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June 8, 2006
Wendy’s cuts most trans fats from fries, chicken
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Wendy's International Inc. on Thursday said it would significantly cut trans fats from its menu, beating market leader McDonald's Corp., which still has not made good on its promise to remove the artery-clogging fats from french fries in the United States.
Wendy's, the No. 3 U.S. burger chain, said its restaurants in the United States and Canada will switch to a new blend of corn and soy oil for french fries and breaded chicken items starting in August.The move will reduce trans fats in french fries to just zero to 0.5 grams, depending on serving sizes, while all of the breaded chicken products will have zero grams of trans fats.
Wendy's, based in Dublin, Ohio, said it has been working on the switch for a year and is already testing the new cooking oil in more than 370 restaurants in Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia and Ontario, Canada.
Kerrii Anderson, Wendy's interim chief executive officer, said the changes were being made "without jeopardizing the great taste our customers expect."
McDonald's famously announced in 2002 that it planned to reduce trans fats in its french fries, but so far has failed to live up to that promise as it has yet to come up with an alternative that the company thinks has an acceptable taste.
In May, McDonald's Chief Executive James Skinner conceded the company should not have announced the plan before having an alternative in place.
A McDonald's spokesperson could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Wendy's said it will become the first national hamburger chain using non-hydrogenated oil.
Burger King Holdings Inc., the second-largest U.S. burger chain, could not immediately comment on its plans.
A large order of french fries at Wendy's had 7 grams of trans fats, and will now have 0.5 grams with the new blended oil. An order of chicken strips, which had 3 grams of trans fats, will have zero grams.
The servings of nuggets and french fries in its kids' meals will have zero grams of trans fat once the switch is made.
Wendy's said it is working with french-fry suppliers to further cut the amount of trans fats that occur as part of the preparation at their facilities, with a goal of zero grams.
Wendy's said using a non-hydrogenated oil also reduces saturated fats in its breaded chicken and french fries an average of 20 percent.
The announcement comes just a week after Wendy's added two healthier choices, a yogurt and granola cup and Baked Lay's potato chips, as options for its combo meals in lieu of fries.
Combo meals at fast-food chains typically come with french fries as a side dish. Wendy's began offering lower-calorie side salads, baked potatoes and chili as options on its combo menu in December 2004.
(With reporting by Brad Dorfman)


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Apparel Magazine recently published its Top 40 Innovators in 2014, where one of our clients, Bauer Performance Sports was listed for its highly personalized merchandise that bolstered the bar on retail service. This happens to be the second consecutive year that one of our clients have been listed on Apparel Magazine's special issue, which recognizes apparel retailers, brands and manufacturers who have deployed new technology in unique ways to improve their business.
Innovation is not something new to Bauer; they were the first to produce hockey skates in which the blade was permanently secured to the boot. And in today's omnichannel world, Bauer is going a step further by actually offering tailored, customized service to its customers by deploying new technology. The 'Top Innovator' title is in recognition of these initiatives which also included the mammoth task of integrating newly acquired brand, Cascade on SAP AFS to offer a seamless customer experience across all its product categories. The summer 2012 acquisition of Cascade allows Bauer to add lacrosse helmets to the mix — and offer an unprecedented 48-hour turnaround.
As the technology partner, we're certainly thrilled to be associated with Bauer's initiatives and congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.

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A MARKETING firm in Huddersfield is helping councils and other public sector bodies with high-tech ways to improve services to customers.
Milnsbridge-based Message4it is pursuing a string of potential leads after making a big impression at the second annual Front Office Shared Services (Foss) national conference.
The two-day event – attended by senior council officers and Government officials – focused on ways for public sector organisations to deliver more effective and efficient services to people and businesses.
Shaun Nixon, Message4it’s technical director, said products developed by the firm could help meet the aims outlined at the conference by the Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDeA).
He added: “We have been developing a range of products in partnership with businesses including retailers, Huddersfield University and the Galpharm Stadium to improve communications between organisations and their customers.
“Expanding our business by introducing our new products to the public sector is a natural extension of this activity.
“The Foss conference provided an ideal showcase.
“We had a series of discussions at the conference to examine how our technology and software could help local councils meet their targets of streamlining front office services and improving customer communications.”
Mr Nixon said products developed by the firm were creating new ways for businesses and customers to communicate, by using media such as mobile phones, the internet and touch-screen units.
The technology could be used to help councils and other bodies provide and process information, handle payments, receive pictures and get feedback from customers.
Examples included enabling people to report potholes by sending pictures direct from a mobile phone; consumer surveys via email and text message and even payment for parking or council tax by mobile phone.
Said Mr Nixon: “The whole event was designed to inspire those at the top of local government to examine the chance for radical change in how things are done.
“From our experience, the will to make those changes is strong and following our discussions at the conference we have now been invited for further consultations by a number of local authorities and county councils.”
Among its current contracts Message4it teamed up with the Galpharm Stadium to use people’s mobile phones to transmit club offers, news and information.
Messages go to any Bluetooth-enabled phone which people may wish to use within 100 metres of the stadium or the town centre Sporting Pride shop.
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology which normally allows connection of chosen or paired devices such a mobile phone and hands-free headset or a phone and computer.


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Veteran investor Mitch Lasky has poured a healthy slug of cold water over the enthusiasm surrounding VR, describing the early market for the technology a, "dramatically overfunded space," that, "kind of scares me as an investor."
Speaking at Casual Connect USA today, Lasky admitted that his "intense emotional experience" while using the current high-end headsets did not convince him that VR was a smart investment within the next few years. And given that Lasky can count Riot Games and Snapchat among his own smart investments, it's a perspective worth taking on board.
"When I look at it more structurally, I'd say something that may sound a little strange: perhaps the Facebook acquisition of Oculus wasn't the greatest thing for the development of virtual reality in the long-run," Lasky said. "It set such a high watermark, and it rung the bell so loudly for the industry, that it sort of forced the hand."
"It's a dramatically overfunded space, actually, from a VC perspective"
Had it been Samsung, HTC or Softbank spending that $2 billion, Lasky said, there might have been a few more raised eyebrows regarding the wisdom of the investment. "But Facebook is smart money," he continued, "and it really established an arms race of sorts in that field, where all of the big companies felt that they had to have a play.
"A lot of game developers jumped in, a lot of venture capitalists jumped in. It's a dramatically overfunded space, actually, from a VC perspective."
The chain reaction sparked by Facebook's acquisition of Oculus led to the formation of "a consensus" that VR is, "gonna work, it's gonna be huge, it's the next big thing, the next big platform. I've talked to senior executives at Facebook who've told me that it's the next mobile phone. I don't personally share that view."
However, adverts for the Gear VR are now playing during primetime sports broadcasts, at a point where, in Lasky's view, "the market is so nascent that we haven't even figured out what we want to do with it yet. It kind of scares me as an investor.
"I've seen 25 or 30 excellent demos. I haven't seen a lot I would consider finished products, or even things that suggest finished products. And if it's anything like mobile games, I started a mobile games business in 2000. It wasn't until 2008 or 2009 that they really became viable as big businesses.
"It was not just the launch of the iPhone, but the launch of the App Store, and even the launch of in-app purchases, that were necessary to get mobile games catalysed in a way that made it meaningful as a business. VR may take a while."
GamesIndustry.biz is a media partner for Casual Connect USA. Our travel and accommodation costs were provided by the organiser.


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Portable 3D printer produces customers’ bespoke cake designs
We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the Springwise experience, and so we’re now introducing BeeLine Reader, a new technology that helps you read more quickly and efficiently. To learn more about BeeLine Reader, an award-winning startup funded by Intel Capital, see BeeLineReader.com.
Edible experiments with 3D printing continue to expand the range of customized food available to consumers. We recently reported that Kinneir Dufort in the UK can now produce pancakes with the diner’s face on, and now Dutch supermarket Albert Hejin is enabling customers to design, print and buy custom cake decorations.
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How China’s economic crash could cost you your job: The major Australian industries set to be hit hard by Beijing’s big slow
- Industry experts predicting the growth of the Chinese economy is set to end
- Australian mining, education, tourism and retail industries could be implicated
- Jason Aravanis, an IBISWorld Senior Industry Analyst, said impact will be ‘huge’
Australian’s working in retail, tourism, mining and education should brace themselves for a sharp downturn and potential job losses due to China’s impending economic crash.
IBISWorld, a leading global industry research company, is predicting China’s slowest economic growth since 2009 will have significant implications for Australia where many business are strongly reliant on Chinese demand.
Jason Aravanis, a Senior Industry Analyst with IBISWorld, believes the downturn from China won’t take long to hit us.
China’s impending economic crash could have a significant impact on a handful of Australian employment sectors (stock image)
The mining industry in Australia could feel the brunt of the expected economic crash in China (stock image)
‘Australia is more exposed to a downturn in Chinese economic growth than most nations. China is Australia’s largest trade partner, and accounted for 30.6 per cent of total Australian export revenue in 2017-18,’ he said.
‘For context, Australia’s second largest trading partner is Japan, which accounted for 12.7 per cent of export revenue in 2017-18. In fact, China accounts for more Australian trade than the United States and Japan combined.’
IBISWorld predicts iron ore and black coal mining are the industries most exposed to a downturn in Chinese demand.
‘New projects under consideration by major iron ore miners, such as Rio Tinto, BHP and Hancock Prospecting will likely be threatened if Chinese demand declines,’ Aravanis said.
‘Chinese demand for black coal is also projected to decline over the next five years as steel production contracts in line with slowing economic growth.’
Education is another sector under threat.
The tertiary sector is hugely reliant on demand from international students, particularly from China.
‘Australian education providers have benefited from China’s growing middle class, which has led to (Chinese) enrolments at Australian universities increasing by at least 12 per cent every year since 2002,’ Aravanis said.
It is estimated Chinese students contributed $32.4 billion to the Australian education sector in 2017-18.
A downturn in China’s economic growth could force students to study domestically instead of overseas.
Workers in the tourism sector also had cause for concern, as hotels and tour operators are heavily reliant on Chinese spending.
Education from Chinese students studying abroad in Australia has long been a successful money-spinner (stock image)
The retail sector in Australia is expected to take a hit if the Chinese economy takes a predicted tumble (stock image)
Over the year through September 2018, an estimated 9.2million tourists from China arrived on Australian shores.
Figures from Tourism Australia revealed Chinese tourists spent roughly $11.5billion on Australian goods and services over the year through September 2018.
Common items purchased included clothing, footwear, watches and jewellery.
Arvanis concluded by stating the outcome is bleak as long as Australia continues to ‘maintain low interest rates and high government debt relative to prior years.’
‘The economy has little to protect it from a global economic downturn,’ he said.
Crunching the numbers globally
•China valued at $183 billion (up 16 per cent on 2016), accounting for 24 per cent of total trade. China remained Australia’s largest two-way trading partner, export market and import source
• Japan overtaking the US market as Australia’s second largest trading partner, valued at $72 billion, up 17 per cent on last year (9.4 perm cent of total trade)
• The US, valued at $68 billion, up 4 per on last year (9 per cent of total trade). The US continued to be Australia’s largest two-way services trading partner
• South Korea valued at $55 billion, up 71 per cent on last year (7.2 per cent of total trade). The strong growth for this period can be attributed largely to the purchase of LNG platforms
• India overtaking the UK and New Zealand as Australia’s fifth largest trading partner, valued at $27 billion, up 28 per cent on last year (3.6 per cent of total trade)


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— Kia is recalling over 51,000 model year 2014 Kia Soul cars because the ability to steer the cars could go from good to none. Kia said a plug that secures the pinion gear to the steering gear can loosen and cause a complete loss of steering.
Kia discovered the defect in April and a subsequent internal investigation found a supplier improperly used a thread-locking adhesive during assembly. Kia apparently caught the problem early as only three warranty claims have been submitted, and there have been no reports of accidents or injuries.
Affected 2014 Kia Soul owners should receive recall notices this month. Kia dealers will replace the pinion plug with a new pinion plug which has thread-locking adhesive applied the way it should have been in the first place. Meaning, Kia will try to make sure the steering wheel lives up to its definition.
If you own a Kia Soul and have questions or comments, contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 and give them recall number SC108.


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New research from processing and packaging solutions firm Tetra Pak offers insights into a newly-defined digital community of early adopters and brand amplifiers called Super Leaders—and examines how brands can focus their digital strategies on engaging this new generation of influencers.
Through cultivating these relationships, brands can turn their industry’s most influential Super Leaders into brand advocates to spread messages, shape opinions and help build trust in products.
The report shows that third-party, user-generated content is becoming increasingly important, often more powerful than direct communications from brands. Super Leaders, who represent just 7 percent of the online population, pride themselves on creating this content. More than half (57 percent) of them write brand and/or product reviews every week, and nearly two-thirds (65 percent) say they are more likely to do so after a positive experience. In addition, more than three-quarters (78 percent) expect brands to reply to their reviews and ratings, saying that interacting with brands on social media improves their opinion of that brand (79 percent).
The importance of engaging Super Leaders is reflective of not only our increasingly digital world, but also the changing consumer journey from a relatively linear process to a complex network of multiple touchpoints.
Consumers today search for product information before, during and after buying. They refer to at least four information sources pre-purchase, many of which are beyond the control of brands —all the more reason for companies to engage Super Leaders.
“Using new ways to reach connected consumers is especially important when you think of Generation Z,” said Alexandre Carvalho, director marketing services at Tetra Pak, in a news release. “They have been brought up in a digital-first world, and expect brands to communicate on their channels of choice. The age of passive, one-way communication is over. Brands need to adjust their communications and create more channel-specific, authentic and engaging content.”
In addition, the research demonstrates that packaging has an important role to play in consumer engagement. For example, digital codes printed on packages can improve transparency of traceability, allowing consumers to access information about the product right down to the source.
The package can also be transformed into a conduit for two-way communication where brands can capture specific, valuable data about their consumers as well as share more information about the product itself. The report includes case studies from food and beverage brands who engage Super Leaders and reach wider audiences.
“The digital package gives brand owners a direct link to the consumer through an important communication channel—the product itself,” Carvalho continued. “To make the most of this fully owned channel, Tetra Pak is piloting the use of augmented reality and other digital technology in our packaging to help our customers stay ahead.”


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After a highly anticipated wait, the new Sunseeker Germany showroom is now open!
Sunseeker London Group, is delighted to announce the opening of the brand new Sunseeker showroom in Germany. Located on the iconic Königsallee in Düsseldorf, the new showroom has been opened in partnership with luxury car manufacturer and refinement specialist, BRABUS and is part of the leading Sunseeker London Group.
The 400 square meter showroom will showcase Sunseeker’s range of luxury performance motor yachts, as well as offering a brokerage service to help owners sell their boats or purchase a pre-owned vessel. The flagship store is a pioneering move and is the first time that two elite brands from the yachting and automotive industry have come together to open a joint location on the Königsallee.
Make sure to come and visit our new showroom, we are open 10am-8pm Mon-Saturday.
More exciting news to follow soon!


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Toyota’s Emerging Markets Strategy Promises Longevity
Lennox is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
Over the past several months, a lot of media attention has been given to the impressive sales figures in the automobile industry. In the thick of the bullish headlines, there has been keen comparison between the automobile bigwigs. However, with major improvements across the board, investors can’t really put a finger on the real winners. With this challenge on investors’ hands, it is critical to look for the automobile player that is not merely riding on an industry-wide rally, but that rather promises solid returns in the long term.
Industry-wide rallies always play out
Across the board, the industry is doing well. Sales in the U.S increased 9.2% in June on an uptick in truck and pick-up sales. The increased demand for trucks and pick-ups was largely attributable to the boom in the energy and construction sectors. Toyota (NYSE: TM) managed to come out ahead of the market’s 9.2% gain to record a 9.8% year-over-year upswing in U.S auto sales. Ford (NYSE: F) also was among the key players that best capitalized on the bulging demand for trucks and pick-ups. In addition to a 13% year-over-year improvement in overall sales, its F-series trended upward 24% during the June time frame, the best improvement since 2006. And to further stir sales, Ford is noted to have cut prices on its electric vehicles. Its Focus EV, which was earlier priced at $39,200 saw a tremendous $4,000 price cut and now retails at $35,200. Through this price incentive, Ford is hoping to gnaw into Tesla's numbers as well as improve its own top line.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) also managed to cut back on its older model Silverado inventory glut, recording a 29% gain in sales of the model during the June time frame. This is critically important for General Motors as it clears its inventories for the newly launched Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. These two new entries are poised to be great contenders, considering that they are General Motor's first launches since the infamous 2009 bankruptcy.
The improved sales have been reflected in the stock market as General Motors, Ford and Toyota are all trading intimately close to their 52-week highs. However, with this kind of uptrend comes great uncertainty. A lot of risks are gathering on the horizon; particularly if you look at trends in the sector. Consumers are taking a slow-but-progressive stance toward electric cars. In fact, General Motors and Honda are working together to produce a mass fuel-cell system by 2020 that chemically burns hydrogen to generate electricity without the emission of toxic gases. With this, they hope to slow Tesla’s aggressive rise.
Amid the fierce competition and constant innovation, Toyota is making notable inroads in the background. Unlike most of its peers, Toyota is making some fundamental changes in its emerging-markets strategy. Unlike developed markets, emerging markets always grow; even in the face of extreme geopolitical and economic meltdowns. As such, improvements in emerging markets is a next-to-certain assurance of sustained growth.
Toyota’s stance in Kenya sets it up for greater dominance in emerging markets
Hino, Toyota’s subsidiary that is run from Tokyo, has set foot in Africa for the first time. Through the construction of a $5.76 million vehicle assembly plant in Kenya, Hino will partner with Associated Vehicle Assemblers, the largest assembler in Kenya, to assemble heavy trucks and buses.
Typically, Toyota sticks to small trucks and cars. However, venturing into the heavy-truck and bus segment means that Toyota will have to square off with General Motors’ Isuzu truck, which commands a considerably large market share in Kenya.
There are so many questions to ask. Why did Toyota choose Kenya? And more importantly, why did Toyota choose to directly compete with General Motors in a segment where the latter pulls the strings?
Kenya was a top choice because of the legislation regarding automobile imports. While traders importing completely built-up vehicle units (CBU) pay 25% import duty, there is absolutely no duty on the importation of completely knocked-down vehicle parts. This will considerably drive down Toyota’s costs in the assembly plant; which will in turn allow the company to revise its price points downward and rope in more customers relative to its competitors – particularly General Motors.
Second, Kenya, like many other African countries is currently emphatic on the development agenda. Kenya has a flagship Vision 2030 program that seeks to push the country into a full middle-income economy by the year 2030. In view of this, the construction industry has tracked upward amid bulging needs for infrastructure, housing and corporate buildings. Demand for heavy trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles is therefore expected to increase moving forward. Current market statistics in Kenya show that sales of commercial vehicles accounted for about 70% of all new vehicles bought in the country. The assembly of trucks and buses will secure a huge payday for Toyota going forward.
Considering that this enabling environment is not limited to Kenya, Toyota could greatly benefit if it took a similar approach in other emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
A stock that has a Plan B is always a better long-term pick when compared to those that bask in the present glory. Toyota’s emerging-markets stance is a guarantee of sustained long-term growth. This, in turn, promises longevity. The stock is a strong long-term buy.
China is already the world's largest auto market -- and it's set to grow even bigger in coming years. A recent Motley Fool report, "2 Automakers to Buy for a Surging Chinese Market," names two global giants poised to reap big gains that could drive big rewards for investors. You can read this report right now for free -- just click here for instant access.
Lennox Yieke has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of Ford. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is this post wrong? Click here. Think you can do better? Join us and write your own!


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Nokia India today announced its latest addition to the Nokia Asha series - the Nokia Asha 202 , the Nokia Asha 202 is a dual SIM touch and type phone designed for enhanced and cost effective web browsing, social networking, gaming and entertainment.
The Nokia Asha 202 is packed with exciting features and services such as EA games-pack and Nimbuzz chat client for young and social consumers.
The Nokia Asha 202 offers faster, richer and more cost-efficient web experience through Nokia Browser.
To enable the consumers to experience ‘faster internet’ without having to worry about data charges, Nokia has tied up with five lead operators Aircel, Airtel, Reliance, Tata Docomo and Vodafone – across the country to offer 100 MB of data (each) per month for six months absolutely free.
The Nokia Asha 202 will be the first Series 40 device to offer exclusive EA games in India. As a 60-day promotion at Nokia Store, the consumers can enjoy 40 EA game pack worth Rs 4000 absolutely free. The offer includes popular and classic titles like Tetris, Need for Speed, The Run and Bejeweled. Asha 202 is to be priced around Rs 4200.


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Pakistani lubricant supplier Hi-Tech Lubricants Ltd. reported a 110 percent rise in its third-quarter net profit, thanks to higher other income and lower expenses.
The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 155.65 million (U.S. $1.49 million) from January to March, up from Rs 74.23 million in the same period last year.
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Other income soared to Rs 6.98 million compared to Rs 996,084 a year earlier. Total expenses went down by 11 percent to Rs 201.13 million.
Sales largely remained unchanged year on year at Rs 1.52 billion, as pick-up in volumes offset the impact of lower product prices.
For the nine months ended March 31, Hi-Techs consolidated net profit rose 76 percent year on year to Rs 441.14 million, and sales jumped 26 percent to Rs 4.95 billion.
Hi-Tech, which distributes South Koreas SK Lubricants Ltd.s Zic brand of finished lubricants to more than 150 sellers in Pakistan, reduced prices of its products by 2 to12 percent per liter in the third quarter, in line with lower international product prices. As a result, the companys volumes jumped by 9 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of last year.


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The recent removal of petrol subsidy, which caused the prices of Premium Motor Spirit to balloon, has worsened the plight of struggling small businesses, writes HENRY FALAIYE
When the speculation of planned electricity tariffs filtered in, Nigerians vowed to resist it. They argued that it was insensitive to hike electricity tariffs when they were still grappling with the aftermath of the removal of the petrol subsidy on May 29, which sent petrol prices up from N185 per litre to N500 per litre.
The increase in petrol prices has had a significant impact on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, as these businesses heavily rely on it to operate effectively.
According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, energy costs consist of over 30 per cent of businesses in the country. The increase in petrol prices has further worsened the difficulties faced by struggling MSMEs, who are already burdened by numerous challenges related to their operating conditions.
Although MSMEs are the highest employers of labour in the country and a major driver of the economy, the challenging business environment makes many of them fold up before their fifth anniversary.
According to a joint report by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics, there were 39,654,385 MSMEs in Nigeria as of December 2020, representing a 4.5 per cent decrease from 2017. While Lagos State had the highest number of enterprises across all categories, Katsina, Rivers, and Kaduna stood out among other states.
Micro enterprises accounted for 38,413,420 of MSMEs, while small and medium enterprises comprised 1,240,965, contributing 46.31 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and constituting 96.7 per cent of all businesses.
However, a recent report by SMEDAN highlighted that the number of MSMEs dropped by approximately 2 million between 2017 and 2021, largely due to the impact of COVID-19 and other challenges faced by small businesses nationwide.
A confectionery artisan, Tayo Alimi, whose business is in Ikotun District, Lagos State, lamented that high energy costs in the country had been affecting his operating costs.
He told The PUNCH, “Things are difficult due to the present economic situation. I cannot adequately afford to run my diesel generator to power the bakery. At the beginning of the year, I was buying diesel at N220 per litre, but now the same litre of diesel is selling for N800, which is almost four times higher.”
According to him, he sleeps most of the time in the factory with a few workers, so whenever there is a public power supply, he would utilise it to work in order to cut costs.
“I cannot afford to use diesel with the present cost otherwise my business will pack up in no time. Also, all my profit is spent on diesel and other running costs which are affecting the sustainability of the business. I hope the government will improve on the bad state of the economy because the market environment is not favourable at all,” he noted.
Similarly, a supermarket owner situated at Isolo, Lagos, Bola Adekola, decried the exorbitant bills Disco was giving her monthly and described it as alarming.
“Due to the astronomic increase, I had to apply for a prepaid meter instead of estimated bills, which are huge. However, I am still yet to receive the metre. I have expended a lot on estimated billings, which is in turn eating deep into my profit.”
“I used to have a 15-member staff because of demand but a couple of months ago, I had to cut down on the number of staff to seven. Currently, sales have been dwindling because I cut down a few staff, and it has been a challenge,” a chef and baker, Kofoworola Bello, complained.
Bello bemoaned the rise in prices of flour and other baking materials due to the high inflation rate in the country.
“We find it difficult to stay afloat, because of the increased prices of goods. We had to increase the prices of our products. This has affected demand; bread that goes for N500 now sells for N1,000. It did not happen overnight; it was a gradual increase.
“Sometimes, I try not to compromise on quality, but I am considering shutting down the business. What is the essence if I can barely pay the members of staff? I am finding it difficult to sustain the bakery. What is the essence of running a business if you keep running at a loss? I am hoping that things will get better. But if the economic situation gets worse till the end of the year, I will have no choice but to shut down the bakery,” she said.
Experts believe some government regulations and policies are contributing factors to the difficulties small business owners are experiencing.
Many entrepreneurs have stated the challenges they faced trying to obtain certificates, licenses, registrations, and other permits from government agencies.
They also have expressed their grievances regarding multiple taxes and levies from government agencies specifically aimed at micro, small, and medium-sized business owners.
They called on the government to simplify registration processes and create a favourable macroeconomic environment to support the growth of small businesses.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise, Muda Yusuf, said that MSMEs create a lot of employment.
He said, “In terms of job creation, the MSMEs segment creates more jobs than other segments of enterprises because there are many. They can do that because with very little capital, they can set up a business and before you know what is happening, they employ a few people. And because they are many when you aggregate the number of jobs they have created, it comes to a lot and that is one critical thing that they do.
“Also, they make the economy more inclusive. You cannot compare the SMEs space with the oil and gas or aviation sector, because so many people are involved.”
According to an Associate Professor of Economics at Pan Atlantic University, Olalekan Aworinde, MSMEs are very important because they particularly contribute to employment in any economy.
He said, “They are the major drivers of growth in any economy because there are many. And they can employ as many people as possible, thereby, improving the standard of living of the people.”
He advised the government to create an enabling environment for the MSMEs to thrive.
He noted the improvement of the power supply would significantly impact MSMEs’ growth.
“Once there is a stable generation of power, it means that the cost of production will be very low. Asides from the infrastructures that the government should build, the government should assist in granting the businesses loans.”
Aworinde recommended that the government provide concessions to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, specifically for those that require forex.
According to him, the government should establish a dedicated forex channel for MSMEs seeking to import raw materials and machinery.
He added, “With the introduction of that window it will also assist them, and they will be able to do well and when they do well, they will move up and employ more people.”
The President of the Stakeholders Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria, Senator Ihenyen, said small and medium enterprises were engines of growth and development in any nation.
He said, “Today, SMEs represent about 90 per cent of businesses and more than 50 per cent of employment globally. In Nigeria, MSMEs contribute over 46 per cent of the National GDP. Also, particularly in a developing country such as Nigeria, about seven out of every 10 jobs are provided by SMEs, thus contributing significantly to the GDP. So, it is vital that the Nigerian prioritise policies that support SMEs.
He added, “For many years, MSMEs have been facing hydra-headed challenges, which have affected their capacity and ability to contribute more to the National GDP.
“Yet the biggest challenge is lack of access to finance, other big challenges include lack of infrastructure (transportation, power, security), hostile policies, high tax rates, high electricity tariff, and high-interest rates. Others are lack of entrepreneurship and vocational training and lack of access to information.”
According to the Director of International and Public Sector Relations, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Temitope Akintunde, MSMEs are the bedrock of any economy.
“Countries like India, China, and other countries, where they have a large population, have been able to sustain their economic growth by having a very strong MSME base. Looking at our SMEs in Nigeria, there are a lot of challenges already from the issues of energy cost to run a business. The amount you pay for diesel or petrol is very high.”
She claimed the country’s forex crisis was also hampering the growth of MSMEs.
“For SMEs, the wide disparity between the foreign exchange at the official market and the parallel market is also not very good. There is also instability in the forex regime. The amount you meet the dollar today is not the same amount that you are likely to meet in the next two to three months,” she said.
The growth of MSMEs that are import dependent that rely on forex has been adversely affected by the forex volatility, Akintunde argues.
“If the government can solve these issues, they would be able to thrive, and a chunk of issues would be resolved. The resultant effect of this is that small business owners will be able to feed their family and seamlessly pay salaries,” she noted.
She urged the government to review some of its policies because of their negative impact on small businesses.


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Why Your Boss Hates Facebook from ReadWriteWeb…
“As it turns out, this sort of “time theft” may be no longer be your company’s top concern when it comes to social networking in the workplace. According to a new study from security firm Sophos, the real problem with social networks, and most of all Facebook, is the security risk they pose to organizations.”
We agree that the risk many businesses believe they have when opening access to social media is more one of data loss and security and not so much a “time waste” factor.
Our position on why companies need to be using social media centers around core operating centers of business.
- Marketing – what we say to our customers and prospects
- Discovery – what our customers are saying about us
- Pipeline – testing & exploring new products and services
- Staffing – recruiting and retaining ideal personnel
- Technology – business aligned as a new communications platform
Relative to the new clouds of business intelligence a company can gather in these areas above – the upfront investment in dollars and resources is quite small.
To counter risks to data loss and security – companies can focus:
- Educating and training staff on how social media works and how the company can leverage it
- Establishing intelligent and reasonable policies that protect the company from security loss but also empower staff to leverage social media appropriately
- Using a social media archiving tool that can aggregate and store your company’s social media footprint – providing backup, analysis and reporting tools.


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Outdoor Furniture Things To Know Before You Buy in Whitfield MS 39193
When the main inkling of spring appears, it’s time to begin considering outdoor enjoyable. When you have the opportunity to Use a plethora of outdoor entertaining in your personal backyard, it helps make the anticipation of spring and summer season so enjoyable.
Pondering backyard barbecues, pool events and possessing friends over for laughs late into your evening is great drive to start out prepping and redecorating your outdoor Area. With every little thing from outdoor furniture to margarita glasses, Pottery Barn has just what you’ll want to make your summer season amazing.
Outdoor Furniture Stores in Whitfield, Mississippi 39193
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Missing Paula Whitfield found after police seen searching Bolton's Bench in Lyndhurst
It follows an appeal being launched over growing concerns for 47-year-old Paula Whitfield, who was last seen in Lyndhurst on Friday. On Saturday afternoon, officers were seen searching the Bolton's Be...


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No one argues that a federal prosecutor's role is easy. And, in many ways, the revolution in prosecution requires them to make even more subtle and difficult judgments than they do already. But if the nation is to end mass incarceration, with a criminal justice system suited to that goal, we must collectively embrace the revolution in prosecution.
The majority of borrowers are unaware that auto dealers have the discretion to increase their interest rate for compensation, but it's far too common. According to a recent survey, 68 percent of all consumers did not know that car dealers could increase the interest rate. Of borrowers of color, 75 percent were unaware.


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Developers now have a new way to bring conversational capabilities to their apps: Amazon Lex, the artificial intelligence (AI) service used to create applications that can interact with users via voice and text, is now available to all Amazon Web Services customers, the company announced on Wednesday.
Amazon Lex is the technology behind Amazon Alexa, and operates using sophisticated deep learning algorithms, according to a press release.
“Thousands of machine learning and deep learning experts across Amazon have been developing AI technologies for years, and Amazon Alexa includes some of the most sophisticated and powerful deep learning technologies in existence,” said Raju Gulabani, vice president of databases, analytics, and AI at AWS, in the release.
Lex was previously only available in a developer preview. However, Gulabani noted that companies like Capital One, Hubspot, and Liberty Mutual have now built on the platform.
SEE: Amazon Alexa: The smart person’s guide (TechRepublic)
In the past, it’s been difficult for developers to build, deploy, and broadly scale apps with automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU) abilities, because those features required training complex deep learning algorithms on large data sets, the press release stated. However, Amazon Lex makes this process far easier on developers, as it offers those technologies as a fully managed service.
“With Amazon Lex, developers can build and test conversational apps that perform tasks such as checking the weather or latest news, booking travel, ordering food, getting the latest sales or marketing data from business software, or controlling a connecting device,” the press release stated.
A developer can build a conversational app with Amazon Lex by entering sample phrases describing what a user needs, followed by the information Amazon Lex needs to complete the request, as well as any questions the technology would need to ask in order to fulfill the user’s request. The press release gives the example of travel: A developer could program Lex to respond to a user’s wish to “book a flight,” and know to request corresponding information such as travel date and destination. The technology then builds a machine learning model that can translate the speech or text input by the users, understand the intent, and manage the conversation to get more information.
Amazon Lex is also integrated with AWS Lambda, which allows developers run code without provisioning or managing servers. The technology also includes built-in connections that makes it possible for conversational apps to access data from SaaS applications including Salesforce, Marketo, Zendesk, and QuickBooks. That way, apps built with Amazon Lex can answer questions such as “What are my top 10 accounts in Salesforce?” by accessing that data.
Developers can publish apps created with Amazon Lex to mobile and internet of things (IoT) devices, as well as web applications and chat services, including Slack and Facebook Messenger, the release stated. They also don’t have to consider managing infrastructure, as Amazon Lex handles the authentication required by different platforms, and scales automatically as traffic increases.
As mentioned, a number of different organizations are already using Amazon Lex to improve their apps, according to the release. The American Heart Association uses Lex’s AI technology to streamline the registration process for local Heart Walk events, so people who want to participate can sign up via a simple voice command.
Freshdesk, a provider of cloud-based customer engagement software, added Amazon Lex to its platform, allowing customers to use natural language to “handle administrative tasks, review metrics and provide support, ultimately simplifying ticket management,” said Francesco Rovetta, vice president of alliances at Freshdesk, in the release.
Opening up Amazon Lex to all AWS customers represents another move by Amazon to try and dominate the chatbot space. In March, Amazon unveiled a new program that will allow developers to build and host Alexa skills on AWS at a lower cost. The company also recently added new features that make Alexa more useful for enterprises.
Developers can get started with Amazon Lex using the AWS Management Console, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), or AWS SDKs. The service is currently available in the US East region. To begin using Amazon Lex, click here.
The 3 big takeaways for TechRepublic readers
1. On Wednesday, Amazon Web Services announced that Amazon Lex, the artificial intelligence (AI) service used to create applications that can interact with users via voice and text, and the technology behind Amazon Alexa, is now available to all customers.
2. Amazon Lex leverages deep learning algorithms to help developers build, deploy, and broadly scale apps with automatic speech recognition and natural language understanding abilities.
3. Opening up Amazon Lex to a broader audience represents another move by Amazon to dominate the chatbot space, and become the AI provider of choice for the enterprise.


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The Retina iPad mini is no doubt one of Apple’s more popular iPads, especially given that its crams a rather high resolution into a smaller display, giving it a pretty high pixel density that results in sharper images. Last we heard the tablet was facing backorders and was reportedly also facing supply constraints, apparently due to issues with the display. Whatever the case is, customers were not allowed to just walk into an Apple store to purchase the device, unless they had pre-ordered it online first.
Well the good news is that if you were thinking about getting a tablet, Apple has revealed that you are now able to walk into an Apple store and just purchase the device outright without having to pre-order it via Apple’s website first. The reason behind the previous restrictions was apparently due to supply concerns and worry that they might not be able to meet demand. While Apple’s online store states 5-10 day shipping estimates for WiFi models, an increase from 3-5 days, the loosening of these restrictions for walk-in customers would suggest that perhaps Apple has a handle on things, or are at least confident they have enough stock. However just to be safe, it would be advisable that customers check online for Personal Pickup options to avoid disappointment.
Filed in iPad mini.. Read more about


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Source: Thomas Peter | Reuters
Foxconnone of apple’Bloomberg reported on Friday that the largest supplier and major manufacturer of iPhone components is investing about $700 million in the construction of a new plant in the Indian state of Karnataka. The report comes as U.S. companies continue to reassess their reliance on China amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Chinese governments.
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, said Foxconn will build a factory to make iPhone components on a 300-acre site near Bangalore’s Kempegowda International Airport. Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is the capital of the state of Karnataka, which is located on the southwest coast of India and has one of the highest levels of GDP per capita of any Indian state.
Government officials confirmed the Bloomberg report on Friday, saying the new plant would create 100,000 jobs. The effort will be one of Foxconn’s biggest investments in India, according to Bloomberg.
In particular, Bengaluru is considered one of the leading engineering and technology centers of India.
Foxconn and technology suppliers more broadly have sought to diversify beyond China, which has been a traditional manufacturing hub since the devastating Covid lockdowns and production slowdown. The lockdowns have sparked widespread national dissent, and videos of Foxconn workers fleeing the company’s iPhone factory have gone viral on Western social media.
India and Vietnam have become the main contenders to supplant China’s dominance in the sphere of production and supply. CNBC previously reported comments from Indian government officials who claimed that Apple was aiming to increase production in India to 25% of total production. Foxconn already maintains a presence in India through a factory located near Chennai in eastern India.
Read more at Bloomberg.


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Your carrier may frown on using your unlimited data as a hotspot, but there are a number of app-based ways to get your devices online.
Sprint is talking up a high-speed service it calls Sprint Spark, which offers current peak speeds of 50-60Mbps and has the potential to top 1GBps.
Sprint's CFO says it's a problem that Sprint and T-Mobile US are so much smaller than the top two carriers.
Sprint announced a new annual upgrade plan just in time for the new iPhones, and it's one of the best deals around.
And even better, it doesn't look terrible.
The sadder phone will be a Best Buy exclusive through the end of the year.
Sprint Nextel made a net loss of $1.6 billion for the second quarter, swollen by the cost of shutting down its Nextel wireless network, but the company is more optimistic about future profitability.
Size matters but it's not everything. Analysts say today’s complex mobile industry may need new ways to define success.
A variety of organizations sues the U.S. National Security Agency over its surveillance program that targets U.S. residents' phone records.


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The streaming giant, Netflix has launched a low-cost testing subscription plan in the country. Goes by the name of “Mobile Pus”, the plan offers to stream in high-definition (HD) quality and supports viewing across mobile, tablet, and computer screens. The plan will cost Rs 349 per month (equivalent to $4.7).
In a statement, Netflix spokesperson said, “We launched the Mobile plan in India to make it easier for anyone with a smartphone to enjoy Netflix. We want to see if members like the added choice [the Mobile+ plan] brings. We will only roll it out long-term if they do.”
ALSO READ: 7 Uplifting Mood Booster Movies On Netflix, Hotstar To Watch
The testing subscription tier was first spotted by a tech support website AndroidPure. And was tested with its compatibility with each offered device in the plan. According to the platform, the new tier is a mediator between the Mobile plan and the Standard Plan of the streaming platform.
Several months ago, Netflix launched its first-ever Mobile-only Plan for Indian grounds which offered basic premise of features. The plan was priced at Rs 199 a month, which seemed a pocket-friendly option for most Indian based subscribers. And became a major hit among the streaming fans.
The Mobile-only Plan offers a starter pack option for the choosers including streaming Standard Definition (SD 480p) quality on smartphones. However, it restricts the users to access the service on their computer screens or TV which could be a major option for those who like it on the big screen.
Jumping a step above, we have the Netflix Basic Plan which starts at Rs 499 a month and offers streaming in HD 720p quality. It also misses out on multiple streaming and offers a single screen. Then we have the Standard Plan (2 screens) and the Premium Plan (4 screens) which costs Rs 649 and Rs 749 respectively.
Should you buy the new Netflix “Mobile Plus” Plan?
Looking at the new trial run plan, the subscriptions offer a good deal when it comes to streaming capabilities. It boosts up from Mobile-only Plan and offers streaming on PC. The plan also delivers a good quality feature at a much cheaper rate than that of basic subscription.
The subscription plan is a major outcome of the increased consumer growth of Netflix in India. The streaming company reported a major hike in its viewership during the first half of 2020. A major portion of it was caused due to major population going into lockdown and clinging on streaming services.
Last week, the company announced 17 new titles of their upcoming movies and tv shows. This includes 15 new movies and 2 new TV series which comprises a wide range of genre including love, drama, romance, thriller, and tip-toeing storyline. Some trailers have been launched but the launch date of each title is yet to be revealed.
Netflix is striving hard in the streaming market. It has a great deal of competition from Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Apple TV+. While it has increased its tariff rates in many other countries including the U.S. Netflix is continuing as a budget-friendly option for the Indian market.
On their upcoming plans and services in India, an insider executive said, “We are working hard to try and make our offering in India more competitive, more attractive to members and members-to-be, and there’s a bunch of different product features we’ve been doing.”
ALSO READ: Free Netflix Account, Here’s How You Get It


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Hull food manufacturers Cranswick has recorded a 23 per cent surge in half year sales.
More customers are turning to pork and poultry meat products, seen as less expensive and healthier than red meat, leading to growth for the manufacturer of high quality burgers and sausages.
The firm, based at Preston, has announced plans to invest £67 million into its poultry operations to double capacity.
The firm has also invested £28 million into its Bury charcuterie factory, which specialises in cured meats, olives, corned beef, stuffed peppers, soft cheeses and party platters.
The firm, which employs around 6,500 people throughout Yorkshire, saw revenue for the six months until September 30 rise to £714.6 million from £580.8 million last year.
Adam Couch, Cranswick’s Chief Executive Officer said that the company’s positive growth has been a result of record investment earlier this year.
He said: “We have invested a record £29 million in our infrastructure during the first half of the year.
“As part of the development of our rapidly growing poultry business we are announcing today our planned investment in a new primary poultry facility in Eye, Suffolk.
“This class-leading facility, which is scheduled for completion in late 2019, will double our existing capacity with further room for expansion.
“The facility will incorporate the highest animal welfare standards and latest generation production techniques and equipment to drive operational efficiency gains. We also plan to upscale our feed mill and hatchery operations to maintain our fully integrated supply chain model.”
Ahead of Britain leaving the EU, the firm is investing heavily in workers and the business says it will have 100 apprentices across the business the year.
There is good news for shareholders with dividend increasing by around two pence to 15.1 pence, with group shares shooting up by 9 pence in total.
Pre-tax profit rose 17 per cent to £44.4 million and the group’s like for like revenue rose by 18 per cent. Compared to 2016 the firm also saw a significant rise in exports, seeing a 30 per cent increase in export revenues.
Demand is continuing to increase ahead of Christmas with the group producing ever popular products including pigs in blankets.
The CEO said that the firm is making “good progress” as it continues to invest in its production facilities across the UK.
“During the period we have strengthened our asset base, enhanced market positions and developed new customer relationships,” Mr Couch said.
“We continue to make good progress against each of our strategic objectives and we are well placed to continue our successful development in the current financial year and going forward.”


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12 Oct Coach to Tapestry
Sending shockwaves, Coach goes to Tapestry
It came as a huge surprise to many across the globe as the well known luxury brand name announced a name change of Coach to Tapestry.
Just as many others, we were shocked. A long-familiar name for luxury purses and accessories is deciding to change its name, but why?
We are now at a defining moment in our corporate reinvention, having evolved from a mono-brand specialty retailer to a true house of emotional, desirable brands. - Coach CEO Victor Luis
The Coach brand, which has lured customers with its luxury line of clothing and accessories for years, has announced that its joining forces with two other well known labels under the parent name Tapestry. The mono-brand purchased the shoe retailer Stuart Weitzman in 2015 for $574 million and Kate Spade for $2.4 billion this past May, making way for what Coach Inc. CEO Victor Luis touts as a new “fashion house of emotional, desirable brands.”
What people around the world don’t pick up at first glance is that Coach will still produce and sell its namesake brand. The parent company, Coach Inc., will make its official move to Tapestry Inc on October 31, which will house all three brands.
Stock tickers are set to change as well at the end of the month from COH to TPR, so keep a close eye on those stocks as they are sure to fluctuate.
What are your thoughts on the rebranding? Did you hear about it already and gasp while clutching your pearls? ‘Cause we sure did. Coach is now becoming a true house of brand that is sure to continue in growth and tradition.
Don’t forget to sign up for The Tankster for some fun Monday updates!


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Ya-Who did it? For now, the question of who hacked half a billion Yahoo accounts can’t be answered. The FBI said it is working with Yahoo to figure out who’s behind the hack.
Here’s what we do know — this is now considered the largest data breach in history.
The hack extends beyond Yahoo email (the third largest email provider in the country). Yahoo said users of Yahoo Fantasy Sports, Yahoo Finance and Flickr are also part of the breach.
Even if you haven’t used Yahoo email in a while, this could still impact you. Yahoo said the hack actually happened back in 2014.
The stolen information includes names, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdays, and in some cases, security questions and answers used to verify your identity.
Security experts warn cyber thieves likely have access to even more information, including details in your emails themselves.
- Change your Yahoo password and security questions.
- If you use the same passwords for other accounts, like online banking and shopping – don’t forget to change those passwords, too.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication. You can use your cell phone as another layer of protection when logging into your email and many other websites.
- Don’t click on any links or download attachments appearing to come from Yahoo.


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MyNetFone Group (ASX:MNF) has posted $191.8 million revenue for the full year ending 30 June 2017, representing 19 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
The publicly-listed hosted voice and data communications services provider told shareholders it has been focusing on products with recurring revenue rather than lower margin usage-based products.
In the annual results presentation to shareholders, the company revealed an eight per cent increase in residential data services benefiting from increasing conversion from the National Broadband Network (NBN).
Subscribers to NBN grew 137 per cent, but the company is taking a “cautious” approach to NBN, waiting of its impact to play out in the market.
At the same time, the company’s earnings before interest expense, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) went up 34 per cent to $23.9 million. The final net profit after tax (NPAT) was $12.1 million, also representing a 34 per cent growth, which is ahead of the company’s NPAT forecast of $11.6 million.
“Our performance this year is largely a result of organic growth within all three segments of the business – Domestic Retail, Domestic Wholesale and Global Wholesale,” MNF Group chief executive, Rene Sugo, said.
“The business, as a whole, has been focussed on growing our more valuable high margin products with recurring revenue, and moving away from some of the lower margin usage based products. The company expects this transformational trend to continue well into the future as consumers and businesses quickly act to embrace our new MNF powered applications, driven by roll out of the NBN,” Sugo added.
MNF’s Domestic Retail segment demonstrated strong underlying organic growth complemented with the CCI acquisition earlier in the year, according to the CEO.
MNF also saw an increase in government and enterprise with new wins in the Victoria Government Telecommunications Purchasing and Management Strategy (TPAMS).
“The Domestic Wholesale segment continues its ongoing strong growth with its gross profit contribution up a very solid 24 per cent on last year. We are also very pleased with the Global Wholesale segment which achieved solid growth of 15 per cent driven from the uptake of new generation services,” Sugo said.
“The CCI acquisition integration is going to plan with the network integration largely completed, ensuring a full year of synergies in FY18,” added Sugo.
Australian telecommunications provider MNF Group was founded in 2004 and listed with the ASX in 2006. MNF Group, previously known as MyNetFone, owns Symbio Networks, Connexus, CallStream, PennyTel, MyNetFone, The Buzz, TNZI and iBoss.
The group operates globally with points of presence in Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Sydney and Auckland.


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Demi Rose looks like a total bombshell as she shows off her figure and enjoys the beach while topless.
The British beauty was back on shores in a recent Instagram share, one posted in the wake of her summer Greece travels and, of course, showing off her signature hourglass curves.
The 27-year-old’s mid-week share showed her arching her back while enjoying a sandy shore, also going for a revealing look as she rocked only a skimpy pair of bikini bottoms, plus barely-there pasties.
Glamming up with a massive straw hat covering her face, Demi sizzled as she showcased her silhouette while striking a leggy pose in front of lapping waves. Fans saw her in high-cut dark swim bottoms, sending love via her heart-shaped hat.
Demi is now back in her Ibiza, Spain base, but she tagged herself in Mykonos, Greece, as she spent much of July and August traveling, also hitting up the Greek city of Athens.
In a caption, the Pretty Little Thing ambassador wrote, “Life’s a beach.”
Fans have left over 128,000 likes. Demi’s fans are likely continuously watching that follower count as the model is 100,000 followers away from hitting the 20 million mark, and she’s known for marking major follower milestones with a bit of a celebration.
Demi Rose’s career is on the up
In 2020, Demi made headlines for ditching her Fashion Nova gig and landing herself an ambassador role with the fashion brand’s biggest rival, Pretty Little Thing. Seemingly enjoying the step up, the star has released two PLT edits. PLT is also known for collaborations with model Jordyn Woods and rapper Doja Cat.
Demi’s attitudes seem to fit with brands looking to raise body positivity and acceptance awareness.
“If you’re not going to love yourself, who is” ❤ @demirose,” the brand quoted Demi while introducing a 2020 podcast appearance from her.
“We get to know @demirose exclusively in her first ever spoken interview for the PLT: Behind Closed Doors Podcast and we’re OBSESSED 😍💕 Listen to the full episode here https://spoti.fi/392W0Hj or on a streaming service of your choice,” PLT added.
Demi Rose reveals ‘secret’ to flawless figure
Demi has suffered from an eating disorder, and it took hard work to recover her health.
Speaking to The Sun as she discussed her shape, the star revealed her secret to be, “Genes, a hell of a lot of hard work and dedication in the gym and a good well balanced nutritious diet.”


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It turns out the awe-inspiringvideo Magic Leap unveiled last year is not a demo of its still-secretive mixed reality technology, but a bit of sleight of hand from special effects firm Weta Workshop, which is credited at the beginning and end of the clip.
Magic Leap’s post — titled “Just another day in the office at Magic Leap” — claims the video shows a game being played around the office.
In the fashion industry, designers show pieces on the runway that “were never intended for real-world production, but that’s made clear,” observed Cindy Zhou, a principal analyst at Constellation Research.
“There’s a difference between fact and being transparent that the [Magic Leap] video was meant to be aspirational,” she told TechNewsWorld.
However, there’s a precedent, suggested Enderle. Steve Jobs “fooled a lot of very smart people doing similar things, first with NeXT and then with the iPhone, which was basically a pretty brick when he first showed it.”
Big Name Boosters
Magic Leap has raised US$1.4 billion in funding without anyone seeing its technology. Investors include Google and Andreessen Horowitz.
Google’s Sundar Pichai and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson sit on its board, and Magic Leap has signed a deal with LucasFilm.
Why were companies with strong technical expertise attracted to Magic Leap?
“The people at the top who do the deals are often under pressure to do the deal before the required amount of due diligence can occur,” said Larry Chiagouris, a professor of marketing at Pace University.
“I doubt that the most senior people even personally had the time or the skills to do the due diligence needed,” he told TechNewsWorld.
“The question is whether [Magic Leap] can get more money to complete their offering now that some of their investors believe that they were cheated,” Enderle remarked. Companies “rarely recover from something like this.”
Microsoft’s HoloLens and Facebook’s Oculus currently lead the augmented reality market, and it’s not clear whether Magic Leap can catch up.
On the other hand, the tech market “is quick to forgive if you can deliver something that’s truly transformational,” noted Michael Jude, a program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan.
“If Magic Leap can develop a compelling game that has at least some of the advertised functionality,” he told TechNewsWorld, “they could still be successful.”


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This latest development is set to add to already long power cuts ahead of the festive season. ZESA generates electricity at five major power stations in Kariba, Hwange, Munyati, Bulawayo and Harare, but produces only 1,530 megawatts a day against a demand of 2,200 megawatts.
To save on usage and cover the gap, ZESA introduced pre-paid meters, initially with a target of reaching out to 5m households and businesses in ten urban centres. The authority also encouraged consumers to switch to energy-saving bulbs, a plan that expected to make a saving of 200 megawatts a day
However, in an interview on the sidelines of a customer education campaign held by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Fullard Gwasira, the ZESA spokes-person, said the project had collapsed.
He said that the power company had only succeeded in installing a million power-saving bulbs in Chitungwiza, Bulawayo and Gweru
“Our project has been stalled by lack of resources. The power that can be saved daily is about 40MW instead of the planned 200MW,” he said. “This means that we have to resort to load-shedding until we reach a point where our generation capacity matches national demand.”Post published in: News


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One of the nation's largest breakfast companies is recalling some boxes of one of its cereals over concerns that there may be more than just fruit and grain in the box.
FOX News Radio's Chris Foster reports:
Glass is not part of a balanced, nutritious breakfast, so Kellogg's is recalling some of its Special K Red Berries cereal because glass may have gotten in there. No injuries reported. The recall covers some cereal in various sizes from 11.2 to 37 ounces, with either November 30 or December 2 use-by dates.
Specifics are on the Kellogg's website. The company says boxes can be replaced with a coupon from them.
Chris Foster, FOX News Radio.


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Photos reveal how deserted Bali is without tourists
There are haunting scenes no Australian is used to – our favourite overseas playground with barely a living soul around.
Kuta is best known as the brash, bustling, beating heart of Bali — swarming with tourists, buzzing with energy, all year round.
But now, it’s a ghost town.
A photographer has captured the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the popular party town, since travel restrictions drove away tourists and many of the businesses that rely on them.
Jon Gwyther’s photos, taken on Saturday, show eerily empty streets and shut-up shop fronts, months after Indonesia closed to international visitors and Australians — a usually constant presence in Bali — were banned from travelling abroad.
Gwyther, who lives in the Bali seaside town of Sanur, compared the haunting scenes to the “world of emptiness” he experienced in the Ukraine after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
“Like many, I’ve had numerous experiences on and around these colourful streets; that allows the good, bad, and indifferent to flourish. But sadly, nothing could prepare me for what lay ahead,” he said in a post with his photos on social media.
“A world of cold emptiness surrounded me, an unexpected every day seemingly decimated by an unseen enemy, leaving a silent trail of collateral damage – the very people that made this tiny part of the world so colourful.
“The only thing that seems to remain now are the echoes of the past, a distant memory few believe will be found again.”
The absence of tourists has had a devastating effect on Bali’s tourism-reliant economy and the lives of locals. Gwyther said he was devastated to encounter one hungry man sitting in a street who worried if he didn’t die from COVID-19, he “may die from hunger”.
“The human devastation is painful as hell. It’s just sad, but the Balinese are doing it with such dignity,” Gwyther, 50, told the Daily Mail.
“There is no screaming protests about wearing masks to get back to work. They’re sacrificing their individuality for the greater good, and everywhere you go there are temperature checks, hand sanitiser and people are being respectful to one another.
“A lot of people are unemployed, especially in areas like Kuta, which heavily relies on tourists – and so many people are scared about not having enough food. There is no $600 per week payout like there is in Australia.”
Gwyther said Kuta had seen “every hotel boarded up, beach fronts looking like they’ve been neglected for years and everything but a few restaurants shut”.
Tourism-dependent Bali, which usually welcomes about 1.2 million Australians a year, has been eager to restart its economy after being devastated by travel restrictions due to the pandemic.
In the months since Indonesia banned foreign visitors in March, local businesses on the island have struggled to stay afloat, with almost all hotels and resorts shutting up shop after reporting zero occupancy.
Earlier this month it welcomed back domestic tourists in the first stage of its recovery. While nightclubs and other entertainment venues will remain closed for now, beaches, temples and other natural and cultural attractions are open, with authorities confident they can keep visitors safe with strict safety protocols.
Bali plans to reopen to international tourists on September 11, although Australians won’t be part of the return due to our overseas travel restrictions.
But the restart of its tourism industry comes amid concerning virus figures in Bali. The island has had more than 3500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 – significantly fewer than other Indonesian provinces – and 48 deaths. However, two-thirds of those virus-related deaths have occurred since the start of June.


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Clarins beauty cream chemical ruined my face: After doctors issue allergy warning, dating agency boss reveals her ordeal
- Dating agency boss broke out in painful sores after using Clarins products
- Dermatologists say a wave of allergies is being caused by a preservative
Fighting back: Karen Mooney is considering taking legal action
A high-flying businesswoman may sue cosmetics firm Clarins after red sores broke out all over her face when she used its expensive beauty products.
Karen Mooney, 52, discovered she had an allergy to methylisothiazolinone (MI), a preservative in the Clarins creams.
She is among the latest victims of what dermatologists say is an epidemic of allergies caused by the compound.
Last week The Mail on Sunday revealed experts are calling for an immediate ban on MI.
Doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital in London blame the compound for a massive surge in patients with skin problems.
Karen’s skin began breaking out in welts after regularly using Clarins products, such as the Lait Demaquillant Cleansing Milk and Extra-Firming Day Cream.
The dating agency boss from Surrey had been using Clarins products for cleansing and moisturising for two decades.
She said: ‘I’ve always had really healthy skin so I was terrified by the sores and made an appointment to see my GP. I assumed it was stress. My doctor agreed.’
The doctor prescribed hydrocortisone cream but it made no difference. Two months later the welts were so painful she couldn’t cover them with make-up.
Finally Karen saw Dr Olivia O’Gorman-Lalor, a consultant dermatologist at Ashford and St Peters Hospital in Surrey.
Tests found Karen had a severe allergic reaction to MI and to Clarins’ Lait Demaquillant.
'Terrifying': Karen was covered in red sores after using the luxury skincare
Karen’s allergic reaction came as no surprise to Dr O’Gorman-Lalor. She said: ‘I’ve seen more and more cases like these in the past two years. The general feeling is that it’s due to MI being used more widely and at higher concentrations.’
Karen now avoids MI and her condition is under control, but she struggles to find MI-free products. She says: ‘I have to be incredibly careful.
Expensive: Karen says this Clarins Lait Demaquillant product caused her welts
‘It’s hard because the same preservative is called by many different names. It’s in so many things it’s difficult to avoid – I’ve only found two shampoos without it and can’t find a suntan lotion so have to stay out of the sun.’
The preservative was first approved for use in skincare in 2005. Two studies presented at the British Association of Dermatologists’ conference last week showed a sharp rise in reactions to MI over the past three years.
Consultant dermatologist Dr John McFadden said: ‘This is one of the worst outbreaks I have ever seen. There hasn’t been anything on this scale before. We just don’t know when it will peak.’
Manufacturers have ignored calls for immediate action, but legal experts warn they could become liable for compensation claims.
The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association – the trade association representing UK manufacturers – this week met dermatologists to ‘plan further meetings to discuss the most appropriate step to undertake’.
But Clarins dismissed concerns, claiming that cases of MI allergy are isolated. A spokesman said: ‘It is inevitable that someone, somewhere will be unable to tolerate a particular ingredient or combination of ingredients within a product formula.’
The company insists its ingredients are approved by the European Commission and its safety is reviewed by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Clarins would not, however, confirm whether it had recently changed its formulations to include MI.


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Ganja stakeholders call for audit, protocol on weed-infused edibles
Stakeholders in the fledgling ganja industry are describing the move by the Justice Ministry to ban the sampling of ganja-infused edibles at entertainment events as a retrograde step.
They are suggesting instead that an audit be done on all producers and distributors of ganja-infused edibles.
They also want the government to design a framework to guide the manufacture and consumption of these products and set out a protocol for the use of raw material and processing methods.
In a release to the media this morning the ganja stakeholders said this protocol should govern the production, distribution, and sale of ganja-infused edibles.
Director of Scarce Commodity, Dr Andre Haughton, says the move is useless since many of those who sell such products are likely to ignore the ban.
The ganja stakeholders also highlight the need for a public awareness drive to prevent recurrences of irresponsible use and consumption of ganja products.
They are urging the government to pursue more dialogue and consultations to further the development of the cannabis industry, including the manufacture and distribution of ganja-infused edibles.


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A “unicorn” refers to those companies less than 10 years old and valued at $1 billion or more. There were 34 Chinese new unicorn companies in 2017 that match these conditions, according to a new report released by Chinese startup database IT Juzi (IT桔子).
In the first half of 2017, rental economy startups gained prominence with bike rentals, power bank rentals, and got pretty silly with umbrellas, basketballs, and even blowup dolls. In the second half of the year, new retail projects such as unmanned convenience stores and unmanned shelves began to emerge. AI, on the other hand, has become a consistent investment-attracting sector throughout 2017 with Chinese startups’ overall valuation 2-4 times higher than that of the United States.
It’s interesting to note that more than 60% of the companies have direct or indirect equity shares ownership from BAT (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent). Tencent’s investment activity in the early-stage investment rounds (angel round and series A) reached 42%, exceeding that of most early-stage investment institutions.
Here are four takeaways from the report:
1. Cultural entertainment, business services, and vehicle sectors were top 3 industries
The new unicorns hail from 11 vertical industries. Among them, the cultural entertainment and business services industry both had seven companies.
The cultural entertainment industry ranks the same as the 2016 rankings, with the number of unicorn companies still in the top spot. Culture and entertainment industry covers short video, content business, as well as education: Kuaishou (快手), Yidian Zixun (一点资讯, meaning “a little information”), Kuaikan Manhua (快看漫画, meaning “quick comic”), Dragonfly FM (蜻蜓FM), Luoji Siwei (罗辑思维, meaning “logical thinking”), and Zhihu (知乎).
The ranking of business services industry has greatly increased compared with that of 2016, since most of the companies in AI belong to business services. Artificial intelligence has spawned a wave of companies such as Shang Tang Technology (商汤科技), Kuang Shi Technology (旷视科技), and Mobvoi (出门问问 in Chinese, meaning “going out to ask questions”).
In 2017, unicorn companies related to the concept of “rental economy” included bike rental service Mobike, and ofo, short-term house rental service Xiaozhu 小猪短租, and UrWork (优客工场).
2. 56% of unicorns are born in Beijing
2017 new born unicorns were still highly concentrated in five provinces, just like 2016. Beijing has 19 unicorn companies, accounting for the highest proportion of 56%, up from 42% in 2016. Beijing’s unicorn company were generally from “content industry” and “artificial intelligence” sector.
Among the five newcomer unicorns in Shanghai, two were in the medical and health field, namely United Imaging (联影医疗) and Mingma Technology (明码科技).
Among the four newcomers in Guangdong, three are in the financial sector, namely trading platform for Hong Kong stocks and US stocks Futu5 (富途证券), the comprehensive banking service providing platform TDW (团贷网) and Feidee (随手记), an internet finance management company.
Among the four newly-promoted unicorn companies in Zhejiang Province, two are located in the field of enterprise services, namely, DT Dream (数梦工场) and Hangzhou-based Tongdun Technology (同盾科技), an intelligent risk management service provider.
3. More than half of the company’s largest single financing in the $100-200 million range
Statistics show that $100-200 million of financing often leads to becoming a unicorn company, so the range of the largest single financing accounted for the highest proportion. In particular, some unicorn companies in 2017 have shown a very strong money-raising capacity, exemplified by Mobike and ofo under the “bicycle rental” concept.
Companies with a single financing amount of more than $200 million accounted for 38% of the total, and the largest single financing amount of more than $300 million also exceeded 20%.
From unicorn’s round of financing, the C round (11 companies, accounting for 32%) is the highest, followed by the D (8 companies, accounting for 23%). In addition, 15% of companies grew into unicorns in Series A. These companies were either from a large company splitting their business, such as 58Tongcheng’s Zhuanzhuan and NetEase spin-off company Netease Cloud Music; or was funded by a giant company or a state-owned company, such as Alibaba investment in Cambricon (寒武纪) and DT Dream (数梦工场), and Liangyu Medical (联影医疗) backed by a state-owned capital.
4. Unicorn can be born in 17 months if shortest, in 105 months if the longest
From the founding date of IT Orange’s 2017 Unicorn List, from the date of the establishment of these companies to the latest round of financing to help them enter the $ 1 billion, the fastest is the Cambricon (寒武纪). It took only 17 months to go through the angel round, Pre-A round and A round of three financing, valuation reached $1 billion.
In addition, two companies that entered the “Unicorn Club” within two years were Mobike and Zhuanzhuan. On the other hand, it took 105 months for Shanghai-based company Chubao (触宝科技) to grow into a unicorn.
The time spent for a startup to grow into a unicorn is mainly concentrated to 2-6 years, accounting for 76%. Startups that took a very short time to grow into unicorns were mostly riding on the main business trend or were spinoff companies of large companies.


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Shiseido has discovered the potential for yeast extract to keep skin capillaries healthy, in turn boosting collagen and maintaining elasticity.
By using original technology to visualize the 3D structure of capillaries in the skin, the Japanese multinational found that the yeast extract would allow it to develop “skincare products that create an elastic skin while preventing skin problems caused by a decrease in skin elasticity, such as wrinkles and sagging.”
Taking to a statement, Shiseido said, “Shiseido has conducted research on the relationship between skin elasticity and the state of capillaries using original 3D visualization technology, and found that capillaries are thick and dense in areas with high elasticity, like those of people in their 20s. Through further research, it also observed that collagen is produced around capillaries. This suggests the possibility of capillaries playing a role in maintaining skin elasticity.”
Stating that integrin-α5 molecules, expressed by capillaries, decrease with age, Shiseido found that Saccharomyces yeast increased the expression levels of integrin-a5, as a result keeping capillaries healthy, boosting the production of collagen in the skin, and increasing skin elasticity.
Presented in the Podium Presentation category at the IFSCC Conference 2019 in Milan, where it won the top prize, the research could signal a step forward in skincare innovation.


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Williams-Sonoma said Tuesday that its quarterly profit fell 90 percent, but the results, helped by cost cuts and promotions, were better than Wall Street expected.
The company, which operates the Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm chains, said the latest quarter ended better than it expected, although the overall retail environment was “very weak.” It said it did not expect to earn a profit again until the holiday shopping season.
Williams-Sonoma said it planned to keep paying its quarterly dividend for the rest of the year, assuming there were no significant changes to its business.
The company said profit fell to $12.2 million, or 12 cents a share, from $124.6 million, or $1.15 a share, a year earlier.
Excluding one-time items, profit was 31 cents a share, topping the 16 cents forecast by analysts.
Sales in the period, which ended Feb. 1 and was the fourth quarter of the company’s fiscal year, fell to $1.01 billion from $1.37 billion. Sales at stores open at least a year fell 22.3 percent.
Same-store sales fell 29 percent at Pottery Barn, 24.9 percent at Pottery Barn Kids, 16.8 percent at Williams-Sonoma and 16.7 percent at outlet stores.Continue reading the main story


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Paul Schwanke loves trucking; it’s all he knows.
However, the OOIDA member from Acton, CA, told Land Line Magazine on Monday, Jan. 12, he may be forced to give up the profession he loves after more than 32 years in the trucking business if economic conditions don’t improve soon.
Schwanke was recently featured on a segment on “Good Morning America” on Saturday, Jan. 10, about how the trucking industry is taking an economic beating during this recession.
Until mid-2008, Schwanke said his business was doing well. He was running eight trucks, freight demands were high, and he was making a healthy profit, which had allowed him to buy more trucks to expand his growing trucking operation.
Then, when fuel prices hit record highs of nearly $5 per gallon this past summer and freight rates started to plummet because of the worsening economy, Schwanke said he sold two of his trucks because he had a “feeling things were about to get worse” – and he was right.
“I have been in this industry for 32 years, and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it out here,” Schwanke said. “And right now, I don’t see any signs that anything is going to improve any time soon.”
Schwanke said he’s tired of the lowballing of freight rates that’s occurring in the industry. He said it’s nothing new, and he understands the mind-set that a little money is better than no money at all, but those truckers aren’t going to be able to stay in the game much longer by underbidding their costs.
“I know what I need to make on a load and to turn a profit. Sometimes after I quote a rate I know is fair, a shipper will call me back and ask if I am willing to lower my rate even more because someone has said they will haul it for a lot less,” he said. “But what I can’t figure out is how they can do it for that amount and still stay in business.”
He said two of the manufacturing companies he hauled for in California have since left the state because they couldn’t “afford to do business in this state anymore.”
“I probably lost at least $10,000 or more in income by not having their merchandise to move around,” Schwanke said. “One company completely folded, while the other is doing quite well in Buffalo, New York.”
He blames the soaring costs for permits as another reason his business is suffering. Schwanke said when fuel prices went through the roof, so did the price for permits. But now that fuel prices have subsided some, permit costs have not gone down to reflect this decrease.
Truck parking is another reason Schwanke said his costs are through the roof. He used to park his trucks on his property in rural Acton, but was forced to rent a fenced yard to park his trucks after Los Angeles code enforcement officers cited him for parking at his residence.
“So with things the way they are I can either pay to park my trucks somewhere else or I can make my house payment,” he said. “This state is so ridiculous. They put a tax or levy on you for everything and don’t care if they tax you right out of business.”
Truck repair costs are another reason Schwanke said his costs are rising. On Monday, he said he had a truck in the shop getting a new fuel pump rebuilt and a head gasket changed because of a leak. He said the price tag for the repair work is more than $5,000.
“Prices for everything keep going up, but people want to keep banging you for everything,” he said.
Schwanke said his business is also suffering because he used to haul a significant amount of equipment for the numerous movie studios located in California. However, he said that business has even dried up for him and countless other truckers who depended on the studios. Filmmakers are making their movies outside of the state because of significant tax incentives they are being offered by states such as Michigan, Illinois and Georgia.
“Not only are the truckers losing out on vital income they once had by hauling movie equipment, but our own governor hasn’t done anything to keep revenues in his own state,” he said.
Even though Schwanke said he’s hopeful the economy will turn around sooner than expected, he’s keeping a close eye on his bottom line.
“This is the roughest I’ve ever seen it in trucking,” he said.
Fellow OOIDA member Bill Benton of Littlerock, CA, was also featured on the “Good Morning America” segment. Benton has been struggling to make ends meet in this tough economy and is working just a few days a month right now.
– By Clarissa Kell-Holland, staff writer


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Sanders said Amazon’s efforts were likely to have “a ripple effect all over the economy” by putting pressure on competitors to follow suit.
Bureau of Labor Statistics show ordinary workers in the USA private non-farm sector on average earn $22.73 an hour.
California announced in October 2017 it would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2023.
Amazon says the new rate will go into effect on November 1, covering all of its full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees in the U.S. It will climb to $13 in July 2019. The Illinois minimum wage is $8.25 an hour.
Workers hired by temp agencies on behalf of Amazon will also be included, as will anyone working for any of Amazon’s subsidiaries, such as Whole Foods.
The company reacted angrily in August to a campaign from Bernie Sanders, the USA senator from Vermont and former presidential candidate, who has been singling out Amazon for what he says are poor working conditions and wages for company warehouse employees. Amazon executives also said they would push for a raise of the federal minimum wage. Amazon says the $15 minimum wage will benefit more than 250,000 Amazon employees, plus 100,000 seasonal workers. And in that time, the rate “has lost about 9.6 percent of its purchasing power to inflation”, the Pew Research Center said previous year. That’s the fastest annual gain since the Great Recession ended. Amazon employs over 575,000 people worldwide. Despite its dominance, it shares a major problem with employers big and small: a tight labor market.
“This is really all about the future of our approach to pay for our employees and trying to lead on this issue overall”, he said.
“Jeff Bezos has become much more wealthy over the past decade, but his workers haven’t”, she said.
Pay for workers at Amazon can vary by location. About 2,000 of those are in the Houston area, according to a company spokeswoman.
Amazon, which became the second company to cross $1 trillion market value last month, on average paid employees $34,123 a year ago in the United States.
The announcement was enough to soothe one of Amazon’s fiercest critics: Sen.
The wage hikes come amid a range of criticism of the company, whose CEO Jeff Bezos is the richest person in the world.
But corporate profits in the USA are booming, and that wealth isn’t being spread out almost fast enough for many.
“This will impact more than 37,000 employees across the country, resulting in higher pay for them and their families”. The online giant is the country’s second-largest private employer, behind Walmart. Several states and cities have also passed laws increasing their minimum wages. The mean hourly wage for non-management workers in transportation and warehousing is $21.94.


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Crypto Now Outlined As A Monetary Product In South Africa
In an effort to manage cryptocurrencies and defend customers Authorities has formally outlined Cypto as a monetary product.
The Monetary Sector Conduct Authority has now outlined crypto property as a digital illustration of worth and as equivalent to a ‘monetary product’. Since monetary merchandise fall beneath their jurisdiction it’s seen as the primary transfer in efforts to attempt to regulate cryptocurrency in SA.
‘the primary transfer in efforts to attempt to regulate cryptocurrency in SA’
The declaration comes into impact instantly (as of 19 October 2022) and is the native try to manage the ever arduous to outline and absolutely management crypto house. Authorities says its motivation is just not merely an try to remain related and train management over these currencies however is aimed toward offering customers added safety from digital fraud. It would additionally formally enable monetary advisors to advise their purchasers about these monetary merchandise.
Because of this, it will imply that these ‘monetary merchandise‘ will now must be licensed to be used in SA.


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(PRWEB) July 22, 2012
In very recent times, Content Writing King started a social media campaign for their link building and SEO content creation services. The first account they joined was Google Plus due to the utter significance. Today, Content Writing King announced they had created a new Facebook account for their link building social media campaign. They stated that all future content creation advice would make its way to each of their social media accounts, including their Facebook account.
According to Content Writing King, the reason they started with Google Plus and Facebook for their link building social media campaign is because they are some of the largest and most important networks on the Internet. They have stated that the purpose of the social media campaign is to reach their article content writing customers on a level they can relate to in personable settings. Since Facebook is the largest network, they said it was only natural to join up.
In other news, Content Writing King has been doing promotions for their article content writing services. The most recent promotion started this weekend for new customers. They are offering 10% discounts to new customers who want to pay for the 100-article package version of their article content creation service. They made certain to clarify that this service expires Monday night.
Over the last few months, Content Writing King made drastic changes to their website, including their SEO content creation services. Not only did they make a new website design, they update up their services, and also they started adding new SEO content creation blog advice. Content Writing King has also started offering free link building advice.
About Content Writing King – Content Writing King is an SEO content creation company that helps consumers with link building and article content creation. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.contentwritingking.com.