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First the hackers came for Katy Perry. Now they've come for someone who should know better than to use the same password on multiple sites: Mark Zuckerberg. Turns out he's as dumb as the rest of us.
Zuck's Twitter and Pinterest (though, crucially, not Facebook) accounts were hacked over the weekend, and, supposedly, it wasn't even that hard. The OurMine Team that took credit posted on Twitter they they got in because his password was among those leaked in the LinkedIn data breach back in May—suggesting that even the Facebook co-founder isn't disciplined enough to remember a unique password for every social media account. OurMine also claimed that his password was"dadada," but that is, let's hope, probably not true. (At least it wasn't "123456″? Or "password"?)
Considering that Zuckerberg hasn't even tweeted since 2012, Twitter and Pinterest accounts aren't really that crucial. More importantly, OurMine claimed that it hacked his Facebook-controlled Instagram account, but there was no proof, and Facebook of course denied that any of its systems were breached. All accounts have been restored now, and the OurMine Team's Twitter has been suspended.
If it makes him feel any better, Zuck isn't alone, though his breach was probably the most embarrassing. Over the weekend alone, the Twitter accounts of Kylie Jenner, Keith Richards and Tenacious D—the last of whom started a hoax that Jack Black was dead—were all hacked. There's no evidence that it's all connected, or that the celebrity passwords were also leaked from the LinkedIn database. That said, LinkedIn has a lot to answer for. Its most recent leak aside, the full dump from the site's 2012 breach, a gold mine for hackers, recently dropped.
Bad password security is a problem that no one has seemed to be able to fix. Brain scans and audio of the sound of the skull have been suggested as a more secure alternative, but they're a ways off. Until then, there's two-factor authentication on sites like Instagram and Microsoft is using publicly available information to ban people from using the most common passwords. But using an uncommon password with 14 digits and three special characters won't help if it's the only string of characters you can ever remember.
Tech billionaires, they're just like us. Lazy enough to use the same password for every site, no matter how many times we're told it's a disaster waiting to happen.


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The National Restaurant Association applauds Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Reps. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), who this week introduced bipartisan bills to make permanent a 15-year tax depreciation schedule for restaurant improvements and new construction, leasehold improvements and retail improvements.
A Michigan restaurateur and National Restaurant Association member yesterday gave the Subcommittee on Health of the House Energy & Commerce Committee a look at what it takes to run a restaurant business in the U.
T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants are adding more choice, recognition, and surprises to the chain’s Give Me More Stripes loyalty program.Based on recent research and guest feedback on more than 300 potential features and benefits, Friday’s is refreshing the loyalty program for its millions of Stripes members, offering more rewards, faster, while retaining several of the program’s most popular benefits.
Food safety is always a prime consideration when it comes to protecting foodservice patrons and staff. However, putting an effective sanitation program in place requires more than simply washing the dishes and mopping the floor.
A recent Cintas Corporation survey conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive among more than 1,000 U.S.adults ages 18 and older revealed that dirty dishes, unpleasant odor, and dirty restrooms are the top reasons consumers would never return to a restaurant.
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) applauded Congress for final passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010. Because of the bill, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have the authority it needs to help prevent foodborne illnesses for the first time ever.
When Matt Mitchell was four years old, his parents took him out one night to McDonald’s for a hamburger. But when he bit into it, he tasted cheese. For most people, getting the wrong order is, at worst, a nuisance.
Seventy-six million. That’s how many Americans each year get sick from something they eat. Of the 76 million, 350,000 end up in the hospital and 5,000 end up dead.Seventy-six million people. Roughly one fourth of the total U.
With Congress set to tackle financial reform, the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, an attempt to overhaul the nation’s food-safety system after recent outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens, has once again been pushed down the legislative agenda.

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- Daily Zen
In February this year, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire became the most-funded video game on any crowdfunding platform since 2015. Obsidian Entertainment’s crowdfunding campaign for Pillars of Eternity 2 ended up raking $4.4 million in pledges from over 33,000 backers. It’s said to be the biggest success in the crowdfunding history. To be fair, the crowdfunding campaign’s original goal was to close $1.1 million.
The video game is a direct sequel to the first title in the series, Pillars of Eternity, which was released way back in 2015. If you’re wondering what this game is all about, then allow us to explain: It’s a game in which players are invited into the world of Eora, on the hunt for a 700-foot tall statue possessed by a reborn god.
The first title in the series earned nearly $3.98 million in 2012. To this day, it remains to be one of the most-funded projects on Kickstarter. In 2015, Obsidian Entertainment announced plans to take a seat on the advisory board at Fig, a new crowdfunding platform that rewards backers with equity investment. Pillars of Eternity 2 is the platform’s first ever project, and also the most successful one.
Crowdfunding on Kickstarter hit an all-time low for the first time around last year. As a matter of fact, the games category was down by 60 percent. The platform tasted sweet success back in 2015, when Shenmue 3 made more than $6.3 million and Bloodstained earned $5.5 million. The success of Pillars of Eternity 2 on Fig speaks volumes about the trends in the world of crowdfunding.
The decline of the video game category is ringing alarm bells. For the first time since its founding in 2009, Kickstarter has made less money, roughly 5.8 percent less than in 2016.
So, what’s happening? Is this the onset of the failure of video game category on crowdfunding platforms?
According to a market research done by Polygon, Kickstarter is no longer the leader in the crowdfunding market. Back in 2015, successful video game Kickstarters earned $41.5 million. The decline, however, was in 2016, when successful campaigns earned only $17 million. This is a 60 percent decline in revenue for the video game category. This is in spite that the number of successful campaigns in 2016 was the same as in 2015.
Additionally, tabletop games earned twice as much money as video games in 2015. In the year 2016, tabletop games earned nearly six times more. This particular trend has been uncovered by ICO partners.
In 2016, tabletop category grew by 20 percent, generating revenue from $84 million to almost $102 million. The number of successful campaigns also rose by 24 percent.
In middle of the chaos, Fig has turned out to be a super successful platform for equity investment. Thanks to its lucrative offering, it has pulled major players from the Kickstarter platform. Under its kitty is now DoubleFine and InXile, as two of the most successful multi-million dollar campaigns from Kickstarter. Even though the company is under immense scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the case has been dragging for months. Not so long ago, Fig helped DoubleFine’s campaign for Psychonauts 2 earn #4 million, while InXile’s Wasteland earned $3 million.
For a platform competing against an already established one, it’s quite a show of power. At this point, we should also keep into account the some of the smaller, but successful campaigns that took place on Fig. In its first full year, Fig raised $7.8 million from several small scale projects. This number of half of what Kickstarter did in its first year.
So, where did all the money go from Kickstarter? One cannot simply assume that a novice platform such as Fig swooped in and scurried away with a huge chunk of backers. It might be true that Kickstarter has seen an overall decline in the video game category in 2016. But we’re quite difficult to say where all the money went. What are the possibilities? Certainly, there must be some explanation we could produce to justify the astounding decline.
For starters, it seems consumers have lost their appetite for the crowdfunding video games entirely. Also, some high-profile projects have failed to deliver on their lofty promises. This, in general, may have soured them in the eyes of the crowdfunding backers.
Secondly, it’s quite hard to ignore the indubitable growth of tabletop games. Latest figures suggest tabletops could even be stealing a major chunk of revenue from the video games category. While people do enjoy playing games on their computers, it’s hard not to refrain oneself from spending a good amount on board games.
It’s an exciting time in the crowdfunding industry. From wasted money to undelivered games, the industry is not short of controversies. It’s a complicated matter, however, Fig seems to have learned how to navigate without falling into some of the most common pitfalls. Perhaps, video games could lead the way in the rise of crowdfunding platforms such as Fig, and lure back scorned investors with the prospect of equity and more.
One major hurdle is that Fig is awaiting SEC approval. Once approved, it might become a viable force in the world of gaming. It’s hard to imagine the platform opening up its doors for media, film or other entertainment products. But it’s certainly not to be ignored. Fig may have spent a lot of time in the spotlight over the SEC controversy but it’s paving the way when it comes to giving the consumer more than what they want.
Whatever the case it, it seems equity crowdfunding platforms are here to stay. It will be interesting to see how independent developers are able to juice the platform.


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INDIANAPOLIS — When a baby is old enough to finally start eating solids instead of drinking milk, parents now have to figure out how they’re going to have time to make baby food that’s healthy and enjoyable. Many parents don’t even have time to make healthy food for themselves, how can they make it work for their baby?
Jeannie Marrugo, a mother of two daughters, was experiencing this exact crisis, especially after the US House Committee report found out that store-bought baby foods contain “dangerous levels” of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury.
“I didn’t want to sacrifice my baby’s nutrition because of the demands of everyday life,” Marrugo said. “Surely I wasn’t the only parent wanting to give my baby a balanced diet while staying on top of everything else.”
She brought up these frustrations to her mother, Sherri Sego, and her difficulties trying to balance being a mom and a full-time architect. Through this conversation, Café Baby was born.
Located off 5945 E. 86th Street in Indianapolis, Café Baby provides nutritious baby food so busy parents don’t need to worry about putting their child’s health at risk due to their schedule. With over 50 different flavors curated from partnerships with Indianapolis private chefs, babies and toddlers can safely enjoy their food. Breastfeeding parents are also able to purchase lactation cookies for babies that aren’t ready for solids.
“Adults like it too. We have a lot of parents say they look forward to when their baby doesn’t finish this so they can,” Marrugo laughed. “It’s basically like 50 different flavors of applesauce, I mean it’s not like the green beans or the peas or anything but we have some fruity flavors that are really good for adults.”
Some of their most popular flavors include Mango Tango, Baby’s Ratatouille and Quinoa, Baked Zucchini Pizza. Recently, they worked with Indianapolis Private Chef Whitney Barnett to curate a fall menu that includes Autumn Soup, Cinderella’s Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Stew.
First-time parents tend to be more paranoid with their babies than parents who have had multiple, as newer parents don’t have that previous experience to guide them through the process. Marrugo wanted to make sure that these parents were able to rest assured that the food they give their babies has only one additional chemical: love.
“When they come into our store they see our kitchen, and most the time we’re making the food while they’re in there,” Marrugo said. “You can look at it and tell that it’s a better option than what’s on the grocery store shelf. It’s more vibrant. It smells better. They’re welcome to sample things if they come into our store. The difference is night and day.”
Recently, Café Baby has also partnered with Union Jack in Broad Ripple and Westfield to include their baby food on the restaurant menu. They’re working on distributing to more.
“We are actively pushing to restaurants to add baby food options to their menu, and it’s like, more than the kids’ menu,” Marrugo said. “Most restaurants don’t cater to kids under 12 months, so we’re really trying to educate restaurants on why it’s important to offer baby food and try to get some options on their menu.”
Café Baby offers their products at their Castleton store or on their website.
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Sysco LABS recognised as leading technology exporter in SL at Presidential Export Awards
Colombo (LNW): Sysco LABS was honoured with the prestigious Best Exporter Award in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector at the Presidential Export Awards for both 2021/22 and 2022/23.
This achievement recognises Sysco LABS as the foremost contributor to export revenue within the ICT sector, affirming its position as the premier technology corporation in Sri Lanka.
Sysco LABS, the Global In-House Centre (GIC) of Sysco, is the global leader in foodservice and occupies the 56th position on the Fortune 500. Sysco has over 330 distribution facilities worldwide and a network of 72,000 staff serving approximately 725,000 customer locations.
Sysco LABS is a dedicated innovation and tech engineering hub, leveraging Sri Lanka’s ingenuity to power the technology that drives Sysco’s global operations.
Commenting on the win, Sysco LABS Managing Director Rasika Karunatilake said, “Receiving the Best Exporter award in the ICT sector for the past two years at the Presidential Export Awards is a tremendous honour. It is a matter of immense pride to our entire team at Sysco LABS to be contributing to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and being recognised as the key contributor. This achievement is a testament to the world-class tech engineering talent and ingenuity in Sri Lanka and our commitment to expand, innovate and deliver value to Sysco – the global leader in foodservice.”
“As we celebrate this accolade, it’s crucial to acknowledge the immense value that the tech industry brings to Sri Lanka. Technology is inevitably the future, and fostering an environment that enables the growth of this industry and the presence of global giants like Sysco will provide more opportunities for Sri Lankan talents to excel on a global stage,” he added.
Organised by the Export Development Board (EDB), the 25th Annual Presidential Export Awards was held on November 23 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), under the patronage and presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Sysco LABS is the Global In-House Centre of Sysco Corporation (NYSE: SYY), the world’s largest foodservice company. Sysco is a Fortune 500 company and the global leader in the trillion-dollar foodservice industry.
Sysco employs 72,000 associates, has over 330 smart distribution facilities worldwide and over 14,000 IoT-enabled trucks serving 725,000 customer locations. For the fiscal year 2023 that ended on July 1, the company generated sales of more than $76 billion.
Sysco LABS delivers the technology that powers Sysco’s end-to-end operations. With engineering teams based out of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Austin and Houston, TX, Sysco LABS enables Sysco’s entire supply chain, delivering the enterprise-grade technology that is revolutionising the industry.
Sysco LABS’ technology is present in the end-to-end foodservice journey, enabling the sourcing of food products, merchandising, storage and warehouse operations, order placement and pricing algorithms, the delivery of food and supplies to Sysco’s global network, the in-restaurant dining experience of the end-customer and much more.


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Blizzard has announced the release date for the next World of Warcraft expansion. Battle for Azeroth begins August 14.
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth comes with a load of new content including new allied races, Kul Tiras, Zandalar, Warfronts, new dungeons and raids, a 120 level cap, and more.The Warfronts mode is a new PvE mode that draws a lot of influence from the earlier Warcraft games.
There are also new playable allied races; Alliance gets the Lightforged Draenei and Void Elves, while Horde gets Highmountain Tauren and Nightborne.
And don’t worry if you haven’t played in a while, purchasing the expansion will boost a character to 110 automatically.
The game’s seventh expansion promises to be epic, let’s hope it delivers.


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A proposed cannabis store on Wellington Street West has switched names and now plans to open under the Tokyo Smoke brand.
Tokyo Smoke, owned by Canopy Growth in Smiths Falls, is a fast-growing retail chain across Canada.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
The change in plans for the store at 1000 Wellington St. W. in Hintonburg is typical of the deal-making going on with winners of a lottery held to award the rights to apply for coveted cannabis store licences in Ontario.
Lottery winner Steven D. Cochrane initially planned to open a store on Merivale Road, then ditched that location in favour of Wellington Street West near Irving Avenue. In October, a sign on the storefront said a store called “High Flight” would open soon.
Now there’s a notice posted on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website saying the location will be a Tokyo Smoke store. The AGCO will accept comments from Ottawa residents until Dec. 18.
Three cannabis stores are already open in Ottawa: Superette on Wellington Street West; Hobo on Bank Street; and Fire & Flower on York Street.
Another four stores, including Tokyo Smoke, are planned by winners of the latest lottery. Two stores have gone through public consultation and are waiting for licences: One Plant on Strandherd Drive in Barrhaven; and ABC Cannabis at 1642 Merivale Rd. The other proposed store, at 121 Clarence St. in the ByWard Market, has not gone for public comment yet. Hobo Cannabis, a chain based in B.C., had announced the Clarence Street store would be another Hobo outlet, but the AGCO does not list a name yet for the store.
Provincial rules restrict cannabis growers like Canopy Growth from owning retail store chains in Ontario. However, Canopy-owned Tokyo Smoke has made licensing agreements with lottery winners, who can use the name, but must operate the stores themselves. Tokyo Smoke stores are already open on Yonge Street in Toronto and in Oshawa. Another eight Tokyo Smoke stores, including the one on Wellington Street, are proposed across Ontario and are in the public comment stage.
Canopy Growth Corp. also made a licensing deal with a lottery winner who opened a store in London, Ont., under the Tweed brand.
Canopy also has Tokyo Smoke and Tweed branded cannabis stores in Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan, and proposals to open more in all those provinces as well as in Alberta.
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The arrangement will help a360 Media, which owns brands such as Us Weekly, Life& Style and inTouch, monetize its podcasts.
The company, which also owns health and wellness brands, as well as Surfer and Men's Journal, has formed an ad partnership with Vurbi, an audio-streaming platform, in an effort to monetize its podcasts.
Vurbl will stream embedded snippets, promos and playlists of a360 podcasts across the company’s web properties. In addition, it Vurbl will provide a360 with revenue on a360 Vurbl-hosted audio stations.
Vurbi hopes to prove “there is more to podcasting monetization than the traditional native and dynamic-inserted ads in downloaded audio files,” states Audra Gold, CEO of Vurbl. “Publishers, bloggers and journalists have been including relevant images and videos in their posts for years, so it’s surprising that audio snippets were never a common part of this equation from both a journalistic and monetization optimization perspective.”
By “further incorporating short-form clips across our platforms, we can create new opportunities for our podcasts to go viral and further engage a broader audience,” adds Eli Lippman, GM, Digital at a360 Media.
The company says its journalists are now embedding snippet highlights from podcasts within their articles.
Tom Kershaw, Chief Technology Officer at Magnite, which collaborates on managing Vurbi’s programmatic ad marketplace, cites a eMarketer forecast stating that spending on podcast advertising will exceed $1 billion this year.
Digital properties for a360 Media reach 50+ million unique visitors and 652+ million page views per month, per the company.


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The car industry and politicians are on a collision course after the Business Select Committee called for the 2040 target to ban the sale of new cars with petrol or diesel engines to be brought forward by eight years.
The Government unveiled the target last summer with environment secretary Michael Gove calling for a move to electric vehicles with zero emissions. He said that Britain "couldn’t carry on" with conventionally powered cars because of the damage they do to the environment and people’s health.
Now MPs on the committee want the ban to be accelerated to 2032 with precise targets, calling the current plan "unambitious and vague".
But the UK’s car industry has warned that bringing forward the deadline will pile pressure on the sector which has slashed spending in the face of falling sales caused by Brexit-related economic uncertainty and confusion over the future of diesel.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned the 2040 target was “already extremely challenging”.
"To fast-track that by eight years would be nigh on impossible," said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the trade body. "Zero emission vehicles make up just 0.6pc of the market meaning consumer appetite would have to grow 170-fold in just over a decade.
"It’s unrealistic and rejects the evidence put forward by the industry which is investing billions into the technology."
The new deadline comes in a business committee report which says if Government is serious about hitting environmental targets and making Britain a driving force in electric vehicles (EVs), it must bring forward the ban to promote investment in them.
Rachel Reeves MP, chair of committee said: "For all the rhetoric of the UK becoming a world leader in EVs, the reality is that the Government’s deeds do not match the ambitions of their words.
"UK targets on zero emission vehicles are unambitious and vague, giving little clarity or incentive to industry or the consumer to invest in electric cars."
The report also called for state backing to expand the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, saying it could not be left to local authorities or private industry and the current regime was "not fit for purpose".
It also called for the abandonment of a recently announced £1,000 reduction to £3,500 of government subsidy to buyers of electric car to be abandoned, and for lower taxes on zero-emission vehicles.
One highly placed car industry source warned the Government that it "needs to take us with them with realistic proposals on what we can do or risk destroying the sector".
“We can build the cars, but the Government needs to provide the infrastructure that is currently lacking and we need it at speed,” they said, adding that the "only realistic path to the 2040 path is incentivising consumers in electric vehicles".
National Grid backed the report’s proposals state-support for a charging infrastructure. Graeme Cooper, electric vehicles director for the power transmission business, added: "Consumers are holding back on buying their next car due to range anxiety. A robust network of publicly accessible rapid charge points would provide the confidence to help drive the UK faster towards mass market electric vehicle take-off."


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Vegan food sales skyrocketed at Aldi UK last month, boosting by 500 percent compared to the January prior. The discount supermarket chain credited the rising popularity of Veganuary for this growing interest in plant-based food.
Aldi UK also revealed that its plant-based sales leapt up by 250 percent in 2021 compared to 2020.
The budget-friendly chain expects the impressive sales figures to stick around for the remainder of the year, owing to Aldi’s recent expansion of its vegan and vegetarian range.
The supermarket extended its plant-based lineup by 50 percent, spurred on by growing demand.
“Veganuary is getting bigger and bigger each year as the UK’s appetite and interest in plant-based food grows,” Julie Ashfield, Aldi managing director of buying, said in a statement.
“In response to that demand we’re continuing to expand our vegan offering, giving our shoppers plenty of choice and all at great value.”
In celebration of Veganuary 2022 – which proved to be the largest yet – Aldi came out with its “largest vegan range yet.”
With prices starting at 55p, Aldi now offers various vegan meats, like bacon, as well as snacks, sides, ready meal dinners, and desserts. In December, the chain introduced its first-ever dairy-free cheese.
And consumer interest didn’t end as January came to a close. “It’s also a trend that we’re witnessing year-round and, as more and more people adopt this diet,” Aldi’s Ashfield continued. “We expect these products to remain popular throughout the year.”
The UK’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco, has reported similar surges in interest.
The company said that sales of its plant-based Wicked Kitchen products “rocketed” – with demand doubling in January compared to last year.


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After crossing one milestone after another in the Indian two-wheeler market, Bajaj Pulsar recently sets a new benchmark of getting more than 1 million fans on Facebook. Pulsar is the most crucial brand from the Bajaj product line that has provided a bridge for the company to get ranked as the third largest two-wheeler maker in the world. Started the biking era in 2001, Pulsar was the first motorcycle with an engine capacity of over 150cc (the Bullet being an exception) launched at that time when fuel efficient commuter bikes had dominated the two-wheeler market in India.
Bajaj Auto has sold more than 5 million Pulsars since its inception in 2001 and is India’s first and only two-wheeler that has crossed 1 million fans mark on Facebook. No doubt the Pulsar is one of most desirable motorcycles among young riders and has a cult following even in international markets. The Pulsar is available in five variants ranging from 135cc to 220cc, designed specifically for the Indian market that offers niche performance at a competitive price against its rivals. Bajaj Auto has released the making of the Pulsar Mania 2.0 ad video, you can watch it below.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUdbUZuTZR8 540 375]
Bajaj Auto’s R&D department has rejuvenated the Pulsar with time and kept the brand updated according to market preferences that avails the company to shelf 3-spark plug technology and exhaust-tec patents on its name. Bajaj exports the Pulsar to several South Asian markets and the collaboration with Austrian bike-maker, KTM, availed the company to design the efficient water-cooled engine. The last year launch of the Pulsar 200 NS has taken the company to the next level of biking and the much hyped Pulsar 375 will aid the company to hold its share in the premium bike segment in India.
Meanwhile checkout our infographic which shows the history of the Bajaj Pulsar.


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When this scandal broke, Vision was early out of the blocks to bring the revelations to you. We now give you the latest. The government responding to mounting pressure and outcry has intimated that consumers could be compensated for damage done to car engines etc. due to contaminated gas sold to unsuspecting consumers … this is a reversal of their previous position.
As Jamaican consumers continue to reel from “bad gas” the deepening crisis has been putting severe pressure on motorists. Any possible legal action against the powers at be is getting more complex as the days go by.
In the latest development a leading marketing/distributor Rubis who independently imports gas has confirmed that one of its stations has been ordered closed. It is still not clear as there are other reports that the company itself has been asked to close its filling plant at Rockfort to the eastern end of Kingston.
Rubis has denied accusations leveled at the company and threatened legal action.
Chair of Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) advised that “all the tests are to be re done in the west as a critical point was overlooked … we have problems at Rubis stated the Bureau of Standards chair Professor Winston Davidson. It is Rubis’s right to challenge any test but as an internationally certified lab we stand by our tests which we are sure can withstand any challenge, legal or otherwise.
There has been an adverse finding. Culpability has not been established.”
Based on our analysis we have not established culpability on the part of dealers … we cannot release the findings.
We have issues with one Mktg. company as we are going to retest. I have modified the order. “Additives are as approved” states RAYMOND SAMUELS of Rubis who has written to say inter alia.
“FIve stations have been ordered closed, we stand by our product.”
JGRA president Leonard Green declared. “Dealers have been closed from Wednesday last and reopened Sunday … products have found to be contaminated. We feel exonerated. At least 2 sites/stations were closed last Wednesday … we are disappointed on the claim of suppliers. Corporate responsibility is disappointing from Mktg. companies.”
“Petrojam’s products have been retested and those sites ordered closed were supplied by Petrojam. 87 and 90 petrol for example. declared Professor Winston Davidson, chair of BSJ.
There are 300+ stations and two sources of supply. We will be calling a general meeting to discuss the matter. Some products were found to be not of the required standard. Stated Leonard Green of JGRA.
Andrew Holness who is a victim of the bad gas saga had written to Simpson Miller enclosing a bill as claim for repairs to his van which stalled on the highway going to ACCOMPONG. A wrecker/tow truck had to be used to pick up vehicle.
It is alleged that the Mining Minister has commercial interest in the petroleum industry.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie, Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.


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Upgrade for Advance Auto Parts
Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts received a credit upgrade from Moody’s Investor Services. Moody’s has assigned Advance a Ba1 credit rating, while maintaining its positive outlook. “This upgrade is a significant recognition for Advance,” CFO Jeffrey Gray said. “It gives further credibility to our balanced financial approach and significant financial flexibility.”
Sears Brings Card to Kmart
Hoffman Estates, Ill., Attention Kmart shoppers: you can now apply for a Sears Card. Sears Holdings Corp. announced that starting Oct. 27, customers shopping at Kmart stores will be able to apply for the Sears Card. “The Sears Card is a tremendously powerful brand which has been part of millions of our customers’ lives for more than 50 years,” said Aylwin B. Lewis, chief executive officer and president of Sears Holdings. “We believe expanding the reach of the Sears Card and making it available through Kmart stores will provide our customers with greater shopping flexibility and choices.”
Visa Economist Adds to Holiday Optimism
San Francisco, Visa USA, the world’s leading payment brand and largest payment system, today announced retail predictions for the 2005 holiday season. Despite recent natural disasters and increasing energy costs, Visa USA’s economist, Wayne Best, predicts that the 2005 holiday season in the United States will be moderate to strong, particularly as wage and income growth is expected to continue through the end of the year.
“Currently, our economy is on good footing and should remain steady in the coming months. As consumers continue to feel good about their financial situations, bolstered by sustained wage and income growth, it should translate into a good holiday season for retailers,” said Wayne Best, senior VP of business and economic analysis for Visa USA. “Much will depend on whether Americans will see fuel and oil prices start to level off—or even decrease—giving consumers access to more disposable income, in time for the holidays.”


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On Tuesday, the government enacted a law prohibiting sunscreen use in all Thailand’s national parks.
The measure is intended to protect the country’s coral reefs and marine ecosystem, the Royal Gazette announced.
From August 4 onwards, tourists visiting the kingdom’s national parks must avoid using sunscreens that contain four chemicals that can damage coral reefs.
Under the new order, using products with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4MBC, and butylparaben have been banned.
The law was passed after academic studies found a link between sunscreens used by people in marine park waters and coral damage.
Research suggests that UV chemical filters in cosmetics and sunscreen products can negatively impact juvenile corals and marine life in general.
They say these chemicals affect corals every year, as they damage coral embryos by obstructing their reproductive system and causing coral bleaching.
Also, studies cited by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation show that over 3,500 sunscreen brands contain at least one of the four harmful chemicals.
The government recommended tourists use water-resistant or alternatives based on minerals such as zinc oxide when visiting any of Thailand’s marine parks.
A person who breaches the law can be charged with violating section 20 of the National Parks Act BE 2522 and fined up to 100,000 baht or $3,022.
Thailand is not the first country to impose such a law, as several coastal nations have banned sunscreens in order to revive their marine ecosystem.
Palau, the island nation in the West Pacific, was the world’s first nation to pass a similar law in January 2020.
Other nations that prohibited sunscreen products include Hawaii, Aruba, the US Virgin Islands, Florida, Bonaire, and the Mexican reserves.
It is estimated that over 14,000 tons of sunscreen had affected waters in Hawaii and the Caribbean alone.


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We’ve all heard the old adage that “money can’t buy happiness” but according to a new study, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, spending a little cash could lead to greater life satisfaction – as long as you spend it on the right thing that is.
New research from the University of British Columbia has found that spending money to buy free time, such as paying others to cook or clean for you, does improve happiness, leave you feeling less stressed and generally more satisfied with life.
“Around the world, increases in wealth have produced an unintended consequence: a rising sense of time scarcity,” write the authors of “Buying Time Promotes Happiness,” which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“We provide evidence that using money to buy time can provide a buffer against this time famine, thereby promoting happiness.”
To reach this conclusion, the researchers questioned a total of 4,500 people in the U.S., the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada about their levels of time-related stress, their life satisfaction and whether they spent their money on material goods or time-saving purchases.
The results found that the 28 per cent of people who reported spending money on saving time were more satisfied with their lives than the others.
Next, the researchers asked 1,800 Americans similar questions and found that 50 per cent of the respondents who had made such purchased also reported greater happiness.
Finally, an experiment in which 60 Canadians were given $40 to spend on a weekend found that the time-saving buyers reported feeling more positive at the end of the day compared to those who purchased a material good.
“If there’s some task that just thinking about it fills you with dread, then it’s probably worth considering whether you can afford to buy your way out of it,” Elizabeth Dunn, one of the authors of the paper, told the New York Times.
But, despite the benefits of buying time the research found that many of us choose not to allocate discretionary income this way, even when we can afford it.
“Despite the potential benefits of buying time, many respondents allocated no discretionary income to buying time, even when they could afford it: just under half of the 818 millionaires that we surveyed spent no money outsourcing disliked tasks,” the authors note.
This, they believe, is because of the ‘cult of busyness’ – an ideal which sees people favour a diligent work ethic over paying someone for a task in fear of appearing lazy.
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While many U.S. business sectors are being hurt by the rising dollar, there's one that is reaping its benefits.» Read More
CHICAGO, Dec 24- U.S. consumers have not turned out in force for the final shopping days before Christmas, suggesting that traditional retailers will just meet industry sales forecasts in a season marked by deep discounts and growing encroachment from online rivals led by Amazon.com Inc.. "The past weekend will not save this holiday season," said Craig Johnson,...
In the final hours to fulfill your holiday gift lists you might think consumers aren't focused on being socially responsible, but you'd be wrong.
Eager to prevent another Target style breach, credit card companies are canceling cards and denying purchases during this hectic shopping season.
Minimum wage hikes across the US will prompt Wal-Mart Stores to adjust base salaries at 1,434 stores, impacting about a third of its U.S. locations.
As Sony scrambles to recover after an unprecedented cyberattack, one analyst couldn't be more positive on the outlook for the company's stock.
MasterCard's North American president says microchips will be embedded in about half the credit cards in 2015 to protect against fraud.
Delivery companies, as well as USPS, brace themselves for last-minute shipping orders as the Holiday season reaches peak. The NYT reports.
NEW YORK, Dec 19- Even as the Sony Corp cyber attack laid bare the kinds of vulnerabilities that typically drive companies to buy insurance policies, the lack of a risk model for insurers means such protection is not always easy to get. While high-profile attacks at retailers such as Target Corp and Home Depot Inc this year have spooked consumers, the devastating...
Staples confirmed on Friday a data breach that may have affected up to 1.2 million cards.
Some of Friday midday movers:
So you missed the holiday deadline for free standard shipping. Oops. Try these last-minute gifting strategies.
Dec 19- A U.S. judge has cleared the way for consumers to sue Target Corp over the retailer's late 2013 data breach that they say compromised their personal financial information. District Judge Paul Magnuson in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday dismissed claims by plaintiffs in certain states but largely denied Target's request to toss the proposed class action...
Sony's capitulation could mean that more businesses will be targeted for cyberwarfare and extortion, they said. The crisis at Sony Corp's movie studio is prompting executives to think more broadly and to use data encryption software for internal data. Sony on Wednesday dropped the comedy that features the assassination of North Korea's leader after...
With an abundance of sales happening early on this holiday season, some retailers may fare better than others.
Time to reassess your plastic. 2015 could trigger big credit card shakeups amid rising interest rates, new card technology and benefits.
There are three dominant themes in retail, and Hudson's Bay is well-positioned to capitalize on them all, newly named CEO Gerald Storch says.
Here's who's hot and who's not this holiday season. Sorry, Barbie, it's just not your year, sweetie.
Dec 17- Canadian department store operator Hudson's Bay Co named Toys R Us Inc's former chief executive Gerald Storch as its new CEO, as the owner of Lord& Taylor and Saks chains looks to expand its online presence. Hudson's Bay's total online sales touched C $228 million in the third quarter, accounting for about 12 percent of the company's retail sales.
The number of Americans who say the country is on the right track ticked up, but the dominant mood country remains negative, a new NBC/WSJ poll shows.
To receive your online orders in time for Christmas, most retailers' standard delivery order deadlines are Friday.


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Sandestin Premieres the 2019 Sandestin RUN/SUP Challenge
First RUN/SUP Scheduled for September 21, 2019
Miramar Beach, Fla (September 12, 2019) - The Sandestin RUN/SUP Challenge will hold its inaugural competition on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Participants will complete a 1 mile run from Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina to the nature trails at Jolee Island and back where participants will transition to paddleboard a 1-mile course in the Choctawhatchee Bay ending back at the Marina. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest male, female and youth (14 and under).
“For over 33 years, Sandestin held an annual triathlon each fall and this year we have chosen to mix it up and launch the annual Sandestin RUN/SUP Competition,” stated Jason Draughn, Director of Recreation for Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. “We are incredibly lucky to have Baytowne Marina, Jolee Island and Sandestin, all situated on the Choctawhatchee Bay, offering an amazing backdrop for this type of event.”
In addition to the RUN/SUP Challenge, participants and fans will be able to participate in a silent auction which will include items such as a YOLO bike, New Orleans Saints Swag and more. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Sandestin Foundation for Kids whose goal it is to make a meaningful and positive difference in children’s lives.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has partnered with RUN/SUP for this competition. Stand up paddle boards must be “recreational style” or 12ft and under. For more information on the inaugural 2019 Sandestin RUN/SUP Challenge, check out Sandestin.com/RUNSUP.
About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a major destination for all seasons and all ages and was named the #1 Resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The resort invites guests to a world of 2,400 acres and 30 charming neighborhoods featuring 1,300 vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in hotel accommodations. As a member of Visit South Walton and Visit Florida, the resort features more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bayfront, four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 123-slip marina, a fitness center and spa, meeting space and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a charming pedestrian village with events, shopping, dining and nightlife. Follow @Sandestin on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest events and news.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
More News You Might Like
The Emerald Coast Classic at Sandestin will be contested at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Raven Golf Club the week of March 29 – April 4, with 156 players competing for a $600,000 purse.
Hotel Effie Sandestin Announces Feb. 2021 Opening and Unveiling of New Culinary Concepts by Acclaimed Chef Hugh Acheson
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort plans to start 2021 in style with the opening of the new luxury hotel, Hotel Effie Sandestin.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort today announced that Ron Hardin, CHTP has joined its team as Director of Information Technology.


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With many families being stuck at home during the coronavirus, individuals are struggling to keep themselves occupied. However, major companies, such as Disney, are adding new content online to allow consumers to watch movies, play video games, or even shop. Since it seems that most events taking place in the summer are being postponed or canceled altogether, companies or sports franchises are doing whatever they can to keep people up and running in order to get through 2020.
Online Streaming and Video Gaming
The popular platform, Disney+, has pushed several newly released films to earlier release dates. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will now be released on May 4th, due to the created and popularly known Star Wars day. Also, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is expected to hit the streaming network in the middle of May. With the newly added content of Onward and Frozen 2, Disney is doing their part to ensure consumers have the entertainment they need during these times.
New video game releases will also be hitting the market this month. Whether it be the Nintendo Switch, PS4, or Xbox, top and anticipated games will be hitting the online shelves soon. Games include that of: The Wonderful 101: Remastered, Maneater, Bioshock: The Collection and more. Without school or classes in person, it seems that a lot of children are stopping their work and chores in order to play these popular video games.
There are also many upcoming digital concert venues or live streams coming in the next weeks. On May 1st, iHeart Radio in Los Angeles will be hosting a virtual prom for Southern California Students at 6:30 p.m. PST. May 5th includes a Cinco de Mayo celebration with performanes by Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Luis Fonsi and more on iHeart Radio channels. Also the New York Guitar Festival will be live streaming mid-May.
Staying at home has meant new challenges for most individuals. However, the youngest including teenagers and elementary students may be having the toughest time in finding entertainment online. TikTok continues to boom the mainstream world right now, however it is good that major companies and franchises are doing what they can to spread content around the world. Prices for content have been decreasing as well to allow affordability, which is making things especially easy in these times of hardship. Many networks are continuing to announce and release new content everyday, so it is important that people stay up-to-date on what’s coming in the near future.


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Both smartphones will come bundled with a monthly recharge pack of Rs. 169 from Airtel, offering generous data and calling benefits.
Customers need to make a down payment of Rs. 4599 for the itel A40 and Rs. 4699 for the itel A41. The cash-back benefit of Rs. 1500 will be given to customers over a period of 36 months. At the end of 18 months, customers who have done recharges (in any denomination of their choice) worth Rs. 3000 will be eligible for the first cash-back installment of Rs. 500. They will be eligible for the second installment of Rs. 1000 provided they complete another set of recharges worth Rs 3000 over the next 18 months.
"We are delighted to partner itel as we expand our range of affordable 4G smartphones with an aim to enable every Indian to own a 4G smartphone and be a part of the digital revolution. Airtel now has the largest partner ecosystem of device manufacturers and we thank our partners for sharing our vision of smartphone for every Indian," said COO Bharti Airtel, Ajai Puri.
"The partnership will provide customers with access to great applications and services like never before and at very attractive price points. We are confident that the partnership will drive 4G adoption across the country and bring the best value to both itel and Airtel customers," said MD, TRANSSION India, Marco Ma.
itel smartphones are available at all leading mobile stores. After-sales support for the device will be provided by itel through its service network and customers can also avail the unique service proposition of 100 days replacement warranty.
With a commitment of 100-days replacement warranty offered by itel on all its products, it is trying to elevate the overall end-to-end ownership experience for its customers. (ANI)


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MoneyGram International (NYSE: MGI), a leading global money transfer company, announced today it has expanded its new direct-to-account (or cash-to-account) money transfer service with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), to MoneyGram customers sending money from Japan to China.
ICBC is one of the largest banks in China, with a nationwide network of locations and more than 200 million accounts.
When the sent funds are deposited, ICBC account holders can withdraw the cash from thousands of ICBC locations across China, or exchange the funds into local currency and take RMB cash from 40,000-plus ATMs in China. ICBC has been a MoneyGram agent since 1995 and has more than 1,500 locations offering MoneyGram service in about 400 cities.
"We know it's important to our MoneyGram customers who are sending and receiving money to have the additional option to deposit the funds directly and quickly into an ICBC account," said Nick Cunnew, MoneyGram vice president of the Asia Pacific region.
The MoneyGram direct-to-account service is being marketed in conjunction with MoneyGram's Japanese agents, SBI Remit (http://www.remit.co.jp/) and Unidos Co. Ltd. (http://kyodairemittance.com/) in locations near large populations of Chinese immigrants and migrant workers. According to the Japan Institute of Labor Policy and Training, Chinese immigrants comprise nearly a quarter of all migrant workers in Japan.
According to the World Bank, China received more than $57 billion in remittances in 2011, making it the world's second-largest receiver of money transfers. Japan is among the top 20 remittance sending countries.
According to ICBC, adding the cash-to-account product is a strong manifestation of the company's commitment to better serve the needs of Chinese overseas and their beneficiaries in China. ICBC's partnership with MoneyGram boosts the company's efforts to reach more of the Chinese living abroad, especially in Japan.


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“Imagine iPhone 5 looking as though it is made of a liquid metal, and feels like a liquid to the touch,” Nigam Arora writes for Forbes. “Imagine a case more than twice as strong as titanium. Imagine no scratches or smudges.”
“If Apple (AAPL) pulls off such an innovation in iPhone 5, it will be a coup, giving Apple another edge over its competitors. A recent SEC filing provides fresh evidence that Apple seems to be very interested in dealing with a company that makes such ‘liquid metal,'” Arora writes. “A small company named Liquidmetal Technologies (LQMT)… has developed a series of amorphous metal alloys that are sold under the commercial name Liquidmetal.”
Arora writes, “Liquidmetal alloys are made of a mix of titanium, nickel, copper and zirconium, among other metals. These materials feel as smooth as liquid or glass when touched; hence the name Liquidmetal. These materials offer high tensile strength, excellent resistance to corrosion, and strong resistance to scratches. These materials can be easily cast and molded using heat similar to thermoplastics. Apple has an exclusive agreement to use Liquidmetal technology in consumer electronics.”
“The new evidence that Apple is serious about Liquidmetal is found in the 8-K filed by Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc with SEC on June 18, 2012… ‘On June 15, 2012, Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) and Apple Inc. (“Apple”) entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Master Transaction Agreement that they previously entered into on August 5, 2010 (the “MTA”)… Under the Amendment, the parties agreed to amend the MTA to extend the February 5, 2012 date to February 5, 2014… The foregoing does not purport to be a complete description of the Amendment and is qualified by reference to the full text of such agreement, which will be filed with the Company’s next Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,'” Arora writes. “Even though the impact on Liquidmetal is not quite clear, it is clear that if Apple uses Liquidmetal on iPhone, it will be big.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Arline M.” for the heads up.]
New Apple agreement suggests Liquidmetal iPhone will arrive within two years – June 20, 2012
Apple extends Liquidmetal exclusivity deal through February 2014 – June 19, 2012
Why is Apple investing in equipment and machinery at an exponential rate? – May 23, 2012
Apple’s recent huge investments in plants and equipment for Liquidmetal use in iOS devices, Macs? – May 22, 2012
Piper Jaffray: Apple iPhone 5 to feature completely redesigned body style, resemble iPad’s metallic rear panel – May 22, 2012
Apple patent app details new, possibly Liquidmetal-based speakerphone system for iOS devices – May 17, 2012
Liquidmetal Technologies reports Q112 revenue of $0.2 million – May 15, 2012
Apple’s forthcoming Macbook Pro 2012 models could be made with Liquidmetal – May 14, 2012
Apple and Liquidmetal: Don’t go by co-inventor’s word, he hasn’t worked for Liquidmetal since 2007 – May 6, 2012
Liquidmetal inventor: Apple will use it in a ‘breakthrough product’ that will be very difficult to copy – May 2, 2012
Whoa! This Liquidmetal iPhone 5 concept looks real – May 2, 2012
Check out these ultra-thin next-gen Liquidmetal iPhone artist’s concept images – May 1, 2012
Is Apple Inc.’s bet on Liquidmetal about to pay off? – April 30, 2012
RUMOR: New MacBooks to be built with Liquidmetal; MacBook Pro and Air lines to merge – April 26, 2012
RUMOR: Apple’s new MacBook Pro, Air to be made of Liquidmetal – April 24, 2012
A Liquidmetal iPhone 5: What’s in it for You – April 23, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone may be baptized in Liquidmetal – April 20, 2012
Ceramics, Liquidmetal and Magic Glass, what could Apple’s iPhone 5 tempt us with next? – April 20, 2012
Apple’s iPhone 5 made of metallic glass reportedly arrives this October – April 20, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone: Thinner, lighter, faster – and poured? – April 19, 2012
How Liquidmetal could give the next iPhone its special swagger – April 19, 2012
Apple’s next-gen iPhone main body to shift from Gorilla Glass to Liquidmetal, say industry sources – April 18, 2012
Liquidmetal Technologies filing outlines its multimillion dollar agreement with Apple – March 31, 2012
Apple granted its first Liquidmetal patent – January 5, 2011
Apple patent application describes scratch-resistant stainless steel – October 29, 2010
Join the dots on six future Apple technologies – September 22, 2010
Apple already using Liquidmetal in their… – August 17, 2010
Inventor says Liquidmetal may be used for new iPhone antenna – August 13, 2010
Apple already uses Liquidmetal; Guess which product and win a Magic Trackpad – August 13, 2010
How will Apple use their exclusive Liquidmetal alloy? – August 12, 2010
Apple’s exclusive Liquidmetal pact could see future Apple products encased in metallic glass – August 11, 2010
Apple inks deal for exclusive rights to custom, super-durable metal alloy – August 09, 2010
“Feels” like liquid? “Looks” like liquid? Don’t think so. Very light and very strong yes, but has no special outward appearance. Anyone that had the SIM pin on the 3GS knows that. I’d still like to see Apple do something substantial with LM.
“These materials feel as smooth as liquid or glass when touched; hence the name Liquidmetal.”
That guy is some sort of analyst? Well, you know what HE smells like…
Apple is the undisputed leader in SIM pin technology.
More Liquidmetal wet dreams.
I’ve seen Liquidmetal golf club heads, a decade ago, and they didn’t look or feel like liquids.
I’m tired of just hearing about it. Let’s see it actually get put to use. They say it can also be used for batteries. How about 20% longer battery life? I don’t imagine a case that is twice as strong as titanium. If that was the case, there’d be more manufacturers in other industries using it. This Liquidmetal hype is rather annoying. That company’s share price and market cap is so freaking low, Apple could buy it with a few day’s iPhone proceeds. Nah, I doubt the company Liquidmetal is sitting on anything of unusually high value.
I hear your skepticism, but clearly Apple sees something here. I’m not really sure why Apple doesn’t buy more of it’s smaller partners, like ARM, and the Dragon Technologies for voice recognition, and possibly Liquid Metal, and maybe some firms that invest in robotic technologies and automation (hardware or software). There’s a lot of areas Apple could innovate, not sure why they don’t push into more things.
It’s possible that some of the internal components of the super-thin MBP’s, like hinges, etc, are made from Liquidmetal…
this article is 100% pure liquid bullshit.
liquid metal means that its atomic structure is amorphous, like a liquid, and not crystalline, like usual metals.
Grossly ignorant article.
As in diarrhea? Gross! Pee-yuuu!
Rubbish reporting like this is why people end up being disappointed after Apple announcements.
Not the only reason.
Forming the chassis of laptops out of aluminum didn’t make sense either, until Apple did it. Apple continues to set new paradigms. I wouldn’t bet against the use of Liquidmetal in the new iPhone.
Forbes has really become a hack job of writing over the last few years.
They were no better and years before that.
Actually, none of media which is said to be “respectable” is actually respectable. You can name WSJ, NYT, Time magazine, whatever — and I know how much lame journalism they allow.
As I understand it, right now it would be insanely expensive to use liquid metal in the iPhone five case. It would take some serious work to bring that price down. Also, from what I’ve read, it seems that they don’t make large parts very well either. I recall something saying they focused on parts that were 4 inches long or shorter… Of course, innovation could also fix that. But it gives you a sense of the challenges.


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KNIT YOUR BIT
Published: Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 9, 2004 at 11:00 p.m.
A new generation can honor the past as the American Red Cross brings back its Knit Your Bit kit.
The kit, which features the tools needed to knit a pair of soft socks, originally launched during World War I and became an even more visible sign of aid and comfort to U.S. troops during World War II. The homemade socks also served a practical purpose as many American textile mills and manufacturers were tapped to produce military goods.
The 2004 version comes in a collectable tin that includes an insert with original-era poster artwork along with needles, yarn and instructions.
Visit http://www.redcross/sremembers.org/ to learn more.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
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Symplified and Xamarin Partner to Provide Mobile Developers with User Authentication and Single Sign-On For Native Mobile Applications
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, and BOULDER, COLO., August 20, 2013 – Identity-as-a-Service leader Symplified and cross-platform mobile application development company Xamarin, today announced a partnership to make it easier for mobile developers to secure their enterprise applications running on iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and even Mac desktops. The Symplified Mobile Developer SDK, available now in the Xamarin Component Store, enables developers to easily integrate user authentication technology into their native applications – eliminating significant development time while providing them with proven capabilities from a pioneer in identity and access management.
The Symplified Mobile Developer SDK is the first enterprise identity SDK in the Xamarin Component Store, and the first mobile application SDK from Symplified. Developers can use it to better leverage standards and existing identity infrastructure investments. With this new out-of-the-box component, developers can quickly and easily build, test and deploy authentication and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities for their native mobile applications and securely connect them to existing enterprise user stores.
“We’re extremely pleased to team with Xamarin, the premier company at the forefront of cross-platform mobile application development, for the launch of our first mobile SDK,” said Shayne Higdon, president and CEO of Symplified. “Mobile application developers should have a standard way of authenticating users and shouldn’t have to spend countless hours developing code which may still open up security vulnerabilities once integrated into their applications. The Symplified Mobile Developer SDK builds on our foundation as an identity-as-a-service company focused on security – providing the right tools for organizations to maintain visibility and control across the numerous cloud, mobile and on-premises applications they use today.”
The Symplified Mobile Developer SDK is available as an open source component within the Xamarin Component Store. Developers simply select the component from within Xamarin Studio or Visual Studio, integrate it into their native mobile applications and configure the Identity Provider (IdP) settings.
“Identity Management and security are top concerns for mobile enterprises today” said Xamarin CEO and cofounder Nat Friedman. “We look forward to working with Symplified, a leader in Identity as a Service, to accelerate secure enterprise mobility.”
Along with the SDK, Symplified provides developers with a sandbox testing environment, full API documentation and online support forums.
Additionally, Symplified and Xamarin will host a live webcast Tuesday, August 27, at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET, to discuss authenticating enterprise users into mobile applications and provide a technical overview of the Symplified Mobile Developer SDK. Register at http://resources.xamarin.com/authenticating_enterprise_users_mobile_apps.html.
Symplified enables IT organizations to simplify user access to applications, regain visibility and control over usage and meet security and compliance requirements. Symplified provides single-sign-on, identity and access management, directory integration, centralized provisioning, strong authentication, mobile device support and flexible deployment options. Symplified is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and can be found online at http://www.symplified.com. Follow us on Twitter @Symplified.
Xamarin is the new standard for enterprise mobile development. No other platform enables businesses to reach all major devices—iOS, Android, Mac and Windows—with 100 percent fully native apps from a single code base. With Xamarin, businesses standardize mobile app development in C#, share on average 75 percent of source code across platforms, and leverage their existing skills, teams, tools and code to rapidly deliver great apps with broad reach. Xamarin is used by over 375,000 developers from more than 100 Fortune 500 companies and nearly 20,000 paying customers including Clear Channel, Schindler, McKesson, Halliburton, Cognizant, GitHub, Rdio and WebMD, to accelerate the creation of mission-critical consumer and enterprise apps. For more information, please visit: www.xamarin.com, read our blog, and follow us on Twitter @xamarinhq.
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The Washington state legislature is considering banning the manufacture and sale of cosmetic products that contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, certain amounts of lead, and some other chemicals.
Category: Immune System Problems
Chemical Additives in Processed Food Cross the Placenta, Damage Babies’ Immune System, say scientists
A new warning from scientists about food additives: Billions of nanoparticle food additives can reach infants, even crossing the placenta during pregnancy. These chemical food additives can change the baby’s gut microbiome and damage gut cells. This phenomenon, researchers believe, likely raises allergy and immune disorder risk.
PFAS Chemicals Giving Alligators Lupus
A new scientific study has found that high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals is the likely culprit for making alligators sick with autoimmune disorders that appear similar to human diseases like lupus.
Toxic PFAS Chemicals Discovered in Kid’s Clothes and School Uniforms
The results of a new scientific study have revealed that the majority of school uniforms and children’s clothes tested contain high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals.
Medical Monitoring Recommended for People Exposed to Toxic PFAS Chemicals
A new report from the National Academies recommends blood tests and medical monitoring for people likely to have high exposure to the toxic chemicals known as PFAS.
New Home and Remodel Consumers Beware: Scientists Discover 55 Chemicals of Concern in US Homes
Warning to New Home Buyers and Remodeling Consumers: A new scientific study has uncovered a whopping 55 toxic chemicals inside U.S. homes.
Toxic PFAS Forever Chemicals are Leaching into Your Home Air at Worrying Levels, say scientists
New study results have revealed that we are breathing in concerning levels of toxic outgassed PFAS chemicals inside our homes, schools and workplaces everyday.
Big Chemical Hid Data showing Dangers of PFAS Chemicals in Food Packaging
According to documents obtained by researchers, Big Chemical companies DuPont and Daikin knew the dangers of a PFAS chemical compound widely used in food packaging since 2010, but hid them from the public and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
PFAS Manufacturer Blocks Testing for the Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemical
Uncovering where (and how much) of the environmental contaminant PFAS chemical is in products, food, soil, water and human bodies just became near impossible for research scientists.
PFAS Chemicals Banned from Fast Food Packaging in New York
New York has now banned the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging.


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Thousands of iBeacons will be placed in Major League Baseball ballparks next week, with MLB hoping to have 20 parks outfitted by Opening Day in late March. Boston, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Francisco, and the L.A. Dodgers will be among the teams with iBeacons installed in their stadiums, MacRumors reports. Each park should have about 100 iBeacons installed. It was reported last year that many MLB teams expressed interest in iBeacon, with the New York Mets already testing the technology. iBeacon will work with MLB’s At The Ballpark app. Though functionality will differ in each ballpark, it’s likely the app will use iBeacon to offer ballpark information, concessions coupons, and loyalty programs, among other features.
Facebook has updated its free app to version 6.9.1. The update lets users choose whose posts to see in News Feed, and also puts all uploaded videos into one album. More notable, however, was Facebook’s introduction of Paper. The new iOS app lets users view their Facebook News Feed in addition to other sections featuring outside content, such as sports and food. At first glance, Paper looks like an intriguing, well-designed app. It will be released Feb. 3, and we’ll have more on it next week.
Jack and the Beanstalk ($5) is more than just another new interactive storybook app from Nosy Crow. The developer has really upped the ante — a more cinematic presentation highlights the upgraded high-resolution graphics, and the camera work within the app is very well done. More gaming elements have been added, and Nosy Crow hopes that will get more reluctant readers into the story. For instance, Jack gets to climb the beanstalk while being assisted by the child reader. All of this is bolstered by the same high-quality voice acting and music expected from Nosy Crow.
A Gmail bug has accidentally deleted the emails of some users, and reported others as spam. Gmail’s iOS app, mobile browsers using Gmail, and the offline version of Gmail recently fell prey to a software bug which did not affect all users, Google said. According to a notice from Google, the issue occurred between Jan. 15 and 22 and is now fixed. Users should check Trash and Spam folders before Feb. 14 to see if any items were deleted or marked as spam due to the bug. [via The Verge]
Jackadam’s Dark Sky ($4) weather forecast app is known for telling users exactly when precipitation will start to fall, an hour in advance. In version 4.0.0, the app has been completely redone for iOS 7, with extended 24-hour and 7-day forecasts. All new global maps have also been added to the visually appealing app. If you experience issues opening the app after updating to 4.0.0, delete it and re-install it; we found that this was necessary to enable the updated app to run.
Jet Car Stunts 2 (free) is the new sequel to True Axis’ Jet Car Stunts. The game features what the developer describes as “crazy stunt driving on outlandish courses,” and it’s hard to argue with that. Gamers use onscreen buttons to control speed while tilting the device to steer and adjust its angle for jumps The free version’s depth is questionable, but the first 10 levels are free. After that, in-app purchases are required to continue. Silky-smooth polygonal graphics will remind classic gamers of early 3-D driving games from Atari and Sega.
Apple reported its first quarter 2014 financial results today, selling 51 million iPhones and 26 million iPads, both all-time quarterly records. The company reported a record $57.6 billion quarterly revenue, as well as quarterly net profit of $13.1 billion, or $14.50 per diluted share. Apple sold 6 million iPods, a 52 percent decrease in units from Q1 2013. iPhone unit sales were up 7 percent, and iPad unit sales were up 14 percent from Q1 2013.
Gross margin was 37.9 percent, compared to 38.6 percent in Q1 2013. Apple noted that international sales accounted for 63 percent of revenue in Q1 2014. For Q2 2014, Apple is providing guidance of revenue between $42 billion and $44 billion, and gross margin between 37 percent and 38 percent. Apple’s earnings call will begin at 5 p.m. EST, and can be heard live on the company’s investor website.
“We are really happy with our record iPhone and iPad sales, the strong performance of our Mac products and the continued growth of iTunes, Software and Services,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. “We love having the most satisfied, loyal and engaged customers, and are continuing to invest heavily in our future to make their experiences with our products and services even better.”
“We generated $22.7 billion in cash flow from operations and returned an additional $7.7 billion in cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the December quarter, bringing cumulative payments under our capital return program to over $43 billion,” Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said.
The National Security Agency and Britain’s Government Communications Headquarters have been working together to collect user information through “leaky” mobile apps, according to secret documents released by Edward Snowden. Google Maps, Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Twitter are all used as examples of apps said to scoop up personal information in a recent New York Times report. Information obtained from these apps may include address books, buddy lists, phone logs, and geographic data. The report notes that the “scale and specifics of the data haul are not clear.”
Though Angry Birds is used as example of a newer app the agencies could use to acquire information, it is not made “explicit whether the spies have put that into practice.” The NSA and the British Agency are reportedly mining information that has been acquired by ad firms, with data depending on which ad service compiles the user data profiles. In addition to the Times report, The Guardian and ProPublica have their own reports on the documents.
Apple now claims on its developer website that 80 percent of devices are using iOS 7, a statistic measured through the “App Store during a 7-day period ending January 26, 2014.” In early December, Apple released numbers in the same quiet manner, noting that 74 percent of devices were using iOS 7 in a seven-day period ending Dec. 1. Apple now claims 17 percent of devices are using iOS 6, with 3 percent using an older version of iOS. Intended for developers, the metric obviously doesn’t capture devices that aren’t actively using the App Store, so it’s unclear how generalizable the numbers are to the entire iOS-using population.
Apple has issued updates for the iOS editions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. All three — updated to version 2.1 — gain the ability to share password-protected documents via iCloud link, in line with the recent iWork for iCloud update. The suite sees improved compatibility with Microsoft Office 2013 documents, and bug fixes and stability improvements. Additionally, each app has its own individual upgrades.
For example, Pages now allows character counts with or without spaces, and improved support for bidirectional text, while Numbers users can view and edit spreadsheets in landscape orientation. Keynote has absorbed the features of Keynote Remote, which has been removed from the App Store, and can now control presentations on other devices. There are also new transitions among the other changes.
Beamdog’s Baldur’s Gate II ($15) Enhanced Edition has arrived on iPad. This edition of the classic fantasy RPG includes the original Shadows of Amn campaign, in addition to a number of expansions, including the Throne of Bhaal expansion. The game is only available for iPad and requires 2.5 GB of free space.
In Fear I Trust ($3) is a new 17+ rated nightmarish puzzle game from Chillingo. It’s available for iPhone and iPad, but not compatible with iPod touch. Look for more information tomorrow in our new Game of the Week feature.
Apple said a future iOS 7 update will resolve the bug that causes devices to crash and reboot. “We have a fix in an upcoming software update for a bug that can occasionally cause a home screen crash,” Apple spokesperson Trudy Muller said to Mashable. It’s expected the fix will arrive with the official release of iOS 7.1, which is currently in its fourth beta. A separate update for this specific issue could even come before iOS 7.1 is released.
Beats Music has released its anticipated streaming music service in the App Store. Though the app download itself is free, Beats Music is a subscription service that costs $10 a month after a one-week free trial. There is no ad-supported free version of the service. Beats Music offers more than 20 million songs that lets users stream or save to a device to listen while offline. It’s very similar to other streaming services; other than a few minor features, the Beats name and mood-based station creation are the biggest distinguishing factors.
Box (free) has updated its app to version 3.0.0. The redesigned cloud content management app now offers 50GB of free lifetime storage to iOS users. This update includes a new preview experience, faster document rendering and photo loading, and a real-time search for files. Box is also in the process of becoming integrated into other apps, including a revised version of iTeleport Connect that was just released.
Apple has released iOS 7.1 beta 4 to developers. The new beta includes bug fixes and improvements, less than two weeks after the third beta was released. We’ll update this article with any notable changes as they’re discovered.
Google Play Movies & TV (free) is now available for the first time on iOS. Google’s app lets users watch movies and TV shows that were purchased or rented from Google Play. At the moment, streaming video only works over a Wi-Fi connection. TV shows are currently available in the U.S., U.K., and Japan.
Shadow Blade ($2) from Crescent Moon Games is a Strider/Shinobi-style ninja action game — in fact, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the upcoming official Strider title from Capcom. Featuring touch controls and a wide variety of weapons, Shadow Blade emphasizes the ninja aspect of the game, rewarding players for “playing sneakily.” Main character Kuro has to avoid traps and sneak around enemies in addition to fighting them head-on. Shadow Blade features 40 levels.
VirnetX, the patent holding company which successfully sued Apple for infringing its VPN patents in FaceTime in 2012, has added more Apple devices to its pending patent infringement lawsuit. As announced by VirnetX, the holding company is now adding the iPad Air, iPad mini with Retina display, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, and “latest Mac computers” to the litigation against Apple. The company is also including the “iPod Touch with Retina Display,” which could refer to the fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touch; however, the current lawsuit has already included the fifth-generation iPod touch. VirnetX maintains that Apple infringes upon its VPN patents, including workarounds Apple redesigned for iOS 7.
Apple initially changed the way its VPN On Demand connected in iOS after the loss of the first lawsuit. However, the company decided to reverse course weeks later, and change its VPN On Demand connection back to how it always worked. The reversal caused speculation that Apple and VirnetX appeared to reach an agreement of some kind — that obviously now appears to be false. Apple was ordered to pay $368.2 million for the loss of the first lawsuit, and lost an appeal.
A patent granted to Apple today describes a user interface in which onscreen graphics are automatically adjusted when the device is in motion. The patent background suggests that it’s harder to interact with a graphical user interface while the user is in motion; the patent would enable the device to adjust the GUI based on measurements of that motion. For instance, touchscreen buttons in the UI could be made larger while the device is moving, making the buttons easier to use.
As another example, graphic features could be moved around for ease of use. The patent also describes implementations in which the device “learns” how a user’s device moves and can make adjustments accordingly. Apple originally filed for the patent in Nov. 2007. [via Apple Insider]
Apple has started hiring for its new Mesa, Arizona manufacturing facility and one of the job listings is for an iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer. Under key qualifications, Apple notes that it is seeking “world class engineers that will provide end to end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features.” A previous report noted Apple would be producing sapphire glass in the new plant, though other details were limited; it now appears the facility could involve more than just sapphire manufacturing. [via 9to5Mac]
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Pirates ($5) has added Nassau as a new location in version 1.1.0. Nassau features 10 new secondary missions, 12 new treasures, 3 new ships to unlock, and a new pirate, Charles Vane. Vane is notably featured in a new campaign mission. New defense gameplay has been added, as well.
GoodReader for iPad ($5), the PDF reader from Good.iWare, has upgraded to version 3.20.0. A new user interface and full iOS 7 compatibility await users. The app now features faster PDF rendering, a new audio player, and a number of other new options that make for a better, easier user experience.
Apple has released its third beta for iOS 7.1, including bug fixes and improvements. The beta also notably features redesigned swipe to power off graphics, tweaks to the look of the Phone application for iPhones, and a variety of other cosmetic changes. iOS 7.1 beta 2 was released in mid-December.
The Consumer Electronics Association’s free 2014 International CES app is devoted to next week’s Consumer Electronics Show. A list of exhibitors is featured, as are floor maps of the gigantic show. Events and keynotes are also listed, in addition to speakers and conference sessions. If you’re going, make sure to stop by the iLounge Pavilion. We’ll see you there!
Sega has released Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed ($5), a new racing game featuring Sonic, Tails, and the rest of the gang. Cars, boats, and planes can all be raced through changing courses full of alternate routes and power-ups. Four-player multiplayer is supported online and locally. The game also supports iOS controllers.
Nokia has pulled its HERE Maps app from Apple’s iOS App Store, citing changes in iOS 7 as the reason. A Nokia spokesperson said in a statement to The Indian Express, “We have made the decision to remove our HERE Maps app from the Apple App Store because recent changes to iOS 7 harm the user experience. iPhone users can continue to use the mobile web version of HERE Maps under m.here.com, offering them core location needs, such as search, routing, orientation, transit information and more, all completely free of charge.” The app was removed from the App Store earlier this month. HERE Maps launched for iOS in November 2012 and received a fair bit of publicity at the time as it was released for iOS prior to Google Maps, amidst ongoing uproar over Apple’s botched release of its new iOS 6 Maps service.


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May 14th, 2012 by Ann Smarty
powerhouse. Famous for the contributions those in the city have made to music, theater, film and art, it is no wonder that people around the world think of the Big Apple perhaps before any other city in the United States.
Unsurprisingly, bloggers are popping up all over the city. From Manhattan to Brooklyn, one of the largest concentration of locally… Read more
December 19th, 2011 by SEM Contributor
Australia is fast becoming one of the hottest spots in the world where entrepreneurs can meet success. Whether it is technology, travel, cuisine or any other industry, there is a huge market in Australia with lots of room for growth. Below are just a very few startups whose owners have taken advantage of the venture capital opportunities, favorable tax policies… Read more
January 25th, 2011 by Tisha Tolar
Repeat business is the bread and butter for most restaurants and bars in any location. These business rely on their neighbor’s going out routines to remain unchanged and they are happy to always be ready with good food and drinks for their loyal patrons.… Read more
January 6th, 2011 by SEM Contributor
2010, while not the year when social media ‘really took off’ as many will say, it hit the mainstream a long time before that, it did see the major networks, Twitter and Facebook drawing in some really impressive figures. Facebook, the world’s most popular social network surpassed the 500 million mark, while Twitter closed in on the coveted 100 million… Read more
December 28th, 2010 by Tisha Tolar
Foursquare is releasing its retooled iPhone app just in time for Christmas. The popular location based social networking site has been working on the app and recent Twitter feeds such as “we just found an app approval in our stocking! New Foursquare early next week. Thanks #SantaJobs,” appeared in their Twitter feed.
In addition to the usual the new iPhone… Read more
December 20th, 2010 by Damian Davila
Groupon’s CEO, 30-year old Andrew Mason, has just joined the Hall of Fame of Entrepreneurs that say no to a lot of money. Just like Facebook’s Zuckerberg did to Yahoo! and MTV Networks just a few years ago, Groupon has declined the $6 billion offer from Google.
There are both supporters and critics of Groupon’s snub to Google, but nobody… Read more
October 27th, 2010 by Ann Smarty
Zenergo is a social media promotion site which combines location based services with activity orientated networking. The aim of the site is to allow people to find and promote events based on activities they love, not only within Zenergo but across most of web 2.0 as well.
Aesthetically the site is fairly minimalistic, in a good, clean way. Users can… Read more
September 1st, 2010 by Ann Smarty
Geo-location based check-in sites have started to become all the rage recently. Foursquare and Gowalla have shown just how ready some people are to announce their favorite locations to the entire world, with millions have signed up to try out the latest craze in mobile media since its arrival last year.
New start-up Neerlife differentiates itself from the crowd by… Read more
August 25th, 2010 by Ann Smarty
GroupTabs is an interesting new social networking venture based out of New York City. The basic premise is somewhat similar to Foursquare, in that GroupTabs is orientated around having its users check-in to various locations around a city. Where it differs from Foursquare is that instead of offering virtual points and icons for being well traveled, GroupTabs will offer special… Read more


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New reports from the Nutrition Business Journal confirm impressive growth in the U.S. nutritional supplement market in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. During a panel discussion at the American Herbal Products Association’s (AHPA; Silver Spring, MD) AHPA Botanical Congress this week – the first time the event has been held virtually – industry experts discussed strategies to ensure that the supplements made last year Revenue growth doesn’t let up after the pandemic is over.
Nutrition Business Journal reports growth
Presenter Claire Morton Reynolds, senior industry analyst for the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), reported on NBJ’s updated assessment that U.S. supplement sales in 2020 were record sales of $ 7.08 billion in 2020 which corresponds to 14.5%. Growth. This brought the valuation of the US supplement market to a total of 55.75 billion US dollars by the end of 2020. Morton Reynolds called 2020 the biggest year of growth the industry has ever seen. “For context,” she said, “we’ve added between $ 2 billion and $ 2.5 billion every year for the past five years, which really confirms how much it costs to add $ 7 billion in a single year . “
NBJ predicts that the U.S. supplement industry will indeed see a sustained “sustained increase” in annual sales in the coming years, Morton Reynolds said, beating estimates of pre-COVID market trends. For example, dietary supplement sales are expected to be $ 1.4 billion higher than pre-COVID-19 by 2023. NBJ estimates the U.S. supplement market will be valued at $ 66.24 billion by 2024 – up $ 10 billion from 2020.
But don’t expect the same record growth rate of 14.5% every year in 2020. “We can’t hold 14% every year,” said Morton Reynolds. “[W]We expect a natural slowdown in growth. “
Regardless of a slowdown, the good news is that sales are unlikely to decline anytime soon. Morton Reynolds said: “[W]We have permanently boosted the industry beyond that $ 55 billion mark in our eyes. “
Which supplement category sales grew the fastest in 2020? Vitamins led the pack with an astronomical 22.3% sales growth – not surprising given the huge surge in media attention and product demand that vitamins like C and D saw during the pandemic, she pointed out. Herbs and plants sales growth in 2020 was also impressive at 17.3%. Morton Reynolds noted that sales of herbal supplements – especially for herbal immune products like elderberry, mushrooms and echinacea – continued to grow despite a 6% decline in hemp cannabidiol (CBD) sales last year.
Mineral sales also rose 11.4%. Specialty supplements, a category that includes ingredients like pre- and probiotics, omega fatty acids, collagen, CoQ10, and melatonin, grew by 12.0%. Sales of nutritional supplements rose 5.4%. However, sales of sports supplements remained unchanged. Growth in 2020 was 6.6% compared to 6.5% in 2019.
In terms of sales channels, e-commerce sales are expected to more than double between 2019 and 2024, predicts NBJ. By 2024, e-commerce sales (24%) should correspond to sales from the natural / specialty retail (25%) and mass market (25%) channels. “It’s not new to say that e-commerce has grown, but the pandemic really accelerated this,” said Morton Reynolds. She added, “We see online shopping as one of the more permanent changes in consumer behavior, particularly when it comes to nutritional supplements.”
Morton Reynolds also touched on the leading categories of health condition in 2020. No wonder the common cold / flu / immunity streamed before any other medical condition, with sales up 51.2% to $ 5.2 billion in 2020. But sales growth was also recorded under other conditions. The next best performers in order of highest to lowest growth rates were: Sleep Support, Mental Health / Mood / Stress, General Health, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Diabetes, Heart Health, Healthy Aging, Child Health, and Gastrointestinal Health. The categories that saw stagnant or negative growth rates were eye health and exercise / energy / weight management.
Morton Reynolds described immune health as a new “gateway” to nutritional supplements for first-time nutritional supplement users. “Now we are really seeing that immunity has risen along with overall well-being as a gateway to nutritional supplements for consumers,” she said.
Will the immunity boom continue after COVID? NBJ predicts consumer interest will continue beyond 2021, especially in ingredients like prebiotics and probiotics, mushrooms, elderberry, cranberry, blueberry and vitamin D.
Mood and mental health are another category that needs to be watched closely. NBJ estimates that sales in this category increased 30% in 2020 and will continue to increase until at least 2023, led by ingredients like hemp CBD, multivitamins, homeopathics, 5-HTP, magnesium and St. John’s wort. “We’re just seeing consumers increasingly understand the inner play of mood, mental health, stress, sleep, immunity and wellbeing,” said Morton Reynolds.
How to make growth last
Other panelists discussed how existing and new customers can become interested in nutritional supplements once their acute focus on maintaining health after COVID wears off.
Graham Rigby, Chief Innovation Officer of the direct supply company Care / of, said, “Now let’s ask the question, how do we keep these new consumers and how do we consolidate that growth and keep those who have discovered the benefits of health and wellness, nutritional and herbal supplements … to keep them in their lives [and] make it a part of their lifestyle in the future? “
One of his tips is to keep the “conversation” about health with consumers alive. During the pandemic, brands making themselves available to answer consumer questions became a resource from a public desperate for health information. “A lot of brands did a great job starting a conversation during COVID,” he said.
This type of education and outreach should continue after the pandemic, he advised. “There may not be the dark aftermath of the pandemic, but there are things that consumers are interested in – stress, mood, focus…. These things will – unfortunately beyond the pandemic – live on and there are possibilities for herbal products to intervene positively. So don’t lose sight of the connection or relationship with your consumer and continue to use the various ways that you can have that conversation. “
Encouraging consumers to establish and maintain supplement routines will also be crucial, he said. “[W]We want to encourage people to keep adding nutritional supplements to their health and wellness programs, ”he said. “How can you encourage these habits?” For example, his company developed an app to support customers’ health routines.
The idea is to get consumers to keep thinking about their health, he said. “How can you be on a health journey instead of just selling products? And when you do, don’t just think about how your product will affect them, give them tips and advice beyond the specific herbal or dietary supplement you may be selling. Often times we want to use all of our marketing techniques and levers to improve the quality of our products. To be honest, if you can get someone to meditate, exercise, and hydrate in addition to taking your product, chances are the product will work better overall with all of these health measures. And so this routine, this thinking [and] It will be very important to enable them to measure every day how their commitment to their health and wellbeing is continuing because once we are back to normal we will know that the habit is more difficult to get used to, and it is easy to get out of healthy habits. How can we continue to encourage people to maintain this self-sufficiency that they optimized during the pandemic in a non-pandemic world? “
He also asked, “What can you do to remind them? [supplements] Is it not medication that these products do not work immediately overnight, and that continued, repeated use is the way to maximize the benefits of supplementing and consuming herbs? “
It’s important to stay visible with consumers, added another speaker, Amy Summers, PR expert and founder and president of Pitch Publicity and INICIVOX. Optimizing public relations is particularly important with COVID, as this has helped companies keep an eye on the public. Public relations will be vital to helping brands stay relevant, and it encouraged companies to stick with messaging and continue to “do good” to emphasize how they are giving back. “Many times,” she said, it is the relationships built through public relations “that have the greatest return on investment … especially during times of crisis, downturn, transition, or change.” If you interrupt public relations, she warns, you will lose the consistency in educating and connecting with the public. You lose momentum.
It’s also a good time to encourage new customers to try other types of supplements. “Often people come in with an onramp product like a multivitamin or fish oil, but can suddenly be persuaded to take a second product,” Rigby said.
Thankfully, Summers said the pandemic has helped the dietary supplement industry attract a new generation of consumers. “In my view, we have passed the age limit with this pandemic,” she said, noting that Gen Z customers, college-aged consumers, are now using nutritional supplements.
Finally, Rigby said, in order to reach consumers on all fronts, on social media and beyond, brands need to make sure they have maximized their digital opportunities and e-commerce capabilities. “If you’ve postponed your optimization of your online marketing, your web presence, your page design, your layout, if you don’t have videos or compelling content, do it now because it won’t go away,” he warned.


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October 7, 2020— Following huge shifts in the way people live and work in recent months due to Covid-19, new data reveals that 49 percent of UK adults now own more ‘relaxed’ clothes than ever before as they embrace a ‘flexi-wardrobe’.
With much of the nation abruptly thrown into a new normal of home-working and virtual social events, 28 percent of people now feel they need to refresh their wardrobe to suit their new flexi-lifestyle. That’s according to research commissioned by UK shopping Centre:mk, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults.
Shoppers are now 10 times more likely to buy a jumper over a suit and five times as likely to purchase jeans over a maxi skirt. Fewer than 20 percent said they plan to buy stilettos this season while 35 percent will be ditching heels in favour of trainers.
Fashionable face coverings, oversized t-shirts and leggings are key
The 25-34 age group has splashed the most cash on average in the past few months, spending 123 million pounds on fashion – a fifth of the bracket spent 200 pounds or more. Of this group, 18 percent said they plan to buy more comfortable clothes to match their flexi-lifestyle.
Key items in this new flexi-wardrobe include fashionable face coverings, oversized t-shirts, gymwear and leggings. Shoppers will also have an average of four pairs of jeans, six jumpers and four pairs of trainers.
“Our research shows that shoppers are opting more for comfort particularly when working from home,” commented Kim Priest said, head of marketing at Centre:MK. “However, while they’re a bit more relaxed in their attire, they are still keen to look as good as ever, often paring comfort on the bottom half with a smart top to take the children to school, jump on an important zoom or for those rare real life social occasions we all want to make the most of.”
The major sports brands are increasingly adding new functions to products, and as a result, they have become an incredible part of daily wear from activewear. This shouldn’t come as news to brands that people are also bound to change their wardrobe with changing lifestyles. They will pick apparels that will suit their needs for daily wear and sportswear. Similarly, our apparel design software is a customization solution that allows your customers to create their fashion statements with a few clicks.