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It is hard to be Microsoft. I mean this in a sense that anything they do is subject to attacks, criticism, and doubt. I am doing neither in this post, I only want to illustrate a hard dilemma they are facing.
Microsoft announced that they will require Windows users to verify that they have a valid (read licensed) copy of the operating system before users can apply patches or fixes to their operating system. (CNNfn, News.com) Under the new program, called Genuine Advantage, legitimate users will be entitled to download and install timely patches, security fixes, and add-ons that Microsoft decides to release. According to CNN, the program is to start in mid-2005. Microsoft also says that users who do not own a legal version of its software will still be able to download and install patches and fixes, but not the add-ons.
I understand that Microsoft is facing difficult choices and the decision to implement the new program surely did not come easily. On one hand, Microsoft is losing large sums of money to unauthorized copies of software, sold mainly abroad. Microsoft is protecting its legitimate interest to fight software piracy, one of the biggest arms of cybercrime today. On the other hand, Windows is cited as the #1 reason for the current "chaotic" state of the Internet - worms, viruses, spyware - they all attribute some of their existence and "success" to Windows and its state of insecurity. Despite Microsoft efforts to prevent illegal software distribution, a substantial portion of the Internet users use non-licensed Windows versions and preventing them from updating their systems with patches and security fixes will have a dramatic effect on the spread of Internet malware.
Even though Microsoft claims that non-licensed Windows versions will still be eligible for patches, the Genuine Advantage program will likely either delay the delivery of critical security fixes or prevent it altogether. By knowing that Microsoft actively monitors the legality of each Windows version, majority of the users with illegal Windows versions will not even try to seek security fixes for their machines.
This presents a difficult dilemma for Microsoft - to protect their corporate interests or protect the Internet. Walking between these two issues is a thin line and a wrong step in either direction can backfire on Microsoft.
Gibson, a London-based FBI agent had some harsh words against Yahoo and Hotmail during a Computer Crime Conference in London. The agent chided Hotmail and Yahoo for hampering the global fight against cybercrime by poor controls, lax compliance with local laws, which creates a relaxed environment for cybercriminals.
Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000,
an UK law, police and other investigative authorities have authority to
intercept communications, conduct covert or encrypted electronic data
surveilance, or tackle strong encryption schemes. Gibson’s complaint is
that many large ISP, such as Yahoo and Hotmail, use their international
multi-jurisdictional presence as an excuse for not complying with
British laws, such as RIPA.
"With Hotmail and Yahoo! you can’t get data using RIPA [the Regulation
of Investigatory Powers Act] because information is stored in the US,"
Gibson said. "Why aren’t ISPs required to comply with the laws of this
The basic problem is that many of the Internet criminals use free webmail, often provided by Yahoo or Hotmail, to conduct their illegal activities around the globe. The lack of workable mechanisms for law authorities to obtain information from ISP hampers their efforts, at least delaying detection and investigation on, in most cases, time-sensitive in nature crimes. What is the solution? According to Gibson - simple - better cooperation by ISPs and law enforcement - the laws are there, just cooperation is required. On the other hand, companies such as Yahoo and Hotmail may be interested in preserving the privacy of its US-based customers, for example, from intrusion by law enforcement agencies in another country. International, multi-jurisdictional issues such as this one, especially in a fast moving and little regulated area such as the Internet are likely to be very tricky as the line between privacy, independence, and law enforcement is very thin.
While law enforcement, sports leagues of all levels, and concerned parents are trying to deter the sweeping use of illegal steroids among young and not-so-young athletes, many of the users do not actually have to leave their home to get the steroids. MSNBC reports how illegal drug sellers list them as books or as other "drug-related" categories to circumvent EBay’s technological and human crime-detection units.
During an investigation dozens of items that seem to be anabolic steroids were listed on EBay (screenshot of EBay auction). Many of them were listed as a "book/pamphlet on Dbol," apparently a common EBay name for the actual drug among EBay drug sellers and buyers. Once notified, EBay took responsibility that the auctions "slipped" though their detection mechanisms. Rob Chestnut, EBay’s VP who is a former federal prosecutor admitted that EBay let these listings "slip."
The problem with EBay and most of the online auction sites is that unless they have strict policies and mechanisms to police their listings, they are likely to be misused by drug sellers. Although dealing illegal steroids through EBay is not something that we have seen often on "Law & Order," it certainly has the potential of becoming a new medium for drug distribution. If sellers are smart enough they can obtain a great level of anonymity in conducting their operations.
The MSNBC article writes that EBay were notified of the problem last year and the problem was discussed in Senate hearings last summer. Isn’t this sufficient to put EBay on notice of the problem so that the recent drug sales over their network shouldn’t have happened at all?
Many of you would remember that as of November 12th, ICANN made a change on its domain ownership rules. Under the new policy, if a the registrar of record fails to respond within five calendar days to a notification by the Registry regarding a transfer, this will result in a default approval [emphasis added].
It appears that the recent case of Panix.com, an ISP whose domain name was hijacked was caused exactly by this change of ICANN policies. The domain name panix.com thus was reassigned to somebody else who, in turn, repointed the domain to a Canadian server. As a result, all incoming mail for Panix’s customers, including sensitive emails, passwords, etc, went into the Canadian unauthorized server. Imagine what they can do with this.
This incident comes at a time of increased criticism of ICANN’s change of policies. The policy change was intended to allow companies looking to move their domains from one registrar to another. Ease of transfer, appears to be balanced by ease of hijacking. Domain name owners can and should "lock" their domains. Locking a domain against transfer requires a formal authorization before a transfer takes place, but not all registrars lock the domains automatically after the new policy went into effect. [Thanks IPTAblog and InternetNews]
"Anyone that doesn’t have their domain locked down at the registrar is at risk to a registrar that has a loophole in their system or doesn’t follow the appropriate guidelines," he said. "They’re basically at risk to more than 200 accredited ICANN registrars that have the ability to submit a command to request transfer of the domain and we have no way to know whether that command was authorized or wasn’t authorized."
As a reslt of the Panix.com incident many registrars are locking their domains by default, but there are and will be more who do not do so. Moral of the story - if you are a domain name owner - make sure it is locked at the registrar level, or risk public embarassment, information leak, or lawsuits by angry customers.
The Department of Justice is stepping up its efforts to help the entertainment industry battle the increasing threat of P2P. As many of our readers know, the entertainment industry, represented mostly by RIAA and MPAA has been suing illegal movie and music swappers. Now the target has changed - from going after the users to going after the operators of peer-to-peer hubs which provide information to individual users as to what files are located where on the network.
Trowbirdge of New York and Chocoine of Texas each pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of conspiracy to commit felony copyright infringement. Both operated P2P hubs offering wide variety of computer games, music, and movies.
"Those who steal copyrighted material will be caught, even when they
use the tools of technology to commit their crimes," U.S. Attorney
General John Ashcroft says in a statement. "The theft of intellectual
property victimizes not only its owners and their employees, but also
the American people, who shoulder the burden of increased costs for
goods and services."
This is another of series arrests or pleas that the feds have reached in their increasing efforts to stop criminal copyright violations under the Copyright Act. Although copyright violations, large scale ones, are a major problem in the cyberspace, they are not nearly as dangerous of the problems that hackers and cyber-criminals pose to the critical infrastructure that almost all of the United States businesses rely on (which network do you think your bank uses to transmit info between branches?)
Although large amount of attention is paid to often teenage copyright violators who are arrested by brave officers, arraigned, and put to jail, very little attention is paid to serious networks of zombies, for example, that have the potential and capability to bring down a major Internet server, or worse. It seems like such intense federal efforts are driven by a deep-pocket interest in the United States, in the current case - the entertainment industry. Shouldn’t other deep pockets such as banks, utility companies, and ISPs join hands in lobbying Congress and the federal agencies in DC to step-up the true "criminal" threat online?
A new type of cyberfraud is on the rise - click fraud. Google and Yahoo are among the leading providers of advertising links, usually targeted to the audience based on the contents of a page (see below for example of Google’s AdSense/AdWords ads.) Newsweek has an article about the rise of "click fraud" and how Google and Yahoo are struggling to adjust the definition of "good-faith click," their policies, and methods of preventing this new type of fraud.
One of the major goals for the Internet advertisers is to figure out how to measure "real" clicks and filter out scripts or other software or devices that simulate clicks and run the bill for some innocent advertiser. Because advertisers pay based on number of clicks, there are many instances where an advertiser pays a premium dollar for highly sought keyword (can be as much as $12 per click for ‘refinance,’ for example) only to find that the clicks did not result in any meaningful traffic or leads. Google, Yahoo, and others are afraid that this rise in fraud may scare advertisers off to other media such as TV or print.
Based on stories of small advertisers or web site operators who spend $100 on an AdWords budget and see their budget disappear in dubious clicks, it seems like Google and Yahoo should get serious about a major revamp on how they detect fraudulent clicks and protect their advertisers who pay per click. For example, one of the methods Google uses currently is to track the IP address of the "clicker" and then match this against other clicks from this IP within certain intervals. I suspect that this information is also included in some "expected" clicks algorithm that should try to "guess" whether the clicks was real or not (by real I mean ‘good-faith’ click with the purpose of obtaining more information about the good/service offered.)
Another way AdWords is abused is for competitors to "click" on each other’s advertisements, trying to "zero" each other’s advertising balances. With increased methods and tactics of ad-clicking, this starts to look like a cyber-war between tech-savvy competitors where Google (or Yahoo, or other companies) are providing the weapons and the battlefield. The increased sophistication of the fraudsters is demonstrated by how they use zombie computers or worms all over the Internet to generate false "clicks" so that Google’s fraud detection technology can be fooled as the traffic would seem to come from different and geographically separated machines.
How big is this problem? It is big. According to Newsweek it is a $9B per year market and if the rise in click fraud continues, it is likely that this pie will shrink dramatically.
Texas’ Attorney General sued in federal court on Monday trying to stop and impose civil penalties against two individuals who allegedly sent unsolicited email worldwide through their companies PayPerAction and LeadPlex. The Texas AG charges that the two individuals used as many as 250 assumed business names to send emails with misleading subject lines; under the CAN-SPAM Act the subject line must clearly indicate that the email is an advertisement. CAN-SPAM doesn’t prohibit sending advertising email but it requires it to confirm to some specific requirements, among which is that the subject line clearly identify that the contents is commercial, that there be no misleading or fraudulent content, among others.
A wrinkle in the case is that both individuals sold their interest in their companies in March to a Hong-Kong based company. The HK company is also named in the suit, although it is not clear whether it is subject to jurisdiction in Texas an whether the company plans to appear at all.
In addition to CAN-SPAM, Texas’ AG seeks damages under the Texas Electronic Mail Solicitation Act and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Total damages, based on more than 24,000 e-mails collected as evidence and potential penalties of more than $20,000 for each violation, could reach almost $500 million.
Follow-up on the earlier post about hacking and stealing T-Mobile’s customers’ personal information - this is how affected (or suspecting) customers should go about protecting their credit reports and identities:
Use the numbers below to contact different and private agencies about fraud. Especially important are the credit agencies - if you suspect that your personal information has been compromised, you should contact the credit bureaus and place a "fraud alert" on your record. This should slow down (but not completely prevent) people from stealing your identity. A "fraud alert" attached to your record tells the credit bureaus to contact you when someone tries to open a new line of credit on your account. More information on the "fraud alert."
Bureau Fraud Departments
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634-6790
Consumer Fraud Division
Phone: 800-525-6285 or: 404-885-8000
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian’s National Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
Federal Trade Commission
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Social Security Administration
To report the fraudulent use of your checks:
Phone: 800 552-1900
Phone: 800 366-2425
SecurityFocus’ Kevin Poulsen has a very interesting and quite chilling account of how an Internet hacker compromised T-Mobile’s servers, was able to extract personal information for some of its 13 million customers, and how he was able to spy on customers (secret service agents and celebrities among them) and reach their email and mobile photo communications.
A sophisticated computer hacker had access to
servers at wireless giant T-Mobile for at least a year, which he used
to monitor U.S. Secret Service e-mail, obtain customers’ passwords and
Social Security numbers, and download candid photos taken by Sidekick
users, including Hollywood celebrities, SecurityFocus has learned.
The story is a detailed account of how the hacker reached the servers and how the Secret Service set-up honeypots and used digital investigation and forensics tools to track and apprehend him. Also, it is interesting how T-Mobile kept quiet (and apparently still is) about the breach and did not notify its customers about the breach. This is a violation of at least California’s anti-identity theft law which requires companies to notify its California customers if it is believed that their information has been compromised. Unless T-Mobile falls under any exception, such as law enforcement cooperation, they may be in trouble in California.
A highly recommended read.
How much damage to your financial life can be caused by a helpdesk employee? Substantial. Philip Cummings, the 35-year old employee of a software company which helps lenders access major credit databases was sentenced by a New York judge to 14 years in prison in what is believed to be the largest ID theft ever.
Cummings had access to clients’ codes to access major credit databases and apparently used these codes to obtain people’s credit reports, pass them on to an accomplice who would sell the information and share the proceeds with Cummings. Losses have been estimated between $50M and $100M, but it would be very difficult to pinpoint the exact number because many victims may not be aware that their identity and financial live has been ruined.
Judge George B Daniels said the case "emphasised how
easy it is to wreak havoc on people’s financial and personal lives",
and added that consequences for individual victims were "almost
Cummings and his associate would sell a stolen identity for about $60 which can be then used to access the victim’s bank accounts, open new lines of credit, or have new ATM cards mailed directly to them.
This story underlines again the need for better protection of essential information such as credit report and personally identifiable information. Identity theft is raging in the US and it can take months for a victim to "clean" its credit history after he or she discovers. It may even take years before the victim realizes what happened. Many credit bureaus are trying to improve their business methods to secure the information, but apparently this is not sufficient. A harder approach, one to make stiffer penalties for identity theft would be more helpful.


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"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" is currently set for a 2017 release.
Samsung Galaxy S8 is reportedly going to be 15 to 20 percent more expensive than its predecessor Samsung Galaxy S7.
Marvel is gearing up for a "Venom-ous" event in March 2017.
"Tokyo Ghoul" Vol. 10 has revealed the villainy of Dr. Kano.
"Super Mario Run" requires collectible coins in order to unlock special stages apart from the six stages that have already been introduced.
"Forza Horizon 3" January Car pack is set to feature BMW i8.
EA's "The Sims 5" may get the virtual reality treatment, a first in the series.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is slated to launch in January 2017.
"Tekken 7: Fated Retribution" is scheduled to be released in early 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows.
Fans are excited to know how Lelouch Vi Brittanica will creep through being alive again.
The third season of "Tokyo Ghoul's" anime adaptation is now allegedly being handled by Madman Entertainment.
"Mass Effect: Andromeda" is the first game in the series to be featuring an open world environment.
The marriage of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has recently been tested as both of them have struggled with personal setbacks.
Lamar Odom has recently been spotted with a mysterious woman, which suggests he is officially moving on from Khloe Kardashian.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will headline the reimagined film of "Jumanji" which was first released in 1995.

domain: news


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UK manufacturing picked up in July, but new order growth at slowest pace in nearly a year suggesting sector will remain a drag
British manufacturing growth picked up in July but new orders grew at their slowest pace in nearly a year, a survey showed today, suggesting the factory sector will continue to drag on overall economic growth, muddying the picture for the Bank of England as it considers when to raise interest rates.
The latest Markit/CIPS manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose more than forecast in July to 51.9, up from 51.4 in June which was its lowest level in over two years.
Chris Sumner, managing director FANUC UK, a leading robotics and automation company, said: 'We’ve seen orders grow by 25 per cent, particularly within the medical sector, driven by healthy domestic orders and relatively buoyant export market driven by a more stable European market.’
Mixed picture: British manufacturing growth picked up in July but new orders grew at their slowest pace in nearly a year, the latest Markit/CIPS manufacturing purchasing managers' index showed today
But the manufacturing PMI reading was still well below an average of 54.3 recorded since April 2013, when Britain's economy was starting its recovery from the 2008 slump.
Rob Dobson, economist at survey compilers Markit said: ‘Although a tick higher in the headline PMI breaks the decelerating trend in UK manufacturing, growth in the sector remains near-stagnant and suggests that the sector is continuing to act as a drag on the economy.’
The pace of growth of new orders also slowed at 52.2, it’s lowest since September 2014, underscoring the challenge of achieving more balanced long-term economic growth.
Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global said: ‘While slightly improved compared to June, the July purchasing managers’ survey broadly maintains the impression that UK manufacturers are still finding life very challenging as they are being held back particularly by weak foreign orders.’
The survey showed new export orders contracted for the fourth consecutive month in July, as the strength of the pound hurt demand from the euro zone, Britain’s biggest trading partner.
Sterling has risen by 10 per cent against the euro this year, blurring the outlook for the Bank of England as it edges closer to its first rate hike in more than eight years.
On currency markets this morning, the pound was a touch lower versus the euro at €1.4216, but fell back against the dollar to $1.5584 as traders focused ahead to ‘Super Thursday’ when the Bank starts a new era with the simultaneous announcement of its interest rate decision, policy meeting minutes and the latest quarterly inflation report.
The Bank is expected to keep rates on hold at record lows of 0.5 per cent again this month.
Governor Mark Carney last month hinted that UK rates could rise at ‘around the turn of this year’ as the economic recovery strengthens.
All change: The Bank of England starts a new era this week with the simultaneous announcement of its interest rate decision, policy meeting minutes and the latest quarterly inflation report on Thursday
But at least two members of the nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee that sets rates are expected to vote for a hike this month.
They are most likely to be Martin Weale and Ian McCafferty, both of whom voted for a rate rise last year before dropping their calls on evidence the recovery looked like stuttering.
The pair may be backed by the previously dovish David Miles – who will step down from the MPC after the latest meeting - along with recent newcomer Kristin Forbes.
They are likely to be out-voted by the other six members – including Carney – but the split will be seen as a sign that the central bank is edging closer to raising rates.
The last interest rate rise came in July 2007 and rates have not moved in either direction since March 2009.
After a drop at the start of this year, Britain’s economy picked up pace over the spring, growing by 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year, having slowed to 0.4 per cent in the first three months.
Although Britain's economy looks set for another strong year of growth, the recovery remains largely reliant on consumer spending and the dominant services sector.
The latest Markit services sector PMI will be unveiled on Wednesday, with the construction sector PMI due tomorrow.
Martin Beck, senior economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club said: ‘Today’s data represented a disappointing start to Q3 and is consistent with manufacturing output being broadly flat.
‘Wednesday’s services survey will provide a firmer steer towards the likely strength of GDP growth through the summer, but the manufacturing survey suggests that the two-speed economy remains a key theme.’
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Linux creator and lead developer Linus Torvalds has released a new version of the Linux kernel.
Version 4.18 went through eight release candidates – one more than usual – on its way to release.
The biggest change this time around is the omission of the Lustre filesystem, software popular in the high-performance computing community because it helps storage to scale.
Lustre’s developers emphasized work on the standalone version of the software and it was never fully-integrated with Linux, so this release dumped it.
An interesting inclusion is improved support for the Speck128 and Speck256 encryption algorithms in some other filesystems.
Speck was developed by the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) and security experts aren’t entirely certain the NSA has told the world all it needs to know about the algorithms. Some suspect the agency may be able to circumvent its use.
Another notable addition is support for the Qualcomm 845 system-on-chip. That silicon already powers plenty of phones, but the chip will also be adapted into the model 850 to power Microsoft’s forthcoming PCs powered by ARM chips.
Those PCs are promised to have 24-hour-plus battery life, making Linux support for the 845 an important step on the route towards Qualcomm getting into the PC business and the Wintel duopoly shaking just a little.
Also new this time around are:
- Better support for USB 3.2 and USB-C ;
- Power management updates, which will help performance for both servers and PCs;
- Native Thunderbolt support on Dell hardware, which is notable as Dell is one of the OEMs most-friendly to Linux-powered PCs;
- More Spectre mitigations for ARM CPUs;
- Improved support for x86 CPUs from Chinese companies Zhaoxin and Centaur x86, important as China has articulated ambitions to create a home-grown computer supply chain.
This new release will, as ever, be appreciated by Linux aficionados. But the release that matters most at present is 4.14, the most recent designated Long Term Support (LTS) release that will receive six years of support. Many Linux users and distributions are yet to adopt 4.14, so 4.18 is worthwhile evolution but somewhat academic for most users.


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Snap Fitness Announces Major Expansion in Japan
300 Locations Opening
(CHANHASSEN, Minn.), March 10, 2020 -- Snap Fitness, in partnership with Global Fitness Japan Co., Ltd., will enter the Japanese market by opening 300 locations across the country. Planning is underway for the flagship location in Tokyo, which is expected to open this year. Additional locations will soon follow in Osaka and other regions.
“Snap Fitness has been successfully providing innovative fitness services in a sustainable manner across the world for over 15 years,” says Kazuki Takenouchi, Global Fitness Japan Co., Ltd.’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. “Global Fitness Japan believes Snap Fitness will enhance the wellness of all people’s lives in Japan by providing technology-based, results-driven workouts.”
In February, representatives from Global Fitness Japan Co., Ltd. attended “Snap University” in Minnesota to understand Snap Fitness’ focus on sustainable innovation, boutique atmosphere and latest technology.
“We decided to team up to achieve the mission of wellness for all people. Embracing the knowledge and experience of Snap Fitness, Global Fitness Japan will offer our members a variety of innovative services such as machine training, personal training, Heart Rate Training, and Virtual Training,” says Naoto Shibuya, Global Fitness Japan Co., Ltd.’s Director & Chief Operating Officer.
Japan is the 11th most populous country, with 126 million people. Only 3.3 percent have a gym membership, which Snap Fitness considers an opportunity to change lives.
“We are thrilled to welcome the passionate and experienced team from Global Fitness Japan to the Snap Fitness franchise family,” says Ali McElroy Chief Global Development Officer of Lift Brands, Snap Fitness’ parent company. “We look forward to working together to expand our fitness community, providing access to training the right way at a reasonable price 24/7, 365 days a year.”
About Lift Brands:
Lift Brands is a leading innovator in the fitness industry as the parent brand to several fitness franchises and fitness brands worldwide including Snap Fitness, 9Round International Franchise, YogaFit Studios Franchise, Steele Fitness, and Fitness On Demand. With more than 1 Million members and 2,000+ locations open or scheduled for development in more than 26 countries, Lift Brands delivers results through the most rewarding fitness experiences in the world and changes lives daily. For more information on Lift Brands, visit www.liftbrands.com.


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Chinese e-commerce operator JQW planning to raise between £10m and £15m on AIM
JQW, a domestic Chinese business-to-business e-commerce operator, is planning to raise between £10m and £15m by floating on the thriving junior investment market AIM early next month.
Thriving: Chinese e-commerce operator JQW is planning to float on the junior investment market AIM
The company targets China’s small and medium-sized businesses, providing them with an ability to connect and advertise their products to potential buyers across the entire country via the internet.
Argento Capital Markets is leading December’s fund raising, while Cairn Financial Advisors will act as JQW’s nominated advisor and broker.


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Amazon is seeing significant growth in Brazil, Mexico, and Australia, with web traffic nearly tripling in Brazil and more than doubling in Mexico and Australia in just three years.
In contrast, core markets like the U.S., Germany, Japan, the U.K., and India show slower web traffic growth due to increased mobile usage with the Amazon app. Mobile e-commerce now represents 40-50% of online shopping and is growing rapidly. Brazil, Mexico, and Australia are also experiencing mobile growth, making their web growth noteworthy.
Web growth is even faster in Turkey, The Netherlands, and Singapore, although these markets are newer and smaller.
Amazon.com.br saw a massive jump in visitors, reaching 150 million in February, up from 50 million three years ago. Amazon entered Brazil in October 2017 and started selling as a retailer in January 2019, still trailing behind Mercado Libre in the Latin American market.
Amazon.com.mx in Mexico nears 100 million visitors per month, also ranking below Mercado Libre. Amazon has been active in Mexico since 2013, accelerating growth due to COVID-19 pandemic-driven e-commerce adoption.
Amazon.com.au receives over 50 million visits in Australia, surpassing eBay as the dominant player since its 2017 launch. Amazon and eBay have been trading places as the top e-commerce platform in Australia, with Amazon expected to soon maintain the lead.
|Marketplace||Web traffic (2023-February)|
|amazon.com (United States)||2.2b|
|Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)||328m|
|Amazon.sa (Saudi Arabia)||14m|
Amazon had initially announced plans to expand into Colombia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Chile in spring 2023, as revealed by documents obtained by Eugene Kim of Insider. However, Amazon has since delayed these expansion plans until at least the end of the year.
The rapid growth of e-commerce in Latin America has made it a key market for Amazon, with its Brazil and Mexico websites already showing strong performance. With the upcoming launch in Colombia and Chile, and potential future expansion into Argentina, Latin America is becoming an increasingly crucial region for Amazon.


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HASBROUCK HEIGHTS/WOOD-RIDGE, NJ - Local leaders are coming together to support the Hasbrouck Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce's recently launched initiative to support and shop local businesses.
Wood-Ridge Mayor Paul Sarlo and Hasbrouck Heights Mayor Jack DeLorenzo joined Ray Vorisek and Dave Meredith of the Chamber in support of the Support Local, Shop Local outreach.
"Our small retail businesses and restaurants on Valley Boulevard and Hackensack Street help give Wood-Ridge that "small town" feeling that we all love," said Wood-Ridge Mayor Paul Sarlo. "These businesses make our lives easier because we can buy milk or beer, grab a sandwich or a slice of pizza, get a haircut, pick up dry cleaning, fill a prescription or cash a check all close to home. These businesses also make our lives happier because they are where we bump into friends and family and experience human interaction and kindness. They're also essential for our residents, particularly the elderly, who don't drive and need to be able to walk to stores for essential needs."
"I wish to say thank you to Mayor Sarlo and Mayor DeLorenzo for supporting us as we work together to help the local small businesses in our community," said David Meredith, Vice President of the Chamber and owner of the Meredith Family Allstate Agency in Wood-Ridge.
The multi-part initiative launched last week with signs announcing the Shop Local program found on residents' lawns and in business windows in both Wood-Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights.
“This is America. These business owners have a right to earn a living. Some of them have put their life savings into their business, how do we tell them to start over now?" said Hasbrouck Heights Mayor Jack DeLorenzo. "We support local businesses because this is their livelihood, this is how they survive. The local businesses have always supported our community organizations so let’s all remember to support them and Shop Local.”
Meredith echoed those sentiments.
"The owners of our mom-and-pop shops along the Boulevard, Route 17, and all throughout the area are hard-working families who mostly live nearby," he said. "We are from all different walks of life and cultural backgrounds, but we are all in this together; and it means so much to us that the leaders of our two towns came out in unity and support."
"By supporting these small businesses here in Hasbrouck Heights and Wood-Ridge, you are strengthening the backbone of our local economy and wellbeing of our downtowns," Meredith continued. "Our goal is to bring awareness to how they can help, so in the coming weeks our developing shopping guide will continue to build. I would urge the public to visit PleaseShopLocal.com and utilize the business listed there."
The second phase of the outreach will include a one-stop portal through the Chamber's website, which, once live, will offer a "categorized shopping list that will consist of our chamber members, making it easier to shop local," said Meredith.
"In addition to this campaign we have also been focused on helping to supply food to local families that are struggling for various reasons," he said. "So we’ve been working with local organizations and small businesses collecting food for local pantries. We have also been purchasing certificates from local restaurants which are included in bags of groceries that we deliver to families in need."
"It's good that both Mayors are working together for both the Wood-Ridge and Hasbrouck Heights communities," said Vorisek, Chamber president and owner of Heights Flower Shoppe. "Borders don't have to define who we are."
TAPinto.net's Grand Re-Opening Marketing Specials provide local businesses with social media marketing, content marketing, and brand awareness as well as the flexibility to market in neighboring towns. For more information, visit TAPinto.net's Grand Re-Opening Marketing Specials


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The Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023 is set to kick off this week, bringing with it a smorgasbord of new game announcements, updates to upcoming Quest games and developer-focused roundtable discussions.
It’s set to be an exciting date in the calendar for Quest 2 fans, then, but the question is, how can you watch it live?
We’ve got everything you need to know about Meta’s Quest Gaming Showcase right here, from event timings to how to watch live and what you should expect from this year’s announcement.
When is the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023?
Meta has confirmed that this year’s Meta Quest Gaming Showcase will take place on 1 June 2023 at 10am PT, which translates to 1pm ET, 6pm BST and 7pm CEST depending on where in the world you’re tuning in from.
That’s the main show, anyway. For the first time, Meta is also set to stream a pre-show event that starts at 9:45am PT (12:45pm ET, 5:45pm BST and 6:45pm CEST) with even more trailers and announcements. There will also be a developer-focused roundtable right after the 40-minute main event ends if you still haven’t got your fill.
How can I watch the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase from home?
The good news is that, as with most tech announcements in 2023, the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase will be livestreamed for those that want to tune in from home.
We’ll embed the YouTube stream below once it’s available to make things a little easier, so you can simply bookmark this page and head back when the show is about to begin.
Can I watch the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase in VR?
Suppose you truly want to enter the metaverse. In that case, the company has also confirmed that the gaming showcase will be available to watch via Meta Horizon Worlds, the company’s social VR platform, in regions where it’s available.
If you’re interested, simply subscribe to the Meta Horizon Worlds event and don your headset when the announcement begins.
What to expect from the Meta Quest Gaming Showcase 2023
As for the specifics of what Meta will showcase during the event, there’s not a lot out there at the moment.
Meta has stayed pretty quiet on what to expect, only confirming minor details like the fact it’ll be hosted by Oculus Studio Executive Producer Ruth Bram, and will feature a range of new game announcements and updates to previously-announced titles.
Meta has also confirmed that the main show will last for a total of 40 minutes, though there will also be a 15-minute pre-show and a post-show roundtable for those that want to get more insight into upcoming Quest titles.
In terms of specifics, it’s likely that we’ll get updates to big-name VR titles first revealed at Meta’s Gaming Showcase in 2022 including the hotly-anticipated GTA: San Andreas VR and Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord. What are you hoping to see from Meta’s 2023 Quest Gaming Showcase? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter.


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Bengaluru: Greater participation by private stakeholders and other members of the value chain is crucial to building a holistic, circular plastic ecosystem to reduce plastic leakage into nature, the World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF India) said in a case study on Flipkart’s sustainability efforts.
Titled “Designing sustainable packaging in E-Commerce: A WWF India Case Study on Flipkart Group”, the study outlines measures that businesses in the same space need to undertake and the ecosystem support needed to incorporate targets towards plastic reduction and its management in their value chain. The case study also outlines measures for businesses to venture into different designs of packaging and distribution models to improve recycling and recovery rates.
Commenting on the findings of the study, Varun Aggarwal, Associate Director – Sustainable Business at WWF India said, “A coordinated approach between e-commerce companies and all the other stakeholders in the plastics value chain is crucial to attaining a circular economy for plastics , Flipkart has a large secondary packaging footprint, making plastic waste management a key lever in its commitment to sustainability. The best practices adopted by Flipkart can be replicated by players in the same space to contribute to the mitigation of plastic waste”.
Flipkart Group companies, including e-commerce marketplace Flipkart and leading fashion destination Myntra have eliminated 100% single-use plastic packaging in their own supply chain by working with several stakeholders across traceability, plastic reduction and brands and universities to name a few. It is also working towards adopting circularity in its plastics value chain in collaboration with sellers and brand partners.
The study further mentions that companies need to customize interventions to influence consumer behavior and collaborate for improving and innovating the existing collection and recovery infrastructure and grow it further. Market leaders need to set up goals for their supply chain who wish to similarly engage and bring about a better plastics waste response to ultimately contribute towards a circular plastics economy and greater good of the society.
Mahesh Pratap Singh, Head of Sustainability and Social Responsibility said, “As a homegrown e-commerce organisation, the Flipkart Group is committed to building a sustainable business while playing the role of a catalyst in the creation of a thriving sustainable ecosystem. We are excited to have achieved a milestone of eliminating 100% single-use plastic packaging in our supply chain in a short span of time and look to aggressively work towards pushing the goal for our sellers and brand partners. We’ve also committed to sourcing from environmentally sustainable sources by working with various partners and becoming a proactive force for a better good. The WWF case study throws light on our efforts and offers a direction for the larger industry to come together for a greater cause”.
Through this case study, WWF has highlighted the need for active participation by the private stakeholders to ensure a holistic, circular plastic ecosystem to reduce plastic leakage into nature. As a leading digital platform engaging in online commerce of goods and services, Flipkart has a large secondary packaging footprint, making plastic waste management a key lever in its commitment to sustainability.
Some of the next steps identified include data-based goal setting to ensure a data-driven approach to waste management and regularly track the impact of alternatives, creating an ecosystem view of the entire waste management journey for packaging. It also includes creating a state-by-state playbook for training and working with sellers partners across different states to optimally implement the transition to sustainable packaging solutions. The best practices adopted by Flipkart can be replicated by other players in the same space for greater uptake to contribute to the mitigation of plastic waste and move towards a more circular system in e-commerce packaging.


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Every time Apple releases a new iPhone, we’re bombarded with an avalanche of stress tests designed to see what Apple’s next-gen device can withstand. From drop tests to videos showing us what happens when an iPhone meets a flamethrower, the vast majority of videos, while certainly entertaining, aren’t necessarily instructive. After all, it’s not as if anyone is going to accidentally drop an iPhone into a blender and turn it on.
Having said that, there’s no denying that the iPhone today is far more robust than in years past. As an illustrative example, a woman who recently dropped her iPhone X into a river was reunited with her device two weeks later and, believe it or not, it was still 100% operational. While the iPhone X sports a respectable water resistance rating of IP67, it’s certainly not designed to survive for two weeks in the water.
The iPhone X in question was discovered by a YouTuber named Dallas who runs the YouTube channel Man + River. The channel itself features Dallas scuba diving in bodies of water as he looks for random lost items and any potential treasures.
Upon stumbling across the iPhone X — which, it’s worth noting, was not enveloped in a protective case — Dallas let it dry out and eventually manged to power it back on. Following that, Dallas managed to track down the rightful owner and mail the device back to her. The entire ordeal was captured via YouTube and can be enjoyed below.


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UPDATED: 12:30 a.m. ET, Aug. 21
BEIJING — Samsung, Korea’s handset leader and the Beijing Olympics’ sole mobile handset sponsor, will try to tap a nonsports Asian celebrity to help push its products, including mobile TV, into the closely guarded Chinese media marketplace.
Jung Ji-hoon, the actor and Pan-Asian pop idol better know as Rain, will make an appearance Aug. 21 at the Olympic Rendezvous @ Samsung pavilion, Samsung spokespeople said Tuesday.
Whereas other, mostly Western official Olympic sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Visa and Adidas have seen fewer guests to the Olympic Green than hoped for, Samsung claimed visitor No. 500,000 on Sunday, on the Games’ ninth day.
Jung won’t sing his Olympic song “Anydream” — named for Samsung’s Anycall service here — but the company is expecting a mob of young fans. The handset already prevalent in Korea also functions in Japan, the U.S. and Europe, all on different standards requiring different chip sets.
Retailing in Korea for about $450, the Samsung P960 pulls down content from SK Telecom’s TU Media for a subscription fee, or offers user-viewers a lesser package from a terrestrial signal for free.
“This is a handset and service that’s great for ongoing events like the Olympics,” said Kim Piljun, Samsung Electronics assistant manager for mobile device marketing.
Korea initiated the service in 2005, and Samsung has sold at least 100 million units carrying the satellite chip set. Kim said the free terrestrial service chip phone has sold multiples of that.
In price-sensitive China, which looks to Korea for pop culture leaders like Rain, a Samsung phone would seem a natural seller. He’ll be in Beijing promoting a “Rain phone,” one big on music-playing features.
But Samsung’s local partner for the service, China Mobile, another Olympics sponsor, has yet to secure approval for the commercialization of mobile TV. The two companies are working together to lobby China’s State Administration of Radio Film and Television for a license.
For now, the mobile TV handsets Samsung displays in its Olympic pavilion are just a glimpse of the possible future when Beijing loosens its control over who’s allowed to broadcast what, when.
Samsung’s more immediate and real — though still nontransactional — connection to the Games can be seen in the 15,000 Wireless Olympic Works phones it gave to members of the media, Beijing Games organizers and the International Olympic Committee members.
The phones use China’s domestically developed 3G standard, TD-SCDMA (time division-synchronous code division multiple access).
The WOW phones provide, in English and Chinese, up-to-date medals standings, Olympics news from Web portal Sohu.com and still photo highlights.
Both products, Kim said, are the result of a long relationship with China built up by Samsung China president Park Keun-hee, the man who brought two factories to China in the early 1990s.
“We’ve done a lot here and are now are just ready to do more,” Kim said.
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Karl Strauss Celebrates 25 Years By Throwing San Diego-Style Oktoberfest
San Diego, CA – To celebrate 25 years of pioneering craft beer, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is throwing a San Diego-style Oktoberfest. The event takes place on Saturday, September 27, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at its Tasting Room and Beer Garden in Pacific Beach. “Oktoberfest has always been in our DNA and we’re stoked to throw a party showcasing authentic San Diego. We’ll have 91X broadcasting live from the event, hot pretzels, street tacos and a local rock band to get the crowd going,” says Paul Segura, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss. “We’re also sharing our 2014 batch of Oktoberfest, along with 25 beers for 25 years, including a bunch of small-batch beers we’ve stashed away.”
The event is 21+ and $15 ticket includes admission, a half-liter commemorative stein and first beer fill. “I can’t wait for people to try this year’s batch of Oktoberfest,” says Segura. “We use 100% imported Vienna and Munich malts and we lagered it for four weeks, making this beer particularly sessionable.” Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and local rock band The Young Wild take the stage at 6:30 p.m. The Karl Strauss Brewing Team will be hosting behind-the-scene brewery tours and tapping specialty casks throughout the evening. San Diego Pretzel Company will be onsite serving up fresh soft pretzels, and in true San Diego fashion, there will be a taco cart selling tasty grub for purchase.
Oktoberfest Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Location: Karl Strauss Tasting Room & Beer Garden, 5985 Santa Fe Street, San Diego, 92109
Admission: 21+, $15 includes stein, first fill, live music, brewery tours (food is extra)
Band: The Young Wild (Nominated for 2014 Best Rock Album by San Diego Music Awards)
Oktoberfest Beer Stats:
About Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Karl Strauss Brewing Company has pioneered the San Diego beer scene since 1989 with innovative beer releases like Big Barrel IIPA, Wreck Alley Imperial Stout and Mosaic Session Ale. The brewery has won 64 medals over the past four years and its Red Trolley Ale is one of the most award winning beers in the world. The company is currently ranked #41 on the list of the country’s top craft breweries with sole distribution in California. 2014 is on pace to be another exciting year of double-digit sales growth, with the main brewery tasting room and beer garden in Pacific Beach now open.


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While sharing its non-cigarette strategy with fund houses earlier this month, ITC said that with its rapid growth in the FMCG sector, it is now the 3rd largest FMCG player in India
The hospitality-to-FMCG conglomerate ITC Ltd recently met fund houses to share the company’s non-cigarette strategy, drawing attention towards other segments of the company. In an effort to kick the butt away, ITC highlighted that its FMCG business has managed to grow four times in the last decade. The conglomerate enjoys a commanding position in various sectors including, FMCG, Hotels, Paperboards, Packaging and Agri-Exports, while it has been exploring and gaining market share in new business segments as well. ITC is one of the biggest players when it comes to cigarettes in India. The stock has been trading at discounted valuations despite strong fundamentals in the recent months.
While sharing its non-cigarette strategy with fund houses earlier this month,


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Corporate travel and expense management company Certify is merging into three other industry players to become a giant in the space, news reports said Tuesday (June 20).
K1 Investment Management has invested more than $125 million to merge Certify, Nexonia, ExpenseWatch and Tallie to form what it says is the largest competitor to SAP Concur. Altogether, the combined entity will count 7,500 businesses as clients in the SME and mid-market space. Reports said K1 will focus on product, geographic expansion and other avenues of growth for the new company.
“This is a unique opportunity to unite four complementary market leaders to advance the way that companies manage their travel, time and expenses,” said Eric White, president of Nexonia and Tallie, in a statement. “By integrating best-of-breed expense solutions and combining industry-leading expertise, Certify, Nexonia, ExpenseWatch and Tallie are incredibly well-positioned to bring a highly adaptive platform to the rapidly expanding expense management market.”
“This deal is all about bringing the best expense management products to the most users everywhere in the world,” added Certify Founder and CEO Robert Neveu. “We’re now in a much stronger position to develop products and serve customers in the U.S., Canada and internationally.”
Reports said the combined company will keep all product lines across the four businesses. K1 Investment Management did not specify whether the combined corporate travel and expense management entity has a new name or who will head it.


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The city is gearing up for a project to convert Sixth Avenue to two-way traffic between Broadway and Speedway.
If you're driving an electric car, the last thing you want to see is 30 miles left on your battery with 50 miles to go on your trip.
An electric car is plugged into a charging system, which was installed along with a DC fast-charging system at Picacho Peak by Mesa-based GOe3.
Vince Pawlowski, a member of the Tucson Electric Vehicle Association, charges a Nissan Leaf plug-in electric car Saturday at the opening of the Arizona's first rapid-charging station, just off Interstate 10 at Picacho Peak.
As one of the original cities benefiting from the federally funded EV Project to install electric-car chargers across America, Tucson should be one of the leaders in EV charging infrastructure.
LOS ANGELES - Since a new generation of electric cars went on sale 18 months ago, the results have been far from jolting.
Ford's new Focus Electric is expected to be available in Tucson sometime this summer, officials said Wednesday when the automaker unveiled the car in Tucson as part of a nationwide tour.
NEW YORK - The first mass-market electric cars go on sale next
month, and the nation's electric utilities couldn't be more
thrilled - or worried.
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The company said it expected economic growth for the coming year to sit around the 2.25–2.75 per cent, “similar growth as occurred in 2016”, with the ‘full employment’ rate of growth sitting at around 2.75–3 per cent.
Unemployment should crystalise around 5.25 to 5.75 per cent, the company said.
Inflation is expected to edge up towards 2 per cent, but CommSec cautioned that “globalisation will continue to cap growth of prices”.
CommSec said the share market should also record modest growth in 2017, with share prices and dividends both expected to rise by around 4 per cent.
“The main focus will be on the US and the economic direction set by the new administration. The transition of the Chinese economy will continue with bottom-line growth near 6.5 per cent,” the company said.
“Nominal growth of the domestic economy will be around 4-6 per cent, limiting profit growth and thus sharemarket returns. The All Ordinaries is expected to end 2017 between 5,850-6,100 points.”
Fortnum hires former Centric Wealth CEO
SMSF Association names new chair
Avenir Capital hires investment director
Striking a balance between security and innovation
Backing China in the Year of the Dog
The benefits of good data governance


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The new Hyundai 8 speed automatic transmission has improved fuel economy by an impressive 7.3% when compared with the existing 6-speed automatic transmission unit and will arrive to Hyundai & Kia FWD models suchs as new K7, Aslan and the future Grandeur. (more…)
Hyundai Motor is concerde about lower-than-expected sales of its mid-sized sedans, the recently launched Aslan premium sedan and refreshed Grandeur. According to Hyundai, the sales of the Grandeur stood at 6,513 units last month, down 19.9 percent from 8,134 units a year ago.
Hyundai Motor has launched its all-new mid-sized luxury sedan Aslan to fit between Grandeur and Genesis company’s sedans line-up. The Aslan will be competing with front-wheel drive high-end sedans suchs as Audi A6 and Lexus ES350. (more…)
Hyundai Motor will launch on October 30 its mid-sized luxury sedan Aslan and also wants to sell more than 2,000 units per month. The Aslan will be competing with front-wheel drive high-end sedans suchs as Audi A6 and Lexus ES350. (more…)


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Check out the latest press releases for our brand new website:
Press Release: PYGA Industries
PYGA Industries launch PYGA Mountainbikes Limited the new sales, marketing and distribution company for their handcrafted frames.
Set for global expansion, PYGA Industries have announced their UK based sales, marketing and distribution business with the launch of a brand new website and increased product range. PYGA Mountainbikes Limited will take the business to a new level by distributing to a wider range of markets including Europe, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America.
Founded in 2012 by Patrick Morewood, PYGA Industries is famed for its quality design and handmade production which is the result of a lifetime dedicated to riding, racing, designing and manufacturing frames at the highest level. Over the past 8 years, the PYGA team has evolved into a close-knit family of like-minded people, determined to fulfil the dream of bringing high-end quality bikes to the everyday rider in a friendly and affordable style. Continuing its evolution and taking distribution of the frames even wider, the new PYGA Mountainbikes Ltd will uphold the core values of the business, reaching riders in a personal and relaxed way, just a little further around the globe. Design and manufacture will continue in South Africa for onward distribution by PYGA Mountainbikes to the rest of the world, with many of the European frames being assembled and powder coated in Nottingham, England.
The brand new www.pygamountainbikes.com will showcase the handcrafted frames better than ever before. Introducing a new feature allowing you to create your dream frame, customers will be able to choose between 15 frame colours and 11 decal options, and the website will automatically show the chosen colour combination giving the customer confidence they have just created their perfect ride.


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During Season One, eateries in the districts of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur are being covered.
About 800 hotels have already signed up for the online initiative. Based on the level of excellence, the hotels would be graded as green, yellow and orange.
Ensuring punishment for those accused in food poisoning cases remains a challenge as microbiology labs under the State Food Safety Commissionerate lack accreditation.
Tandoori chicken and al-fahm were the most commonly found stale dishes.
The eatery was served a closure notice two months ago after it was found functioning in unhygienic conditions during a raid conducted by the health wing of the Kottayam Municipality.
It would be monitored whether the businesses, which use more than 20 litres of cooking oil per day, adhere to the norm of handing over the used oil to the biodiesel companies.
Salt Bae’s chain of restaurants called ‘Nusr-Et' is known for not just its delicious delicacies but its overwhelming price too.
The workers of the nearby godown double up as soccer fanatics and vociferously discuss in detail at the tea shop the chances of each team in the upcoming Qatar World Cup.
The three-day exposition is being held after a hiatus of two years due to the Covid pandemic.
Did you know that a plant-based diet is palate-friendly, prevents ailments and keeps one in the pink of health?


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Google Energy buying wind farm megawatts
Google to buy wind megawatts
Google Energy LLC will purchase 114 megawatts of the farm's 150-megawatt capacity starting July 30, the unit of NextEra Energy Inc. said Tuesday in a statement. Terms weren't disclosed. Google said on its blog that it will buy the power for 20 years at "a predetermined rate," without giving a figure.
The Google unit plans to sell the power on the regional spot market and retire the renewable energy credits, according to the company's blog. The Mountain View company created Google Energy in December to buy clean power and resell it to wholesalers.
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VMware's forecast tops expectations
Shares of VMware Inc. rose more than 4.8 percent after its forecast topped estimates, helped by a shift to Internet-based services.
The Palo Alto company said on Tuesday that its second-quarter income more than doubled, beating forecasts. It expects third-quarter sales to reach $680 million to $705 million. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had estimated $670.1 million on average.
VMware's software helps customers switch to cloud computing, which lets them store information and programs in data centers and access them over the Internet.
VMware, majority-owned by EMC Corp., rose $3.19 to $75.61 in extended trading, after falling 93 cents to close at $72.42.
HP sales slip in Asia
Hewlett-Packard Co. lost market share in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan, after its shipments slid 3 percent last quarter, researcher IDC said Tuesday.
HP's share dropped to 11.6 percent in the second quarter from 16.2 percent a year earlier, while it held onto second place in the region, IDC said.
Lenovo Group Ltd maintained its No. 1 ranking with 20.3 percent while the market's overall shipments climbed 36 percent, according to the statement.
Google cuts some China ties
Google Inc. said it will end technical support for two online services in China that it used to offer with partner Tianya.cn as cooperation between the two companies winds down.
Google will stop support for the two Tianya social- networking services this week, according to a posting Tuesday on Google's Chinese blog page. In addition, Google will close a self-developed website-ranking page and a lifestyle site in China because of lower-than-expected demand, it said.
The Mountain View company won renewal of its Internet license in China this month, defusing a censorship dispute with regulators of the world's biggest online market.


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September 18, 2008
Golf Pride Unveils V-RAD Rivalry Putter Grips
CLEVELAND … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced that Golf Pride® has released the USA Rivalry™ and Europe Rivalry™ V-RAD™ putter grip models.
Available at most golf retailers, the USA Rivalry Putter Grip features a red, white and blue design with stars placed along the grip, while the Europe Rivalry Putter Grip showcases a royal blue color scheme with gold stars.
“We are proud to extend the V-RAD line of grips to include these two new products,” said Jeff Fiorini, general manager for Eaton’s Golf Grip Division. “Golf Pride launched the V-RAD series in 2007 as a radical new concept in golf grip design and technology by crafting each of the designs with intricate detail and cutting edge cosmetic innovation.”
Designed with a proprietary Advanced Composite Rubber (ACR), V-RAD putter grips enhance feel and durability while maintaining the performance and quality expected from Golf Pride. The exclusive, innovative material is engineered to combine a smooth, subtle surface texture with the optimal amount of tackiness to encourage a light, controlled grip on the putting surface.
The unique semi-pistol shape fits a wide variety of hand sizes, providing a satisfying feel for truer putts, regardless of gripping style. It features one-piece construction that makes it as easy to install as conventional golf grips.
Eaton’s Golf Grip Division is the world’s largest manufacturer of golf grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on five continents. The division’s Golf Pride brand is recognized globally as the number one choice in grips among tour and recreational players, competitive amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairmen. For more information, visit www.golfpride.com.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2007 sales of $13 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has 81,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.


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Oil collapse spurs questions over storage limits, operations for chemicals
BARCELONA (ICIS)–With crude oil prices falling to record lows and storage space running out, there are questions about how likely it is the chemical industry could face a similar fate.
Both oil and chemicals markets have faced a huge drop in demand globally as coronavirus lockdowns have led to collapsing economic activity and steep falls in GDP.
Chemical and oil markets are also both heavily oversupplied with the shale boom making the US the world’s largest crude oil producer.
Shale gas has also added 10.5m tonnes of new ethylene capacity to global supply.
Crude oil storage globally is expected to reach capacity by May and there are now early signs that chemical storage may be reaching its limits, especially for some products linked to important end use markets such as automotive, which have all but ground to a halt.
For example, European mono ethylene glycol (MEG) players are concerned about storage for May as delayed imports from the US are due to arrive.
Demand has dried up amid lockdown extensions in Europe, especially in the antifreeze sector.
Coolant manufacturer Arteco has declared force majeure on MEG storage. The Belgium-based company was responding to a lack of demand following shutdowns at European automakers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
NAPHTHA SUPPLY GLUT
For European naphtha , fears of a supply glut mount as refinery run cuts are not as steep as required to support market sentiment and weak regional demand.
“Simple refinery and crack margins are still superb,” a source said.
Demand from petrochemical crackers, albeit operating at reduced rates, remains static, although downwards pressure is likely to mount as margins decline following lower ethylene and co-products prices.
ICIS believes naphtha demand as a gasoline blendstock and refinery reformer feedstock will remain low as the lockdowns persist globally amid overwhelmed storage and continued supply, compelling sellers to explore other regional markets.
Other value chains are not yet experiencing problems with insufficient storage capacity.
ICIS spoke to one styrene trader who said tanks were full, while others said there was room to fill.
“We do not see a lot of action on storages and needs for storage yet. Spoke to [a major producer] – they are OK on their balances but expect possibly more SM [styrene monomer] later in May,” said a European styrene trader.
INTEGRATED EUROPE CRACKERS WILL
With economic activity and demand continuing to fall by unprecedented amounts, cracker operators may not find a market for some of the products they produce.
For those integrated to refineries or gas fields, it may not be possible to cease operations even if pricing and margins are poor.
International eChem’s chairman Paul Hodges pointed out that only around 5% of refinery output is naphtha, so decisions by integrated companies will be driven much more by the refinery side of the business than by chemicals which are very much the “flea on the tail of the dog.”
He added companies will continue operating integrated operations so long as they are making money somewhere in the chain from the wellhead, refinery and chemicals.
“Even if you’re just covering your interest costs, you’re doing the right thing for the shareholders,” said Hodges.
Crackers attached to refineries which close down are more likely to also cease operations.
At least 36% of European refinery capacity is already operating at reduced rates or closed.
Analysis buy ICIS earlier in April showed that around a quarter of European ethylene capacity is threatened by cuts to European refining.
WILL RUN TOO
In the US, ethane is a distressed product which has to be removed to make natural gas safe.
The only options you have are to make ethylene from it, store or ship it.
“If I am an integrated ethylene producer in the US what is the price at which I would turn off the gas supply because I can’t make money selling polyethylene [PE]?” added the consultant.
“Maybe there is, but it would be minus thousands. If you did shut down and the gas was needed, the government would simply take over your operations – you can ship it or store it, but you might as well get some value from it.”
If crackers do keep running in low demand, price and margin conditions, operations can be optimised to avoid storage capacity problems.
The focus should be on producing products where there is demand, or where large volume storage is feasible such as polyethylene and other polymers.
According to John Richardson, ICIS senior consultant for Asia, there is enough demand for PE and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin for packaging to prevent the price going negative.
But polypropylene (PP) is under more pressure as a lot goes into durable goods.
There is a similar story for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) which rely on automotive and durable goods demand.
“You have all this butadiene [BD] you can’t sell – it’s a storage issue. You can put crude C4s back through a cracker but it cokes up the pipes so is not suitable for high operating rates,” he said.
Richardson said the answer is to adjust cracker operating conditions to focus on the markets where there is still demand.
If possible, run lighter feedstocks using more ethane and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to give more PE, and using less gasoil will reduce production of aromatics.
The latest technology allows crackers to run at lower operating rates and still be profitable.
“The industry also faces huge destocking – people who bought at $50/bbl will be destocking like crazy, making the demand problem even worse,” he said.
“Make it into PE, PS, PP – store it and hope.”
Focus article by Will Beacham
Additional reporting by Joseph Chang, Melissa Hurley, Shruti Salwan, and Helena Strathearn
Visit the ICIS coronavirus and oil price crash topic page
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ISPs to pay 25% of piracy notification costs
75% footed by copyright holders who initiate DEA proceedings, while consumer pays nothing
A Whitehall paper dealing with the Digital Economy Act has declared that internet service providers will pay 25 per cent of the cost of notifying customers believed to be infringing copyright, as well as the same percentage of the cost of appeal administration.
The remaining costs will be shouldered by the copyright holders, who must separately identify users who they consider to be infringing copyright and then notify their ISP.
The ISP must issue three warnings to the consumer before legal action can take place under the act. ISPs have argued that, as they see no benefit from the actions of the bill, they should pay no costs. They also claimed that costs would have to passed on to consumers.
The Digital Economy Act was passed this year, and claims to protect the rights of copyright holders against illegal downloading, piracy and digital replication.
The clarification, published in a paper entitled Online Copyright Infringement: Government Response, and reported by Technollama, makes clear that no cost will fall to the public, although successful prosecutions will likely result in a fine and payment of costs for offenders.
"The notification costs of ISPs and Ofcom as regulator are to be split 75:25 between copyright owners and ISPs on the basis of the costs of an ISP which is an 'efficient operator' as verified by Ofcom. The regulator costs also include the costs related to the appeals system, " said the report.
The paper argues that asking copyright owners to foot 100 per cent of the bill would not incentivise ISPs to pursue the charges with due efficiency.
Speaking to the Telegraph, communications minister Ed Vaizey defended the ruling.
"Protecting our valuable creative industries, which have already suffered significant losses as a result of people sharing digital content without paying for it, is at the heart of these measures," he said.
"The Digital Economy Act serves to reduce online copyright infringement through a fair and robust process and at the same time provides breathing space to develop better business models for consumers who buy music, films and books online.
No fees are due to be charged to consumers if they decide to appeal against a charge under the act, although the government has indicated that it reserves the right to change this should it see fit.
Finalisation of the code by Ofcom was initially timetabled for December, 2010 - but complications arising from the submission of the costs scheme to the EU has seen the regulator granted a three month extension.
Unnamed copyright owners' responses to the paper indicated that they largely felt that the allocation ratio of costs was "aribitrary", feeling instead that ISPs should handle the bulk of them as it would be their notification processes which inferred the costs.


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TDK Corporation has developed the new MLJ-H1005 inductors for use in NFC* (near field communication). Mass production will begin in February 2021.
3 hours ago by Hailey Stewart
This article is the first in a series of articles discussing three topics that can help power systems designers achieve the most out of their…
5 days ago by Alex Lidow
The new device is meant to strengthen EPC’s ongoing argument that GaN is as easy to use as silicon
February 21, 2021 by Gary Elinoff
The new units feature either four or two channels with 14-bit resolution at up to 0.5 GS/s and 16 digital channels
February 19, 2021 by Gary Elinoff
Designed for the global industrial sector, the VCCS300S design focuses on high efficiency and reliability to offer flexibility to design engineers…
February 18, 2021 by Hailey Stewart
Learn about the basics of overcurrent, how it occurs, and ways to protect against and prevent it in power circuits.
February 10, 2021 by Alex Roderick
Learn about the triode for alternative currents (TRIAC), including its construction, circuit characteristics, applications, and testing procedures.
January 27, 2021 by Alex Roderick
Solid-state architecture solutions provider Amber Solutions just announced the closure of an $8.5 Million Series B funding round.
January 26, 2021 by Alessandro Mascellino
In this article, learn about conditions that increase electrostatics, where static buildup can occur, its dangers, ways to mitigate the risk, and…
January 22, 2021 by Lorenzo Mari
AVX announces its membership to OPEN Alliance and collaborates with other members to help develop, standardize and promote SPE technologies for the…
January 16, 2021 by Stephanie Leonida
Learn about the basics of static electricity, what it is, and its generation processes.
January 15, 2021 by Lorenzo Mari
By enabling solar charging in these highly space-constrained products, the MAX20361 can extend the runtime of those devices by providing a…
January 11, 2021 by Hailey Stewart
January 07, 2021 by Hailey Stewart
Pandemic or no Pandemic, 2020 was a big year for electrical engineering. Let’s look back at the products that defined this year, and the…
December 31, 2020 by Gary Elinoff
The device operates from input voltages above, below or equal to the regulated battery float voltage.
December 19, 2020 by Hailey Stewart
EPC introduces the 40 V, 3 milliohm EPC2055 eGaN FET, offering designers a device that is smaller, more efficient, and more reliable than currently…
December 17, 2020 by Hailey Stewart
Performance tests show it can charge three digital devices simultaneously while also supplying power to three 220V devices, such as speakers, TVs,…
December 17, 2020 by Brian McCabe, Stackpole Electronics
The PA is internally matched and requires no additional external RF components, enabling designers and system integrators to maximize design by…
December 16, 2020 by Hailey Stewart
December 15, 2020 by Hailey Stewart
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BY CHRISTINE LEE
MINERSVILLE — Ever since she was young, Holly Chapman made candies.
“It was a tradition with my grandmother,” said the borough resident.
Today, as owner of Bea Anthony Confections, her candies, which are sold from her home on North Street, are in demand. Chapman, 39, and her grandmother, the late Carol DeAngelo, of Frackville, would make peanut rolls. Chapman originally began the business at the end of February to sell Easter candy.
But her candy proved popular.
“Everybody fell in love with my candy,” she said Monday at her home.
It was her aunt, Denise Becker, of Palmyra, who suggested selling them. Chapman thought she would be happy getting a total of five orders. But today, she gets calls twice a day for orders. She obtained licenses in March from the state Department of Agriculture to sell food out of her home and from the Minersville Department of Health certifying that she can safely operate a food business and that her kitchen is sanitary.
The business takes its name from Chapman’s sons, Bryce Chapman, 8, and Gage Chapman, 10. Bryce’s nickname since birth is Beazus; Anthony is Gage’s middle name.
“I wanted a unique name,” she said.
In addition to peanut rolls, Chapman’s confections are club sandwiches, peanut butter delights, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate truffles, brownies and chocolate covered Oreos. She also takes requests from customers. Chapman makes them for individuals, for groups and for any occasion. This weekend, she will have her first vendor show at Stoyer’s Dam in Schuylkill Haven.
The peanut rolls and club sandwiches are popular orders, but her favorite ones to make involve creativity. Some were made to look like Grogu, or Baby Yoda, the central character from “The Mandalorian” show; floral crosses; mermaids; and candies with the logo of Big Diamond Speedway.
The business is run from Chapman’s home, where customers pick up the candies.
Orders are made on the Bea Anthony Confections Facebook page or by calling 570-617-7068.
She doesn’t have immediate plans to open a storefront, but hopes to eventually open a seasonal store in either Cape May or Stone Harbor, New Jersey, with online orders still available.
Both shore towns are favorite vacation spots for her, and Chapman said she also likes that they are family oriented.
Chapman, who works full time in the Schuylkill County Adult Probation Department, said making the candies is soothing.
“It’s time I get to myself, away from everything, to be creative,” she said. “It’s relaxing.”
They also add something special to someone’s occasion, Chapman said, adding she likes the feedback she receives.
“Knowing I made someone happy,” she said.
Contact the writer: email@example.com; 570-628-6028


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Los Angeles-based label RHUDE is entering the kitchenware space thanks to a new collaboration with Instant Brands, the parent company behind a number of different culinary staples like Pyrex and Orelle. It was developed by Rhuigi Villaseñor — the founder and creative director behind RHUDE — as a tribute to his mother, who taught him how to cook.
The capsule, titled "LATE SUMMER," features a wide mix of ltd. edition products ranging from a dinnerware set and chef's knife to full appliances like an electric pressure cooker. And to no surprise, plenty of RHUDE's signature yellow is infused throughout the collection.
“I feel privileged that my designs and the beauty I am able to bring to the iconic portfolio of Instant Brands can be part of 'together moments' when people use these products to cook and enjoy food with loved ones," notes Villaseñor.


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Julian Clover discusses what TiVo was displaying at IBC 2018 and how the advanced set-top platform works with Android Operator Tier with Michael Hawkey, TiVo’s SVP & GM User Experience.
Five cinema and 4 TV series channels from Mediaset Premium are to be made available on Sky in Italy at no additional cost.
German cable operator association ANGA has called for the legislator to ensure the termination of analogue TV broadcasting at the end of 2019 at the latest. “Until the end of 2019, most network operators will probably have discontinued analogue TV distribution; Unitymedia already commences switch-off this week,” ANGA President Thomas Braun said at the occasion […]
Virgin Media has announced a reorganisation of its senior management team with new and expanded roles for Dana Strong, Jeff Dodds and Peter Kelly.
For the first time, smart TV shipments exceeded 100 million units in 2015, according to IHS research, while China still dominates the smart TV Market as North America surges.
German transmitter network operator Media Broadcast has gained the approval from the media authorities to operate the DTT platform for commercial TV broadcasters in DVB-T2/HEVC.
The ANGA COM 2014 is available for download in the respective app stores for iOS and Android. A version for Android is now available from Google Play store. The app ANGACOM app for iOS can be downloaded from the iTunes Store.


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RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, Feb 15: RAK Ceramics' net profit in 2015 recorded an increase of 10.2 per cent to touch Dh310.3 million. This was driven by major enhancements in core businesses and a turnaround of non-core business activities.
Overall gross margin increased to 28.2 per cent. Gross margin from core businesses rose to 29.3 per cent from 28.4 per cent in 2014 driven by an increase in tile sales. This was coupled with higher sanitaryware and tableware sales.
The board approved a cash dividend of 30 per cent payout to shareholders. The board also approved a stock dividend of five per cent.
In 2015, RAK Ceramics focused on growing its core businesses - tiles, sanitaryware, faucets and tableware in the GCC, India and Bangladesh.
Capital expenditure was a major part of RAK Ceramics' investments in 2015. It spent Dh305 million on expanding core businesses such as sanitaryware capacity in Bangladesh by 25 per cent. Core business Capex was up 85 per cent from 2014.
Abdallah Massaad, RAK Ceramics' Group CEO, said: "The continued growth in our bottom line is the result of our meticulous planning and commitment to expanding our core businesses. We are aware of the economic and geopolitical factors that will continue to challenge our business in 2016 and may impact our performance, but we are confident that we have the right mechanisms and measures in place to mitigate those risks."
"As we have wrapped up a strong 2015, we look forward to an even stronger 2016 driven by positive momentum and strategic investments made this year."
RAK Ceramics worked on the turnaround of a number of non-core businesses, including Al Hamra Construction and ElectroGroup, both of which it has got back to profitability ahead of a potential sale.
Margins were supported by the sale of other non-core businesses, Laticrete RAK, RAK Piling, RAK Logistics, RAK Gypsum and Al Hamra Aluminium in the UAE, as well as RAK Mosfly, RAK Paints and RAK Pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh, and the sale of core but non-profitable businesses such as RAK Ceramics Sudan. Continued disposal of assets and a further turn-around in remaining non-core operations will further improve net margins in 2016. ?Khaleej Times


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One Piece June Livestream: Stream Time & How To Watch
Don't miss the One Piece stream today!
One Piece fans will be able to catch a special livestream in a few hours, here’s how you can watch it, when is it happening, and what to expect.
These past few days, several announcements have been dropping for One Piece. The original manga just wrapped up its latest saga after several years in Wano. The next JRPG in the franchise, One Piece Odyssey got announced. And the Netflix series keeps revealing more of its cast, though we have yet to see an actual trailer.
Last but not least, we have the upcoming “Shanks movie”, One Piece Film Red. And this is what the One Piece June 8 livestream will be mainly focusing on.
- MORE – Everything You Should Know About Goro Taniguchi, Director of One Piece Film Red
What Time Is The One Piece Livestream On June 8?
As confirmed via the Japanese official One Piece Twitter account, the live stream will be starting on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at 3AM PT / 6AM ET / 11AM BST. Click here for a countdown and a table with many other time zones.Hit ctrl+f and look for your country’s capital city and you’ll be set.
The livestream will be happening on YouTube, check it out below.
What to Expect
The livestream will start by sharing new information on One Piece Film Red, most notably revealing the voice of Uta. The mysterious character, who for now was currently described as “Shank’s daughter” (probably adopted) is also heavily hinted to be the movie’s main antagonist.
The stream’s schedule also teases an “Uta Project” reveal, which makes me believe that Uta will be voiced by a particularly popular Japanese singer.
The final part of the livestream will concern One Piece announcements as a whole, not necessarily linked to the movie.
The Netflix Series
More and more cast members have been revealed these past few weeks. On June 6, six more characters were revealed alongside a screenshot of the Going Merry. We could get our first trailer on the stream.
One Piece Odyssey
We might see a few more details about the RPG adaptation coming to PlayStation, Xbox and PC soon. As a reminder, the game is developed by Ilca, who recently made [email protected] Starlit Season, so the studio is quite versed when it comes to anime-like settings. For now, Bandai Namco detailed the game’s turn-based battle system.
Keep in mind that even if we don’t get a glimpse of One Piece Odyssey at this livestream, the game was confirmed for the Summer Game Fest live on June 9.
One Piece Film Red will launch on August 6, 2022 in Japanese theaters. The movie was also confirmed to release in France on August 10. A date in the US was not announced yet.


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China could soon start an antitrust investigation into Google on grounds the company allegedly used its dominant Android mobile operating system to stifle competition, Reuters reported, citing sources.
3 Jan 2018.
It's only a matter of time before China lifts crypto exchange ban, entrepreneur says.
with authorities banning bitcoin trading and initial coin offerings; The.
South Korea reportedly set to ban the use of anonymous accounts in.
beef into China. Aside from suspensions of exports, the Chinese government has also blocked shipments at ports in.
Bitcoin History 19 Aug 2020. Bitcoin was first recognised as a digital cryptocurrency in late 2008, before being formally launched by an anonymous founder(s) using the. How well do you know the origins of Bitcoin and its journey since inception? Take the Binance Academy Bitcoin History quiz to find out how much
The latest US restrictions on Chinese firm Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) could deal a heavy.
9 Apr 2019.
The NDRC has reportedly now included crypto mining as part of its draft.
crypto bear market, domestic pressure and increasing trade frictions with.
plans to set up 200,000 units of mining equipment in China to benefit from.
6 Feb 2018.
China already banned Bitcoin exchanges in late 2017 as a way to stem online.
that it would block access to all domestic and foreign cryptocurrency.
however did tighten regulations on anonymous trading, and has set the.
Bitcoin Cnbc News Hindi 22 Sep 2020. Bitcoin's price rose Thursday after Anthony Pompliano announced CNBC's Jim. CNBC's Jim Cramer has been convinced to invest in BTC. having a mainstream cheerleader on Mad Money can only be good news for bulls. 20 Sep 2020. As more people become interested in cryptocurrencies, adoption grows, and
Bitcoin Press Release: DueDEX announces its industry-first zero-fee LINK/USDT Futures Trading, opening new paths to.
Over the past decade, the dynamic between Chinese and United States tech companies has undergone dramatic shifts. Once seen.
Corporations have never been able to cleanly separate their activities from geopolitics. Now, technology firms are finding it.


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Malaysia Payment Network Sdn Bhd has confirmed that from November 1, merchants will be charged a transaction fee for all payments received through the DuitNow QR code. Many merchants are unaware of this and may consider switching to cash, They may even pass the fee to consumers.
DuitNow QR Code Transaction Fee Will Impact Merchants' Cost
Persatuan Peniaga Kopi, Restoran dan Bar, Johore Bahru President Wong Chun-fat said in an interview that the relevant unit should discuss with the business owners before deciding. Because this will affect the business cost, and may be transferred to consumers.
MCA President Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong pointed out in a Facebook post that DuitNow will increase the burden on the people if it imposes a fee. Most merchants using DuitNow do not have credit card machines or are street vendors, and it would be unfair to them to imposed the fee.
PayNet confirmed in a post that the merchant discount waiver for DuitNow QR code payments will be lifted. They also clarified that reports in the online media that the DuitNow QR instant transfer payment service imposes a fee on transactions using credit or debit cards were inaccurate.
They said that it is the lifting of the MDR waiver incentive, not the imposition of new or additional fees.


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NAD supports some PinnoThin claims
NEW YORK The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday announced that Lipid Nutrition B.V. North America has provided sufficient support for certain advertising claims made for the company’s PinnoThin dietary supplement.
NAD has recommended, however, that certain claims be modified or discontinued.
Following its review of a random double-blind study provided by Lipid Nutrition, NAD determined that the advertiser did not have a reasonable basis for its claim that it has “clinically proven” that PinnoThin promotes the feeling of satiety, suppresses the desire to eat or provides control over one’s appetite. However, NAD did determine that the advertiser could support a more limited claim that PinnoThin “may help to” promote a feeling of fullness, reduce prospective food intake, suppress the desire to eat, provide control over one’s appetite or increase the release of GLP-1 (a hormone).
NAD noted that the advertising in question is directed to other marketers and manufacturers of dietary supplements, rather than consumers. NAD noted that it is mindful that businesses purchasing PinnoThin from Lipid Nutrition will likely be relying on Lipid Nutrition’s claims in determining what advertising claims can be supported for products containing this ingredient in future consumer-directed advertising.
Lipid Nutrition told NAD that PinnoThin is refined pine nut oil derived from pine nuts mainly of the Korean pine tree. The oil of Korean pine nuts is especially rich in very long chain fatty acids, such as pinolenic acid. According to the advertiser, a large body of scientific evidence demonstrates that long chain fatty acids stimulate the release of the hormones cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GPL-1), promoting a feeling of fullness or satiety.
The company, in its advertiser’s statement, noted that it disagreed with certain of NAD’s conclusions. “Nonetheless, Lipid Nutrition will take the NAD’s conclusions and recommendations into account when developing future advertising,” the company stated.
Rite Aid announces plans for its allergy healthcare platform
CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid on Tuesday geared up for its allergy healthcare platform, which will be featured at stores during April and May, the chain announced.
“Rite Aid is committed to offering our patients the programs, resources and support to help them live healthier, happier lives,” stated John Learish, senior vice president of marketing. “At Rite Aid, our pharmacists are able to give patients recommendations on how to alleviate their allergy symptoms and help them find the best relief possible this allergy season.”
As part of the program, Rite Aid has published an 11-page Allergy Guide, free to customers, that features information on how to avoid and treat allergies along with a pamphlet on how to manage indoor and outdoor allergies. Rite Aid created the guides in collaboration with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology.
Pharmavite sponsors free downloads of Oprah’s online class
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. Beginning today, consumers who miss Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle’s weekly online class surrounding “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” can download the event for free at Oprah.com or iTunes as part of a sponsorship deal with Pharmavite promoting its new Nature Made Liquid Softgels, Pharmavite announced Monday.
“Ms. Winfrey and Mr. Tolle’s program represents the world’s largest interactive classroom and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” stated Richard Yoder, marketing director, Nature Made vitamins. “This class fuels people’s spirits and that meshes perfectly with our commitment to help individuals fuel their own greatness. We know people’s lives are busy and they can’t always participate in the live event, so we’re excited to be able to offer free downloads of the weekly classes.”
Each weekly class covers a chapter from “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” and includes a discussion led by Winfrey and Tolle. The discussion can be viewed live on Oprah.com every Monday at 9/8 CDT p.m. through May 5. People can register for the class at www.oprah.com/anewearth.
In correlation with the sponsorship agreement, Pharmavite also announced Monday the introduction of its new Nature Made Liquid Softgel, a family of softgel supplemeings available in six formulations: Multi Complete, Multi For Her, Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D, Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin D 1,000 IU and Super B-Complex.
“The launch of Liquid Softgels exemplifies Nature Made’s continued commitment to innovation,” Yoder said. “This new line not only addresses consumer demand for easier-to-swallow supplements, but also further bolsters Nature Made’s reputation as a clear industry leader by utilizing new premium products to help drive growth and trial within the vitamin, mineral and supplement arena.”
Nature Made is currently the only major brand offering key letter vitamins and multivitamins in convenient, easy-to-swallow liquid softgel form.
Liquid Softgels will be supported by a comprehensive integrated marketing program totaling about $10 million, Pharmavite stated. National television and print campaigns launch in April. In addition, more than 800,000 14-day supply samples of the products will be available for consumers online. Other key elements of the program include targeted online advertising, broad-based public relations outreach and national in-store consumer promotions.