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The international outdoor industry gave a big thumbs-up to the 12-year-old OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with both visitors and exhibitors showing up in greater numbers. More U.S. companies were on hand this year to introduce themselves to the European market, while others chose the show to unveil new 2006 product.
“We have become nicer, better and more international,” said Rolf Schmid, Mammut CEO and chairman of the European Outdoor Group trade association that owns the show.
SNEWSÂ® spoke to exhibitors and attendees from around the globe, including companies from as far as Estonia and Thailand and as close as Switzerland and France, all of whom couldn’t stop raving about how key the show has become for them. Numbers from the July 21-24 show backed up the enthusiasm:
- The number of exhibitors rose 13 percent, from 574 in 2004 to 650 this year.
- Preliminary numbers (as of 12:30 p.m. on the last of four days) showed attendance was up about 7 percent, from 14,130 to 15,137.
- Attendees came this year from 78 countries, compared to last year’s 68 countries, and 59 percent of total attendees were from outside Germany.
- Square footage jumped 9 percent from last year’s 268,180 square feet (24,915 square meters) to this year’s 293,420 square feet (27,260 square meters) in 10 halls. Two of the halls were filled to capacity with tent cities featuring tents from dozens of brands. That leaves both halls as options for expansion for booths if the management chooses to move tents outside.
“We are very happy and satisfied,” Stefan Reisinger, show director, told SNEWSÂ®. “We had a healthy increase in all important numbers.”
Several U.S.-based companies exhibiting at the OutDoor show told us that this year’s event went beyond expectations and was turning more professional in its operation.
“We had a great show exceeding my expectations, with energy and foot traffic and momentum that is continuing to build,” said Mike Hosey, president of Highgear, known outside of North America as Tech Trail. “This is our second year, and we are noticeably more busy this year than last, with increased interest from multiple countries around the world.
“The international presence at OutDoor is growing,” Hosey added. “As far as other trade shows and regional events, if you are an outdoor company you have to be at OutDoor. It is a non-negotiable.”
SNEWSÂ® noticed and talked to a larger number of U.S.-based companies who were new this year to Europe and to the OutDoor show, including Life is Good, Alf (now Kuhl), Teko, Crocs and Ruffwear. In addition, representatives of several European companies at the show told us they would be walking Outdoor Retailer in August as their first step into the U.S. market, or that they just added a U.S. distributor. (More on a few of these product highlights in the second part of our OutDoor show coverage next week.)
Interestingly, many companies from North America and Europe used this show, rather than Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, to introduce brand new 2006 product, including Helly Hansen, Mountain Hardwear, Macpac, The North Face, Highgear, Prana, Gregory, Leki, Arc’Teryx, Cascade Designs, Mammut and Asolo, among many others. (Next week’s product recap will also include a few products that caught our eye that you will likely also see at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.)
All seemed impressed with traffic quality.
Said Osprey CEO Tom Barney, “This is the best European show for Osprey in our history. It is extremely well-attended, and the show is getting more and more professional with buyers now interested in more than just product and wanting to talk with us about marketing, margins, turns and asking other very good business questions.”
A good time had by all
Not to give the impression that the show is all business. The Euros know how to have a good time, with beer, champagne, espressos, good food, live music and drinks flowing not only during happy hours at the end of the day, but also all day in some booths. The annual party put on by Vaude at its headquarters in the nearby city of Tettnang always draws a rockin’ crowd, with the company’s test center open for tours and the grounds open for partying. In fact, SNEWSÂ® knows of a few company execs who barely made it back to their hotels before they had to drag themselves back to the show.
In addition, the annual OutDoor party, which is actually outdoors, held the last night of the show gets several thousand attendees. Buy a ticket for Euro 15 (USD $18) and get not only a sought-after souvenir party T-shirt from sponsor Polartec, but all the food you can eat, beer you can drink and music. This year’s two party zones included a band specializing in classic ’80s rock and another with less raucous jazz and blues. So hefty was the partying that a certain PR person from a certain footwear company that specializes in trail running shoes with a company name that starts with an “M” based in Seattle (but we’ll never tell who) tried to see how many people could fit on a rented bicycle to ride (ride?) back to the hotel. Apparently, that Euro city bike just wasn’t built for the combination of numerous British and American butts on and around the seat area and the rear wheel turned into an ellipse shape. Oops.
We also appreciate the creativity apparently exhibited by a number of rather lubricated Brits who, when faced with overwhelming numbers of European nationals on the other end of the tug of war rope simply ran a few turns of the rope around an iron post, firmly imbedded in the ground. When the referee sounded for the start of the tugging, the non-Brit side of the rope ripped skin from hands and nearly tore arms out of sockets with the initial heave, giving the win by default to the British contingent. Who ever said cheaters never profit?
Oh, and we’ve seen waffles, ice cream, margaritas and all kinds of various food and drink at shows, but never before have we been asked to sample stir-fried grasshoppers and crickets. No, really. A company called Tropicare that specializes in mosquito nets and first-aid product offered them to passers-by every day for lunch. Oh yum, little feelers and bulgy eyes staring at you. No, thanks, we’re suddenly vegetarians.
Both the show management and the trade group EOG released numbers from two different studies, some preliminary, and considered the start of getting a better grasp of the outdoor market in Europe.
We’ll run a complete story, next week, looking at preliminary findings from the EOG survey and summary numbers from the Friedrichshafen show participants’ survey — both quite fascinating in terms of what is revealed about the European market.
Finally, there was a rather heated discussion around the changing of show dates by the Munich-based ispo show management, but the debate resulted in what appears to be a genial compromise (see SNEWSÂ® story, July 25, 2005, ispo/OutDoor show date tussle resolved: OutDoor shifts for 2006).


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OP_2 specifies that 2 signatures are required to sign; OP_3 specifies that 3 public keys (unhashed) are being provided. Statelessness ensures that once a transaction is added to the block chain, there is noRead more
Una forma fcil de identificar hacia donde se est moviendo el precio es usando los promedios mviles o medias mviles (promedio mvil o media movil) (MA o EMA los cuales hacen un clculo delRead more
Why is bitcoin cash so slow
a newcomer to the BCH network. What do you think about the Bitcoin Cash chain getting gulden bitcoin attacked by malicious miners? I've got 90 BCH now, and I want to accumulate a total of 100. So why are the two sides still devoting so much time to insulting each other? By contrast, the Bitcoin coalition is generally friendlier to cryptocurrency investors and less concerned with everyday payments. If you dont take a side, then you get accused by both sides of not taking their side, he said. Meanwhile, BCH will chug along with 8 times the transactions per second. Bitcoin is also concerned with increasing transaction volume, but its solution involved moving some data off the Bitcoin blockchain, therefore keeping the blocks on the blockchain small.
It s been five days since the fork, and the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) blockchain is still on the move as 84 blocks have been processed by miners so far.
When you see BCH in this article, think Bitcoin Cash since BCH is the.
People see the very slow transactions and higher fees, the price of BTC goes down, and.
Why is BCH still so slow?
Some Bitcoin advocates want Bitcoin to be a medium of exchange, while Bitcoin Cash has attracted its share of speculators. It is recommended to wait for at least 6 confirmations in order to.9 sure that your transaction wont get canceled this takes roughly 1 hour to achieve. If you dont take a side, then you get accused by both sides of not taking their side. According to this article, the government is already working on FedCoin: More bad news about BTCit appears Bitcoin's price is high due to manipulation. War has been going on between the first two groups and continues to this day.
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SHANGHAI, April 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon held talks with House of Fraser owner and Chairman of Sanpower Group, Yuan Yafei, in Shanghai on Thursday 12th April during a visit to China to showcase Scottish business to boost exports, tourism and academic links.
Yuan Yafei welcomed the meeting with First Minister Sturgeon as an opportunity to celebrate House of Fraser's Scottish heritage during the 25th anniversary of his founding of Sanpower. Topics discussed during the meeting included Sanpower's investments in New Commerce and New Healthcare, as well as Yuan Yafei's aspiration to bring immunotherapy bio-tech firm Dendreon to the UK.
Commenting on the meeting, Mr Yuan said: "Scotland is central to House of Fraser's history, with the iconic brand having been founded in Glasgow in 1849 and with the subsequent acquisition in 2005 of the equally iconic Jenners of Edinburgh, which was founded in 1838. One of my main strategic purposes for acquiring House of Fraser in 2014 was the opportunity for Sanpower to learn from the business's impressive trading heritage as a globally-recognised brand with a 169-year history.
"As I told First Minister Sturgeon, we are proud to be able to contribute to Scotland's growth and prosperity with our four House of Fraser stores in the country. Indeed the renowned store in Glasgow is our most profitable store globally. We are also delighted to be able to use House of Fraser's heritage as a great international brand to help us accelerate the retail, healthcare and technology businesses that we have established within the Sanpower Group in the last 25 years.
"This is one of the reasons why we continue to invest to support House of Fraser's business transformation to meet changing consumer needs and ensure a hugely successful future for the business."
"I further shared with the First Minister the plan to transform House of Fraser. The ambitious transformation plan will allow House of Fraser to meet evolving consumer trends. We fully back House of Fraser's plan to refresh the brand.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I was pleased to meet with Mr Yuan Yafei during my time in Shanghai. It was a welcome opportunity to ask about Sanpower's plans for their Scottish investments."
Mr. Yuan's meeting with Nicola Sturgeon comes only three weeks after holding discussions with Trade Secretary Liam Fox to confirm Sanpower's long-term commitment to House of Fraser's development.
ABOUT SANPOWER GROUP
Sanpower Group Co., Ltd. is a China-based multi-national holding company focused on developing modern services across eight industry sectors: Healthcare, Department Stores, Consumer Technology, Culture & Entertainment, Financial Services, High-tech Manufacturing, Data Management and Property Management.
Sanpower Group is led by Chairman Yuan Yafei, a successful entrepreneur who founded the company in 1993. The Group has controlling stakes in more than 100 subsidiaries and has a 120,000-strong global workforce, including 40,000 non-Chinese employees.
Sanpower Group celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018, having been founded in 1993 by chairman and entrepreneur Yuan Yafei.
SOURCE Sanpower Group


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Daily Highlights: 10.8.09
- Asian stocks rise on Australian jobs report, Alcoa earnings; alumina gains.
- Australian firms unexpectedly add jobs, driving bets of second rate rise.
- China car sales growth will slow in 2010: China Auto Logistics Chief says.
- Consumer credit outstanding fell $12B in Aug, reflecting reluctance to hold debt.
- Dollar slips against rivals ahead of ECB, BOE meetings.
- Gold advances to third record, oil gains on outlook for weakening dollar.
- Luxury-goods brand’s sales are “booming” in China and elsewhere in Asia, while the U.S. market is “slightly positive.” – Hermes Chief Thomas
- US banks slow to take losses on battered commercial real-estate loans: Fed report.
- The U.S. government ended its 2009 fiscal year with a deficit of $1.4 trillion, the biggest since 1945.
- Vacancies at U.S. shopping centers rose in the third quarter to a 17-year high as jobless cut spending.
- Acuity Brands beats by $0.11, posts Q4 EPS of $0.68. Revs fell 19.2% to $422.6M.
- Adobe reaffirms; sees EPS at $0.33-0.39 (cons $0.37). Revs $690-740M (cons $723M).
- Alcoa reports unexpected Q3 profit of $77M on cost cuts. Revs fell 34% to $4.62B.
- Ciena makes a $521M bid for most of Nortel's optical networking, ethernet assets.
- ConocoPhillips cuts spending plan by 12%, will sell $10B in assets .
- Costco Wholesale beats est., Q4 net falls 6% to $374M. Revs dip 3.1% to $21.9B.
- Eli Lilly settles lawsuit brought by South Carolina over claims of improperly marketing Zyprexa.
- EU signaled it would accept a settlement proposal outlined this summer by Microsoft.
- Family Dollar's fiscal-fourth quarter earnings rose 13% amid improved margin.
- GM falling short on several important goals, incl. worker reductions, sale of failing brands: CEO.
- HSBC in advanced talks to buy RBS's operations in China, India, and Malaysia.
- Justice Dept begins inquiry into monopolistic behavior in mainframe market by IBM.
- Marriott's Sept. results: $94M gain last year, $466M loss this year.
- PGE SA, Poland’s largest power utility, prepares to raise $1.8B in an IPO.
- Pepsi's Sept. net income rose from $1.57B last year to $1.71B this year.
- Telefonica bids $3.74B for Brazil's GVT, challenging Vivendi offer.
- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.’s Copaxone drug can cut the likelihood OF MS.
- Triad Guaranty to sell mortgage insurance operating platform to Essent Guaranty.
Recent Egan-Jones Rating Actions
ALCOA INC (AA)
NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO INC (NOV)
PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP INC (PBG)
ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV NV (ABI BB)
AIRTRAN HOLDINGS INC (AAI)
MONSANTO CO (MON)
ACUITY BRANDS INC (AYI)
COSTCO WHOLESALE CORP (COST)
YUM! BRANDS INC (YUM)
CIENA CORP (CIEN)
FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER (FCX)
NEWMONT MINING CORP (NEM)
BARRICK GOLD CORP (ABX)
Data provided by Egan-Jones Ratings And Analytics


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Since 2020 South Africa’s construction industry has had to contend with enforced pandemic-induced shutdowns, civil unrest, natural disasters and more recently, the ongoing war in Ukraine, all of which have wreaked havoc on supply chains and severely hampered the sector’s recovery.Where previously it used to take weeks to procure building materials and equipment, contractors are now having to wait months for their orders to arrive, says Databuild CEO Morag Evans. “Not only are procurement and delivery costs higher as a result, but projects are being delayed and in some instances, even cancelled, placing even more financial pressure on stakeholders and negatively impacting company reputations. “While we may be approaching the endemic phase of Covid-19 and restrictions and regulations have been repealed, all indications are that the war in Ukraine is not going to end anytime soon, and it is therefore critical for construction role players to focus on managing supply chain disruptions as proactively as possible.” Construction industry supply chains have always been notoriously complex and difficult to manage, Evans points out, and all the more so when it comes to larger projects where numerous participants are involved. It is also not uncommon for construction companies to manage several different projects simultaneously, each with its own individual supply chain. To complicate matters even further, many construction components and products are manufactured on an as-needed basis, which means there is very little room to manoeuvre around budgets and deadlines should something go wrong. This can place entire projects at risk.
In an attempt to mitigate supply chain uncertainties, some companies have resorted to panic purchasing and stockpiling of unnecessary materials. According to Evans, this is certainly not the solution and only serves to intensify supply vulnerabilities.“Instead, project developers, professionals and contractors should accept supply chain disruptions as the ‘new reality’ and make adequate provision for this in their project plans and contracts. This includes adding clauses that protect contractors against the consequences of failing to deliver within predicted timelines due to the unavailability of critical materials or components. Collaboration among project stakeholders is key, she continues. Decisions around the procurement and delivery of alternative materials must be addressed before contracts are signed and the project gets underway. This will help to avoid disputes when supply chain disruptions and price escalations occur. The use of local products must also not be overlooked, Evans adds. Now, more than ever before, South African contractors need to support local manufacturers and help them reclaim the production of goods and commodities that were previously imported. Equally important is ongoing communication with suppliers. This can be done through the creation of a procurement log that tracks each stage of the supply chain process and keeps all participants informed of any changes. The construction industry has many balls to juggle in order to mitigate current supply chain disruptions, but if everyone works together, projects can still be completed on time and within budget, despite the challenges, Evans concludes.


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Arlo has announced their new Arlo Pro 3 smart security camera range.
Smart Home - News
Ecovac's new Deebot 710 might not be their brightest vacuum cleaning bot but it's certainly their cheapest.
Apple Music subscribers in Australia & New Zealand can now ask Alexa to stream their favourite songs - adding more fuel to the fire in the smart speaker wars.
Spotify Australia has announced a partnership with Google that’ll see Premium Family account owners gifted a free Google Home Mini.
Amazon's Echo Link and Echo Link Amp are now available to customers in Australia
The accessory that allows you to turn any speaker into an Amazon Echo is now available in Australia.
If you're a Ring owner frustrated by the lack of support for Google Assistant, help may be on the way.
B.One have shown off new Google Assistant integration and hardware at CES 2019.
Samsung and RACV have announced a partnership to make the Samsung SmartThings platform available to Australians.
LG has introduced the R9 CordZero robotic vacuum, with built-in artificial intelligence machine learning.
Amazon has introduced Alexa Skill Blueprints, a new way to create personalised skills and responses for Alexa.
Skype calling with Alexa is now available to customers in Australia, New Zealand, US, UK, India and Canada.
Signify has announced two new iterations to its Philips Hue range, Hue White and Colour ambiance candle and Hue White Ambiance Spot.
Telstra has enabled voice commands for the Telstra TV through Google Assistant that match the features customers are most likely to use.
JBL has announced the launch of Link View in Australia.
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This smart laptop was enjoyable to use and great to work on – creating content was super simple.
It really doesn’t get more “gaming laptop” than this.
As the Maserati or BMW of laptops, it would fit perfectly in the hands of a professional needing firepower under the hood, sophistication and class on the surface, and gaming prowess (sports mode if you will) in between.
The MSI PS63 is an amazing laptop and I would definitely consider buying one in the future.
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Way back in 2016, means around Photokina show there had been some of the best cameras that are still ruling the market and looks no need to bring the successor to those cameras anytime soon. A few of them are Canon 5D Mark IV, Panasonic GH5, Sony A99 II etc. But remember 2018 is also the year of Photokina, starting on 25 Sep and if we see the list of the upcoming cameras then we could clearly see that more than a dozen of
Continue reading List of cameras coming to Photokina 2018
Despite of having the Highest Optical zoom camera (Nikon P900) the users still have big expectations from Nikon to announce a Megazoom camera this year. Since the current Nikon P900 is getting three years old ( announced way back in March, 2015) but this camera is in the comfort zone since no competitor it has with the zoom range provided by it.
Earlier, means beginning from the 2016 there have been innumerable rumors and patents related to the successor of Nikon P900, circulating on the web. Some rumors really
Continue reading Mega zoom Nikon P1000 is most expected in 2018
As we reported you a few days back that Nikon upcoming Mirrorless camera will have Z mount. However, it is not fully confirmed if it would be Z-Mount or something else, but here we have little correction for you. Actually the external diameter of 49mm is the actual mount opening and the entire external diameter of the mount is going to be 65.4mm.
Continue reading Upcoming Nikon Z-Mount Mirrorless will have External diameter of 64.5mm
If we believe latest rumors then Nikon upcoming Mirrorless camera will have Z mount. And 16mm flange distance according to the rumor published at the Nikonrumor website.
If we look at some of our previous reports then Nikon is rumored to debut APS-C Mirrorless system based cameras in Q2 of 2018 and Finally the Fullframe Mirrorless camera will arrive during the photokina event 2018. So,
Continue reading Nikon Mirrorless Will have Z-Mount
2017 is mulling an exit. Canon, Nikon, Sony and other leaders of imaging world have already covered their major announcements for the year. We also have got to see some major upheavals in the camera Market in 2017. Some expected cameras couldn’t get announced and some announced unexpectedly, like Sony A7R III!
Nikon had a massive year of 2017. It announced excellent Nikon D850, Nikon D7500 and few more. We are highly excited to see how would Nikon welcome 2018 since Nikon has long list for the
Continue reading Nikon’s N1546 and N1622 announcement is still a suspense!
According to the new rumor, Nikon will announce Nikkor AF-S 180-400mm f/4 ED TC VR pro-level tele-zoom lens with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. Probably, in January 2018 we could see the announcement of this lens. Moreover, the lens will have similar design to the current Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens. Since the Price tag of this Canon
Continue reading Nikon to announce Super Telephoto Nikkor AF-S 180-400mm f/4 ED TC VR lens soon
Once again we have a list of cameras that we are highly speculated to be announced in 2018. Canon has long anticipated camera like Canon 7D Mark III, Canon 90D etc, whereas Nikon has Nikon D650, Nikon D760 etc in its pocket. And Sony has three marvelous cameras in the row that are Sony A7S III, A7III and Continue reading Upcoming cameras of 2018
We were expecting Nikon D6 would the successor of Flagship Nikon D5, but the recent rumor triggered from the Rumor mill partially describes that Nikon D5s could be announced at the upcoming CES in 2018. So based on this rumor we can now believe that Nikon D5s would the successor to Nikon D5.
Rumors suggest that Nikon brings update
Continue reading Nikon D5s to be announced in January, 2018?
Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic G9 (Recent announced MFT camera) have been a lot wonderful in terms of specifications and price as well. But it is their astonishing 4K video capability that leaves everyone stunned! On the other hand, Sony, which has captured some lengthy space in the field of mirrorless but Panasonic GH5 left everyone even high end DSLRs behind when the Topic is Video Performance. Well, Just like GH5 there would probably be a few cameras on the horizon and it looks like 2018 will be a massive
Continue reading Upcoming Mirrorless cameras 2018
Nikon D3500 – Probably the successor to the current Nikon D3400 would be an Entry-level DSLR with some mild specifications is all set to announce in 2018(?). However, no rumor mill has accurate information on its announcement time, but logically the D3XXX series camera from Nikon get announced in every two years. Have a look at the table!
Camera Release Date Nikon
Continue reading Nikon D3500 to announce in Q2, 2018?


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Affinity Interactive partners with Golden Nugget Online Gaming
Affinity Interactive and Golden Nugget Online Gaming have announced that they have entered into a definitive multiyear agreement for market access in the State of Missouri.
The definitive agreement grants GNOG the right to offer mobile sports betting and online casino wagering in partnership with Affinity Interactive, legislation and regulatory approvals permitting. The agreement would see GNOG pay AI a percentage of its net gaming revenue in the state, subject to certain minimum royalty payments over the term of the agreement.
“We are thrilled to announce this agreement with Affinity Interactive ahead of highly anticipated online gaming legislation in Missouri. We look forward to a successful partnership with AI as we continue to expand access to our leading online gaming products across North America,” said Thomas Winter, President of GNOG.
“We are excited that this new partnership will add to Affinity Interactive’s incredible offerings at Mark Twain Casino and St. Jo Frontier Casino in the state of Missouri. Golden Nugget Online Gaming has demonstrated its leadership in online gaming, and we’re confident that once online gaming is legalized for Missouri players, GNOG will deliver a spectacular product for our customers,” said Mary Beth Higgins, CEO of Affinity Interactive.
“This is a very exciting time for our industry with the continued growth of sports wagering in new markets,” said James Zenni, Chairman of Affinity Interactive. “As we grow AI’s combined casino and online offerings, we are delighted to partner with Golden Nugget Online Gaming to provide high-quality online gaming and sports betting offerings for customers in Missouri, pending the state’s anticipated approvals.”


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Bacteria from your gut may be the key to running farther
Mice given Veillonella were able to run 13 percent longer.
Turtle Beach buys Roccat to create a gaming accessory empire
It won't just be limited to audio.
Logitech's vertical mouse could save your wrist
The MX Vertical is the company's most ergonomic mouse yet.
Scientists grow human brain tissue in mice
It's a big step toward the use of "organoids" in regenerative medicine.
Logitech is bringing back the trackball mouse
But did it ever really leave our hearts?
Logitech's PowerPlay delivers no-compromise wireless gaming mice
But you'll have to pay dearly for the privilege of cord-free charging.
Experimental drug could restore memories after brain injury
New research could prove beneficial for treatment of TBI in human patients.
Logitech's wireless-mouse charging tech feels like a miracle
It solves all of the problems with cord-free mice for gamers.
Alienware's E3 is all about gaming monitors and accessories
The company's flagship Alienware 51 desktop is also getting fresh CPUs.


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Toyota's two-seat MR2 Spyder is a modern sports car with back-to-the-roots feel. Like some Ferraris, its engine is mounted just...
Sometimes, numbers are hard to grasp: when I hear that 40,000 people will buy a certain model car this year, I'm impressed.
Read This Article
We're believers in the scientific method here at Automotive.com.
Hybrids aren't the only option for consumers looking for fuel-efficient 2011 new cars.
Down but certainly not out, Toyota expects its production levels to make a full recovery to the level they were before the March 11 earthquake in Japan, the company announced in a statement this week.


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read Latest articles about Hospitality News
The ultra-luxe brand’s second Indonesian outpost—and the 15th Raffles hotel in the world—is now welcoming guests on the Island of the ...
Camp Sarika by Amangiri has just 10 tented pavilions fitted with firepits and heated plunge pools.
Hanoi’s Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake Hotel makes for an eye-catching addition to the local hospitality scene.
Travelers bound for eastern China’s second-largest city should book themselves into this new high-rise retreat.
The ultra-luxe brand readies to welcome guests back as lockdowns ease.
The measures taken by these eight global hospitality companies provide a snapshot of what travel might look like in the post-pandemic era.
Diners in Hong Kong have a few weeks left to sample the restaurant’s celebrated food.
With just a few clicks, you can now treat your loved ones to memorable experiences at any of the brand’s properties around the world.
The company forecasts an impending takeoff in independent hotel affiliations as part of the pandemic rebound.


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The popular instant messaging app, WhatsApp has been intensively working on a multi-device feature that would enable users to link their accounts to secondary devices and continue to send and receive messages without the primary smartphone online. This feature is now formally launching to all WhatsApp users in the most recent update of WhatsApp on both Android and iOS versions.
WhatsApp Multi-Device Feature Frees Us from a Must Online Primary Device
Prior to this, both Android and iOS users had to make sure their primary smartphone was still connected to the internet before they could conduct a conversation on their linked web browser. When enabling the multi-device feature on the smartphone, users are required to opt into the feature – specified as still in “Beta”.
Once approved, both Android and iOS users will be unlinked from all devices before re-linking to a new device. Once linked, it mostly functions the same way, except the users will be able to chat regardless of whether their main smartphone is online or not.
Users Can Now Access WhatsApp in Any Situation
Furthermore, messages and calls are still end-to-end encrypted on both Android and iOS. Now, linked devices will be capable to receive and send messages up to 14 days after the main smartphone goes offline through the multi-device feature. This might be beneficial in a situation where a user has lost his smartphone temporarily and needs to stay in contact with people through WhatsApp.
However, there is a restriction on iOS that does not allow users to delete messages or conversation threads from a linked device. The other limitation is that users still cannot link a tablet or secondary smartphone. Moreover, to check out the feature, update to the most advanced version of WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu. Then tap “Linked devices” and enable the feature.


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The text of Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is now available to the public.
USDA says it will help Ag exports but what do big union groups think? USDA and other major Ag groups favor TPP. They say it will help increase farm income, generate rural economic activity, support local jobs, and increase exports.
Celeste Drake is AFL-CIO Trade & Globalization Policy Specialist. She says yes they’d like to see increasing exports and market access overseas but they have serious doubts TPP can accomplish this. She says primarily because it fails to address currency manipulation in an enforceable way.
“Currency manipulation has cost America 5.8 million jobs. If we could address the fact that there are egregious currency manipulators within the TPP which include Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia then we might better be able to trust the promises of market access but tariffs go down in one hand and countries play games with currencies in the other, those markets close back up because that currency gaming acts as a tax on U.S. exports and a subsidy on U.S. imports to the U.S.,” Drake said.
Drake says the AFL-CIO is for trade and investment but think the rules in the TPP are worse than the status quo. She adds the organization will do whatever it can to keep fighting to defeat the TPP to create a new and better agreement.
To view the TPP agreement click here.


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The SoftBank Vision Fund has become soft on NVIDIA as it has reportedly sold all of the $3.63 billion in shares it had invested in the company. NVIDIA has seen its share price cut in half over the past 4 months and recently cut its financial guidance for Q4 2019.
In its third-quarter earnings...
NVIDIA has updated its Q4 2019 financial guidance where it lowered its Q4 2019 revenue from $2.7 billion to $2.2 billion. This is due to slowdowns in both the Gaming and Datacenter sectors. NVIDIA admits that higher prices for high-end Turing GPUs has negatively affected sales as "macroeconomic...
real time ray tracing


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After Blu-ray brought high-definition video to the home, Ultra HD Blu-ray has done the same thing for, you guess it, ultra high-definition video.
But as well as bumping up resolution, the industry also uses these new formats to beef up their copy-protection, in an attempt to stop people from ripping their contents and sharing them online.
However it appears as though just a year into its life, Ultra HD Blu-ray’s copy protection has already been cracked, despite the new AACS 2.0 encryption that’s been employed on them.
The pirates got to work
reports that a cracked copy of Smurfs 2 has appeared on the BitTorrent tracker UltraHDclub, and it’s a massive 53.30GB.
However it’s difficult to know why someone would bother downloading such a file because of where the film industry has gotten to with digital distribution.
Film piracy online used to be a much bigger issue, but then the likes of Google Play, Amazon Instant Video and iTunes started beefing out their catalogues to offer films at a similar price to what you’d pay to rent them from a Blockbuster in the pre-internet era. That's before even considering the rise of 4K streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.
Outside of online services, physical media has also had to fight hard to remain relevant, and Ultra HD Blu-ray has done exactly that with its picture quality. With the massive capacities the discs allow, you can get a 4K movie with much less compression than is available through streaming services or online stores, or cracks of Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
From TorrentFreak’s report, it seems as though this first crack suffers from some issues. The colors in the screenshot displayed appear to be inaccurate, and the Maximum Content Light Level and Maximum Frame-Average Light Level are also reportedly different.
With Ultra HD, the benefits of physical media are now clearer than ever, and we’d argue that a crack is never going to offer a comparable experience without an astoundingly high file size.
So despite the fact that the new disc format having been cracked, we don’t think the end is in sight for Ultra HD Blu-ray just yet. The new discs are aimed at hardcore home cinema enthusiasts who only want the best in picture quality, and providing a compressed, or even slightly inaccurate file online compromises exactly what people care about when it comes to 4K.
- These are the best Ultra HD Blu-rays available now


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LucasArts recently announced that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has posted record sales in its first two weeks on the shelves, selling more that 270,000 units. This is a new record for Xbox sales, as the title sold through its initial allocation in just its first four days of release.
"LucasArts is extremely happy that fans and media have reacted in such an overwhelmingly positive way to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic," says Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "The game clearly has conquered the North American market and we're certain it will perform just as well when it launches in overseas territories in the next few weeks."
"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is already the best selling Xbox title of the year," says Pete Roithmayr, vice president of merchandising/video games at EB Games. "The game has exceeded every expectation we've had and we're very confident the strong sales trend will continue. It is certain to be one of the best selling Xbox games in the platform's history. Simply put, LucasArts has produced another great game and it is obvious that Xbox owners know it!"
IGN knows it as well as the game scored a 9.5 in our review and was also named Game of the Month for July. Check back to IGN for future updates on KOTOR as we continue to track its record-breaking sales on the charts.


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DHL Air Freight State of the Industry – January 2024
Find out the latest developments of the global air freight market in this monthly analysis by DHL Global Forwarding.
- Volumes remain stable; PMI manufacturing index indicates a slight improvement compared to previous month.
- Demand YoY continues to increase mainly driven by e-commerce. Red-Sea-crisis-related demand has yet to materialize.
- Sufficient capacity overall, yet certain regions face constraints due to increased seasonal demand.
- Rates stabilized on most trade lanes. Expected rise in spot rates due to the Red Sea Crisis and Lunar New Year.
- Jet fuel prices are forecasted to average US$82 billion in 2024.


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WASHINGTON — Retailers should use social media to reach moms, as the demographic is more likely to use Facebook and other social media tools than average adults, according to a study from the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association and BIGresearch.
“Twitter, Facebook and blogs are becoming increasingly popular with moms as they search for coupons or deals and keep in touch with loved ones,” Mike Gatti, RAMA executive director, said in a statement. “The Web provides efficient, convenient ways for brands to stay in front of their most loyal shoppers and attract new ones.”
The Retail Advertising & Marketing Association is a division of the National Retail Federation.
|Usage among women with children at home||60.3%||42.4%||16.5%|
|Usage among average adults||50.2%||34.4%||15.0%|


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to the post service looks likely after the Communication Workers Union (CWU)
announced that it will demand pay of £500 a week for postal workers, a 66 per
cent increase on present levels.
Ward, the deputy general secretary of the union, said the amount was a
longer-term aim and would be part of a “manifesto for the Post Office”, which
will be set out in June at the CWU’s conference.
Mail is considering a plan to sell part of its postal business to its own
employees amid fears of a government push to privatise the industry.
warned: “We are not going to allow Labour to get to the election without it
spelling out that Royal Mail remains a public service.”
Leighton, Royal Mail’s chairman, is also planning to borrow money from banks in
an attempt to inject billions of pounds in private funds into the postal
service. Part of this money will go towards a rise in basic pay rate from £300
to £400 a week for delivery and sorting staff.


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Having exposure to developing markets is an important part of building a quality, well-rounded shares portfolio. This is because GDP growth rates in some parts of the world have the potential to supercharge profits at many UK-listed shares.
One emerging market hero I’m considering buying in October is Russian retailer and penny stock X5 Retail Group (LSE: FIVE). A giant in Russia’s grocery sector, its brands include Perekrestok, the country’s biggest supermarket chain, and it has considerable exposure to the fast-growing convenience and online channels.
Revenues at the company jumped 10.7% between April and June. Particularly pleasing was news that e-commerce sales continued to soar. X5 is investing heavily in its digital operations, a drive that could pay off big time as Russia’s online retail industry is tipped for explosive growth.
I also like X5 because it operates in a more defensive area of the broader retail sector. This should leave it better protected than non-essential retailers if economic conditions deteriorate.
Though competition is intense and threatens future revenues, I think this penny stock’s a great share to buy as personal income levels in Russia rise. And particularly as we move into October.
At current share prices, X5 trades on a rock-bottom forward price-to-earnings growth (PEG) ratio of 0.3.
A penny stock for the green revolution
The Tharisa (LSE: THS) share price has declined sharply in recent weeks. And yesterday, it closed inside penny stock territory (97p) for the first time in 2021. I think this provides an attractive buying opportunity for long-term investors like me.
Mining giant Tharisa has slumped in value along with the prices of the platinum group metals (PGMs) it produces. Why? Well these elements are used in vast quantities to produce catalytic converters in cars and trucks.
Investors have sold out as the likely impact of semiconductor shortages on auto production — and consequently on demand for PGMs — could hit Tharisa’s profits hard.
It’s unclear at this stage how long these chip supply problems will persist for. But I still believe the earnings outlook for Tharisa remains very exciting.
The climate crisis means lawmakers are demanding higher quantities of PGMs be used in exhaust systems to better reduce emissions. Pollution regulations are set to tighten significantly in China in 2023, the world’s number-one car market. Fresh action by legislators in other parts of the world could be coming too as environmental concerns steadily grow.
Following that recent price decline, Tharisa’s share price offers great value, on paper. Today, the PGM producer trades on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of just 4 times.
It’s a reading that more than reflects the threat of prolonged weakness in car production rates, as well as the complex nature of mining for metals which can damage earnings growth. So this is another penny stock I’d happily buy this October.
Make no mistake… inflation is coming.
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Money that just sits in the bank can often lose value each and every year. But to savvy savers and investors, where to consider putting their money is the million-dollar question.
That’s why we’ve put together a brand-new special report that uncovers 3 of our top UK and US share ideas to try and best hedge against inflation…
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Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.


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Business Round-Up:US our top market, but at what cost?
In the build-up to the 2019 General Election, this newspaper ridiculed Enhedslisten leader Pernille Skipper for not knowing that Germany was Denmark’s biggest export market, questioning how it would look if Denmark was a company and an employee didn’t know who its biggest client was.
But a major shake-up last year has seen the economically-stronger US jump three places to overtake Britain, Sweden and top dog Germany, all of whom struggled in 2019, to become Denmark’s largest export market.
In 2019, Denmark exported goods worth 157.6 billion kroner to the States, compared to just 155.7 billion to Germany.
Apologies, Pernille, you can keep your job at the company most of us know as Denmark.
Broken down (based on a graph supplied by Danmarks Statistik), 53 billion kroner of the exports to the US came from Denmark (compared to 99 billion to Germany), 45 billion from outside Denmark (10 billion) and 60 billion were services (47 billion).
Maritime transport accounted for 43.4 percent of Denmark’s total service exports to the United States, compared to 18.9 percent of the services to Germany (second biggest behind travel, which accounted for 36.3 percent).
Overall, Danish exports were at their highest level for eight years – a net surplus of 185 billion kroner – with pharmaceuticals and wind energy leading the charges thanks to the strong performance of Novo Nordisk and Vestas.
Jeppe Juul Borre, the chief economist at Arbejdernes Landsbank, described 2019 as a “paradoxical year”, as despite the success there have been many obstacles, such as the continued controls on the borders with Germany and Sweden, the riots in Copenhagen, the US trade war with China and Brexit.
Does not bode well
However, the struggling German economy does not bode well for Denmark, warns Dansk Industri’s chief economist, Allan Sørensen, who cites a dip in the export of raw materials and parts to other European countries as a foreshadowing of a likely decline in 2020.
“Unfortunately, declining production abroad means that they will also sub-contract less from Danish companies,” he told Danmarks Statistik.
“German industry is in big trouble. Production is at its lowest level since 2014. That does not bode well for our exports to Germany.”
Looking ahead, Sørensen sees great uncertainty – particularly in light of the ongoing coronavirus.
Banks in SKAT’s sights
The Skattestyrelsen tax agency has issued a demand for 880 million kroner in compensation from nine banks in relation to the share dividend scam, which has defrauded the treasury of 12.7 billion kroner. The amounts range from 14 to 224 million. The banks are Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Citi Bank, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and Bank of Nova Scotia.
Banks see profits dwindle
Both Nordea and Danske Bank saw a major decline in profits in 2019. Nordea’s profits halved to 11.5 billion kroner, as revenue fell 6 percent to 64.5 billion and total expenses rose 19 percent to 44.7 billion. Danske Bank’s profit, meanwhile, fell 6 billion to 13.8 billion. However, it made a net gain of 23,600 customers following a net loss of 11,000 in 2018.
June merger expected
Dansk Industri and Dansk Byggeri are planning a merger, with June mentioned as a possible date. While Dansk Industri counts over 11,000 Danish companies among its members, Dansk Byggeri represents about 6,000 companies in the construction industry.
Arla’s GM pledge
In April 2021, Arla will cease producing milk from cattle fed genetically-modified feed. Around 10 percent of its dairies use GM feed, but consumer demand for GM-free milk has forced Arla’s arm to make the pledge.
In thick cement
FLSmidth has come under heavy fire for its involvement in a huge corruption case in Tunisia. The case stems from 2010 when FLSmidth and Turkish outfit Prokon-Eko paid Carthage Cement 281 million euros to build a cement factory – a price that a Tunisian court has ruled was 30 million over the odds.
Top shares thriving
The Danish C25 stock market enjoyed a scintillating start to 2020 – its best since 2014. Almost half, eleven of the companies, enjoyed gains of over 10 percent, and 20 saw their share prices rise. Pharma firm Ambu led the way with a 45 percent increase, with GN Store Nord, Pandora, Novozymes and Coloplast not far behind.
Another loss for Maersk
Maersk has posted a 2019 loss of about 300 million kroner on turnover of 269 billion. This year promises to be quite a challenge due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and new legislation regarding shipping fuel. Nevertheless, it recently acquired the US logistic company Performance Team for 3.8 billion kroner.
Jysk opening in Russia
Jysk is opening its first two stores in Russia on April 2 – the 41st birthday of the furniture retail chain. For over a year, the country manager Igor Raic worked on his own in Russia, but he has now been joined by 16 others.
SAS suspends flights
Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, SAS has extended its suspension of all flights to and from China until March 29. The suspension will cost SAS an estimated 140 million kroner. In related news, Postnord has confirmed it is not able to deliver mail to the country.
Lundbeck’s headache clears
Lundbeck’s migraine treatment, Vyepti (aka Eptinezumab), has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In what is a saturated market, Lundbeck’s treatment should stand out as it is administered by a quarterly IV infusion. Most rival treatments require monthly injections. SVB Leerink predicts annual sales could hit 5 billion kroner by 2030.
Solution to rust
A 28-year-old PhD student at Aarhus University had developed a means of detecting rust in the steel girders used in construction. By placing sensors smaller than rice grains on each piece of steel, Jaamac Hassan Hire claims rust can be detected at an early stage, thus eliminating the possibility of collapsing structures such as the bridge in Genoa that killed 43 people in 2018.
Lego victory is absolute
Lego is free to sell its products in China with the knowledge they won’t be sharing shelf space with duplicate products like Lepin, which uses identical branding. Rulings made by Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court in 2018 are now legally binding after a host of appeals failed to land. The defendants were made to pay Lego 4.5 million kroner and make several public apologies.
Top for business again
Denmark has again topped European Chamber’s Best European Countries for Business index. It scored 86 out of 100, ahead of Sweden (84), Norway (83), Finland (83) and Switzerland (81), with the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland and Austria completing the top ten. Ukraine was ranked last, preceded by Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Russia and Moldova.


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Nokia 5800 XpressMusic NAM Sales Halted
The Nokia flagship stores have stopped selling the North American variant of the 5800 XpressMusic after users complained about non-working 3G radios. Nokia did not say when the issue may be resolved or when the phone will again be offered for sale.
Hands On with the Nokia 8
The Nokia 8 is the first flagship phone from the "new Nokia". What separates it from the rest of Nokia's current lineup is the dual-camera system with Zeiss lenses.
Nokia 2 Rounds Out the Bottom of HMD Global's Android Lineup
HMD Global today announced the Nokia 2, an entry-level Android smartphone that promises two-day battery life. The phone has a metal frame, polycarbonate rear plate, and Gorilla Glass 3 front.
Nokia 8 Now Receiving Android 8.1 from HMD Global
HMD Global has begun to distribute Android 8.1 Oreo to the Nokia 8 smartphone, according to executive Juho Sarvikas. HMD Global makes and markets Android handsets under the Nokia brand.
HMD Global Allowing Nokia 8 Owners to Beta Test Oreo
HMD Global unveiled the Nokia Phones Beta Lab, where it will make pre-release versions of software available to interested testers. The first release is a beta build of Android 8 Oreo, which is being offered to the Nokia 8 smartphone.
Way to go!


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The blockchain can be used for more than just bitcoin, at least that is what digital identification protection startup ShoCard is out to prove.
The company recently raised $1.5 million in funding from Morado Ventures Partners, AME Cloud Ventures, Enspire Capital and Digital Currency Group for its digital identity card that can be used through a mobile app, TechCrunch reported Friday (July 17).
ShoCard allows users to certify and store identification documents directly into the blockchain, enabling the retrieval of them later whenever a user needs to provide proof of identification. While there are various use cases for the technology, ShoCard chose to go with the B2B track first through the bank and credit card identification process.
“A lot of companies are looking at the blockchain for things other than bitcoin. We’ve created a digital identity card that is as easy to use as a driver’s license, but it’s so secure that a bank can rely on it,” Cofounder Jeff Weitzman told TechCrunch.
When a ShoCard is created, users can scan and sign identity documents; the mobile app will then seal that record by generating a private and public key. The record is encrypted and hashed before being sent to a network running bitcoin software.
The latest funding will be used to grow ShoCard’s team of employees as well as pursue additional partnerships by signing deals with banks and institutions relying on sensitive data.
In a recent New York Times article, entrepreneurs explained how they are using the blockchain to transfer lots of sensitive “cargo,” including sensitive data such as contracts, wills, licenses, patents and essentially anything that needs a third-party authorization.
“There’s a race going on to extend the blockchain’s capabilities,” Adam Ludwin, a cofounder of Chain.com, a startup looking to help developers build bitcoin applications, told NYT.
The blockchain has also been getting the attention of investors who see the value of the technology.


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Mercosul, South America's fast-expanding free trade pact, has been good to Argentina.
Last year Argentina shipped 30 percent of its exports to Brazil, its huge neighbor to the north, running up a nearly $1.2 billion trade surplus in luxury cars, trucks, wheat flour and oil.
The countries, Mercosul's two-largest members, have since 1995 virtually eliminated tariffs on each others' products, and Argentina's economy has been humming along, in part because of growing sales to its former rival.
No more. With the plunge of Brazil's currency, Argentina--as well as its giant neighbor--faces difficult times.
The fall of Brazil's real, by nearly 40 percent following the government's devaluation of the currency Jan. 13, has made Brazilian products enormously cheaper in Argentina, which now fears it will be buried under an avalanche of discount cars, chicken, chemicals and other goods.
Argentina's own products, from onions to oil, in turn, just got a lot pricier in Brazil, giving local growers and producers a new competitive advantage.
For Argentina, which has handcuffed its economic fate to Brazil's since Mercosul was launched in 1995, this is very bad news.
"We have two difficulties: Access of our exports to the Brazil market and access of Brazil's exports to our market. We have to find some answer to these problems," said Jorge Campbell, Argentina's secretary of international economic relations, who came to Brasilia recently for emergency meetings aimed at renegotiating trade terms.
Argentine officials hope to negotiate some changes in trade rules, including voluntary export restraints by Brazil, an end to government credit assistance for certain Brazilian exports to Argentina and a waiver of licensing for the import of some Argentine products to Brazil.
"The negotiations are going to be difficult but I think Brazil will accept some measures," said Ricardo Markwald, director of Foncex, Brazil's Foreign Commerce Foundation, which links government and private industry.
"You want to keep your neighbor on good terms, and Argentina is a long-term partner," he said.
Despite widely reported threats by Argentina to limit imports of some Brazilian products, "everything we decide will be within the Mercosul process," Campbell promised. "This is not the beginning of the end. This is an opportunity to show the world that Mercosul is alive and working."
Interestingly, one of the most explosive issues threatening Mercosul since the real's crash--Argentina's proposal to replace its peso currency with the more stable U.S. dollar--could end up strengthening South America's dominant trade pact.
Argentina, eager to differentiate itself from a foundering Brazil and emphasize its own stability, in January proposed a unilateral move to the dollar, a change bitterly opposed by Brazil. Such a move would effectively tie Argentina to the U.S. economy, and some say it would destroy Mercosul and end prospects for coordinated planning in the region.
Brazil would be "a hostage of monetary union between Argentina and the United States," complained Carlos Langoni, director of the World Economic Center of Rio's Getulio Vargas Foundation. Brazil, long the big kid on the block in South America, would suddenly find Argentina with an even bigger brother and new economic swagger, analysts fear.
Since 1993, however, Argentina also has promoted the idea of a common Mercosul currency, a sort of South American euro that would circulate among the 200 million Mercosul residents of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, and perhaps associate Mercosul member countries Chile and Bolivia.
Top Brazilian officials, smarting from the currency crash, now are reportedly ready to consider that idea, which is expected to come up at a meeting between Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Argentine President Carlos Menem on Friday.
Former U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Paul Volker, in Brazil for an economic conference recently, said he believes smaller countries like Argentina will find long-term economic stability only by seeking common currencies with larger neighbors, following the European model.
Fewer currencies, he suggested, mean less currency speculation and more monetary stability. In the fast-developing global economy, "I think it will be impossible to live with 100 different currencies in the world," he said.
Creating a common Mercosul currency, however, wouldn't be easy. Argentina's currency is rigidly pegged to the value of the U.S. dollar. Brazil's real now floats freely on the world market.
Finding a middle ground would be difficult. Brazil, however, floored by the failures of its own model, may be ready to look at new ideas, analysts say.


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An analyst upgraded shares of Estee Lauder Cos. on Wednesday, citing improving mall customer traffic and growing market share among affluent consumers.
In a note to clients, PiperJaffray analyst Neely J.N. Tamminga said Estee Lauder is gaining market share among upper-middle income teenage girls and mothers.
Furthermore, a consumer survey indicates that upper-middle income female shoppers in their 40s are increasing their spending on beauty items by 8 percent, the analyst said.
Tamminga also noted that national mall traffic is improving, which would benefit Estee Lauder. The company sells its products mostly in mall-based department stores.
The analyst raised her rating to “Overweight” from “Neutral” and her share price target to $55 from $38. The new target implies the stock has room to rise nearly 49 percent from Tuesday’s closing price of $36.92.
Shares of Estee Lauder increased $1.40, or 3.8 percent, to $38.32 in afternoon trading Wednesday.


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Ubiquity Inc(OTCBB:UBIQ), a licensing company and technology development, having a broad portfolio of patents across a number of technology market verticals, stated it has ventured into a
license agreement with investment partners in Hong Kong for launching operations with partner firm called Sprocket Hong Kong Limited.
The Registrars of Companies gave operating status to Sprocket Hong Kong Limited on March 13, 2015. The partner firm is presently finalising contract negotiations with distribution partners for Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia for commercialising Ubiquity’s Sprocket platform.
Steve Koskie, Responsible for Business Development of Ubiquity, stated that Sprocket Hong Kong would be Ubiquity’s central hub in Asia that would be able to accommodate joint venture partnership’s licensing deals.
He further added that the firm’s Joint Venture with Amtec would be helped due to presence in Asian market allowing further licensing of Sprocket platform to firms such as Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo and HTC.
Director and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Capital Management, LTD, James Tsiolis, one of the investors in Sprocket Hong Kong opined that the only focus of Sprocket HK would be for establishing distribution partnerships as well as channels for the company.
Ubiquity along with Sprocket HK has finished last elements of testing facilitating commercialization of Sprocket’s icloud technology and company’s mobile devices.
Chris Carmichael, CEO of Ubiquity, stated that the firm is testing the cutting edge software services platform ‘Sprocket’ in the market of Southeast Asia and has been able to meet benchmarks allowing the firm to launch it in the region.
He added that the development team is working on server functionality and the code of the Sprocket platform that would be launched on a global basis to corporate and enterprise clients. He believes that would commence in providing revenue for Ubiquity and Sprocket Hong Kong.


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Passengers arriving at Marylebone station without a ticket are now able to get through the barrier in a matter of moments, without needing to queue at ticket offices, using a new mobile ticketing app from Chiltern Railways.
Rather than a paper ticket, customers can use the app to buy a ticket and will receive a two-dimensional barcode that can be read by special scanners at the ticket barrier when it is displayed on the screen of your mobile phone.
The app can be used from anywhere and remembers payment details and regular journeys, cutting down the time required to buy a ticket for your journey.
In addition, you can purchase tickets for any train journey in the UK via the app and pick them up at ticket vending machines in mainline stations.
Thomas Ableman, marketing director of Chiltern Railways said: "This innovation in ticketing is a first within the rail industry and comes at a time when we are investing £250m on our route to transform rail travel to and from London.
"The Chiltern Mainline will reduce journey times significantly and our app ensures that passengers spend far less time searching for, queuing, buying and printing tickets," he continued.
The app is free and as well as iOS, there are versions for BlackBerry and Nokia handsets, as well as Java-based mobiles. There is also an Android version on the way.
You'll find the iOS version in the App Store - for other platforms you can text 88600 and follow the instructions you receive.
"This app places a ticket machine in the pocket of mobile phone users – providing an enormously convenient and user-friendly means of searching for train times and then buying and displaying tickets," said Ben Whitaker, CEO of Masabi.


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Making video games is hard, time consuming (and sometimes thankless) work. Now, more so than ever. Smaller scale, indie developers are in an especially tricky place, expected to make games of a comparable scale to AAA titles, with a fraction of a fraction of the resources. In these cases, the idea of making a “Roguelike” seems like the perfect cheat to get around this.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Gearbox revealed that Borderlands 2, a seven year old game, was getting a new piece of story DLC during the Microsoft E3 Press Conference. Much to their own displeasure, it got leaked before event itself.
For a long time I was… I don’t want to say an Overwatch apologist, because I don’t think Overwatch is a game that needs apologising for. To this day, it’s a fine multiplayer game with a lot of obvious care and attention into making it the best game it can be.


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At Céline’s Spring 2016 show earlier this week, Guido Palau created slick single braids designed to flatter the Phoebe Philo woman as she travels the world—no matter which street, via, or rue she finds herself on. So who better, then, to test-drive the ’do than the globe-trotting models themselves, who seamlessly took the look from the runway to the street immediately after the show. There was Danish stunner Frederikke Sofie, who emerged from backstage with her voluminous Pre-Raphaelite curls pulled sleekly back, while Binx Walton and Lexi Boling provided a study in contrasts, pairing their plaits with a silk pajama shirt and oversize band tee, respectively.
Proving yet again that Céline has its finger on the pulse of what women want, braids have popped up all over Paris this week, too. Michelle Elie showed off two tiny twists playfully tucked behind each ear. Elsewhere, the trend took the form of a rumpled side plait, or a rope of hair à la Susie Lau, who wore one to complement her blunt-cut bangs. Meanwhile, Elaine Welteroth took the idea to new heights with a high tangle of braids pulled half back. If the look is any indication, we’ll be stepping up our plait game this fall.


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Traders may remember 2011 as a nothing year for the S&P 500. The stock index opened in January at 1,257.62 and closed the year at 1,257.60. Only small circles of tech gurus were mining and trading bitcoin, a relatively unknown asset back then. The next year saw bitcoin finally rally above $1 per coin, peaking at more than $15 in the summer before closing the year back below the $5 mark.
From the close of 2011 until July of this year, the S&P 500 rallied 250%. Bitcoin, on the other hand, returned 884,000%. That explains why every new investor wants to learn about and trade bitcoin, and usually doesn’t care much about the seemingly mundane S&P.
Bitcoin’s meteoric rise also explains at least some of the interest and buzz in the likes of dogecoin and other cheaper cryptocurrencies in 2021. New traders, empowered by easy-to-use investing apps and with pockets lined by stimulus cash, plowed money into various cryptocurrencies hoping they were on the ground floor of the next bitcoin or ethereum.
Traders, traditional asset managers and firms building financial products all view cryptocurrencies as an emerging opportunity. They use cryptocurrencies as a new asset class for diversification and use the volatile market for speculative trading.
Still, it’s worth noting that cryptocurrencies failed a key test this summer. Before that, many advocates claimed they were the perfect inflation-hedging asset. But as troubling inflation numbers were published, bitcoin and ethereum fell, driven by talk of crypto regulation in the United States and China, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of crypto mining.
For individual investors, there’s no shortage of places to access and trade cryptocurrencies, as well as emerging products that allow indirect access in traditional brokerage or IRA accounts.
Grayscale Investments is capitalizing on the crypto craze by offering cryptocurrency trust products that investors can buy or sell much like stock or exchange-traded funds. Their two largest products are the Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) and Ethereum Trust (ETHE). While both crypto trusts trade on the over-the-counter markets, they exhibit high daily volume, with millions of shares trading each day. However, both products have two very distinct drawbacks.
First, cryptocurrency has a general disconnect with traditional financial markets. Bitcoin and ethereum trade 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while the trusts trade only during standard market hours.
That creates an issue for anyone looking to trade the trust products actively. They can’t react instantaneously to any overnight or weekend movement in bitcoin and ethereum, leaving them susceptible to aggressive price moves when the stock market reopens.
The second pitfall comes with the cost associated with these trusts. The bitcoin and ethereum trusts currently charge 2% and 2.5% in annual fees, respectively. It’s easy to forget a 2% fee in a year like 2020 when bitcoin returned 300%. But if bitcoin stabilizes with 5% to 10% annual returns, those fees will dramatically reduce the benefits of using the trust products. Those looking to hold cryptocurrencies longer-term via these trust products should keep the fees in mind.
Despite the growing interest in cryptocurrencies, choices remain limited for active and derivative traders. The inability to short bitcoin or ethereum starves traders of bearish opportunities. One possibility for long, short and options trades is the bitcoin futures product offered by the CME Group. However, each contract controls five bitcoins, with a hefty margin requirement, putting it out-of-reach for most retail traders.
Given the lack of traditional exchange-listed crypto derivatives, some traders are getting creative with their crypto speculation and hedging. They’re navigating back to the equity world and using stocks that operate cryptocurrency businesses.
Riot Blockchain (RIOT) stands out as a popular proxy product for bitcoin. RIOT specializes in cryptocurrency mining, operating the largest bitcoin mine in North America. Much like gold mining stocks fluctuating with the price of gold, RIOT often rallies and falls with the price of bitcoin.
The current correlation between RIOT and bitcoin is 0.75, meaning that on any given day it’s likely but not certain that both assets will move in the same direction. Looking back over the last two years, the correlation between the two assets stayed consistently positive. (See “Correlated to Crypto,” below).
With the higher correlation, options traders sometimes look to hedge long bitcoin holdings with short positions in RIOT, such as short calls or short call spreads. Others may use RIOT as a long bitcoin alternative, selling puts and put spreads for a higher probability trade or buying calls for a speculative lower probability bet.
Traders using RIOT stock or options in place of bitcoin should be wary that the correlation relationship could break down at any time. For example, a broad stock market sell-off could drag down RIOT stock regardless of price action in bitcoin.
While some investors look for proxies to the cryptocurrencies, others seek broader investments for the expansion of the cryptocurrency sector. Coinbase (COIN), one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, stands out as a prominent name.
That’s perhaps because of its infamous post-IPO nosedive in April and May. While COIN may still be overvalued at a $64 billion market cap, its two-sided price action and liquid options markets are compelling for active traders.
Around the world, investors and traders alike are waiting eagerly for the cryptocurrency market to offer further access as well as alternative products. In many ways, it feels like as though this could be the beginning of a new asset class.
As firms navigate the upcoming cryptocurrency regulation that seems likely to occur, financial innovators will find a way to offer new cryptocurrency funds and derivatives, further democratizing access to these dynamic assets.
Regardless of investing timeframe or chosen financial products, traders and investors should remain cognizant of the ever-changing new financial frontier of cryptocurrencies and, as always, do their due
James Blakeway serves as CEO of Quiet Foundation, a data science-driven subsidiary of tastytrade that provides fee-free investment analysis services for self-directed investors. @jamesblakeway


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Ducati has updated its popular Multistrada 950 for 2022, with more spec, less weight and a new name – the Multistrada V2.
The new name brings the latest Multistrada in line with the bigger Multistrada V4, although the reality is that the new machine is actually a gentle evolution of the very capable 950.
Indeed, it shares the same basic 937cc ‘Testastretta’ V-twin engine as the model it replaces but, as part of a series of upgrades to get it through the latest Euro5 emissions laws, it is around 2kg lighter than that of the outgoing bike – contributing to a total weight saving of 5kg.
Changes to the motor include new conrods and a significantly lighter clutch which, when combined with an updated gearbox, promises a lighter and more accurate gear change.
Another big weight saving comes from the Multistrada V4 derived wheels, which are 1.7kg lighter than those found on the old 950, and the subtle cosmetic changes all help create a stronger family link between the twin and the four. The V2 also gets the V4’s footpegs and lighter mirrors, while the new saddle and tweaked ergonomics also brings it closer to the riding position found on the bigger machine.
Once again, two versions will be available with the V2S featuring fancier, semi-active, Skyhook suspension. Prices start at £12,495 for the base version, with the S coming in at two grand more. That’s a lot of money for a sub 1000cc adventure tourer, but there is plenty of spec for the money.
With 113bhp on tap, it’s a good chunk more powerful than the likes of the KTM 890 Adventure, Triumph Tiger 900 and even Honda’s latest, 1100cc, Africa Twin.
Ducati’s electronics have become the stuff of legend in recent years and that continues with the latest Multis. Once again the Italian company has thrown the kitchen sink at the V2, with everything from four riding modes, cornering ABS, full up-and-down quickshifter and Ducati’s new brake light system, which activates a more visible flashing brake light when the rider makes an emergency stop.
If the Ducati Multistrada V2 floats your boat, they’ll be in dealerships from next month.


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Ask the Experts: Charlotte McEleny of the Drum on the State of Marketing in APAC
We recently spoke to Charlotte McEleny, The Drum’s Asia Publisher, about her view on the state of marketing in Asia Pacific.
Tell us a bit about The Drum’s role in keeping people in marketing and advertising informed about their own industry.
The Drum is a global marketing publication aimed at keeping people informed about what’s happening in marketing and advertising. We believe marketing can change the world, and we want to encourage the industry to also believe that what they’re doing is contributing to the world in a positive way. Some of the ways we communicate with our audience include news, content and events.
For B2C brands, what is their view of marketing technology in 2020, both generally and in relation to the current global situation (COVID-19)?
For B2C brands, the answer to both is actually the same, but the current situation amplifies it. In a lot of the conversations I have with brands, they’re looking to do better at e-commerce. They want to make it more human and more representative of the experiences that people have offline. There is an ongoing omnichannel conversation, and we’re seeing trends colliding and advertising and marketing technology needs to support that.
Technology such as AI is making marketing a lot more efficient and relevant. These have always been long-term goals of brands, but with people at home more and lacking social interactions, such as shopping or talking with friends about brands they love or recent purchases they’ve made, they are going to want those interactions to happen online. Brands need to be smart and figure out how to capture offline experiences and put them online.
In terms of examples of where this can work, we can look to China for examples. The citizens there have been in isolation for some time, and big tech brands have been able to use their advertising and marketing capabilities to reach people. For example, JD.com streamed a nightclub experience online, sponsored by alcohol brands. This is new because clubbing is not typically something that people do in their living rooms, and hopefully those brands can play on this experience as things go back to normal. There will be data for the brands, retargeting opportunities and goodwill towards the brands for the future.
How do you think marketing technology fits into digital transformation for businesses overall?
Digital transformation is tough because every business is different, but one trend I see overall in terms of marketing technology is that marketing often leads the way in innovation. Marketers are closer to consumers and often have a better understanding than other operations in the business of what they’ll do next. They’re often trying to build in smart tools and solutions, but the business overall might not be ready for that yet.
At the moment, COVID-19 has been a shock, and many businesses are realizing that they have not been quick enough. They may have some marketing technology set up, and COVID-19 is making them realize that they need to look forward. They will need to be more digital and aim to be better businesses after the economy bounces back.
How do you think brands view the role of AI in business in general and in marketing?
Tech and its adoption often go through hype cycles, and I feel as though there was a downturn for AI – a period when people felt like they had heard about it too much and were a bit pessimistic about it. This often happens when technology gets exciting and lots of players claim to be doing it. However, I feel like we’re coming out of that phase, and people are willing to talk about it again, particularly in terms of case studies. Brands know AI is something they have to put into the business at some point, but there’s still some confusion about what that means for them. That will improve as they start to see more use cases and success stories.
You have a unique vantage point on the region – what kind of information are brands and marketers craving right now, particularly in regard to the global situation?
The Drum itself was planning a lot of physical events for this year, and we still need to do something with that content. It’s still relevant, it just can’t be delivered in the same way, but people still want the information.
For example, we’re running our Digital Transformation Festival online for six weeks. This is a big topic. Consumer behaviors are going to change in the short term around the virus situation. Brands want to leverage any intelligence or insights they can get on customer behavior to understand these changes so that ad campaigns can be especially relevant. This intelligence could come from their own data, or from other brands that have anonymized data on search history for example. There are opportunities for businesses to provide insights into how people are spending their time. Everyone wants to consume content and be entertained during this time. This is a good opportunity for brands, but getting to people in the right way is the challenge. This is what brands and advertisers want information on.
Do you think marketers need to be more tech-savvy, or can existing tech platforms solve any issues on this front?
Big companies with a lot of first-party data should build some maturity of understanding within the business. However, this is only within reach of major organizations that have a lot of data about their own users. Eighty percent of brands probably don’t have this, so it’s not feasible for businesses to build this in-house every time. Tech platforms help bridge that gap. You need a savvy person or two to understand how the solutions work together to keep on top of what consumers are doing. This is going to continue to be important in the future, not just in relation to the current global virus situation.
Charlotte McEleny is The Drum’s Asia Publisher, charged with finding all the interesting advertising and marketing news and insights from the Asia Pacific region. She is based in Singapore, and prior to her role as Asia Publisher, she spent 10 years working across London-based marketing trade magazines, winning awards such as Best Digital Team at the PPA Digital Awards during her time as digital editor at Marketing.
* Read more from our “Ask the Experts” series, and see what we have discussed with other thought leaders about AI, digital marketing, data, technology, and more.
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Author | Dr. Min Sun, Chief AI Scientist, Appier The concept of digital transformation is not new, and businesses of all types and sizes have been under pressure to keep up with the pace of technological change for the past several years. However, the global pandemic of 2020 has caused many organizations to speed up their plans and shift quickly with regard to digital-first operations. Retail is one industry that has had to make significant changes to how it meets the needs of consumers in light of the pandemic, but the transformation in the industry was already well underway. Retail has seen several phases of transformation over the past 70 years or so, from the rise of the department store to the rise of the supermarket, and then into mass production which led to the introduction of chain stores such as 7-11. We’re now in the fourth retail revolution, driven by e-commerce led by companies such as Amazon and Alibaba. A major element of this phase has been the use of technology not just to better meet and anticipate the needs of consumers, but also to make all parts of the retail supply chain more efficient. We are seeing an
Aziza Sheerin, Regional Director for General Assembly, recently spoke to us about technology skills required for driving digital transformation, and how people can apply those in their organizations. Can you tell us a bit about your role at General Assembly and what GA does? General Assembly started out in 2011 in New York City, and we’ve now scaled to more than 32 cities across 4 continents. GA enables individuals and enterprises to acquire today’s most in-demand skills in areas such as data science, digital marketing, software engineering, user experience design, and product management. We want to make the future work for everyone. I joined GA five years ago as the first person on the ground in Singapore. I’m responsible for growth, strategic partnerships, and operations in this region. Many people want to gain technical skills to stay relevant to their employers, and employers want to accelerate digital transformation by having more people with technology skills. There’s discussion and evidence that businesses are accelerating digital transformation due to the pandemic. Are you seeing this reflected in requests from both individuals and organizations? We’ve seen interesting shifts happen during this period as a result of the pandemic, both by employers
As many countries reopen their economies in the post-pandemic world, brands are learning to adjust to the new normal. Many of the consumer behaviors that have shifted due to the lockdown or stay-at-home order are here to stay, which is having huge repercussions for advertising. As people spend more time at home, even after reopening, their time spent online has increased significantly, whether it was reading news sites, watching movies or TV shows through streaming services, joining a virtual online exercise class, staying in touch through social media or messengers, or doing more online shopping. Shopping habits have changed, too. Consumers are now focused on limiting for waste, shopping more health-consciously and cost-efficiently, making more sustainable choices, according to Accenture. They are also more inclined to bulk buy and shop from local producers. These changing behaviors have speeded up the shift of ad budgets from TV to digital, even though the global ad spend has dropped considerably with a majority of brands expecting to cut down their ad dollars. So how should advertisers respond to this new landscape, and make the most of every ad dollar in their limited budget? Here are eight tips to upgrade your advertising strategy now.


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Victims of BurnLounge Pyramid Scheme will Receive Refunds, Checks Total $1.9 Million
Victims of a pyramid scheme will be soon receiving refund checks from federal regulators.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is mailing about 53,000 checks totaling almost $1.9 million to consumers who lost money to a pyramid scheme that pretended to be a legitimate multi-level marketing program selling opportunities to operate online digital music stores.
In June 2014, the FTC won an appeals court ruling upholding a district court finding that BurnLounge had operated a pyramid scheme.
Consumers who receive the checks from the FTC's refund administrator Gilardi & Co. LLC, should deposit or cash them within 60 days of the mailing date.
The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or to provide information before refund checks can be cashed. The amount will vary based upon the amount of each consumer's loss.


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Microsoft has started limited beta offerings of Windows Live file and photo sharing services.
Along with others that have recently been rolled out, they will be part of a suite of services making up the second generation of Windows Live, said Brian Hall, general manager of Windows Live at Microsoft.
Windows Live Folder, available to select beta users Wednesday, is meant to allow file sharing without relying on email, external USB devices or public sharing sites, delivered online through software as a service (SaaS).
While the service uses Outlook Mail email to share links to folders containing uploaded files, such as a video or document, users don't actually send the files in order to share them because the files are stored and accessed online. In addition, it restricts viewers only to invited guests, as opposed to public sites where users may post video, for example, that can be seen by anyone.
As part of the beta, users will be able to share files up to 50MB and will have 500MB of free storage. Users can allow others to alter the shared files or restrict them to read only.
Other online services offer similar functionality, sometimes as part of online storage offerings. Xdrive, Box.net and Omnidrive all offer services that let users store content online and share the content with invited guests by emailing them links to it.
Microsoft is also launching a controlled beta of Windows Live Photo Gallery, a photo service that upgrades the photo gallery capabilities in Vista, Hall said. One new feature is the ability to stitch photos together into a panorama. In addition, Windows Photo Gallery users can more easily share photos via Windows Live Spaces. Rather than hitting an upload button and scrolling through folders to choose a specific photo, users can select the photo in a file and share it to Live Spaces.
For now, the betas are only available to users Microsoft has invited. The company plans a more open public beta in the third quarter.
The services will be part of the second generation suite of Windows Live services that will all become available in the fourth quarter. The goal of this new generation of services is to offer a cohesive feel for Windows Live, Hall said.
Key to all the second generation services are allowing users to share content, access content anywhere and feel confident that the services are secure, he said.
These new Windows Live services, which also include Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Writer, embrace Microsoft's "software and services" vision because they combine software components with online services.


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With Vitafoods India 2024 just around the corner, the Superba team is already in full preparation mode. We are enthusiastically counting down the days until we have the pleasure of meeting you in Mumbai from February 13-15th!
According to a recent India Nutraceutical Market Research Report (2021 – 2032) from MRA Reports, a surge in awareness among consumers about the importance of preventive healthcare is leading to a higher demand for nutraceutical-based products. This opens the doors for leading ingredient innovators like Aker BioMarine who are looking to expand in markets such as India.
Unlocking cellular health for aging well - the impact of krill oil phospholipids
In India, as well as throughout Asia, there is a lot of potential for Superba Krill oil, especially when it comes to healthy ageing. Many countries in Asia are facing the challenge of an ageing population. With an older demographic comes an increased risk of lifestyle diseases. Fortunately, these lifestyle disease risks can be mitigated by focusing on healthy ageing, and this is where Superba Krill oil comes in as a nutritional supplement with head-to-toe benefits.
Healthy ageing is connected to the health of our cells and krill oil works at a cellular level. Around each and every cell, we find phospholipids, a natural, integral part of the cell membranes that helps maintain the strength, flexibility and integrity. Phospholipids, found in the cell membranes, are also found in krill oil, helping to deliver total body health benefits at a cellular level. The phospholipid advantage is the biggest health differentiator that gives Superba Krill oil the X factor for healthy ageing and beyond.
In addition to healthy ageing, we are seeing trends around positive action to prevent health concerns before they arise, which is driving consumers to products meeting their personal wellbeing needs. In fact, more than 1 in 3 consumers claim to be “proactive” in preventing health issues and the most important areas include heart, bone and joint health. This according to Innova Trends Survey 2024 and Innova Health & Nutrition Survey 2023.
"India's growing awareness of preventive healthcare presents a significant opportunity for Aker BioMarine to expand our presence in the domestic nutraceutical market and we are excited to take part in Vitafoods India 2024. We recognize India's strategic importance and are committed to providing science-backed solutions to address the health needs of Indian consumers, contributing to their well-being of the local people and the growth of the nutraceutical industry in the region. "
- Ross Norris, General Manager Australia & Asia Pacific, Aker BioMarine.
Enhancing heart and liver health with krill oil Phospholipids
We are seeing and increasing interest in India around cardiovascular health and krill oil is an ideal solution for this health area, and interestingly enough, the liver is connected to the heart in many ways. Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 killer globally and one of the main reasons for CVD is buildup of fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood that can get stuck in arteries. The liver is vital for cleaning the blood and helping to maintain healthy levels of nutrients in the blood (including fat), therefore optimal liver health is essential to having a healthy blood system and therefore reducing stress on the heart. To that end, krill oil can play a big role for liver health in addition to normal benefits of omega-3 for heart health.
"Superba Krill oil plays a crucial role for cardiovascular health, which is especially important for India where cardiovascular diseases are on the rise. Our product not only raises the Omega-3 Index for a healthy heart but also boasts a unique phospholipid advantage. This enables Superba Krill oil to operate at a cellular level, making it an ideal solution for supporting the health of and enhancing overall well-being. Additionally, the versatility of krill oil extends to areas like joint, liver and skin health, making it a holistic choice for individuals seeking comprehensive wellness support."
- Anette Yamamoto-Hansen, Marketing Manager Asia Pacific, Aker BioMarine
Securing a steady krill supply through a fully owned supply chain and sustainable harvest
Finally, an important differentiator that sets us apart from other ingredient suppliers is our sustainability efforts and furthermore, our ability to trace our krill through the entire value chain. In fact, we have created a unique technology called the ‘traceability tool’ which allows our customers, as we well as consumers, trace the krill oil found in their product back to the exact harvesting location.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for many consumers, including those in India. To that end, to even consider doing business in the nutraceuticals industry, ingredient suppliers and brands alike need to prioritise sustainable practices. This isn’t a challenge, but rather an opportunity for emerging brands to check off all the boxes that consumers are looking for, with sustainability at the forefront.
Meet us at Vitafoods India 2024 and discover how our company’s sustainable krill-based products can transform human health and the future of the industry. Let's connect at Booth D08!


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June 18 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. cable companies are trying to stem video customer losses by embracing one of the things that’s pulling them away: the Internet.
The National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s annual show, which wrapped up Thursday in Chicago, showcased services including Internet-connected set-top boxes and personalized viewing guides. Comcast Corp., the largest cable operator, capped the conference with a demonstration of its Xcalibur guide that integrates social media into the TV.
Following Comcast’s lead, companies including Time Warner Cable Inc. and Cox Communications Inc. plan to tweak interfaces and offer interactive services to retain subscribers who spend more time using smartphones and Internet-connected devices. The industry lost about 2 million basic video subscribers last year and continued shedding customers in the first quarter, as it faces competition from online alternatives like Netflix Inc. and Hulu LLC.
“We know we need to get better, and we’re working on it,” Pat Esser, president of Atlanta-based Cox, said in an interview. “Our video interface does not meet the needs of our customers.”
Personalizing the viewing guide is a boon for advertisers, who can eventually utilize Internet provider data to offer tailored commercials to cable customers, according to Thomas Eagan, an analyst at Collins Stewart LLC in New York.
Comcast Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts stressed the need for personalization on a TV interface. The company’s Xcalibur service allows customers to “like” shows through Facebook and offer suggestions based on their friends’ recommendations. Users can also watch TV in a way that closely resembles how they watch video on a smartphone or tablet computer.
Philadelphia-based Comcast has begun testing the service in Augusta, Georgia, and plans to introduce it in all of its markets next year, according to Jennifer Khoury, a spokeswoman.
Set-top boxes with Internet connectivity will potentially allow cable operators to deliver streamed video, from companies such as Netflix and Hulu, to subscribers. Consumers may not be able to experience the full Internet on their TVs before content providers and cable operators reach agreements over rights, according to Paul Sweeney, an analyst at Bloomberg Industries.
Studios and networks may want more money from distributors showing their Internet content on a TV screen, and providers may ask for a larger slice of the rights to pay for the extra bandwidth it takes to deliver HD content.
“I don’t expect to see cable operators giving customers full access to Hulu,” said James Ratcliffe, an analyst at Barclays Capital Inc., referring to the online streaming service controlled by three of the biggest U.S. broadcasters. “There’s an existing video infrastructure for the cable operators that works well. You wouldn’t build that from scratch if you were starting over again, but given it’s in place, replacing it with an all-IP based delivery to the set-top box doesn’t make a lot of sense until you need to do so.”
--Editors: James Callan, Peter Elstrom
To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Sherman in New York at firstname.lastname@example.org.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at email@example.com