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When a major supermarket chain that commands 25 percent of Australia’s retail meat sales helps to raise funds for an animal rights group with strong links to vegetarianism and veganism, debate is sure to follow.
Indeed five days of social media constroversy has raged since news emerged last week that Coles will sell shopping bags on behalf of Animals Australia in selected stores around the country.
The $1 shopping bags feature Animals Australia’s flying pig symbol and are designed to create awareness and raise funds for the group’s "Make It Possible" anti-factory farming campaign.
While the move has generated strong public support on social media for both organisations, it has also sparked a considerable backlash against the retailer from those in the rural sector.
Few names tend to set rural keyboards alight with more anger on social media than Animals Australia, with many commenters on the Coles shopping bag issue accusing the organisation of harbouring a strong anti-farming agenda, and pointing to its website www.whyveg.com as evidence of its true vegetarian and vegan motivations.
With hundreds of thousands of cattle starving in droughted-paddocks across northern Australia, and live export markets that previously provided an import destocking outlet now significantly diminished, many on social media have also pointed the finger of blame for an unfolding animal welfare crisis in northern Australia at Animals Australia based on its relentless efforts to shut down key export markets.
The National Farmers Federation sent a letter to Coles yesterday asking the retailer to “reconsider its position” in relation to Animals Australia shopping bag initiative.
“Given Animals Australia apparent aim to see animal agriculture stopped in this country, and their active support for a non-meat diet; we have to ask why Coles – who is a major supplier of fresh meat to Australian consumers, and a major customer of Australia’s meat producers – would ever consider entering into such an arrangement,” NFF chief executive officer Matt Linegar said in the letter.
“In fact, Coles’ support for an organisation that is blatantly anti-farming and proveganism is extremely concerning for the nation’s 130,000 farms, many of whom supply Coles.
“As one of our members, the Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF), wrote in a letter to Coles’ General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Robert Hadler last week on this issue: “to support Animals Australia in any way is to undermine all primary producers.
“It is extremely important that Coles note that Animals Australia is not an animal welfare group, as Coles has been purporting. They are a radical animal rights and activist group.
“As far as we are aware, they do not provide any on the ground assistance to support improving animal welfare: all funds that they raise are funneled back into campaigns that seek to attack the Australian agricultural sector and support their agenda."
'Not a PR campaign for Animals Australia: Coles
Coles told Beef Central that the inititive is linked specifically to its customer-led sow stall free pork and cage free egg initiatives, and is not designed to support any broader agenda held by Animals Australia.
“We are working with Animals Australia on a promotion to sell a limited number of shopping bags in selected stores,” Coles head of corporate communication Jon Church said.
“This is an ongoing relationship that is specifically related to Coles’ initiatives, not a PR campaign for Animals Australia.
“Our support for Animals Australia through the sale of shopping bags does not endorse any wider agenda the group may have.
“We believe in providing our customers with choice but we know they expect us to ensure that where that product choice involves an animal it is the best welfare offer possible.”
AA: 'We're not anti-farming"
Animals Australia communications manager Lisa Chalk said the Coles’ initiative was about awareness-raising first and foremost, not fundraising.
“The bags will sell for $1 which will cover our costs and any profit will be directed straight back into our Make it Possible campaign,” she said.
Ms Chalk said Coles’ support for the initiative provided a unique opportunity to remind people of the power of their choices to positively impact the treatment of animals.
“Make it Possible expresses a vision where all animals raised for food are provided with quality of life and protection from cruel treatment.
“This is a goal that most people, regardless of their personal philosophy about the use of animals, can agree with and one that has been broadly embraced by Australians from all walks of life since we launched the campaign last October.
“Coles has been a leader in the retail sector in implementing animal welfare improvements in their supply chains and we are delighted that they are helping to generate greater awareness of these issues.”
She rejected the view that Animals Australia has a vegetarian or vegan agenda.
“Animals Australia does not have an 'anti farming' agenda as is evidenced by our primary campaigns,” she said.
“We are not asking for animals exported not to be killed, we are saying that they should be slaughtered here under Australian oversight.
“Similarly, we campaign against factory farming because our policy is that animals raised for food should also be provided with quality of life and protection from cruel treatment.
“As an animal protection organisation we are always going to identify for people that not eating animals is a legitimate choice, but our goal is to see animals raised for food treated humanely and protected from cruel treatment.”
Numerous comments critical of Coles’ move described Animals Australia as an extreme and radical group with a strong anti-farming agenda, and predicted that as the organisation succeeded in its push to make livestock production less viable Australia, consumers would have to accept food produced in foreign countries with lower welfare and health standards.
Supporters of the organisation rejected the view that AA is extreme or radical, and questioned why farmers opposed moves to improve the welfare of animals in a factory farming environment.
Thousands of comments have been posted to Coles’ Facebook page in recent days; below is a small sample of comments posted for and against, but to view all comments posted visit Coles FB page here
Selected comments from Coles' Facebook page:
Ann Britton Coles Fact that Coles is sponsoring Animals Australia with shopping bags for their "make it possible" campaign which is supposed to free animals from suffering in factory farms is just so downright hypocritical it is nearly laughable if it wasn't so serious. Animals Australia has given Australian Pork hell wanting them to stop sow stalls, which they had already moved to remove by 2014, 70pc of piggery's voluntarily went sow stall free before this move was put in place 2010.
Coles yes Coles imports pork from countries overseas that aren't sow stall free.
Animals Australia has nothing to do with #AW, their agenda is pushing their vegan wagon, they use the word speciest, look it up in the Urban Dictionary for true definition. Please do your voting for farmers with your feet & walk down down down to another shop other than Coles.
Aaron Cross Animals are here with us not for us.
Kerri V Bryant: Thank you Coles for taking the step to improve animal welfare standards – I'm rather shocked though about the amount of farmers voicing their disapproval for this. Seems to me, despite what they say, animals welfare isn't high on their list of priorities.
Kirsty Forshaw Very disappointing to hear coles are considering a promotion with animals Australia. There are plenty of great ways coles can show they support animal welfare AND farmers/pastoralists at the same time. What about a joint campaign "Coles and Australian farmers unite to support animal welfare" we care for animal welfare more than Animals australia and we are with animals everyday. I have lots of other ideas too. We can implement the better welfare practices. It would also show Coles are supporting rural australia in tough times – this will just ruin us. — at Nita Downs Station – Broome WA .
Clare: So glad to hear you're working with Animals Australia. Caring Australians want to know that animals raised for food in this country are treated kindly and not cruelly. I will be shopping at Coles!
Thomas Marsden Great to see ur selling animals oz bags! It's a good reminder for people to leave cage eggs and other nasties on the shelves. You're not only supporting those farmers who treat their animals properly but you are listening to your customers so thank you!
Erin Murray There is no such thing as "farmers who treat their animals properly". Treating animals properly would mean not farming them in the first place…
Elisha Seekamp Coles I am disappointed about your decision to financially assist Animals Australia by selling bags in your stores. I heard the interview with Coles marketing manager on ABC radio today and his argument was that Coles only supports the sow stall free pork campaign however clearly by financially assisting AA with the sale of bags they will use funds for all/any of their campaigns including their campaigns for humans to become vegans and stop the consumption of red meat. AA does not put one cent towards the welfare of animals except towards funding media campaigns and signing up more activitists. It would be different if you were supporting an organisation that actually cared about the welfare of animals and an organisation that put funding towards such welfare. AA is nowhere to be seen in the midst of the drought affected areas in Qld and the NT yet apparently they care about the welfare of cattle. I urge you to reconsider your relationship with Animals Australia and I also advise that I will no longer be shopping at Coles.
Stuart Cameron Seems Animals Australia has lost a lot of credibility in accepting money from a corporation like Wesfarmers..The more meat and dairy foods they sell the more bags they might sell..the more money to AA – very hypocritical…
Michael Sutherland Warrick – you'll find a lot of us don't really care about what the ban on live exports is doing to the farmers who sell their animals. I don't feel a single ounce of sympathy for someone who knowingly sends their animals overseas, live, to make a buck from their suffering.
Blinky Bill I hope all the animal farmers go broke. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Sallie Rayner How is supporting better welfare for animals destroying the Australian livestock industry? Shouldn't better welfare be a good thing from the perspective of that industry? If it's not, the problem doesn't lie with Animals Australia.
Rebecca Long Sallie, no one has an issue with better animal welfare and I would think most of the farmer posters on here also do not agree with cage farming. But why they are up in arms is because AA want to end all animal farming entirely…… You know this but continue to try and shift the focus.
Adam Twigg Congratulations Coles on removing negative comments from your page to make it look like everyone loves your decisions. Very ethical company.Rae Motteram Consumers now realize exactly where their meat and eggs come from….the suffering of animals..!!! We are watching closely those huge supermarket chains and their stance of this… Thankyou if you are contemplating using the bags to further raise awareness….cheers…
Jenny Esots Coles should be commended for responding to their customers and wanting to give animals a better quality of life by moving towards being a major Australian supermarket that depends less on factory farmed products. But sadly, those with vested interests in cruel industries are trying hard to dissuade Coles from supporting the Make it Possible campaign.
Dale Stiller Coles you don't have a clue about animal welfare, This is only a cynical marketing ploy on your behalf. You are yet to realise that you are pandering to a noisy minority and may yet loose the majority of consumers.
Talia Hoysted Thanks Coles for your support of Animal Australia's Make It Possible Campaign. I am a vegan and do not support eating animal products at all but the reduction and eventual end of factory farming is a great start in reducing the suffering of billions of animals. You're doing a great job.
Heath Stewart Am I the only person to see the irony in Coles (and Woolworth in duopoly) screwing down prices on farmers to appease customers and shareholders causing farmers to factory farm as the only way to remain viable, then rather than support the producer to free range more and pass on the cost to the consumer, you call them unethical and support a well meaning but ridiculously idealistic organisation such as AA?
What's going to happen when you bankrupt the agricultural industry? Import meat from overseas?
Joanne Chambers I appreciate that you are not directly supporting the "other activities" conducted by Animals Australia, but unfortunately by providing ANY financial support to this organisation you are directly supporting ALL activities undertaken by them. It cannot be separated. We supply prime lamb to you, how about you work directly with us and other producers to show how high our animal welfare standards already are, and how hard we are always working to improve conditions?
Sheena O'Brien Have just heard Coles is thinking of selling bags to raise funds for Animals Australia. People if you want to eat meat, fruit, dairy and vegetables that are produced under clean safe methods please support Aussie farmers and not minority activist groups. We have great safe food.
Julie Freytag thank you for trying to end factory farming and supporting Make it Possible. It is heartwarming to know that even large companies are able to take the time to care and helps restore a little faith in business these days. Keep it up and please know this will keep your customers coming back! THANK YOU!
Steve Kolb Dear Coles, with all due respect, there is a big difference in consulting with various groups and directly raising money for an animal rights organisation, as distinct from one which is about animal welfare and undertakes work like the RSPCA does. If you can show me the animals fed or rehoused by Animals Australia, go right ahead. Money raised by Animals Australia is used against farmers, as with their anti lamb campaign. As a regular customer of Coles and as a shareholder, I along with many others, would like to loudly protest!
Shane Glancy Yes Coles as a shareholder and a farmer I would like to know why you are supporting a group that is against farming. As you are a part of Wesfarmers I think alot of you shareholers would like to know why you are doing this. I will not be shopping at coles anymore and I will be sharing this information to every farming group on facebook I can find.


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International Finance Corporation (IFC) today launched a $225 million venture capital platform to support early stage startups in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Pakistan.
The IFC, a member of the World Bank, will make equity and “equity-like” investments in technology startups to “turn them into scalable investments that can attract mainstream equity and debt financing.”
The institution said in a statement that it will use the sector-agnostic platform to work closely with other World Bank members to support regulatory reforms, sector analytics and other changes that can grow venture capital ecosystems in these regions.
IFC will also raise capital from other development institutions and the private sector. It has so far received $50 million in additional support from a blended finance facility from the International Development Association’s private sector window that leverages investment in low-income countries.
“Supporting entrepreneurship and digital transformation is essential for economic growth, job creation and resilience,” said IFC CEO Mukhtar Diop in a statement shared with TechCrunch.
IFC’s venture capital platform helps technology companies and entrepreneurs create scalable investment opportunities in times of capital scarcity and supports countries’ efforts to build transformative technology ecosystems. We want to help develop domestic innovative solutions that are not only relevant to emerging countries, but can also be exported to other parts of the world.
IFC’s focus areas continue to receive a small percentage of global capital funding, and the institution hopes to help close a gap that has been worsened by sluggish funding from macroeconomic headwinds.
The new platform adds to IFC’s Startup Catalyst program, which is part of its investment and efforts to tap technology ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Pakistan.
The institution has so far made a direct investment in Twiga Foods, a food distribution platform in Kenya. TradeDepot, a B2B e-commerce startup that connects brands with retailers. and Toters, an on-demand delivery platform in Lebanon and Iraq. The company plans to use this platform to invest in areas beyond the main centers such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal and South Africa.

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Is the African Free Trade Area’s first big debate going to be about taxes on online purchases?
The rapid growth of the digital economy in many African countries has led to concerns about whether their tax regimes are equipped to deal with this new phenomenon. The shift from traditional bricks and mortar commercial environment to one that is electronic and information-based poses serious and substantial challenges to traditional tax regimes. African revenue authorities face the daunting task of protecting their revenue base without hindering either the development and use of new technologies or the involvement of the business community in the emerging e-marketplace. Presently African countries apply different approaches. For example, SA partially follows the so-called de minibus rule favoured by Europe and North America, which argues that collecting customs duties on very small amounts costs the customs authority more than the value of the duty. The SA allows consumers to import two purchases of less than $20 per year bought online (this is considerably less than a person can bring in physically through a frontier customs post). The discussion is how African countries can participate in the multilateral discussions on the reform of international taxation guidelines, which are needed to deal with the challenges of the digital economy. In particular, African countries and the Developed World must recognised that African challenges are different from those of developed countries and therefore their solutions will have to be uniquely African.
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DUSSELDORF. The textile manufacturer Tom Tailor aims in the first half of 2010 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Kenner is a company that the IPO, expected within the limits of Tom Tailor proceeds from a capital increase of around 140 million euros, planned before Easter. The money, the Hamburg-based company announced yesterday, should be placed primarily in the growth of its own stores and used to reduce debts. Existing shareholders also wanted to separate some of its shares, said Tom Tailor. JP Morgan and Commerzbank are to accompany the IPO as lead managers. "We want our business model to systematically expand in our core markets and accelerate our growth so substantially again," said CEO Dieter Holzer.
Founded in 1962, the fashion label Tom Tailor since 2005 the majority of the investment company Alpha – just like the shirt manufacturer Eterna – Holzer, the managing director and was involved with five percent. The former manager Tommy Hilfiger tightened the structure by replacing the free agents such as through our own sales offices. In addition, he expanded the brand’s presence in retailing with new shops and a wider collection.
The result: In 2009 Tom Tailor increased sales by 5.9 percent to 300.2 million euros. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 71 percent to 37.8 million euros in 2009. In Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, the company had 87 of their own stores, 1108 will shop-in-shops and markets also strengthened its fashion over the Internet.
Tom Tailor is not the first company to venture that deals with stock plans to the public. The chemical distributor Brenntag, the cable operator KDG and the food IFR Holding the former Giant Heiner Kamps bakery and dairy giant Muller, Theo was in the past few days the stock market plans as three well-known candidate known. Also in other European countries like France, the pipeline is well filled.
The problem at the moment, however, contribute to market volatility as well as discussions on the debt of Greece and potentially rising interest rates. Even that most European IPOs this year under its note issue price, reduced the interest of investors and presses the issue prices.


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A closer look at the Harley-born EV brand’s second electric motorcycle.
Earlier this week we shared the unveiling of the LiveWire Launch Edition S2 Del Mar, a special limited-run iteration of the upcoming second production electric motorcycle coming from Harley-Davidson spinoff EV label LiveWire.
Related: Harley Confirms Next LiveWire Electric Motorcycle
The first bike built on LiveWire’s S2 Arrow architecture, the Launch Edition will retail for $17,699, and S2 Del Mar models are expected to follow with a target MSRP of $15,000.
Related: Demo a LiveWire at New Malibu Experience Center
Morgan Gales of Cycle Volta sibling titles MotorcycleCruiser.com and CycleWorld.com was at the Launch Edition’s official unveiling this week and got a closer look at the flat-track-inspired EV for us.


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This post is by Stephan Loerk, managing director of the World Federation of Advertisers.
Every New Year comes with three things attached: new trends and projects, a continuation of the same and the odd surprise.
2015 will be no different. We will all still have to deal with the economic uncertainty that has bedeviled us since 2008.
My conversations with marketers indicate that the prognosis is more bullish in the US, but also that the slowdown of high-growth markets such as Brazil and China and geopolitical uncertainties are taking a toll on overall levels of confidence.
Continental Europe, in particular, remains mired in uncertainty as the Eurozone continues its efforts to kick start growth.
But global companies are not standing still and waiting for the economic good news to come to them. The bold ones are taking radical steps and regard digital as a means of transforming whole companies, not just their marketing.
L’Oreal’s appointment of Lubomira Rochet to its executive committee as Chief Digital Officer is something we’ll be seeing more frequently in the future.
The stakes to get the digital transformation right in our industry are so high that we need to take very seriously evidence of the significant fraud in the digital ad market. A report from our US member association, the ANA, and web security investigators White Ops found that online video traffic inflated by robots will cost brands an estimated $6.3bn in 2015.
Such findings make it harder to argue the case for the power of digital to transform growth prospects both for the wider company and within the marketing department. They require determined and concerted action in the US, and also globally, to eradicate the problem and create the basis for the sustainable growth of the digital ecosystem. WFA is committed to contribute to it.
There is also something new for the WFA in 2015. With the Global Marketer Week taking place in Africa for the first time, my team and many of our members are very excited about the prospects for this region.
Figures from the World Bank predict that GDP should hit 4.6% in 2015 for sub-Saharan Africa, rising to 5.1% in 2017 and many of our company members see a major opportunity.
At the WFA, we have doubled the number of national associations from Africa within our membership in recent months. Joining Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa in the WFA family in 2015 are Cameroon, Kenya and Zimbabwe, with the prospect of more to come.
This expansion empowers us to connect more global marketers with local experts to understand the opportunities across the diverse countries of Africa, while also offering our powerful peer-to-peer support networks to marketers within these countries.
I look forward to welcoming you all to Marrakech in March for this celebration of global growth, the prospects for Africa and global innovation.
My surprise for 2015 won’t be a surprise to those who understand fast-growth markets. The first new corporate member to join WFA this year is Vestel, a Turkish home and professional appliances manufacturing company. It joins its ‘compatriots’ Yildiz Holding (owner of Ülker foods, Godiva Cholates and 63 other companies) and Turkcell.
Many of you have may not have heard of Vestel but it’s already the largest TV producer in Europe, accounting for a quarter of the market. It has an incredible growth story since it was founded in 1984.
Joining the WFA is a clear statement of intent about the scale of their ambition. For me personally, it’s also recognition that there is more need than ever for the WFA and its services for brand owners in fast growth markets and beyond.
Here’s to more growth in 2015!


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Cryptocurrency is revolutionizing the way that people see money and currencies. Blockchain has made faster transactions and more sophisticated computations possible. Many people consider Bitcoin to be one of the most influential coins around, so much so that all the other crypto coins are merely altcoins or alternative currencies because they’re just alternatives to Bitcoin. In this BTC Trading Inc review, Elon Musk talks about Bitcoin and what he thinks of the cryptocurrency space.
Bitcoin can go up to $10,000 by early February, according to the forecast. Tim Draper, an expert investor, advises millennials to invest in Bitcoin. According to him, salaries don’t allow millennials to pay a debt, so they are renters than buyers.
That’s why he advised them to invest in retirement and invest in Bitcoins, with recommendations from BTC Trading Inc Review.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, could become the first trillionaire of the world. He’s trying to revolutionize the future. Currently, he owns 30 percent of Tesla shares. Manipulation can happen if the market cap is low. However, Tesla is a trillion-dollar company that is hard to manipulate by crypto investors alone.
This TESLA’s big boss is neutral about Bitcoin and its future. He’s a tech businessman who knows the impacts of Bitcoin soon, given his experience and skills. And why not, he Elon founded X.com in 1999, an online bank that later merged and became PayPal. He, of all people, knows the value of currencies.
Elon Musk refers to the white paper of Satoshi as pretty clever in a podcast interview. Also, he set an expectation that his stance on crypto that will likely get people angry. Crypto comes as an illegal-to-legal bridge, which allows the occurrence of illegal transactions or transactions not bounded by the law.
Even if his statement brings the negative connotation of cryptocurrencies used for illegal purposes, the Tesla CEO emphasized that he is not judgmental about crypto because the governments tend to overreach in some aspects on how to perceive and create laws for what is legal from illegal.
Tesla is building gigantic infrastructures and products. This tech company is not losing a company because the stock is going up and increased user growth. It is similar to Bitcoin users, and many are now using this cryptocurrency, as evidenced by growing IP addresses, which means more users. Bitcoin behaves like a tech company that will be soaring high in the future.
While you can use paper bills legally and illegally, Elon Musk’s stance on Bitcoin is a true businessman’s perception of the real value of currencies. Whether it’s US dollar currency and any other foreign currencies, or Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, the governments play a crucial role in their demand and value.
In this BTC Trading Inc review, Elon Musk gives a practical stance on the current digital coins. Indeed, government regulation will ultimately determine the value and longevity of Bitcoin and its peers. As a true patron of science, he’s willing to keep his mind open to the future.


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SEATTLE — A long-time staple in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood is closing its doors. A Safeway is being redeveloped into a new seven-story multi-use building.
"You're either growing or dying when it comes to business, and the development world is the same way. The store is an older building," said Doc Shampine who was shopping at Safeway.
The Safeway located off Queen Anne Avenue and Crockett Street was purchased by a company based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and the company aims to turn it into housing while leaving space for the Safeway on the ground floor.
The project is similar to a proposal at the University Village shopping district, where developers are proposing an eight-story mixed-use building over an existing Safeway.
The proposed building in Queen Anne will contain approximately 324 residential units and 50,000 square feet of space for a new Safeway store on the first floor.
"[It's] for the good of businesses because you have to keep customers coming and paying, and if you don't, they go out of business. Then the customers don't have anywhere to go," said Charley Shore, the executive director of the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce.
Shore said what to do with the space has been a hot-button topic for a couple of years. She said the chamber has more than 300 members, each with mixed feelings.
"It's never a great time for all, but it's part of the growth thing, and let's just hope that it doesn't disrupt too much of the upper on Queen Anne Avenue," said Shore.
Along with construction, others are concerned about parking and how it will look in the historic neighborhood.
"You put a seven-story building up full of apartments and stuff. Where are these people going to park? Because it sure doesn't seem to be any parking around here already,” said Shampine.
According to the proposed plan, 323 parking stalls will be constructed for the new building. Despite some short-term ramifications for the neighborhood, Shore believes it's all worth it in the end.
"You do things for the good of all, not just a few," said Shore.
KING 5 did reach out to the developers but didn't hear back, so it's unclear on a timeline for construction.
The Safeway manager said the store will close in early June.


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4 November 2010 –
The Cipriani family is expanding its empire, announcing a new project in Abu Dhabi as part of the multibillion dollar Yas Island Project. The partnership will bring Cipriani to the Yas Yacht Club, Abu Dhabi’s first official yacht club. Cipriani, the four generation family that operates in New York, Los Angeles, London, Venice, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Porto Cervo Sardinia, will open their signature Italian restaurant, a Wine and Bellini Room, “Yotto” their first and only Japanese restaurant, a cigar lounge, “Allure” a nightclub, a private member’s yacht club and catering facilities.
The Yas Yacht Club, whose interior is designed by celebrated Italian architect Michele Bonan, is set to open November 12-14, which coincides with the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island. Earlier this week, Dilbar, one of the world’s largest yachts arrived in the marina as part of the build up to the upcoming Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Measuring in at an overall length of over 360 feet, Dilbar is one of the largest yachts in the world. She was custom built in 2008 by Lurssen Yachts with exterior designing by Tim Heywood and interiors by Alberto Pinto.
Mohamed Bin Jabr Al Suwaidi, co-founder and co-chairman of The Destination, said: ‘I am very excited to bring such a world renowned brand to Abu Dhabi, and especially to have been a pioneer investor in the Yas Island project.’
Ali Jassim, co-founder and co-chairman of The Destination, said the company was delighted to bring a name synonymous with one of the world’s greatest in luxury hospitality, quality and service.
“The level of exclusivity the venues and members will enjoy are second to none and have as yet never been available in the Middle East,” said Giuseppe Cipriani. “Both Cipriani and the Yas Yacht Club venue fit well and are sure to create a recipe for unmatched experiences on the Yas Island.”
For more information visit: www.cipriani.com


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The first two resolutions that require a municipality to become a Blue Community are obvious – recognizing water as a human right and promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services go without saying.
But the third resolution, banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events, wades into the arena of unfair competition, and it also contradicts current municipal policy.
It’s no wonder council had such difficulty with it.
On the former point, is it realistic, or even legal, to ban a product that is perfectly healthy for the people who choose consume it? Is it government’s place to eliminate a choice for its residents?
One aspect of council’s decision focused on reducing greenhouse gases. Producing and shipping bottled water does generate greenhouse gases, but under that auspice, should we not ban all vending machine drinks, or any other product that comes wrapped in plastic and is shipped?
For people who prefer not to drink out of public fountains, and many don’t, bottled water provides an alternative to fountain water and sugary drinks like pop and juice. Which brings us to the city’s Healthy Choices policy, established in 2008. That policy aimed to provide more healthy choices for people purchasing products at city facilities and concessions in an effort to promote activity and good health.
By banning the sale of bottled water, people using city facilities now must choose between drinking fountains and sugary drinks, or they have to bring their own water, likely bottled water from another vendor.
There is no real reason to ban bottled water. Municipalities have every opportunity to promote their own water services without washing away people’s choice.


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AS Aldi’s WA invasion gathers steam, local retailers say they welcome the competition from the German discount juggernaut.
Already entrenched as Australia's third-largest grocery retailer, Aldi will open its first Perth store in Bemlont tomorrow and has planned to have 20 open by year’s end.
Aldi’s business model involves smaller stores stocking a smaller range of products (around 900), thereby saving on rent and passing these cost cuts on to consumers. Since it opened its first Australian store in January 2001, Aldi has taken the east coast by storm and now occupies 12.1 per cent of Australia's supermarket space – developing a cultlike following among its devotees.
Woolworths is still the market leader, with 37.3 per cent, while Coles has 32.5 per cent. IGA holds on to 9.7 per cent market share.
In the past three years, Aldi has taken its annual sales past $8 billion, and the push into WA is part of the retailer’s plan to boost store numbers from 373 to 628 by 2020.
With new Aldi stores set to open in Mirrabooka, Kwinana, Belmont and Joondalup, the WA grocery sector is set for its biggest shake-up in years.
But Grant Ramage, WA General Manager of Metcash Food and Grocery Supermarkets, owner of the IGA brand, said his organisation welcomed the arrival.
“We think competition is good for shoppers in WA,” Mr Ramage said.
Woolworths, too, is unfazed by Aldi’s imminent arrival.
Coles said it would not comment on competitors.


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How do you create a Google Doodle that fairly represents women of all shapes and sizes? That was the challenge for Doodle artist Betsy Bauer, who designed today’s tribute to half the world’s population in celebration International Women’s Day 2013.
Indeed, Google’s special logo today tries to include as many different female faces as it can. And Bauer cleverly used the negative white space around those faces to create Google’s letters.
You can also see some alternative International Women’s Day 2013 illustrations that didn’t make the cut here.
Every March 8 is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women through thousands of events held around the globe, as well as highlighting gender inequalities. This year’s theme is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.” You can learn more on the official International Women's Day site.
This Year's Premier Digital Marketing Event is #CZLSF
ClickZ Live San Francisco (Aug 11-14) will bring together the industry's leading online marketing practitioners to deliver 4 days of educational sessions and training workshops. From Data-Driven Marketing to Social, Mobile, Display, Search and Email, the comprehensive agenda will help you maximize your marketing efforts and ROI. Register today!


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Breaking barriers: Fostering trade
Singapore's Air Cargo Day was a collaborative event, between IATA and SAA@Singapore, the local forwarders association, that took place on 2 November 2017. The theme of the event was 'Airfreight frontiers: breaking barriers, fostering trade.' The event focused on air cargo as a trade facilitator, providing critical connectivity for the global economy, while also identifying the need for supply chain stakeholders to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the industry.
Relevant, reliable air cargo industry
Ms. Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State, opened the event by highlighting the value of air cargo and the growth from the air cargo sector while acknowledging the challenges faced in the air freight industry; reducing air freight costs and reinvent processes through better technology use and innovation.
Glyn Hughes, Global Head of Cargo, presented on digital cargo transformation also highlighting the need to modernize air cargo standards, drive change, explore new technologies, to keep air cargo relevant, reliable and keep up with the growth.
The event was broken down into three sections:
- Understanding air cargo's security and safety
- Maintaining a competitive edge
- Breaking barriers: building collaborative relationships
Security and Safety
Security was brought to the forefront as a critical element in the air cargo supply chain, with regulators and industry working closely together to further secure the supply chain and safeguard the flow of commerce. A number of initatives are in place including; Advance Cargo Information (ACI), Consignment Security Declaration (CSD), Cargo Security and Capacity building program, Compliance with the ACC3 validation process.
With the growth of self-powered technology causing an exponential growth in the manufacturing of lithium batteries, the market has become a target for counterfeit and poor quality batteries and in turn, impacts the effective management of border controls and safety in the transport of these goods.
Maintaining a competitive edge
Changi Airport Group provided a glimpse into their program to become a global air cargo hub. International Enterprise Singapore also emphasized the importance of the State's Free Trade Agreement (FTA) network, which encourages and promotes business to trade both regionally and internationally. With the regional economic growth expected to accelerate trade, the state needs to leverage its existing FTAs to continuously expand the network.
The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that once ran between China and the West during the Roman Empire, tracing how the oriental silk made its way to Europe. China has resurrected the initiative with a double trade corridor to reopen channels between the state and its western neighbors in central Asia, MiddleEast and Europe. The program will encompass both land ("Belt") and maritime ("Road") routes with the goal of improving trade relations in the region through infrastructure investments. The Hong Kong Trade Development council shared how this program is expected to change the transportation landscape, not only in the region but also globally.


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The Supreme Court ruling last week in Wyeth vs. Levine opened the door for all consumers to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable when they sell unsafe products. In fact, the Court decided that these claims can now be brought in State courts.
The drug manufacturer, Wyeth, was arguing that since the FDA had approved their anti-nausea drug Phenergan, they shouldn’t be held liable for damages it caused to patients prescribed the drug. They argued that FDA approval superseded state level “failure to warn” claims. Basically, they were arguing that a drug company cannot be responsible for any damages their drugs may cause after it has been approved by the FDA.
Diane Levine sued Wyeth in Washington State Court after losing her arm to gangrene, brought on by taking Phenergan. The jury awarded Levine $6.7 million in damages. Wyeth appealed to Vermont’s Supreme Court, which upheld the jury’s decision in favor of Levine. Wyeth then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which also ruled in favor of Levine.
The big manufacturers favor “preemption”, a doctrine that holds that federal law will override state law if there is a conflict between the two. The big manufacturers also argue that the FDA is best qualified to weigh all risks and benefits associated with a drug, and if the FDA says it is OK, then nobody should be able to challenge that.
This mindset is very similar to the old cigarette company defenses. For years they argued that they complied with the federal government’s requirement to tell people that cigarettes may be hazardous to health, by placing the warning on the packs. They argued that they should not be subject to lawsuits, because they did everything that the government told them to do. (In the meantime, they place dangerous and addicting compounds into the cigarettes to get people hooked on them.)
Big manufacturers are afraid of juries. They believe if juries in state courts are given the freedom to question the FDA’s rulings, then claims against pharmaceutical companies may get out of hand. In truth, they do not want to ever be held accountable, and so they send their lobbyists and millions of lobby dollars to Washington D.C. to get laws enacted that insulate them from consumer lawsuits. Obviously, it doesn’t always work, and sometime, the consumers rightfully win.
In truth, consumer lawsuits are the only thing keeping these giant drug companies in check. The threat of litigation for years has made the products in the United States a bit more expensive perhaps, but at the same time, much safer. Isn’t it a good idea to pay a few pennies more for a product, and know that it is safe, as opposed to not having these protections?
It seems that by this decision, the Supreme Court is alerting manufacturers that they are responsible for providing appropriate information regarding risks and dangers of their products to consumers. Is that a bad thing? Certainly not. It should be a minimum that we expect, especially from these big multi-billion dollar drug manufacturers. Of course, there is always the possibility of human error and we will never be able to prevent all types of mistakes. However, that is best sorted out though the legal, civil process. That is exactly what the court are for, and cases like this are the exact reasons that our forefathers wrote a document we live by, called the US Constitution.


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The impact of Microsoft's decision to delay Vista, the next version of Windows, is still reverberating within the walls of Intel.
Speaking to a group of CNET editors and reporters Thursday at Intel's Santa Clara campus, Intel CEO Paul Otellini said the fallout from pushing Vista's release past the crucial holiday season "is still to be determined."
Paul Otellini (Credit: Dan Farber/
"We're just internalizing this," he said. "I don't think it will have a significant impact on corporate sales," but the company will have to "wait to see" how it will impact consumer sales.
As for Intel's performance on Wall Street, it was noted that shares of Intel and Microsoft have languished for five years. Otellini quickly added Dell to the list and explained that, "even though we've grown the company...there is always a collection of analysts who wonder, 'that was a great year but the PC market is going nowhere.'"That won't change "until we show them" otherwise, he said.
Has a new breed of technology companies replaced Intel in the mind of investors? Otellini responded that it's "hard for me to imagine that Google's $100 billion market cap came out of Intel. It could have come out of someone's savings account."
Otellini declined to provide specifics about Intel's performance because the company is in a quiet period ahead of the its quarterly earnings report.


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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will be making a speech at the all-virtual Jackson Hole retreat this year.
The retreat was forced to become a virtual event due to concerns around COVID-19.
Powell’s speech has taken on a new level of significance for financial markets.
And the speech comes as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose Wednesday and set all-time intraday highs for a fourth consecutive session.
Stocks have been trading near all-time highs, thanks in part to moves from the Federal Reserve and Congress, but the fate of the next round of government-led stimulus remains uncertain heading into the final months of the year.
And investors have been digesting mixed signals on the strength of the economy as the U.S. reopens amid fresh outbreaks of the coronavirus. For instance, U.S. consumer confidence in August fell to the lowest since 2014, while new home sales in July surged 13.9%, greater than expected.
On Wednesday, U.S. durable goods orders in July jumped 11.2% on strong demand for new cars and trucks. Excluding transportation, orders rose a smaller 2.4%.
While Jim Cramer thinks Jackson Hole is a non-event, he did break down what investors should be watching when Powell takes the virtual stage.
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A typical college student plays with his or her digital device an average of 11 times a day while in class, reveals study. According to a new study by a University of Nebraska-Lincoln associate professor, more than 80 percent admit that their use of smart phones, tablets and laptops can interfere with their learning.
More than a fourth said that their grades suffer as a result.
Barney McCoy, an associate professor of broadcasting, embarked upon his study after launching his teaching career seven years ago and noticing the instructional challenges presented by students' digital devices.
From the front of his classroom on multimedia, he often saw the smart phones creeping out.
The view from the back of a classroom while a colleague taught Mass Media Principles was equally telling.
Rather than rely on anecdotal evidence, McCoy decided to try to quantify how often college students tune out their instructors in favor of tweets and texts.
He also asked the students how often they are distracted by others using digital devices and for their perspective on how digital devices should be policed.
Nearly 86 percent said they were texting, 68 percent reported they were checking email, 66 percent said they using social networks, 38 percent said they were surfing the Web and 8 percent said they were playing a game.
McCoy said he was surprised by one response: 79 percent of the students said they used their digital device to check the time.
The top advantages of using digital devices for non-class purposes, according to students, are staying connected (70 percent), fighting boredom (55 percent) and doing related classwork (49 percent).
The most commonly cited disadvantages were that they don't pay attention (90 percent), miss instruction (80 percent), or get called out by their instructor (32 percent).
More than a fourth said they lose grade points because of their digital habits.
The study ias published online in the Journal of Media Education.


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Canada Digital TV News
TekSavvy TV launches Cloud PVR and advanced features
Dec 5, 2019 – TekSavvy and affiliate cable company Hastings Cable Vision have announced the launch of a Cloud PVR service and other advanced features. TekSavvy TV Cloud PVR works like a traditional PVR only now the customer can store their recorded content in the TekSavvy TV Cloud.
News categories: TekSavvy, Hastings Cable Vision, Jeremy McCarthy, Cable TV, Canada, Digital TV
StackAdapt and SpotX partner for Connected TV in Canada
Nov 25, 2019 – StackAdapt and SpotX have announced a partnership focused on Connected TV (CTV) inventory and audiences, enabling advertisers to reach Canadian viewers of OTT content. Advertisers working with StackAdapt can now access premium inventory from more than 600 media owners.
News categories: SpotX, StackAdapt, Kelly McMahon, Michael Shang, Advertising, Big Data, Canada, Digital TV, OTT
Disney+ passes 10 million sign-ups since launching
Nov 13, 2019 – Disney+, the highly anticipated streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, has already reached a major milestone, achieving a remarkable 10 million sign-ups since launching.
News categories: The Walt Disney Company, Canada, Digital TV, Netherlands, OTT, Subscribers, USA
Disney+ gets some traction, Apple TV lags in streaming wars
Nov 12, 2019 – Eagle Alpha has surveyed 5 million tweets from Twitter users in North America, excluding retweets, that mentioned Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV Plus, Hulu or Roku, to update its ongoing analysis of streaming video providers.
News categories: Eagle Alpha, Dean Barr, Big Data, Canada, Digital TV, Market Research, OTT, USA
Disney+ launches in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands
Nov 12, 2019 – Disney+, from The Walt Disney Company, is now live in the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, bringing together for the first time a lineup of content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more.
News categories: The Walt Disney Company, Robert A. Iger, Apps, Canada, Digital TV, Netherlands, OTT, USA
True Royalty TV scales D2C service with Vimeo OTT technology
Oct 29, 2019 – True Royalty TV has announced that it is using Vimeo’s OTT technology to accelerate its direct-to-consumer business. Vimeo now powers True Royalty TV in all markets, including the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
News categories: Vimeo, True Royalty TV, Kathleen Barrett, Gregor Angus, Apps, Australia, Canada, Content Distribution, Digital TV, Ireland, New Zealand, OTT, UK, USA
NVIDIA unveils SHIELD TV next generation
Oct 28, 2019 – NVIDIA has unveiled the next generation of SHIELD TV, which delivers home entertainment, gaming and AI capabilities to the living room. The two new SHIELD models — SHIELD TV and SHIELD TV Pro — provide exceptional visual and sound experiences.
News categories: NVIDIA, Jeff Fisher, Android TV, Canada, Digital TV, Europe, OTT, Set Top Box, USA
XUMO renews streaming service deal with LG for USA and Canada
Oct 23, 2019 – XUMO has announced that it has renewed its enterprise relationship with LG to continue powering the Channel Plus service for LG smart TVs. The service has been rebranded LG Channels for 2019 LG webOS smart TVs in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
News categories: XUMO, LG Electronics, Colin Petrie-Norris, Canada, Content Distribution, Digital TV, OTT, Smart TV, USA
Apple TV App and Apple TV+ coming to the Roku platform
Oct 15, 2019 – Roku (NASDAQ: ROKU) has announced that its users can now add the Apple TV app via the Roku Channel Store to discover and watch movies, TV shows and more, including accessing their iTunes video library and subscribing to Apple TV channels directly on Roku devices.
News categories: Roku, Apple, Scott Rosenberg, Apps, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Digital TV, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, OTT, Panama, Peru, Set Top Box, UK, USA
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- 3Q 2019 TV shipments grow 16.8% QoQ owing to peak season
- Worldwide spending on AR/VR expected to reach $18.8bn in 2020
- 13.7 million EU citizens streaming unauthorised IPTV


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NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Krewe of TCQNO (The Culinary Queens of New Orleans) is making history as Greater New Orleans’ first and only Carnival krewe to honor women in the food and beverage industry. Krewe Captain and Founder Akasia Lee-Nicholas is the owner of Let Us Cater for You. She founded the krewe to be a platform that unites and supports businesses owned by women of all food and beverage backgrounds. The Culinary Queens of New Orleans provides collective business support services for its members while celebrating the time-honored traditions of Greater New Orleans’ Mardi Gras culture.
The Culinary Queens of New Orleans is now accepting new krewe membership applications. Women 20 years old and older who own food and/or beverage brands are eligible to become members of the new parade krewe. The krewe membership application can be completed online at www.adnenterprise.com
The historic krewe will host its inaugural parade on February 22, 2022. Need more info? Email email@example.com


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|The Sustainable Development Symposium, with SCG as chair, led engagement of regional players |
Most recently, pioneering businesses like SCG, Dow Vietnam, and Unilever Vietnam have joined efforts with Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to launch the first public-private collaboration (PPC) model in building a circular economy in plastic waste management, heralding a fresh direction for the local business community.
Economic development, in parallel with preserving natural resources and minimising harm to the environment, is, by essence, the core of circular economy. Under the “production-usage-recycling” format, the circular economy has consumed natural resources in a responsible way, simultaneously bolstering production efficiency.
Via realising sweeping changes to production and value chains and consumption patterns, redesigning industrial systems, and ensuring effective waste management, the process has created many added values while enhancing sustainability of businesses towards the environment and society alike.
|A ceremony for collaboration towards a circular economy in plastic waste management was held last month |
In recent years, the linear economy employing the “take-make-dispose” model has left countless repercussions on the living environment. Vietnamese garbage is forecast to be doubled in the next 15 years. Meanwhile, the country’s waste recycling just fetches below one-tenth of total rubbish volume.
A bulk volume of plastic waste is either directly buried at dumping sites or being discharged into the ocean. In this context, propelling the model of the circular economy proves the smart move Vietnam needs to adopt towards achieving sustainable development goals.
The greatest challenge to Vietnam currently is that most of businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have finite capacity when it comes to recycling technology. In addition, it is the inherent habit in production and consumption patterns of the whole society in using single-use nylon bags and other plastic items.
Collaboration between businesses, particularly leading players, in tackling plastic waste has since become an imperative demand to push up the circular economy model in Vietnam.
The country came up with first-of-its kind PPC model towards building a circular economy in plastic waste management in February, with engagement of industry players such as SCG, Dow Vietnam, Unilever Vietnam, and the MoNRE.
The model aims to promote knowledge sharing, technology transfer, public awareness enhancement, and reforms and innovation to radically settle the plastic waste dilemma, particularly how to deal with single-use plastic packaging on a nationwide scale.
The engagement of SCG in particular – a leading industrial conglomerate in the ASEAN – is an eminent instance for the application of the circular economy in production and business activities, as well as efforts in networking with relevant stakeholders for cycle perfection across the whole value chain.
One of SCG’s biggest efforts in this regards was the biennial Sustainable Development Symposium held in 2018 in Thailand under theme “Circular Economy: The Future We Create”.
The event inspired and connected 1,000-plus representatives from government and non-government organisations, and businesses, bringing the ASEAN into the journey the circular economy model has made towards achieving sustainable development goals in the region.
At the symposium, regional leading players shared their valued experiences on promoting circular economy development, as well as pushing up collaboration of public-private sectors to expedite circular economy on an extensive scale. In the role as chair, SCG brought to exposure many typical examples from its operation practices, heralding new fresh directions for the parties engaged.
In Vietnam, SCG plans to make the $5.2 billion Long Son Petrochemical project – the biggest complex of its kind in the country – in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau its pilot for circular economy applications in Vietnam.
Along with this the complex, which kicked-off construction in 2017, will perfectly meet circular economy requirements with gas emissions and discharged water meeting set standards and its solid waste being taken back for reuse, creating fresh value.
A leading player in sustainable development in Southeast Asia, harmonising business growth and social and environmental benefits is the top priority in SCG’s development strategy.
Promoting the circular economy model is the next step this 108-year old business group is set to take on, in order to achieve future prosperity of businesses and the community in the region. According to SCG, this approach should be what local firms need to apply for the foreseeable future.


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Designer Peter Do is launching a Banana Republic collab with a capsule collection that will drop in selected stores and online in October. It feeds into the quiet luxury trend and is available with only unisex sizing.
Honest Co. hired Carla Vernón, a veteran of Amazon.com Inc., to guide the consumer-products startup out of rough waters. Her turnaround bid relies largely on the e-commerce giant’s biggest rival: Walmart Inc.
A too-little, too-late approach helps explain why Lauder execs have cut their annual outlook in the last three quarters. It's grappling with sluggish sales in Asia, supply-chain missteps and product miscues.
Coach parent Tapestry, which agreed to buy Capri Holdings last week, forecast fiscal 2024 profit and sales below estimates on Thursday after waning U.S. demand for its luxury handbags hurt fourth-quarter results.
Manju Malhotra, CEO of Harvey Nichols, has quit the role she’s held for just over three years with Pearson Poon, son of the retailer’s majority owner Sir Dickson Poon, to become vice-chairman until a new CEO is found.
Capri Holdings, owner of Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors, reported revenue of $1.23bn for Q1, a 9.6% fall, underlining the challenges it faces and the rationale behind its deal to be acquired by Tapestry.
China has lifted a ban on group tours to a slew of countries including the US, UK, Australia, South Korea and Japan, in a big test of demand for overseas travel from what was once the world’s biggest source of tourists


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The 2012 international LPG/CNG show season kicked off successfully on 7th & 8th of March, when Warsaw played host to the Flashlube Poland Gas Show, welcoming a record number of both visitors and exhibitors through it’s doors.
Lauded as one of the most important events on the international industry calendar, the 2012 Flashlube Poland Gas Show saw over 6.000 LPG/CNG professionals and users flock to the Warsaw Expocentre to view and discuss the products and services of over 150 local and international exhibitors over the two day event, which was accompanied by the ‘Economy: CNG For the Industry’ conference and the prestigious annual INPRO and MOTOINVENT Awards ceremony.
“The turnout was extremely enthusiastic” said Mr Jim Dean, Flashlube’s General Manager. “There was a great range of exhibitors showing everything from additives to cylinders and tanks to LPG cooking equipment, and the visitors were all really interested in the technologies on show”.
To coincide with their partnership of the event, Flashlube used their exposure as hosts for the international launch of their new Valve Saver Kit series 2, a progression from the original kit that the company started with over 30 years ago. The new kit features a more modern design and innovative new features, including an in dash low level LED sensor light, nickel plated steel bracket for easier installation and a locknut added to the fluid rate adjustment screw to secure the chosen adjustment; and was awarded an INPRO in the Best LPG/CNG Additives category from the show’s Polish organisers.
Flashlube have already signed on as Strategic Partner to host the show again in 2013, and have already started planning how they can build an even more successful event for the industry and it’s users next year.


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Without compromising on quality and technology.
Lenovo finally decided to enter the smartphone market with the signing of five champion Indonesia in the launch event which took place on Tuesday night (16/10). Fifth smartphone is Lenovo Ideaphone A60 [...]
You are one of the fans of the game Plants Vs Zombies? If yes, then this time there is interesting info for you.
Quoted from Ubergizmo, Wednesday (8/5), the latest version, Plants Vs Zombies 2: It’s About Time, is reportedly ready to slide in July [...]
Here are a few smartphones that fit when used by women. Here’s the short list.
1. Sony Xperia U (Pink / Yellow)
Xperia U is not reserved for women. But the bottom cap colors yellow and pink can make a choice. About the specs, the smartphone is [...]
The presence of the iPhone 5 is certainly making the selling price of the underlying series has decreased slightly. For those of you who want to taste the iPhone but the funds are limited, buy second hand or used iPhone can be an option.
But be careful, [...]
Electronic Arts (EA) has recently announced a new game highly desirable, Battlefield 4.
Quoted from IGN, the successor to Battlefield 3 game is touted as one of the game First-Person Shooter best would be to use Frosbite 3 Engine-owned DICE.
Engine usage [...]
Apacer Technologi Inc., as one of the manufacturers of SSD products, digital consumer products and memory modules, Thursday (10/04) launches a USB 3.0 flash drive AH450.
One thing that most enjoy is the speed of data transmission is very high up to 140 [...]
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Smartpone manufacturer from South Korea, starting today officially launched the Galaxy Note II version dual Sim Card.
In the official website of Samsung’s China, some observers expressed [...]
An asteroid will make history as it will be a space object that pass closest to Earth next week, though certainly not going to hit this planet.
Sized asteroid is 45-meter, called 2012 DA14 will pass 27 700 kilometers from the Earth on February 15, closer [...]
The number of users increased four-fold compared to last year.
Website provider of free and paid storage service, Dropbox, today released an announcement stating that they have recorded a remarkable achievement by achieving 100 million users worldwide.
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Have you ever imagined playing your favorite PC games with an XBOX controller? If so, your dream might come true with the release of some updates from XBOX. As confirmed by XBOX official website, now it is possible to use an XBOX controller on our PC [...]


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Google has updated their Maps app bringing the version number to 8.1.0 from the previous 8.0.0 having already updated their camera app to version 2.2.
With the update comes terrain view which will display 3D elevation of various geographic features such as mountains, making it extremely useful for hiker or cyclists to determine a route elevation directly on the Maps mobile application.
The Google Maps update is steadily rolling out to various countries in the Google Play Store so if you haven’t got the update yet then check back soon as you may not have been involved in the initial wave.
Let us know what you think of the new terrain view in the comments below.
[pb-app-box pname=’com.google.android.apps.maps’ name=’Maps’ theme=’discover’ lang=’en’]


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â¦ To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Central Pattana has announced a commitment for better futures and a position as the place maker who builds places for the people and the planet.
â¦ The company focuses on three strategies to reach sustainability goals. There are 1) SYNERGY for New Solutions with its retail-led mixed-use business, its partners, communities, and other parties; 2) PIONEER for Better Lives to develop new standards for project development under the concepts of Green & Well-being, and 3) OPPORTUNITIES with a Purpose to become an organization which develops people and elevates Thailandâs real estate and retail industries.
â¦ The company is aiming to create a big impact with its five-year business plan for 2022-2026, which includes investments in new mixed-use projects and revamps of existing projects across over 30 provinces, with 50 shopping centers with new formats and trends, 68 residential projects which will strengthen the companyâs position as the top developer, 13 office buildings catering to the new lifestyle, and 37 hotels including a new hotel brand across the country.
â¦ It is revealing a new brand identity for the corporate and its shopping centers across the country, based on local identities and different modernity designed by a world-renowned agency.
â¦ The company is setting a team of âBusiness & Digital Transformation with an investment budget of 450 million in 2022 and a team of âPartner Championsâ who will ensure growth by providing end-to-end solutions to partners.
Bangkok â Central Pattana Plc., Thailandâs leading retail and real estate developer and operator of Central shopping centers, residential projects, office buildings, and hotels across the country, has announced the âImagining Better Futures for Allâ vision to build a strong and sustainable ecosystem with a role of the âplace makerâ who creates space of the future and pioneer cities and developments all over the countries with a mission to take care of both the quality of life of the âpeopleâ, including communities and the âplanetâ, to become Thailandâs first mixed-use developer to reach a net-zero goal by 2050. Its five-year business plan for 2022-2026 under a budget of 120 billion baht and three strategies to attain sustainability goals combine forces of its mixed-use businesses, partners, communities, and other parties to create synergy; pioneering a new standard of space for the life of the future, and creating opportunities to become an organization which develops people and elevates Thailandâs real estate and retail industries.
Wallaya Chirathivat, President and CEO of Central Pattana and the first woman to lead the organization, revealed her vision for the business in the press conference, announcing the âcommitment for better futuresâ to develop the quality of life for the people and better futures for the society and the planet, reinforcing Central Pattanaâs position as a global sustainable organization. At the same time, she also revealed a new brand identity for both the corporate and shopping centers across the country, based on local pride and different modernity designed by a world-renowned design agency.
âThroughout our history of over 40 years, we have always been proud to be part of the lives of the people and to be able to grow with the country and drive its development. We are seen as the âCenter of Lifeâ of the community wherever our project is situated. Today, we see ourselves as the âplace makerâ who develops the quality of life for people across the country by creating a place where a better future is possible. We intend to do this by connecting the two most important elements, which are the people and the planet, and integrate them into our strong and sustainable ecosystem, as we believe that through their community everyone has the power to drive the societal change,â said Wallaya.
Strategy No.1: SYNERGY for New Solutions
All parties join forces to create a complete platform to upgrade the quality of life and business.
â¦ Synergy within Retail-Led Mixed-Used Development
All elements of Central Pattana, including shopping centers, residential projects, office buildings, and hotels, will join forces to deliver a seamless experience. In the next five years or in 2022-2026, the company will have 50 shopping centers in Thailand and overseas, 16 community malls (under the feasibility study), 68 residential projects, 13 office buildings, and 37 hotels, spanning across over 30 provinces and overseas. More than half of these are parts of mixed-use development projects, of which the shopping centers will be the key component while consistently expanding other businesses, as well. All will help raise the quality of life in various aspects, such as shopping, working, staying, playing, and living. Retail projects will fulfill all formats and trends. Residential projects of high quality will offer special benefits from the Central Group to the residents. Office buildings will be some of the best workplaces with close proximity to shopping centers and hotels. Lastly, a new hotel brand will be launched, which will help turn cities into tourist destinations.
A team of âBusiness & Digital Transformationâ has been formed under an investment budget of 450 million baht in 2022 and an aim to transform the platforms into an omnichannel which will not only connect offline and online elements but also all businesses in the ecosystem to each other and the customers under a B2B2C model, providing a new customer experience.
â¦ Synergy with Business Partners
Central Pattana is committed to generating sustainable growth for its business partners. It will set up a team of âPartner Championsâ to act as business consultants to partners and to provide them with complete end-to-end solutions, ranging from growth assistance; brand expansion via co-investment, funding, and franchising; and business operation supports.
In addition, Central Pattana will use the big data from The 1, The 1 Biz, and the retail omnichannel to promote and drive the businesses of its partners, help them manage their transactions, and provide other services.
â¦ Synergy with Communities
All projects developed by Central Pattana will be based on the local identity and essence of the community. They will promote the local art and culture, generate local wealth, help distribute income at the community level, act as a platform to elevate capabilities of SMEs, promote cross-regional tourism, and provide more than 40,000 square meters of space each year worth 300 million baht per year as space for farmers and other people to sell their products and services.
Strategy No.2: PIONEER for Better Lives
Central Pattana will create a new standard for better living space in the future. It will improve management at every new project to focus on two areas to ensure sustainability in the lives of all involved. The two aspects are:
â¦ Green & Energy
Buildings will use the Green Building Standard to ensure higher environmental friendliness. Solar cell systems will be installed at all projects, a building automation system will be developed, while EV charging stations and recycling stations will be provided to support clean energy and circular economy.
â¦ Health & Wellness
As proper physical space can enhance the quality of life, the company will focus on developing its master plan and measures for hygiene and safety. It will increase green space indoor and outdoor. Inclusive design will be used to ensure it can cater to all groups of people as well as the community. For example, there will be exercising areas, playgrounds, learning centers, vaccination centers, blood donation areas, and well-being areas for the community.
Strategy No.3: OPPORTUNITIES with Purpose
The company will help drive society and the business sector. As an organization focusing on human development, it will provide opportunities for all individuals. At the same time, it will strive to elevate the Thai real estate and retail industries for better futures for all.
â¦ It will encourage people to learn, exchange their experiences and business matching with a chance to expand their businesses in Thailand and overseas via Central Pattana Lead and Retail Academy.
â¦ It will generate local wealth, create job opportunities and elevate the quality of life for locals.
â¦ It will support the young generations to work with Central Pattana via new initiative platforms such as Retail Hackathon which provide them real opportunities.
â¦ It will equally provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and special people while being a global citizen who understands global values such as human rights, equality, and diversity.
All these strategies are parts of the attempt to create a big impact on the economy, society, culture, and environment, involving all generations of people.
âWith this new vision, we strive to follow our commitment and create a strong and sustainable ecosystem for the people and the planet. We are a place maker who will provide space for all aspects of life with high quality, aiming for better and more sustainable futures for the Thai people and the country,â said Wallaya.
According to her, the goals for Central Pattana are:
â¦ Upgrade the quality of life of the people and communities across the country
The company has been helping to generate circulation of money in the Thai economy about 1% of Thailandâs GDP. It will also help generate for the next five years with over 150,000 jobs in its sustainable ecosystem.
â¦ Become a net-zero organization by 2050
The company has a long-term plan to achieve net-zero carbon emission. It will be done by reducing energy use by 50 percent, reducing the emission of CFCs and other substances which can harm the atmosphere, and increasing the use of clean energy by 50 percent. It also aims to soon have one million trees and plants indoor and outdoor in its projects.
Central Pattana is moving forward into the future with the brand commitment âImagining Better Futures for Allâ by developing high-quality space to take care of the people and the planet while driving the growth of the economy and the country. Moreover, Central Pattana has been adhering to sustainable development and remains the only real estate company in Thailand that has been listed as a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) in DJSI World for four consecutive years and in DJSI Emerging Markets for eight consecutive years.
The company has launched a short film on its commitment to better futures below:
The preceding is a press release published with full permission and authorization by the organization(s) listed in the PR material and TPN media. The statements, thoughts, and opinions of the organization involved in the press release are entirely their own and may not necessarily represent those of TPN media and its staff.


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Thailand Joins Malaysia, Indonesia To Oppose EU Move Against Palm Oil
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Thailand, the world's third largest palm oil producer, will cooperate with Malaysia and Indonesia to reject the European Union's (EU) executive decision to adopt trade barrier against palm oil as part of its official legislation.
Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, who had a bilateral meeting with Thailand Minister of Commerce, Sontirat Sontijirawong, here, said Thailand's keenness to respond also portrayed the agreement and firmness of major palm oil producing countries to fight against the continuous prejudice and oppression by the EU on the commodity.
"Thailand's commitment also proves that Malaysia is not alone in protecting the interests of three million smallholders in ASEAN and the efforts of campaigning against the EU resolution are gaining support from other palm oil producing countries," he said in a statement today.
Thailand is estimated to produce almost 2.5 million tonnes of palm oil last year.
Mah said ASEAN's major oil palm producing countries ? Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand - would use all available resources to oppose the trade barrier by the EU Parliament, including through the ASEAN framework.....


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Zambian card issuing fintech Union54 has raised $12 million in a seed extension round led by Tiger Global. Other participating investors in this financing round include existing ones such as Vibe VC and new investors Earl Grey Capital and Packy Mccormick’s Not Boring Capital.
It’s been only six months since Union54, whose API allows African software companies to issue and manage their debit cards without needing a bank or third-party processor, announced its seed round of $3 million, also led by Tiger Global.
Union54 founders launched the company last year when they went through painstaking processes to issue debit cards for their previous startup and challenger bank, Zazu.
Since its launch in October and participation in Y Combinator’s summer batch 2021 earlier, Union54 has grown to issue slightly over half a million virtual debit cards to its customers. The company also claims to have processed volumes now reaching double digits in millions of dollars.
CEO Perseus Mlambo disclosed that Union54’s revenue in its first month (October) was a little less than $3,000. In November, the company’s revenue increased by 600% and has subsequently grown 50% month-on-month.
“What this is telling us is that there’s very much real interest in the number of people who want to have debit cards and this is not going to stop anytime soon,” Mlambo said in an interview.
“What’s more, our interactions with customers and potential customers have shown us that the real problem we are tackling isn’t the ease of issuing cards– rather, it’s much broader than we could have imagined.”
Union54 hopes to create a homegrown alternative to Mastercard or Visa. In addition to helping merchants solve their settlement and sourcing issues, Mlambo offered more insight into why the company chose to ply this route. According to him, recent global events like Visa and Mastercard pulling out from Russia, leaving China’s UnionPay to fill in the void, have made it evident that payments are a politicized endeavor.
“The purpose of creating another card network is an inspiration of what’s happening right now. Number one, we’re vulnerable and hostage to any political decisions that might affect trade on the continent. And if anything were to happen, we would wake up and would not have access to our funds,” said Mlambo, who founded the company with his spouse and COO Alessandra Martini.
“Number two, when you think about the card networks today, they’re not fit for African merchants because settlement is often taking three days for a local debit card, maybe it’s taking over seven days for an international debit card. There’s a significant opportunity as the world realigns itself; we need to get to a point where we’ve got a payments route that needs to be developed locally for local use.”


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Soccer star David Beckham has been popping up in various locations around New York City as a promotion for his new line of designer men’s underwear from H&M. However, it isn’t real-life Beckham whose been spotted in the Big Apple. Instead, the Englishman has been appearing in the form of giant, metallic statues that are over 10 feet tall!
According to The Daily News, three of the T-1000-like statues can be found in H&M’s Manhattan retail location, as well as one in Central Park and one more at the South Street Seaport. There are also three of the statues on the west coast – two in Los Angeles and one in San Francisco. And they are set to remain on display until August 31st.


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Everyone’s Favorite Zoo Pals Plates Are Back
Nostalgic millennials and picky eaters can rejoice because Zoo Pals plates are back!
After being discontinued in 2014, Hefty has brought back the early 2000s favorite. The brand says that after being “overwhelmed with countless messages, phone calls, social media posts, and petitions,” they decided to officially bring back Zoo Pals. “We can make eating fun for a whole new generation of kids,” Hefty said.
From Curly the Pig to Domino the Dalmatian, Fritz the Frog and more, each package of Zoo Pals plates includes 10 of the original lovable Pals. Each of the plates are segmented into three parts — face and ears, face and feet, face and eyes, or face and fins —allowing picky eaters to keep their foods and sauces separate!
Packs of 20 of the popular plates are now available on Amazon for $7 at Amazon.com. Bring the whole zoo home!


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It appears that Devil May Cry 5 is going to be revealed soon.
Publisher Capcom has registered a domain name for a new entry in the hack-and-slash franchise. That was spotted by a DMC Discord server, which saw the domain being registered by GMO Internet Group.
An E3 reveal of the game is likely, though we've heard of Devil May Cry 5 being announced at the LA show the last two years with nothing coming to light.
The name indicates that this is going to be a new entry in the original franchise, as opposed to Ninja Theory's 2013 DMC: Devil May Cry reboot.
It's unclear which stage Dante will be appearing on though our money is on Sony's - the franchise has historically been more popular on PlayStation consoles. That said, Microsoft might want something to fill the Scalebound-shaped hole in its roster of games.
News of a brand new Devil May Cry game comes on the heels of Capcom releasing an HD Collection of the first three games.


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In a recent development, Pakistan and India have reached an agreement on the export of salt. The two countries have been at odds over the export of salt for a long time, with both sides arguing over the quality and quantity of salt being exported.
The agreement between the two countries comes after a long period of negotiation and discussion. Under the terms of the agreement, Pakistan will be allowed to export up to 60,000 metric tons of salt to India each year. This marks a significant increase from the previous limit of 40,000 metric tons.
The agreement also sets strict standards for the quality of salt that can be exported. Both countries have agreed to adhere to international standards for salt, ensuring that the product meets the requirements of buyers in both countries and beyond. This is a big win for consumers, who can now be assured of the quality of salt they purchase, regardless of where it comes from.
For Pakistan, the agreement represents a significant opportunity to boost its salt industry. Salt is an important export for Pakistan, and the agreement with India will help to further establish the country as a leading global supplier of high-quality salt. The agreement will also help to strengthen ties between the two countries, which have been strained in recent years.
India, on the other hand, stands to benefit from the increased supply of high-quality salt from Pakistan. India is one of the world`s largest consumers of salt, with a demand that far exceeds domestic production. The agreement with Pakistan will help to fill this gap, ensuring that Indian consumers have access to a reliable supply of high-quality salt.
Overall, the Pakistan-India salt agreement is a positive development for both countries and for consumers around the world. By working together to establish common standards for the export of salt, Pakistan and India have laid the foundation for a strong and mutually beneficial partnership in the years to come.


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The new issue of "Weekly Famitsu" states that Digimon Survive's release window is TBA, when previous issues said 2020. That rightly led to people assuming it had suffered another delay. It wouldn't be all that crazy considering Digimon Survive was already delayed in 2019, and no one's working situation is completely normal right now.
However, Bandai Namco says that the change is a misprint. In a statement to Gematsu, a Bandai Namco representative confirms that Digimon Survive is still set for 2020, and that this is merely "a typo on Famitsu's side."
Digimon Survive is a fairly radical departure from other Digimon games like Cyber Sleuth.It a a turn-based tactical game, it's set in a different dimension, and the presentation has a visual novel bent.
Digimon Survive releases in 2020 on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.


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MILFORD — The Board of Instruction accredited a price range members mentioned satisfies the demands of the city’s college students, but places off most of their needs.
“I feel the administration has had to make tricky possibilities,” explained board Chairman Susan Glennon. “I’m confident this administration is familiar with what’s necessary.”
Thu Feb 4 , 2021
The most up-to-date grist surrounding the oft-rumored Apple auto is a report that the tech large has hired a previous Porsche vice president of chassis improvement, presumedly to work on a planned electrical car or truck. Apple has poached Manfred Harrer from the German automaker, studies Business Insider Deutschland (by using […]


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Judge Finds BAR/BRI ‘Puffing’ Not Actionable
A New York federal judge has ruled that advertising claims by BAR/BRI were mere puffery that cannot be the basis for a lawsuit.
The suit had claimed BAR/BRI engaged in false advertising and caused tens of thousands of law students to overpay for the bar review course. U.S. District Judge Lawrence Kahn of Albany disagreed and dismissed the suit, the National Law Journal reports.
Kahn said the ad statements cited in the complaint were “nonactionable puffing” and a “self-serving endorsement.”


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By Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
THE agricultural trade deficit widened 40% year on year to $8.92 billion in 2021, as the country imported more agricultural products to address increased consumer demand after the economy reopened.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority released on Monday showed that total agricultural imports jumped by an annual 25% to $15.71 billion.
Exports also increased by 9.4% to $6.79 billion in 2021.
Total trade in agricultural goods — or the sum of exports and imports — went up by 19.8% to $22.491 billion. In 2020, total trade in agricultural goods contracted by 7.1%.
Agricultural imports accounted for 13.3% of the country’s total imports in 2021.
Among the commodity groups, cereals accounted for the largest share or 20% of agricultural imports by value at $3.15 billion in 2021. This was followed by imports of residues and waste from food industries and prepared animal fodder with a value of $1.86 billion and miscellaneous edible preparations worth $1.76 billion.
Imports from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries stood at $5.44 billion or 16.8% of the total.
Indonesia was the top source of agricultural products from ASEAN with $1.65 billion or 30.3% of the total, followed by Vietnam ($1.4 billion) and Malaysia ($973.7 million).
Animal or vegetable fat and oils and other related products were the top agricultural imports from ASEAN.
The Philippines imported $1.62 billion worth of agricultural products from the European Union (EU), with imports from Spain reaching $333.49 million.
Meanwhile, agricultural exports accounted for 9.1% of the country’s total exports in 2021.
By commodity group, the value of exports of edible fruit and nuts and the peel of citrus fruits and melons was at $1.93 billion, accounting for 28.5% of the total.
The Philippines’ agricultural exports to ASEAN stood at $767.01 million, with Malaysia as the top destination of farm goods at $247.95 million.
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes were the top agricultural exports to ASEAN countries, with the total value at $253.85 million.
The Philippines’ agricultural exports to EU countries reached $1.39 billion in 2021, with the Netherlands accounting for half or $698.11 million.
ECONOMIC REOPENINGAnalysts attributed the higher imports of agricultural products to the gradual reopening of the economy in the last quarter as pandemic restrictions eased.
“The wider agricultural external trade deficit of the country in 2021 may be largely attributed to the further reopening of the economy that fundamentally increased agricultural imports, as well as the higher prices of global agricultural commodities amid improved economic recovery prospects vis-a-vis some disruptions in the global supply chains due to the pandemic from 2020 to 2021 that reduced production activities while demand picked up,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a text message.
Pampanga State Agricultural University Professor Roy S. Kempis said a string of typhoons disrupted domestic agricultural output, particularly exports of fruits.
“The reason for this poor performance in the biggest segment of our agricultural exports could be attributed to losses in the production of fruits brought about by weather disturbances in 2021… Fruits are affected from flowering up to fruiting, and many of these follow a duration of six to nine months. Therefore, weather disturbances can strike, from flowering to fruiting. This was punctuated by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai),” Mr. Kempis said in a Viber message.
Mr. Ricafort said that the trade deficit could further widen this year due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, which has destabilized the prices of global commodities.
“Furthermore, non-monetary measures in terms of the increase in the imports of pork or meat, fish, and other food products at lower tariffs in an effort to increase local food supply and help mitigate inflationary pressures especially on food prices that account for the biggest share of the (consumer price index) basket have also partly widened the country’s agricultural trade deficit in recent months and could still be widened by these non-monetary measures in the coming months as higher global commodity prices could still bloat the country’s agricultural imports,” Mr. Ricafort added.


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Study: Middle school students prefer soda
A Harvard School of Public Health study has found that children at Massachusetts's middle schools buy soda more often than other items from vending machines.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, found that students at the 10 schools bought soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks three times more often than any other vending machine items, WebMD reported Thursday.
The researchers found that 646 students used school vending machines in the space of a week. Of those students, 71 percent reported buying sugar-sweetened sodas or other beverages. A total 68 percent of the 505 students who reported using the machines two or three times purchased soda drinks and 79 percent of the 141 students who bought four or more items included soda in their purchases.
The researchers said their study also suggests that children who eat at fast-food restaurants are also more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages.
"These findings suggest that school vending machines and fast-food restaurants make independent contributions to total (sugar-sweetened beverage) intake that increase with repeated exposure or use," the study said.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International


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China is one of more than 30 countries to which Newegg plans to expand its marketplace in 2017.
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The company is also gearing up for email campaigns and reminder programs relating to past purchases. NaturalBeauty.com is waiting for ROI to develop automatic upselling based on an if-this-then-that format (for example, if several women buy lipstick A and mascara B, then a woman who buys lipstick A would be recommended to buy mascara B). Further down the road, Lapp says, the site will suggest products to members based on past purchases and consultation recommendations.
NaturElle spent about $20,000 to program the survey. Although the survey has improved business, it has not yet paid for itself. “We expect to be at breakeven by December,” Lapp says. Breakeven may by fine for this year, but the company expects the online consultation will play a big part in reaching its long-term goals. Lapp says he believes the database of personal profiles will increase to more than 100,000 over the next 12 months.
The mother of invention
Daniel and Rhonda Karayan, both of whom had worked for beauty supplier Bare Escentuals, founded NaturElle in 1991. In 1989, Rhonda could not find natural makeup products that were mild enough for her sensitive skin-so she started buying the raw materials and mixing her own. “She began providing the products to her friends and it just snowballed,” Lapp says. By 1993, NaturElle was selling its line through Whole Foods stores.
The company says it put the first e-commerce cosmetics site on the Internet in 1994. Although sales in the retail outlets were good, there was a lack of customer support. Customers had specific questions about the product before buying, and the store personnel did not have the expertise to advise them. Training store employees was too costly, so in 1996, the husband-and-wife team pulled the line out of the stores and began selling direct through the web.
Now the company offers 2,500 standard products that do not change and about 1,500 that are custom made. The company will make to order products to fit specific colors; for example, a customer can send in a swatch of fabric to have it matched.
The survey itself had its own humble beginnings as a script for telephone consultations. The company found that these scripted questions and recommendations were about 90% accurate. When the Internet began to grow, the company started collecting the information from its web site. “We still found that we were extremely accurate and that customers were very happy with results they were getting,” Lapp says.
The customer base of more than 10,000 women are mostly in the 30-to 60-year-old range, in the higher income brackets, in higher education brackets and in the very ingredient-conscious group. On average, NaturalBeauty.com customers will return to make purchases twice each month.
Annual sales for this year are expected to be $560,000, Lapp says, which is a big improvement over previous years. Taking products out of retail stores took its toll on sales, but the company is rebounding and expects revenues of about $2 million in 2001.
Harvesting data over the Internet is becoming easier. But, taking that data to market is a much different animal. NaturElle believes it’s found a winning formula. “We see real value in the data,” Lapp says. “The technology and stuff are great, but the end result of the technology is to collect more and more information on your consumer and develop a long-term relationship.”


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joy of February is that winter will soon be over, and spring will be on its way. But, while the days are tranquil, cold and warm indoors, fuzzy socks and a cozy reading chair are still calling our names, now is the ideal time to curl up with a new book.
The goal of this post is to tell readers about the novels or books that will be released in January 2022. In addition, Data was also gathered from Amazon and Goodreads. Thus to some extent, books may be missing from this list. As a result, here's a list of the most current new books released in January 2022.
December is approaching, and there will be a slew of exciting new book releases from various authors. It also brings the most popular books to the public's attention. As a result, the purpose of this article is to inform the reader about which novels will launched in December 2021.


text: Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set to launch this week but PC players can start playing early. With PC gamers getting access to the next game this July 25th. PC launches globally a day earlier on July 25! — Bethesda (@bethesda) July 22, 2019 Bethesda made the news public on Twitter but didn’t say why. Wolfenstein Youngblood stars BJ Blazkowisz’s twin daughters who are looking for their father in Nazi-occupied Paris during the 1980s. In addition, the twins will aid the French Resistance to liberate the county from German occupation. Wolfenstein: Youngblood is set to launch on PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on July 26 and July 25th for PC. You can play a trial version of the game on the Nintendo Switch right now.