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Table of contents
- How is AI Changing the Financial Industry
- Challenges and Solutions in AI-powered Fintech
- Why Embracing AI is Important in the Field of Fintech
- Future of AI in Fintech
- Case study: Wealthfront
- Bottom Line
Financial technology (FinTech) is an example of how innovatively the financial sector has transformed over the years. The explosion of data and new technologies in this industry have started embracing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to manage and analyze the data. Read on to learn more about AI’s contribution to the financial entities that have revolutionized the industry.
1. How is AI Changing the Financial Industry
Artificial intelligence is a new wave in the fintech industry, as banks and financial institutions are using it to overcome repetitive and hectic tasks that were earlier conducted manually. As per sources, the global fintech market with AI has a market size that is valued at $8.23 billion in 2021. In the upcoming ten years, the industry can reach $61.30 billion and experience 22.5% CAGR growth from 2022 to 2031. Alexander Peh, the Vice President and Head of Innovation at RBC said, “The major winners will be financial services companies that embrace technology.” When finance and AI come together, it helps both financial institutions and end-users focus better on accessibility, efficiency, and customer-friendly experiences.
2. Challenges and Solutions in AI-powered Fintech
After the implementation of AI, financial managers, team leaders, and advisors tend to face some common challenges that can bottleneck financial services. However, there are solutions to these problems, such as:
2.1 Data Privacy and Security
Protecting sensitive financial data using AI tools and techniques in fintech can be risky and privacy-violating. Fintech entities such as banks, financial institutions, and fintech partners need to prioritize the security of their customers’ data from unauthorized access.
Solution: Financial entities can implement encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and firewalls as security barriers and monitor incoming and outgoing traffic based on security policies and rules.
2.2 Scalability and Integration
Data is essential in the financial sector; there might be instances where the AI platforms fail to handle the increasing transactions due to no updates in the existing infrastructure that they have.
Solution: With the help of advanced data analytics and cloud-based solutions, the scalability and integration issues can be eliminated, increasing productivity.
3. Why Embracing AI is Important in the Field of Fintech
AI has allowed better market insights, boosting customer experience, and familiarizing new dynamics on regulatory compliance and reporting in the financial industry. Financial enthusiasts believe that AI and fintech are the best combinations to empower the industry. Here is why:
3.1. Improved Customer Experience
Nowadays, customers are very tech-savvy. Thus, financial institutions have come up with better UX and chatbots that are available 24 hours a day to answer all queries and ease digital transactions. For example, HSBC has embraced an AI-generated chatbot called Amy to upscale its customer support operation. Amy solves customer queries 24×7 and is available in different languages. This chatbot constantly learns from its customer interactions to get better at query handling.
3.2 Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
Financial institutions and banks often face issues while processing data manually; however, with artificial intelligence, the anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) processes are streamlined properly with the help of tools and techniques used by financial professionals. One such instance is FIS, a technology solution provider for financial businesses and institutions that uses a machine learning-based platform to analyze and aggregate customers’ data to improve the AML and KYC processes in real time for effective processes and customer satisfaction.
3.3 Market Insights and Trading
AI-powered algorithms can guide traders in executing trades based on current market data, pre-identifying strategies, and optimizing trading outcomes. For example, TD Ameritrade has an AI model that forecasts market trends and enables it to make data-driven strategies for its customers. It provides traders with access to real-time market data and analysis tools with a range of customized options suitable for beginner and experienced traders.
Till now, we have discussed how AI plays an important role in shaping various financial sectors with the help of tools, techniques, and solution-based platforms. Let’s take a look at how fintech will look in the future with an example of a real-life case study.
4. Future of AI in Fintech
The fintech industry has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years. The evidence here is that market value has increased drastically, making artificial intelligence a potential choice in the future. In the past few years, the fintech industry has witnessed a huge investment of $134 billion. In the upcoming years, it can reach more than $188 billion when new technologies are implemented to enhance financial services and provide customers with a better understanding of their money.
Here is a quick glimpse of Wealthfront’s unique platform for investors and financial enthusiasts, which has increased the company’s revenue by $117 million.
5. Case study: Wealthfront
Wealthfront is a powerful asset under management (AUM) that has introduced robo-advisory platforms for investors and financial enthusiasts that recommend investments and portfolio management. Using AI algorithms, the company analyzes vast data on market trends, investment goals, and risk tolerance and personalized investment advice to all investors.
AI has created a significant impact on the financial industry, and this connection has a long way to go. The concept of digitization has helped in reducing costs, improving customer service, and increasing efficiency among financial professionals. However, a few challenges can bottleneck the financial sector, but with the help of experienced and trained professionals, these issues can be mitigated easily at every stage.
Stay Ahead of the Financial Curve with Our Latest Fintech News Updates!


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Last year, the first elephant dung coffee debuted on the scene at a whopping $1,100 per kilogram. Don't worry, the coffee doesn't actually taste like feces, but rather like an earthy and smooth blend. It just happens to be made from beans that passed through an elephant's digestive tract.
This month, Sankt Gallen, a Japanese brewery, decided to take the elephant dung "trend" one step further by creating elephant dung beer. According to RocketNews24, Sankt Gallen debuted the brew on April Fools' Day, and it sold out within minutes.
The beer, titled "Un, Kono Kuro" -- a pun on "unko," the Japanese word for "crap" -- is a coffee stout made with elephant dung coffee beans.
A contributor to RocketNews24 got his hands on a few bottles and seemed quite taken with the creation. "For some time after I could still feel as if my body was saturated with that warm scent," he wrote. "Luckily there were two more bottles left."
The brewery isn't putting the beer on its regular lineup, so if you desire some poop beer, you may just have to make your own. But given how successful this ephemeral beer was, we wonder if this is just the beginning of elephant dung food items. If someone tries mixing the coffee into brownies, we'll totally try some.
BEFORE YOU GO
How to vote
Vote-by-mail ballot request deadline: Varies by state
For the Nov 3 election: States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year due to the coronavirus. Each state has its own rules for mail-in absentee voting. Visit your state election office website to find out if you can vote by mail.Get more information
In-person early voting dates: Varies by state
Sometimes circumstances make it hard or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may let you vote during a designated early voting period. You don't need an excuse to vote early. Visit your state election office website to find out whether they offer early voting.My Election Office
General Election: Nov 3, 2020
Polling hours on Election Day: Varies by state/localityMy Polling Place

domain: news


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NIGERIA – Unilever Nigeria Plc, a consumer good manufacturing company has announced the appointment of Mr. Jaime Aguilera as a Non-Executive Director with effect from January 1, 2021.
Mr. Jaime who was appointed Unilever Executive Vice President Africa, leading the Unilever business in the region earlier this year, joins the board with extensive experience in Sales & Marketing.
He started working with the multinational company in 2009 as Executive Vice President & Chairman Unilever Spain and was later appointed Executive Vice President Unilever East Europe in 2016.
“The Board warmly welcomes Mr Jaime Aguilera and wishes him all the best in his new role.”Unilever Nigeria
According to Unilever Nigeria, Jaime is a well-rounded business professional, with broad operational expertise while working for top FMCG companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Procter & Gamble.
He is of Spanish origin and is an alumnus of the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas- ICADE. He majored in Economic Sciences, Management & Business Administration.
“The Board warmly welcomes Mr Jaime Aguilera and wishes him all the best in his new role,” stated Unilever Nigeria in a notice announcing the appointment.
Meanwhile, the FMCG company, has reported a 93.9% rise in its third quarter revenue to N17.39 billion (US$45.7m) from N8.97 billion (US$23.57m) in the same period in 2019. Compared to the previous Quarter (Q2) of 2020 the rise in turnover is 21%.
The firm experienced significant revenue growth in two market segments, specifically Food products which rose to N9.83 billion from N5. 32 billion (US$13.9m) last year.
Despite the rise in revenue, the company incurred a loss after tax of N1.5bn (US$3.9m) for the quarter ended 30th September 2020.
However, this represents a 49% improvement when compared to loss after tax of N3.0bn (US$7.8m) recorded for the quarter ended 30th September 2019.
During the period under review, the company operated in a challenging environment characterized by foreign exchange and trade restrictions, contracting economy coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions.
Unilever Nigeria seeks to remain focused on its strategy to deliver sustainable growth both in the medium and long term, with clear emphasis on operational efficiency and cost optimization, increasing market share across key categories and improved route-to-market.
Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE


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If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation. ~Don Draper
GE, perhaps the most "corporate" of the Fortune 500 employers, is trying to change the conversation around their career opportunities, with a new employer brand campaign targeting tech talent. If you've been watching TV lately you may have seen commercials like this one.
Developers are joining GE to work on big, world-changing things. Which is great news for the world, and bad news for frivolous app developers. Get yourself a world changing job: http://talentcommunity.gesoftware.com/ Subscribe to the GE Channel: http://invent.ge/1eGgvZK GE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges.
Join The Break Community
The campaign titled "Whats the matter with Owen", might just be the first time a company has tried using a national TV campaign to change the perception of their career brand. (If you know of others let us know)
GE has a tough problem. They need to challenge the idea that their company is boring and doesn't do 'cool things'. If a young software developer is considering a startup vs an older corporate company, the startup will generally win that battle.
It's an interesting strategy to watch. Crafting your employment brand messaging is an important tactic for every company, not just GE. Maybe companies like Amazon need a campaign like this too considering the recent negative press they have recently received.
Employers need to do more to tell their own story and set themselves apart from the competition. Commercials, social media and even these Job Stories can do just that.


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NEW DELHI: Despite the stimulus packages announced by the government in November, industrial production in December 2008 was 2% lower than in the same month of 2007 ��� the steepest year-on-year drop for any month in more than 14 years.
When the index of industrial production registered Y-o-Y decline of 0.3% in October, it was the first time since 1994 that there was negative growth in any month. The subsequent pick-up in November raised hopes that attempts by the RBI and government at reviving industry were bearing fruit.
That hope has been belied by the December figures released on Thursday. The government, however, expressed confidence that the January numbers would show an improvement. Following the slump in December, growth in industrial output for the first nine months of the current financial year is a mere 3.2%, against 9% in the corresponding period last year.
Economists felt that given the apparently limited impact of the stimulus packages, the government will have to revise its projection for industrial growth in 2008-09 ��� currently pegged at 4.8% ��� downward. This in turn would make the projected 7.1% growth in GDP for the year difficult to achieve.
Crisil principal economist D K Joshi said the government must announce another stimulus package in the interim budget to improve the situation. At the same time, he said, RBI could also cut policy rates to bring down the effective interest rates in the market.
Consumer durables' production was the worst hit in December, falling by 12.8%. Industry secretary Ajay Shankar said people were postponing spending because of the uncertain environment. He said the government had expected a difficult situation in December, which is why it had announced stimulus packages. In January, he asserted, the situation would be better.
Output of the manufacturing sector, which constitutes 80% of the total industrial production, fell by 2.5% compared to December 2007. The other two segments ��� mining and electricity generation ��� also grew by just 1% and 1.6% respectively in December, against 5% and 3.8% respectively a year ago.
Growth in the production of capital goods was at 4.2% in December and that in basic goods was pegged at 1.7%, while the output of intermediate goods fell 8.5% on a Y-oY basis.


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Mentionlytics, the innovative brand management platform, was awarded with the prestigious High Performer for Winter 2018 badge from G2Crowd. The G2Crowd service is a review platform for business software solutions, which leverages more than 300,000 independent and authenticated user reviews read by over 1 million buyers each month. It is backed by $50M in capital from Accel, Pritzker Group.
In addition to the badge, in an article covering the state of the U.K.’s B2B tech scene, Mentionlytics was featured among the Top B2B U.K. tech companies in 2017.
According to Andrew Zangre, author of the article: “Mentionlytics’ specialized social media monitoring solution landing alongside Sendible and BuzzSumo as one of the best B2B products from the U.K. Mentionlytics was just named a High Performer in the Social Media Monitoring category for Winter 2018 […] Marketing teams can use this software to automatically track company mentions across the websphere, along with industry highlights and mentions of competitors. ”
You can read the article and see the full list of 101 U.K. companies here: https://blog.g2crowd.com/blog/technology-research/b2b-uk-tech-2017/


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Android enthusiasts claim to have discovered a new vulnerability on Samsung smartphones that could allow an attacker to gain administrative access to the device through any installed app.
What do printed QR codes and NFC (Near Field Communication) chips have in common, besides storing instructions that computers can read? They are both hackable and their ability to store and communicate computer instructions is bound to be abused, if not already, then sometime soon. This happens to every new means of communication; QR and
SC Magazine recently reported a malicious application in Google’s Android online market store http://www.scmagazineus.com/malicious-apps-found-in-googles-android-online-store/article/161001/. Due to the highly open nature of Android applications, this is going to probably be a huge problem. Here is the real irony. Many people will probably switch from Android to the iPhone because of the security concerns. Why is it


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Smart watches are not a new concept.
In June 2003, Microsoft announced its grand plan to bring the Internet to wristwatches using its Smart Personal Objects Technology. The company partnered with various watchmakers, including Citizen, Fossil, and Suunto, to create timepieces that allowed you to check messages and calendar appointments, as well as weather, news, stock prices, and sports scores, all from your wrist.
While novel and interesting, the watches never took off, and in April 2008, Microsoft decided to pull the plug on the smart-watch business. But were those watches really a bad idea or simply a case of an idea being ahead of its time?
It may be the latter, as smart watches seem to be making a comeback.… Read more


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|By PR Newswire||
|April 6, 2014 12:00 AM EDT||
SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- A newly featured article on EmpoweredEzine.com helps current and potential entrepreneurs get a jumpstart on researching what business to start with a list of some of the best ideas for new businesses in 2014. EmpoweredEzine.com is an online article directory where online marketers, entrepreneurs and business owners can share information and learn from some of the industry's top professionals. The website's motto "Where knowledge equals power" sums up the goal of the articles posted on the site. The new article continues to help new business owners by ensuring that they are primed with the right information.
This new article starts off by saying, "There are a wide variety of ideas for starting your own business in 2014, as the recession that struck the United States over the past five to six years appears to finally be receding. This means that the economy will be in an upswing and now is the perfect time to start a new business, as long as it's providing products or a service that people want. A few ideas for some businesses that may succeed in the new year of 2014 are listed below."
Empowered Ezine then goes on to look at 3 new business ideas for 2014 that are set to be very successful areas of business, not just for this year, but for many years to come. These three business ideas are:
Wearable tech stores
Electric car accessories
These are all new businesses where the demand is growing but the supply is short. In the case of the marijuana shop for example, the idea has not even been a feasible legitimate business until now and thus those who are interested in starting a business in this area have the chance to get in "on the ground floor" so to speak. Empowered Ezine explains,
"Pot was legalized for recreational use in the state of Washington and Colorado in 2012 and the law goes fully into effect in both states in 2014. These states will be testing grounds, so to speak, for this new industry, to see how it effects the people of the state and how much money it makes. If it is a success, then there is no doubt many other states will follow suit and legalize marijuana so they can tax it and make more money for the local governments. In other words, getting in on the ground floor to big marijuana as many people have taken to calling it, could make you a lot of money in the future.
"The article also gives a similar explanation for the other two items listed above. For more information on these new business ideas for 2014, click here to read the full article on Empowered Ezine.
Media Contact: Kevin Blue, EmpoweredEzine.com, 949-292-8401, [email protected]
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
WebRTC services have already permeated corporate communications in the form of videoconferencing solutions. However, WebRTC has the potential of going beyond and catalyzing a new class of services providing more than calls with capabilities such as mass-scale real-time media broadcasting, enriched and augmented video, person-to-machine and machine-to-machine communications. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Luis Lopez, CEO of Kurento, will introduce the technologies required for implementing thes...
Sep. 4, 2015 05:00 AM EDT Reads: 111
The 5th International DevOps Summit, co-located with 17th International Cloud Expo – being held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA – announces that its Call for Papers is open. Born out of proven success in agile development, cloud computing, and process automation, DevOps is a macro trend you cannot afford to miss. From showcase success stories from early adopters and web-scale businesses, DevOps is expanding to organizations of all sizes, including the ...
Sep. 4, 2015 05:00 AM EDT Reads: 1,654
The 17th International Cloud Expo has announced that its Call for Papers is open. 17th International Cloud Expo, to be held November 3-5, 2015, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA, brings together Cloud Computing, APM, APIs, Microservices, Security, Big Data, Internet of Things, DevOps and WebRTC to one location. With cloud computing driving a higher percentage of enterprise IT budgets every year, it becomes increasingly important to plant your flag in this fast-expanding bu...
Sep. 4, 2015 04:30 AM EDT Reads: 1,702
Sep. 4, 2015 02:15 AM EDT Reads: 128
Sep. 4, 2015 02:00 AM EDT Reads: 268
Sep. 4, 2015 02:00 AM EDT Reads: 124
Sep. 4, 2015 01:15 AM EDT Reads: 1,629
Sep. 4, 2015 01:00 AM EDT Reads: 540
Sep. 4, 2015 12:45 AM EDT Reads: 587
Sep. 4, 2015 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 384
Sep. 4, 2015 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 447
Sep. 4, 2015 12:00 AM EDT Reads: 313
Sep. 3, 2015 11:15 PM EDT Reads: 125
Sep. 3, 2015 10:00 PM EDT Reads: 199
Sep. 3, 2015 10:00 PM EDT Reads: 492


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Homegrown By Heroes: an Idaho Preferred and the Farmer Veteran Coalition Collaboration
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new initiative: Homegrown by Heroes merged mark. In collaboration with the Farmer Veteran Coalition, this innovative trademark helps consumers to easily identify local foods and beverages, grown, raised, or produced by local Idaho military veterans.
With the Homegrown by Heroes merged mark, we have combined the symbols of the ISDA Idaho Preferred Program and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. This trademark proudly represents the agricultural products grown or processed by military veterans here in Idaho. By recognizing their remarkable contributions, we aim to bridge the gap between supporting our local agricultural businesses and honoring our brave veterans.
“The ISDA is excited to be partnering with the Farmer Veteran Coalition on this merged trademark,” said Chanel Tewalt, ISDA Director. “It is an honor to be able to offer this new opportunity to highlight the work of veterans who are growing and creating local products. This partnership is a win for all Idaho agriculture, veterans and consumers.”
The Homegrown By Heroes label (HBH) is the official farmer veteran branding program of America and is administered nationally by the Farmer Veteran Coalition. It certifies ranchers, farmers, and fisherman of all military eras to sell their product as veteran owned and produced. The label informs consumers that agricultural products donning the logo were produced by U.S. military veterans, and it allows veterans to differentiate their farm and ranch products in the marketplace.
We believe in the power of community, and the Homegrown by Heroes merged mark is our way of bringing consumers like you closer to the incredible stories behind our local agricultural products. Each purchase becomes an opportunity to honor our veterans and contribute to the growth of our state’s agricultural industry.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can use this mark and the eligibility criteria, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Erica White, Idaho Preferred Program Manager
The Farmer Veteran Coalition is a non-profit corporation that provides training, education, mentorship and financial support to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces transitioning into the agriculture industry.


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By GalTime.com Consumer Watchdog Mary Schwager
The newest threat when it comes to electronic identity theft is no longer your computer! It's your phone and your wireless tablet! The incredible boom of text and high tech apps are posing cyber risks. What are the latest scams? What should you be on the lookout for?
More than 300 million people in the U.S. have wireless devices and may use mobile app's to bank, trade stock, even track their tax refund. Phones carry so much personal info, John Wells from CTIA the Wireless Association says it's like having a computer in your pocket. "It does make it a somewhat alluring target for scammers."
How do the scams work? You've heard about bad guys online "phishing" for personal info- but in the wireless world it's called "smishing". Meaning criminals try to swipe personal info via "sms" text messages.
One popular recent scam involved texts claiming to be from a credit union which asks you to call a number. When you do, Jamie de Guerre from Cloudmark, a cell phone security company, says that's when trouble starts. "When you call the number they're actually looking to scam you out of your personal information."
"it could be as serious as a significant financial loss if they are able to give the attacker information that allows them to access their bank account and transfer money out of their account," says de Guerre.
Another cutting edge scheme? You get a text claiming to be from a friend asking you to download an "incredible media player".
Related: Identity Thieves Target Travelers
When you do, security experts say it doesn't work, the screen just blinks. Problem is: you may have just downloaded mobile malware! Which could allow hackers to monitor your accounts, or send high priced text messages from your phone-running up your bill. Cloudmark's Kevin San Diego warns watch out ! "The amount of malware targeting mobile handsets has increased significantly in the past year."
Verizon Wireless and the Texas attorney general recently filed a lawsuit against several companies it says lured people into an expensive premium text message service.
David Kwong says his app store account was hacked. First he got this email written in Chinese saying his credit card was changed. Then he got this bill for purchases he did not make. "I can't believe that somebody somewhere could hack into my account because I keep all my information secure." Or at least he thought it was. After he complained to his provider he got a refund.
Related: Save $100 a Week
Wells says the wireless industry admits it's a race to keep up with the scams and cell phone companies are monitoring suspicious activity. "we take a lot of extraordinary steps on a daily basis to make sure that doesn't happen and if it does in some way shape or form to find a way to prevent it from happening again."
How can you protect yourself?
- When you download an app check out the reviews and make sure it seems reputable.
- If an app asks for a lot of permissions to access your information, especially for the ability to send text messages: that's a big red flag-don't download!
- If you get a text from what appears to be your bank -- don't respond.
- Be suspicious of any text asking you to text, email or call in personal information. Some cell phone providers allow you to forward them questionable texts so they can investigate.
The wireless industry says it does all it can to keep you safe, but Wells reminds us it also relies on customers to use common sense. "Just as we learned in the PC world how to take measures to protect ourselves, a lot of those same steps and lessons can be applied to wireless to keep yourself out of trouble."
Verizon customers hit with bills for high priced text messages can contact the company for information on how to apply for a refund. Always make sure your phone is up to date on the latest software updates so you've got current protection against new threats. There are a number of anti virus app's out there you can download that may help. To safeguard against old fashioned thieves who may swipe your phone, always lock it so you need a password to open it.
More From GalTime.com


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Unilever sets €1 billion sales target for plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. Also commits to halving food waste and raising nutritional standards across its brands. Targets announced are part of new global ‘Future Foods’ initiative, to support a healthier, and more sustainable global food system.
If you would like to read our latest Australian and New Zealand press releases, you've come to the right page.
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Please try again by changing your selection.
Unilever contributes more than €100m to continue helping people affected around the world
Sydney - 26 February 2020: Unilever today announced that Nicole Sparshott, the CEO of its speciality teas business T2, has been appointed CEO of Unilever Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), after Clive Stiff decided to retire from the business following eight years in the role and thirty four years in fast moving consumer goods.
Monday 21 May, Auckland, New Zealand: Unilever convenes first New Zealand discussion on the role of business in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals.
Unilever brings together sustainability heavyweights to drive collective action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Evidence suggests progressive representation in ads increases talkability and branded impact for consumers
Unilever Australia voluntarily recalls 1.25 and 2l BLUE RIBBON ice cream tubs due to possible presence of plastic pieces
Unilever sets industry benchmark with global zero waste to landfill achievement. Unilever Australia among over 600 Unilever sites to have now eliminated waste to landfill
International business leader setting ambitious vision in fully decoupling growth from overall environmental footprint.


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We've previously reported
that March 25th would see the HD DVD/DVD "hybrid" release of the remastered Star Trek - Season 2
. Now we're sorry to have to backpeddle on that one a bit. The date came from highly credible retail sources, and now we've been updated by the same sources with new info. They've found out recently that CBS/Paramount apparently needs more time before they're ready with this release, so it won't be out in March after all. A new release date hasn't been finalized, but it seems that we won't get to see it before sometime during the Summer 2008
range. Sorry for the bad news, but please keep in mind that the March date was never officially announced by the studio. Stay tuned and we'll bring you updates, just as soon as we get them!


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Frontier Communications (NYSE:FTR) has just recently hit a 34-year low of $1.20. This pummeling took place after a less-than-sterling Q1 report. It is obvious that integrating its 2016 purchase of Verizon (NYSE:VZ) properties has not gone as smoothly as it had anticipated. It is not unlike the problems the company had with a previous Verizon purchase in 2010. However, I believe most of the integration problems are behind it.
In this article, I will explain why the Frontier Mandatory Convertible Preferred Debenture (FTRPR) due June 28, 2018, is an excellent investment to make for the next 14 months or so.
1. Integration of two large service businesses like Frontier and Verizon is always problematic.
Frontier basically doubled its revenue by buying these Verizon properties in California, Texas and Florida (CTF). It included both wireline and fiber assets. When you do an acquisition like this, you have many unhappy people. Employees are unhappy because they know some are going to be laid off. Customers are unhappy because they don’t know what will happen to their service and pricing. Then you have corporate problems integrating different systems (management, hardware, software, policy, HR) and trying to standardize corporate cultures. The whole transition period is full of stress, starting with the customers and ending at the executive suite.
stock buying: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.(HII)
- [By WWW.MONEYSHOW.COM]
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) is the largest repairer and ship builder for the U.S. Navy and U.S. coast guard, giving the company a near monopoly on these government contracts (which is why their return on equity is north of 27%).
- [By Rich Smith]
Huntington Ingalls’ (NYSE:HII) Ford-class supercarrier seems one likely suspect — and at $14 billiona pop, this gigantic aircraft carrier offers a big potential target for Trump’s next tweet storm.
- [By Rich Smith]
As details about the Pentagon’s plan have emerged, it’s become clear that this will be a sizable program, amounting to perhaps $1 trillion in spending over 30 years — not just to upgrade the Minuteman missiles, but also to buy new B-21 stealth bombers from Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)and have General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) and Huntington Ingalls (NYSE:HII) design an entirely new class of ballistic missile submarines (to be known as the “Columbia class.”)
stock buying: Tandy Leather Factory, Inc.(TLF)
- [By Lee Jackson]
These companies also reported insider buying last week: Armour Residential REIT Inc. (NYSE: ARR), Ducommun Inc. (NYSE: DCO), PJT Partners Inc. (NYSE; PJT), Sonic Automotive Inc. (NYSE: SAH)and Tandy Leather Factory Inc. (NASDAQ: TLF).
stock buying: Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.(RS)
- [By Elizabeth Balboa]
This is mostly triggered by artificial boosts in steel prices caused by trade regulation. Rising costs are positive for the steel industry and players like United States Steel Corporation (NYSE: X), AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE: AKS) and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co (NYSE: RS), but they’re ultimately injurious to those reliant on steel products manufacturers of canned goods, farm equipment, machinery and appliances.
stock buying: International Business Machines Corporation(IBM)
- [By Sreekanth Anasa]
Given that the company is still at some distance on the road to profitability, it needs to maintain its strong revenue growth. Once again the company needs to show strong growth in deferred revenue to assure investors about its long-term growth story. The 77% YoY growth indeferred revenue to $526 million in last quarter earnings had outpaced its Q4 revenue growth of 62%. This has also been boosted by the impressive 87% YoY rise in the customer base. The company’s software segment gaining traction has got investors excited since pure software play means higher margins than its core hardware business. Thesoftware only bookings grew by 96% YoY in the fourth quarter forming 17% of the total bookings. The impact of the OEM agreements with IBM (NYSE:IBM) for software and Pure software agreement with Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) and Hewlett Packard Enterprises (NYSE:HPE) hardware is also likely to be closely watched. With DRAM prices expected to rise further, the increase in software moat could be very much welcomed by the investors.
- [By Brian Mathews]
International Business Machines Corp (NYSE: IBM) is a well-recognized brand that specializes in all facets of information technology, such as software, hardware and research. IBM has always been a major player in the technology sector and is considered a “blue-chip” stock. However, it has suffered declining revenues over the last few quarters mostly to currency fluctuations. Now that it has stabilized, IBM looks to grow in 2016. Mainframes are still popular among financial services and the telecom industry, from which IBM receives a fair amount of revenue. Also, mainframe growth has been increasing in the emerging markets, and IBM faces little competition based on its global presence. IBM’s largest potential stems from its $138 billion services backlog and existing relationships, which provide great insight into customer needs and translate into new product development. With IBM’s dividend of 3.3%, investors can afford to wait while IBM hits its target price of $170 over the next year.
- [By WWW.KIPLINGER.COM]
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) is another classic tech name trying to get with the times.
Happily for shareholders, last quarters report showed good progress with its turnaround plan.
stock buying: Renesola Ltd.(SOL)
- [By Monica Gerson]
ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL) shares rose 9.76 percent to $1.35 in pre-market trading. ReneSola reported Q1 earnings of $0.06 per share on revenue of $260.7 million.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Wall Street expects ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL) to report a quarterly loss at $0.04 per share on revenue of $256.05 million. ReneSola shares gained 2.50 percent to close at $1.23 on Friday.
- [By Monica Gerson]
ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL) is estimated to report a quarterly loss at $0.04 per share on revenue of $256.05 million.
America’s Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) is projected to post its quarterly earnings at $0.58 per share on revenue of $149.13 million.
- [By Lisa Levin] Gainers
Aimmune Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: AIMT) shares jumped 35 percent to $34.64 in response to failed DBVT peanut allergy trial.
Exactech, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXAC) shares surged 30.9 percent to $41.88 after the company agreed to be acquired by TPG Capital for $42 per share in cash.
Dextera Surgical Inc (NASDAQ: DXTR) shares climbed 27.6 percent to $0.238 after surging 40.48 percent on Friday.
Petmed Express Inc (NASDAQ: PETS) jumped 21.8 percent to $44.73 as the company reported better-than-expected Q2 results.
SenesTech Inc (NASDAQ: SNES) shares surged 21.7 percent to $1.95 after the company disclosed that Univar will be marketing and selling ContraPest.
Yulong Eco-Materials Ltd (NASDAQ: YECO) shares gained 18.3 percent to $0.560.
One Horizon Group Inc (NASDAQ: OHGI) shares rose 18 percent to $1.18.
Atossa Genetics Inc (NASDAQ: ATOS) shares climbed 18 percent to $0.566. Atossa Genetics is schedule to host a conference call to announce preliminary results from Phase 1 study of oral Endoxifen on October 25, 2017.
ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL) shares rose 15.3 percent to $2.72
Renren Inc (NYSE: RENN) shares gained 11.9 percent to $10.71 after gaining 2.68 percent on Friday.
Kalvista Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: KALV) shares rose 11.8 percent to $12.59. KalVista Pharma 13D filing from Longwood Fund showed registration for an 8.7 percent stake.
Xunlei Ltd (NASDAQ: XNET) shares gained 9.4 percent to $7.20 after surging 25.33 percent on Friday.
VF Corp (NYSE: VFC) shares surged 7.1 percent to $71.09 after the company reported upbeat earnings for its third quarter and raised its FY2017 guidance.
CAI International Inc (NYSE: CAI) rose 6.6 percent to $39.70. Cowen & Co. upgraded CAI from Market Perform to Outperform.
Agenus Inc (NASDAQ: AGEN) shares gained 5.7 percent to $4.58 as the company disclosed that GSK's shingle vaccine received FDA approval.
Deltic Timber Corp (NYSE: DEL) shares climbed 5.6 percent to $94.11


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There’s always a lot happening in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest:
- Owner Geno Garcia shared last week that Jack & Benny’s Barnstormer location inside the OSU Airport has closed. He stated on social media that the airport terminated their lease. The Barnstormer location had opened in November of 2013; Jack & Benny’s original location at Hudson and High remains open (thankfully!).
- The owners of Kittie’s Cakes and Highline Coffee Co. announced that Kittie’s owners Steve and Diane Herman had purchased the Old Worthington coffee shop and would take it over starting Jan. 8. The shop will start carrying Kittie’s pastries; the owners indicated the name may eventually change as well.
- Columbus Monthly broke the news this week that Preston’s Burgers will be leaving the North Market Downtown after Dec. 30 and moving to Clintonville, to the former Buddha Bowl space at 2973 N. High St. The planned expansion of Preston’s to a new development in Groveport has also been called off.
- Hai Poke announced this week that it has opened its stall at North Market Bridge Park.
- After a fire broke out in its basement this week, The Rossi in Short North is temporarily closed.
- Schmidt’s Sausage Haus announced this week that it will start setting up outside section 116 at Nationwide Arena during Columbus Blue Jackets games. The stand will serve Schmidt’s signature sausages and cream puffs.
- White Castle announced that it would be closing its Short North location at 965 N. High St., after service on Saturday, Dec. 24. The slider chain has had a shop in the neighborhood since 1968.
- The last day to enjoy beers at North High Brewing’s original location, 1288 N. High St. in the Short North, is Wednesday, Dec. 28.
- After two years, New India Restaurant at 5226 Bethel Rd. is bringing back its buffet on Christmas Eve from noon to 9 p.m.
- Columbus Underground’s Sweet Treats Dessert Festival is returning Jan. 28, 2023 at the Municipal Light Plant.
This week I’m also writing:


text:
|Bid||2,316.00 x 17100|
|Ask||2,311.00 x 21000|
|Day's Range||2,225.00 - 2,330.00|
|52 Week Range||1,915.00 - 3,306.00|
|Beta (3Y Monthly)||0.52|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||8.77|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||0.86 (3.77%)|
|1y Target Est||32.32|
The FTSE index was up 0.4 percent and the midcaps were 0.7 percent higher by 0950 GMT. Housebuilders Persimmon, Barratt and Taylor Wimpey - among those most vulnerable to a no-deal Brexit - were among the biggest gainers after midcap Galliford Try reported higher first-half profit that topped Liberum estimates.
DUBLIN (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May appears determined to try and avoid a no deal Brexit if she can, the chief executive of Irish packaging group Smurfit Kappa said following a call May ...
LONDON (Reuters) - UK shares rose to a three-week high on Wednesday as upbeat results from Standard Chartered (STAN.L) provided some respite from a grim October that put the market on track for its worst ...
U.S. consumer goods maker Colgate-Palmolive Co (CL.N) has halted production at its detergent and dish soap plant in Venezuela because it lacked cardboard boxes to ship products, a union leader said on Thursday. The plant in the city of Valencia stopped operations on Monday, union representative Carlos Rodriguez said in a telephone interview. Its cardboard provider, Ireland's Smurfit Kappa (SKG.I), halted production in Venezuela last month after government authorities took over its local unit.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Ingersoll-Rand, Endo International, Glanbia and Smurfit Kappa Group
CARACAS/VALENCIA, Venezuela (Reuters) - Unilever's factory in the outskirts of the northern Venezuelan city of Valencia once bustled with activity as it produced everything from soap to toothpaste for one of South America's wealthiest economies. Now, with Venezuela struggling with a fifth year of recession and its economy wracked by hyperinflation, there are few signs of activity. The Anglo-Dutch conglomerate has quietly scaled back its output in the crisis-stricken oil-producing nation to a single product - Tio Rico ice cream - produced in Valencia and at another plant in Barquisimeto, some 90 miles (145 km) to the west.
Packaging company Smurfit Kappa Plc (SKG.I) on Wednesday confirmed the temporary seizure of its Venezuelan plant by the government and the detention of two employees and said it would work to protect the interests of its stakeholders. Venezuela's state price control agency Sundde on Aug. 21 announced that the government had seized the plant and two days later said two managers at the plant had been arrested. Smurfit, which has operated in Venezuela since 1986, last week refuted all allegations which it described as without merit, but it did not immediately confirm the seizure or the arrests.
Packaging company Smurfit Kappa Plc said on Wednesday the Venezuelan government had taken temporary control of its Venezuelan business for 90 days. The company said as a result of this action by the Venezuelan government it was impossible for Smurfit Kappa Carton de Venezuela to manage its affairs in a way that complied with its normal business standards. The company also said Venezuelan government had detained two of its employees.
Venezuelan authorities said on Thursday that they had arrested two managers of paper packaging company Smurfit Kappa Group, two days after the government temporarily took over its local unit in the city of Valencia. State price control agency Sundde said in a press statement that the people had been charged with price speculation, boycotting, destabilizing the economy, and smuggling. On Tuesday, Sundde ordered the Irish company, which has operated in Venezuela since 1986, to immediately adjust its prices for all its products and accused the company of refusing to sell to certain local businesses.
Paper packaging company Smurfit Kappa Group on Thursday denied allegations made against its Venezuelan unit by the Venezuelan government. Venezuela's state price control agency Sundde said on Tuesday the government had temporarily occupied the local unit, and ordered immediate price adjustments for all its products. The company, which has operated in the country since 1986, said it entirely refutes the allegations, made after two days of government inspections, and believes them to be without merit.
Plastic is well and truly in the spotlight and many businesses are working to reduce the amount they use, which is presenting great opportunities for other materials and companies like paper-based packaging manufacturer, Smurfit Kappa.


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MyState Bank sees sharp rise in online banking during COVID-19
MyState Bank has reported close to a 30% decrease in cash withdrawals this month alone, while BPAY payments and transactions made via the New Payments Platform have gone up by a significant 20%.
Managing director and chief executive Melos Sulicich interpreted the data collected by MyState as a sign that Australians are taking advice from the government and health experts seriously, and so are avoiding cash where possible to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“Social distancing and other preventative health measures means many Australians may not be able to undertake their banking or normal day-to-day activities in the usual way,” he said. “Many retail establishments are only accepting payment via debit and credit cards.”
Could COVID-19 signal the end of cash?
While it’s no secret that cash has been in steady decline for the past ten years, there is some speculation that COVID-19 could play a major part in speeding up the decrease in cash use.
According to the Australian Payments Network, ATM withdrawals dropped by 20% between 2015 and 2019. To add to that, the Reserve Bank’s 2016 Consumer Payments Survey revealed that, at that time cash only accounted for 37% of payments, in comparison to 69% back in 2007.
This decline in cash use isn’t just in Australia either. Last week GlobalData reported that the global pandemic will most likely see an increased decline in the use of cash in Japan, as both consumers and merchants try to stop the spread of the virus via coins, notes and POS terminals.
New registrations for internet and mobile banking also up
As well as noting an increase in cashless payments, MyState Bank’s data also showed a 55% increase on the twelve-month average for new customers signing up for internet and mobile banking services.
Sulicich suggested those who have more knowledge when it comes to online banking might want to lend a helping hand to any friends, family members or neighbours who may be struggling at this time to get their heads around cashless payments.
Want to learn more about online banking? Why not check out our guide on online accounts and if all this talk of opening an account has you thinking about switching, head to Mozo’s compare bank accounts page to see what options there are to choose from.
Compare bank accounts - page last updated September 20, 2020
- MyState Bank
Glide AccountMyState Bank
Everyday Global AccountHSBC
Everyday Global AccountDetails
Global Currency AccountCiti
Global Currency AccountDetails
Classic Banking AccountNAB
Classic Banking AccountDetails
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Bank Accounts Awards
Mozo may receive advertising fees from the financial institutions, issuers of financial or credit products and third party advice providers that are shown on this page. These fees are based on a cost per click, cost per acquisition, or a fixed fee.


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Replacing a piece of foodservice equipment may be a common activity among operators, but the factors surrounding these purchasing decisions are anything but typical. With that in mind, this article explores the steps operators and their supply chain partners can take to make informed decisions.
A piece of equipment breaks down. You replace it. That's all there is to it, right?
Replacing an item presents an important opportunity not just to buy a new piece of foodservice equipment but also to revisit other pieces in the kitchen and the operation's overall design and setup, to refocus spending goals, and to consider new investments and improvements. A replacement purchase also involves taking a look at the current menu, preventative maintenance plans, equipment repair records, and relationships with dealers, consultants and service providers. In the case of noncommercial foodservice operations, it could present an opportunity to balance capital needs with service and other allotted expenses. In short, specifying replacement equipment can entail an entire operational analysis.
Replacement sales seem to be on the rise these days, industry veterans say. Perhaps that's because there are fewer new-build projects and more revamp projects. And many operators are approaching the 10- or 20-year mark for some of their facilities, which means major equipment pieces are beginning to reach the end of their service lives.
"All replacement sales begin with an item that is giving the operator some trouble and they need a solution — or something new," says Charlie Cuyler, sales engineer for Hotel and Restaurant Supply in Memphis. Cuyler works with many hotels and hospital accounts. "This is a chance for me to discuss with them whether they need a new part, a pure replacement, or they want some added benefit, and in that case they would need an upgrade."
First, though, when is it time to replace equipment? Generally the rule of thumb is to replace equipment when the service calls begin to exceed regularly scheduled maintenance visits, according to Paul Toukatly, partner and service manager with Duffy's Equipment Service in New York and a member of the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA) board of directors. And just like with a car, when the costs of service skyrocket or major breakdowns occur, that's the time to consider whether added service or even parts replacement is worth it.
Generally when the equipment fails to hold temperature and do its job, it's time to consider a replacement. Like Cuyler pointed out, older equipment models often need to be replaced with entirely new models if the operator is looking for upgraded performance or has other needs (more on that later).
Beyond these instances, visible signs of deterioration such as rust, water damage and deposits, and loose coils and gaskets can indicate age, Toukatly says. For a more complete rundown of signs that different pieces of equipment need to be replaced, visit FE&S' website and scroll through the "When to Replace" e-newsletter archives.
Once operators have determined it's time to replace or upgrade equipment, many will take this opportunity to look at other pieces.
"Everyone, within a year or two, should reevaluate every piece of equipment they have," says Tom Galvin, FCSI, president of Galvin Design Group in Orlando, Fla. "Now, do they do that? No." Galvin is joking here, but seriously speaking, he adds, this process doesn't have to be a complicated matter. Taking a quick look at equipment service records for red flags, thinking about whether it's time to change menus, doing an honest evaluation of kitchen performance and even tracking sales records — these are ways operators can make sure they're on track with their goals, and replacing equipment or parts offers a great excuse to do so.
Focus on the Menu
Prior to purchasing any new piece of equipment, the operator must determine — often with the help of the consultant or dealer — whether the new item will throw off the current menu production and operational flow.
Specifying something completely different than the former model can add or detract power from the space, causing a domino effect that impacts other equipment in the kitchen. So it is important to understand the physical requirements — space, utilities and the like — that a new item will require.
"The danger is that their entire menu and their chefs and kitchen staff are geared toward the original piece specified," says Galvin. "Now that replacement equipment doesn't respond the same way in the field." This can lead to excess food waste, poor operational performance, and more wasted energy even if energy-efficient equipment is selected.
It works the other way around, too. When developing a new menu, it is a good idea to analyze the existing equipment lineup. "If their menu is changing, they have to make sure they are selecting the proper equipment for any replacements," Galvin says.
Scott Taylor, sales representative for TriMark United East and FE&S' 2011 DSR of the Year, also goes straight to the menu for analysis when helping operators with replacement purchases. "If you do a lot of sauté work, you should start with your range because that's the piece of equipment you use most," Taylor says. "If your whole menu revolves around one type of equipment, you need to focus on that." That means even considering the size of the new equipment to make sure it will fit within the same space that was allotted for the original piece.
If the original piece fits into a very specific 34-inch space, that could narrow the purchase options, Taylor says. It might also mean it's time to look at the line in its entirety to make decisions about moving things around and replacing more than one piece, especially to support a new menu or menu items.
If replacing multiple pieces at a time is not an option, prioritize and shop smart. "A lot of our customers' kitchens need upgrades, but they can't do the whole thing at once," says Taylor. A great compromise then is to look for multiuse equipment that can produce different menu items and save space at the same time.
"I had a customer recently who wanted a new charbroiler and a salamander, but he couldn't afford both," Taylor says. "So I looked for one that had both included — I found a model with a pullout broiler that could handle the menu in the same way. It's great if you can buy two pieces of equipment in one when replacing an existing item."
Taylor has also been ordering a number of panini grills as of late as operators look for budget buys with less ventilation and overhead. Surprisingly, these little grills can perform many tasks in one very small footprint, he says. In addition to sandwiches, "you can cook eggs and potatoes by not putting the top down and using it as a grill. There are many creative things you can do."
Then there's using food processors as blenders and purchasing simple attachments to create meat grinders and juicers out of stand mixers. "People are getting very inventive," Taylor says.
Consider Energy Efficiency
Of course, nowadays when looking to replace equipment, energy- and water-saving capabilities are more important then ever before. Due to increasing utility, overhead and food costs, operators are looking to cut bills where they can. Again, just as when purchasing a new car, most of us would at least consider a hybrid or a model that uses less gas given the rising rates.
"As restaurant equipment gets older, it naturally begins to use up more energy trying to perform at the same level," according to Galvin.
The Department of Energy and many states across the country offer rebates as incentives to purchase Energy Star-rated and other energy-efficient equipment. While California led the efforts in that regard, Massachusetts, for example has stepped up these paybacks, according to Taylor. "I sold a convection oven that was Energy Star-rated to a customer recently, and he got $1,500 back as soon as he bought it," he says. And that was just up front; in just a year, the energy-efficient model was expected to net an additional $900 in energy-cost savings. In this case replacing the old convection oven with the new Energy Star-rated one made perfect sense.
It's also important to make sure that new energy-efficient equipment performs to the same level as the old, otherwise, major setbacks to production and performance could occur, Taylor says.
Consider Value over Price
Many operators shy away from upgrading equipment during a replacement sale. But now is the time to invest and avoid another breakdown or short lifespan, according to Zena Dater, sales rep for Oswalt Restaurant Supply in Oklahoma City, Okla., and FE&S magazine's 2008 DSR of the Year.
"People are looking at the value of a piece now when they shop for replacements," Dater notes. "They want to know how long it will last, and they're looking at the warranty program. I think people are starting to get money and loans again, and they're beginning to get that 'I get what I pay for' mentality. They're looking for quality rather than shopping cheap."
While Dater works with many chain restaurants that tend to be ready to spend more up front, even her mom-and-pop customers and the dealer's off-the-street customers are looking for quality and value over price. "The mom-and-pops now want to know what the chains are using. They figure the chains have already done the research and development on a product and it's a proven, quality piece."
Even with smallwares, Dater's customers are shopping for quality over price. "Our customers are a lot more educated now. In the past, where a customer paid a dollar for a two-piece ladle, they're now willing to spend $1.60 on one piece because it won't break as much. They're concerned about warranties, even with smallwares," she says. In short, durability and reliability sells more equipment these days.
Research New Technologies
Regardless of whether the operator ultimately decides to upgrade a piece of foodservice equipment, making a replacement purchase offers an opportunity to at least find out what new equipment has entered the market since the operator last examined a particular product category. And in many instances, that's where the consultant and dealer can be helpful.
"As a dealer, I use the opportunity of a replacement sale to educate, but I'm constantly part of the learning curve too," Taylor says.
Taylor and Galvin encourage researching the best options. "A lot of times people feel they need to go simple because of the workforce," Galvin says. "However, young people today can use computers so fluently and can handle the higher-tech equipment. Many operators, especially chains, won't invest in this type of equipment if they think their workforce can't jump in and use it."
Higher-tech equipment often comes with more built-in labor assistance; better controls mean the equipment is smarter and can produce consistently without as much staff oversight.
Still, the newest, coolest machine on the market isn't always for everyone. "One of my clients churns out Buffalo wings all day," says Toukatly. "They don't need the highest-tech fryer, they just need one that can run constantly all day and take a beating."
Many operators have noticeable highs and lows in cash flow, so they should act proactively during high periods rather than being forced to be reactive during low periods, which can hamper operations and sales that much more, Galvin says. The last thing any operator, and particularly a restaurant, wants is a major piece of equipment like an oven, range or refrigerator going down during their peak period.
Noncommercial institutions with capital budgets must be even more proactive — evaluating service records on a regular basis and planning well ahead for major equipment purchases, even one-by-one replacements, according to Cuyler. "Replacement sales for these operators don't happen overnight," he says. "If the capital lends itself, I encourage us to look closely at the options so the equipment doesn't keep needing service."
Hotels are no different. "Hotels are definitely watching their budgets even closer," Cuyler says. "They definitely want their kitchens running and limit exposure to added expense as much as possible. They want to spend the least amount of capital as possible."
But many noncommercial institutions, particularly hotels, have separate budgets for capital expenses and repairs. This is the perfect opportunity to balance a replacement sale onto the repair budget. "If something needs to be replaced because it broke down in the middle of the year, that can go on the repair budget," Cuyler says.
When buying new, just like using Consumer Reports for cars, it's important to do your homework, starting with service records of equipment, if available, or again, use the dealer or consultant.
"Don't take the word of the factory alone," Galvin says. "You have to investigate on your own."
Some dealers and manufactures will allow operators to test the equipment before buying, especially higher-end, high-priced equipment, says Dater, though it may not be an encouraged practice. That said, this is precisely where the dealer's relationships with the factory, rep and service agent become even more important.
Dealer-Service Agent Liaison
Dealers must do more than just stay on top of new equipment and technologies. "Customers are a lot more educated now," Dater says. They're able to do all the research they want online before seeing the dealer, she adds, so in that regard, dealers must step up their services to compete. That includes forging stronger relationships with service agents to fix parts when they break, and setting up solid preventative maintenance plans so new equipment will last longer.
It also means working with the factory if there is a problem after the buy. "If something turns out to be a lemon, we'll have the manufacturer's rep come out and take a look at it," Cuyler says. "If it's a repeating problem, though, we'll have a tech from the factory attempt the repairs, and if we have a piece that just can't be repaired, we'll press the manufacturer to take it back."
Dealers can also help buyers know if parts are going to be readily available for new replacement purchases. Dater will call her service agent colleagues to find out if they have parts available, how long they would take to order, and if they could even keep extra parts on hand should the equipment break down.
For Toukatly, the availability of OEM parts is key. "It's not hard to replace parts if you get OEM ones, but if not, you want to make sure the service agent is CFESA and factory trained so that they install it correctly. Troubleshooting requires much more training rather than just getting a part."
Fitting the Bill
Galvin says one of the biggest mistakes operators make is buying a replacement piece that doesn't fit with the same power requirements as the original piece of equipment.
At the chain level, with so many purchasing directors taking over equipment-specifying decisions, these seemingly minor — but actually major — misses can throw off an entire kitchen. Details about electrical, mechanical, ventilation and other needs must be researched up front.
Otherwise, Toukatly will need to come in. "I see the same mistake over and over," he says. "An operator will buy a new piece without ordering the right voltage. Sometimes they just see a plug in a wall. It's not that they're dumb; it's just not their field, so they make mistakes with things like that, particularly if there's no dealer or consultant involved and they're ordering everything online."
Preventative maintenance plans not only extend the longevity and performance of equipment, they can help detect problems before they occur. PM service records, in that sense, become excellent sources of documentation for planning replacement sales ahead of time, according to both Cuyler and Toukatly.
Good documentation and file keeping of service reports help you get a handle on how your kitchen is performing and where replacements or upgrades might need to happen, Cuyler says.
And certain pieces of equipment require more attention than others; particularly, anything that uses water, such as steamers, refrigeration units, icemakers and combi ovens, says Toukatly. "Gone are the days when you would wash equipment with a hose or spraying oven cleaner all over the oven. Operators need to follow the manufacturer recommendations. You need the proper cleaning techniques and chemicals."
When it comes down to the wire, it's simple enough to replace a part or a whole piece of equipment — on the surface at least. But the more back-end work is done ahead of time, as well as during and after those decisions, the less those replacements will be required. And with lower costs for service, returns and rebuys are sure to follow.


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In an unexpected move today, HP announced it would buy ailing handset-maker Palm for $1.2 billion, a 23% premium. The decision has already been approved by the boards of both companies and will give HP a new strength in the mobile computing market -- an unquestionable bonus with tablet-fever on the rise. HP also has a little-known line of phones, which date back to the 2002 merger with Compaq.
"The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing," said HP vice president and former Palm executive Todd Bradley. He added that "Palm's innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP's mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices."
This news comes just after rumors of a potential acquisition by Lenovo or HTC. Palm has been struggling to keep afloat for years, and due to a string of poor decisions (not least marketing), the company has quickly lost all renewed vigor from last year's introduction of its Pre smartphone and webOS platform.


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Harley-Davids on may be looking to expand its Pan America ADV line-up by introducing two new models in the family. Both bikes are expected to be based on the new 975 cc, liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine which will also be used in the new Harley-Davidson Sportster model. According to one report, a listing on Harley-Davidson's official website inadvertently revealed the names of two upcoming models, with the codenames RA975 and RA965S. While the codenames RA1250 and RA1250S are used for the Pan America 1250 and the Pan America 1250 Special models, the RA975 is likely to be intended for a new smaller displacement Pan America 975.
The other codename, RA965S is a bit of a mystery, with the 'S' suffix denoting that it could be an up-spec "Special" model. But it could be a new way of naming models based on the same platform for Harley-Davidson, just like BMW F 750 GS and BMW F 850 GS models. What is certain is that both the RA975 and the RA965S will expand the Harley-Davidson Pan America family, including two new middleweight adventure models which will go up against the likes of the Triumph Tiger 900, and the BMW F 850 GS.
The new Sportster, based on the same 975 cc engine, is likely to be introduced later today, and is expected to be called the Harley-Davidson Nightster. While details of the middleweight Pan America models are scarce at this stage, both the RA975 and the RA965S are expected to be based around the same 975 cc Revolution Max engine, but with different states of tune. The RA965S will likely get more power, while the more off-road spec RA975 is likely to be tuned for more torque. We expect more details about Harley-Davidson's new adventure bikes soon.&


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The Twenty-Seven and MEPs agreed on Tuesday, June 7, that the single charger is now the rule within the European Union (EU). From 2024, smartphones, tablets, consoles and other digital cameras sold in the EU will all be equipped with the same USB-C port, regardless of the manufacturer. Laptops will be subject to the same requirement by 2026. The text also paves the way for future standardization of wireless charging technologies, which are currently in full swing. And it anticipates that consumers will be able to buy a new device with or without a charger.
11,000 tonnes of waste per year
This regulation, which will be formally approved after the summer by the European Parliament and the Member States, could allow European consumers to save at least 250 million euros per year out of the 2.4 billion euros they spend purchases of chargers alone. As for waste from unused magazines, estimated at 11,000 tonnes per year, it could be reduced by almost 1,000 tonnes.
Apple, which has fought hard against this legislation, ruled in a statement on Tuesday that it “will impose significant losses on manufacturers, reduce consumer choice and generate electronic waste” additional. “Let’s be clear: if Apple wants to market its products [en Europe]we will have to respect our rules (…). You have to think about the environment”replied the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton.


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Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) faces mounting pressure in China as state media and regulators criticize the electric car maker following a woman’s protest at a major auto show this week.
Tesla could be facing one of its worst public relations crises in China, a market investors see as critical for its growth.
On Monday, a woman who claimed to be a Tesla customer stood atop one of the company’s cars at the Shanghai auto show with a T-shirt that read “brakes don’t work.”
She was protesting an alleged brake failure in her car — an issue other Chinese social media users claiming to be Tesla drivers have complained about in the last several months. A video of the incident went viral on Chinese social networks and was picked up by state media.
On Tuesday, Shanghai police identified the protester by her surname Zhang and said she was sentenced to five days detention for disturbing public order.
Tesla alleged the woman was involved in a collision in February due to “speeding violations” and that in their two months of negotiations, she would not allow a third-party inspection but insisted on a refund for the car.
Tesla’s vice president for China, Tao Lin, claimed in an interview Monday with Chinese financial news publication Caijing that the woman hoped for a high level of compensation, and the company doesn’t have any reason to give it to her.
In a post on Twitter-like service Weibo, Tesla said it would not compromise with “unreasonable demands.”
TSLA shares hiked $1.88, nonetheless, to open Friday at $721.57.


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The weekend curfew imposed within the country’s capital to test the unfold of covid started on Friday night time, halting all needless process for the following 55 hours.
The Delhi Crisis Control Authority (DDMA) imposed the weekend curfew from 10 pm on Friday to five am on Monday through its order on January 1.
A Delhi Metro spokesperson mentioned law of Metro rail products and services would proceed over the weekend (January 15-16) as according to the DDMA pointers issued remaining week.
Metro products and services and public shipping buses run at complete seating capability all through curfew however don’t permit status passengers.
The ‘Yellow Line’ – Samayapur Badli from Hooda Town Middle- and ‘Blue Line’ (i.e. from Dwarka Segment-21 to Noida Digital Town / Vaishali) trains might be to be had at a frequency of quarter-hour, a spokesperson mentioned.
On all different routes, trains are to be had at a 20-minute frequency all through the weekend curfew.
E-passes issued remaining week for crucial products and services might be legitimate all through the curfew.
All the way through the weekend curfew, markets are closed apart from for groceries, greens and crucial items and products and services akin to end result, medications and milk.
(This newsletter used to be now not edited through NDTV workforce and used to be created robotically from the Syndicate feed.)


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By Matt Frederking, Vice President Regulatory Affairs
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is one of the most sweeping regulatory changes in the history of the food industry. 319 more words
Seventy-five members of Congress signed on to a letter calling for the FDA to enter a new draft round before finalizing rules that would overhaul the nation’s food safety protection measures. 143 more words
As part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) the FDA is proposing specific rules for pet food and animal feed.
“The proposed rule would require makers of animal feed and pet food to be sold in the U.S. 104 more words


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What you need to know
- Qualcomm reports its fiscal year Q4 earnings on Wednesday.
- The company managed nearly $11.4 billion in revenue, roughly in line with the company's expectations.
- Handset revenue grew 40% to more than $6.5 billion.
- Qualcomm's outlook for FY Q1 suggests that economic pressures are finally taking hold.
Qualcomm's fiscal year ended on September 25, and the company reported some pretty strong gains across the board. Unlike much of the tech industry, Qualcomm has a pretty positive quarter overall, with a record $11.39 billion in revenue. However, like the rest of the tech industry, Qualcomm's outlook isn't all that sunny.
Revenue for the quarter was spearheaded by solid headset sales in Qualcomm's QCT business. Headset revenue came in at $6.57 billion, representing most of the division's $9.9 billion revenue for the quarter. That's no doubt that's to flagship sales from devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the new iPhone 14 Pro, as well as sales of affordable Android phones.
"We are pleased to report another strong year, despite the macroeconomic challenges, as we continue to execute our strategy of transforming Qualcomm from a wireless communications company for the mobile industry to a connected processor company for the intelligent edge," said Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, in a statement.
Qualcomm has largely managed to outpace the economic challenges other big tech companies have struggled with throughout the year. However, the company's outlook for the current quarter suggests that even Qualcomm isn't immune. As a result, the company's revenue guidance has been lowered to somewhere between $9.2 billion and $10.0 billion, much lower than analysts' expectations of more than $12 billion (via CNBC).
Qualcomm attributes this lower outlook to "rapid deterioration in demand" and the negative impact caused by the easing of supply constraints.
"Given the uncertainty caused by the macroeconomic environment, we are updating our guidance for calendar year 2022 3G/4G/5G handset volumes from a year-over-year mid-single-digit percentage decline, to a low double-digit percentage decline," Qualcomm said in the report.
During the earnings call, Amon highlighted the ways that Qualcomm is challenging the economic pressures, which mirror much of the moves made by other Big Tech companies. That includes a hiring freeze and "planned spending reductions across our mature product areas."
Amon also remains confident in the company's growth beyond the short term. Part of this is due to the expected growth of Windows PCs powered by Qualcomm chips by 2024. The company recently partnered with Microsoft on the new Surface Pro 9 5G, which is powered by the SQ3 chip, a custom version of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3.
Qualcomm also touts its latest partnerships, such as one with Samsung that will see its phones powered by more Snapdragon chips globally until 2030. As a result, Amon is positive about the March quarter, particularly given the expected launch of the Galaxy S23 at the beginning of 2023, which will increase Qualcomm's share with Snapdragon from 75% on the Galaxy S22 to global share with the S23.
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Derrek is a long-time Nokia and LG fanboy who loves astronomy, videography, and sci-fi movies. When he's not working, he's most likely working out or smoldering at the camera.


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The end of the smartphone era is not anywhere close but we might see greater integration between mobile and other platforms in the future, according to Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson.
In a new report, Husson claims that the Internet of Things (IoT) will bring new consumer and business opportunities in the next five to ten years, as billions of connected devices are added, but mobile will remain a dominant hub where consumers connect things together.
The Forrester report tries to hit back at the view that we’re moving from a mobile age to other platforms like virtual and augmented reality, as the main “hub” areas for IoT connectivity and notifications.
“It is time to stop this quixotic quest for a paradigmatic new platform to replace mobile. Instead, recognize that mobile will activate these adjacent technologies to enable new brand experiences,” said Husson. “Reports of IoT killing mobile are greatly exaggerated, if not completely inaccurate. Echoing the traditional proclamation of “The King is dead; long live The King!” I can confirm that mobile is here to stay.”
Mobile may begin to fade – but only over years
Ten years in the future, we might start seeing mobile fade as the primary connection between two devices, as machine learning and AI is deployed to automatically tune the devices and make them work in sync. Even at that point, smartphones will remain the main port for user control and identity, according to Husson.
In between now and ten years, Husson provides a roadmap that details how connected devices will become more attuned to other sensors. That should happen in the next two years, followed by machine learning that can understand what the user wants to do after they switch a light on or turn the TV off, which will supposedly come in five years.
Enthusiasm about IoT is at near peak levels, but enterprises seem to be very cautious with the new technology, which might mean a long wait until both the consumer and industrial market is flooded with devices and users.


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It seems former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was correct about one thing: Pot legalization has provided cover for criminals, allowing illicit production to thrive. Experts estimate that at least 30 percent of cannabis cultivated in legal states is being “diverted” to illicit markets across the country. The biggest problem has been the lure of higher wholesale prices in places where weed is still illegal, which often discourages growers and traffickers in legal states from going legit. Many of the growers that have been skirting the law for years could barely afford the costs of becoming legal even if they wanted to.
“The reality is I’ve been advocating for decades for exactly what’s happening right now,” says Guy Rocourt, chief products officer at California cannabis brand Papa & Barkley, best known for its topical salves. “But is it painful? Absolutely. We are trying to support small farmers who used to make $4,000 to $5,000 a pound selling illegally to New York. Now that a pound in the legal market is more like $1,000, how can they still have profitable farms?”
State governments have tried to make it difficult for legal farms to sell on the illicit market. As part of a compromise with the feds, states had planned “traceability systems” to track every legal cannabis plant from seed to sale. In practice, almost none of these systems work. Due to insufficient software, constant outages and a flawed premise, traceability systems have become a Potemkin village of the cannabis industry.
“The traceability mess is causing small businesses to lose money,” says Dominic Corva, executive director of the Seattle-based Center for the Study of Cannabis and Social Policy. In Washington state, he estimates, “A third of the producers are going out of business. They’re growing a final crop and getting out.”
Among the states that have legalized adult-use cannabis, each has struggled to keep track of the product in its own way. In Colorado, up until early 2018, anyone with a doctor’s recommendation could legally grow up to 99 marijuana plants — an amount that could produce about $500,000 worth of pot every year. In Oregon, a recent audit found that the agency charged with overseeing medical cannabis “has only four permanent staff to inspect roughly 14,000 grow sites.”
And in California, pretty much everything that could have gone wrong has. The Golden State waited 22 years to begin implementing a system of regulation for medical marijuana. In that time, the industry became accustomed to taking legal risks, underpaying taxes and enjoying the benefits of a free-for-all. Consumers now generally assume marijuana businesses with storefronts and advertising to be legal, even if they’re not. In L.A., city officials have estimated illegal storefronts outnumber legal ones by a factor of 10.
Rocourt knows California’s illicit market is driving dollars away from the legal business he’s fought so hard to build, but as a longtime marijuana activist, he sympathizes with the cultivators and dispensary owners who haven’t been able to make the jump because of profit margins and local bans.
“The illicit marketplace, I do want to see it die off,” Rocourt says. “But if you’re in a municipality that has not figured out the law or regulations or given you a clear pathway to make your business legitimate, I say keep doing what you’re doing until the will of the people is heard.”


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WATERLOO, Ontario, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Former Apple Inc. chief John Sculley is exploring a bid for beleaguered smartphone maker BlackBerry Ltd., Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported.
The Palm Beach, Fla., businessman, entrepreneur and high-tech investor is considering a purchase proposal with Canadian partners, people familiar with the situation told the newspaper.
Sculley told The Globe and Mail he couldn't comment, but said, "I've been a longtime BlackBerry fan and user."
BlackBerry had no immediate comment on the report.
"The only thing I would say is, I think there's a lot of future value in Blackberry," Sculley told the newspaper Wednesday.
"But without experienced people who have run this type of business, and without a strategic plan, it would be really challenging," he said.
"Whoever buys it would have to have a strategic plan that was credible and could succeed, and they would want to have an experienced team that would be able to implement that plan," said the executive who ran Apple from 1983 to 1993.
During Sculley's leadership of the company known at the time as Apple Computer Inc., sales increased to $8 billion from $800 million.
But his tenure, after a successful presidency of PepsiCo Inc., was controversial in part because of clashes he had with founder Steve Jobs over strategy.
Jobs, who had lured Sculley to Apple from PepsiCo., tried to oust Sculley in 1985 through a boardroom coup. But Apple's board sided with Sculley, who was chief executive officer, and removed Jobs from his managerial duties as head of the Macintosh division. Jobs then resigned.
Jobs returned to Apple in 1996, launching the iPod portable media player, new Mac computers and the iPhone. The iPhone not only revolutionized the smartphone industry but also led to BlackBerry's struggling surrender of its market leadership.
Sculley's reported interest in BlackBerry would be the latest in a series of potential bidders for the Waterloo, Ontario, company, which said in August it would examine its options, including a sale, joint ventures and strategic partnerships.
Chinese PC and smartphone giant Lenovo Group Ltd. is pursuing a possible deal, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.
Other companies considering acquiring BlackBerry include Cerberus Capital Management LP and BlackBerry co-founders Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin.
In addition, technology giants, including Google Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and German software company SAP AG, are reported eyeing BlackBerry or parts of the business or its assets, The Globe and Mail has said.
All the other potential buyers and BlackBerry have declined to comment.
BlackBerry already has a preliminary $4.7 billion buyout deal with Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., a Canadian insurance company that is one of BlackBerry's largest shareholders.
BlackBerry, ceding market share to rivals including Samsung Electronics Co. as well as Apple, reported a nearly $1 billion quarterly loss last month and said it would slash 40 percent of its workforce.


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The number of individuals sensitive to fragrances is growing, according to this article titled Dangerous Fragrances. As many as 30 percent of people show some type of physical reaction to scented products—and for some, the reaction can be severe.
About five percent of individuals have such sensitivity to chemicals that it greatly diminishes their quality of life, says Claudia Miller, an environmental health and allergy expert at the University of Texas.
Professor Anne Steinemann at the University of Washington recently analyzed 25 of the most popular fragranced products, including air fresheners, fabric softeners, soaps, lotions and shampoo. She found that they emitted 133 different Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs are gases that can affect both the environment and health.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, VOCs are 10 times more concentrated indoors than outdoors. In addition to personal care and cleaning products, they are released from paint, lacquers and glue. Steinemann found that one fourth of them were considered toxic or hazardous by federal law.
“When I started doing this research, I got hundreds of people wanting to tell me their story; it really resonated with people,” she says. “I knew it was a problem; I had no idea of how big of a problem it was.”
Steinemann has heard from fragrance sufferers worldwide. People have described seizures and asthma attacks from being around the products, she says. One woman was unable to be with her dying mother because her sister used scented hair products.
. . .
Steinemann calls the health effects of someone being exposed to scents not belonging to them or the products they own, “secondhand scent.”
“It is almost like cigarette smoke,” she says. “While people stopped going into places with cigarette smoke, people are now going to stop shopping in particular stores.”
That’s already happening.
In October 2010, Teens Turning Green, a student education and advocacy group, protested outside Abercrombie & Fitch’s New York store on 5th Avenue; they objected to the store’s excessive overuse of their fragrance, Fierce. The group stated that the fragrance is reportedly sprayed on all the merchandise and even pumped through the vents of the store.
The corporation responded on its Facebook page that its cosmetics are formulated, tested, labeled and monitored to assure regulatory compliance and safety.
In May 2010, the Environmental Working Group found that 17 popular fragrances, including Fierce, contained a variety of synthetic chemicals. The non-profit public health and environmental organization says that the fragrances included petrochemicals derived from petroleum and chemicals that can alter human hormones.
“It’s no surprise why people often feel ill around fragrances,” says Stacy Malkans, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, another organization authoring the report. “They spray the stores down both inside the stores and outside the stores, without any notification or consent from people.”
The report, Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrances, revealed that 38 chemicals were included in the 17 fragrances but undisclosed on the label. An average of 14 secret chemicals were included in each of the products.
The American Eagle fragrance Seventy Seven contained 24 chemicals unlisted on the label, the highest number of any of the fragrances tested. Chanel’s Coco had 17 and Abercrombie & Fitch’s Fierce for men had 11.
Concealing the chemicals that make up a fragrance is common.
The Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973 requires companies to list cosmetic ingredients but exempts fragrances. Many of them are protected as “trade secrets.”
“If companies were proud of their formulations and knew them to be safe, they wouldn’t hide their identities,” says Leann Brown, press associate with the Environmental Working Group. “We are not surprised that so much was missing from the label.”
Approximately 66 percent of the products not listed on the fragrances tested by the Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics were never assessed for safety, according to the organizations.
An average of 10 “sensitizing” chemicals or allergens were found in the 17 fragrances tested in the report. These chemicals can cause severe allergic reactions including asthma, wheezing and headaches, and are found in more than just perfumes or colognes.
. . .
“Sensitizing chemicals are those that can trigger allergic reactions,” says Malkan. “We have had many reports of people in stores who use these products who have had watery eyes, headaches and just can’t stand being in there.”
In 1999, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products released a list of well-known and frequently used allergenic substances. Europe requires that those substances be listed on all the labels of products when they exceed 10 parts per million. The United States has no such requirement.
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio contained 19 sensitizing chemicals, the most of any fragrance tested for the Not So Sexy report.
These chemicals are prevalent throughout the fragrance industry and included as ingredients in products such as laundry detergent, air fresheners and more, Steinemann says.
Twelve hormone disrupters, an average of four in each product, were also found in the fragrances tested in the Not So Sexy report. Halle by Halle Berry, Quicksilver and Jennifer Lopez’s J.Lo Glow all contained seven hormone-disrupting chemicals. The chemicals have been known to disrupt estrogen levels in women and androgen levels in men. Some are also linked to thyroid problems, breast and prostate cancer and obesity.
One of the most prevalent hormone disrupters discovered in the study was diethyl phthalate or DEP, a chemical known to cause abnormal genitalia in baby boys and sperm damage in adult men. It’s used to make the fragrance stick to the subject longer. The Environmental Working Group and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found DEP in 12 of the 17 fragrances tested for the report.
Recent research has also linked DEP to Attention Deficit Disorder in children, according to the Not So Sexy report.
To make fragrances last, manufacturers often add UV-absorbing chemicals found in sunscreens. When fragrances are exposed to sunlight and air, they can break down. UV-absorbing chemicals are used to prevent them from weakening.
But these chemicals are also particularly potent hormone disrupters. And approximately 76 percent of the fragrances tested in the Not So Sexy report contained at least one of them.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
For more on Professor Steinemann's study, click here.


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Samsung Galaxy S II Gets First Taste of Android 4.0 in Europe and Korea
While the rumored Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Samsung Galaxy S II did not happen on 10th March, a Samsung spokesperson did mention that the update will roll out soon.
And for those Galaxy S II owners in Europe and Korea, that "soon" happens to be right about now. Samsung has announced via its Facebook and Twitter accounts that the ICS update will hit Galaxy S II handsets in Korea and Europe, including Poland, Hungary and Sweden. And it will roll out to other markets afterwards.
A quick check with Samsung Singapore did not yield a specific date for the ICS update here, but we were told it's coming soon.
The other good news to come from the Korean chaebol is that the ICS update for the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S II LTE, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 will also roll out shortly after ICS has completed its rounds among the Galaxy S II handsets worldwide.
Source: Samsung Mobile (Facebook)


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METRONET implements new sustainable road surfacing
A new sustainable road surfacing substance, made from recycled materials, will be used for METRONET’s Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal project.
The road surfacing material, called Reconophalt, is made from thousands of recycled plastic bags, toner from used printer cartridges, rubber from end-of-life tyres and reclaimed asphalt pavement mixed with traditional asphalt.
The product was developed by project contractor, Downer, and was laid on the new cul-de-sac section of Third Avenue in Kelmscott.
It’s the first time Reconophalt has been used on a Western Australian State Government project.
METRONET Sustainability Strategy Lead, Susie Page, said this is a great example of how METRONET is using sustainable practices to help meet recycling and carbon emission reduction targets.
“Using products like Reconophalt supports our Sustainability Strategy, which works towards a circular economy by implementing practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint during construction and into operation,” Ms Page said.
“The more we invest and innovate like this, the more our projects will benefit our community by contributing to Perth’s sustainable future.”
Reconophalt contains recycled materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. It has considerable sustainability and performance benefits, such as greater durability over time, reduced energy use and lower cost – and can even be recycled at the end of its useful life.


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A Nigeria-based specialist investor has signed a deal to back a Kenya-based consumer entertainment company which is focused on the production of animated movies...
A Kuwait-based investor has backed a $3 million pre-series-A investment round into an Egypt-based technology company focused on the consumer space.
A country-focused investor has sealed a deal to back a Namibia-based consumer hospitality services company – sealing the ninth deal from its maiden vehicle.
Senegal’s sovereign wealth fund (SWF), Fonds Souverain d’Investissements Stratégiques (FONSIS), has partnered with specialist investor WIC Capital on a consumer foods deal.
A US-based specialist investor has sealed a follow-on deal, leading a pre-seed investment round into its consumer foods production portfolio company.
A small cap investor has backed an investment round into a Senegal-based consumer goods company – sealing its second deal in the country.
A country focused investor has backed five new companies based in Burkina Faso from its small-cap vehicle. Sinergi Burkina, a...
United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Beco Capital has co-led a seed investment round to back MaxAB, an Egypt-based technology company focused on the consumer space.
Germany-based investor GreenTec Capital Partners has backed Nomad Group, a Namibia-based consumer hospitality company. The financial details of the transaction...
Chandaria Capital has led a seed investment round into Savannah Brands, a consumer foods and beverages producer based in Kenya.


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Uber, which expanded into Europe more than fiveyears ago, has come under attack from established taxi companies and some European Union countries because it is not bound by local licensing and safety rules that apply to some of its competitors.
In this project, ŠKODA has invested a total of €86.4 million, creating 140 new jobs.
Championship leader Marc Marquez, for the works Honda team, finished fourth while Yamaha's reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo was eighth.
IAC said that the component is for two premium European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers. With the future start of a major door trim program, the facility is expected to reach full capacity in 2018
In addition to office space, the R&D Center houses facilities for manufacturing prototypes, fixtures and jigs, as well as laboratories along with test benches for climate and service life testing
The exchange had sought clarification from Ashok Leyland Ltd with respect to media reports that suggested that the company had put its German arm Albonair for sale to cut debt.
The local unit of Seoulbased Hyundai Motor Company has stopped shipments from its Chennai plant to Europe, which will now be catered by the parent’s plants.