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Catena Media Adds Germany-Facing Affiliate that is iGaming Network Growing Portfolio
On line gambling-focused performance advertising business Catena Media today announced yet another purchase deal that saw it bet365 casino wheres the wheres the gold slot machine for sale gold buy all iGaming affiliate assets of Delilah Holdings.
The transaction is expected to be finished by the end of this thirty days. Under the regards to the deal, Catena Media is defined to cover a €4.2 million upfront payment upon the assets’ transfer. Delilah Holdings’ current owners are also wheres the gold poker machine entitled to an earn-out that is maximum of million, considering its assets’ revenue performance within the next 12 months.
Delilah Holdings had been founded back in 2011. It has the MrGamez.net and Spielekiste.de affiliate internet sites. Both internet sites target and promote online gambling options to German-speaking players play wheres the gold online australia, with Germany and Switzerland being their primary areas of great interest. The company has seen stable and considerable growth in both jurisdictions within the last years.
Catena Media stated in a pr release from earlier in the day today that it expects quarterly product sales of around €300,000 plus an margin that wheres the gold slots free is operating of 80% from the two affiliate sites.
Commenting regarding the deal, Catena Media CEO Robert Andersson said so it will secure their company with greater visibility in German-speaking iGaming areas and that it’s element of their technique to strengthen their profile across Europe.
In the last 2 yrs, the prospecting business has extended its impact in a number of jurisdictions, including the US, through online pokies with wheres the gold multiple acquisitions of iGaming affiliate internet sites and networks.
Releasing its monetary report for the quarter finished March 31, 2017, Catena Media announced that it had 80,421 brand new depositing s town wheres the gold customers for the reported duration, up 149percent from the prior-year quarter and 20% through the quarter that is prior. The company reported income of €15.23 million for the reviewed 3 months, showing an increase of 104per cent from €7.5 million for the same period of the past 12 months. Operating profit totaled €6.6 million, up 44% year-on-year. EBITDA amounted to €7.2 million, with EBITDA margin bet365 wheres the gold free play standing at 47%.
Catena Media said that it was especially quite happy with its first-quarter results and hailed AskGamblers as an example that is excellent of doing definitely since their acquisition. The to generate leads made gambling headlines spring that is last the purchase associated with Serbian 50 lions wheres the gold affiliate website for the quantity of €15 million. The deal became the one that is largest into the company’s history and contains aristocrat wheres the gold emulator perhaps not been matched ever since.
An important highlight in Catena Media’s development and expansion strategy ended up being the acquisition of UK-facing affiliate website CasinoUK. The organization announced a €10.6 million for the web site under consideration. The deal ended up being seen as another move that is important reference to Catena Media’s plans to expand and solidify its British footprint.
The prospecting company has turned into among the wheres the gold slot secret major drivers associated with the consolidation trend in the iGaming affiliate room.


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eBay is cutting 1,000 roles, about 9% of its full-time employees, the company’s CEO announced online Tuesday.
The company also plans to scale back its contracts with its “alternate workforce” in the coming months.
CEO Jamie Iannone cited the “challenging macroeconomic environment” as an external pressure but added that there are factors the company can control.
“While we are making progress against our strategy, our overall headcount and expenses have outpaced the growth of our business. To address this, we’re implementing organizational changes that align and consolidate certain teams to improve the end-to-end experience, and better meet the needs of our customers around the world,” the note said.
Iannone requested US employees work from home on January 24th “to provide space and privacy for these conversations.” He said employees would be notified if they were laid off by their leader over Zoom.
“We’re committed to treating everyone with respect and empathy through this transition and providing impacted employees with support and resources,” Iannone said.
The eBay action is the latest round of layoffs to hit the tech industry in the first month of 2024, after an already difficult 2023 for the sector. This month, Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned employees to expect additional layoffs in the months to come as the tech giant reorients itself toward artificial intelligence “and beyond.” Duolingo laid off around 10% of its contract workers as it moves to rely more heavily on artificial intelligence. Amazon also cut hundreds of jobs, including at streaming platform Twitch.
Almost 11,000 tech employees have been laid off at 63 companies so far in 2024, according to data from layoffs.fyi.
CNN’s Brian Fung, Jennifer Korn, Clare Duffy and Catherine Thorbecke contributed to this report.

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Latin America Leads in Advertising Growth…
Latin America was, by far, the region that most grew during the first half of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, according to statistics by The Nielsen Company. The impressive growth rate of 44.5% was the result of Latin America's high economic growth, spurred by high commodity prices and overall sound macroeconomic policies. Advertising expenditures in Brazil leapt 50.2% and Mexico registered a 40% improvement.
…and the U.S. grows again, with Spanish TV on fire
In the U.S. the good news is that advertising expenditures overall are growing again, according to the Nielsen Company. Looking at ad spending across media types, U.S. television (network, cable, syndication, spot, Spanish Language network and Spanish Language cable) continue to dominate, accounting for $33.8 billion in advertising during the first half of 2010 (H12010), a 6% increase over last year. Spanish language network TV in particular saw the biggest gains, up 24% over H12009.
Print media overall (national and local magazines, newspapers, Sunday supplements and B2B) was flat, however, national Sunday supplements received a significant uptick with 21.5 percent growth over last year. National magazines were up 2.26%.
Where are Hispanics having Breakfast?
SOURCE: Scarborough Research NOTES: (1) 49% of Hispanic adults who ate at a fast food restaurant for breakfast during the past month dined at McDonald's
(2) Hispanics breakfast fast food diners are 6% more likely than all breakfast fast food diners nationally to have eaten at McDonald's for breakfast during the past month. Among fast food (or quick service) breakfast diners, 49 percent of Hispanic adults dined at the Golden Arches for breakfast in the past month. Starbucks (19 percent), Dunkin' Donuts (17 percent) and Burger King (15 percent) round out the top four national fast food chains for breakfast diners. Differences between the general market and the Hispanic market can be seen by looking at the following figures: Hispanics breakfast fast food diners are 6% more likely than all breakfast fast food diners nationally to have eaten at McDonald's for breakfast during the past month.Hispanics are 34% more likely than the general market to have eaten at Burger King, and 124% at Jack In The Box.


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For the first time in the long history of the dueling computer companies, Apple Inc.’s market capitalization passed that of rival Microsoft Corp. Wednesday, making Apple the most valuable technology company in the world.
Apple shares closed at $244.18, giving it a market cap of $222.6 billion, compared with Microsoft, which has a total stock value of $219.4 billion.
Apple’s stock, which repeatedly has reached record highs in recent months, has risen nearly 16 percent since the beginning of the year, while Microsoft’s has dropped almost 18 percent.
In the past decade, in which it released a series of hit products such as the iPod and iPhone, Apple’s stock has soared nearly 1,000 percent. Microsoft, meanwhile, has seen a stock price that remained relatively stagnant.
“It’s more than just Mac versus PC,” said Yair Reiner, an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. “The market sees Apple as an engine of innovation and growth.
But with Microsoft, the vast majority of its profits come from products that have been in the market for a long time. “Microsoft has been the workhorse of the PC revolution, but it seems as though that horse is running out of new tricks,” Reiner said.


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📩 09/04/2021 10:57
Fatih Dönmez, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, stated that the first boron export to China was made in the quarry by iron. Refined boron products produced at our boron plant in Kırka have resumed their way to China's Shiyan station in approximately 50 container block wagons. said.
Dönmez, in his written statement, reminded that the 42-container borax pentahydrate shipment was sent to China by an 800 meter long block train in the first expedition in January.
Stating that the first batch of deliveries was completed in February, Dönmez said, “Structural deterioration in world trade and maritime transportation, especially due to Kovid-19, equipment problems in the logistics sector and the high freight rates that have increased in sea shipments at the end of last year have still been continuing since the beginning of this year. During this period when sea freight was at its peak, our exporters also sought more exports by rail. " used the expressions.
Dönmez underlined that the importance of alternative trade routes emerged once again after the accident that took place in the Suez Canal on 23 March and said:
“World trade suffered a million dollar loss in just a few days. This situation also showed us what kind of risks the trade that can be made on a single route or a single transit route can pose. With the global vaccine studies, the demand for raw materials in the manufacturing sector has increased since the beginning of this year. Our strategic railroad trial operation, which successfully took place at a time when this situation gave positive momentum to world trade, started to bear fruit. Today, Eti Maden, together with TCCD, is making the second train shipment to China by rail. The refined boron products produced at our boron plant in Kırka set off again in approximately 50 container block wagons towards China's Shiyan station. Eti Maden will also make a successful strategic move with ship leasing and railroad alternatives, in addition to its traditional sea container transportation to the Chinese market. "


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This article is more than 1 year old
Net neutrality 'weaklings' must answer to shareholders - FEAF
Let them eat proxies
Shareholder meetings look set to become the next battleground in tech and internet companies' fight with US politicians over net neutrality.
A self-styled conservative investment group wants Google, Yahoo!, eBay and Amazon to explain to their stock holders why they want the US government to stop broadband service providers from charging different tariffs for using the internet. The Free Enterprise Action Fund (FEAF) is looking at plans to table resolutions at the companies' next shareholder meetings, due in Spring 2007.
FEAF has already tabled a similar resolution for Microsoft's next meeting, expected in December, after the company joined Google, Yahoo!, eBay and Amazon asking Senators to back wording in proposed legislation that could stop carriers levying charges for using the internet.
What exactly is FEAF's beef?
Tom Borelli, FEAF portfolio manager, told The Register FEAF thinks companies that "run" to government - especially Microsoft who has a habit of usually going in the opposite direction when it comes to officials and regulation - are acting against "innovation." They should focus on improving their products not legislation, he said.
"Our antenna goes up when big companies seek regulation. In our view that's a sign of weakness. A free market should be out there competing and innovating, rather than running to the government to protect the market. That's a defense strategy."
Borelli, who holds 5,000 Microsoft shares, said the software maker should be more specific about the financial implications of net neutrality. FEAF wants a breakdown on the regulatory impact, legal liabilities, product development costs and customers costs that net neutrality would hypothetically cause.
FEAF is an investment group whose free-market philosophy could easily be described as pro libertarian and small government. FEAF has a particular problem with "social and political activists" it says threaten business.
The group has already used the shareholder resolution tactics over General Electric's policy on global warming, which FEAF believes is damaging shareholders' value, at an annual meeting in April. FEAF believes GE has succumbed to non-government organizations and environment advocates who Borelli calls "looters" interested in using GE's resources to "achieve their social and political agenda."
FEAF's actions can be seen in a broader US context. With the argument over net neutrality breaking down along partisan lines, lobbyists and other interested parties are now springing to the fore to shape the issue.
These groups include NetCompetition.org, which recently blasted Microsoft and Co. for attempting to protect their economic interests by imposing government regulation on the internet. NetCompetition.org's membership reads like a who's who of companies that ultimately stand to gain from an end to net neutrality.
For its part, Microsoft refused to comment on individual shareholder resolutions, but said in a statement: "While current legislation does a commendable job of ensuring that consumers will continue to enjoy internet connections unimpeded, we believe more could be done to preserve fair access for those offering online content and services."
Microsoft has reportedly asked the US Securities and Exchange Commission if it can ignore FEAF's proposed motion. As a Microsoft shareholder, FEAF is entitled to put resolutions to the board for shareholders to vote on.®


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16.12.2015 - The body can be reprogrammed to tackle tumours says Immudicon and Freenome co-founder.
09.12.2015 - The Number26 co-founder and CFO on why he's taking on the age-old banking industry.
12.11.2015 - The Web Summit is the biggest celebration of technology in Europe, covering the private web,...
09.11.2015 - Dublin – Privacy is the next big battleground for brands, according to Wickr founder Nico Sell.
No personal data, including your IP address, is stored and we do not sell data to third parties.


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(left to right) Laptop and credit card (Canva) Three (PA), Halfords (PA) John Lewis (PA) BT (PA) and Samsung(PA)
It might not be Black Friday until November 26 but the savings have come early this year.
Retailers have been gearing up ahead of the shopping’s biggest day of the year.
With brands like Sky, Samsung and GAME all revealing major discounts to customers this week, it’s hard to keep track of them all.
Here is a selection of the biggest and best deals so that you don’t miss out.
READ MORE: Black Friday deals: How to get the most out top sales
Black Friday deals this week
A fan of make up brushes. Credit: Canva
Beauty Bay has launched an up to 50 percent off sale for Black Friday.
Makeup lovers can enjoy major savings across its products including its Dr. Botanicals Soothing Glow Gift Set and 12 beauty advent calendar.
Read the full details of Beauty Bay’s Black Friday offers here.
To celebrate Black Friday, Mac has released a limited-edition makeup kit.
The collection includes seven items, all worth £140.
You can see the full details of the deal via our Mac Black Friday rundown.
Isle of Paradise
Isle of Paradise has announced that they’ll be offering up to a whopping 70 percent off between November 24 and 30.
With discounts on its self-tanning products, Hyglo face and more – this is a sale you don’t want to miss.
Read our full list of Black Friday deals for Isle of Paradise via our rundown.
The Perfume Shop
The Perfume Shop launched its early Black Friday sale on Friday, November 12 with over 40 fragrances to choose from.
We have put together a list of its best deals ahead of retail’s biggest day of the year.
iPhone and Airpods. Credit: Canva
O2 has unveiled some amazing deals to help shoppers grab some bargains across its phones, sims, tablets and smartwatches.
We have put together a roundup of all of O2’s Black Friday deals so that you don’t have to go far to find a bargain.
From Apple AirPods to HP laptops, you can find plenty of top brands, tech and packages in BT’s Black Friday sale.
BT has cut the prices across its products for retail’s biggest day of the year so if you’re looking to upgrade one of your devices, this is not a sale you want to miss out on.
See the full list of BT deals for Black Friday via our breakdown.
EE has unveiled an amazing bundle ahead of Black Friday.
Customers can get themselves an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with access to a library of 100 Xbox Games as well as unlimited gaming data.
You can find out more about these incredible savings via our breakdown.
You can snap a range of early Black Friday deals on TVs, broadband and mobile at Sky.
Make the most of your money by checking out our breakdowns for Sky Glass and broadband.
We have also put together a list of the best for Sky and Samsung Smart TVs that are sure to go fast.
Three is offering impressive discounts for retail’s biggest day of the year with customers seeing major savings across its iPhone and Samsung packages.
There are jaw-dropping deals for Three’s broadband across their 4G and 5G hubs that you should check out too.
See the full list of Three’s Black Friday deals here.
Samsung has jaw-dropping deals on its latest phones, watches, tablets, and home appliances.
The phone company has even committed to a Price Promise, meaning they will match the lower price item of any Samsung product you find elsewhere.
Read the best Samsung deals for Black Friday via our breakdown.
John Lewis has revealed discounts on a few selected products in the run-up to Black Friday.
The department store retailer has offers on Sony headphones, Apple Airpods and even more.
See the full list of Black Friday deals at John Lewis via our rundown.
Video game remote. Credit: Canva
GAME has amazing deals on PlayStations, Xboxes and Nintendo Switches this upcoming Black Friday.
The gaming brand has been preparing its best Black Friday deals ahead of November 26.
Check out our breakdown of everything we know about GAME’s Black Friday deals so far.
Tablets and iPads
Tech deals are by far the most sought out products on Black Friday and where you can find the biggest savings.
We have put together a list of deals for tablets and iPads that will have you upgrading your devices for a fraction of the price.
Headphones and Airpods
Calling all music lovers, Black Friday is a great time to upgrade your headphones and airpods without breaking the bank.
We have put together a selection of fantastic Black Friday deals so that you listen to that podcast or blast your playlists to your heart’s content.
We couldn’t give you the best phones and tablets without looking over the best laptop deals.
Bringing together the sales from AO, Currys, Amazon and more, we have rounded up some of the best discounts available for Black Friday this year.
Tech lovers, Sony has got you covered with discounts across its Smart TVs, headphones and speakers.
Check out our rundown of the best Sony products on offer from AO, Hughes and Very for Black Friday.
Home, Family and Accessories
Mamas and Papas 3 piece furniture set. Credit: Mamas and Papas
The Debenhams sale is already on and running until Monday, November 29, also known as Cyber Monday.
With discounts across the website, including perfume, homeware and gadgets, there is something for everyone this year.
See our breakdown of Debenham’s best Black Friday deals.
Mamas and Papas
Mamas and Papas has up to £700 knocked off award-winning prams while you can stock up on clothing essentials for little ones for half the usual price.
Whether you’re looking for a bargain car seat or you’re looking to score a stroller, we have put together a list of the best deals from the baby care and nursery brand.
See our breakdown for the full list of Black Friday deals at Mamas and Papas.
Vacuums and hair dryers might be home essentials but that doesn’t mean you should fork out more than you have to.
Shark has launched its Black Friday sale and there are savings across its products to be had.
Check out the best deals from Shark for Black Friday via our breakdown.
It shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to clean your home and when you shop the Dyson Black Friday sale, it won’t have to.
You can save up to £100 on Dyson technology for a limited time only.
Read our rundown of the Black Friday deals from Dyson.
You can’t put a price on a good night’s sleep but you can sleep soundly knowing you found a bargain in the Black Friday sales.
We have put together a list of deals from some of the biggest mattress providers, including from Emma, Silent Night and Nectar Sleep.
Black Friday isn’t just for tech or fashion deals, you can find massive discounts on your everyday essentials that make up a home.
Celebrate your savings in comfort and style with our selection of Black Friday deals and get your next sofa for less.
Cath Kidston, Nottingham City Centre. Credit: PA
Cath Kidston is selling everything with up to 60% off the original price.
After dropping its Harry Potter collection, the retailer announced a wave of deals across its products from its bags to its pj sets.
See the full breakdown of Cath Kidston Black Friday deals via our rundown.
There are some serious steals on the Reebok website right now as the brand offers customers up to 50 percent off.
See the full rundown of Reebok’s Black Friday deals here.
Selfridges are offering up to 20% on selected womenswear, menswear, accessories, home ranges, and childrenswear this Black Friday.
There is also 10 percent off selected beauty and tech items.
Read our breakdown of Selfridge’s biggest Black Friday deals.
The Gymshark Black Friday sale begins on November 18 at 7pm and gives fans of the brand the chance to get up to 70 percent off selected lines.
You can use its wish list feature right now to save your favourite items to buy for them for less later- you’re welcome.
Check out our rundown of the biggest Black Friday deals at Gymshark.
Toys and Gifts
The experience days website has up to 50 percent off a variety of special gifts including hotel breaks and driving experiences.
Whether you are looking for a unique gift for some special this Christmas or you want to treat yourself, check out our selection of Buyagift’s best deals.
Similar to fashion brands Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing, LEGO has launched a sign-up so that customers can gain early access to their deals.
See details about LEGO’s exclusive Black Friday VIP experience via our breakdown.
From November 24 to 28, Disney shoppers can enjoy a magical 20 percent off almost all shopDisney products by entering the code “MAGIC20” at the checkout.
Read our rundown to find out more about its Black Friday deals.
Virgin Experiences Days
Save yourself up to 80 percent by shopping the Black Friday sale at Virgin Experience Days.
From spa days to driving experiences, there is something for everyone.
See our full rundown of deals from Virgin Experience days for Black Friday.
Outdoor wear and equipment
Go Outdoors Lay-Z Spa Hot Tub. Credit: Go Outdoors
Go Outdoors, Blacks and Millets
These three brands have launched their early Black Friday deals to their customers this year.
We will see up to 60 percent off its range from tents and hiking boots to jackets and hottubs.
See the full rundown of Go Outdoors, Blacks and Millets deals for Black Friday via our breakdown.
We can’t wait to make the most of the savings to be had at Halfords.
The brand has discounted a wide range of its products from dash cams to stunt scooters.
See the full list of Halfords Black Friday deals via our rundown.
Expedia and Hotels.com
Expedia and Hotels.com have teamed up to reveal their best accommodation deals before Black Friday.
Only rewards members can take advantage of a variety of deals that launch for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
See our rundown of their Black Friday deals to find out how you can sign up.
Sail away without the money stress with these amazing Black Friday deals from Red Funnel.
Read the best Black Friday deals from Red Funnel via our breakdown.
The holiday booking site is giving customers the chance to save up to £100 off their next holiday and all you need to secure the deal is a £70 deposit.
Find out more about its Black Friday deals via our rundown.
Blue Light Card
Having a Blue Light card allows you access to amazing discounts all year round but there are even more savings to be had ahead of Black Friday.
Find out how you can get a Blue Light card and whether your job is applicable via our explainer.
We also share what brands offer these major savings and you can sign up before retail’s biggest day of the year.


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2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5
It appears selling cars isn’t the only way for electric vehicle manufactures to earn a buck. Thanks to California’s Zero Emission Vehicle program, some manufacturers, such as Tesla, are earning additional cash by selling their unused pollution credits.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires manufacturers that sell more than 10,000 cars in the state of California to gather a number of these Zero Emission Vehicle credits. They can do this by basically selling their own EVs or low emission vehicles, or simply by purchasing the credits from companies like Tesla that have an abundance of them due to their full EV lineups.
The number of credits required by a company varies dramatically depending on sales volumes, market share and the type of vehicles sold. Credits earned through each sale are based on how far the vehicle can travel on a zero-emission fuel source. The Tesla Roadster, for example, which has a zero-emissions driving range of about 200 miles, gets four credits for every unit sold.
Selling unused credits can be big bucks for small start-up companies like Tesla. The underlying value of a credit is around $5,000 though this number should start to fall as more and more companies start to launch more green vehicles.
In Tesla’s IPO filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was revealed that Honda had bought approximately $12.2 million of credits from Tesla. The practice is proving so lucrative that many other EV start-ups are actually including the sale of Zero Emission Vehicle credits in their business plans.
Importantly, without enough credits, companies can face massive fines and possible restrictions on sales in the state of California.
[Automotive News, sub req’d]


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NEW YORK — If shoppers don’t show up in stores soon, more “70 percent off” sale signs will.
After a promising start to the holiday shopping season over the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, sales have slowed, according to an analysis of data done for The Associated Press by sales tracker ShopperTrak. Worries about weak U.S. job growth and other concerns are likely to blame for Americans spending less.
That puts pressure on J.C. Penney, Macy’s and other stores, which had been offering fewer discounts this season than last year, to step up promotions to lure shoppers such as Ron Antonette from Long Beach, Calif.
Antonette has spent about half of what he planned to spend during this holiday season on gifts such as Legos, a Wii U game console and Apple’s iPad Mini tablet computer for his two young children. Antonette stopped shopping after spending $1,000 over fears that Congress and the White House won’t reach a budget deal by January. A stalemate would trigger tax increases and spending cuts known as the “fiscal cliff.”
“I basically stopped moving forward in buying,” said Antonette, 44, who runs a small public-relations business and worries that he might not be able to take mortgage deductions on his house next year. “I feel like we’re in financial limbo.”
Wal-Mart Stores chief executive Mike Duke said Tuesday in New York that a recent poll of shoppers at the world’s largest retailer found that an overwhelming majority are aware of the threat of higher taxes.
Overall, holiday sales are up 2.2 percent to $659 billion from Nov. 1 through last Saturday, ShopperTrak said.


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Here at the base of the Rocky Mountains, in a region that is the heart of the nation's herbal and vitamin industry, a stainless steel contraption was hard at work on a recent morning, spitting out clear plastic capsules at the rate of 90,000 an hour. Each contained precisely 600 milligrams of a fine, brick-colored powder that Federal health officials are trying to ban.
The powder, a pulverized strain of rice fermented with red yeast, is imported from China, where it has been consumed for 2,000 years, as an herbal remedy (it is thought to improve blood flow) and a food (it spices up tofu and makes a tasty marinade for duck and pork.) Then five years ago, William McGlashan Jr., a young California venture capitalist, learned that scientists in Beijing were studying red yeast rice for another reason: it seemed to lower cholesterol.
Today, Pharmanex, Mr. McGlashan's company, sells the encapsulated red powder under the trade name Cholestin in 37,000 American stores, from health food outlets to the giant Wal-Mart chain. Mr. McGlashan calls Cholestin a dietary supplement. Officials at the Food and Drug Administration call it something else: an illegal, unapproved drug.
On June 15, in the gray stone Federal courthouse in Salt Lake City, United States District Judge Dale A. Kimball will be asked to determine who is correct. The case is being watched as a pivotal battle between the agency, which is chafing at a 1994 law that left it almost powerless to regulate vitamins and herbal products, and the dietary supplement industry, which has been growing wildly since the law was passed.
At issue is not whether Cholestin is dangerous; no one argues that it is. Rather, the agency contends that Cholestin has crossed the increasingly murky boundary that separates dietary supplements from drugs, because it contains an ingredient, lovastatin, that is the key component of a cholesterol-lowering drug. Pharmanex says the lovastatin occurs naturally in the rice and that Cholestin is more akin to a food than to a drug.
The outcome of the case could be reflected in the medicine and kitchen cabinets of millions of American consumers, including many doctors and scientists, who have come to believe that ginkgo, echinacea and St. John's wort, among other natural remedies, are as important to good health as aspirin and antibiotics.
Aside from the turf battle between the supplement industry and regulators, the dispute raises crucial questions: Is there a distinction between these herbal products, which may contain naturally occurring chemicals as potent as those in any drug, and the drugs themselves? Must products like Cholestin be subjected to the rigorous testing that drugs undergo?
''You see more and more dietary supplements sold right next to over-the-counter drugs,'' said William B. Schultz, the F.D.A.'s deputy commissioner for policy. ''There is a risk that the line will blur.
Indeed, it is already blurry. ''Foods are medicines; medicines are foods,'' said Loren Israelson, executive director of the Utah Natural Products Alliance, a trade group based in Salt Lake City that represents 10 of the nation's biggest supplement manufacturers. ''If you drink coffee in the morning, why are you drinking coffee? You're looking for the caffeine, a stimulant. That same caffeine is sold over the counter as No Doz. That's a drug when it's in a pill form, and it's a food when it's in coffee. Why is that?''
The Food and Drug Administration struggled with such questions for decades. But with the passage of the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, the law under which the Cholestin case will be decided, the agency's task grew even more vexing.
The new law moved dietary supplements out of the underground and into the mainstream, giving manufacturers like Pharmanex the long-sought right to advertise the potential benefits of herbs, even if the evidence for those benefits was sketchy. Unless the F.D.A. can prove the product is unsafe, companies can say what they wish, so long as they do not claim their products can prevent, treat or cure disease. Thus, Mr. McGlashan can advertise that Cholestin ''promotes healthy cholesterol,'' but not that it ''prevents heart attack or stroke.''
''For the first time,'' he said, ''we can educate the American consumer about what the product does. We don't have to rely on a person in a health food store to explain it.''
Since the law was passed, the agency has received about 2,300 notifications from manufacturers intending to make claims about their products, and has objected to about 150 of them. It has also proposed a rule that would restrict, but not eliminate, the manufacturer's ability to use the herbal stimulant ephedra, which has been linked to more than a dozen deaths nationwide. It has banned one ephedra-based product and it is now trying to ban Cholestin.
Agency officials say the 1994 law, restrictive though it is, gives them the authority to take Cholestin off the market, because it bars companies from bringing dietary supplements to market if they contain the same active ingredients as previously approved drugs. In passing the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, Mr. Schultz says, Congress did not intend for companies to skirt the drug-approval process by selling medicines under the guise of dietary supplements.
Lawyers for Pharmanex, however, contend that Cholestin falls squarely within the intent of the 1994 law.


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INFINITI Gives Back This Christmas
Seeking to start a new holiday tradition, the corporate team at INFINITI is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 35,000 new trees. From November 9th to December 31st, those who visit an INFINITI retailer will receive a Christmas ornament representing a new tree planted over the next year. Allyson Witherspoon, the Director of Marketing Communications and Media at INFINITI Americas, noted, “The holidays can be overwhelming and full of expected clichés like big red bows and blow out sales events. This holiday season, INFINITI wanted to break these norms and empower our drivers and employees by paying it forward with these tree donations.” Check out INFINITI’s holiday commercial. We’re proud to represent a brand that gives back!


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Controversial online clinic is now mailing out prescriptions
An online clinic that sparked controversy by offering specialist referrals without face-to-face GP consultations has branched out again.
For $20, Qoctor, formerly known as Dr Sicknote, will now mail patients a private script for medications such as the contraceptive pill, antibiotics and sildenafil.
The clinic is also selling and dispensing private script medications, offering two repeats of Laila-35 for around $34.
Patients are required to complete an online questionnaire before one of the clinic’s GPs signs the script. To obtain the


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Richard Khaldi, Senior Director of Customers and Casework, explains the work that Ofwat will be doing to monitor the new business retail market opening in April 2017 – to make sure it is working for customers.
From April this year more than 1.2 million eligible businesses, charities and public sector organisations in England will be able to choose who supplies their water and wastewater retail services.
Introducing competition for businesses, charities and public sector organisations has been heralded as the biggest change to the water sector since privatisation over 25 years ago and will create the largest market of its kind in the world.
The UK Government has estimated the market will contribute about £200 million to the UK economy and bring significant environmental benefits. These include:
- driving down prices;
- improving water efficiency
- encouraging innovation; and
- improving customer service.
So what does that mean for individual customers?
Well, provided they are eligible, the smallest high street shops to the largest public authorities will be able to:
- shop around and choose their retailer
- renegotiate their existing deal or
- get a licence from us to supply themselves.
That includes some of the biggest users of water: the farming, automotive, horticulture and service industries. To give you some examples:
- for customers with multiple sites, one of the benefits might be replacing the hundreds of paper bills they receive each year with one single electronic bill – saving them time and money
- for small- and medium-sized businesses, the benefits might include being able to benchmark themselves against other similar businesses to identify savings
But we know these benefits will only be achieved if the market is truly competitive and efficient – and is seen to be so.
So how will we know the market is working?
We know that markets and choice have delivered many good things in other sectors – from food to fashion. But we also know that in some other regulated markets, the energy and financial markets in particular, there have been problems. And we’ve learned from those experiences.
Over the last two and half years, we have worked with the UK Government and others to develop the arrangements to ensure the market works well when it opens. But after that, is it our job to protect customers by making sure the market continues to operate in their interests.
That is why we have launched our consultation on how we monitor the market. In ‘Monitoring the business retail market from April 2017: a consultation’, we describe the monitoring framework that we plan to put in place following the market opening. Our framework will ensure that we:
- understand whether the market is working well
- can intervene in an appropriate way should it not be the case.
We also discuss how we plan to make information about the market more widely available so that customers and others can have confidence in how the market it is working.
We would welcome your views to the consultation by 10 February 2017. If you just want the highlights of what we’re planning, not the detail, then you can watch me on YouTube.
Finally, you can find more information about the market itself at open-water.org.uk.


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The Half Moon Bay, California-headquartered startup uses plant science, machine learning, and robotics to develop sustainable greenhouse systems that are cost-competitive with fields and traditional agriculture. An advanced technique, called controlled environment agriculture (CEA), yields a wide array of pesticide-free and high-quality leafy greens. Hippo Harvest claims that its crops use 92% less water and 55% less fertilizer than conventional greens.
“Climate change is already impacting how we eat. As water continues to disappear from our agricultural communities, we need solutions that give farmers the ability to make the best use of our natural resources and ensure everyone has access to fresh produce,” Amazon’s Vice President of Worldwide Sustainability Kara Hurst said in the announcement. “Amazon’s collaboration with Hippo Harvest is another step forward in our work to support transformative green technologies while also providing our customers with a broader array of grocery options.”
The economy or the climate? Why not both?
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So what makes Hippo Harvest a pioneer in the sustainable agriculture sector? For starters, Hippo Harvest uses a closed-loop, direct-to-root fertilizer system and machine learning to reduce food waste and land use. Small robots on-site deliver the precise nutrient and water levels to crops, in addition to collecting data on plants, transporting produce, and other important functions. Beneficial insects, peppermint oil, and other biological controls act as natural pesticides. No synthetic pesticides are used. The climate-controlled greenhouses can be deployed almost anywhere–including in high-density metropolitan areas.
Hippo Harvest products are also exclusively grown close to customers to reduce carbon emissions from long-distance food miles and increase shelf life. On the other hand, conventional field-grown vegetable crops are transported an average of 1,500 miles before they reach the consumer.
Hippo Harvest notes that its innovative approach reduces food waste by 61% and land use by 94%. For now, the company’s signature lettuce blends are limited to select Amazon Fresh online stores in San Francisco.
“The Hippo Harvest greenhouse will serve as a test case for how the local [Pescadero-area] agriculture community can address both its record water shortage and increasing rain storms,” Amazon said.
Last week’s announcement is part of Amazon’s broader commitment to attaining net-zero carbon emissions. In June 2020, Amazon announced The Climate Pledge Fund, a $2 billion investment program supporting promising green tech startups whose products and services will help facilitate the earth’s transition to a low-carbon economy. The partnership comes less than two years after Amazon’s initial investment in Hippo Harvest.
The collaboration is emblematic of the private sector’s push to advance innovative technologies and approaches to address climate change and other environmental issues. Companies and entrepreneurs are unlocking new ways to better society and lower our environmental footprint.
Nathalie Voit is a freelance content creator and a graduate of the University of Florida. She is an alumni of The Heritage Foundation’s Young Leaders Program.


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It was thought 2014 would be the year of the pay rise and an interest rate rise but both now look unlikely
February figures smash expectations – which some analysts believe indicates interest rates have been too low for too long
Christmas is coming but squeezed UK consumers are not getting any keener to part with their cash
With households grappling with mounting bills, job losses and meagre pay rises, how can retailers hope for anything by a discount-driven Christmas?
Small retailers fared far better than bigger stores in September. With petrol prices so high it seems shoppers are walking to their town centres and shunning out of town superstores


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The Birth and Death of a Successful Magazine
“Unmarried” to the mob
The coming of the internet and digital age has certainly sounded a warning to print media. Consumers read “newspapers” online — and books on their Kindle in ever-growing numbers. As a result, several publications have gone out of business owing to a deeply reddened bottom line associated with the new reality.


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When it announced the Tegra X1 last month, Nvidia emphasized automotive applications for the new system-on-a-chip. But according to Fudzilla, the company also has a Tegra X1-powered tablet in the pipeline.
The device, which is expected to succeed the current Shield Tablet, will reportedly launch "within a couple of months." Fudzilla believes we'll see an official announcement at Nvidia's GPU Technology Conference in mid-March "at the latest."
Word comes from a source whom Fudzilla says correctly predicted the arrival of the first Shield Tablet last year, "months" before its debut. That gives this rumor a fair bit of weight.
Sadly, there's no info yet on specs. A Tegra X1-powered Shield Tablet could retain the current offering's 8" screen size, although it may need design changes to accommodate the new chip's hefty 10W TDP.
|Aerocool's Project 7 P7-C1 Pro case reviewed||6|
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|Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX Vegas put a big chill on spicy-hot chips||17|
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|Thursday deals: a nice Z370 mobo, a huge VA display, and more||6|
|Nice but unoptaneable.||+11|


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TRAVERSE CITY, MICH.-- Establishing personal relationships with Chinese partners is key to GM Chinas future success, said Ray Koopman, director of manufacturing engineering for GM China.
Its important at this point to provide Chinese partners with the right training and clear goals, he said. Part of the training includes instruction in GMs global manufacturing system.
Koopman, posted in China since 1998, described his work as a stimulating and, at times, frustrating experience. He spoke on Tuesday, Aug. 5., at the Management Briefing Seminars.
One of the main challenges in China, Koopman said, is to convince the leaders of GMs joint venture partners to share information more readily and to admit when problems arise. In the Chinese culture, saving face is a huge issue, he said.
Through joint ventures, GM sells 14 models in China. Koopman said he anticipates to increase that number by 20 to 30 percent in the next couple of years, with a focus on entry level sedans such as the $12,000 Chevrolet Spark. Low-end vehicles in China, he said, cost between $6,000 to $15,000. GM Chinas focus, for now, will remain on sedans.
GM is considering bringing the Cadillac CTS into China, Koopman said, adding that he doesnt think the Chinese know the Cadillac brand very well.
GM China sold 264,101 vehicles in mainland China in 2002. Year-to-date 2003 sales there are 164,866 units. GM has about 8 percent combined commercial and passenger car market share in China, but expects to grow.
Volkswagen is the market leader in China, with a 38 percent market share in the first half of 2003.
GM China also is working to increase its manufacturing capacity and further develop its supplier base. It has potential joint venture possibilities to increase its manufacturing capability, but Koopman said GMs strategy primarily is to partner with investment company SAIC. Non-Chinese companies can own a maximum of 50 percent of a joint venture in China. Most of GMs joint ventures already are with investment company SAIC.
GM has four joint venture manufacturing facilities in mainland China: Shanghai GM, SGM Dong Yue Motors, Jinbei GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling.
Shanghai GM, a 50/50 venture with SAIC, makes the Buick Regal, Buick GL 8 executive wagon and mid-sized Excelle sedan. SGM Dong Yue Motors recently started building the Buick Sail sedan and wagon. Jinbei GM makes the Chevrolet Blazer. SAIC-GM-Wuling will produce the Chevrolet Spark.


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From Steve Jobs To Lee Iacocca, Business Heads Who Took Over The Wheel — And Steered — A Company Out Of Crisis
Reversing Out Of A Tight Spot!
Before Dara Khosrowshahi took over, former General Electric chairman Jeff Immelt was leading the race to be Uber’s next CEO. Here are five business heads who took over the wheel — and steered — a company out of crisis.
After many years at The Boeing Co., Mulally joined the troubled Ford Motors as the CEO in 2006. He took charge and was responsible for one of the biggest turnarounds in history. Not only did he make Ford Motors a profitable company, he also ensured that the stock price rose steadily and the employee morale stayed high. Mulally retired in July 2014 and joined the Google board of directors within a few weeks.
After leaving Apple, Jobs returned to the company he founded as the interim CEO in 1996. At that point, Apple had completed a fiscal year in which it lost $1 billion on revenue of $7 billion. The company wasn’t doing as well as it was projected to and was worth about $4 billion, which was far lower than rivals HP and Dell. After taking over, Jobs streamlined the development projects Apple invested in and released iMac, iPhone, iPod and iTunes. Under his leadership, Apple stock grew over 9,000 per cent.
Iacocca was fired from Ford Motors before he took up the Chrysler CEO position in 1979. He made a plea with the Congress and obtained a $1.5 billion federal loan for the company. By releasing new models such as the minivan, which became hugely popular, Chrysler managed to pay off the loans in three years. The company, almost on the verge of bankruptcy in 1979, became profitable in 1982 under Iacocca’s leadership. He retired in 1992.
Whitacre was asked to helm General Motors after the company declared bankruptcy and received a bailout from the government in 2009. Whitacre, who was previously the CEO of AT&T, took on the role of CEO stating that he would leave after “returning GM to greatness”. Within 16 months of being the CEO, which included cutting on projects such as an alternative model of the Chevrolet Volt, GM launched a staggering IPO worth $23.1 billion. Whitacre resigned in 2010.
Hesse became the CEO of Sprint in 2007 and inherited a company that was reporting over $29.6 billion worth losses after a merger with Nextel communications. As the CEO, Hesse implemented new rate plans, which helped increase the company’s customer service ratings. After acquiring Virgin Mobile USA in 2009, Sprint began to turn around in 2010. As of 2012, Sprint’s reported revenue is $35.3 billion.


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Sales of new cars in the EU dropped 9.3% in May as the effects of government assistance for the automotive industry slipped away and the economic environment remained challenging, according to industry association ACEA.
Governments assisted car manufacturers with scrapping incentive schemes that increased demand for new cars, but these have either finished or are running out and car manufacturers are concerned about the 2nd half of the year.
ACEA stated the May decrease to a total of 1,129,508 units registered was the 2nd month-to-month decrease in 2010 and reflected “the end to government support schemes on the one hand and the further challenging economic situation on the other.”
In the 1st 5 months new car registrations in the EU were down 1.9%.
Europe’s largest car market, Germany whose Umweltprämie scrappage scheme finished in September 2009, witnessed a 35.1% drop in registrations. France, whose scheme is being phased out gradually, saw an 11.5% year-on-year decrease in May.
Spain however, whose scheme is still in place, saw a 44.6% increase in May, compared with a low comparison in 2009.
The head of French carmaker PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, Philippe Varin, said earlier this month that he expected the European car market to shrink around 9 percent in 2010.


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Amazon boxes are seen stacked for delivery in the Manhattan borough of New York City, January 29, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Aug 5 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) on Thursday said it would not expect U.S. corporate employees to return to the office until next year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Seattle-based company said it was extending its work-from-home period to Jan. 3, 2022, from its earlier guidance of Sept. 7 for the United States and other countries it did not name, according to an internal note seen by Reuters.
"As we continue to closely watch local conditions related to COVID-19, we are adjusting our guidance for corporate employees," the note said.
Amazon told Reuters its employees' health was its top priority and it will keep adhering to local government guidance for a safe office return. It said it will require masks in offices except for staff who verify they are fully vaccinated.
A spike in COVID-19 infections, powered by the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus, has prompted some big companies to put off plans to reopen offices. The United States is reporting the highest daily average number of infections globally, at 94,819, according to data gathered by Reuters.


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Nokia is preparing to launch smartphones tailored for Chinese consumers. The Director General of the Finnish group, Stephen Elop, has launched in Beijing two models based on the combined Lumia Lumia 610 and 800, but tailored to the Chinese networks, to compete with Apple and Samsung.
Running Microsoft software, these smartphones will be sold by China Telecom, the third telecom operator in the country, and will be available on the Chinese market from the second quarter.
With these new devices, Nokia aims to boost its declining sales in one of the most strategic market for manufacturers of smartphones. The market share of Nokia in China for this segment fell 30% last year, according to research firm Strategy Analytics. Microsoft’s share in smartphones dropped to 2% in the last quarter, against 3% a year ago and 13% four years ago, according to the firm.


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Innovation Guelph, a regional innovation centre providing mentorship and business support programs and services to help innovative enterprises start, grow and thrive, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Over the last decade, Innovation Guelph has supported more than 1,327 businesses from startups to scale-ups through its accelerator programs, which led to the creation of 1,756 jobs. Its programs focus on four sectors: Agri-innovation, information and communication technology, advanced manufacturing and cleantech. More than 350 Canadian companies from across southwestern Ontario and beyond are supported each year. Last year alone, Innovation Guelph mentors and industry specialists spent more than 11,277 consulting hours with clients helping them to solve problems and succeed.
Reflecting on the milestone, CEO Anne Toner Fung said, “Over the last 10 years, Innovation Guelph has made a difference by supporting businesses that can—and do—change the world. The outcome is an innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth, supports environmental sustainability and enhances the quality of life for everyone in our region.”
Well-known enterprises such as Precision Biomonitoring, Lucky Iron Fish and Social Lite Vodka are just some of the more than 1,327 businesses that Innovation Guelph has supported over the last 10 years.
As part of the festivities, Innovation Guelph is publishing a commemorative book. Additionally, Innovation Guelph has launched two unique food and beverage gift boxes, one featuring a selection of locally sourced gourmet delights and another with innovative food and beverages from the region and beyond. By purchasing a box, you will be supporting local entrepreneurs, innovative startups and small businesses.
“Celebrating 10 years must include recognizing our incredible team, our clients and our partners – people who made our success possible. I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of Innovation Guelph,” said Fung.
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If you’ve lived in your home for almost two decades and chosen to make improvements instead of moving, you are part of a majority group of homeowners in the UK, a new survey has found.
Let’s face it, while moving home is undoubtedly exciting, it’s also expensive and involves a lot of hassle. It’s no wonder then that more and more people are focussing on improving their existing homes rather than buying a new one.
According to the 2018 Barclays Home Improvement Report, the average amount of time people stay in their home before moving is 19 years. During this time, they make regular updates to their properties. In fact, 54% of UK homeowners would rather make improvements to the current homes rather than moving to a new, the Barclays survey found.
A quarter of homeowners said they would love to move, but the challenging UK property market has meant they simply couldn’t afford to do so.
In terms of the most popular home improvements, fitting new carpets (35%), installing a new kitchen (31%) and landscaping the garden (29%) topped the list.
Bi-fold doors leading into the garden (30%), smart home tech (26%) and a spa bathroom (20%) were cited as the improvement projects homeowners most desired.
Homeowners are committed to improving their homes
While the main reason given by homeowners for carrying out improvements was to make their properties better reflect their personal taste (48%), one in four people (25%) said they did so to improve the value of their home.
The survey also revealed that the UK home improvement market is actually booming, with 79% of respondents saying they have made improvements over the past two years and a further 73% saying they plan to do so in the next 12 months.
When it comes to the biggest interior design turn-offs, woodchip wallpaper (60%), mirrored ceilings (49%) and carpeted bathrooms (46%) emerged at the top of the list of improvement faux pas.
Interestingly, the report found that social media is significantly influencing people’s property update decisions – particularly among younger homeowners – with 43% of 23- to 34-year olds saying they had been inspired to make home improvements after they saw something on social media.
A further 15% of respondents even admitted to making home improvements just so they could show them off on their social media channels.
Speaking about the findings of the survey, TV property expert Phil Spencer said: “There has long been an appetite for home improvements in the UK, and with so many of us now staying in our properties for such a long time, it is clear that our homes are so much more than just bricks and mortar – they are a space for us to relax and enjoy times with our loved ones, so it is important to make them fit for purpose.”
Have you been in your current home a while? Would you love to make some improvements but don’t know where to start? We can help!
Contact Aquarius Home Improvements today. We’d love to discuss your needs and wants.


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At a pea-size Lower East Side bistro known for its fries, the admonition is spelled out on a chalkboard: No ketchup. At a popular gastropub in the West Village, customers cannot have the burger with any cheese other than Roquefort.
And at Murray’s Bagels in Greenwich Village and Chelsea, the morning crowd can order its
New York has spawned a breed of hard-line restaurants and cafes that are saying no. No to pouring takeout espressos, or grinding more than a pound of
“People just assume that every restaurant should be for everyone — I could understand that if we were in a town with, like, 20 restaurants,” said
He added, “The customer is not always right.”
This coterie of food purists — or puritans, perhaps — is hardly limited to New York. The chef-owner of the
Clark Wolf, a restaurant consultant, recalled a
But New York has a hallowed history of persnickety cooks: Kenny Shopsin became something of a cult figure for the litany of rules — including no parties bigger than four, and no more than one order at each table of any particular dish — enforced for years at Shopsin’s diner in the West Village, now a small outpost at the Essex Street Market on the Lower East Side.
Arthur Schwartz, a food writer and historian, recalled a restaurant that the
Yet in a city filled with newcomers seeking a sense of belonging, rules can be part of the attraction. “One reason people go to a particular restaurant is they want to feel part of a particular community,” Mr. Schwartz said — even if that community is based on nothing more than a shared appreciation for carefully tended espresso that never touches a paper cup.
“You’re supposed to drink espresso fast,” said Caroline Bell, an owner of Café Grumpy, explaining that paper lets the heat dissipate too quickly.
When some customers at the three outposts in
Some restaurateurs say they limit choices because it allows them to serve items consistently prepared the way they want.
“Cooks are creatures of habit,” Mr. Chang said. “To do this ‘Can I get this with no olives, can I get the
And at Pepe Rosso in SoHo, said Michele Costa, a partner, there was not enough space to accommodate decaffeinated coffee, skim milk and
Some of these quirks are cultural. At Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecôte, a Parisian import in East Midtown that offers a set menu of salad and steak frites, diners are asked a single question: Would you like your meat cooked well, medium, rare or bleu (extra rare). Woe unto those who want it medium rare.
“We have no medium rare in
Some restrictions are personal. At Zucco: Le French Diner on Orchard Street, Greko Chemoul and his father, Zucco, who died last year, banned ketchup and Budweiser because they did not seem suitable accompaniments for the establishment’s food.
“If I go to an American restaurant or pub, I have my burger with ketchup,” Greko Chemoul said. “But I don’t think it looks good when I have ketchup on the side of my coq au vin or grilled lamb. It’s a question of design.”
The diner also discourages customers from participating in the
For some customers, the rules seem to elevate the
At Café Grumpy in Park Slope, Benjamin Anastas, a writer, said the counterman had refused to grind two pounds of espresso beans at once, expressing concern that the coffee would lose its freshness before Mr. Anastas could brew it. The solution? “I told him I was going to drink it all over the weekend,” Mr. Anastas said.
Other patrons are left bewildered. Despite the no-toasting policy at Murray’s Bagels, afternoon customers can order a
Mr. Divine has given up trying to get a toasted bagel at Murray’s. “I still have yet to understand why a not-toasted bagel is culinarily better than another bagel,” he said.
Banning condiments, however, was just fine by him.
“Don’t get him started on mayonnaise,” said his friend Daniel Bender, a student at Parsons the New School for Design, as Mr. Divine pronounced: “Condiments are weird.”Continue reading the main story


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Disney+ Will Be Available on Amazon's Fire TV The service's availability comes after a deal made between The Walt Disney Company and Amazon.
Disney+ will officially launch in the U.S. and Canada on November 12 for $6.99 a month.
Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed the Amazon deal and says the streamer is ready for its debut.
Bob Iger, via CNBC Other major distributors of Disney+ include Microsoft and Apple.
Google and Samsung will also carry the service.
Following its debut next week, Disney+ is scheduled to premiere throughout Europe on March 31.


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GOIL wins 2016 CIMG petroleum company of the year award
Ghana Oil Company, GOIL, has for the second consecutive year, won the coveted CIMG Petroleum Company of the year, consolidating its position as the number one Oil marketing Company in the Country.
The award which was announced at the 28th National Marketing Performance awards held in Accra, confirms the biggest indigenous marketing entity’s role as also as an important player in the competitive sector. GOIL won the award in 2015 and its MD, Patrick Akorli is the immediate past CIMG Man of the Year.
GOIL has the largest retail network of over 300 active service stations countrywide with 20 percent of market share and has been posting impressive results, recording 58.7 percent increase in profit after tax in 2016, a 26.95 percent increase in turnover compared to that of 2015.
The biggest indigenous marketing entity continues to make strides, venturing big into the bunkering sector. In line with the company’s expansion drive, a 13.5m litre capacity MGO bunkering facility has recently been commissioned in Takoradi Port at a cost of 15 million dollars. Already, a modern 4000m3 MGO bunkering facility fitted with a filtration and coalescing unit at the Sekondi Naval Base is in operation.
Analysts say, the bunkering investments especially the Takoradi Project , are significant because they will position GOIL to benefit from the huge trade in MGO, 60% of which is being done offshore, bringing in the much needed revenue to GOIL and to the state in the form of taxes.
The Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Alex Josiah Adzew has meanwhile underscored the premium GOIL puts on the quality of products, explaining that this has pushed her to procure a modern mobile laboratory van to test all products at its station before sale to consumers. He reiterated that the company will invest more resources to ensure products are always of the highest standards and quality.
GOIL is already eying the road construction sector, finalizing plans to construct a bitumen plant the serve the burgeoning industry.
“In the medium to long term GOIL wants to become a vibrant energy company with a significant foothold in West Africa”, says Mr. Patrick Akorli, MD and CEO of GOIL.


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Satellite Beach nursery owners challenge dads to grow food for their families
Banana River Yard, a newly sprouted half-acre nursery adjoining the parking lot at Lori Laine Plaza in Satellite Beach, is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for a Father’s Day Weekend sale.
The sale, the second in its existence, is a gentle push from owners Ben Thacker and Ryan Gibbons to involve fathers in a direct form of providing for their families. The motivation comes from the nursery being more outdoor classroom and grassroots inspiration for sustainability than it is a place to buy a plant.
In issuing this challenge to dads, the two — who themselves are fathers to young children — are offering for free the knowledge and expertise necessary to grow a yard farm.
“We want to put a little peer pressure on dads, because we really think that good dads do gardening,” Thacker said. "If you have a yard and you’re not growing fruit for your family, you’re missing out. We can set you up, get you going."
The yard specializes in fruits, vegetables and herbs that can thrive in the harsh beachside environment, with prices starting at $4.
“We have a lot of the perennial edible stuff, rare tropical edibles, some fun herbs and flowers in the medicinal realm,” Thacker said.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy chill reggae wafting through the air as they sip fresh coconut water through reusable straws and peruse the selection of tropical fruit trees: mango, avocado, mulberry, starfruit, fig, loquat, Barbados cherry, citrus, coconut and banana.
“Everything we are selling is beachside appropriate. Everything we have has a good chance of thriving,” he said.
Indeed, nearly every plant on sale began its life in Thacker’s Satellite Beach yard. If he says it’ll grow beachside, you can believe it.
A visit earlier in the week found the two working on the irrigation system, shoveling mulch and awaiting a truckload of garden compost. At 9:30 a.m., it was already hot, but surprisingly dry. Still, a fairly typical summer morning in Florida. Copious rain days before gave Banana River Yard’s stock the lifeblood to withstand the relentless sun and work on becoming bigger, stronger, greener.
Thacker and Gibbons discussed the difficulties of cultivating crops beachside and say it is challenging but absolutely doable.
“Mostly beach sand, strong winds and salt in the air — all that. So it’s hard to get going. But it can be done,” said Thacker. “I live a block from the beach. My yard is an overgrown fruit forest right now.”
Gibbons said he was a good example of how most people approach small-scale agriculture.
“A lot of people want to grow plants and they’ll go to a big box store and get some random plant that they like, throw it in the ground,” he said. "Sandy soil and harsh sun and no proper irrigation. And they combat that by throwing chemical fertilizers on it and it still dies. So there is a big educational gap."
Lots of gardening information is available online, Gibbons said, but growing plants is very different from places even as close as Orlando.
“If you’ve never done it, it’s challenging, it’s intimidating," Thacker said. "We want to demystify it and set people up so they have an easy time.”
A corporate pilot out of Orlando, Gibbons, 39, was introduced to his employer's personal, multiacre farm and immediately saw inspiration for the half acre of idle land owned by his family alongside their shopping center on South Patrick Drive.
“That was about the same time that Ben reached out to us. So that’s where I got the inspiration to build that out and Ben showed up right then,” Gibbons said.
Like it was supposed to happen.
“They had a for-lease sign in that grassy area, and I was riding my bike, leaving yoga class," Thacker said. "I was actually on my bike when I made the phone call. I talked to the Realtor. He put me in touch with Ryan’s dad, Pat, who said, ‘My son’s talking about doing something out here; I’ve got to put you in touch.’ ”
That was about eight months ago. During that time, ideas were being cultivated and direction was becoming clear: This would be a demo farm and a community gathering space where locals could learn true sustainable living.
“We’ll be able to point to what we’re growing and we’ll show you what it looks like established. But also, we want this to be an interactive community space, where people can just walk in and enjoy and learn, via signage or guided tours, or workshops,” said Thacker, 39, a photojournalist by profession.
As the nation moved into the COVID-19 lockdown, the men felt their beliefs in sustainable living were validated.
“When the whole pandemic started and with the quarantine, everyone was rushing to the supermarket,” Thacker said. “I’m looking in my yard and thinking, ‘Well we don’t really have to go to the supermarket.’ And we didn’t for two weeks.
“ ... You save money and you help yourself with the most nutritious food you can find. It doesn’t get any fresher. It’s food security. If you have a garden you’re not going to starve,” he said.
The DIY self-improvement ethic runs deep, as does the pair’s commitment to education. The yard is proving to be an organic method of learning for children who frequent the green space with their parents.
“We both have an interest in wellness and nutrition and the environment and sustainability for our families,” said Thacker, who has a daughter, 7, and son, 5.
Gibbons’ children are 5 and 8 and have taken to this wholesome way of life.
“They run around and try to find which fruits are ripe and what they can eat and they learn about that variety and that tree,” he said.
Thacker hopes to connect with local schools and homeschooling groups, offering the yard as a workshop for hands-on education.
Workshops for adults will come under the guidance of herbalist-in-training/artist Mariaelena Marks.
“Preserving the harvest, Mariaelena is a whiz with all that. We just harvested some wild elderberry and she mixed up syrups and tinctures for immune building. So she’s heading up the workshop concept,” Thacker said.
“I work a lot with kids," Marks said. "I’ve been using the plants and vegetables and herbs, making my own dyes to do kitchen towels and other fun stuff."
The yard is open for special sales such as this and weekly volunteer sessions from 6 p.m. to “darkish” Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thacker encourages locals to volunteer at what he called the wine-friendly sessions.
“Do a little work and have a cold beverage and socialize with people who are interested in similar things. It’s a cool vibe,” he said.
Business hours will expand to follow a growing schedule. Realistically, though, the crew plants seeds of a different type whenever they stop work to answer questions from the curious.
“We’re doing a lot of talking when we should be working, but that’s OK,” Thacker said with an easy smile.
“There’s something therapeutic about sharing knowledge and teaching,” he said.
Banana River Yard is at 1301 S. Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach. Call
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According to research by Kimberly-Clark, 51 percent prefer wearing grubby old clothes when working around the house rather than apparel designed to provide maximum safety and 20 percent say theyre not concerned about possible risks.
Not surprisingly, 34 percent of DIYers say the end result is more important than safety and seven percent say feeling comfortable is the top priority.
Finally, 52 percent of Americans say its important to know what youre doing before starting a DIY project, but 13 percent think its smarter to simply hire a professional to do your dirty work instead.
(Contact numbers available only to subscribing media or trial media users. You can request samples at the Wireless Flash web site.)
Copyright © 2005 Wireless Flash News Inc. All rights reserved. Wireless Flash® and FlashNews® are registered trademarks of Wireless Flash News Inc.


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>> Twenty years in fashion. As a model. Now that is no mean feat, considering models these days are lucky if they stick around for two years.
The April 2007 issue of British GQ celebrates Naomi Campbell with a 22-page editorial by Steven Klein, this ravishing cover, and a 7,000-word interview between Naomi and Piers Morgan, the tabloid newspaper editor who outed her leaving a Narcs Anonymous meeting in 2001, spurring an intense legal battle on privacy rights. Ms. Campbell does not hold back in the interview (at least in the preview I've seen), peppering Mr. Morgan with questions right and left.
Twenty years in fashion for Naomi. And to think, a rep from a modeling agency told Robin Givhan a few days ago that he was trying to get more black models working in Paris, but editors tell him that "People don't see clothes on black models." You know, I can't see Naomi's clothes on that GQ cover, but I can see her shoes just fine.


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Volkswagen faces EU fine for missing emission targets
The famed German carmaker Volkswagen faces an EU fine after falling short of targets for cutting its cars’ CO2 emissions.
Volkswagen announced on Thursday it had slashed average emissions for its fleets across Europe by about 20% over the past year compared with 2019.
That implied EU fines amounting to a “very low triple-digit million amount,” a spokesman said.
European policymakers have clamped down on exhaust emissions, forcing carmakers to spur development of low-emission technology or face a penalty of 95 euros per gram of excess CO2 they emit.
“We narrowly missed the fleet target for 2020, thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” CEO Herbert Diess said in a statement.
He also added that he hoped to meet the target this year as the company’s main brands bring out new electric models.
“We are making good progress on the road to becoming a CO2-neutral company, added Diess.
“The Volkswagen and Audi brands in particular have made a major contribution to achieving this with their e-offensive.”
The company said electric model production in the EU and Britain, Norway and Iceland had risen more than fourfold to 315,400 in 2020. Battery electric vehicles and hybrids rose to 9.7% of models, it said.
“The Volkswagen Group is thus the clear market leader in the all-electric segment in Western Europe,” it said, suggesting its vehicles made up around a quarter of the market.
The carmaker also admitted in 2015 to using illegal software in diesel cars which allowed it to cheat emissions tests.
Majority participants expect no change in key policy rate
KARACHI: A survey conducted by a research house revealed that the majority...
Pakistan stocks expected to remain positive next week
KARACHI: Trading activity at the Pakistan stock market remained jittery, amid macroeconomic...
Ballooning current account deficit likely to keep rupee under pressure
KARACHI: The rupee/dollar parity is likely to face further pressure on ballooning...
Lubna Olayan first woman to head Saudi business council
JEDDAH: Prominent Saudi businesswoman Lubna Olayan has become the first woman to...
Oil still hovers above $70 with US shut-in output
RIYADH: Oil prices are still trading at above $70 even as Opec+...


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Google is considering manufacturing up to a million Pixel smartphones in India, says report
Pixelsmartphones in India.
- The company is expected to produce up to 1 million devices in the country.
- Google is scheduled to introduce the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro on October 6.
AdvertisementGoogle is all set to introduce its new flagship smartphones, the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro, at its Made by Google event on October 6. Ahead of the launch, a report has revealed that the company is considering starting manufacturing Pixel devices in India.
According to a report by The Information, Google is considering moving some of the production of Pixel smartphones to India amid production disruptions in China due to the COVID-19 lockdowns and heightened tensions between Beijing and Washington.
The report has claimed that Alphabet has requested bids from manufacturers in India to produce 500,000 to 1 million devices, which is around 10 to 20% of its annual production.
Sundar Pichai, the company’s chief executive officer, reportedly reviewed a plan for Pixel phones production in India earlier this year, but the company has yet to decide. It is to be noted that even if the company moves the production to India, components will still be imported from China.
In addition to India, the company is reportedly considering manufacturing in Vietnam.
Google may follow Apple’s footsteps
Apple recently introduced the iPhone 14 series in India, and a report last month revealed that the company would start producing the device in India soon after the launch.
According to the report, the Cupertino giant will start the production of the devices in India within two months as part of the company’s diversification of its supply chain amid clashes between the US and Chinese governments and frequent lockdowns in China that have impacted its production.
At the moment, it is unknown whether Google will manufacture the flagship Pixel devices in the country or affordable devices like the Pixel 6A.
OnePlus 11 Pro spotted with an alert slider and a redesigned camera setup
Here’s how much the iPhone 14, new Apple Watches and the AirPods Pro 2nd generation will cost in India
Indian companies dominate the TWS segment with over 70% of the market share, but domestic manufacturing remains at 16% at best
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WhatsApp is finally pushing an enhancement to a key feature that even the Facebook-owned instant messaging service acknowledges was a top user request for years. The company said it is rolling out a limited public beta test for its enhanced multi-device capability.
The update allows WhatsApp users for the first time to use the service on up to four devices other than phones without having the phone registered on or connected to the Internet. The WhatsApp spokesperson said this multi-device chain cannot have another phone.
“Each companion device will connect to WhatsApp independently,” the messaging app said in a release.
To be clear, WhatsApp, which is used by more than 2 billion users worldwide, already provides support for multi-device use. A user can simultaneously access the service, for example, from a web browser or a desktop application on their computer. But the multi-device support stream currently requires the phone to be connected to the Internet.
In WhatsApp’s own words, “By requiring the phone to perform all operations, add-on devices are slower and frequently disconnect, especially when the phone has a poor connection, the battery is running low, or the phone’s operating system interrupts the application process. It also allows only one companion device to be operational at a time, which means people can’t be on a call while checking their messages on their PC, for example.”
WhatsApp’s new multi-device architecture removes these obstacles, as it does not require a smartphone to be the source while keeping user data synchronized and private in a seamless and secure manner.
In a published whitepaper, WhatsApp described how this feature works, which gives an idea of why it took so long to ship. The firm says it developed new technologies that ensure that even across multiple devices, messages sync while maintaining end-to-end encryption, a feat that is currently rare in the market.
“To achieve this, we had to rethink WhatsApp’s architecture and design new systems to enable a standalone multi-device experience while preserving privacy and end-to-end encryption,” the company wrote. “Each message is encrypted individually using the peer-to-peer encryption session established with each device. Messages are not stored on the server once they are delivered.”
The feature also doesn’t change the way WhatsApp uses cloud backup for users, a spokesperson said. “The mechanism we use to sync messages and other app data across a user’s devices is independent of our cloud backups,” the spokesperson added, pointing to the whitepaper that describes the protocol in more detail.
WhatsApp does not have a specific date for when it plans to roll out this feature to all users. Instead, the company says it is initially rolling out this feature to its existing beta users. In the coming months, it also plans to start adding it as an optional beta feature for a small number of users on stable versions of the app.
The aforementioned feature is one of many that WhatsApp is currently developing. It is also working on a dedicated iPad app, in addition to expanding last year’s disappearing mode feature. The app, which currently allows users to set a seven-day timer on messages, plans to expand this feature to allow users to share images and videos that can only be viewed once.


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Nobody expected 2020. For many of us, time felt like a flat circle. But with the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, the future is starting to look hopeful. This year felt like a blur, but looking back at everything that’s happened, you can see that there was a lot of progress in the food space. And rightly so: With so many of us self-isolating, there had to be developments that make dining at home more delicious. And 2020, bless its heart, definitely delivered on that. Here’s the top 2020 food news, from technological advancements to new vegan products and beyond.
Fast Food Goes (More) Vegan
In 2019, Burger King shook the fast food world when it launched the Impossible Whopper. No longer would busy, hungry people looking for a meat-free meal have to settle for fries and questionable iceberg lettuce “salad.” We have burgers now. Plant-based burgers that don’t suck.
2020 saw progress, too: The biggest of all was McDonald’s, which announced the McPlant (and received plenty of flack online for the name). According to the chain, the McPlant is a burger (and we need to wait until next year for it to hit US test markets), but in the future, the name could represent a number of plant-based menu items, including chicken, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Pizza Hut US and UK both launched Beyond Meat toppings (but sadly, it’s only a trial in the US), Subway Canada launched vegan meatball sandwiches, and KFC in the US expanded its plant-based chicken trials.
Starbucks launched a vegetarian breakfast sandwich featuring Impossible meat, but a little shop just outside of Seattle has trialed a vegan version (plus dairy-free cream cheese). On top of that, Yum Brand franchises in China — Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC — put plant-based meat on the menu, signaling increased demand for alternative proteins in East Asia.
Due to COVID-19, many restaurants, both the big chains and independent operations, faced uncertainty this year. But with an approved vaccine rolling out, perhaps 2021 will be a year that the aforementioned trials and announcements hit permanent menus.
New Products (at Better Prices)
Fast food delivered, but so did the availability of new vegan products. Beyond Meat launched Breakfast Sausage Links, Beyond Breakfast Sausage patties, and Beyond Meatballs. It also closed out the year by announcing two new versions of its flagship Beyond Burger. The new patties are lower in fat and more nutritionally equivalent to beef, right down to containing vitamin B12.
Supermarkets are showing that they know the value of offering more vegan products. Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the US, expanded its private label vegan brand with 50 new products. Target launched private label burgers that look similar to the Beyond Burger. Trader Joe’s stepped it up with a bunch of new vegan products, from vegan milk chocolate to dairy-free mac and cheese, dairy-free milk, and, as always, plenty of snacks. Oh, and it carries the Impossible Burger at a more affordable price than other supermarkets.
And in the UK, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsburys, and others introduced even more private label vegan products, making those of us who live stateside very, very jealous. Asda introduced dedicated vegan aisles to make finding products even easier. (That said, vegan products reel in cash even among animal-based counterparts: in a study, Kroger found that plant-based meat sales increase 23 percent when staged next to packaged meat.)
The New ‘Space Race’
Some of the most exciting news didn’t happen until the end of the year. While plant-based protein has firmly established itself in mainstream food spaces, cultured meat — also known as cell-based meat, clean meat, and lab-grown meat — is just getting started.
Cultured meat is identical to its conventional counterpart, but raising and slaughtering the animal is left out of the process. If you think that sounds like something out of a mid-century science fiction novel, you’re not far off: scientists take real animal cells, place them in a specialized environment, and feed them nutrients to help them grow real muscle and tissue — real meat, without the animal.
It’s still very much in its nascent stage, but late this year, San Francisco-based food technology company Eat Just earned the Singaporean government’s approval to bring cultured chicken meat to market.
This was shortly after Singapore-based startup Shiok Meats held a tasting event for cultured lobster meat. The scientist-led company seeks to also gain the Singapore government’s approval (the emergence of Singapore as a food technology hub is part of the nation’s plan to produce more food locally).
Land animals tend to be the center of conversations around the connection between animal agriculture and carbon emissions. But, the fishing industry is also a large source of carbon emissions. Plus, overfishing is a threat to marine biodiversity. The team at Shiok Meats aims to address that with cultured seafood.
That’s not all for cultured meat. Israel’s SuperMeat opened a small restaurant to serve its chicken and gain customer feedback. And protein isn’t all that’s emerging from the burgeoning cultured food space. Also in Israel, Meat-Tech 3D, the only publicly listed cultured meat producer, invested $1 million in cultured fat startup Peace of Meat as part of a full acquisition. Cultured fat has numerous applications. Producers could combine it with plant protein to create “hybrid” products with improved aromas, flavors, and textures compared to purely vegan meat.
Fast food is eyeing the cultured meat space, too. KFC announced that it is working with Russian biotechnology firm, 3D Bioprinting Solutions, to develop slaughter-free chicken.
Alternative Proteins = Big Money
Food technology is venture capital’s new best friend. This year, the alternative proteins — that’s plant-based, cultured, and fermented (think microalgae, mycoprotein, or plant-based fermented dairy proteins) — attracted a record $1.5 billion in investments. And that’s according to a report released by the Good Food Institute this September. Brands have attracted even more money since then. Hong Kong’s Avant Meats recently raised $3.1 million to make cell-based seafood. Tel Aviv’s SavorEats raised $13 million after going public on Israel’s stock exchange.
And speaking of going public, several companies — Canada’s Eat Beyond, Natural Order Acquisition Corp., Thailand’s NR Instant Produce Pcl, and The Very Good Food Company — carried out IPOs.
Innovation was all around us this year. In the grander scheme of the plant-based food space, the Netherlands is emerging as a leader in innovation. Plant protein has dominated the majority of conversations surrounding technological innovation up until now.
But now, we’re seeing more aspects of food technology enter the space, like fat, fragrance, and flavor, all of which also play an important role in producing food that tastes appealing. Heck, 40 percent of the world’s top food brands have plant-based innovation departments, according to a report from this summer.
AAK, a company that specializes in oils, is opening a plant-based innovation center in the Netherlands. There, it will leverage more than a century of knowledge to develop fats that make vegan food taste more appealing. Givaudan, a global leader in flavors and fragrances, and Swiss food technology provider Bühler Holding AG, announced a plant-based innovation center in Singapore. Manufacturers are exploring alternatives to carmine. This red food dye traditionally derived from insects could help plant-based meat change color from pink to brown when cooked.
A number of startups that are developing new types of alternative proteins have made progress. Nature’s Fynd, a startup that makes sustainable protein from volcanic fungi, raised $45 million.
Last year, market research firm GlobalData predicted that 3D printed meat would become more mainstream in 2020. And, progress did indeed happen. Startups such as Redefine Meat and SavorEats both raised millions to further R&D and to help scale up production.
Dairy won’t be left out, either. Progress has been made with vegan dairy. Several companies can now make plant-based whey and casein, the main proteins found in dairy, via fermentation. Perfect Day Foods launched Brave Robot, a vegan ice cream brand, leveraging this new technology. And Impossible Foods unveiled the prototype for Impossible Milk, and is taking a similar approach to its plant-based meat. Impossible Milk, it says, will taste and behave just like dairy (so it’ll blend seamlessly into your coffee).
Vienna-based cellular technology company Legendary Vish developed a process for 3D printed fish, which bodes well for sushi and fillets.
This changed the way we eat — food industry experts agree on that. But, it was also a year of behind-the-scenes changes paving the way for a brighter — and kinder — future.


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Plan UK's recent ad used facial recognition software in conjunction with an HD camera to determine whether a man or woman was standing in front of the screen, and then showed different content accordingly.
Regular readers of Springwise may remember The Girl Store which we covered last year — an initiative set up to address the disadvantages and lack of opportunities many girls and women face outside of the developed world. Now we’ve come across a new, interactive bus-stop ad that recently drew attention to the issue of gender inequality in a unique way. Trialled for two weeks last month in an Oxford Street bus stop, Plan UK’s ad used facial recognition software in conjunction with an HD camera to determine whether a man or woman was standing in front of the screen, and then showed different content accordingly. Some 75 million girls around the world now have limited access to education, and 10 million girls in developing countries each year are coerced or forced into marriage while under the age of 18, according to Plan UK. As part of the group’s “Because I am a Girl” campaign to highlight such problems, the new “40-second Choices for Girls” advert showcases three 13-year-old girls: Jasmine from the UK, Bintou from Mali and Sur from Thailand. Even more compelling than the content of the ad, however, was that men and women at the Oxford Street bus stop saw different versions of the advert, once they opted in. After the technology scanned the viewer’s face, women were shown the full advert, complete with details about the three profiled girls’ lives; men, however, were denied access to the complete ad and shown a series of statistics about girls around the globe instead. The video below explains the campaign’s premise in more detail: Combining facial recognition, touch capabilities and sound, Plan UK’s ad is a good example of how technology can be used to enforce an advert’s message, rather than simply delivering it. Marketers around the globe, take note! Spotted by: Parul Rohatgi


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Final Fantasy XII in stores on Halloween
Latest in long-running series from Square Enix gets a street date of October 31; first details on limited-edition package revealed.
We'll begin emailing you updates about %gameName%.
Gamers who've already made plans for Halloween this year might have to rethink them. Square Enix today announced that it will release Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 2 in North America on October 31.
The publisher is releasing the game in both a standard package ($49.99) and a Collector's Edition ($59.99), the latter of which will be available exclusively through GameStop and EB Games. For the extra $10, gamers will get a bonus DVD with developer interviews, featurettes about the series, Japanese and American promotional trailers, and an art gallery.
A playable demo of the game was included in last year's major Square Enix role-playing game, Dragon Quest VIII, while Japanese gamers got the chance to get their hands on the game when it was released in that country in March. Check out GameSpot's hands-on impressions of the final Japanese retail version for more.


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WATERFRONT technology specialist Kalmar is to introduce a medium electric forklift powered by lithium-ion battery technology.
The new forklift is said to be the company’s latest step on the company’s journey towards offering an electric version of every product in its portfolio by 2021.
According to the company, it is the first forklift in the medium-capacity range to be powered by Li-ion batteries and the battery technology initially is to be available for several models with a wheelbase of 3500mm.
Kalmar has history in the electric equipment arena, having launched its first light electric forklift truck in 1979, followed by the industry’s first Li-ion powered light electric forklift in 2016.
Kalmar has also launched electric powered versions of its empty container handlers, Ottawa terminal tractors, shuttle and straddle carriers, automated guided vehicles and yard cranes.
The concept aims to boost compliance with “increasingly strict environmental legislation”, cut fuel costs and simplify maintenance processes.
Kalmar’s electric forklift offering is available with a choice of lead-acid or Li-ion battery technology.
Li-ion batteries are said to be good for multi-shift operation models as they can be fast-charged during breaks in work, improving the productivity of forklifts.
According to Kalmar, a full charge can be achieved in less than two hours.
Kalmar vice president forklifts, Stefan Hultqvist, was enthusiastic about the concept.
“We’re delighted to be able to announce yet another industry first as we continue our drive to provide customers with innovative new eco-efficient, reliable and easy-to-maintain machines to help them achieve their business goals,” Mr Hultqvist said.
“Demand for electrically powered forklifts is rising all the time, and now we can offer our customers even greater convenience and environmental performance in the medium lifting capacity range.”


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A few years ago, Cann co-founders Luke Anderson and Jake Bullock set out to create a THC-microdosed drink that delivered a tasty, healthy buzz without making you feel terrible the next day.
This month they’re celebrating the sale of their ten-millionth can of Cann, further proof that cannabis-infused beverages continue to surge in popularity.
“There are people out there looking for alcohol substitutes and entry points into cannabis that have really fallen in love with the product,” Anderson said on the Green Entrepreneur Podcast. “And we hope there’s a hundred-million milestone coming up in just a few years.”
Related: Will Sales of Weed-Infused Beverages Overtake Beer, Wine and Spirits?
A brief history of Cann
Cann offers a range of microdosed, non-alcoholic beverages with a strength similar to a beer or glass of wine. Their drinks are vegan, gluten-free, and low in calories. The company launched in California, but can now also be found in Nevada, Illinois, Massachusetts, Arizona, and Ontario and British Columbia in Canada.
Anderson and Bullock have been friends for ten years. The two met at Bain & Company, a global management consulting company, where they learned the inner workings of the consumer packaged goods business.
While in their 20s, Anderson and Bullock found themselves partying too hard and drinking a lot of alcohol. “We both were closeted queer people trying to navigate this identity crisis and were medicating essentially with booze,” says Anderson.
Eager to find a way to drink socially while not killing themselves, they dreamt up the idea of a 2 mg THC beverage. After a few years of perfecting the formulations, designing the brand, and raising money, they brought Cann to market in 2019.
“Nobody had ever made a microdose THC beverage and commercialized it successfully beforehand,” Anderson says. “You have to be a little bit delusional and insane to try to create something outta nothing.”
In this case, ignorance was bliss. The brand began to take off and captured the attention of some big-name celebs.
One of the secrets to the brand’s success is its marketing strategy. Cann is backed by celebrities with diverse backgrounds in wellness, activism, and philanthropy, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Baron Davis, Rebel Wilson, Rosario Dawson, Darren Criss, Casey Niestat, and Tove Lo.
Says Anderson, “They truly have been the most incredible business partners. They believe in the vision, and because they’re investors, it’s very different from a celebrity deal. It’s not about the transaction. It’s about being a part of the same family and building the story together.”
Listen to our entire interview to find out how Cann went from 0 to 10 million in under three years.