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Republican Donald Trump has beaten front-runner Hillary Clinton in the race to become the forty-fifth President of the United States of Amer...
For US and European companies exporting products to Russia, the operating environment has been challenging to say the least. Recent comments...
Arla Foods is wise to invest in its whey protein production capacity. However, the company is far from alone in pursuing this strategy, with various dairy firms stepping up production to meet growing global demand. As activity increases so too could competition, Katy Askew suggests.
In a tit-for-tat move, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a year-long ban on on food imports from countries participating in the imposition of sanctions on Russia. Confident the country can be self-sufficient, Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev have urged local producers to take advantage of the opportunity, and get their products on supermarket shelves. But are they up to the task? And what does this mean for global exporters to Russia? Hannah Abdulla reports.
Valio is facing some significant challenges. The Finland-based dairy group is grappling with the closure of the Russian border as well as the decline in industrial markets for dairy ingredients. However, the company is also working to identify new growth avenues, such as its lactose-free technology. Katy Askew spoke to Kari Finska, SVP of Russia and eastern markets for Valio, to find out more.
European dairy co-operative Arla Foods has set out an ambitious growth plan for its Russian business. The firm has indicated it intends to triple sales in the country. Katy Askew caught up with Arla senior vice president Hans Christensen, who has overall responsibility for Russia and other emerging markets, to find out how.
Finnish dairy group Valio has been awarded a loan of up to EUR30m (US$32.4m) from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the development of dairy products.
Finnish dairy group Valio is launching a lactose-free milk powder product in China.
Finnish dairy group Valio is re-entering Russia by launching a baby food brand in the country.
Valio, Finland's largest dairy group, said today (3 August) it will cease production at its factory in Tampere, a city in the south of the country, on 30 September.
Valio, Finland's largest dairy group, is planning to end production at a factory in Tampere, a city in the south of the country.
Finnish food groups Fazer Group and Valio have teamed up to work on a low-salt ingredient they are both using in new consumer-facing lines.
Finnish dairy group Valio has confirmed plans to build a plant to produce low-sugar yoghurt products.
Valio, the Finland-based dairy group, saw its sales drop almost 12% in 2015, the latest company in the sector to report it felt the pressure from the tough trading conditions in the sector.
Valio has announced the launch of a range of reduced-sugar yoghurt and yoghurt puddings aimed at children in its domestic market.
Valio, the Finnish dairy group, has launched a spread containing quark in its domestic market to compete with Unilever's Becel in the "wellbeing" segment.
European dairy companies Arla Foods and Valio have both moved to quell rumours they are interested in acquiring a controlling stake in Latvia's Jelgava Dairy Company.
This week, McCormick & Co. highlighted China as a strength in its first half numbers. Valio made a commitment to halve sugar in its dairy snacks and the Consumer Goods Forum committed to halving global food waste by 2025. Elsewhere, Ebro Foods acquired French sandwich maker Roland Monterrat. Here is the week in quotes.
Finnish dairy firm Valio has committed to halving the sugar levels in snack-type dairy products, particularly yoghurt, by 2020.
This week, Fonterra confirmed it would be axing jobs as part of a review in response to the "volatile" dairy trading environment at present. Campbell acquired Garden Fresh Gourmet as it looks to extend its presence in the packaged fresh category. Elsewhere, Raisio announced it was launching Benecol into China and the US House of Representatives voted to scrap meat labelling laws. We also took an in-depth look at Bel Group's investment in Moroccan dairy Safilait.
Valio has confirmed the number of operations and head office jobs it plans to cut, moves that have come in part to Russia's embargo on dairy products from the EU.
Finnish dairy firm Valio has secured a deal with a single distributor in Australia, providing better access to its low-lactose and lactose-free milk powders.
The EUR2.6bn sale of European frozen food giant and Birds Eye owner Iglo Group grabbed the headlines this week - and we looked at where the new owners - Nomad Holdings - could look next. Blue Bell Creameries, the US ice cream maker linked to a fatal listeria outbreak, was in the spotlight for very different reasons, pulling all its products from the market after fresh tests.
Valio, the Finnish dairy group, has begun negotiations with around 2,900 employees with the expectation that 320 positions will be eliminated from its operations division and head office.
Finland-based dairy group Valio has reported a 4% fall in annual sales, a sign of how the business was affected by Russia's embargo on EU dairy products.
Finland-based dairy group Valio has launched a line of kefir drinks in its domestic market.
The takeover battles for Chiquita Brands International and for Hillshire Brands were among the stories that grabbed your interest in 2014.
Finnish dairy group, Valio, has announced it has completed its head office restructure negotiations and confirmed 168 jobs are set to go.
Dairy giant Arla Foods has opened a lactose factory in Denmark to supply what the co-op called a "vibrant" infant nutrition market.
This week, Emmi flogged its Italian Trentilatte yoghurt business, while Kellogg sold the Loma Linda brand to Atlantic Natural Foods. Elsewhere, UK baker Finsbury Food Group moved to buy local peer Fletchers Group, while US private-equity firm BBX Capital made its second confectionery acquisition in a week. At the annual IGD Convention in London, UK retail veteran Andrew Higginson caused a stir by hitting out at the country's grocers.
Russia has insisted it has no plans to lift the EU ban on food imports, its deputy prime minister, Arkady Dvorkovich, told an audience at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday (21 January).
- Danone's Q1: four things to learn
- Who will buy Danone's Stonyfield business?
- Column: Why snacking is the new meal
- Opinion: Big Food needs to think radically
- Nestle Q1 update: four things to learn
- PepsiCo affirms full-year target as Q1 hits mark
- Nestle to cut UK confectionery jobs
- Glanbia signs deal on Dairy Ireland stake sale
- Dole Food Co. files to go public again
- 2 Sisters' chief Boparan invests in UK's Crawshaw


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Although people at Google have avoided specifying Fuchsia for the project, confirmed that it is a new operating system and made available to journalists and programmers more important. For fuchsia, Google waives legendary Linux platform, which has built so far operating systems, from Andoid until Chromecast software used on multimedia devices with the same name. Instead, the future operating system will be built on a platform called Magenta, which means that it can be installed on a wide range of devices. From classics such as smart phones, tablets and computers to the new Internet-connected devices such as smart thermostats or onboard computers of cars.
How different are increasingly interconnected devices increases the need for a flexible software that can be easily adapted to various processors computing power. Especially that new smart appliances are not only connected to the Internet, but also between them, which means you have to communicate as a common standard.
Fuchsia future OS could provide precisely this flexibility. But the financial potential of this platform is still unknown. In a first phase Fuchsia could make money from Google indirectly through installation on devices sold by Google, like thermostats Nest smart home appliances or assistant.
To get on smart phones and tablets, Fuchsia future operating system will have a marketplace is at least as big as the current Android OS. It is a goal that can not be achieved overnight.
Until then, Google will have to find a way Fuchsia OS devices to communicate with those with Android. It is an essential requirement for the development of the internet of things your cell phone can become a remote control for other smart objects for the home.
Windows 10 operating system will be the first Microsoft Unified for use on any type of electronic devices, from computers and laptops to tablets and smartphones, and will receive the same treatment and applications.
Microsoft is currently developing the next version of Windows, which will most likely be on the market during 2015.
Whereas it is the natural successor of Windows 8, it was expected that the new universal operating system to bear the name Windows 9. However, Microsoft has officially announced that the new version of OS will be called Windows 10 without providing information about reasons were the basis of the election.
In this article we present the main novelties that will bring Windows 10, an operating system that promises to be a combination of traditionalism and innovations of Windows 7 more or less valued placed on Windows 8.

domain: news


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Augmented World Expo (AWE) has announced the speakers, sponsors, sessions, and agenda for its upcoming AWE USA 2023 24 Feb event, which will take place from May 31-June 2 in Santa Clara, California. The event will feature more than 100 sessions across 14 conference tracks focused on XR markets and technologies, including AI, Web3, enterprise, retail, healthcare, gaming, education, training, and more.
AWE expects over 5,000 XR professionals to attend, with keynote speakers including Peggy Johnson, CEO of Magic Leap, and John Riccitiello, CEO of Unity Technologies. The event will also include 300 exhibitors and a market education and industry matchmaking focus. Super early bird ticket pricing discounts of USD $600 off are currently available until February 28.


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India’s Karbonn won’t be the only handset maker with a dual-boot smartphone; Huawei is planning to join this trend, as well.
Speaking to TrustedReviews, Huawei’s CMO Shao Yang, said that the firm is still committed to Microsoft’s platform, but the preference is to dual-boot it alongside Android. “With Windows Phone, one direction for us – and one that we are now following – is dual OS. Dual OS as in Android and Windows together,” he said.
The story goes on suggesting that Huawei’s dual-boot handset will go on sale in the US during the second quarter to allow consumers to “change it as they wish.” Yang went on to add: “if it is Windows only, maybe people will not find it as easy a decision to buy the phone.”
We kinda like where this is going and if this dual-boot strategy proves profitable for Huawei, we’re sure other vendors will join the party in no time at all. It’s unclear though whether the first hybrid devices will be high-end models or target smartphone buyers on a budget. We’ll see…


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Every morning for the past seven years, Aisha Chottani has started her day with a 10-minute meditation. As the creator of the meditation drink aptly called Moment, this comes as no surprise.
Launched last June with her husband Faheem Kajee, the lively beverage brand quickly permeated her into the wellness beverage industry. But the idea originated in a very different space – the McKinsey offices, where Chottani describes long hours and days without interruption. “When I needed to calm down and take a moment in the afternoon, I would have something sweet or caffeinated, but that wouldn’t help me get through the day,” Chottani tells UKTN. Instead, she tried swapping her mid-afternoon pick-me-up for adaptogens and meditation and noticed a marked change in her sanity, “my ability to focus, to be creative – I was a completely different person, ”she says. “I realized that it’s not the caffeine that keeps you focused, you need a calm mind to be able to think clearly – that’s when you can be at your best.” .
“It was a feeling that I wanted to make accessible to everyone,” Chottani tells UKTN. But sharing his new discovery was not enough to inspire colleagues and friends to engage in meditation. “People understand, they understand that meditation is effective,” Chottani says, “But starting the practice is difficult and uncomfortable, and sometimes intimidating.” It is for this reason that the entrepreneur decided to devote his life to making meditation more accessible. For Chottani, that meant creating a drink that could help others experience that sense of clarity that she found within herself.
Through focus groups with customers and rigorous testing, the company has developed a formulation scientifically proven to promote alpha brain waves associated with deep thinking and creativity. How do you feel when these brain waves are activated? Chottani describes it as that feeling when you are in the shower and your mind wanders into deep thought. “It’s very difficult to get into this state,” Chottani tells UKTN, “but meditation helps; our wording helps. “
While many of Moment’s ingredients – like the nootropic L-theanine, known to improve focus and the anti-stress adaptogen Ashwagandha – have become trending staples in wellness drinks, Chottani’s inspiration comes from home. Growing up in Pakistan, she watched her mother use Ayurvedic recipes with Ashwagandha and Tulsi. “It’s so interesting to see people going back to their roots,” Chottani says. “As the world goes global, we are starting to see the benefits of things we have forgotten or never paid attention to.”
When asked what Chottani thinks of wellness brands embracing the old ways she grew up with, the entrepreneur told UKTN it all depends on intention, “if you learn about other cultures and traditions and bring them in from other parts of the world to help you. people in a respectful manner is acceptable. I actually think it’s really positive to learn from each other.
Learning and sharing other cultures is precisely what makes Moment so special for Chottani. While the Tulsi Lemon flavor is a twist of the nimbu pani, a popular drink in Pakistan, the inspiration for the blood orange Rooibos came from four years living in the native South Africa of its partner, a known country. for its rooibos tea. The hibiscus dragon fruit is an ode to their honeymoon trip through Southeast Asia, where they noticed the fruit was common in popular drinks. Chottani tells UKTN they plan to develop new flavors with ingredients from other cultures this year, “even places we haven’t been,” she says. “Moment is more than just a drink, it’s a way to bring different parts of the world together.”
If there was a time to launch a drink designed to unite people and encourage mindfulness, 2020 surely seems like the right time. Even before COVID-19 wreaked havoc on people’s mental health, Chottani noticed that everyday life was becoming more and more stressful for everyone. “There is so much distraction and noise in life,” Chottani says, “Sometimes your neurological system is stressed out without you even realizing it.” So designing a cure for persistent stress meant Moment had exactly what people needed when the pandemic hit. They could help their customers even more by “offering a solution to some of the pressures people were feeling during COVID-19,” Chottani says.
After two years of planning and showcasing the concept on Shark Tank in November 2019, Moment was slated to debut in April 2020. Then, as Chottani says, “the world turned right before we were about to do it. launch, ”forcing Moment to take a direct-to-consumer business approach. That didn’t seem to compromise Moment’s immediate success, the startup was named one of the 45 Best Food Startups last year and won the Best Starter Drink at the BevNET New Beverage Showdown 2020.
While the last-minute pivot in responding to the pandemic challenged the small business, the online model eliminated geographic constraints for customers wanting to try the product. Chottani says he made the launch of Moment during COVID-19 incredibly rewarding. “Clients will write me three page emails telling me how Moment has impacted their lives – this is the most wonderful.”
The pandemic allowed Chottani to do exactly what she had planned from day one: make meditation more accessible. That’s why they’ve partnered up with Calm Classroom, an organization that trains kids in mindfulness skills across the country. The entrepreneur is hoping that greater awareness of the benefits of meditation will start the conversation about mental health, another of the silver liners of the pandemic she has witnessed over the past year.
Previously, the CEO remarked that “being on 100% of the time was considered a good thing and a success”. Now that COVID-19 has forced people to pause and take a step back, Chottani says it’s become more normal not to be well; to admit that you feel stressed and ask for help. “I don’t mean serious help,” Chottani says, “even little things like, ‘hey, let’s have a drink to feel better.'”
But Chottani wants to be clear, Moment is not a substitute for meditation, “it helps you access the same feeling, it’s a gateway. The CEO says she will have a moment in the afternoon when her focus begins to wane, and many people use her as a transition marker; to help fall into meditation or prolong the feeling afterwards. Chottani has found Moment useful for adding structure to the lockdown days where she says “everything is mixed up.” “In the evenings and on weekends, I have Moment as a transition point,” explains Chottani. “At 7:00 pm, I’m going to have a moment and take a break, I’m not going to work.”
When not busy running Moment, Chottani says she takes longer to experiment with different botanicals and adaptogens in the kitchen. The Entrepreneur insists his spontaneous sampling is “just out of curiosity,” but with two new flavors on the horizon this year, we feel like Chottani’s quarantine creations have our future moments in mind.


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The European Union has approved new chemical guidelines that could affect businesses around the word as companies scramble to meet the increased safety requirements.
The laws will require companies to demonstrate that a chemical is safe before it can be used in manufacturing and commercial products. The laws themselves are the opposite of those in the United States which require companies to demonstrate a product is harmful before it can be removed from use.
Some companies are wary of the changes because they claim it will incur billions in additional expenses to meet the new regulations and that those costs may eventually be passed onto consumers. The changes have been vehemently opposed by US based chemical companies and the Bush administration which in 2002 directed European ambassadors to oppose the proposed legislation when meeting with foreign legislators.
Already companies have begun searching for safer materials to make everything from bike helmets to shower curtains and cleaning products. Companies that fail to comply with the new standards risk losing access to 500 million consumers in 27 countries.
The new laws will require manufacturers to study and report on the risks posed by specific chemicals and that data will be available online to the general public and regulatory agencies.
Chemicals suspected of causing cancer or other health problems will be listed on a list of “substances of very high concern” and manufacturers who wish to use that chemical must receive authorization.
One chemical likely to be added to that list is perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The chemical is commonly used in the production of Teflon but does not break down in the environment and accumulates in animal tissue and drinking water. In 2006 the EPA voted to label the chemical as a likely carcinogen but it is still used in production. Major manufacturers of Teflon including DuPont have agreed to end production by 2015.
The United States passed legislation in 1976 on chemicals in products with the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. However as a compromise to the industry, more than 62,000 chemicals were grandfathered in because they were already in commercial use. The government requires companies to report toxicity information and then the government decides whether additional tests are required based on that information. If a substance is shown to cause harm, the EPA asks companies to voluntarily cease production.
In the more than 30 years since it was passed, the EPA has required additional testing on fewer than 200 of the 80,000 chemicals within the U.S. market with five chemicals being banned since 1976. The difficulty in banning a substance is apparent when analyzing the number of times the EPA and Congress have failed to ban asbestos, a known carcinogen.
The laws come at a time when consumers are becoming more and more concerned about what chemicals and materials are in their products. This level of concern was a major factor when retailers across the United States and Canada pulled baby bottles from their shelves after reports that health officials were concerned about possible health effects caused by the chemical bisphenol A which can be found in some of those products.
Concerns about industrial contamination are legitimate after a recent study by the Environmental Working Group found an average of 200 industrial chemicals in the cord blood of newborns.
Measures similar to the new EU regulations that would overhaul chemical regulation in the United States have been recently introduced but have yet to make any progress.


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PSD2 will take two years to transpose into national law in each member state. This gives businesses some time to digest and plan around the 100 or so pages of dense legislation that comprises the Directive.
This new Directive is not simply an update of the previous version. While the new rules aim to cut the cost of paying bills, they also attempt to make online payments safer by clearly outlining liability and authentication rules, as well as creating more competition in the market. This article aims to summarise the key changes and effects of PSD2, which will impact corporates more directly.
- Access to Bank Accounts
The first directive created a new legal framework for payments and PDS2 is an extension of that. However, this time it is creating a new market in which both corporates and consumers can control their bank accounts using ‘third party providers’. This means that business customers will be able to use organisations – such as those that provide their business and mobile applications – to access, for example, account information or initiate payments.
What this means is if the service currently being used by the business fails to meet their specific banking needs, they have the option of using a third party that will be able to meet those requirements, and even offer a better service.
For example, if businesses give permission to third party providers (referred to as payment initiation service providers in the PSD2), to integrate say with their enterprise resource planning (ERP) or payroll system, they may find they are able to initiate payments in a much more effective manner. Essentially, this creates more competition, and ultimately both businesses and consumers can benefit.
Under the new rules of PSD2 some liability will now lie with the payment initiation service provider, who will need to insure themselves in case anything goes wrong. While this is undoubtedly a good thing, it comes with a price: these providers will no longer offer their services for free.
There’s a second advantage for businesses in terms of access to accounts: PSD2 has also created another new category, the account information service provider. This allows third parties to go into a business’ bank account; analyse the information, such as statements; provide a benchmark to help the business understand its current position; and enable it to see whether it can make improvements.
- Security and authentication
The payments market is more open now than ever before, especially as third parties now sit between the bank and its users. This raises questions around the issue of security.
Both consumers and businesses need to feel reassured that their data and their systems are protected. They want to rest safe in the knowledge that their information is only being accessed by those who should have access to it. PSD2 aims to tackle this: each payment initiation service provider is now required to have strong customer authentication processes in place, whether they are the main service providers or one of the new third party providers. This means establishing:
- Something you know, such as a password or username.
- Something you have, such as a token.
- Something you are, such as biometric authentication.
PSD2 also states that for authentication to be seen as ‘strong’, it must not be replicable. This is to ensure that fraudsters who simply replay authentication data will not get a successful payment.
This is a positive move for everyone involved in the payments process and for the first time common standards on how a bank knows who their customer is will be established.
Some of the authentication processes have yet to be finalized. For example, the industry is eagerly awaiting news on exactly what form the biometric verification will take, whether tokens will be used and whether they’ll be available on a single device.
- Changes to scope – what’s in and what’s out?
Finally, there are two key changes to bear in mind.
When the first directive was published in December 2007, it was unclear whether payments and receivables ‘on behalf of’ (POBO/ROBO) were covered under the laws.
PSD2 addresses this and makes it very clear. Things are likely to become even more transparent as time goes on and the legislation is implemented further. This means that all providers will know exactly where they stand.
Furthermore, PSD2 now covers ‘one leg in’ and ‘one leg out’ transactions: these are payments that either start in Europe and end elsewhere, or start elsewhere and end in Europe. It also covers all currencies beyond just member state currencies.
There are also a number of technical changes included in PSD2, which clarify how these payments should be directed. This includes giving member states more control over how account identifiers, such as bank codes and account numbers, are used.
While this article aims to summarise some of the key changes to bear in mind, there is a significant amount of information to take on board. There is, of course, some time yet before any changes actually filter down to national and business level, but it makes sense to start considering them sooner rather than later. Ultimately, it means improvements for all payments users.


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Shriram Life Insurance Company on Friday reported a three-fold jump in profit after tax to Rs 106 crore for the fiscal year ended March 2021.
The company's profit after tax has grown three-times to Rs 106 crore in FY20-21, backed by technology adoption and an increase in rural penetration as the company continues to serve the community at large, Shriram Life Insurance Company (SLIC) said in a release.
Its profit stood at Rs 35 crore in FY20.
Even during these unprecedented times, the company was able to grow its gross premium by 23 per cent, crossing the milestone of Rs 2,000 crore, it added.
"This growth was supported by a 25 per cent growth on total new business premium and 24 per cent growth on retail renewals.
"The company continues to extend financial protection to customers residing even in the deepest rural locations within the heartlands of India with approximately 47 per cent of its new business from the rural segment," it said.
It further said 54 per cent of the company's claims came from the rural segment.
The effective and consistent focus on fundamentals also yielded strong results with the assets under management (AUM) growing at 30 per cent to Rs 6,261 crore, said the private sector insurer.
Income from investments more than doubled to cross Rs 500 crore, it said.
"Shriram Life has been focused on serving the protection needs of the rural segment and lower income segments. These segments are most affected by the crisis due to the dual impact of the health emergency and loss of income," said Casparus Kromhout, MD and CEO, Shriram Life Insurance.
Growth of 8 per cent in the number of policies sold underlines this commitment, he added.
SLIC is a joint-venture between South Africa's Sanlam Group and India's Shriram Group.


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While experts regard contactless mobile payment as an alternative to hard cash, the YouGov poll of 2,085 people found 70% had not heard of the mobile wallet and only 23% were interested in paying for items using mobile phones.
Even consumers with contactless debit and credit cards were reluctant to use near-field communications (NFC) mobile payments, instead of chip-and-PIN and cash payments.
Global NFC mobile contactless payment transactions will reach nearly $50bn (£31bn) worldwide by 2014 with North America and Western Europe accounting for 50% of NFC payments, according to Juniper Research.
Russell Feldman, a YouGov consultant, said: "It is down to mobile operators and handset manufacturers to work with retailers to educate consumers about the real advantages of paying for items in this way."
Another survey by Monitise shows the number of people in the UK managing money on their mobile devices has doubled over two years to almost 10% of the population. Monitise expects this to increase to over 50% of the UK population in the next few years.
Russell Feldman said: "We believe once people have seen it in practice - and are reassured about the measures in place to protect their financial and personal security - they will be quick to adopt it and the industry will reap the rewards."
Over half (56%) of those polled were concerned about security and fraud issues. Most said security issues would prevent their adoption of a mobile wallet when the technology is widely available.
The Google Wallet is currently being piloted in New York and San Francisco. Google Wallet uses NFC to make secure payments by tapping a mobile phone on a Mastercard PayPass-enabled terminal.
Orange and Barclaycard recently introduced the first contactless NFC mobile payment system in the UK. O2 plans to launch a mobile NFC payments system before the end of 2011.


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not a huge fan of the Hamptons, and I try to avoid them. A story out of the
Hamptons last summer only confirmed why I stay away: Apparently, Hamptonites
almost ran out of rosé and it was a major deal. I am still not clear
on why people didn’t just pack an extra bottle or two in their weekend bags (also,
has anyone heard of Amazon?), but it was covered everywhere from The Washington Post to Page 6, so maybe I'm missing something. Wait. I think I am missing
something. Perhaps, these rosé-starved vacationers don’t have weekend bags at
all. Maybe they're just living in
the Hamptons for the summer. That makes the rosé shortage the ultimate #whitegirlproblem.
game for a joke, actor and writer The Fat Jew (a.k.a. Josh Ostrovsky) and the brothers behind White Girl Problems have created a wine called White Girl Rosé, to ensure that a shortage
will not be ruining anyone’s summer again this year. The Fat Jew has vowed that White
Girl is "gluten-free... It’s everything-free." Wait: everything-free? Is it free free? Now
I am definitely coming to the Hamptons!
Oliver Cohen, one of the cofounders of White Girl Problems, said the idea came to them while at Soho House in NYC. “[Cofounder Josh and I] always get offers to do
products, but we knew it had to be a booze product.” The rosé shortage provided
the perfect opportunity. I had to ask David if this was for real (when I originally saw
this press release, I thought it was a joke), and he assured me that it is very
real. “We knew people thought it was going to be a joke, so we worked with some
pretty high-end and sophisticated wine people to make a spectacular, Provence-style wine... It’s super-crispy with a touch of citrus and
sweet after-notes. It’s also bone-dry.”
Girl Rosé will be available for purchase and delivery from FreshDirect Wines &
Spirits in NYC starting June 5. It will also be available at
retailers in 38 states.


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When there is a loss of confidence in financial assets, investors around the world sell them at the same time, which results in a financial crisis. These assets will, of course. be worth a fraction of what they were before. Financial institutions that own these assets may not have enough money to cover them. This causes financial institutions not to lend to people, because they have no liquidity. Without credit available in an economy from financial institutions, an economy contracts.
This is how a financial crisis translates into an economic contraction. This is why governments step in to provide liquidity to the banks—quantitative easing—in order to keep the economy from further contracting on itself. A financial crisis can bring an economy to its knees. The government’s job is to ensure there is no loss of confidence in the first place, because this is what triggers a financial crisis.
A recession for the global economy is becoming an increasingly likely scenario.
The Chinese economy, the second-biggest in the world, witnessed a contraction in manufacturing in May. The HSBC Flash China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 49.6 for May, declining from 50.4 in April. (Source: Markit, May 23, 2013.) Any number below 50 represents contraction in the manufacturing sector.
The Chinese economy exports a significant amount of what it produces to the global economy. Contraction in Chinese manufacturing shows exports are falling—the global demand for goods is falling.
Similarly, Germany’s Flash Manufacturing PMI showed continuous contraction in the manufacturing sector. The index stood at 49.0 in May. (Source: Markit, May 23, 2013.) The German economy is important to observe, because it’s the largest economy in the eurozone and an economic slowdown in the nation can send the common currency region into another downward spiral, again affecting the global economy.
Looking at other key indicators, they are pointing to an economic slowdown ahead in the global economy. Consider the copper market. Demand for copper is suggesting activity in the global economy is sluggish, even deteriorating.
Copper prices are down more than 10% since the beginning of 2013, and stockpiles of the brown metal, tracked by the London Metals Exchange (LME), are up a staggering 95% this year! (Source: Bloomberg, May 23, 2013.)
Other industrial metal prices, such as aluminum, lead, nickel, and zinc, are in decline as well.
How can the U.S. economy possibly improve when the global economy is in trouble?
The U.S. is highly affected by any shift in demand in the global economy.
After the financial crisis … Read More
As I have been writing in these pages, economic growth in the U.S. economy won’t happen by printing more paper money—it’s a short-term fix that creates more long-term problems.
According to data compiled by Bloomberg, 2,267 non-financial constituents of the Russell 3000 index saw their cash holdings increase by 13% to $1.73 trillion in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period a year earlier. (Source: Bloomberg, May 23, 2013.)
As the cash hoard continues, business spending declined 21% in the first quarter compared to the last quarter of 2012. This was the biggest decline since the financial crisis of 2008.
To top this off, business executives in the U.S. economy are worried about troubles in the global economy, and they don’t have a very optimistic view on conditions here at home. A CEO Confidence Survey conducted by the Conference Board suggests only 29% of executives believe conditions in their industries have improved in the first quarter; going forward, only 32% expect the U.S. economy to improve in the next six months. (Source: Conference Board, April 25, 2013.)
Looking at all of this, how can you not question the effectiveness of quantitative easing in the U.S. economy? The problem at hand is businesses shying away from spending in the U.S. economy and hoarding cash. To my standards, quantitative easing is failing at making businesses more confident about spending as it was promised.
Dear reader, for economic growth to take place in the U.S. economy, businesses must be willing to spend and make investments; we are seeing the opposite of that. This isn’t rocket science; once businesses start to … Read More
As the key stock indices continue to climb higher, optimism amongst investors and stock advisors rises to a dangerous level.
According to the Advisor Sentiment tracked by Investors Intelligence, an indicator I follow to gauge optimism in the stock market, the number of stock advisors who are bullish towards key stock indices is at its highest since April of 2011. (Source: Investors Intelligence, May 22, 2013.) To bring this into perspective, in April of 2011, the key stock indices like the S&P 500 started to decline, dropping nearly 20% through October of that year.
The stock market is becoming very overbought and very overpriced. It’s not a matter of “if” the market faces a major set-back, but “when.”
The U.S. economy continues to struggle and early indicators of economic slowdown are flashing warning signs. Consider the Business Outlook Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, which provides an outlook for manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area. The survey indicates demand has been weak, with new orders and shipments declining and inventories building up. (Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, May 16, 2013.)
The index of current manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region registered at negative 5.3 in May compared to positive 1.3 in April. Any number below zero indicates conditions in the manufacturing sector are becoming poor.
This isn’t the only troubling statistic that shows the U.S. economy is headed towards an economic slowdown. Our economic growth is questionable; unemployment is still staggering; the majority of jobs created since the financial crisis have been in low-paying jobs, and a significant portion of the U.S. population is on food stamps…. Read More
Core retail sales declined 0.1% in April—and that’s after they already fell 0.4% in the previous month! (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, May 13, 2013.)
When compared to the first four months of 2012, consumer spending in the U.S. economy declined in the first four months of 2013 at electronics and appliance stores, health and personal care stores, gasoline stations, and general merchandise stores.
And looking forward, consumer spending in the U.S. economy doesn’t appear to look very promising either.
If companies don’t spend or create better-quality/better-paying jobs, can consumer spending really pick up? It’s well documented in these pages: the job creation we have seen since the financial crisis started has been in low-wage-paying sectors.
Keeping all this in mind, with consumer spending still bleak and core retail sales constantly declining, the retailer must be suffering.
But that’s not so!
When you look at the stock market and, more specifically, at the retailers, it appears that consumer spending in the U.S. economy is booming! Consider the chart below of the S&P Retail Index. This index tracks the performance of some of the most well-known retailers in the U.S. economy.
Chart courtesy of www.StockCharts.com
Dear reader, the stock market isn’t portraying the real picture of the U.S. economy. The retail sales number actually shows how consumer spending—the biggest contributor to our gross domestic product (GDP)—is fairing, and those numbers look terrible.
Even with the printing of trillions of dollars of new money via quantitative easing, the Federal … Read More
Something is starting to smell in the bond market…
Since their peak in July of 2012, 30-year U.S. bonds have declined in value—they are down almost six percent. Trading above $153.00 in mid-2012, 30-year U.S. bonds now hover around $144.00, as depicted in the chart below.
Chart courtesy of www.StockCharts.com
Keep in mind that bond investors use U.S. bonds as a benchmark to what kinds of rates other types of bonds, such as corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and junk bonds, should sell at.
For example, if U.S. bonds decline in value, chances are the other types of bonds in the bond market will follow in the same direction. So the yield on 30-year U.S. bonds really matters when it comes to looking at the direction of the overall bond market.
The bond market experienced a significant run-up as the 2008 financial crisis unfolded and investors sought safety. Now, investors have a different type of worry on their hands.
The Federal Reserve, which has become a major buyer of long-term U.S. bonds, buying up to $45.0 billion worth of them a month, is contemplating when it should stop reducing the amount of bonds it purchases each month.
According to data from Investment Company Institute, an association of U.S. investment companies, in the first three months of 2013, long-term bond mutual funds had inflows of $68.9 billion. This was 25% lower than the same period a year ago, when these funds had inflows of $92.08 billion. (Source: Investment Company Institute, May 8, 2013.)
As I have been harping on about in these pages for some time now, caution and capital … Read More
Profit Confidential — IT'S FREE!
"A Golden Opportunity for Stock Market Investors"


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Construction at Kroger Marketplace store in Lambertville, Mich.
It’s just a few paragraphs in an 87-page financial report, but in the annual 10-K document that the Kroger Co. filed on April 2 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fierce battle for market share that the Cincinnati-based retailer is waging with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. practically jumps off the page.
“Based on Nielsen Homescan Data, our estimated market share increased in total by approximately 20 basis points in 2012 across our 19 marketing areas outlined by the Nielsen report. … Wal-Mart Supercenters are a primary competitor in 17 of these 19 marketing areas. In these 17 marketing areas, our market share increased in nine and declined in eight,” the report states.
Kroger is the dominant supermarket chain in the Toledo area. Wal-Mart is the nation’s No. 1 retailer.
Wal-Mart has been muscling in on Kroger’s supermarket turf since 1988, when the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer began developing its Walmart supercenters, which carry a full line of groceries. In the Toledo area, Wal-Mart added groceries to its stores in 2006.
The addition of groceries pushed Wal-Mart further into the concept of “hypermarkets” — a format that combines a supermarket and a department store. In theory, it gives customers a one-stop shopping experience — and it gave Wal-Mart a significant advantage over pure supermarket chains such as Kroger, Aldi, Safeway, and SuperValu.
But Kroger, which learned a thing or two about hypermarkets after acquiring the consummate hypermarket chain Fred Meyer stores in 1998, has not been idle while Wal-Mart stocks up on groceries.
In 2004 in Columbus, the retailer built its first Kroger Marketplace store — a 125,000-square-foot store with full-service grocery and pharmacy departments, but also an expanded general merchandise area that includes outdoor living products, electronics, home goods, and toys. The Marketplace stores have evolved to include gourmet coffee stands, a bank, a jewelry store, apparel, and baby clothing and furniture.
As of April, Kroger had built 78 Marketplace stores, mostly in Ohio but also in Louisville, Nashville, Houston, and Phoenix (where it operates as Fry’s Food Stores).
A "Kroger Marketplace" store. Two of these stores are being built in the Toledo area.
NOT BLADE PHOTO Enlarge
Last year Kroger began converting its 68,000-square-foot supermarket in Lambertville into a 128,000-square-foot marketplace. The project is about 80 percent complete. In its first phase, it expanded the store’s produce area, added a bakery and a fresh seafood area, and built a “bistro” area with a coffee, beverage, and olive bar and made-to-order sandwiches.
The second phase that includes furniture, apparel, a Baby World section featuring baby furniture, furnishings, and apparel, and a Fred Meyer jewelers. It should be ready this summer.
Last month Kroger announced plans to build a second Marketplace store in the Toledo area, on Holloway Road at Airport Highway in Holland. The 124,000-square-foot store will open in the fall of 2014.
Grocery industry analyst Bill Bishop, head of Illinois-based Willard Bishop Consulting, said it isn’t surprising that a traditional supermarket chain such as Kroger has been deploying a concept that adds more general merchandise because retailers are always seeking new categories that will help attract customers, as Wal-Mart did when it added groceries to its lineup of general merchandise.
“Every retailer is trying to get into, to the extent they can, completely new markets because that’s a kind of pure growth for them. So when you go to a [Kroger] Marketplace store and see furniture — which shocked me the first time I saw it — it’s pretty evident that having bigger stores has let capable retailers put their toes into new markets for growth,” Mr. Bishop said. “And I think what you’re going to see is a lot more of that.”
Discount chain Target Stores Inc., for example, operated as a general merchandiser then began adding nonperishable food to its wares more than a decade ago. In 2009, the retailer went further toward the hypermarket concept by developing its “PFresh” stores that contain perishable and frozen foods, meat, dairy, and produce.
The PFresh concept was rolled out across 350 stores, either through remodeling or store openings, through 2010. And in 1995, Target developed its SuperTarget format, a 174,000-square-foot store that had a full grocery selection, fresh produce, bakery, and deli, plus a bank, fast-food stores, coffee bistros, pharmacy, and in some locations, a walk-in medical clinic.
Although Target had 251 SuperTargets as of February, the firm does not have any of those stores or PFresh formats in the Toledo area, and a spokesman would not say whether any are planned.
But with Kroger adding two Marketplace stores, and Wal-Mart, Meijer Inc., and The Andersons Inc. all claiming their shares of the local customer pie, it seems logical that Target may move to put a PFresh in Toledo, if not a SuperTarget. After all, Mr. Bishop said, all retailers have access to consumer trend data and have a good sense of what area customers want.
“Everybody has a lot better customer information from their loyalty card data, and they’re more aware of what households are doing,” he said. “They all have the ability to reach out to the grocery shopper and will know which areas will be in the market for children’s things, for family things, and for groceries.”
David Livingston, a Milwaukee-based grocery industry analyst and data researcher, said while all of the retailers are moving toward combinations of groceries and general merchandise, each is doing its mix a little differently to fit the preferences of their own customers.
“Kroger’s concept is a little bit different than the others,” said Mr. Livingston, whose company, DLJ Research, does market analyses for investors, retailers, developers, and real estate investment trusts.
“At a Walmart Supercenter, the grocery, food, drug, and pet food categories represent about 60 percent of sales. A typical Target store’s grocery sales is about 33 percent of total sales, and it’s a little higher with a SuperTarget,” he said. “But at Kroger [Marketplace], their general merchandise sales are only about 10 or 15 percent [of total sales].”
Given those low numbers for general merchandise sales, Mr. Livingston said he wonders why Kroger even bothers with building more Marketplace stores.
“I’ve never understood why Kroger does this. They’re got their reasoning and it does bring people into the store and maybe they come more often. But they still don’t do as much in general merchandise sales as their competitors,” he said.
Mr. Livingston said his guess is that Kroger is still tinkering with the concept, learning lessons from its Fred Meyer chain on the West Coast, and uncertain how far into the hypermarket concept it should go.
Chuck Cerankosky, a retail analyst with Northcoast Research Holdings LLC, of Cleveland, said from all indications, the Marketplace concept seems to be working for Kroger.
“They’re different from Wal-Mart in that [Kroger’s] perishables have a great deal more quality. And the quality component from their grocery perishables then extends into their general merchandise selection,” Mr. Cerankosky said.
“I think their quality stands above Wal-Mart,” he added.
The analyst said the emphasis on quality in the Marketplace stores in turn dictates where they will be built and probably determines why there are not a lot yet.
“They tend to be in upscale locations, but given that it’s Kroger, they’ve just been amazing in their ability to tweak their merchandise to make it upscale wherever they are.
“But they go all over the place to match what their demographic research tell them. It’s all part of their plan, and it's working for them,” Mr. Cerankosky said.
Jackie Siekmann, a spokesman for Kroger’s Columbus division, said Kroger has no intention of populating every locale with Marketplace stores. The company, she said, has several store formats, and is building Marketplace stores only where research tells them it is warranted.
For example, Ms. Siekmann said, the new 86,629-square-foot Kroger store at Reynolds Road and Dussell Drive in Maumee will be a supermarket with a fuel station.
“I think the most important aspect of this that we tell our customers over and over is that our goal is not to turn every store into a Marketplace,” Ms. Siekmann said. “What we want is to make the food shopping experience the best it can be and then add other things on to that."
The Kroger spokesman acknowledged that “Wal-Mart is no doubt one of our competitors that we look at.”
But Ms. Siekmann said Kroger’s movement into more general merchandising has been based more on feedback from its customers as opposed to watching what competitors do.
“The customer tells us more and more that they want conveniences. They want fuel, prescriptions — socks and stalks all in one trip, as we like to say,” she said.
The company did demographic research in the Toledo market, and it told the company there was a demand for two Marketplace stores, she said.
“We could see from our data that some of our Toledo folks were stopping [at a Kroger Marketplace] in Mansfield on the way to Columbus,” Ms. Siekmann said.
Contact Jon Chavez at: firstname.lastname@example.org or 419-724-6128.
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Entries in 'pc' (868)
UKIE's PC download chart is officially here, with Star Wars: The Old Republic sitting at the top.
2K Games has announced that all editions of Borderlands 2 on PC will rely on Valve's Steamworks suite.
MCV grills executive producer Joshua Howard about Microsoft Flight's free-to-play model and why third-party publishers are not allowed to be a part of it, as the game launches today.
Ubisoft’s Far Cry 3 will be released on September 6th, according to a leaked trailer.
A total of 100,000 World of Warcraft subscribers left the PC MMO during the three months ending December 31st, according to financial documents filed by Activision Blizzard.
PC owners will be able to download Microsoft Flight for free in a matter of weeks, with paid-for content available at launch.
More than 250m users have signed up for Bigpoint’s free-to-play PC browser games in the ten years it has been producing them.
Valve has launched its Steam service onto mobile devices in the form of a closed beta iPhone and Android app.
Nordic Games has won a publishing deal for Remedy Entertainment’s critically acclaimed Alan Wake.
Industry body UKIE has announced a digital chart for PC games will be published next month, two years after it began the project.
There’s a new console hoping to muscle its way under your TV – Alienware’s X51 gaming PC.
EA has announced a collaboration with Katy Perry which will see the music star appear in future DLC and ad campaigns.
Publisher Ubisoft has once again found itself to be the subject of internet rage over its PC gaming DRM strategies.
Trion Worlds has dropped the subscription price of its PC MMO Rift with bigger savings given to those who pay annually.
Microsoft Flight could harm the simulation games market if the company doesn’t open it up to third-parties, publishers have told MCV.
Ubisoft has pushed back Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier on consoles by two months to May 25th.


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CHEESE of all shapes, sizes, colours, textures and flavours is on display in Beaconsfield today.
Hundreds of dairy produce lovers have flocked to the old town for the festival, being held for the second time this year.
Cheesemongers from across Europe have come to south Bucks for the event.
About 50 stalls and a wine and cheese tasting tent are up and running.
The town cryer and Beaconsfield Mayor Richard Keith formally opened the market at 11am.
More than 1,000 people attended the Cheese Makers’ Market in the Old Town last year, prompting Eric Charriaux and Amnon Paldi to make it a regular fixture in the town’s diary.
The pair run the La Cave à Fromage shop in South Kensington, as well as supply company Premier Cheese. Both companies are headquartered in Gregories Road, Beaconsfield.


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News — jewelry trends
Posted by Stacy Thompson on
Anklets Delicate anklets are making a come back this spring. While, the sun is hiding behind the clouds these days, and the chill is frosty, as the season changes and cropped pants and denim shorts make a comeback, the time for anklets will also. Simple and minimal anklets will be in. Mis-matched Earrings This year, we’d be seeing a lot of irregular, mismatched dangle studs. Edgy shapes hanging from long chains on ears are totally going to be seen everywhere. A subtle nod to the mismatched trend, we’ve seen this particular style already on celebrities. Button studs...
- 1 comment
- Tags: earrings for 2018, jewelry styles 2018, jewelry trends, layering necklaces 2018, stud earrings 2018


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Bonn, 27 August 2018: Today, the President of the Bundeskartellamt, Andreas Mundt, presented the authority’s annual report for 2017 in Bonn.
Andreas Mundt: "Our key focus is on protecting competition in the digital economy. We have two key objectives when it comes to the major internet companies. Our task is to keep markets open to ensure they remain contestable and companies continue to have the opportunity to be successful with new ideas. We also need to make sure consumers can select the products and services matching their requirements in a transparent and fair...more


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With its transportation assets, Memphis is gaining a reputation as a great place to build a distribution center.
When people think of Memphis, Tenn., they undoubtedly think of Elvis Presley, the king of rock `n' roll. The city on the muddy Mississippi River also has carved out a reputation as a mecca for those seeking great barbecue. But in the commercial real estate world, the city is known as a distribution center locale of rare quality.
Billing their city as North America's distribution center, Memphis officials boast that, long before e-commerce was cool, Memphis-based companies kept the world's cargo moving. Now, the e-commerce world has caught wind of Memphis' transportation assets and is capitalizing on them with a passion. From its world-recognized airport, sophisticated rail systems and abundant interstate access to its downtown river port, Memphis is equipped to become the Southeast's, if not the nation's, center of commerce and cargo.
"To sum it up, the impact of e-commerce is being felt in a big way," says Bill Ray, vice chair of new and existing business for the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce. "As of March 1, 2000, several spec buildings were under construction, most of which are being built in anticipation of the continued influx of logistics operations directly related to the Internet phenomenon."
First-class transportation hubs The demographic and logistical advantages Memphis offers businesses help explain why 56 companies in this year alone have decided to relocate to, or expand existing operations in, the Memphis area. Last year, 86 industrial and office construction projects totaling 101 million sq. ft. created 9,798 new jobs and produced $1.7 billion in new capital investments.
For the past six years, Memphis International Airport has been ranked by Geneva-based Airports Council International as the largest air cargo airport in the world, an honor of distinction due in part to the presence of Federal Express' (FedEx) corporate headquarters.
The airport is a hub for Northwest Airlines, notes Chuck Marquis, vice president of the chamber's economic development department.
"Our airport is also the only airport offering daily service to Amsterdam and is the No. 1 on-time airport in the country," adds Marquis.
Memphis also boasts the second largest river port on the nation's inland water system and the third largest rail center in the United States. "When combined with the 200 motor carriers that can reach 65% of the U.S. population in two days, Memphis offers logistical advantages few cities can match," says Ray.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) highway linking Canada and Mexico is designed to run directly through Memphis. Also, the Memphis Port Commission and the city and county governments have announced plans to build a gigantic intermodal terminal.
"Companies will be able to ship a variety of products into Memphis, break out containers according to products and ship them right back out," says Marquis.
"And, if you're lucky or savvy enough to be located adjacent to the facility, think about what you'll save in shipping charges," adds Marquis.
A river runs through it The city's history and future are firmly rooted to the Mississippi River. Walking around the downtown Memphis area, visitors cannot miss how the city has wrapped itself around this historical and geological landmark.
But, at some point in time, city leaders turned their back on the river, which resulted in a hodgepodge of mismanaged industrial endeavors that ultimately left scars on the riverfront. Today, the city is committed to a revitalization effort aimed not only at attracting businesses and industries to the downtown area, but also at giving riverfront development cohesive and comprehensive management.
"Memphis came from the river," says Benny Lendermon, president of Riverfront Development Corp. (RDC), a nonprofit, private agency charged with creating and implementing a 20-year riverfront redevelopment master plan.
"It's hard to deal with a river that fluctuates 50 feet in any given year," says Lendermon. "But, when W.W. Herenton was elected the first black mayor of Memphis, it was his goal as a historian to reconnect the city with the river."
Although plans to revitalize the waterfront began in 1991, they are only now coming to fruition. "Not to say we haven't spent lots of money on riverfront development [before the 1990s]," says Lendermon, the city's former public works director. "We built Mud Island River Park in the 1970s which, depending on who you talk to, either hasn't realized its potential or is a miserable failure."
Currently, the city has commissioned a $4.5 million cobblestone walkway construction project along the river's bank, but Lendermon says this does not scratch the surface of the overall master plan's intent.
"Everybody who comes to Memphis or works in the city wants to see the river or get to it," says Lendermon. "Any office buildings that have river views can sell overnight. The demand for these properties is just incredible. But, we've got limited opportunities. There's only so much riverfront and there are only so many places from where you can see the river. We're blessed with public access to the property along the river. It's just that it may not be the most ideal location.
"Memphis was like a lot of other cities," continues Lendermon. "With the absence of a plan, someone comes in with a whole lot of money to spend. We've jumped on a project and tried to be supportive, but there's not been a cohesive goal."
E-commerce comes calling As Memphis regains an aesthetic grip on its riverfront and its transportation hubs continue to hum with prosperity, the city's overall transportation system has not been lost on the dot.com crowd, says Ray.
"They are increasingly discovering that Memphis offers incredible efficiencies for the physical delivery of e-commerce transactions," says Ray. "That's why so many firms have established or expanded their presence here in recent months."
Consider a few recent highlights: - Last year, New York-based Barnes & Noble.com opened a $30 million distribution center in Memphis to ship books and CDs throughout the eastern United States. In September 1999, New York-based Media Metrix ranked Barnes & Noble.com as the fourth largest e-commerce site in the world.
- Toysrus.com, based in Paramus, N.J., committed to building a 400,000 sq. ft. distribution center to fulfill online orders. The company employs more than 900 people in the Memphis area.
- South San Francisco, Calif.-based PlanetRx.com built a 165,000 sq. ft. facility to fill medical prescriptions over the Internet. The Web site topped a "Top 10 Online Drugstores" report by New York-based e-Marketer, an Internet research company, scoring a perfect score based on selection, price, service, usability, presentation and features.
- LLbean.com has contracted with FedEx to fulfill orders received at the company's Freeport, Maine, headquarters.
- Palo Alto, Calif.-based Hewlett-Packard operates a $25 million, 625,000 sq. ft. distribution center called the HP Shopping Village. A portion of the facility is devoted to supporting the company's e-commerce operations.
- New York-based Mimeo.com, a digital printing company, will invest $25 million in a local production facility to allow the company to reproduce, bind and ship business documents anywhere in the United States.
To accommodate e-commerce companies in Memphis, city and Shelby County leaders have designated a new high-tech corridor around the eastern rim of the county, says Ray.
With the University of Memphis, the city and Shelby County have also formed the Memphis Area High Technology Council to draw more e-commerce companies.
"The chamber also has a work force development initiative under way as part of its 10-year Memphis 2005 plan to attract the best and brightest young people to work in these high-skilled, high-paying jobs," says Ray.
Promising statistics During the past five years, income has been on the rise in Memphis. The metro area posted a 4.8% growth in per capita income from 1996 to 1997. While measuring only 95.5% of the U.S. standard in 1990, the figure had increased to 102% by 1997.
The chamber's "2000 Mid-Year Report of Major Announced New and Expanded Companies" for office and industrial projects is more than promising. Fourteen relocations have resulted in 2,167 additional jobs, 2.7 million sq. ft. of new space and $1.8 billion in new capital investments.
In addition, 42 local expansions will result in 1,325 new jobs, 3.6 million sq. ft. of space and $2.6 billion in capital investments. Approximately 50% of the relocations and expansions are attributable to distribution centers or e-commerce related trade.
"The bottom line is you can't e-mail a Furby," says Lee, referring to a popular toy. "Somebody has to pick the order, pack it, ship it to the customer and track the package every step of the way. In Memphis, that's what we do best."


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Business owners on Bute will have a chance to put their burning questions to the man in charge of economic development at Argyll and Bute Council this week.
Ferggus Murray, the authority’s head of economic development and strategic transportation, will host an informal ‘business briefing’ event at the Victoria Hotel in Rothesay this Tuesday, December 15, from 12 noon to 1.30pm.
Mr Murray will use the event - one of a series being held throughout the council area - to outline the authority’s attempts to persuade more people to come to Argyll and Bute to live, invest and base their business in the area.
Small and medium-sized business owners will also have the opportunity to raise any issues that have an impact upon their business, while the council’s own Business Gateway team will also attend to talk about the support they can offer to new and existing businesses.
Entry to Tuesday’s event is free, but the Business Gateway team have asked those interested in coming along to contact them in advance on firstname.lastname@example.org or by calling (01546) 604555.


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For the first time in India, this study estimates and quantifies the extent of piracy in publishing industry for which TARI developed its own methodology. It finds that piracy grew in the range of 17-20% during 2007-8 and 2011-12. The loss in sales revenue due to this is estimated to be Rs 8,334 crore in 2011-12 – up from Rs 3,885 crore in 2007-8.
In view of the adverse economic and social impact of piracy, the study calls for several measures to create effective deterrent environment and mechanism as well as public awareness and outreach. For further details please view our report…
Corruption need not be the grease that oils the wheels of progress
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister of India


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– The leading Russian social network, Odnoklassniki.ru, which is majority owned by a Facebook investor DST (Digital Sky Technologies) has announced a new site design to provide a better site navigation and increase page load speed. Odnoklassniki.ru, which has 40 million registered accounts and 10 million daily users, has revealed its first major site re-design since first launch in March 2006.
- The leading Russian online portal, Mail.ru, which is also majority owned by DST, has launched its own online payment service Money@Mail.ru (Деньги@Mail.ru). The Mail.ru users can now pay for online gaming and other services of Mail.ru via its own payment service as well as to pay for outside services such as mobile phone bills, web hosting, internet access and others. Money@Mail.ru is integrated with instant payment terminals of QIWI, the leading Russian instant payment operator that is 25%-owned by DST.
- The leading Russian search engine, Yandex and the most popular instant messaging software client in Russia, ICQ have released their first co-branded client, Yandex ICQ or ICQ 6.5 version. The Yandex ICQ downloadable client software integrates Yandex search, traffic, weather and other services. Until recently, ICQ had a partnership with Rambler in Russia.


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Hapag-Lloyd will implement a general rate increase on its services from India to Europe and the Mediterranean.
The planned increase, starting June 1, will be $200 per 20-foot equivalent unit.
The German carrier said the GRI will apply to all westbound shipments from India’s west coast ports of Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru) and Mundra to destinations in North Europe, East/West Mediterranean, Black Sea and North Africa.
Separately, Hapag-Lloyd said it will impose an “emergency fuel surcharge” on India-North Europe-Mediterranean trade lanes to cover rising bunker costs, also effective June 1. The proposed surcharge on both dry and refrigerated cargo will be $150 per TEU.
The carrier said the surcharge will be revised “on a monthly basis in line with the Hapag-Lloyd bunker charge.”


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The year's most notable embarrassments in technology run the gamut from the industry's inability to secure our personal data to the blunders of Airbnb, Twitter and Tinder.
Saving money on gadgets without braving the Black Friday crowds: that's what Cyber Monday is all about. We're tracking the deals right here.
An international team of astronomers has witnessed an "extremely rare" event: a black hole eating a star then ejecting a near light-speed flare.
Technically Incorrect: As people rushed to get electronics, little seemed to have changed from previous years. There was pandemonium, and there were fights.
Wait! Before you fight the crowds to plunk down your hard-earned cash, make sure that a Black Friday deal is really a deal.
Fed up with your dumb "Smart TV?" Tired of waiting for your console to boot up just so you can watch Netflix? Lookng for a cheap tech gift? There are plenty of reasons to get a new dedicated video streamer. We'll help you choose one.
TechRepublic's Bill Detwiler uses a rotary cutter to slice open the stylus and explores the tech that powers the iPad Pro's must-have accessory.
The day after Turkey Day tends to be mostly hype, but for a select few stores and tech items, Friday should be buy-day.
Shoppers want Cyber Monday bargains on Sunday evening, says retail giant Walmart, so it's moving its online sales schedule ahead accordingly.
The PS Vita gameplay streaming service is set to expand to desktops, President of Sony Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida confirms.


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A Cyncoed schoolboy has swapped his textbooks for Macbooks – to start up his own business.
Rhys Morgan, 16, decided to set up a technical support business after spending his free time helping friends and family members with their IT problems.
He said: “I was looking around town to see if I could get a summer job and there wasn’t anything out there, so I thought ‘I know a bit about technology’.
“I always seem to be helping people to set up their computers or fix problems with them, so I thought, ‘Why don’t I make a business out of it?’”
The enterprising teenager has registered his company and is in the process of setting up a website through which customers can contact him for help.
He is even hoping to set up a blog to instruct his customers on how to use Skype so he can offer remote help.
Sessions would cover everything from how to make the best use of a home computer to how to get started on an iPad, and would cost around £10 an hour.
He said: “Most people are probably only getting about 50% out of what their computers are capable of.
“A lot of people just use them for web browsing and word processing and that is fine, but there is so much more that you can do – even if it is just speeding everything up.
“More and more people are buying iPhones and tablets but they need help setting them up, getting music on them and working out how to get the best out of them.
“There are also many older people who maybe have computers linked up to the internet, but without people telling them how to use Facebook or Skype to contact relatives around the world, they aren’t aware of how simple it can be.
“I looked around and a lot of companies offer this kind of thing, but it can be really expensive.
“I just thought I can offer it cheaply because it doesn’t cost me anything – it’s all just knowledge in my head.”
The Kings Monkton School pupil made headlines last year when his warnings about so-called “miracle” drug Miracle Mineral Solution led to it being removed from sale in the UK.
Rhys is planning to run his company while he studies for his AS-levels next year and eventually he plans to study pharmacology and medicine at Imperial College London or Cardiff University.


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Latest 'o.m.i.t.' news
New “One Moment In Time” Teaser Released
Marvel Comics has released a new "Amazing Spider-Man" teaser image by story artist Paolo Rivera featuring the headline "One Moment In Time Changes Everything." The next chapter hits stores September 1.
‘Origin of the Species’ gives Peter Parker time to reflect — and maybe readers a new Spider-Man?
Last Thursday CBR posted a lengthy interview with Amazing Spider-Man editor Stephen Wacker about all things Spider-Man, from the “One Moment in Time” storyline to his role in the upcoming …
FIRST LOOK: “Amazing Spider-Man” #638 Variant Cover
Marvel Comics has unveiled Joe Quesada's cover for "Amazing Spider-Man" #638, the first chapter of Quesada and Paolo Manuel Rivera's "One Moment In Time" story arc. The issue hits stores July 21.
Paolo Rivera’s mother unveils pages from ‘One Moment in Time’
In a novel marketing move, the mother of artist Paolo Rivera has debuted four pages of her son’s art from the much-discussed “One Moment in Time” storyline that kicks off …
Marvel’s O.M.I.T. mystery deepens
What is O.M.I.T.? Marvel fans have been asking ever since guitar picks emblazoned with that cryptic acronym surfaced at Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada’s gig with nerd-rock outfit Kirby Krackle during Emerald …


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ECHO conference targets businesses, gets poor response
The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) yesterday hosted an environmental conference targeting the business community and consumers.
In addition to the poor representation from the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the body’s Chairman, Ramesh Dookhoo, who was slated to speak on the approaches used by local corporations to ensure the integrity of the health of the environment, was not in attendance.
The objectives of the conference included raising awareness on current environmental issues among the business community and consumers; soliciting cooperation in protecting the natural environment; and encouraging consumers to be environmentally alert.
The conference was held at Cara Lodge, Georgetown, under the theme ‘Uniting against poor environmental practices; protecting our communities; developing Guyana in this era of climate change’.
Guyana struggles with the challenge of clearing plastic materials including bottles and bags from canals which disrupt the free flow of water.
Executive Director of ECHO, Royston King, told the gathering that “plastic is suffocating the environment. It is convenient but has adverse effect on human health, land, sea, and air. Between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year and most plastic bags take over 400 years to biodegrade”.
King stressed that large quantities of plastic carriers are distributed free of cost daily at supermarkets and other shopping centres in Guyana. He suggested that if customers are made to pay for those carriers it would encourage them to reduce their dependency on plastic bags and seek alternatives which are more environmentally friendly.
“We have written the EPA and the PSC about this. We hope for some movement in this area very soon,” King stated.
He emphasized that millions of top-up plastic phone cards discarded daily by users remain in the environment. King hinted that the local telecommunication companies could encourage more texting, and transfer of credit, and phase out the use of plastic cards, or find ways to recycle them. The presence of plastic in waterways utilises valuable resources.
According to George Jervis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has expended about 80 percent of its budgetary allocation of $4.5B for 2011.
Jervis asserted that the body has been executing works across the country to improve drainage capacity. He explained that while some drainage works were being executed, additional money has to be spent to pay persons to remove plastic obstacles from the grills.
Although technological advancement has helped the world – particularly in the areas of communication and manufacturing – it sometimes has negative effects on the environment.
King stressed that the amazing advances in technology continue to contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases, increase in global temperatures, and certain consequential events which could affect the sustainability of the environment.
“Royal Dutch Shell is struggling with another spill in the North Sea. Already, more than 200 tons of oil has been spilled into the sea. Imagine the impact of this on marine life and other aspects of the environment,” he stated. (Keeran Singh)


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Funen will now have electric roadside assistance
SOS Dansk Autohjælp’s new electric service vehicle will help motorists with flat batteries and tyres on their way in the future.
Roadside assistance that operates on electricity has been on the wish list for years at SOS International and its subsidiary SOS Dansk Autohjælp. The development of electric cars has now come so far that it makes sense to use electric cars for roadside assistance.
The new VW ID. Buzz will be incorporated into the fleet at SOS Dansk Autohjælp on Funen from the end of April. It has been fitted out as a so-called Technician Vehicle and is crewed by a professional technician, so that quick roadside assistance can be provided on the spot.
"We are really looking forward to putting our electric service car into use. Technology is now so far advanced that it makes sense for us to start operating on electricity. Supplying roadside assistance places quite considerable demands on both range and efficiency,” says Sven Riggelsen, Supervisor for SOS Dansk Autohjælp on Funen.
The new Technicians Vehicle will not be used for towing cars. On the other hand, it can assist with, e.g. jump-starting, emergency sealing of punctured tires and other tasks that do not involve transport to a garage.
More electric roadside assistance on the way
“The experiences from the pioneer vehicle on Funen will, i.a., be used in SOS Dansk Autohjælp's strategy in the future,” explains Jan Bøjstrup Christensen, director of the Danish mobility division at SOS International:
“Our plan is to expand SOS Dansk Autohjælp's fleet with more electric cars, as past experiences have shown us where and when it makes the most sense. We are ambitious in terms of helping to reduce climate challenges. But electrically powered vehicles still have their limits. For example, diesel vehicles will continue to be necessary for towing cars and when we need assistance in moving larger vehicles”, says Jan Bøjstrup Christensen.
In 2022, SOS International invested in two electric Technicians Vehicle that operate in Oslo. Dansk Autohjælp has also supplied roadside assistance from electric bicycles in Copenhagen since 2021.
- VW ID. Buzz
- Range: Approx. 400 km
- Operates in Odense and surrounding areas
- Operational from the end of April 2023
Are you travelling and in need of acute assistance?
Contact SOS International's alarm centre on +45 7010 5050.


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As anticipations for virtual “real estate” heat up, charges comply with. That $2.4M buys 116 parcels (6,090-sq.-ft) in Decentraland, which only exists on the internet.
NEW YORK – The burgeoning digital genuine estate marketplace is heating up. A virtual “estate” in Decentraland, a single of the two dominant metaverses, changed fingers on Nov. 23 for a report sum – the equivalent of $2.4 million at the time.
Tokens.com Corp., via its subsidiary Metaverse Group, paid out 618,000 MANA – the indigenous Decentraland cryptocurrency – for 116 parcels comprising some 6,090 sq. toes in the digital entire world.
The estate, in Decentraland’s Fashion District, is now worth a great deal extra, thanks to a 35% increase in the price of MANA overnight. Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, but the industry general has trended up because the summer. MANA has greater in dollar worth by far more than 65% above the previous week, and by more than 550% in excess of the last month, in accordance to crypto marketplace Coinbase.
Decentraland, like other metaverses, is continue to mostly undeveloped. But trader fascination in the metaverse has developed in new months as retail, gaming and media firms like Fb have staked claims in digital worlds. As the quantity of participants has multiplied, value has coalesced all over estates and other plots positioned in close proximity to remarkably-trafficked public squares and rising industrial enterprises like casinos.
Speculators say electronic actual estate can provide a assortment of functions, from retail showrooms, to event spaces and virtual places of work.
Toronto-based Tokens.com, a publicly traded corporation that facilitates expenditure in electronic assets, plans to establish the Decentraland estate for staging manner demonstrates with clothes models, the corporation stated in a launch. Luxury manufacturers this kind of as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry have currently entered the metaverse as a result of designer NFTs – exclusive digital belongings secured by blockchain technological know-how.
In September, Tokens.com compensated roughly $2 million for a 50% stake in a portfolio of digital true estate owned by Metaverse Team, with strategies to spin it off as the world’s initial metaverse REIT.
Tokens.com is led by co-founder and CEO Andrew Kiguel, a former authentic estate expense banker.
The Sandbox, a further dominant metaverse oriented towards gaming, is set to start Nov. 29 after four several years in improvement. SAND, the indigenous currency of that virtual earth, is up additional than 800% in the very last month.
Copyright © 2021 WJW. All rights reserved


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Insole height, width, length and the general topography of the foot aren’t often accounted for in the footwear designs bought to the market today. Without properly taking into account the unique quality of each wearer’s foot, poor, improper fit is often the outcome.
Having successfully completed their mission to make the best orthotics on the market, SOLS seeks to create custom-built shoes—or, in this case, 3D-printed—footwear as well. And they’re going to do that with $11.1 million in Serie B funding they’ve recently received.
“SOLS enables the personalization of everyday wearables. Our first product, SOLS dynamic insoles are one of the world’s first applications of 3D printing introduced to the consumer market,” says founder Kegan Schouwenburg. “The new infusion of capital will be used to prepare for SOLS’ direct to consumer launch and further develop its robust portfolio of products that focus on smart technology and responsive real-time products.”
The way their new 3D-printing process works starts with the consumer taking photos of each of their feet from three different angles, the company then models them digitally. The company will then print those shoes to match the consumer’s foot. It will function in the same way its current insole technology does.
The company has recently unveiled Adaptiv, a 3D-printed prototype shoe that can be customized and finished in multiple materials.
SOLS is now working with EOS, a German 3D printing firm, to build a large-scale printing factory in Temple, Texas that will be able to produce all of it’s products in the near future. The ultimate goals is to let consumers factory to send their orders via their smartphones to the factory and have with whatever features they’ve chosen. Materials could easily move beyond plastic as well, SOLS hopes to produce outsoles made of leather or even offer mood-sensing color-changing LED lights.
“This is a pivotal time for SOLS as we aim to bring our mass customized 3D printed footwear direct to the consumer,” said Schouwenburg.
As 3D printing continues to disrupt the manufacturing industry, it’s companies like SOLS that will clearly come out as leaders in apparel production space with smart design and limited-to-no-waste models of production.


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U.S. Wine Auction Prices Drop Slightly In Third Quarter, Wine Spectator ReportsOctober 19, 2011
U.S. wine auction prices were down slightly in the third quarter, according to Wine Spectator, but perhaps most surprising was the fact that they didn’t seem to be heavily impacted by the volatility of the financial markets. The Wine Spectator Auction Index, which tracks wine sales at auctions in the United States,fell from 357.72 points in the second quarter of 2011 to 341.27 in the third quarter, a relatively small decrease of 4.6%. This is the second consecutive quarter that has registered a single-digit percent drop.
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the third quarter down 12% and the Nasdaq lost 13%, with a few large drops coinciding with large auctions. For example, the Dow Jones ended the week of September 19 down 6.4%, yet Zachys auctions held on September 22 and 23 posted a 97%-sold rate. Auctioneer Fritz Hatton said, “There is so much money chasing after fine and rare wine that even a 391-point drop in the Dow didn’t deter collectors from bidding competitively.”
Despite the fact that the Dow had fallen 303.7 points the day before the September 10 Sotheby’s sale, the auction was 98% sold, totaling $4.2 million against a presale high estimate of $3.9 million. Jamie Ritchie, president of Sotheby’s wine, said, “We do believe that the current volatile conditions in the financial markets affect whether clients bid and how aggressively they bid. However, we have noticed that day-to-day fluctuations tend not to have very much impact, unless it is a tumultuous drop in a period of relative calm.” Acker Merrall & Condit, whose auction took place the same day as Sotheby’s, was 97% sold.
The third quarter results are dominated by the 12 wine auctions held in September, as only three sales were conducted in July and none in August. Top U.S. earners were Hart Davis Hart with $5.3 million, followed by Zachys at $4.3 million and Sotheby’s at $4.2 million.
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GreenEarth Affiliate reports strong results, overall growth, and increased national recognition.
OXXO Care Cleaners Reports Strong Results and RanksTop Franchise In Entrepreneur’s Highly Competitive 40th Annual Franchise 500®
Hollywood, FL, January 22, 2019 — OXXO Care Cleaners®, the environmentally friendly garment cleaning franchise that was first to use GreenEarth® solvents while offering 24/7 ATM-style service in a European boutique setting, reported strong growth and impressive rankings once again in 2018. Company CEO Salomon Mishaan attributed these results to the company’s continued investment in new technology, consolidation in existing markets, successful pursuit of diversification strategies such as drop stores and conversions, unparalleled customer service, and sustained support of its franchisee network.
OXXO ranked once again in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500®, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Placement in the Franchise 500® is a highly sought-after honor in the franchise industry, as evidenced by the fact that Entrepreneur received more than 1,000 applications this year, making it one of the company’s most competitive rankings ever. OXXO was recognized for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power. OXXO was also once again named by franchiserankings.com. Lastly, Franchise Gator ranked OXXO among the
“OXXO has, from its inception, aimed to be a strong franchise brand, which requires adapting to change and constantly innovating. Our solidified position in these rankings is a testament to our strength as a franchise opportunity, our commitment to our customers, service to our constant innovation. We are proud of the brand that we have built based on the “We Care” philosophy and are confident OXXO Care Cleaners has a bright future,.” said Salomon Mishaan CEO of the OXXO Care Cleaners franchise.
In 2019, as part of its growth strategy, OXXO will continue to focus on conversions, stand alone kiosks at major enterprises such as the one installed last March at NBC Miami Studios, and on consolidating its success in major U.S. states such as Florida and Texas. Today, OXXO has 60 stores and is pursuing outside investment as the business grows rapidly.
OXXO made numerous advances in 2018, from a technological and business strategy & improvement perspective.
In 2018, OXXO celebrated several Franchise anniversaries including 10 years at Miami Midtown and Miami Lakes Stores, 10 years at the Frisco, TX OXXO for 2019, and opened new stores in Miami Shore, and in downtown Miami.
OXXO also recently announced that it brought its Green Boutique technologies to traditional mom and pop dry cleaners across the U.S. through their new Business Conversion Initiative as the first conversion in Doral Florida. Conversions involve the replacement of contaminating chemicals, old-fashioned steam boilers, steam presses, and other outdated dry-cleaning equipment used by most American dry cleaners today with OXXO’s automated, fully electric equipment, such as the OXXO European Style Shirt Mannequin and ATM-style Drop Off and Pick Up Conveyor. Technology, storefronts and branding are completely revamped during the conversion process.
In addition, OXXO participated in numerous tradeshows and events, and CEO Salomon Mishaan, CEO presented “The Most Innovative Dry Cleaning Franchise in America Today” to multi-unit operators at the Franchise Times Finance & Growth Conference 2018.
Salomon Mishaan, founder and CEO, has bet on a business model and brand that works well for the industry and consumers alike.


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The number of business licenses issued in Thousand Oaks dropped slightly last fiscal year, but business tax revenue rose slightly, reflecting the slow economic recovery in California, one expert said.
A city database shows 11,089 business licenses were issued in fiscal year 2010-11, a decrease of 171 compared with the previous fiscal year, according to a city memo outlining business license statistics.
Business tax revenue grew by $33,188, to $1.6 million last fiscal year.
Licenses issued to home-based businesses decreased by 161, continuing a trend that began in 2003, when 3,854 home businesses were registered. Today, there are 3,146 on file.
Terri Scott, the city's revenue operations manager, said that while the number has declined, "some of the home-based businesses are doing better in their gross receipts. The ones that are surviving are doing well."
Gross receipts for home businesses jumped by $1 million, to $2.1 million last fiscal year. The businesses averaged $4,000 in additional gross receipts. Scott said the improvement could stem from professionals such as consultants moving their businesses out of offices and into their homes.
Commercial businesses saw gross receipts on average increase by a modest $2,423, to $1.8 million. But there were 12 more businesses that reported gross receipts of $10 million or more.
"There are some businesses doing very well and increasing, and that's kind of retained our revenue," Scott said. "The bio-tech firms are doing well."
Bill Watkins, executive director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, said the increases are small and reflective of the slow recovery.
"A lot of the recovery has been on Wall Street, not Main Street," Watkins said. "The increase in sales is very, very small. In general, we've seen small gains in consumption and retail sales."
Last year, the city began a concerted effort to bring businesses operating without a license into compliance. The city is checking its license database with other government databases, and businesses not on the city's list are contacted by a compliance officer. The businesses have to pay penalties for not having a city license, and those that don't comply face a citation.
"It's a very, very high response rate," Scott said. "We've only written a few citations."
Revenue from such penalties increased by $2,389 in 2010-11, to $52,893.
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In 2012, Google completed its acquisition of Motorola Mobility, something that eventually led to the release of the Moto X and several DROID handsets. The big news this week has been the Internet giant’s sale of Motorola to Lenovo, and that leaves consumers speculating about what comes next. According to some sources that have cropped up, Motorola’s lineup is already solidified through this year and next.
According to the folks over at G4Games, sources state Motorola has its plans for this year and 2015 already in place, and that the next-generation Moto X has already been designed — good news for those who worried the acquisition meant the handset’s sequel wouldn’t come to fruition. Reportedly, Lenovo has no plans to change this.
Lenovo could likely end up shifting where the next products on the roster will be manufactured, but otherwise it seems all is set in stone. There’s no word on whether we’ll be seeing the next-generation Moto X this year or in 2015, but word has it the 2015 product lineup will include multiples devices, among them being a smartwatch and a 6-inch smartphone.
This would fall in line with what we saw with Google’s nabbing of Motorola — there was a gap between the acquisition and the launch of its new product under the Internet giant’s guidance (the Moto X). Whether this all pans out is yet to be seen, and of course business plans can change, but for now it looks like next-gen Moto X hopefuls can keep on hoping.


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Nissan Infiniti Unit Names Roland Kruger as PresidentMa Jie and Yuki Hagiwara
Nissan Motor Co.’s Infiniti premium brand named former Bayerische Motoren Werke AG executive Roland Kruger as president after defections by the Japanese carmaker’s leaders including Andy Palmer.
Kruger, a 48-year-old German national who was a senior vice president at BMW, will be based at Infiniti’s Hong Kong headquarters and report to Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s chief executive officer, the company said in a statement.
Palmer, who oversaw the Infiniti unit as Nissan’s chief planning officer, resigned last week to lead Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd., after Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen left for General Motors Co.’s Cadillac brand in July. Nissan and Infiniti have been recruiting executives from rivals since the carmaker set up the headquarters for its luxury brand in Hong Kong two years ago, as Ghosn counts on premium sales to help raise the company’s operating margin to 8 percent by March 2017.
Infiniti sales rose to a record this year, helped by China demand that more than doubled from a year earlier, as it targets 10 percent of the world premium market by 2020 to challenge Volkswagen AG’s Audi, BMW and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz.
“Roland Kruger has a consistent record of high performance in the premium automotive sector,” Ghosn said in the statement.
Kruger joined BMW in 1998 as a manager of strategic product planning. He has headed product planning and marketing for the Asia-Pacific, Africa and East Europe regions and served as managing director of the BMW Group in Asia and CEO of BMW’s Japan unit. He was appointed to his most recent position at the German carmaker in 2013.
Infiniti said in July it hired Gaby-Luise Wuest from BMW as its new vice president for global operations, effective this month. Last year, Infiniti hired BMW’s Daniel Kirchert, a fluent Mandarin speaker who had headed the German carmaker’s expansion in China since 2007.
De Nysschen was recruited in 2012 from Audi, where he worked for almost two decades. By 2011, his last full year running the German brand’s U.S. unit, sales climbed 42 percent from 2005.
Since its move to Hong Kong, the premium brand has expanded into markets from South America to Southeast Asia and has announced production plans for China, the U.K. and Mexico.
Infiniti production in China will start this year for two long-wheelbase models as foreign automakers step up investments to increase their share in the country, which McKinsey & Co. predicts will overtake the U.S. to become the top market for luxury vehicles by 2016.


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The owner of the only ticket to win the US Lottery jackpot of $ 2.04 billion bought from a store in California.
Powerball website on November 8 announced that the world’s largest jackpot has been won, ending 40 draws without a winner since August 3.
The owner of the ticket, who has not been identified, can choose to receive a lump sum of $997.5 million or receive the entire $2.04 billion winnings over 29 years.
The winning ticket had the numbers 10, 33, 41, 47, 56 and the Powerball number 10. The ticket was sold at Joe’s grocery store in Altadena, California. Joseph Chahayed, shop owner, said “I arrived at the store at 6 o’clock, was about to open, when I saw people from the state lottery company waiting, saying there was good news.”
“I had a feeling that the store sold the winning ticket. Then we were so excited, we had a coffee party all morning with people from the lottery company. We received more and more good news about it. the winner, hopefully it’s someone from the Altadena region,” he expressed.
Chahayed spent the day giving media interviews and greetings from neighbors and customers. He will receive a million dollars for selling the winning ticket. Chahayed announced that he would return to work on 9/11.
“6am. I love my job,” he said with a laugh.
The last Powerball jackpot record was in 2016. Owners of three tickets purchased from California, Florida and Tennessee shared the $1.59 billion prize.
Powerball is played in 45 US states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The probability of winning is one in 292.2 million. The player chooses 5 numbers from a range from 1 to 69. A sixth number, called the Powerball, is selected from a different range, from 1 to 26. Each ticket costs 2 USD.
Hong Hanh (Follow Reuters)