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Friendly Apps raises $3 million, pre-product, for apps that improve people's well-being
Longtime engineer and product designer Michael Sayman has been building apps since he was a kid, landing him roles at Facebook, Google, Roblox and, most recently, Twitter, where he's often been tasked with developing products aimed at a teenage audience. Sayman was only 17 when he joined Facebook, but had already built several apps -- an experience documented in his book "App Kid." Over the years, Sayman contributed to high-profile products like Instagram Stories, WhatsApp Status, YouTube Shorts and the Roblox Graph, among others. Now, Sayman is looking to leverage his understanding of what users want from their apps with the launch of his new startup, Friendly Apps.
The startup's thesis is that his generation, Gen Z, understands that many of the social apps that have been built to date can be toxic to users' health and can prevent people from accomplishing their true goals. Friendly Apps' mission is to create a suite of apps with a different set of values that are targeted toward helping people with both their physical and mental health in new ways.
Prior to starting Friendly Apps, Sayman was working at Twitter. In fact, the founder had just joined Twitter in March, where he intended to aid the social network by building out new product experiences for teens via its 0-->1 team.
But after the Elon Musk acquisition deal was announced, internal product development efforts slowed down, he says. That situation gave him a push to finally break out of Big Tech to work on his own thing.
"It takes a billionaire trying to acquire a company that I worked at for me to finally go and do this," Sayman says, with a laugh.
The idea for Friendly Apps is something he's had in the back of his mind for years as he's seen how tech companies developed their products.
"A lot of social media products use retention tactics that slowly deteriorate the well-being and mental health of their users because of the way they're designed," explains Sayman. The companies encouraged the wrong behaviors from their users, and have become popular because they're addictive, he says.
"They have tactics to keep people coming in."
He suggests the problem lies not only with the product design, but also with the internal goals and metrics companies pursue.
"The structures and the incentives within a lot of these social media companies are not set up in a way to encourage longer-term thinking around the well-being of the person that's using the product," Sayman notes. "If somebody is not doing well on the platform...if they're feeling anxious, depressed or insecure, over time, they'll stop using the product. They'll try to find other avenues or other ways of communicating or connecting with the people they care about through some other means," he says.
Image Credits: Michael Sayman (opens in a new window)
Sayman wants Friendly Apps to be different. Although the startup will take the learnings from social apps and products he's helped create for teens, its apps won't be solely aimed at Gen Z users.
As for the apps themselves, they haven't yet been created. Despite that fact, the startup raised a seed round of $3 million in about a week's time. It seems a lot of people were willing to bet on Sayman, starting with Weekend Fund's Ryan Hoover, founder of Product Hunt.
"I’ve known Michael for eight years. It was clear that he would eventually start his own company. He has a very rare ability to deeply intuit human behavior, translate his ideas into clean design and build quickly," says Hoover. "We committed to invest pre-product, pre-deck."
Sayman does have a few different product ideas, however. He envisions one app could be focused on helping people achieve their physical fitness goals -- even if they're not a regular gym-goer or runner, or some other kind of hardcore fitness advocate.
Another app could help people remember to prioritize their real-world relationships and encourage them to spend time with people they care about in the physical world.
"Everyone's doing so many things that we don't actually end up catching up in person for a while," Sayman says.
As time goes by, friendships can deteriorate as people know less and less about each other, which can impact mental health. Today's social apps don't help -- they only further isolate us, he explains. Instead, we end up experiencing relationships through "a little tiny window of filtered photos," he notes.
"We didn't evolve to live that way -- like we all do right now," says Sayman. "So I think a lot of the mental health issues that we start seeing, in particular with younger generations, come as a result of a lot of that isolation and that 'tiny window' view of the world."
The founder also plans to bring his worldview as a second-generation Latino immigrant into Friendly Apps' product experiences, seeing the potential to help address specific hurdles that new immigrants to the U.S. may need to overcome.
Image Credits: Friendly Apps
But these sorts of concepts may or may not be among the first apps to launch. Instead, the startup plans to test a suite of products, experiences, features and even various design elements before bringing anything to the public.
Sayman can build apps quickly. But as a sole founder, he will still need some time to get the products off the ground and tested. He hopes to have something released to the public in around six months, he says.
Seed investors in Friendly Apps include BoxGroup, Weekend Fund, Shrug Capital, Day One Ventures, Betaworks Ventures, SRB Ventures, 305 Ventures and CoreVentures, plus founders and operators from Snap, TikTok, Instagram, Meta, Google, Tesla, Things and others.
The company also wants to include the perspectives of those outside Silicon Valley, Sayman says.
One angel investor, Hayley Leibson, told TechCrunch she was "extremely happy that Michael prioritized bringing onboard womxn angel investors like myself, and others including teachers, mothers, students and immigrants from diverse backgrounds."
"The tech industry doesn't really gather a lot of investors from places that aren't the tech industry," Sayman points out. "If we're thinking about how to make products that help people's mental health and help people's physical well-being...I think we can have opinions, feedback and input directly from people who aren't in the tech world."


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Wood Mackenzie's 2004 Executive Guide states the leading biotechnology companies have evolved into integrated companies, retaining ownership of their developmental compounds and substantially growing their revenue streams in the process.
Amgen is now ranked among the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies in the world and will break into the top 10 by 2008. In addition, the report notes that five of the 10 largest mergers and acquisitions in 2003 were within the biotechnology sector, indicating continued growth and maturity.
Wood Mackenzie life sciences president Jim Hall said: "Biotechnology companies have truly come into their own."
"As biotechs increasingly retain ownership of their developmental compounds and create more targeted blockbuster drugs, they will grow faster than pharmaceutical companies."
Of the top 10 mergers and acquisitions completed in 2003, 5 were transactions within the biotechnology sector. The largest biotechnology/biotechnology deal of 2003 was the $6.8 billion (€5.5 billion) merger of Biogen and Idec to form the third-largest global biotechnology company, Biogen Idec.
Other significant deals in the last year have been Amgen's acquisition of Tulari for its small-molecule pipeline and discovery capabilities (valued at $1.3bn) and Genzyme's acquisition of Ilex Oncology for oncology products and development expertise (valued at $1bn).
However, in the most significant acquisition deal to date (valued at $2.6bn), the United Kingdom's largest biotechnology company, Celltech, became the acquisition target of European midcap pharmaceutical company UCB. Celltech offers UCB technology platforms and experience for the development of biological drugs.
The ongoing battle between biological therapies and small molecules took on a more prominent role during 2004 with biological therapies (recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies) growing in prominence in the marketplace.
Analysis of the market revealed that 13 of the 76 blockbuster products in 2003 are biologicals, and there are several other products (Humira, Rebif, Synagis, and Betaseron) that are forecast to attain blockbuster status by 2005.
During 2004, three novel monoclonal antibody drugs, Genentech's Avastin (for cancer), ImClone/BMS/Merck KGaA's Erbitux (for cancer)received FDA approval. Biogen Idec/Elan's Antegren (for multiple sclerosis) awaits FDA authorisation having filed a New Drug Application (NDA) in mid-2004. All three biological therapeutics are forecast to attain blockbuster status by 2008, compared to four new small-molecule drugs that will be launched in 2004.
The report focused on the threat of biogenerics as the single biggest threat to the biotechnology industry. Regulatory authorities are facing a major challenge in defining how potential follow-on biologics should be demonstrated. Due to the significant investment required to gain regulatory approval for biogenerics, first-to market biogeneric will initially command high prices. As additional biogeneric products enter the market, similar price erosion will follow the patent expiration of small molecules.
In 2003, licensed products accounted for more than $70 billion in revenues for the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies. The figure is expected to exceed $95 billion by 2007. In the past 15 years, licensing has become a key strategy for growth, with some pharmaceutical companies using licensing as core business development strategy.
The report concludes that following steady growth from 1989 to 2000, the market for licensing has declined in terms of number of deals even as the value of revenues from deals has increased. Specifically, late-stage licensing has slowed significantly since 2001, and the number of preclinical deals has also declined.
The slowdown in what is a prosperous market has, according to the authors, due to competitive licensing. Late-stage deals and even preclinical agreements are too expensive for many companies to consider.
Large pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning to deals in proof-of-concept and Phase I/II compounds, a cheaper investment, but a riskier deal in terms of potential success.
With pharmaceutical companies struggling to maintain R&D productivity, biotechnology companies present opportunities to enhance product pipelines. The oncology sector dynamics, with its array of indications, specialist nature of the market, and biotechnology companies focusing on this area, mean oncology deals represent the greatest proportion of licensing deals over the last fifteen years.
Genentech/Roche's Rituxan is a key example of the commercial potential for targeted oncology products, even with the drug's narrow indications.

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Hold the front page! Mobilise the army! Demand an emergency debate in parliament! It has just been revealed that children are still able to buy sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks in some schools! Something must be done Yes, as revealed on last nights edition of the Channel 4 current-affairs series Dispatches, titled The School Dinner Scandal, not-very-healthy food is available in the tuck shops of some schools. Now those old enough to remember Billy Bunter will know that in times gone by children lived on unhealthy food and it did us no harm.
Dispatches asked both local-authority schools and …
Read full article at spiked.com
Tuck Shop Control Freaks Should Tuck Off


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An estimated 60 to 70 million people are affected by digestive-related disorders in the U.S., according to data from the National Institutes of Health. Once considered taboo to discuss, the conversation about gut and digestive health has been destigmatized thanks in part to understanding of the microbiome and how certain bacteria influence well-being. This knowledge is opening new paths for research and product development.
An aging population has been a principal driver for awareness about gut and digestive health, according to Sam Wright IV, CEO of The Wright Group, Lafayette, LA. “Digestive problems become more frequent among older consumers, and there is a desire to use natural approaches rather than harsh laxatives and other pharmaceutical measures. A major factor in the success of this category across product formats is the fact that a consumer can feel the benefit.”
Research conducted in the last 20 years has also influenced understanding within the healthcare community about how digestive health affects other aspects of wellness, said Shaheen Majeed, worldwide president, Sabinsa, East Windsor, NJ, “Several studies have produced convincing data to demonstrate that maintaining optimal digestive health is essential to overall health and stronger immunity. Accordingly, rising consumer understanding of the influence of gut health on overall wellness, as well as demographic changes, is driving awareness of benefits for probiotics and enzymes.”
Poor digestion can wreak havoc on the body, he added. “It may have a range of implications for one’s body and mind—from poor nutrition absorption to stomach pain, and from poor sleep quality to the compromised immune system, and even mood and concentration.”
According to Jon Peters, president, BENEO Inc., Parsippany, NJ, digestive wellness has become more popular as consumers have gained awareness about the value of fiber. He noted that New Nutrition Business predicted digestive wellness to be the top key trend in food, nutrition, and health for 2018. Significant drivers have been scientific and product development as well as media attention.
“The relationship between the intestinal microbiota and human health has received a great deal of scientific attention,” said Mr. Peters. “Emerging science suggests that the composition of the colonic microbiota has important implications—beyond the colon—for various body functions and overall health. A healthy microbiota supports gut barrier function and protects the body from pathogenic microorganisms. A major part of the human immune system is located in the intestine and closely linked with gut bacteria.”
With today’s busy lifestyles it can be challenging to maintain digestive balance, noted Mark Thurston, president at AIDP, City of Industry, CA. As a result, consumers are increasingly seeking natural, safe, and convenient solutions. “Thanks to ongoing research and awareness-building efforts directed to both healthcare practitioners and consumers, the understanding of the importance of gut/digestive health as the key to overall human health is booming.”
Gut health has been linked to many conditions, including cognitive health, autoimmune diseases, and skin conditions, he added. “The entire immune system is directly linked to the digestive system. As Hippocrates said, ‘all disease begins in the gut.’ There is a scramble to get on the gut health bandwagon. In the natural space, this means looking at non-prescription alternatives to helping with conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, chronic constipation, and more.”
Considered a taboo subject not long ago, an honest conversation about gut health has given consumers more information about how diet and nutrition influence digestive wellness. The market has grown at the same time, giving consumers access to new products, Mr. Thurston added.
There is a growing understanding and recognition that nutrition and dietary supplements can play a critical role in healthy metabolic activity, which in turn impacts overall health, noted Andrew Downey, marketing manager, Xsto Solutions, Morristown NJ. “Traditional medicine doesn’t have a lot of cause-and-effect solutions for issues like leaky gut, reflux, IBS, and Crohn’s. Fortunately, people now understand that digestive health involves a ‘biome,’ or complex system of interdependence. You don’t change one thing without having an effect on something else.”
Overall, digestive health products have enjoyed growing awareness and strong sales for more than a decade, said Mr. Downey, and yet opportunities for growth still persist. “There is still a lot of runway for digestive health products.”
Sandra Saville, chief nutrition officer, Prenexus Health, Brawley, CA, also acknowledged that more healthcare professionals understand a healthy digestive tract has implications beyond the gut, including the brain, skin, heart, kidneys, and liver. “The message that we need to ‘feed ourselves and feed our microbiome for health,’ has boosted interest from food, beverage, and supplement companies to include prebiotics in their formulations to provide these health benefits to consumers. Consumers are increasingly aware that they can impact their digestive and overall health by consuming prebiotics, and are seeking products containing these ingredients.”
Understanding of the microbiome has grown markedly in recent years, according to Taylor Halstead, product manager for specialty carbohydrates, Cargill, Minneapolis, MN. “A growing body of research supports the idea that millions of microorganisms not only live in our gut, but are critical to our digestive health. In fact, emerging research now indicates that prebiotics not only contribute to microbiome balance and digestive health, they also offer other health benefits in their own right, from boosting calcium absorption for support of healthy bones to maintaining healthy blood glucose levels.”
Consumer views on digestive health are expanding too, he added, and fiber is still important. According to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2016 Food & Health Survey, 60% of Americans try to consume more fiber. The same survey found consumers are beginning to recognize the value of pro- and prebiotics as well. “A third of Americans said they were trying to consume probiotics and 10% were working to add prebiotics to their diets,” said Mr. Halstead. “Consumers’ understanding of the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive health may still be in its infancy, but the idea dovetails with desires for more natural approaches to overall well-being. This approach to health fits the spirit of many of the broad consumer trends we see in food and beverage products: natural, non-GMO, and clean label.”
Ultimately, digestion can be a pathway to good or poor health, noted Tod Burgess, vice president of sales, Deerland Enzymes & Probiotics, Kennesaw, GA. “If the process is insufficient, nutrients remain unabsorbed, causing a range of health vulnerabilities. Fast-paced lifestyles featuring meals eaten on the run (and gobbled quickly), poor diet choices, and stressors combine to reduce digestive function, causing discomfort and insufficient bowel evacuation. American adults who deal with these issues are turning to supplements and natural remedies in droves.”
Research over the past two decades has revealed that gut health is critical to overall wellness and immunity, and that an unhealthy gut contributes to a wide range of health challenges, he added. “We’ve seen the evidence of this from our own research, through clinical studies on our enzymes and probiotics. Overall and collectively, our studies have shown that numerous health issues beyond digestive discomfort (e.g., headaches) can be reduced when digestion itself is optimized.”
As microbiome research progresses, Mr. Burgess said a more complete picture of exactly how the billions of organisms of the microbiome interact and respond to changes in diet and supplementation will develop. “When we’re able to profile the microbial population of a healthy individual and compare it to that of someone with a specific health condition, opportunities to influence the shifting of bacterial population through diet and supplementation will continue to emerge. Probiotics, prebiotics, and other ingredients that influence the gut microbiome will be key players in formulations for a wide variety of health conditions.”
Trust in Probiotics
With a quarter of U.S. consumers reporting digestive health issues on an almost daily basis, according to 2017 research from Innova Market Insights, gut health is top of mind for many people, said Michael Bush, executive director at Kerry for Wellmune and GanedenBC30. “As evidence that the market is responding to this, the number of food and beverage products launched globally with a digestive health related claim registered a CAGR of 25% between 2012 and 2016,” he said, citing Innova data from 2017.
Overall, the market for digestive health products was up 20% from 2015 to 2016, according to a report from Kline & Company, Parsippany, NJ, titled “Digestive Health, Immunity, and Probiotics: U.S. Market Analysis and Opportunities,” (September of 2017), and research continues to drive interest in probiotics.
“Probiotics appear to be helpful in treating diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics; treating IBS; and speeding treatment of some intestinal infections,” noted Laura Mahecha, industry manager, healthcare, Kline & Company. “Some studies support the use of probiotics for the treatment of constipation and lactose intolerance. Research has also explored the link between probiotics and women’s issues such as reducing the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and vaginal infections. As a result, probiotics targeted at women’s health have proliferated.”
Greater awareness about the benefits of probiotics is fueling growth, said Mr. Bush, “and it continues to be a real success story.” In fact, the global probiotics market is projected to grow to $64 billion at a CAGR of 7% between the end of 2017 and 2022, according to MarketsandMarkets (2017).
“With the multitude of probiotic strains available, manufacturers are sorting through options to choose science-backed ingredients that are well-positioned and can be efficiently formulated into ‘better for you’ versions of everyday foods and beverages,” said Mr. Bush. “The ingredients that win out are well-studied, branded probiotics that easily convey a benefit-driven story consumers can understand and trust. A strong branded functional ingredient should be backed by documented safety, efficacy, and quality. GanedenBC30 is a very well researched, branded probiotic with documented digestive health benefits.”
While appreciation about the benefits of probiotics for gut health is growing, there are still some misconceptions, Mr. Bush added, namely that all probiotic strains are the same. “In fact, each one is unique,” he said. “As a result, you can’t take the positive findings of one study looking at a particular strain and its impact on gut health and use it to substantiate the digestive health benefits of another. Probiotic strains each possess their own, distinct characteristics. These properties may influence safety, efficacy, and their suitability for certain applications.”
As probiotics become more prevalent in the gut health market, it’s vital for food manufacturers to understand there are often nuanced, but important differences between strains, he continued. “In practice, this means that when selecting or recommending a probiotic, it’s important to look at the research supporting that strain specifically. Because of this, investment in research continues to be a priority and, over the years, we have dedicated our resources to researching the benefits of GanedenBC30.”
Products fortified with probiotics—as well as prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and fibers—are receiving their due attention from consumers in search of natural alternatives to improve their gut and digestive health, said Mr. Majeed. Sabinsa’s LactoSpore is a clinically-validated, shelf-stable, probiotic ingredient containing L-(+)-lactic acid producing bacteria Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. LactoSpore was found to be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS when given as a dietary supplement in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, in addition to standard treatment for a period of 90 days (Nutrition Journal, 2016).
According to Ms. Mahecha, there is growing awareness about the connection between probiotics and immunity. “Studies show that bacteria found in probiotics assist in the maturation of immune cells and help reduce undesirable bacteria in the body. More probiotics with immune-boosting claims are entering the category. Research continues to drive interest in probiotics and improved health.”
Michael Petteruti, vice president, Gnosis USA Inc, Doylestown, PA, a subsidiary of Italy-based Gnosis S.p.A, said consumer recognition of probiotics is driving more brands to formulate with ingredients proven to perform. On the other hand, “there has been an increase in the number of probiotics available that have not been properly substantiated or validated for a clear benefit, which is causing confusion.”
Gnosis offers a probiotic strain, Saccharomyces boulardii, which is supported by research confirming its safety and performance in conditions ranging from IBS to traveler’s diarrhea, as well as immune response, he said.
Understanding about gut health has evolved considerably over time. The next frontier will be better understanding the microbiome and the possibility of identifying an individual’s microbial composition, and then development of tailored, therapeutic treatments, Mr. Petteruti suggested.
Probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have been well studied, and the science supports benefits of these non-spore probiotic strains. “Since different strains offer specific benefits, our customers are increasingly seeking a multi-strain formulation of both non-spore and spore-forming probiotics,” said Mr. Burgess. Based on this demand, more science is emerging to support the benefits of spore-forming probiotic strains, such as Bacillus subtilis. Deerland has genome sequenced for safety, and clinically tested for efficacy DE111, a stable spore-forming strain of Bacillus subtilis that supports digestive health and works as a complement to many non-spore strains. “Three separate human clinical studies have been performed on DE111, showing its ability to control microbial populations, aid in digestion, maintain general health, and support regularity,” said Mr. Burgess.
Research has shown that common prebiotics can increase the benefits of probiotics; however, some fiber-based prebiotics may come along with several drawbacks, Mr. Burgess continued. “In response to the growing demand for prebiotics, Deerland’s research and development team introduced PreforPro, a unique prebiotic that is not fiber or starch based, is highly effective in small doses (15 mg) and does not exhibit any of the drawbacks of more commonly used prebiotics.
Decades ago, healthcare professionals recommended the public increase dietary fiber intake for digestive health. Since then, the message has basically remained the same, according to Ms. Saville from Prenexus: “to increase intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain products due to benefits from non-digestible compounds found in these foods. Researchers have identified healthy compounds within these foods, including oligosaccharides.”
Oligosaccharides are prebiotics that reach the colon and act as food for microbes in the intestine. “Prebiotics selectively feed the healthy bacteria within the intestine, providing specific health benefits,” said Ms. Saville. “Prebiotics also feed specific probiotic bacteria that consumers take as supplements. Prebiotics, though found in food, are usually not present at levels high enough to impart significant health benefits. Our ancestors consumed prebiotic-rich roots and tubers, and the Aztecs and Incas chewed on high fiber cane. For various reasons, prebiotic-rich crops and foods that our ancestors used to consume are now a lesser part of our diet, or have changed in composition.”
Eating refined, processed foods makes it difficult for consumers to obtain enough prebiotics from food sources. Thus, fortification is increasingly important, she added. “Researchers have identified numerous health benefits from prebiotic consumption arising from increased levels of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, including: improved digestive health, improved immune function, reduced inflammation, improved serum lipids and blood glucose, increased absorption of certain minerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium), and reduced levels of toxic bacterial metabolites and pathogens.”
Like probiotics, researchers have demonstrated that prebiotics are not all the same. “They vary in selectivity of which specific bacteria are fed. Some prebiotics like xylooligosaccharides (XOS) preferentially target the beneficial bacteria, whereas some other prebiotics are more likely to feed unfriendly bacteria in addition to beneficial bacteria. Research has shown that the effective dose varies among prebiotics, ranging from 1.5 to 3 g/day for XOS, 10 to 20 g/day for inulin, and 30+ g/day for resistant starch, depending upon the health outcome.”
While prebiotics have been consumed for millennia, researchers have only recently begun to understand their specific role for health, said Ms. Saville. “Our first exposure to prebiotics is in mother’s breast milk, which contains human milk oligosaccharides that help to feed key bacteria and establish the baby’s developing microbiome. Prebiotics are beneficial for all ages, from young infants to the elderly, as they help to promote the beneficial bacteria in the intestine and deliver health benefits at all stages of life.”
Consumers are increasingly seeking products with a story, Ms. Saville added. “Prenexus Health sources AmpliVida XOS prebiotic from organically grown, high fiber cane grown in Southern California. The farmers are partners in the company. The prebiotic is extracted using clean water only, and dried into a powder that can be included in foods, beverages, and supplements.”
Fiber & Enzymes
Digestive and gut health is a vast area of science that researchers have really just started to explore, said BENEO’s Mr. Peters. “We already know much more than we did 10 years ago, yet it remains an intriguing area of exploration for both academia and consumers.”
In many cases, digestive health can be improved by increasing fiber intake, he noted. “In this respect, a mix of different fibers (i.e., fermentable and non-fermentable) is recommended. BENEO’s prebiotic chicory root fibers are fully fermentable and have proven their efficacy in many high quality scientific studies. The mechanism that links the prebiotic fermentation of chicory root fibers and bowel regularity has been established. However, not all fermentable carbohydrates are prebiotics.”
A study published in the journal Gut (March, 2017) showed that BENEO’s prebiotic chicory root fiber, Orafti Inulin, induces selective changes in the composition of the gut’s microbiota that directly correlate with improved regularity and well-being. The study highlighted the selective effect of Orafti Inulin on the microbiota composition.
“The researchers used a highly sophisticated new technology known as ‘next generation sequencing’ to assess the impact of inulin fermentation on the human colonic bacterial ecosystem,” said Mr. Peters. “The results showed that inulin intake selectively changed three bacterial genera: Bifidobacterium, Anaerostipes, and Bilophila. It increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Anaerostipes, both known as ‘good’ bacteria, supporting a healthy microbiota. Bifidobacteria are known for producing vitamin B, antioxidants, and conjugated linoleic acids, as well as stimulating the immune system. Anaerostipes are known for butyrate production, which supports the gut mucosa. The selectivity of Orafti Inulin was further demonstrated through decreased levels of Bilophila, a potential pathogenic genus which is related to increased gas production. This decrease following inulin consumption was linked with both softer stools and improved constipation-related quality of life measures.”
Cargill’s Oliggo-Fiber, which may appear on ingredient statements as chicory root fiber, offers a label-friendly, non-GMO option to promote digestive health, according to Mr. Halstead. “Known as the ‘invisible fiber,’ Oliggo-Fiber chicory root fiber is a soluble fiber that can be used by beverage makers without affecting the taste or texture of the final product. This allows beverage manufacturers to incorporate chicory root fiber into a wide array of applications.”
Studies have shown that 5 grams of chicory root fiber per day can help feed normal beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut, he added. “As a prebiotic, it enhances the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Consuming 5 grams of chicory root fiber per day stimulates the microflora in the digestive tract, helping to maintain a neutral balance.”
Mr. Halstead also noted that consumers are looking to reduce sugar intake. Chicory root fiber also provides key functional properties valuable in reduced-sugar applications, he noted. “Mildly sweet in its own right, chicory root fiber can help modulate the flavor of some high-intensity sweeteners. Additionally, it acts as a bulking agent when removing sugar from a formulation.”
It also aligns with today’s clean label trends, he said. “Across the food and beverage industry, there’s a big push to simplify ingredient lists. Today’s consumers want to recognize the ingredients in their food and beverages and know where those ingredients come from.”
Alongside fiber, enzymes can help target digestive issues. The role of digestive enzymes is to break down food-derived fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into smaller substances that the body can use, said Mr. Burgess. “Although the body produces its own digestive enzymes, it may not be enough to completely break down cooked or processed foods. During cooking and processing, the natural enzymes present in raw foods are denatured. Fortunately, digestive enzymes can help to optimize the digestion process. The complete release and absorption of food nutrients can result in fewer digestive problems.”
As an increasing number of Americans are turning to vegetarianism and veganism, they are missing a key enzyme that the human body doesn’t produce, cellulose, which is needed to break down plant cell walls to release nutrients into the body, Mr. Burgess explained.
“Also, more people are experiencing issues digesting certain foods and regretfully stay away from them. Dairy products are one such category. However, contrary to popular belief, not everyone with dairy-induced digestive issues is lactose-intolerant. Instead, in many people, digestive discomfort is often attributed to their immune response to proteins in dairy, not intolerance of lactose. Our Dairylytic is an innovative blend of lactase and protease shown in studies to break down lactose and increase digestion and absorption of milk proteins that would aggravate the immune response, causing digestive disturbance.”
Gluten is another area of concern among consumers. “Gluten proteins are difficult to digest, and undigested gluten proteins signal the immune system to attack the inner lining of the small intestine, causing discomfort,” he added. “Our Glutalytic helps degrade gluten, making it easier to absorb. Another enzyme-robber is aging; the body’s rate of digestive enzyme production slows as people age, giving rise to indigestion and related issues. Therefore, enzyme supplements are attractive for the increasingly popular ‘healthy aging’ market.”
Products that focus on the gut microbiome are likely to become “the next big thing in digestive health,” according to Kline’s Ms. Mahecha. “The gut microbiome is made up of an ecosystem of organisms, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses, and protozoans, that live in each person’s gut. Increasing research suggests that certain mental health issues and brain diseases can be diagnosed by analyzing gut bacteria. These germs can have a huge influence on a person’s overall health, affecting everything from brain and mood to athleticism, immune function, inflammation, allergies, and weight and metabolism. There are numerous prebiotic products and probiotics on the market that claim to help the gut microbiome.” This segment is still small though, she added, “as research on the microbiome is nascent.”
Still, increased buzz about the microbiome has motivated educated consumers to pay attention to digestive issues, said Mr. Wright. From an immune-health standpoint, “The prevalence of C. difficile and MRSA in the hospital and nursing home setting as well as stories about antibiotic-resistant super-bacteria has been an additional motivating factor.” This knowledge has resulted in a “deluge” of new products based around specialty fibers, enzymes, and especially probiotics, he added.
Probiotic companies are increasingly seeking to include prebiotics in formulations, said Ms. Saville. “These combinations are called synbiotics. The prebiotics are added to enhance the effectiveness of the probiotics, but must be appropriately matched to the type of probiotic in order to deliver a true synbiotic benefit.”
Better understanding of how probiotics and prebiotics fit together, will open the door to more product development opportunities, added Mr. Halstead from Cargill. “We’re already seeing some innovative beverage makers bring new synbiotic products to market, which combine prebiotic fibers and probiotics. As the science advances, we expect this market will continue to grow.”
Mr. Majeed said Sabinsa’s Sanutra Colon Health Support Formula is a synbiotic formula comprised of Fenumannan, a fermentable, soluble fiber fraction as a prebiotic obtained from Fenugreek seeds and standardized to 60% galactomannan, as well as LactoSpore, as a probiotic component. “Together, they both work to confer digestive health benefits, such as promoting a healthy balance of intestinal flora and enhance immunity,” Mr. Majeed said. “It is also helpful in relieving occasional diarrhea and/or constipation.”
The company’s LactoCran is another synbiotic ingredient, he added. This is a combination of LactoSpore (as a probiotic) and cranberry seed powder (as a prebiotic, obtained from Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals).
Recent research has also helped reveal the interplay between the microbiome and high antioxidant flavonoids, such as those in elderberry. “Some exciting research we’ve uncovered identifies a multifaceted relationship between polyphenols and gut microflora,” said Melanie Bush, chief science officer at Artemis International, Ft. Wayne, IN, supplier of flavonoid-rich Berryceutical ingredients. “Some polyphenols have been shown to modulate a healthy balance of friendly/healthy bacteria, and the microflora in the gut metabolize polyphenols into more bioavailable metabolites with immune-boosting and other benefits.”
A study from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, offered a strong case for the relationship between flavonoid-rich foods, gut microbes, and immune efficacy. The presence of DAT (desaminotyrosine), a compound identified as being a metabolite in the gut after the consumption of key flavonoids present in elderberry, actually helps protect against damage from influenza (Science, 2017). Therefore, a healthy balance of gut microbiota as well as flavonoid-rich foods/supplements like elderberry appear to positively influence immune health.
Further, discoveries reveal that the health benefits one would get from combining flavonoids, such as those from elderberry, with probiotics would be greater than what could be achieved using each individually. “It’s a one-two punch of functionality that takes the popular categories of probiotics and antioxidants to a new multi-dimensional level,” said Ms. Bush.
This evidence is supported by a study that investigated the functional outcomes of incorporating antioxidant components into the human gut by measuring the impact of a prebiotic-probiotic-antioxidant blend on endotoxin levels in humans pre- and post-endurance sports, such as a triathlon (Nutrients, 2016). Results suggested a marked benefit.
“There is exciting and significant research being done on the microbiome and exactly how a healthy gut supports the immune system and overall human health,” said Ms. Bush.
AIDP’s PreticX XOS prebiotic has been shown in human clinical studies to selectively boost healthy Bifidobacteria while reducing unhealthy bacteria in the gut, said AIDP’s Mr. Thurston. “A major advantage of PreticX is its clinical effectiveness at low dosages.” AIDP is also launching a certified organic PreticX formula.
AIDP’s Livaux prebiotic is a whole kiwifruit ingredient shown to increase healthy Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prau). “F. prau is the most abundant bacteria species in the gut, accounting for about 8% of the total colonic microbiota and is extremely important for production of short chain fatty acids in the gut, maintaining gut barrier function and reducing oxidative stress,” said Mr. Thurston. “Despite its importance, F. prau is sensitive to oxygen and cannot be obtained through supplemented probiotics.”
Considering some of the side effects of prescription and OTC drugs, it’s not surprising consumers are exploring innovative, natural options, said Xsto’s Mr. Downey. “Most prescription and OTC products are simply treating the short-term symptoms, whereas digestive health supplements address the underlying issue, providing better long-term health. For example, typical heartburn products reduce stomach acid for quick relief, which ultimately makes food harder to digest. On the other hand, our PepZinGI helps support the mucosal lining of the stomach, protecting the stomach lining from the necessary acid.”
A recent study on PepZinGI looked at leaky gut brought on by intense exercise in athletes, he added. “It also has data for occasional heartburn, acid indigestion, gas, and nausea. With over 20 human studies, PepZinGI has a history of efficacy and possesses NDI (New Dietary Ingredient) status in the U.S. It’s also kosher certified.”
Conventional delivery formats like capsules, tablets, and powders are still preferred by many consumers, according to Sabinsa’s Mr. Majeed. “However, several newer formats like gummies, chewables, meltable strips, liquid shots, effervescent tablets, stick packs, and other functional foods fortified with digestive ingredients are steadily climbing the popularity chart. Mostly, growing demand for these newer and innovative formats is a result of the combination of convenience, choice, and aesthetic preference of many consumers across a range of age groups.”
Also, older consumers often have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules, said Mr. Wright. “Shots and sachets are growing in popularity. Stability and taste can be enhanced by utilizing microencapsulation techniques such as Wright’s SuperCoat line of stabilized ingredients.”
Consumers are always looking for new and better products, and there’s an inherent preference for smaller dose applications, said Xsto’s Mr. Downey. “For instance, an ingredient with a 300 mg dose stands to do better than an ingredient with a 2 or 3 gram dose. With that being said, it seems younger people are not as interested in capsules as they are in powders, chewable tablets, beverages, and gummies, especially if they taste good. While there is an appeal to add more functional ingredients to traditional food and beverages, there is also pushback on increasing prices. Large manufacturers often see functional ingredients as a way to differentiate their product and increase sales, but they lack the courage to capture that added value with higher retail prices.”
Mr. Bush said there doesn’t seem to be any end to the continued march of probiotics into arange of foods, beverages, and supplements. “Popularized by the dairy category (primarily yogurt), and while still a stronghold, non-dairy beverages and frozen foods, cookies, cereals, and baked goods are all seeing new entrants that highlight the presence of probiotics.”
Probiotic stability has led to manufacturing challenges that, in the past, may have stifled innovation, he added. GanedenBC30, a spore-forming probiotic strain, “has a protective shell that shields its genetic material from stomach acids as well as food-processing conditions like heat, shear, pressure, and freezing,” said Mr. Bush. “This unmatched level of durability makes it easier for manufacturers to integrate the probiotic into products.”


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I know the newspaper business has been reeling, and the LA Times in particular has raised prices and cut content, appearing like a ship without a rudder, devoid of strategic direction. And now, it seems that one of their key online sports blogs is swiping an idea straight out of SoSG Eric Karros' bag of tricks: a weekly online flash-game competition.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right EK? Fanerman, at least we know you're already in mid-season form! Good luck!


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The European Business Organisation (EBO), Nigeria, has celebrated one year of operations amid pomp and pageantry.
The organisation was launched in 2008 at the annual European Union- Nigeria Business forum to promote trade, investment and exchanges between the European and Nigerian businesses.
EBO Nigeria, which is a member of EBO worldwide network was also established to advocate European quality standards, best practices and corporate social responsibility.
Speaking at the event, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen reiterated that EBO Nigeria offered a platform to speak in unison on matters that relate to Nigeria.
“We stand as a partner with an integrated approach of promoting mutual opportunity between Nigeria and Europe. European businesses in Nigeria must support Nigeria led visions & interest, thus, we have a joint interest in making Nigeria’s economy thrive more, providing more opportunities for youths as well as promote trade and investment.’’
Also speaking, at the event, President of EBO Nigeria, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, urged European companies in Nigeria to join the organisation.
She said: “With the Nigerian economy evolving, the political space, business opportunities and challenges continue to transform as new policies and measures emerge. 2020 will be the year of action for the EBO.
We discussed intensively with our member companies and stakeholders to filter the pain points and identified necessary stakeholders to address those points. At the EBO, we will continue to identify conversations about the economy and how our members can plug into opportunities using the body as leverage.’’
She added: ‘‘With the EBO, all European companies have a very strong instrument in their hands, the organisation is built for the member companies but we need the active involvement of each and every member company to make EBO a success. This is the right time for you to take your place at the EBO table.’’
The event was graced by top business executives, government representatives and players in the private sector.


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The company plans to invest the money on sharpening its technology stack that drives customer support which the company aims to be a hybrid of automated and human interaction. It also plans to sharpen its services for the small and medium enterprises and expand further into the tier-II and tierIII cities in the country.
He added that there are also other players in the market which enable SMEs with an online identity that only aggregates basic business information and their product catalogue.
"This strategy does not drive RoI over a longer time-span as the content becomes non-relevant with time. We, at NowFloats, want to re-define the market for business websites, where the business owners only have to worry about the content on the website, and the technology takes care of other aspects like design, performance, discovery (SEO), marketing (SEM), enabling transactions (payment gateway) and customerlead management, etc."
Founded in May 2012 by four people, NowFloats claims that it has instant presence across 2,30,000 business, out of which up to 80% are paid customers.NowFloats also said that it is registering over 11-million unique visitors a month.
Anand Prasanna, managing partner, Iron Pillar, said his firm is eager to help NowFloats specifically in structuring and focusing on sales efforts, growth initiatives in the next few years, and improving preidentified key business metrics. "We also look forward to helping build the business meaningfully beyond India through Iron Pillar's networks, especially in Asia Pacific and the US," Prasanna added.
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Alfa Romeo Set To Launch In U.S. Using Existing FIAT Dealerships?
According to an article posted by Motor Trend Alfa Romeo is still on track to launch in the U.S. by 2013. The plan is to use the existing U.S. FIAT dealers of which there are currently 125 and should reach 150. Apparently the U.S. launch is of more importance to CEO Sergio Marchionne than revitalizing the European presence. According to the report Alfa interest has wained in Europe, but U.S. interest has started to grow since the rumored relaunch of Alfa Romeo.


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There’s no denying the fact that Sony is one of market leaders when it comes to accessible, end-user technology–especially when it comes to optics and cameras. For instance–the Sony Alpha a6000 was built with the world’s fastest autofocus, and the A5100 was built with the world’s smallest interchangeable lens. While those breakthroughs were certainly substantial and renowned in their own rights, the larger issue these days is how they play into the Airpeak Drone marketplace. The Airpeak quadcopter drone with stabilizing arms is built to full support the creativity of video and artistic creators out there by being built to accommodate a payload of an Alpha mirrorless camera to facilitate the capture of high quality, full frame, aerial photography and video. With the attached gimbal, seemingly unprecedented control and integration with existing high-caliber camera options, this drone setup could be a significant improvement over other options on the market if you already own a Sony camera. No hard details about the Sony Airpeak have been released as of yet, but we expect them to be available in the near future.
Brian Eno Turntable II
Brian Eno has launched the second edition of his eye-catching record player: Turntable II.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Bose debuts their brand new sport earbuds built with the company's innovative OpenAudio technology.


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It’s full on corporate chaos at Equifax. The credit bureau, which announced Sep 7 that a penetrate suggested the Social Security numbers and other personal marker sum of 143 million people, is scrambling, and that’s a respectful way of describing the brew of difficulty and uselessness the company has displayed given the liaison broke.
An Equifax website where people are destined to submit the last 6 numbers of their Social Security series to establish if they are victims of the crack was initially accused of giving people inaccurate or opposing results, not to discuss a gauge to return another day. Some also found phone representatives less than helpful.
After the hack, reporters fast detected that 3 comparison Equifax executives — including the arch financial officer — unexpected sole off almost $2 million in stock within a few days of when the company pronounced it had dynamic information was compromised. Equifax denies any insider-information-based trade by employees, and maintains the sales were a coincidence.
Even Equifax’s attempts to make right came off wrong. Consumer advocates discharged as unsound the company’s offer to let consumers influenced by the crack use its credit-monitoring product free for a year, rather than arrange a credit freeze. Others decried this ostensible try to charge penetrate victims for the corporate behemoth’s carelessness, given Social Security numbers are compromised for life — not simply a year.
But how will this occurrence and its fallout impact Equifax going forward? Probably not as much as you think.
Don’t be fooled by the stock’s 20 percent dump given news of the breach, the 30 (and counting) lawsuits filed against Equifax for prioritizing their own bottom line over safeguarding consumer data, the financial repairs to shareholders or the proclamation of an review by New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Yes, there are likely to be settlements with several supervision entities requiring payouts, and income will almost positively be incited over in class-action lawsuits. But presumption this liaison will means poignant long-term mistreat to Equifax requires you to trust that banks and others that frequently use the firm’s credit reports and scoring will desert the company en masse for one of its two categorical rivals, TransUnion or Experian.
That’s never happened before. And it’s not like the credit stating services are stellar corporate citizens. A 2012 consult by the Federal Trade Commission detected some-more than 20 percent of those they questioned found at slightest one blunder on a credit report. More recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says Americans’ grievances with the credit-monitoring companies are among the top complaints the sovereign regulatory organisation receives, beating out credit label disputes and tyro loan issues.
This is not accurately a surprise. Although the information contained in your credit report can cost you a job, or an apartment, or outcome in you profitable aloft seductiveness for borrowed income (and either you’ll get any at all), you aren’t the patron here. Equifax’s categorical business is in trafficking your information, so others, like banks and landlords, can confirm either to issue you credit. They are the ones profitable the bills.
Stock analysts have been discerning to advise that investors are overreacting to Equifax’s woes. Yes, there will be financial hits, the logic goes, but it’s not likely the business itself will humour poignant erosion.
“We trust that Equifax’s confirmed oligopolistic position in its core credit business business is doubtful to be affected,” pronounced Brett Horn, a comparison equity researcher for Morningstar, in a note.
In other words, either you approve or debate of Equifax – or Transunion and Experian — collecting your financial vitals doesn’t matter. They’re going to do it anyway.
“It’s not a consumer market,” pronounced Joe Valenti, executive of consumer financial for the Center for American Progress.
That’s worrisome given that supervision law of the firms possessing the personal and financial information is reduction than stringent, reflecting the lobbying bravery and domestic firepower of the financial services industry. Slipshod confidence that leads to successful hacks is generally greeted with a wrist slap by supervision authorities. As Horn rather matter-of-factly remarkable in his report, “Historically, fines for these matters have been manageable.”
All this also goes a prolonged way toward explaining because Equifax’s response is so ramshackle. From a open family standpoint, awaiting it to hoop a consumer predicament of this bulk with palliate is like awaiting a child who has mastered a tricycle to unexpected spin up pushing a multi-speed bike.
That’s not to contend Equifax will feel no impact from the widening scandal. And for consumers, there may be a china lining.
After the Equinox breach, the contingency are now reduce that Congress will attain in overturning a CFPB order designed to quell the use of imperative arbitration in consumer contracts with financial services firms.
Over the past decade, everybody from employers to dungeon phone providers, credit label issuers and companies peddling credit insurance services put denunciation mandating private arbitration in their contracts with customers. That denies people the right to join a category movement if they trust they’ve been spoiled by the company’s product or actions.
Last year, the CFPB due regulations that would levy boundary on this use among the financial firms it oversees, pardon consumers to spin to the courts as a group. (The companies will still be allowed to insist on arbitration for particular disputes.)
The sovereign organisation published the final chronicle of the order progressing this summer. Congressional Republicans like Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R.-Texas, authority of the House Financial Services Committee, immediately announced they would try to dissolution it around the Congressional Review Act, the legislation that permits lawmakers to overturn regulations instituted during a prior presidential administration with a elementary infancy vote, as prolonged as it happens within 60 legislative days. (That’s looking like it will be Oct or Nov for this rule.)
The House of Representatives also voted to overturn the CFPB rule. The White House quickly published a matter observant presidential advisers would warn President Donald Trump to sign the check should it strech his desk.
The Senate was always going to be a closer call. Democrats seemed one against any pierce to dissolution the CFPB order tying “forced” arbitration, as the use is known. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R.-South Carolina, also announced his opposition. A series of other Republicans — maybe aware of polls showing that almost 9 out of 10 people regardless of domestic party wish the right to join category actions against banks — seemed reduction than certain to join their House colleagues in rescinding the rule.
Enter Equifax. That offer of one year of free credit monitoring primarily contained denunciation suggesting that hacked consumers competence be giving up their rights to join category actions by signing up for the service. The open greeting was immediate: outrage. Equifax says it isn’t so, and eventually private the doubtful phrasing, but the repairs was done.
The tide of disastrous broadside could make lawmakers consider twice about moving to tummy a order that consumers overwhelmingly support and that gives them authorised options when the financial gatekeepers destroy so spectacularly to close the gates.
“This gives opponents of rolling back the order some-more of an angle to pressure, to delayed down, and, in fact, stop it,” pronounced Ed Mierzwinski, the consumer program executive for U.S. PIRG, a consumer advocacy group.
Pro tip: If you are going to promote overturning consumer rights legislation, don’t concede infinite mistreat to occur to consumers on your watch.


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Mrs Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, says the Federal Government will continue to promote regulations and policy framework on tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The minister, who said this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the ecosystem research paper.
He noted that the research would provide policymakers with the tools to manage and leverage on digital disruption.
Abubakar, represented by Mr Adewale Bakare, Director Industrial Development Department said “we see the creativity and ingenuity of our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the enabling environment will make them thrive.
According to her, the research will provide policymakers with the tools to manage and leverage on digital disruption.
“We will use the report to provide solution, come out with policies to help promote and guide ICT entrepreneurs in Nigeria,” she said.
Also, Mrs Titi Akinsanmi, Google Policy and Government Relations Lead and the experts, told NAN that Nigerians has the potential to develop the tech entrepreneurship ecosystem but the framework and enabling environment is lacking.
Akinsanmi said that resilience among citizens, the steaming youthful population, harnessing market potential and the right framework will propel start-ups and the tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Akinsanmi said that the drive to help digital economy of Nigeria to succeed is dependent on the citizens.
According to her, the government needs to make policies that will allow Small and Medium Enterprises the ease of doing business so as to complement inputs from entrepreneurs.
Mr Mimshach Obioha, Programme Director Ventures Platform Foundation, said that the Nigerian tech ecosystem was still at its infancy and required huge support from all stakeholders.
Obioha said that the world had been powered by raw materials that needed to be transformed into assets to boost the economy of any nation.
He said that Nigeria with its large population and large resources with many entrepreneurs can transform the country and Africa.
According to him, oil as a source of revenue is obsolete and the country needs to create an alternative revenue generation channel, which technology can offer.
He further said that the tech entrepreneurship ecosystem if properly supported had the potential to create jobs.
Mr Bankole Oloruntoba, Managing Director Enspire Hub, said that ICT hubs should ensure they actively build on their capacity and programmes.
Oloruntoba added that the capacity of an ICT hub could launch it in its relevant space.
Mr Segun Araroini, a Partner of Value Minds, said ICT hubs could synergise by creating a virtual networking platform to develop the ecosystem.
NAN, however, recalls that Tech Entrepreneurship Ecosystems Research Paper by OC & C Strategy Consultants, Ventures Platform Foundation and Google was recently launched in Abuja.(NAN)


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If you’re a fan of the Whopper then you’ve probably heard about Burger King’s latest decision to move its headquarters to Canada. The fast food giant is discussing taking over the Canadian franchise, Tim Horton’s, in an inversion deal that would slash its tax rate.
For those of you that may not be familiar with what an inversion deal is, Forbes magazine describes it as when an American company merges with a foreign one and, in the process, reincorporates abroad, effectively entering the foreign country’s tax domicile.
Many people, including President Obama, have been up in arms about the pending decision. However, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard about these inversions deals. In earlier weeks, the pharmacy giant Walgreens decided against reincorporating in Switzerland. While Walgreens decided not to go through with the inversion deal, Congressional Research Service reports that almost 50 companies in all have reincorporated abroad in the last decade.
Many have accused Burger King of not paying its fair share and avoiding its U.S. tax obligations. President Obama and Congressional Democrats are looking to pass new legislation that would make it impossible for U.S. companies to take part in these inversion deals in an attempt to avoid higher taxes. However, the better question might be, “Why do these companies feel the need to find lower tax rates at all?” Currently, the standard tax rate for large corporations, such as Burger King, is 35 percent. As opposed to Canada’s tax rate, which has capped out at 15 percent.
Many Americans are complaining that Burger King is being unpatriotic and taking away jobs from hardworking Americans. In reality, however, it’s the federal government’s extremely high tax laws that are driving American businesses away. I agree that these iconic American businesses moving abroad doesn’t look good, and that it could lead us down a dangerous road. Inversion deals need to be addressed; however, I would say they need to be addressed as part of an overall tax reform. Maybe we can discuss some ideas over a burger and fries.


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Xiamen in Fujian province released an action plan aiming to build the city into a consumption-oriented international city recently, following its fruitful achievements in the consumption sector in 2021, local media reported on March 6.
Statistics showed that the city's total retail sales of consumer goods in 2021 reached 258.41 billion yuan ($40.87 billion), an increase of 12.7 percent from that in 2020, ranking first in terms of growth rate in the province.
To further stimulate consumption to drive economic growth, the action plan is featured with three characteristics, which are integrating regionalization and internationalization, focusing on quality and facilitation, and boosting digitalization and modernization.
The action plan consists of 30 tasks divided into six categories. The first is to create regional consumption landmarks that are recognized internationally, such as key commercial centers centered on comprehensive commercial complexes like the Mixc and SM.
The second is to create a gathering hub to draw a diverse range of consumer resources, such as increasing cross-border e-commerce and cultivating traditional brands.
The third is to promote a new trend of innovation-driven consumption, such as the growth of the first-store economy and the acceleration of company digitization.
The fourth is to create a supply chain for high-quality service consumption by expanding exhibits, increasing the influence of international games, and increasing cultivation and training in support areas such as housekeeping and senior care.
The fifth is to establish an atmosphere that is conducive to international consumption, such as by providing multilingual services in areas such as airports, railway stations, and tourist sites, as well as through modernizing the commercial circulation system.
The sixth is to strengthen the new mechanism for encouraging free and convenient consumption, such as cross-Straits integrated development and port clearance optimization.


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The business-to-business spot for Turkish Airlines’ cargo services opens with the claim that it ‘runs like clockwork’ and proceeds to show an alarm clock going off
Spreading happiness has been Coke’s marketing focus for a while and the beverage major is back with the ‘Open Happiness’ series spot, which is placed in rural India. But does their latest effort, which stars Deepika Padukone and Farhan Akhtar, work?
Another round of ad wars hit our screens, this time it’s Cadbury’s Perk taking on Nestle’s Munch. First up, was Cadbury who took a pot-shot at Perk for its lesser weight (and less wafer layer) only to have Nestle hitting back with, not everything with more weight adds to taste
Cadbury India’s films for 5 Star have always been known for their humourous content, (remember the antics of Ramesh and Suresh) and the latest one tells us how ‘5 Star andar, seriousness bahar’ cures the disease called ‘seriousness’
Superbowl = Guaranteed eyeballs = Brands unveiling their ad films; and this year was no different. However, as no spot really stood out, we pick our top three spots
For the Chinese New Year, electronics retailer Gome has launched an activity at its outlets which helps its customers record personal messages to send along with the gadgets they buy
The latest in an investor education series by Birla’s mutual fund brand is a song that attempts to bust common myths regarding the investment option.
In a diptych, we look at two recent ad films, one for P&G the other for a local tea brand, with mothers as lead characters
This TVC by the airline shows football star Lionel Messi and basketball player Kobe Bryant in a ‘selfie war’ that takes them around the world.
In the last hurrah of this column this year, we look back at the advertising campaigns, films, and stunts in India and overseas that made us look up and notice… by being outstanding or a downright flush of the client’s funds.


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The Renault-Nissan alliance has announced a joint venture with Russian Technologies to take a majority stake in Avtovaz, the country's top automobile manufacturer.
The companies have confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding this week, giving the group a 74.5 percent share in the Russian producer.
Russian Technologies is already a major shareholder in Avtovaz, and Renault bought a 25 percent share for around $1 billion in 2008.
The French carmaker will invest around $300 million in the venture, while Nissan will invest around $450 million. Together, the Franco-Japanese pair will hold a 67.1 percent stake in the joint venture.
The joint venture will acquire its larger Autovaz stake by purchasing the shares of Russian bank Troika Dialog, with periodic payments to be made through to the end of 2014.
“Today’s memorandum is the latest step in an expanding collaboration that helps modernize the leader of Russia’s auto industry,” Renault-Nissan Alliance Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said.
“Just as Renault and Nissan will continue their technology transfer to AVTOVAZ plants, our AVTOVAZ colleagues will contribute more and more to the Alliance’s multicultural management bench.”
The news follows an announcement last month by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, inaugurating a $525 million upgrade at Autovaz that will boost production capacity by 350,000 cars each year.
Avtovaz currently produces around one million cars a year, among them the Lada Kalina and the nearly 20 year-old 110, and the Niva off-roader.
Renault-Nissan sold around 880,000 vehicles in Russia last year, making it the alliance's third largest market after China and the US.
Russia is expected to overtake Germany as Europe's biggest carmarket by 2014.
- Interested in buying NISSAN ? Visit our NISSAN showroom for more information.


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The Infiniti logo is seen at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January 14, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
BEIJING (Reuters) – The first electric car for Nissan Motor Co’s premium brand Infiniti will be a sporty sedan produced in China, the Japanese carmaker said in a statement viewed by Reuters ahead of a public announcement expected as soon as Wednesday.
The vehicle would hit the market around three years, and consumers would get a taste when the company unveils a concept car, dubbed the Qs Inspiration electric sedan, at the Shanghai auto show later this week, Nissan officials said.
“China has the most growth potential for electric vehicles globally, especially in the premium segment,” Infiniti Chairman Christian Meunier said in the statement seen by Reuters.
Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Stephen Coates


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Huawei at 10th Global Mobile Broadband Forum (Global MBBF) released eight categories of 5G commercial use cases white paper.
The white paper is based on deployment practices and 5G research conducted by Huawei, network operators, and industry partners. And elaborates on eight applications with market potential and suitable for large-scale commercial adoption.
5G network provides next-gen internet access for various fields of the digital era. The 5G network ensures not only high uplink and downlink bandwidth but also low latency and high reliability.
The white paper identifies the following eight commercial use cases of 5G:
- Product quality inspection Cloud Vision and Cloud Testing for smart factories
- Engineering machinery Cloud Teleoperation for smart mines and ports
- Cloud Video for Safe Road and Bridge
- Inter-machine Coordinated Control for smart warehouses
- Cloud Gaming
- Cloud VR
- 4K/8K video
- Cloud Live Broadcasting
On October 16, Huawei announced that it has signed more than 60 commercial contracts for 5G with leading global carriers and shipped more than 400,000 5G base stations.
Huawei’s annual production next year is expected to surpass 1.5 million units, compared with 600,000 estimated for this year, and some of them also include parts made in the US.
Ren Zhengfei, Huawei founder and CEO said the company is planning to sell more than 2 million 5G base stations over the next two years, despite the US trade ban.
Also, Check – Huawei Nova 6 5G and 4G certified by 3C with 40W charger
Huawei Nova 10 Pro top January 2023 Antutu Android device praise list
Antutu has announced the January 2023 Android phones praise list, in which Huawei Nova 10 Pro has ranked in the top spot. This list is a collection of devices that have been popular among consumers with a positive impact rate.
According to the information January 2023 Antutu praise list, Huawei Nova 10 Pro achieved the first rank with over 97.04% positive rate.
Unveiled in July last year, the Huawei Nova 10 Pro has a 6.78-inch OLED display with FHD+ (2652 x 1200) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It has four color variants including Gold, Black, Purple, and Green.
This phone has a 60MP front camera. On the rear side, it boasts a 50MP super-sensing main camera, an f/1.8 aperture + 8MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, and a depth-of-field camera with an f/2.4 aperture.
On the other hand, the smartphone is packed with a 4500mAh battery that could recharge in 100W super-fast turbocharging. The smartphone is powered by the snapdragon 778g 4G processor and the EMUI 12 operating system.
Honor X40 GT ranked in second place with a favorable rate of 96.23%. The device is launched in October 2022. It has Snapdragon 888 processor, supports smart storage expansion, and provides up to 7GB of additional running memory.
It also brings GPU Turbo X technology, which improves rendering performance by 30%, and the power consumption of high-performance games is reduced by 6%.
Xiaomi has four entries in the list including Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 12S Ultra entering the top 5, and Xiaomi 13 and Redmi K60 Pro finishing in 9th and 10th. Additionally, the OnePlus 11, Vivo X90 Pro+, Red Magic 8 Pro+, and iQOO Neo 7 Racing Edition also appeared in the top 10 list.
Huawei CLOUD Workspace brings new 69.9 yuan/month discount
Huawei has launched a limited-time promotion and, the 4-core 8G enterprise version of the Huawei CLOUD Workspace only costs 69.9 yuan per month. This offer helps enterprises to resolve the problem of collaborative office work on the cloud at a lower cost, start work efficiently, and start a new journey.
Huawei CLOUD Workspace can quickly install the desktop environment, quickly upgrade low-end devices, collaborate with remote teams, and comprehensively protect data security. It is becoming the product of choice for more and more enterprises to work on the cloud.
In terms of deployment and operation and maintenance, the CLOUD Workspace can quickly build a desktop office environment in minutes without investing a lot of money and time. These are some basic requirements for rapid deployment and efficient O&M.
For enterprises, this CLOUD Workspace can also avoid a large amount of investment in hardware equipment. With the help of the cloud, even older computer equipment with low configuration can be easily used, adapting the “upgrade” of the office experience.
Simultaneously, Huawei CLOUD Workspace supports multiple platform access, such as desktop computers, notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and more.
Employees can directly access the office space with one click anytime, anywhere by harnessing decentralized sharing and efficient collaboration of office files. To aim office security issues, Huawei Cloud Workspace uses multiple security protection mechanisms on the cloud pipe end and comprehensive security policy control to avoid security risks such as corporate data leakage, loss, and theft.
Starting from February 6, new users can enjoy exclusive discounts when placing an order for Huawei Cloud Workspace, and the monthly subscription for the 4-core 8G Enterprise Edition is only 69.9 yuan/month.
For enterprise users who want to achieve efficient and secure collaborative offices on the cloud through the cloud desktop, this is a rare opportunity not to be missed.
Not only is there a free version for download and use, but also a limited-time special package for only 2,999 yuan, including a smart conference room.
Huawei P60 and Mate X3 goes in production: Supply Chain
According to the Chinese supply chain news, Huawei has already started production of the P60 series and Mate X3 smartphones. These two phones are expected to unveil in the first half of this year.
However, that’s all there’s to reveal at the moment and no other predictions or inputs have been received so far on the specs of either of these devices.
Recently, the U.S. made a new move to ban Huawei’s business with all of those companies that are allowed to do business under special licenses. These companies include chipset maker, Qualcomm, which provides 4G mobile chips to Huawei, and Intel, which sells computer processors for its notebooks and PCs.
Afterward, there are speculations that Huawei could make changes in its plan to launch dual flagship this year due to the new restrictions. These two flagships are Huawei P60 and Mate 60 devices.
But Huawei has already stocked new inventory before this order could come into effect and that’s where it can launch the P60 series in good quantity. Meanwhile, the tech makes some swift changes in the Mate 60 lineup but we are yet to come in contact with those inputs.
What are these two phones:
Huawei P60 series is reported to come in four versions – P60, P60 Pro, P60 Ultra, and P60E. These will have powerful camera specs powered by XMAGE and variable aperture technologies.
It’s further revealed that Huawei Mate X3 will follow the foldable design concept of Mate X2 but with a light design and compact body form. These phones will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ chipset and the P60 series could be the first to run HarmonyOS 3.1 operating system.
(via – Mydrivers)


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Nissan to Recall 1.4 Million Vehicles Globally
Nissan is issuing a global recall on roughly 1.4 million vehicles over a handful of reasons pertaining to acceleration. Based on early reports, owners are either getting a sudden increase in throttle after shutting off cruise control or a short that kills the motor while driving. The cars in question include models like the Note, Kicks, Leaf, and Serena.
Bloomberg was in contact with a Nissan spokesperson on Friday, who confirmed the planned recall. The affected vehicles are located in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
While most of the issues pertain to what the motor is doing, the automaker will also be recalling about 6,400 Note Auras sold in Japan due to a headlight issue. Weirdly, Bloomberg said the defect only pertained to the right lamp.
Additional reporting from The Japan Times would suggest Nissan’s home market will be seeing the largest recall. Nearly 700,000 units need fixing in Japan, which is about half of the global total.
From The Japan Times:
A total of 699,000 units were affected in the country, with many having more than one fault, a spokeswoman for Nissan said.
The Japan recall includes 484,025 units of the Note, Serena and Kicks models over a defective engine hose cover which can lead to the hose cracking and preventing the vehicle from starting, the company said in a statement.
It said 478,199 vehicles, including the Note, Note Aura, Serena, Leaf and Kicks, were being recalled for a faulty vehicle control program that in certain circumstances can cause acceleration after the cruise control is stopped.
And 126,000 Serena units were being recalled for a wiring problem, while 6,434 units of the same model were being called back over a problem with the right headlight.
That leaves about 749,000 vehicles for Europe and the United States, with the relevant models sharing the same defects. No accidents resulting from the issues have been reported at this time on any markets.
A formal campaign has not yet been launched. However, worried customers should be able to utilize the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall website in the coming days to see if their vehicle is impacted. Contacting Nissan directly is also an option and the company will eventually begin reaching out to customers to have their vehicle’s taken in for repairs.
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- Theflyersfan The two Louisville truck plants are still operating, but not sure for how much longer. I have a couple of friends who work at a manufacturing company in town that makes cooling systems for the trucks built here. And they are on pins and needles wondering if or when they get the call to not go back to work because there are no trucks being made. That's what drives me up the wall with these strikes. The auto workers still get a minimum amount of pay even while striking, but the massive support staff that builds components, staffs temp workers, runs the logistics, etc, ends up with nothing except the bare hope that the state's crippled unemployment system can help them keep afloat. In a city where shipping (UPS central hub and they almost went on strike on August 1) and heavy manufacturing (GE Appliance Park and the Ford plants) keeps tens of thousands of people employed, plus the support companies, any prolonged shutdown is a total disaster for the city as well. UAW members - you're not getting a 38% raise right away. That just doesn't happen. Start a little lower and end this. And then you can fight the good fight against the corner office staff who make millions for being in meetings all day.
- Dusterdude The "fire them all" is looking a little less unreasonable the longer the union sticks to the totally ridiculous demands ( or maybe the members should fire theit leadership ! )
- Thehyundaigarage Yes, Canadian market vehicles have had immobilizers mandated by transport Canada since around 2001.In the US market, some key start Toyotas and Nissans still don’t have immobilizers. The US doesn’t mandate immobilizers or daytime running lights, but they mandate TPMS, yet canada mandates both, but couldn’t care less about TPMS. You’d think we’d have universal standards in North America.
- Alan I think this vehicle is aimed more at the dedicated offroad traveller. It costs around the same a 300 Series, so its quite an investment. It would be a waste to own as a daily driver, unless you want to be seen in a 'wank' vehicle like many Wrangler and Can Hardly Davidson types.The diesel would be the choice for off roading as its quite torquey down low and would return far superior mileage than a petrol vehicle.I would think this is more reliable than the Land Rovers, BMW make good engines. https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2023-ineos-grenadier-review/
- Lorenzo I'll go with Stellantis. Last into the folly, first to bail out. Their European business won't fly with the German market being squeezed on electricity. Anybody can see the loss of Russian natural gas and closing their nuclear plants means high cost electricity. They're now buying electrons from French nuclear plants, as are the British after shutting down their coal industry. As for the American market, the American grid isn't in great shape either, but the US has shale oil and natural gas. Stellantis has profits from ICE Ram trucks and Jeeps, and they won't give that up.


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Shocking news from spies: Rolls-Royce is working on a SUV, which expected to go on sale in late 2017. Really or joke? Really! Because Bentley don’t sleep and already confirming that its SUV will launch in 2016.
Entries Tagged as 'Rolls-Royce'
May 14th, 2014 · No Comments
February 28th, 2013 · No Comments
Shocking news from British luxury carmaker! Rolls Royce Recalls its Phantom! Rolls-Royce said that certain 2013MY Phantom vehicles manufactured from November 2, 2012, through January 18, 2013, might not have anti-misfueling devices mounted on their fuel-filler necks. According to Rolls Royce, the devices prevent misfueling and discharge static electricity.
October 13th, 2007 · 2 Comments
Look at the photos of new hard-top two-door Rolls-Royce Coupe, previewed by the 101EX concept and recently confirmed for production.


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Good idea: a competition between chocolate and coffee
Great news from the purple Alpine meadow of Milka chocolate. The favorite of the Dutch chocolate eaters is switching to sustainably grown cocoa. However, this news is only really tender on the inside.
Milka received the Cacao Life logo, a sustainability program from parent company Mondelez. Cacao Life promises to address deforestation, to support farmers in the fight against climate change and to train them to keep their finances in order.
Floating cocoa farmers in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, India, and Brazil are on a purple…no, pink cloud?
Not when you read the Cocoa barometer. According to this report, all those sustainable and honest promises made by chocolate companies from the past 10 years have not yielded nearly enough progress. Child labor and deforestation are still pressing issues. A female farmer in the Ivory Coast earns barely a third of what she should to make a decent living.
Even if the buds are perfect, the farmer still does not deserve a living income.
Farmers are helped to increase their harvest, grow other crops and to use optimal techniques. “Even if the buds are perfect, the farmer still does not deserve a living income,” said Peter Maxhelaar’s director Peter d’Angremondt during the meeting ‘Honestly about Chocolate.’
How can we solve this? The authors of the Cocoa Barometer advise companies to turn their promises into concrete goals. In management jargon this means that the net income of farmers becomes a KPI or a ‘Key Performance Indicator,’ a clear number against which progress is tested. However, this requires these companies to first have the courage to be transparent with their data.
Hopefully a competitive element will motivate the multinationals to take an extra big step forward.
There are many similarities between chocolate and coffee. In short: millions of farmers around the world are living near the poverty line, and a few multinationals together with governments and the support of billions of fans of the products, have the power to change the system. I am looking forward to the soon-to-be released Coffee Barometer. What is more poverty free: coffee or chocolate? To make this fun and add a little productive competition, we’ve made it into a match. Hopefully a competitive element will motivate the multinationals to take an extra big step forward. I’ve already bought my ticket for that match. It’s no problem if it becomes a blood-curdling finale. I’ll just eat away the excitement with a big piece of Rokbar.
That is a new chocolate bar made entirely by women. Because, let’s not forget that there are also many great initiatives, both in chocolate and in coffee.
From now on, follow Lonneke’s bi-monthly blog on our site.


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People everywhere share in the overwhelming changes and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.
From cancelled celebrations to school doors and businesses closing, people around the globe are trying to hold onto any sense of normalcy. But after a full year into this historic time, we’re not anywhere near normal.
Like you, my days involve a lot more web surfing and scrolling. Among the many stories about the tragedies stemming from this pandemic, I’ve seen so many heartwarming stories of people aiding and supporting each other. Those concepts aren’t that different from the concepts we can be applying to our businesses.
Across the world, people are responding to the diminishing medical supplies, food concerns and and even animal care.
Employees of the Paradise Park Zoo in Britain secluded themselves with the animals to ensure their care. Families and friends are driving by the homes of loved ones to wish them happy birthday or just to cheer their spirits.
Schools and teachers developed virtual classrooms and private sessions to ensure students are keeping up with their studies. Some even create reassuring videos so the students don’t feel alone.
Business meetings, fitness instructors and school classes are using various technology tools to maintain connection and build on previous lessons.
Businesses and schools are equipping their teams with remote capabilities and offering flexible work schedules. Independence and connections are building simultaneously.
Business Takeaway – Tune-in to what your customer needs and find a way to adapt as the needs change.
Community is Everything
Singing from balconies, decorating stones and windows, writing encouraging messages in sidewalk chalk, buying gift certificates and ordering takeout – six weeks ago we had no idea these simple actions could be lifting a community’s spirit and saving a business.
People everywhere are stepping up to ensure the sense of community remains in tact, in some places, even strengthened.
We’ve heard that big box stores don’t support your town’s sport teams. It’s true, but companies of every size are finding ways to connect and offer some kind of reassurance during this time.
Small businesses, churches, non profits and even large corporations are bringing a personal touch (from a safe social distance) to their outreach messaging.
Business Takeaway – Nurture your client relationships so you become a reliable source when the need arises.
Fulfill the Need
Companies everywhere are finding ways to contribute solutions during this pandemic.
- Manufacturing companies are retooling their machines to build ventilators.
- Fashion designers and grandmothers are sewing face masks.
- Distilleries are making hand sanitizer.
- Uber Eats is offering free delivery.
- Online tutorial companies, entertainment and museums offer free classes or tours
No one saw this pandemic coming, but it’s not stopping innovation. From the neighbors offering grocery store runs to the biotech companies working on vaccines, people are stepping up, finding those in need and fulfilling those needs.
Business Takeaway – Always look for ways to be innovative in your products and services.
“We’re in unprecedented times” – a phrase heard all too often now. You’re not alone in this unique circumstance. Use this time to reflect and refocus your business goals, your message and your customers.


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Currently Indian Oil exports around 6,000 tons of polymers per month from its refinery in Panipat – Punjab, which is just 400 kms away from the border. The biggest private sector player – Reliance Industries Ltd too is exporting petrochemicals to Pakistan.
Speaking exclusively to fibre2fashion, a very senior official of Indian Oil, which is the biggest government-owned oil company in India said, “Indian Oil is exporting polymer products like polyethylene and polypropylene around 5000-6000 tons per month, while the actual Pakistani polymers market size is around .5 million tons per annum.
“Reliance Industries is also exporting petrochemicals to Pakistan through the Karachi Port, while we do it through road and rail through the Wagah border, which is just 400 Kms away from our refinery. The majority of our market is in Lahore, which is also just 30 kms away from the border”.
“We are also exporting filaments and fibres, but currently it is in limited quantities. They also have a requirement for PTA and MEG. However, since PTA bags weigh around 1,100 kgs, infrastructure has to be created at the Wagah border for these bags to be reloaded in to Pakistani trucks. However, we are confident of finding a solution”.
Speaking about competition, he revealed, “We mainly face competition from countries in the Middle-East as these countries use gas to convert in to polymer resins, while we use naphtha to convert in to polymers, which makes us a little bit uncompetitive when competing with the Middle-East countries.”
Incidentally, Indian production of polypropylene outstrips demand by around 5 million tons per annum, whereas, the requirement in Pakistan is in the region of around 6 million tons. Considering the proximity, the neighbouring country could prove to be an important destination for the surplus.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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GOG Galaxy 2.0, which is currently undergoing beta testing, will be a single platform to host games. The platform will be able to track which games a user has, as well how much they play a certain game. Users of the GOG Galaxy 2.0 platform will also be able to connect other gaming accounts to a GOG account. This means users will be able to connect accounts across a number of different platforms, including Steam, Epic, Origin, Uplay as well as consoles like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network accounts. Users of the platform will be able to see and access their gaming titles on one screen in alphabetical order.
GOG was originally created as a market place for classic games but then expanded into a market place that sold indie games. However, now the platform could expand to be an all-encompassing platform for users.
Image Credit: Kris Naudus


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As details emerge regarding the hack of EA’s source code and private data, one thing that has been remarkable has been the usually tight-lipped company confirming not just the hack, but the nature of the data that was stolen and what this means going forward.
EA is not answering every question, of course. No corporation their size would. But the fact that they have acknowledged what took place and confirmed what data was compromised is what is almost unprecedented for a company of EA’s size (and reputation). EA also made a point to assure players that their private information was not stolen or compromised by the hack.
In contrast, Cyberpunk 2077 developers, CD Projekt Red only recently confirmed a hack of their network, despite the breach occurring in February. EA did not immediately respond to questions regarding the timeline of their hack, though they did have a statement available immediately following news of the hack emerging online.
Report and coverage of the hack has been widespread. Media giant Vice, and more specifically, their technology team, Motherboard, were the first to break the story and break down the potential damages of the breach. The information came by way of screenshots from a source with access to what Vice reporter Joseph Cox described as “underground hacking forums… some of which are blocked from public view.”
Since Vice’s report, the story has been widely reported on by everyone from CNN and BBC, to technology blogs and Reddit, to influencers and YouTubers. A particularly insightful report came from Mutahar Anas, whose YouTube channel, SomeOrdinaryGamers, boasts over 2.5 million subscribers. In his video on the matter, he outlines how the hack may have been possible.
Anas places the blame on cookies likely stemming from the dark web that contained login credentials of EA employees.
“Hackers… went online, probably to the dark web maybe to some random site and bought cookies… these cookies that contained login credentials of actual EA employees… then go on to their [chat] account and start messaging the IT support side… [who] gave a two-factor authentication code to the hacker the hacker then used this two-factor authentication code– the same code that comes to your phone every time you try to log on to a website that you have enabled two-factor authentication support on they use that code to then get into the EA corporate network.”
While EA has not commented on the means that the hackers used to get into their network, they have confirmed that the hackers downloaded source code and other company data, which could potentially result in cheats and exploits that the will be difficult to fix. With an multiple titles on the way, including the new Battlefield 2042, the internet was inundated with speculation regarding the potential problems EA could face down the road.


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Soldiers' Angels is proud and very excited to announce that we have received a $10,000 grant from Walmart for use in Angel operations. The money will be applied to any Soldiers' Angels support activities in Vermont, especially Project Valour-IT and financial assistance for struggling families.
In November, Walmart announced a "12 Days of Giving" holiday campaign to award nonprofits across the country a total of $1.5 million in grants. Facebook users nominated charities impacting their local communities and Walmart associates narrowed the field before final selections were made by Walmart Foundation.
"We are so honored to receive this recognition from Walmart and will put their gift to great use in support of America's heroes in Vermont," said Patti-Patton Bader, founder of Soldiers' Angels. "From day one of the war on terrorism, Walmart has stood and supported our troops. Unwavering in their efforts, they exemplify the American Spirit and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts."
Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart provided grants to 140 different organizations helping people in their communities meet basic needs. On the sixth day of its "12 Days of Giving" holiday campaign, Walmart announced the 11 military support nonprofits who would receive $10,000 each, including Soldiers' Angels Vermont. Winning organizations were featured on Walmart's Facebook page.
"We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who serve or have served in our country's military, as well as to the families of those individuals." said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. "Whether protecting our freedoms in foreign fields or making contributions here at home, the value these men and women bring to the American workforce and our way of life is beyond measure. We are truly honored to provide grants this holiday season to local organizations that support our military and veterans."
Soldiers' Angels Vermont in Williston was selected out of more than 21,000 initial nominations.