellness-minded consumers, she says. With some grocers also having registered dietitians available to provide nutrition advice and guidance in-store and online, she says the grocery store is the “perfect place” to spotlight the role food can play in preventing disease and improving health. “I love a good end-cap with a new health product or a combination of things I may not have put together,” says Register. “These days it’s about how retailers can be a solution for health.”
Changing perspectives on health
As a registered dietitian herself, Register says it’s “music to my ears” to discover that the latest trends show consumers taking a more relaxed and sustainable approach to healthy eating, which she believes is more beneficial to long-term health. Shoppers are still placing more importance on eating well, but the latest research from FMI’s 2022 report, The Power of Health and Well-Being in the Food Industry, shows they’re streamlining their approach with fewer fad diets and less focus on specific product health claims. “They’re still looking for low-sugar, low-sodium and those kinds of things, but it looks like they’re relying more on trusted brands and overall product narrative rather than strictly looking at nutrient or health claims,” she explains. “This more generalized approach opens up the whole grocery store to meal solutions that would appeal to a broader audience.”
As we continue to feel the crunch of rising inflation, Register says grocery shoppers will also be looking for affordable ways to eat more healthily at home. “That can add up to a reliance on private brands, which need to be providing meal prep options for home that translate into quality and savings,” she says.
Given rising food costs, Shelley Balanko, senior vice-president at The Hartman Group, expects consumers will stick to the tried and true. “If something is new, they will double down on research and look for guidance and assurance from their retailer or social network because they can’t afford to be disappointed,” she says. “So yes, they will be a little more cautious and conservative when it comes to health and wellness spending.”
Balanko says grocers can help provide that assurance by offering in-store product literature, vetted and curated products, and expert advice – be that from onsite dietitians, nutritionists or staff who are well-versed and able to make recommendations. She points to online retailer Thrive Market as doing an admirable job in curating a robust collection of health and wellness products, and making it easy for shoppers to make purchases based on attributes or food philosophies and diet.
“In store, it should be very clear to the consumer that a retailer has a strong stand on health and wellness that is reflected through their assortment of products … and in terms of how they train their staff or provide additional experts,” says Balanko. “Our feeling is that those retailers will fare better, especially at this time of economic uncertainty where consumers want to continue with their health and wellness objectives but are less willing to experiment.”
At Community Natural Foods (CNF), a subsidiary of Calgary Co-op, every team member takes part in a weekly training session to ensure they are up to speed on the latest products and supplements geared to health and wellness. “We have people who come in and say, ‘this is the health issue I’m having today’ so we have a full-service department in our wellness section with great staff who are full of knowledge and passion,” says Matt Penner, CNF’s category management lead. “Our customer patterns have shown us that the more customers could engage with [staff] the more they wanted to.”
The natural and organic foods grocer offers regular webinars and in-store programs on topics such as cardiovascular care, pain management and how to improve fertility through diet and natural supplements. “We had a successful CNF Sugar Detox program this January and a record-number of signups for that,” says Penner. In addition to five virtual education sessions hosted by a functional nutrition consultant, shoppers were given downloadable food lists, recipes, planning guides and exclusive product discounts/giveaways, as well as coaching support via email. Participants could also book free personal in-store shopping tours to learn about no and low sugar food options.
More information-savvy shoppers
As health and wellness becomes more mainstream, the average grocery shopper is proving to be more health savvy than ever before. “Now, customers understand what artificial flavours and colours are and what organic growing means,” says Penner. “A decade ago, this certainly wasn’t the case.”
Nicole Ensoll, registered holistic nutritionist at Nature’s Emporium – a chain of health food markets in the Greater Toronto Area – says she’s also seen a marked increase post-pandemic in the number of shoppers looking to take a more active, preventative approach to health and wellness.
“They’re not just thinking about how to support their immune health with proper nutrition, they’re very cognizant of how gut health, for example, plays a role,” she says, pointing to products like bone broth and probiotics gaining favour, as well as licorice root to help repair intestinal lining. She says the same applies to customer interest in adaptogens – herbs and plants such as ashwagandha that can help rebalance the body after periods of stress. “I think people are also realizing their health is individual so they’re looking to find what makes them feel best.” Pets are no exception either, she says, noting an increasing number of pet owners who are purchasing natural supplements and healthy options for their animals.
While there are always experienced staff (including registered nurses) on hand to answer questions, Nature’s Emporium customers are encouraged to fill out an online form to book a free one-hour store tour for a more curated experience. “That way we can be fully prepared for what they’re looking for specifically and have the handouts and takeaways available for them,” says Ensoll.
A focus on mental wellness, too
In addressing customers’ health and wellness needs post-pandemic at the grocery store, analysts say mental wellness has to be a key consideration also. According to the 2021 NielsenIQ Global Health & Wellness report, one in three consumers surveyed across the globe reported that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental health, so brands that were focused on improving mental health saw stronger growth than those that didn’t. “We anticipate a continued interest in aging gracefully versus anti-aging, as by 2060, 40% of the population will be age 50+,” says Sherry Frey, health & wellness industry leader at NielsenIQ. “As the boomers continue to age, they continue to redefine what wellness looks like, bringing to the conversation previously taboo topics like menopause and increasing an emphasis on mental wellness and brain acuity.”
Consumers’ interest in “brain health and staying sharp” is certainly growing, agrees Joel Gregoire, associate director of food and drink at Mintel in Canada. Based on the findings of Mintel’s 2023 Global Food and Drink Trends report, he says consumers will be looking for food and beverages that can influence cognitive capacity, manage stress and optimize brain function. That means we can expect to see brands promoting brain boosts from energizing ingredients such as caffeine, as well as from fruit, vegetables and legumes.
Gregoire also points to growing consumer interest in small moments of indulgence to offset stressful times. “We’ve all gone through a number of health trials over the last few years, so how can grocers find new ways to promote pleasurable moments at home through food and drink,” he explains. “Consumers are now saying it’s OK to indulge from time to time and they see that as a part of being healthy.”
This article was first featured in Canadian Grocer’s February 2023 issue.


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India’s IPOs are are already hotly anticipated events, and relatively unknown companies can end up getting oversubscribed by several times. But now a true customer-facing giant is set to go public in India.
Zomato has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday. Zomato said that it intends to garner Rs. 8,250 crore (about $1.1 billion) through its public listing. Of this, Rs. 7,500 crore (approx $1 billion) will be through a fresh issue of equity shares. The rest amounting to Rs. 750 crore will be raised through an offer for sale (OFS) by existing investor Info Edge.
Zomato also said it may consider a pre-IPO placement of equity shares aggregating to Rs. 1,500 crore (about $200 million) prior to its filing of the red herring prospectus (RHP) with the Registrar of Companies. “If the pre-IPO placement is undertaken, the minimum offer size (comprising the fresh issue so reduced by the amount raised from the pre-IPO placement, and the OFS) shall constitute at least 10% of the post-offer paid-up equity share capital of our company,” Zomato’s DRHP read.
Zomato also revealed its financials as a part of its IPO process. Zomato said that it has incurred losses of Rs 106.9 crore, Rs 1,010 crore, Rs 2,385.6 crore and Rs 682 crore in fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020 and the nine months ending December 31, 2020, respectively. But Zomato also showed impressive growth in revenue, saying its revenue from operations had risen 5.5x from Rs 466 crore in FY18 to Rs 2,604 crore in FY20. Zomato also highlighted how it had emerged stronger after the coronavirus pandemic. “In particular, as lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic eased in India towards the end of May 2020, our food delivery business started recovering. In the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we recorded the highest gross order value or GOV achieved by us in any quarter till December 2020,” Zomato said.
Zomato’s going public will be a watershed moment for Indian startups. Some companies, like MakeMyTrip, have done IPOs abroad, while smaller startups, like EaseMyTrip, have gone public in India, but Zomato will be the first Indian unicorn startup to go public. India now has no shortage of extremely valuable startups — some estimates suggest that there are as many as 100 startups valued at nearly $1 billion in India — but these companies’ valuations have only been determined by private markets thus far. Skeptics have often scoffed at some of these sky-high valuations, suggesting that these startups are very aggressively valued by private investors, but going public can help these companies justify their numbers. Zomato’s IPO, in a sense, could end up being the validation that India’s startup ecosystem needs — if its stock is lapped up by investors, it’ll help rationalize the valuations of several other internet startups; if it doesn’t do particularly well, it’ll also call into question the valuations of other companies. Zomato is carrying a fair amount of responsibility as it prepares to go public, but the very fact that an Indian startup is has filed for its IPO is already a significant step forward for India’s startup ecosystem.


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Images of beaches strewn with containers, or of marine animals wrapped up in plastic are not unusual. This, unfortunately, has become the norm in the last few years. The excessive use of plastic packaging - often not recycled - is already one of the main problems the planet faces, perhaps only equal to global warming.
To raise awareness about this problem is precisely the main objective of the campaign #boycottplastic, proposed by the platform Zero Waste Spain and supported by the organisation Greenpeace. The initiative, which runs until 9 June, has been encouraging consumers to avoid buying single-use plastic for a week. In this way it raises the question of what would happen if society came together and stopped buying foods and products that use single-use plastic packaging.
Greenpeace has said that with this boycott they hope to show supermarkets, brands and other establishments that the vast majority of citizens do not want to contribute to plastic pollution. They added that people are tired of listening to supermarkets say that they do not get rid of plastic because their customers buy it and so they can not do anything.
“Let’s show them that it can’t go on like this. Every time we buy plastic products, we invest our money in a model that is not sustainable and we allow brands and supermarkets to continue putting these products in our hands. If we don’t buy these products, clearly they’ll stop selling them and look for alternatives,” the organisation stated.
Greenpeace hopes, therefore, to change society’s mentality and promote a plastic-free future. “When you’re really conscious of the amount of plastic packaging you use and throw out each week, and what that means for our sea life and environment, [...] you can’t carry on consuming it in the same way. When that happens, a challenge that initially was only for one week, becomes a lifestyle, not only for you, but also for the people around you,” added the organisation.
Extending the process
According to data obtained on a global level by different associations, up to 12 million tonnes of plastic reaches the ocean each year, and yet to go shopping without buying plastic is completely impossible. For example, Greenpeace has highlighted cases such as parsley sold in a small plastic box; cakes wrapped individually then put into a larger plastic bag; apples sold as if they were tennis balls and tomatoes in a tray and then also wrapped in a paper film.
Given the “seriousness” of the situation, the organisation has appealed to extend this boycott and turn it into a way of life. In fact, they say that it is more than society’s fight against single-use packaging; they want to go further. “Now that you’ve started this week saying a clear ‘no’ to non-reusable plastic, continue doing it,” it asked.
Greenpeace highlighted the 21-day theory, that suggests that when an individual does something for that amount of time, it becomes part of their routine.
“Now is the time. And what if after one week of boycott we extend it to 21 days? And if we change this habit forever? And if millions of people do it? We would see the beginning of the end of plastic pollution,” said Greenpeace.
In order to be able to move forward, the organisaiton has produced some tools which help people to shop without plastic. It advises consumers to plan all shopping beforehand in order not to shop compulsively; to look for an unpackaged equivalent to the packaged goods purchased previously; and to take a bag, shopping trolley, or rucksack to use when shopping, as well as other containers for products bought loose or by weight.


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Indonesia best selling cars 2016 with the dominator, the Toyota Avanza, over doubling the second, albeit losing volumes. New models are growing starting from the Toyota Calya, Honda HR-V and Honda BR-V.
In the 2016 the Indonesia vehicles domestic market scored a moderate recovery over the previous year, confirming the leadership in the ASEAN region.
The list of best selling cars presents many new models thanks to the success of new comers arrived during the year.
According to data released by the GAIKINDO, the Indonesian Associations of Car Manufacturers, the top four positions have been taken by the market leader, Toyota.
Unchanged from the full year 2015 the first place, with the Toyota Avanza again on top despite losing 8.6%, with 121.654 registrations, enough to keep behind the second, the Toyota Innova, up 4 spots, with 57.493 units (+26.6%) and the third, the new Toyota Calya with 48.287.
In fourth place, the Toyota Agya with 45.009 sales (-20.6%) followed by the Daihatsu Xenia with 44.720 units (+35.3%), the Honda HR-V with 44.331 (+21.7%) and the Honda Mobilio with 39.487 sales (-19.3%).
Behind, the Daihatsu Ayla with 39.087 (+7.2%) followed by the new Hond BR-V with 38.666 units and in 10th place by the Daihatsu Grand Max PU with 37.996 units (-34.6%).
To see the full year 2015 ranking see here
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for the top Models


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Activision Blizzard had an investor call last night. They're always fun because it's the only time to see publishers being honest (to their only true customers). Activision has revealed that Destiny 2 disappointed them, failing to meet sales expectations. Their response is to be more content and more monetization. One assumes more microtransactions are en route. None of this should be surprising by now. Games are now constantly failing to meet expectations, and the answer's always going to be squeezing more cash from the same udders. It's gonna be fun seeing what they do to Destiny from now on. Source...
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The Micro-Mobility Business Model is Falling Through the Cracks
By Charlie Welch, ZapBatt CEO and Amiad Zionpur, ZapBatt COO
Significant challenges have driven e-bikes from niche to mainstream in the last 18 months. With climate change on the rise and an uptick in gas prices, the micro-mobility industry is rapidly maturing. These changes could mitigate the effects of climate warnings, battery supply chain issues driving up the cost of EVs, and rising gas prices deterring people from car ownership and towards more economical alternatives.
To accommodate a staggering 240 percent growth rate in sales, pavements around the globe have welcomed an increasingly prevalent species: the e-biker. Cities have embraced sharing platforms, and operators have announced new e-bike infrastructure plans and laws to meet this demand.
Since the surge of micro-mobility, we’ve begun to see cracks in the industry. There have been concerns surrounding issues with sustainability and financial feasibility. We are learning that the original business model is slipping through the cracks, leading to short-term growth but seeming unsustainable in the long term.
Suppose we create a more sustainable and profitable industry. In that case, micro-mobility will have a positive effect, not only on sustainability for consumers but also on the future of the world’s climate as well.
CITIES ARE THE FUTURE
Studies show we will continue to see the growth of urban populations. According to the World Bank, the world’s urban population will increase from today’s 4.4 billion to 6 billion by 2045, with nearly 70 percent of the planet living in cities by 2050.
Urbanization creates enormous transportation challenges. Public transport, already struggling in many global cities, will experience even more strain. Municipalities are attempting to reduce car use, a trend likely to continue as micro-mobility options are quickly growing.
CleanTechnica said that Miami e-scooter manufacturer Fluidfreeride’s sales are up more than 70 percent over March 2021, while another manufacturer, Bird, saw sales increase 60 percent in March 2022. E-bike sales will reach 40 million units worldwide this year, with 300 million in circulation—a 50 percent increase from 2019.
So if it’s a booming industry, what’s the problem?
WHAT’S IN THE BATTERY
As micro-mobility continues to soar, the battery remains core to both the advancements and challenges in the sector.
An issue is that the leading e-bike and e-scooter manufacturers use the same type—and often even the same brand—of batteries, leaving these companies constrained by what the battery can do.
Buying options abound for a consumer looking to buy an e-bike or e-scooter. However, in reality, the choice only lies within the different cosmetic bells and whistles of the bike or scooter, with no real fundamental differences in its most essential part—the battery.
For Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) companies running businesses that rent out these means of shared transportation, much of the focus has been placed on the immediate purchase price rather than the long-term savings and conveniences.
The industry must improve conveniences, sustainability, and safety to advance.
Currently, e-bike riders have to wait about 6-8 hours to fully charge their bikes. If the battery dies, there is no quick charging option that can quickly get them on their way again without damaging the battery. The same is true for ride-sharing programs. When batteries die, e-bikes and scooters must be picked up and transported (most likely by gas-guzzling ICE vehicles) to and from charging sites. Worse yet, the batteries are swapped out, causing a sustainability nightmare.
Typically, e-bike batteries last 2-4 years, depending on how people ride the bikes. While it seems that riding an e-bike is green, the fact is that every few years, these batteries are thrown away. Also, let’s not forget about the carbon footprint of making these batteries.
According to the New York City Fire Department, there have been nearly 200 fires caused by micro-mobility devices in New York City alone this year. At issue is the influx of e-bike delivery drivers, many of whom use bikes with cheap batteries that overheat and are damaged from frequent use. Many people need to be made aware of the fire dangers of lithium-ion batteries within today’s micro-mobility applications. As e-bike popularity continues to soar, so will related fires unless new battery technologies are implemented.
The cosmetic features and short-term thinking in the micro-mobility space need to be removed and replaced by a change in the battery type. Only then can significant change in the industry—affecting manufacturers, MaaS companies, retailers, consumers, and cities—occur.
TAKE A LOOK AT PROFITABILITY
The battery is the gatekeeper to profitability. Nearly every aspect of the business model, including labor, up-time, warehousing, capital, and ridership, is built around battery performance. And historically, deciding which battery to choose has come down to two metrics: cost and range.
To tackle this, companies need to flip how they assess batteries. Moving on from cost and range, now is the time for companies to understand the entire lifetime expense of a battery. Their bottom line is affected by battery sustainability, safety, and charging times.
Currently, charging e-bikes and e-scooters for ride-share programs is inefficient, expensive, and time-consuming. It involves removing them from the streets and loading them onto trucks – usually ICE vehicles – to transport them to offsite warehouses. The battery recharging process can create an entire day of un-use, reducing operators’ revenue opportunities.
It is a particularly unwieldy and unsustainable process in large cities, where charging and maintenance must occur at scale. For example, according to Laura Fox, General Manager of Citi Bike, regular bikes can be used 10 to 15 times per day in New York, with e-bikes not far behind. That means a lot of costly – and unreliable – maintenance, as charging and operations are estimated to eat up 60 percent of costs.
END BATTERY SWAPPING
One way operators have attempted to improve efficiencies is through swappable batteries. Rather than collecting e-bikes and e-scooters and transporting them to a central warehouse for charging, micro-mobility companies send crews to swap batteries on-site. This cuts down on congestion, keeps e-bikes and e-scooters in circulation, and prevents lost revenue. Sounds good, right?
However, while the process saves on operational costs, it wastes the batteries. Often, batteries that still have 30-40 percent of life left are swapped for ‘full’ ones, which, due to degradation, can be as low as 80 percent of their original capacity. With e-bike batteries capping out after about 500 charging cycles, this swapping significantly reduces the battery’s lifespan.
To run the swappable system efficiently and allow additional battery charging to keep the process moving, e-scooters require an estimated 1.5 to 2 battery packs. A fleet of 10,000 e-scooters would need at least 15,000 batteries. This system is costly.
Currently, the industry views batteries like the computer hardware industry views printer ink cartridges. It works on a similar model: swap old toner cartridges for new ones. However, there’s a key difference: up to 30 percent of toner cartridges get recycled. In contrast, less than 1 percent of Lithium-ion batteries get recycled in the US and EU.
There are also significant safety issues with swapping batteries. Battery packs are easily damaged, and the sheer volume of swapping results in exposure to the elements and regular mishandling. Damage caused by battery swapping can also increase fire risks.
THE FUTURE NEEDS A NEW BATTERY
The existing micro-mobility models have room for improvement if we want to create a profitable industry.
Cheaper e-bikes and e-scooters can help, but more is needed to drive down costs and improve efficiency dramatically. Instead, we must look at the battery to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
We’ve seen that swapping batteries isn’t a long-term solution for costs or the environment. Ultimately, the industry needs to consider drastically cutting the volume of manufactured batteries and instead use batteries that last longer. Battery production is carbon-intensive, particularly when you add in the carbon footprint of shipping—so the fewer batteries we need to produce, the more sustainable future we create.
The only type of swapping that makes financial sense is changing longer-lasting batteries into next-generation designs, essentially making the battery the long-lasting “CPU” and the most critical part of the vehicle.
Further, because the battery is the cause of many operational problems and costs, finding solutions is critical for both the bottom line and the planet. Alternative battery technology and moving the industry away from cheap batteries can shift this trajectory.
LITHIUM-TITANATE IS THE FUTURE
New micro-mobility battery chemistries like LTO can play a pivotal role in the micro-mobility business models of today. Faster charge times can keep e-bikes and e-scooters on the streets for more extended periods of time, longer life spans of batteries can reduce the number of new batteries that need to be purchased, and safer chemistries can reduce the danger of fires. This is a game (ride) changer for the industry. It’s time to swap out old battery chemistries with the new.


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KAPAA — Nestled on the Coconut Coast of Kauai, Lava Lava Beach Club offers diners the ultimate experience: eating with their toes in the sand.
“We’ve had some people leave their shoes here,” said Jose Fuentes, restaurant manager.
Lava Lava Beach Club gives its guests views of the sunrise, sunset and marine life.
A couple weeks ago, diners and restaurant staff watched in awe as whales started jumping in and out of the water, Fuentes said.
“I couldn’t get people out of their chairs to turn the tables over because people were staring at the whales,” he said.
Located on Papaloa Road in Kapaa, Lava Lava Beach Club opened in January. It already has become a staple for residents and tourists, Fuentes said.
“We’ll have guys soaking wet, come in, and grab a table,” he said.
Breakfast is a good stop for people who want to get an early start before hiking or for those who want to award themselves with a nice breakfast after hiking all morning, Fuentes said.
Popular items include the pancakes, which can be filled with macadamia nuts, bananas, blueberries or bacon, the Big Wave Burrito, Ahi Cake Benedict and Hapa Laka Loco Moco, a half Portuguese sausage and beef patty, which is served with two eggs, fried rice and mushroom gravy.
The pancakes are “monsters,” Fuentes said.
“You get three big, fat and stacked pancakes, so you have to be a hefty eater to finish it,” he said. “I never have.”
Executive chef Shane Galan said the Hapa Laka Loco Moco and the Ahi Cake Benedict are his favorite dishes.
“The Hapa Laka is comfort food for me,” the Big Island native said.
Galan said he likes the Ahi Cake Benedict because it gives a new twist on a classic dish. The dish, which is served topped with cooked ahi and wasabi, “gives a Pacific infusion to a classic Eggs Benedict,” he said.
Galan, who was worked as a chef on the Big Island and in Las Vegas, said he was introduced to the kitchen as a teenager.
“My mom was a pastry chef at the Royal Kona Resort, so I worked at the bakery,” he said. “I got my start in baking, but I wanted to get in the food scene.”
He worked as a sous chef for six years at various restaurants, both on Hawaii and the Mainland, before gaining the executive chef title at Lava Lava Beach Club on Kauai. He oversees a kitchen staff of 25.
Galan’s favorite part about working on Kauai is the ocean.
“I moved here from Vegas, so all I saw was walls,” he said. “Here, I get to smell, hear and taste the ocean.”
It’s that atmosphere that gets people to keep coming back, Fuentes said.
When breakfast is busy, the staff can serve up to 200 people. And while there are inside dining options, most people opt to eat outside, Fuentes said.
“Even if it rains, people want to be outside,” he said.
Lava Lava Beach Club got its start on The Big Island. The proprietors, Scott Dodd and Eric von Platen Luder, also own Huggo’s, On the Rocks and Paradise Gourmet Catering, all on the Big Island.
There are perquisites for all Lava Lava restaurants, Fuentes said.
“You have to have a beach, and you have to be able to take your shoes off and have your toes in the sand,” he said.


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Another mishap: BlackBerry withdraws Twitter app update
BlackBerry has pulled the latest update to the Twitter app for BlackBerry 10.
It added that the company would actively investigate and provide an update here when Twitter 10.2.2 has been reposted.According to CNET, version 10.2.2 of the app, which was just released on December 17, brought several enhancements, including BBM connectivity, timeline photo previews, and improved search and reply functions.
BlackBerry decided to pull the update after users reported loading issues and crashes. It is unclear when the updated Twitter app will return to BlackBerry's app marketplace.(ANI)
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