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Industrial chemical-based agriculture, which produces the vast majority of US food crops, is actually destroying the soil that makes the growing of food possible in the first place.
This is not true in other countries. Worldwide, 70 percent of the food is grown in backyards or small farms. That number is likely well under two percent in the US. It is my goal to motivate, inspire, and encourage tens of millions of people to start growing their own food so we can radically change these numbers.
You likely know I have been active in supporting the labeling of GMOs and I think this is great, but even better would be to eliminate their market and one of the ways we can do this is by growing our own nutrient-dense food in our yards or community gardens.
The featured film,
One Man, One Cow, One Planet, presents one inspiring alternative-“A blueprint for a post-industrial future, revealing what an environmentally friendly biodynamic food system capable of feeding everyone could actually look like.”
However, I strongly believe that there are far simpler and less expensive ways that would allow most of you to effortlessly grow your own food. And in the coming years, I will seek to inform you on how to easily and inexpensively do that.
The Drawbacks of Chemical Agriculture Make It Unsustainable
One particularly destructive aspect of industrial agriculture, which for the most part is little more than 50 years old, is the proliferation of genetically engineered (GE) seeds-seeds that, in India, for example, cost farmers up to 400 percent more than conventional seeds, and produce 30 percent less yield…
One 2006 study found that 60 percent of Indian farmers using GE seeds could not recoup their investment, causing more than 250,000 farmers to commit suicide. Many can’t even feed their own families. And yet farmers are increasingly left with few options, as Monsanto and other chemical technology companies are buying up seed companies, effectively eliminating the competition.
Proponents of genetic engineering claim GE seeds is the most effective way to feed the world, by producing plants unnaturally equipped with internally-produced insecticides, or with genes making them resistant to chemical herbicides. Some are advertised as drought resistant, and/or higher yield producing. But, the truth turns out to be quite different.


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I didn’t wake up this morning expecting to realize that Lil Mama’s 2007 hit song “Lip Gloss” was an economic red flag… but here we are.
What you know bout me?
What you-what you know bout me?
What you know bout me?
What you-what you know?
They say my lip gloss is cool
My lip gloss be poppin'
I'm standin at my locker
And all the boys keep stopping
I know what you’re thinking: Andy has lost his marbles… what’s Lip Gloss have to do with the market?
Well… as it turns out… a lot.
The Lipstick Index was a term coined by Leonard Lauder (then chairman of Estee Lauder) during the recession in 2001.
Lauder stated that lipstick sales rose in the fall of that year, indicating that women who were facing economic uncertainty turned to beauty products as an affordable luxury.
As economic conditions worsen, beauty product sales get better.
This theory rang true once again in late 2007 and into 2008 when nail polish sales took off as the Great Recession began… just months after Lil Mama warned us.
In fact, the Lipstick Effect can be traced all the way back to the Great Depression in the 1930s, when cosmetic sales rose while industrial production was cut in half.
Why would makeup sales increase when economic activity decreases?
The going theory is that when consumers can’t splurge large amounts on vacations, new cars, or high-end clothes… a tube of a new lipstick or a bottle of perfume can substitute in as a more affordable luxury.
So… what’s LikeFolio data telling us about the Lipstick Index now?
Well… you know I have to say it…. It’s Poppin’
Demand for cosmetic products is up a whopping 62% year over year, despite inflationary pressures and uncertainty in the economic outlook. Just as the Lipstick Index predicts.
Which companies are benefitting most?
Revlon (REV) products are being mentioned 71% more than this time last year, while e.l.f Cosmetics (ELF) is showing growth that backs up its status as a hot 2022 stock.
Not shown on the chart above are Sephora (LVMH) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA), which are each showing modest consumer demand growth as well.
Bottom line: The Lipstick Index seems to work. So next time you hear a hot song on the radio dedicated to cosmetics – beware… your portfolio may be in for turbulent times ahead.

domain: news


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The world is getting smarter with a £10.8bn predicted spend on smart home devices in 2019, but to date windows and doors have been lagging well behind heating, lighting and entertainment when it comes to getting Smart. But Smart Ready® is about to super charge Smart onto every window and door forever.
Giovanni Laporta is the innovator behind Smart Ready® and explains why its launch is set to deliver an epic turning point for the industry as a whole: “We’re launching the Smart Ready® system at the FIT Show 2019 in May because it’s relevant for every single window and door being manufactured today, at the very least to be Ready to be Smart.
“The system allows manufacturers to future proof all their windows and doors with no effort. Smart Ready® more than satisfies the two most important commercial areas, time for fabrication and cost, so the concept is set to be the biggest change seen by the industry in modern times.
“I’ve been lucky enough to accumulate a unique blend of years of experience in the window and door industry as a whole, as well as many years of experience in the wider technology sector, which has allowed me to come up with a Smart system that is right for the industry right now, as well as future proof for many years ahead. The Smart Ready® system will be available on all windows and doors.
“Smart is coming to everyone in 2019. See us at the FIT Show on stand M20.”
For more information visit smartready.com


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Like most retailers, Target (TGT -0.35%)has suffered during the coronavirus crisis. The company posted lower sales of high-margin items, such as apparel, and incurred health and safety expenses related to the outbreak. All of that weighed on earnings.
Still, overall, Target managed to win in key areas that limited damage and set up the store for better days. As long as the COVID-19 crisis doesn't lead to more lockdowns, Target's better days may begin as early as a year from now. What are these key areas that are helping Target score a win with customers? Digital and delivery. Here's a closer look.
Ahead by three years
In the first quarter, Target's digital same-store sales surged 141%. In fact, the company said on its earnings call that the volumes it saw in e-commerce weren't expected for another three years. The positive in this is that digital sales are soaring, and even if a return to normal activity slows things a bit, Target is still likely to remain way ahead of schedule in its digital growth plans. I'm optimistic here, because prior to the crisis, Target's digital sales had already been climbing for quite a while. Last year represented the sixth straight year of more than 25% digital growth.
Where Target could have had problems during the recent crisis was in fulfilling the unexpected jump in orders. Instead, Target said 95% of orders were ready for pick up or shipment right on time. That's a big plus, as it could be a decisive factor in a shopper returning or going elsewhere. Filling orders on time was one of the major factors defining the customer experience in a Bell and Howell survey.
Also in the first quarter, Target's units sold through its drive up option were higher than in all of 2019, and 40% of customers who used this option were new to the service. It's logical that drive up would make great gains during a pandemic when people avoid contact with others. Still, the health crisis isn't over, and many consumers continue to shop with caution. Beyond the crisis, shoppers may stick with this new routine for convenience -- at least some of the time.
Building on success
Moving forward, Target is building on the first quarter's areas of success. Though Target prior to the outbreak already had planned to include fresh grocery to its pick up and drive up offer, it had to put the effort on hold as it prioritized the influx of orders from housebound consumers. Now seems the perfect time to put this plan back on track, and that's exactly what Target is doing. The offer, including 750 items, is now in 400 stores and will be in 1,500 before the holidays. Consumers using pick up and drive up don't have to sign up for membership, and they don't have a minimum spend level for this free service.
Beauty and household essentials contribute the most -- 27% -- to Target sales. Food and beverage, like most of Target's other categories, make up 19% of annual revenue. If Target is able to fulfill fresh grocery orders as well as it fulfilled other orders recently, it's likely the company will see growth in the food and beverage business perhaps as early as next year.
Demand for apparel
Target started to see recovery in demand for apparel in mid-April. Prior to the crisis, same store sales for apparel and accessories had been growing more than 5%, Target said in the recent earnings call. Then sales sank as consumers focused on buying essentials. The fact that consumers haven't been spending on clothing may result in pent-up demand, and that could result in sales growth in the coming months. And in a year, if the health crisis abates, it's likely buying habits for discretionary items will have found their way back to normal levels.
Target shares are on their way to recovering this year's loss. They're now down only 7.9% this year after falling as much as 29%. The stock is trading at about 22 times trailing 12-month earnings, slightly less than peer Walmart (WMT -0.99%), which trades at 24. At this level, the stock may attract investors hoping to add the healthiest retail shares to their portfolios. So, the picture for Target in about a year may be one of sales growth and share price growth.


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Go high-on-junk with justeat.in on July 21- National Junk Food Day
Bangalore, India, July 17, 2014: Celebrate the most popular munchies we send down through our gullet on July 21, 2014 Monday – National Junk Food Day. At present, there has been a major shift in food habits in the metropolitan cities. People in India have increasingly adapted to western culture and cuisine and this trend of junk food consumption in India is seeing an upward growth.
Justeat.in, pioneer of online food portal in India analysed the data to understand the intake of junk food amongst Indian consumers. The reasons being- a steep rise in dual income level and standard of living, convenience, and influence of western countries. Overall 32- 33% of all orders placed in the first half of the year can be classified as junk food. Bangalore tops the list as the junk food city at 35% of all order consisting of these dishes, while Mumbai comes in second at 25%. Delhi comes in a close second to Mumbai with 24.5% consumption of junk food. Current trend shows that pizzas, burgers, fries, rolls, tikkas and sandwiches top the list of junk food and are consumed more than two to three times a week
Analysis shows that the demand for junk food comes mostly from nuclear families with young teenagers, and bachelors, or couples where both husband and wife are working and do not have time, patience or the expertise to prepare food. Also these consumers are more exposed to international brands, and are far more aware of global trends when it comes to International cuisine.


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Polish mobile telecoms network provider Era GSM has hired First PR
to handle a communications programme to launch its mobile phone services
on the Polish market. First PR will begin work for Era next month. The
Polish mobile phone sector is growing at a considerable rate and the top
three players, including Era, have two million customers between them.
Piotr Czarnowski, managing director of First PR, said: ’While there are
less mobile phones in Poland than other countries it is a market that is
growing more quickly than others in the region.’


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PressEnter Group has just announced that it is part of a Management Buyout conducted by Chief Executive Officer Lahcene Merzoug and his executive management team.
After the completion of the transaction, Merzoug will take over the position of Executive Chairman.
The management team of the company believes that the group has enormous growth potential so they have already agreed on terms with the current financial investors to obtain the business.
PressEnter Group will proceed with operation from the current headquarters in Sliema, Malta. The company has an expert team and runs some of the top brands in the market such as 21.com, JustSpin, NeonVegas Casino, NitroCasino, UltraCasino, and RapidCasino.
The management team also believes that it is the next chapter for the business and they will continue to check existing processes in the company to maximize new opportunities, enhance the business and concentrate on the key strengths of the company.
What Was Stated on the New Transaction
Commenting on the latest step, Lahcene Merzoug, Chief Executive Officer at PressEnter Group, says that the management worked hard for the opportunity to take ownership of the business and we they have a sound strategy that they strongly believe in.
“With the management team taking full ownership, the business will enter a new era. This is a major milestone for the organization, and I look forward to leading from the front as we turn the page and start the next chapter of the PressEnter Group story.”
New Appointment from the Company
PressEnter continues to appoint leaders in the industry. One of the newest members of the company is Terese Thagaard who will be working as Chief Legal Officer. She will join the company from LeoVegas where she worked as the Group Head of Regulatory Strategy and Implementation. Going forward, Terese will continue to extend the brand’s talented team and contribute to the further growth of the company.
Speaking on her new role, Terese Thagaard, CLO, at PressEnter Group, noted:
“I am very excited to be joining PressEnter at such an exciting stage of its development and I am looking forward to building a team to help the business navigate the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape in the worldwide gaming industry.”
About the Brand
The story of PressEnter started in 2018, following their passion for gaming. The brand is focused on delivering excellent casino products and a unique online experience via sustainable practices. It is headquartered in Malta and licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
“PressEnter Group announces Management Buyout”, europeangaming.eu, November 23, 2022.


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Unplug for Savings
After years of research, by government agencies, utilities, and others, much is known about energy hogs in the home, such as space heating, space cooling, and hot water. We know a lot less about the ...
Electronics manufacturers have been producing an increasing number of products, such as TVs, VCRs, and compact audio systems, that do not have a true off switch. [continue reading]
The term "off" can be a relative one. Over the past few years, there have been several scientific studies showing power is used by appliances that are turned "off." [continue reading]


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Banks and credit unions can now engage consumers with real-time, personalized “nudges” to improve their financial decision making and financial well-being
New Feature to Core MX Product Announced at American Banker's Digital Banking 2016
Our product team was recently featured in UtahValley BusinessQ's magazine with five things you didn't know about product design. Check out what our team says:
From Crisis to Clarity: How FinTech firms are shaking up the finance world by putting customers first
[Repost from Marvel]
It’s no surprise that in the wake of the banking crisis a new breed of financial startups, known as ‘FinTech’, have emerged and now threaten to topple the traditional systems and the institutions that uphold them. Technology sits at the heart of FinTech firms, but so does a dedication to, and respect for, consumers. Unlike big banks, these startups are making waves by putting people first and building new products and platforms around their needs.


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In 2020, Penang recorded a total of 156 events with 19,283 participants and 48,963 room nights, despite the halt on international travel and limitations for business events.
This announcement was made by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) during a ‘buka puasa’ or iftar at The Wembley hotel last week. The iftar was also PCEB’s first official event of the year.
PCEB’s CEO Ashwin Gunasekeran, chief minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow, Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy’s Yeoh Soon Hin, chairman of Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter Raj Kumar were among those present.
The launch also included a short video thanking the industry. The video compiled by PCEB showcased activities and initiatives conducted by the Penang State Government and Business Events Penang stakeholders throughout 2020.
“We have to keep in mind that the business events industry is built on the principle of collaboration and now more than ever, we have to cleverly harness its power, exhausting every potential avenue so that we can find opportunities for business together,” said Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB.


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Imagine a future where flying cars whisk you above the traffic, making your daily commute a breeze. This may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but Uber is making it a reality through their ambitious Uber Flying Cars project. In this article, we will delve into the details of Uber’s Flying Cars CEO, explore the groundbreaking advances they are making in the transportation industry, and answer some commonly asked questions.
Detailed Discussion on Uber Flying Cars CEO
The Vision of Uber’s Flying Cars
Uber’s Flying Cars initiative, known as Uber Elevate, aims to develop an on-demand, electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft network. These aircraft, also referred to as “flying cars,” will be able to transport passengers quickly and efficiently through busy urban areas.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has been a key player in pushing forward this ambitious project. Under his leadership and vision, Uber is striving to transform the way people commute, reducing congestion and providing a faster mode of transportation.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Creating a network of flying cars requires collaboration from various stakeholders. Uber has partnered with established aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing and Bell, to develop the necessary technologies for this ambitious venture. Additionally, the company is working closely with regulatory bodies to ensure the safe integration of these vehicles into existing airspace.
Uber is also investing in infrastructure development, including skyports that will act as hubs for takeoff and landing. These skyports will be strategically located within cities to ensure easy access and efficient transportation.
Technology and Challenges
Building flying cars comes with its fair share of technological challenges. Uber is investing heavily in the research and development of the necessary technologies to ensure the safety and efficiency of these vehicles. Issues such as battery life, noise reduction, and air traffic management are some of the hurdles that engineers are actively working to overcome.
Another aspect of Uber’s strategy is autonomous flight. The company is working towards developing autonomous flying cars capable of safely navigating the skies, which could revolutionize the transportation industry.
Concluding Thoughts on Uber Flying Cars CEO
As Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi is a driving force behind the company’s ambitious goal of bringing flying cars to the masses. Under his leadership, Uber is aiming to transform urban transportation by introducing a network of electric VTOL aircraft. While there are still technological and regulatory challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of flying cars are enormous, from reducing congestion to providing faster transportation options.
As Uber continues to develop its flying cars initiative, we can expect to see exciting advancements in the transportation sector. With the collective efforts of Uber’s team, industry partners, and regulatory bodies, the dream of flying cars may soon become a reality.
FAQs About Uber Flying Cars CEO
Q: Who is the CEO of Uber?
A: The CEO of Uber is Dara Khosrowshahi. He took over the position in 2017 and has been leading the company through various innovative projects, including the Uber Flying Cars initiative.
Q: How do Uber flying cars work?
A: Uber’s flying cars, also known as VTOL aircraft, are electric-powered vehicles that can take off and land vertically. Passengers can request a flying car through the Uber app, just like they would hail a ride. The vehicles will transport passengers through the air, bypassing traditional traffic congestion.
Q: When will Uber flying cars be available?
A: While Uber has announced plans to launch its flying car service in certain cities by 2023, the timeline for widespread availability is still uncertain. The development and integration of flying cars into existing airspace regulations are complex processes that require careful consideration.
Q: Are flying cars safe?
A: Safety is a top priority for Uber and the entire aviation industry. Flying cars will go through rigorous testing and certification processes to ensure their reliability and safety. Additionally, Uber is collaborating with regulatory bodies to establish guidelines and regulations for the safe operation of these vehicles.
Q: How will Uber’s flying cars impact the environment?
A: Uber’s flying cars are designed to be electric-powered, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing their environmental impact. By promoting electric transportation and reducing congestion on the roads, Uber aims to contribute to a more sustainable future.
In conclusion, the Uber Flying Cars CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, is leading the charge in revolutionizing urban transportation. Through partnerships with aircraft manufacturers, advancements in technology, and collaboration with regulatory bodies, Uber is making the dream of flying cars a tangible reality. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of flying cars are vast, and Uber’s ambitious vision has the potential to transform the way we commute and travel in the future.


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Germany marks year of longer shopping hours: Customers happy
BERLIN (AP) _ For Germans, it was a retail revolution.
A year ago, the government started letting stores stay open 1 1/2 to 2 hours longer, until 8 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Retail labor unions and store owners deemed the plan disastrous before it even started, and some remain skeptical today.
But customers seem happy. According to recent consumer polls, about 75 percent of customers are pleased after the first year of longer hours.
``Before, I had to leave work in the middle of the afternoon just to go shopping,″ said Marek Musial, a university worker who was loading beer bottles and vegetables into a backpack after a 7:30 p.m. trip to Kaisers grocery store in Berlin. ``This is just so much easier.″
Staying open late isn’t mandatory. Some stores, such as Kaisers, stay open until 8 p.m. only on Thursdays and Fridays. Many shops in suburbs and smaller cities experimented with longer hours only to return to the old schedule.
Allowing longer store hours was a dramatic break with tradition for Germany. Chancellor Helmut Kohl sold the law by saying it would help create badly needed jobs. Parliament approved it with the condition that it be reviewed after three years.
Retailers say they’ll need at least that long to tell if the extra hours are having any of their promised benefits, from more jobs to more sales.
``We are only now beginning to adjust,″ Bernd Rueckert, president of the Berlin Retailers Association, told a news conference Friday. So far, he said, only 11 percent of retailers in Berlin have hired extra employees to keep up with the new hours.
Germany’s unemployment, at 11.2 percent in September, is still near a postwar high. Labor unions say longer store hours have done nothing to help joblessness and have only added to workers’ stress.
``Despite the longer store hours, unemployment continues to get worse,″ said Hermann Franzen, president of the trade union HBV.


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The latest news is that the big chip manufacturers are going to continue soaking us for more money. Yes, they are predicting at least a year before the prices on chips will come down. That means that pricing on computers will be going back up, and that will even ripple through on other tech. Their profits will also be increasing, as you might imagine, as they reap the rewards of a limited supply and an increased demand. If you want to get something that is rich on the chip side, like a high end video card, you better move quickly.
The leaders of the tech world say it’ll be almost a year (at the very least) before we see relief from the current supply crunch.


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In the province of Limburg, there is a substantial number of major international logistics companies as well as a large number of logistics SMEs and start-ups. This is especially the case in the Venlo region. The logistics sector in the province is therefore of great importance. To maintain a leading position, continuous innovation is needed. That is why Maastricht University and the Province of Limburg are joining forces to further develop the logistics sector in the region and in the Netherlands with innovative supply chain solutions.
On 31 May, Maastricht University, Brightlands and the Limburg Provincial Government opened new and high-end laboratories on Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo. At the same time, two new research centres were launched: the Food Claims Centre Venlo (FCCV) and the Centre for Healthy Eating & Food Innovation (HEFI).
Dr Alie de Boer – a food scientist at University College Venlo, a satellite campus of Maastricht University – recently published an article in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. Based on a comprehensive literature study, she revealed the importance of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E in managing chronic inflammatory lung diseases, such as COPD and autoimmune sarcoidosis.


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Finding a buyer for an “Amish modified” New Holland 273 mini baler might not be done easily through traditional advertisements, but a new online service aims to fill that niche.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County announced its new online agricultural classified service and business directory, “Ag Exchange,” nearly a month ago, on Aug. 25. The service has been a little slow to take off, with around 31 classified postings and six directory postings as of Saturday, Sept. 20. The exchange website, which generally covers the Hudson Valley and Capital District, is hoped to become a vibrant community for beginners and experts alike.
Aaron Gabriel, of Washington County Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Warren County Extension staff member Amy Sabattis led development of the new service.
Gabriel, a crops and soil educator, said many farmers asked for a service like the new website.
“There have been a lot of good comments about it and folks from others parts of the state have asked to be a part of it,” said Gabriel. “One person had posted some turkeys he had for sale, and they sold in the first week or two.”
The first component of the website, agexchange.cce.cornell.edu, allows farmers to buy, sell, or rent agriculture-related equipment, products or services. The classified section is for wholesale business among traditional dairy, beef, field crop, fruit or vegetable farms, bees and maple, along with farms involved in brewing, distilling, artisan products, organic production, and non-GMO animal feeds. Pictures can also be posted with a listing.
Retail sales are not allowed on the website, so consumers should likely look elsewhere.
Gabriel said agriculture is “very active” and has become more diverse. The new agriculture industries are also spurring new farmers and producers.
“It is going to help people network together and make it a little easier to find folks to provide a service, such as sheep shearing or installing a fence,” Gabriel said. “Business is about networking really, and you have a to have a good network to make a business go … especially in farming.”
Tom Gallagher, livestock specialist for Albany County CCE, said for someone just starting out in agriculture it would be an “ideal” website.
“We are starting to see how local food movement has generated some interest in younger folks and getting them into farming,” said Gallagher. “Consumers are willing to pay a little more for something when they know how it is grown and where it is grown.”
The business directory aspect of the site is provided for commercial agriculture businesses to list its contact information and a link to their website. There are traditional machinery and feed dealers, but there also are smaller businesses focused on specialized services.
Users do not need to create an account or remember any passwords to use the website and can post items for free. Businesses are asked to make an annual donation to support Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Ag Exchange, along with linking to the regional website, ccecapitalregion.org, on its homepage.
Gallagher said the website should be easy enough for even non-Internet inclined people to use it and get something out of the experience.
“I think a lot of our farmers don’t particularly like reading things online, but this is a quick thing,” said Gallagher. “This is going to be a thing that is going to be helpful and it doesn’t cost them anything.”
Anyone with questions or comments about the website can contact Aaron Gabriel ([email protected] — 746-2560) or Amy Sabbatis, ([email protected] — 668-4881).


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AT&T has introduced three new tiered data plans this morning for its wireless customers in the U.S. using their Mobile Share Data plans. The new three tiered data plans extend the maximum cap of data that AT&T allows its most data intensive users to have, from 20GB to 50GB at max.
The three new plans, a 30GB plan for $300, a 40GB plan for $400, and a $50GB plan for $500, will include free unlimited calling and texting plans. However, each tiered data plan will also require you to pay an extra $30 per smartphone in the plan.
It's obvious that these new plans are mostly directed at businesses that need more usage and are able to afford these ridiculous prices. Those accounts will be subjected to a max of 15 allowed devices on the 30GB plan, 20 devices on the 40GB plan, and 25 devices on the 50GB plan. Regular customers will only be allowed up to 10 lines on any one of these plans.
And no, even with my high usage, I will not upgrading to one of these.


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Samsung's Galaxy S5 will work with the latest version of Joyn, a specification that mobile operators are hoping will, against the odds, claw back messaging traffic they have lost to Web-based services.
U.K. mobile network operators EE, O2, Three and Vodafone have teamed up with the U.K. Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) to try to stop and punish companies that are sending spam text messages.
The GSM Association, operators and vendors have published a specification that enables remote provisioning of embedded SIM identification modules, which should cut the cost of connecting cars and utility meters to the Internet.
A pair of severe security problems in millions of SIM cards should be easy for operators to fix, according to the German security researcher who found the issues.
Mobile operators are hoping to make it easier for developers to integrate network-based features with their applications using a new platform called OneAPI Exchange.
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China Car Sales Continue To Crater, Down 83% For The Third Week In February
Chinese auto sales continue to be a sinking ship on the heels of both an auto recession that has been in full swing for the last 18-24 months – and now the impact of the coronavirus.
Though the narrative coming out of China is that the country is attempting to return to some normalcy, the data from the company’s auto market tells us very differently. Retail car sales in the country are down 83% year over year for the third week in February. For the week, the country’s auto sales dropped to 5,411 units per day, according to the China Passenger Car Association.
They also stated that vehicle production and sales would show a “more noticeable” drop in February than in January, something Zero Hedge readers already knew based on our analysis of January numbers out of China, where we said exactly that. The CAAM said that January vehicle sales fell 18.7% on the year and 27.5% on month.
But the story is going to be from February onward.
Recall, just 5 days ago we wrote that Chinese auto sales had gone into “full collapse” and fell 92% for the first half of February.
China recorded 4,909 units sold in the first 16 days of the month, which is down from 59,930 in the same period last year. We said then what we’ll say again today: “If this figure doesn’t make it clear that the pandemic is having an effect outside of Hubei province in China, we’re not sure what will do it.
The China Passenger Car Association said days ago: “Very few dealerships opened in the first weeks of February and they have had very little customer traffic.”
Photographs out of China, as the virus rages its way through several major eastern cities, make the country look like something between a ghost town and wasteland.
Which it why it wasn’t surprising late last week to hear CPCA Secretary General Cui Dongshu say: “There was barely anybody at car dealers in the first week of February as most people stayed at home.”
Again, Zero Hedge readers should not be surprised by the February numbers. We noted that while China’s January decline was partially attributable to the coronavirus outbreak, it wasn’t until the end of January and early February when China was placed essentially on a full lockdown due to the outbreak of the virus.
We’d like to speculate that the small tick up in the third week of February is a promising sign, but we think we know better. We’ll continue to follow the story very closely and will update when new data becomes available.
Wed, 02/26/2020 – 21:25
via ZeroHedge News https://ift.tt/3a9usA6 Tyler Durden


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One of Canada's fastest-growing quick-service restaurant chains, with more than 700 restaurants, has significantly reduced its drive-thru service times by 33 percent using what was learned at Pal’s Business Excellence Institute (BEI).
As a result, A&W Canada has increased drive-thru sales by approximately $45 million dollars over the past few years since implementing procedures learned at Pal’s BEI.
“From the outset, restaurants who began to execute these measures immediately started to see improved operations, and as a result, improved sales,” says Neil Farmer, VP of operations for A&E Canada. “It became clear, in all of our franchisees, that this small investment was translating into tremendous sales growth for everyone who was doing it.”
He says every one of the restaurants that implemented the improvements has sustained the gain.
Farmer says his company heard about Pal’s BEI from another well-known foodservice brand, Coca-Cola.
Since 2006, A&W has sent around 50 of its employees to Pal’s BEI, everyone from all corporate executives and district managers to franchise operators.
Aside from increased revenue, the company is seeing other tangible successes. A&W has been named one of "Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies" for the past several years, an award sponsored by the business section of one of the National Dailies.
Pal’s BEI is a result of the regional quick-service chain, Pal’s Sudden Service, being awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which is awarded for being among the best-managed companies in the nation.
In fact, Pal’s was the first restaurant to win the prestigious award. The President of the United States presents the award for a company’s achievements in performance excellence.
A client of Pal’s BEI, K&N Management of Texas, has become only the second restaurant to ever win the award.
After a company wins the award, it is encouraged to share the secrets of its success. And that’s what Pal’s is doing through Pal’s BEI.
Restaurants aren’t the only type of business to go through classes at the Kingsport, Tennessee, location. Leaders from various industries are learning how to be extraordinary in leadership and operational excellence in just two days through the institute.
One hundred percent of the companies that have attended Pal’s BEI this year have taken back and applied one or more ideas in four weeks. Many take away more than 20 ideas for improvement.
“I don’t think it matters what industry you are in; just because we are in the restaurant business you shouldn’t carry around the notion that this is just for restaurants,” Farmer says. “The courses aren’t about food; they are about best business practices and manufacturing principals, that when implemented in any industry, you’ll see an improvement.”
David McClaskey, president of Pal’s Business Excellence Institute, says Pal’s BEI has helped industry leaders from the fields of healthcare, convenience stores, manufacturing, and, of course, foodservice.
The classes include both interactive discussions and site visits for a behind-the-scenes look at a Pal’s restaurant so you can see the principles talked about in actual use.


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Fresenius Kabi Launches First US Foscavir Rival
Generic Foscarnet Sodium For Injection Available In US Immediately
Fresenius Kabi has launched the first-ever generic version of Pfizer’s Foscavir in the US, with the product available immediately.
You may also be interested in...
Fresenius Kabi: No Launches From US Melrose Park Facility In 2021
Fresenius Kabi saw a sales and earnings slump in its North America business in the final quarter of last year, which dragged heavily on the firm’s full-year operations. Management have conceded that one of those factors, manufacturing issues at its Melrose Park facility, will blow into 2021, with no product approvals or launches anticipated from the site.
Five Competitors Confirmed On Canadian Adalimumab
Multiple competitors have now confirmed the launch of Canadian biosimilar versions of the world’s biggest-selling drug, Humira.
Kelix Strikes A Deal To Acquire 14 Oncology Injectables
Kelix bio has announced two deals to expand its presence in Africa. The company is set to acquire 14 oncology injectable products from Germany-based Vitane. Furthermore, Kelix has acquired Pharmaceutical Institute, a pharmaceutical company established in Rabat, to enter Morocco. The pan-African company has also invested in Malta.


text: Amitabh Bachchan has been appointed as brand ambassador for the promotion of GST which is going to be implemented from 1 July;2017. Promotional video of GST promoted by Big B has been uploaded to social media. In it ,Amitabh Bachchan seems to be telling the countrymen about the benefits and laws of GST. This is the third major campaign of the Central Government, which has been added to Amitabh Bachchan in the promotion. Amitabh Bachchan has also been associated with ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign. Recently, a new video of Amitabh Bachchan came with Anushka Sharma, in which he is seen keeping the villagers in the lock of the door for defecation. After the removal of Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan was also brand ambassador of ‘Incredible India’ by the Tourism Department. During the previous government, Amitabh Bachchan was associated with the promotion of government campaign for the prevention of polio.


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With 10 million iPhone 6 units sold last weekend just after release, Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) new phone is a formidable presence in the market. However, its influence in sales might be stepping on investors' toes.
Retailers battling for shopper discretionary spending during the buildup to the holiday season are in for for a letdown. Wells Fargo estimates that U.S. consumers will spend approximately $14 billion on their new iPhones, reported The Wallstreet Journal, starting with last weekend's launch and lasting until year-end.
But according to the report, that figure equals almost two-thirds of the United States' year-over-year retail growth during the last holiday season, meaning that the industry's discretionary dollar has almost fully been allocated to Apple's pocketbook.
The many millions of shoppers flocking to get the year's latest new gadget portend that much less will be spent on apparel, clothing, traditional toys and home furnishings, among other things.
So for companies who aren't banking on the buck that the iPhone is bringing in, including hard-pressed retailers like Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, and even luxury labels such as Coach and Michael Kors, the situation does not bode well.
But it doesn't stop there. The Apple Watch is yet to come, and that is sure to attract consumers' attention, so if that golden discretionary dollar is still dangling, it's sure to be sucked right back into Apple's pockets with the impending release of their latest innovation.
Wells Fargo estimates that Apple will sell 6 million watches in the first year after its launch, and with each unit going for $349 a pop, that's going to chip a $2 million block off of the collective consumer spending budget. DigiTimes reported that notebook computer sales have also seen a turn for the worse as Chinese consumers hold off on purchasing in anticipation of Apple's new iPhones.
As vendors brace themselves for a continuation of Apple's virtual monopoly into the fourth quarter, many have significantly reduced orders from manufacturers to avoid inventory buildup.
But the situation isn't so gloomy for everyone. Companies that benefit from Apple products, such as Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Walmart (NYSE:WMT), Target (NYSE:TGT) and RadioShack (NYSE:RSH), will definitely benefit.
Radioshack is in special need of resuscitation. The tech retailer initiated talks with shareholder Standard General in late August to secure a rescue financing package as it vied to stave off bankruptcy. If the demand for the newest Apple products continues at the going rate, the retailer could stand to see another day.
Survey says shoppers want more personal, but less personalization
Mother's Day spending to top $18B, most will shop online
Digital influences $1 trillion in retail sales
U.S. retail sales hit $4.53 trillion in 2013, e-commerce jumps 17 percent
Mobile payments, in-store tracking among key trends to watch


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It's not a royal wedding, but...
Up and down the country, trading standards services are busy promoting National Consumer Week (NCW). From street stalls to wide-spread social media campaigns, consumer protection experts are on hand to ensure UK consumers don’t fall foul of subscription issues in the lead up to Christmas.
Beginning on Cyber Monday, this year’s campaign is focussed on subscriptions and subscription traps. Coordinated by Citizens Advice, with resources and materials provided by all members of the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP), NCW aims to inform consumers of their rights, and how to avoid falling into traps and scams. It’s not always easy to tell when you’re agreeing to a subscription, and with the holidays and the January sales just around the corner, there’s no better time to be savvy when shopping online, so think #BeforeYouSign.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), in collaboration with Business Companion, released two advice animations for NCW. The first addresses businesses who offer subscriptions, ensuring they’re aware of their rights, and links back to Business Companion’s extensive, free online guides for business.
The second CTSI animation advises banks and financial institutions of their responsibilities to consumers, including cancellation of continued payment authorities, which can often trap unaware consumers. Both CTSI videos can be found here.
CTSI Chief Executive, Leon Livermore, said: “This year’s National Consumer Week has had an amazing response so far. It’s brilliant to see so many local authorities actively engaging with consumers on such a massive issue, and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the week brings.”
Our partners at the UK European Consumer Centre (UK ECC) have also released a 60-second video about subscription traps with top tips on how to stay safe online. Laura Johnston, the UK ECC consumer advisor featured in the clip, said: “Very few, if any companies, will offer you a trial of anything unless it is going to lead on to further purchases and this is often done by an automatic renewal system… In most of these cases the customer doesn't realise what is happening until they notice continued payments disappearing from their bank accounts.”
Notes for Editors
For media enquiries or further information, contact CTSI Press Office – 01268 582240 or firstname.lastname@example.org
- CTSI National Consumer Week videos can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFvHXi4Uu4RHL4KOD9lWpTVqVhlsw1CzV
- Alternate videos are available with Welsh language subtitles
- National Consumer Week 2017 runs from Monday 27th November to Sunday 3rd December.
- More information on National Consumer Week 2017 can be found here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ncw17/
- Leon Livermore is Chief Executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute
- More information on the UK European Consumer Centre can be found here: http://www.ukecc.net/
- The UK ECC video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF2Jb5UHtfI
Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)
CTSI is a training and membership group that has represented the interests of the Trading Standards profession since 1881 nationally and internationally. We aim to raise the profile of the profession while working towards fairer, better informed and safer consumer and business communities.
CTSI’s members are engaged in delivering frontline trading standards services in local authorities and in businesses. Visit www.tradingstandards.uk.
Business Companion is a free to use, government backed service, produced by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. Visit www.businesscompanion.info.
Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP)
The CPP was formed in April 2012 as part of a suite of changes to the consumer landscape. The current members of the CPP are: Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland, CMA, Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, National Trading Standards Board and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The CPP’s objective is to bring together these key consumer partners within the reformed consumer landscape to better identify, prioritise and coordinate collective action to tackle the issues causing greatest harm to consumers. In essence, the CPP’s role is to ensure that CPP partners work together to tackle detriment more effectively than they could through working in isolation.


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The Ritchie Bros. auction company has filed a response to a suit brought by Russo and Steele, denying the suit’s allegations of conspiring to undermine Russo’s relationship with Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, where it has held its collector car auction during Arizona Auction Week since 2016.
The plot laid out in the Russo and Steele suit is that Ritchie Bros., a global heavy-equipment auctioneer that now owns the Leake collector car auction company, convinced Salt River Fields not to renew its lease agreement so that Leake could take over the desirable location during the annual 2020 car auction week.
Salt River Fields is located on Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land adjacent to Scottsdale, where most of the other collector car auctions are held in January. Russo and Steele, a Scottsdale company, held its January 2019 auction there.
According to the suit, Ritchie and Leake conspired with an independent contractor working as director of operations for Russo to convince Salt River to end Russo’s leasing agreement. The suit names Ritchie Brothers, Leake and company executives Gary and Muffy Bennett, a married couple, as the perpetrators of efforts to destroy Russo and Steele’s standing and reputation with the Indian community, which led to the non-renewal of the contract in October 2018.
Drew Alcazar, who owns and operates Russo and Steele with his wife, Josephine, says he was “blindsided” when the Indian community ended the relationship, and then appalled when, he says, they discovered incriminating evidence in company electronic files, mail and phone record that the contractor, Mark Landolfi, had been secretly working for Ritchie and Leake.
Russo also has sued Landolfi in the alleged conspiracy.
The Ritchie Bros. response says that none of the conspiracy allegations are factual and that they only took advantage of the availability of the venue because the Russo contract was canceled.
The response also claims that Russo and Steele has obtained a new auction venue in Scottsdale for its January 2o20 sale so that it has sustained limited if any damages from the loss of Salt River Fields.
The response also states that Russo knew that Salt River Fields was negotiating with Leake for the location “at or near the time” that its contract was not renewed.
“Rather than take the appropriate steps to ensure a successful (January 2020) auction in North Scottsdale,” the response alleges, “R&S instead issued a press release to notify the public that it has no venue, when in fact it has a venue, and to blame Ritchie Bros. for its own failed relationship with Salt River Fields. R&S therefore failed to mitigate against the future damages it claims it will suffer.”
The Ritchie Bros. response seeks that the Russo suit and monetary claims be dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled, and that Russo should pay Ritchie’s attorney fees and other costs associated with the suit.
Arizona Auction Week has become a critical time for the collector car market, when seven auction companies – now eight in 2020 with the addition of Leake – conduct sales. Cumulatively, the auctions are considered a key indicator of classic car values as it kicks off the calendar year of international sales.


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BlackBerry, the embattled smartphone maker that was once the must-have brand for City bankers and technology geeks, has confirmed it is considering selling the company.
The announcement, which follows weeks of speculation that it was looking at a range of new ownership options, came just before US markets opened and after trading in the group’s shares had been suspended.
In a statement, the company said its board of directors had “formed a special committee to explore strategic alternatives” including “possible joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances, a sale of the company or other possible transactions”.
BlackBerry has been losing money after failing to keep up with its rivals – chiefly Apple and Samsung – as increasing numbers of mobile phone users move to smartphones. In its most recent quarter the company lost $84m (£54m) and expects to lose more money in the three months to the end of September.
Going private or being bought would allow the company to reorganise its business without the pressure of outside shareholder scrutiny – which is intense after the value of the firm slumped from around $84bn in 2008 to less than $5bn now.
In an attempt to compete with its rivals, the company recently announced two new smartphones – the touchscreen Z10 device and the Q10, which includes a mini keyboard favoured by many BlackBerry users.
Thorsten Heins, BlackBerry’s president and chief executive, said: “We continue to see compelling long-term opportunities for BlackBerry 10, we have exceptional technology that customers are embracing, we have a strong balance sheet and we are pleased with the progress that has been made in our transition.”
The special committee comprises Heins, directors Barbara Stymiest, Richard Lynch and Bert Nordberg, and will be chaired by Timothy Dattels.
An Entrepreneur and Philanthropist. Editor-in-Chief of www.233times.com. A Senior Journalist with Ghanaian Chronicle Newspaper. An alumnus of Adisadel College where he read General Arts. He holds first degree in Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ghana; Political Science (major) and History (minor). He has also pursued MSc Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Energy with Public Relations (PR) at the Robert Gordon University in the United Kingdom. He is a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow (YALI) who studied at Clark Atlanta University on the Business and Entrepreneurship track. His mentors are Rupert Murdoch, Warren Buffet, Sam Jonah, Kwaku Sakyi Addo and Piers Morganview all posts by: Nana Kwesi Coomson
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Athenos Makes Feta Reclosable
Co. here has changed the package of its Athenos brand feta cheese to a reclosable, plastic package.
According to Chris Faust, account executive, the packaging was changed to add convenience in storing the cheese for reuse. The new package is made out of PETE 1, the same plastic used to make two-liter soda bottles.
Faust said the company is beginning the national rollout of the repackaged product this month.
Although its packaging has changed, the company is not changing the price of feta. The 4-ounce package of crumbled feta will retail at $1.59, and the 8-ounce block of feta will retail at $2.59.
Borden Takes Out All the Fat
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Borden here has expanded its dairy line with a fat-free milk to be marketed under the Lite Line and Viva brand names, which have separate distribution areas.
"This is in response to the consumers' concerns," said Steve Michaelson, director of marketing. "Consumers will now have a choice between whole, low-fat, skim and fat-free nonfat milk."
Another Borden official said the company uses the term "fat-free nonfat milk" because, according to government regulations, nonfat milk can have up to one gram of fat. Borden's fat-free nonfat milks have no grams of fat.
The milk is packaged in gallon, half-gallon, quart, pint and half-pint containers.
Land O'Lakes Offers Plus 3
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Land O'Lakes here has introduced Plus 3 low-fat milk and Plus 3 orange juice, which contain Vitamin E and two digestive enzymes.
The two enzymes, acidophilus and bifidus, aid in digestion and help rid the intestines of harmful bacteria or prevent the bacteria from forming. The enzymes may also improve lactose tolerance and may aid in the absorption of calcium.
Theresa Trocke, marketing manager of Country Lake Foods, a division of Land O'Lakes, said the enzymes and the addition of Vitamin E were "among the main reasons we created the Plus 3 line." She added that the company wanted to give the consumer more choices.
The Plus 3 juice products are available in select markets in the Midwest, including Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Plus 3 milks are available in Chicago. Trocke said the company rolled these products out in April, but had no plans for any further rollouts across the country.
The milk is available as 2% low-fat milk and fat-free skim milk. A half-gallon of the low-fat milk has a retail price range of $1.59 to $1.69, while the orange juice has a retail range of $1.79 to $1.89 per half-gallon.
Butterball to Talk Turkey Again
CHICAGO -- For the 14th year running, Butterball Co. will offer its "Butterball Turkey Talk-Line" to help holiday cooks prepare their turkeys.
Trained home economists and nutritionists will man phone lines to take calls in English or Spanish from residents of the United States and Canada.
The talk line number is (800) 323-4848. Hearing-impaired cooks can call (800) 833-3848. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays from Nov. 1 through Nov. 23; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 24. From Nov. 25 through Dec. 23 lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 6.p.m. All hours are Central Standard Time.
Since the line's debut in 1981, the company has handled some 1.5 million phone calls.
Heluva Good Slims Sour Cream
SODUS, N.Y. -- Heluva Good Cheese Inc. here has added a fat-free sour cream to its growing line of light and reduced-fat foods.
The new fat-free sour cream contains no fat or cholesterol and has 20 calories per two-tablespoon serving.
Katie Barclay, director of marketing, said the fat-free sour cream is "a low-calorie alternative for consumers concerned with fat and cholesterol content."
Heluva Good Cheese has rolled out the sour cream to its 26 markets on the East Coast. The product retails for $1.39 for a 16-ounce container.


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Alibaba is rumored to be in talks with Japanese cellular carrier Softbank, a partnership that would allow the group to purchase all assets owned by Yahoo, Inc.
According to sources at Bloomberg also involved in talks with the two company’s are Blackstone Group and Bain Capital.
News has circulated for months that Alibaba CEO Jack Ma would like to acquire Yahoo, however he required outside capital since an Alibaba purchase would come with a large tax penalty that his company could not afford.
In the meantime as I reported on Wednesday Yahoo is now rumored to be seeking a minority stake owner for the company which would allow them to retain control of the organization while perhaps selling off their Yahoo assets in Japan including their 40 percent stage in the Alibaba group and their 35 percent stake in Yahoo Japan.
Complicating Alibaba’s attempts could be bidding from various other groups including Microsoft and Silver Lake Partners and TPG Capital who are rumored to have big in the vicinity of $16-$18 per share, higher than Yahoo’s current trading price but lower than the $20-$22 per share the company would like to receive.
While Alibaba is believed to be waiting for Yahoo to open talks there are more rumors pointing to the possibility of a hostile takeover.


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Two men were arrested for stealing from vehicles in Doral in order to resell the items and buy tickets to the Ultra Music Festival, police said.
Enrique Miguel Ponimansky, 20, and Michael Torres, 19, were found stealing from the cars in Doral at around 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, El Nuevo Herald reported.
“They told the sergeant that caught them that they were going to sell the stolen items to buy tickets for the Ultra Festival,” Joe Seiglie from Doral Police told the newspaper...
(click pic to continue reading)
Via Billy Corben


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Speaking at a panel discussion on the Japan-US relationship at the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum earlier this week, USMEF economist Erin Borror warned that unless the US secured better access terms with Japan for red meat, it would find it tougher to compete with markets such as Australia, the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, Mexico and Chile, which have preferential trade agreements.
She said that “Japan is the leading value destination for both US beef and pork”, with 2018 exports expected to reach $2.1bn and $1.65bn, respectively, when year-end data is available.
Borror explained that beef and pork made up a significant portion of US agricultural exports to Japan. The projected $3.92bn in combined red meat product exports represented about 30% of the $13bn in total US agricultural exports to Japan, second only to grains and feeds.
It was stressed that without a US-Japan trade agreement, potential losses for the US meat industry could be “substantial”.
She said US exporters were already feeling the effects of tariff disadvantages of 11 percentage points for beef cuts and 6.4 percentage points for beef tongues and skirts. For pork, the most immediate impact was on processed and value-added products, where tariffs were quickly being phased to zero. According to USMEF, this is already eroding US market share for products such as ground seasoned pork. Japan’s imports of US ground seasoned pork were valued at $288m last year.
“Unless the US and Japan can quickly reach a trade agreement, lost opportunities will mount, as Japanese companies seek more value-added, further processed products from suppliers such as the EU and Mexico,” Borror said. “Decisions that are being made today will transform the business and, without clear indications that the US and Japan will reach an agreement, the US industry is likely to suffer permanent losses in market share and related investment. Japan is irreplaceable as a trading partner, given its demand for high-value chilled pork cuts, and it is seen as an increasingly important market for value-added pork. At a time when US companies are looking to produce more value-added and branded products, the industry cannot afford to miss these opportunities in Japan.”
Borror warned that these lost export opportunities also carried serious implications for US agriculture and the rural economy.
“Exports to Japan are estimated to directly support more than 4% of the jobs in the meat packing and processing industry,” she said. “Absent a trade agreement with Japan, an annual cost of $5.2bn in direct economic losses to other businesses and industries will result in the top 15 meat packing and processing states. Over the next 10 years, an estimated 23,600 jobs outside the meat industry would be lost in those 15 states.”
At the forum, Borror also detailed the impact of ongoing trade disputes on US red meat exports, including imposition of retaliatory duties on US pork by China and Mexico.
“Retaliation has weighed less heavily on US beef exports, which were record-large in 2018 and surged by more than $1bn over the previous year. Pork export volume held steady with the record pace of 2017, but export value was pressured greatly in the second half of the year, following retaliatory actions by China and Mexico,” she said.
Borror explained that retaliatory tariffs had been paid by the US pork industry, as prices for hams, picnics, feet and hocks – key items for export to Mexico and China – were down an average of about 20% from June through December last year, and this translated into year-on-year losses of $11.75 per head. Industry losses, just for these products, amounted to $860m.


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At IFA conference in Berlin earlier this year, LG announced the launch of two new smartphones in its G7 series phones, namely LG G7 One and LG G7 Fit. These smartphones are considered as lower versions of the flagship LG G7 ThinQ. However, many months down the line, the LG G7 Fit did not appear
The post LG G7 Fit finally hit the market appeared first on Gizchina.com.
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In a story first reported by the New York Times, an internal memo from Chevrolet reveals that the company no longer wants employees to use the nickname “Chevy”. I know, it’s ridiculous. Here’s some of the obvious reasons it’s a bad idea, and one major one that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere.
In some ways “Chevy” is more a part of America’s fabric than “Chevrolet” — from song references to advertising to Chevrolet’s own website. Fine, those things are all important — but there’s a bigger hole in GM’s name change: the entire country of Mexico.
You may not be familiar with Mexico’s car culture, but it’s pretty robust in it’s own way. The VW Beetle was manufactured there until about a decade ago — but not the Beetle you see high school girls cruising in — the “Lemon” one. That’s old school. Also, tons of Chevrolet/GM models are built there. That’s beside the point, but brings up an important fact: cars, especially GM cars, are as much a part of Mexico as beautiful sunsets and pay-bathrooms.
Wait, there’s an even bigger issue: Chevrolet in Mexico is called…wait for it…Chevy (see image). Apparently, that market isn’t important to Chevrolet, as they’ve completely written off the Mexican population in one fell swoop.
Even worse is GM’s explanation for the switch (per NYT): “When you look at the most recognized brands throughout the world, such as Coke or Apple for instance, one of the things they all focus on is the consistency of their branding. Why is this consistency so important? The more consistent a brand becomes, the more prominent and recognizable it is with the consumer.”
Interesting argument, since Coke is short for Coca-Cola and Apple isn’t even the company’s real name. It’s Macintosh, originally, and the logo has taken on a name of its own. So wtf are GM’s marketers thinking? For one thing, this is probably Goodby’s fault:
In April, Chevrolet dismissed its long-time ad agency, Campbell-Ewald. The account went to Publicis USA, but only for a month before it was switched again, this time to Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.
Klaus-Peter Martin, a G.M. spokesman, confirmed the memo. ‘We’re going to use Chevrolet instead of Chevy going forward in our communications,’ he said in a telephone interview, and linked the change to the move to Goodby (emphasis ours).
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this has got to be a PR screw-up. There’s no way Goodby would recommend GM scrap the brand’s iconic nickname, is there? C’mon Goodby — you’re one of the few who don’t make this kind of mistake. Get on the horn and let us know (we reached out but haven’t heard back).
Thoughts on this one guys? Run free.
Update: Forgot to mention that anytime GM employees say Chevy they have to put a quarter in a “swear jar” of sorts. Carry on.


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Digi Hosts Digital Day — Focuses On Learning Innovations To Serve You Better
Digi has today host their third successive Digital Day, where their aim is to focus on learning new innovations disrupting the market and how digital is driving a new set of behavior from consumers.
Digi Digital Day 2018
In the key company-wide event, employees job for the day is to focus on learning new innovations and things that can disrupt the market and find the things that can captivate the current consumers.
The Chief Digital Officer of Digi, Praveen Rajan, has said “Widespread digital disruption is changing the industry, the way we work, and our customers’ lifestyles. And if the world around us and our business is evolving, so must our people.”
At the event, there was a wide range of speakers, panel discussions, masterclasses and a digital fair to broaden Digizens’s understanding of current and future technologies. It even saw special appearance from Aishah and Prem from The Mix Breakfast.
Besides the Digital Day, staffs of the company was challenged to complete at least 40 hours of education through online learning platforms such as Lynda.com, Coursera, and Udacity by the end of the year.
For more information on Digi’s culture and talent programs, you can check the link here.
Pokdepinion: Any Digi users here? What would YOU want from the telco company? Wider coverage? Cheaper prices? Let us know in the comments.


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Samoa has experienced a rapid increase of holiday and business travellers in the last year according to the most recent visitors report released by Samoa Tourism Authority.
President of the Samoa Hotel Association (SHA), Tupai Saleimoa Vaai says that a major contributing factor to the spike is due to the establishment of Samoa Airways which has boosted the industry’s destination marketing campaign efforts.
“Collectively, the marketing we have been doing has been effective but the biggest factor contributing to the breakthroughs of those marketing efforts is Samoa Airways” said Tupai
“We can only do so much destination marketing as we can but if we can’t achieve affordable flights to Samoa – those efforts goes to waste.”
He added “having our own national carrier has made flights cheaper to Samoa. Air New Zealand would never have reduced their fares if it wasn’t for the establishment of Samoa Airways.”
According to the report, Australia was the top performing market and achieved the highest growth increasing by 4,227 visitors – an increase of 32% over the corresponding period last year.
The number of travellers from American Samoa also grew by 14% and visitor numbers from Europe between July 2018 and June 2019 showed an 18% increase with the most significant share of holiday goers to the region coming from the United Kingdom, followed by the rest of continental Europe.
Samoa Airways General Commercial Manager, Robert Rounds states that the re-establishment of Samoa’s national carrier served as a catalyst in creating competition in the market, effectively driving down airfares in one of the world’s most expensive routes.
“We were built to meet the needs of our people and provide competition in the market.” He said “we added capacity and frequency into the market which is why we have seen a jump in visitors to Samoa in the last year. Without Samoa Airway’s existence – fares would just return to how exorbitantly high they were prior to our introduction.”
Holiday travellers from the top performing Australian market is expected to increase, especially with new Preferred Agreements signed recently between Samoa Airways and trade partners in the Australian travel Industry,
“We are pleased to announce that we have secured a Preferred Agreements with partners in the trade which effectively puts Samoa Airways on the ‘top shelf’ in terms of selling our product” said Rounds.
“From the leisure market perspective – the market is growing out of Australia because the customer now has more choices due to competition in the market driving prices down.
Samoa is not only affordable but it offers something different to status quo destinations in the South Pacific and we welcome more international travellers to experience what beautiful Samoa has to offer.”


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Personality science at the intersection of
urban design & mental health
Rage rooms, or anger rooms, have grown in popularity in recent years. Should we embrace them as a healthy outlet for anxiety and frustration, or do they do more harm than good? Bennett talks about it with host Elaine Reyes on CGTN-TV America.
Can sports fanatics go too far? Many people wear jerseys, hats, and face paint. Some get tattoos. What about faithful supporters who get buried in team gear? Dr. Bennett speaks to Fan N'ATion on KDKA-TV Pittsburgh about this phenomenon.
Serenity now! Is there room in the modern urban landscape to carve out special spaces for venting anger? Article published by Sanity and Urbanity, an online magazine hosted by The Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health, London, UK.
No, turkey doesn’t make you sleepy – but it may bring more trust to your Thanksgiving table. Article originally published in The Conversation. Republished in Chicago Tribune-Review, San Francisco Chronicle, Popular Science, Business Insider, Salon.com, Houston Chronicle, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mercury News (San Jose, CA), Maui news, KING-TV online (Seattle, WA), 9News-TV online (Denver, CO), WWL-TV online (New Orleans, LA), 12News-TV online (Phoenix, AZ), WUSA-TV online (Washington, DC), and 50+ online and print news outlets.


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Travelling is one thing. Seeing my fiance when he returns from his interstate job is another. And then there is raw chocolate.
But the upcoming Cross Conscious Eco Fashion Event is one of those rare events that I’m so excited about that all else pales in comparison.
A collaboration between renowned fashion design school, the Whitehouse Institute of Design and not for profit organisation Australian Red Cross, this fashion charity event is shaping up to be the only reason to leave your house mid-week!
I was invited to an exclusive preview to the fittings and a behind the scenes look at the making of the event and I was honoured to meet the creative team responsible for planning the show, some of Australia’s up and coming movers and shakers of our fashion industry. I was also very vocal in my praise of their decision to embrace sustainable concepts. The team explained to me the reasons behind some of their creative choices. Such as the decision to highlight the colour red which they said represents their involvement with the Red Cross and raising awareness of their 140 stores nation wide. They are also including upcycled street wear in the show which represents the idea of what it is to be a Melbournian, urban cool, edgy and avant garde. And the choice to allow the involvement of JVDB Productions, who are responsible for sound and lighting and using LED lighting throughout the venue, is even more evidence of the extent to which the team are embracing eco concepts.
And why upcycled and repurposed fashion? The team explained that this came about organically as many of them are aware of sustainable practices now more than ever given the level of awareness of the subject across other areas of life. They also explained that these issues are highlighted in their course curriculum. But one of the primary reasons is that the Australian Red Cross approached them to do a collaboration, and the students really liked the concept of transforming donated clothing. So the fashion show centres around garments from the Australian Red Cross stores that have been upcycled and re-purposed by third year students as well as established designers.
I got to have a look at the creations being offered by labels such as Godwin Charli, Olga de Polga, Ameca Calleja, Yesterday’s Virgins, Jimi’s Voodoo, El and Tino, Elenii and Res Denim and fell in love with some of the pieces including an upcycled tartan jacket created by Godwin Charli and the distressed denim clothing by Res Denim. One of a kind, individualistic, wearable and sustainable, ticking all of my boxes! Given my own reaction to witnessing the pieces first hand, I think the audience is in for a treat! In addition, the model talent, from two of Australia’s leading modelling agencies Chadwick and Vivienne’s, means that eco fashion will get somewhat of an equal footing to some of the other established unsustainable brands that have unfortunately flooded our market.
The event is being held at the ground floor of the iconic building that houses the Whitehouse Institute of Design on Wednesday 12th June at 7pm, with live performances from DJ’s and street artists and celebrity appearances including event ambassador, Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Campbell. A night of inspiration, conversation and sustainable awareness which also just happens to be on my birthday. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate it really!
And if you are planning to attend, make sure to bring your wallets and purses as Cross Conscious will have it’s own ‘Thread Shed’, a pop-up boutique showcasing upcycled garments, vintage pieces and designer wear giving guests a chance to purchase sustainable fashion and unique items. I have personally witnessed the rows of donated denim jeans that will be up for purchase and really looking forward to grabbing myself a bargain! And this would not be an eco fashion event without the requisite donation to a good cause, so a good thing to know that all proceeds from the ‘Thread Shed’ will go directly to the Australian Red Cross.
So come and join me for a fun winter night filled with music, entertainment, fashion and sustainable shopping. And don’t forget to tap me on the shoulder and say hello. I love meeting passionate people with a shared love for fashion and sustainable design! And if you haven’t already got your tickets, head to their website here.


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The real rot in agriculture2 min read . Updated: 28 Jul 2010, 09:07 PM IST
The real rot in agriculture
The real rot in agriculture
Indian policymakers back in the 1950s believed they could easily live without free markets. Sitting in New Delhi, they would supplant the market with trial and error: Dictate some price or quantity; if supply and demand didn’t happen to match, keep adjusting the price or quantity till they did.
Judging by reports of rotting foodgrains by Mint and our sister publication Hindustan Times this week, it’s clear policymakers at the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Union agriculture ministry haven’t shed this belief. Their trial and error ends up only in massive errors: Over the past four years, 600,000 tonnes of grains have been lost in storage, 675,000 tonnes in transit.
Some solution to this problem lies, then, in improving storage and transit. FCI, for instance, promotes “open plinths" (meaning grain stocks aren’t covered), sometimes even leaving them out in the open. Warehouses aren’t big enough. It can try to change all this, but that would mean even more money. Given that FCI already spends more on distribution than procurement, perhaps private entities can do better. Of course, such piecemeal privatization shouldn’t be a panacea; in cases where FCI already works with the private sector, it can even be a placebo.
The actual problem is, admittedly, harder to solve. Even if the government wants to prevent food from rotting, can it really correct years of misguidance?
At its simplest level, the problem is that food rots because FCI procures more than it can store or transfer. The buffer stocks at the end of June came to 58 million tonnes, more than twice what it’s supposed to hold. FCI has ended up holding so much grain because it is required to buy whatever any farmer wants to sell to it. And any farmer would doubtless want to sell to FCI: The government’s minimum support prices (MSPs) for wheat and rice have shot up 65-70% in the last four years.
So what does the government do? Don’t increase MSPs, and farmers will stop voting. Keep procuring, and it will find itself contending not just with rotting food, but also spiralling food prices. After all, if the public knows that FCI stores grain in an inflexible buffer stock, it will expect prices to rise—the recipe for inflation.
If the real crux of the problem is so deeply entrenched, India has to start wondering if the solution has to be more radical. In a January editorial, we suggested that the Union agriculture ministry just be abolished. Once this sector is decentralized—once restrictions on inter-state food sales go away, for instance—foodgrains can travel freely and be bought and sold in a freer market.
That’s when India will finally abandon the fatal conceit that a policymaker in New Delhi can determine true supply and demand.
Does agriculture need reforms? Tell us at firstname.lastname@example.org


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The Ministry of Health and Welfare has said that it will continue to monitor imported Japanese food rigorously to ensure public health amid concerns that Taiwan is considering lifting a ban on food imported from radiation-affected prefectures in Japan.
The ministry will give a report on its on-site inspection of imported Japanese food at a Legislative committee on Monday.
An advance copy of the written report said that food imports from the prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Chiba were suspended on March 25, 2011, with those areas suspected of having suffered radiation contamination as a result of a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011.
Since May 15, 2015, importers of Japanese food products have been required to present certificates of origin to prove items do not originate from any of the five prefectures, the report said.
For some imports such as tea, baby food, dairy and aquatic products, radiation inspection certificates have also been required, it added.
As of the end of the October, inspections on all imported Japanese food had met the new regulations, the report said.
A Taiwanese delegation comprised of health, foreign, agriculture and atomic agency officials along with nuclear medicine doctors and food safety experts traveled to Japan in August to conduct on-site inspections.
The delegation visited central and local government agencies in charge of radiation monitoring programs, production sites for agricultural and fishery products, food processing plants, radiation monitoring labs, the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as well as private groups and doctors.
The ministry said that according to statistics provided by Japan, of 260,538 samples inspected in 2015, only 279, or 0.1 percent were found to have an excessive level of radiation.
In addition, Taiwan's delegation also checked Japanese supermarkets and found that food from the five prefectures was on sale there, the report said.
Media reports have said that since president Tsai Ing-wen (???) assumed office in May, different Japanese groups have asked Taiwan to lift the ban on food products from the five prefectures.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel


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Apple has previously bought clothing for Apple Store uniforms from a subsidiary of a company that the US Government is alleging violated human rights in China’s Xinjiang region.
Following Tim Cook saying to the House of Judiciary that Apple will not tolerate the use of forced labor in its business or any part of its supply chain, documents have shown that the company has previously bought from a subsidiary of Esquel. Changji Esquel Textile is currently facing sanctions for alleged human rights violations, including forced labor.
“Esquel is not a direct supplier to Apple but our suppliers do use cotton from their facilities in Guangzhou and Vietnam,” an Apple spokesperson told The Guardian. “We have confirmed no Apple supplier sources cotton from Xinjiang and there are no plans for future sourcing of cotton from the region.”
The Guardian reports that Apple’s spokesperson declined to say where future cotton supplies would come from. The newspaper also notes that there is no cotton farming in Guangzhou, and that Esquel does not appear to farm cotton in Vietnam.
Apple is no longer listed as a major customer on Esquel’s website, but the two firms have reportedly worked together for many years. It’s believed that the clothing listed in shipping records were uniforms for Apple Store staff.
In 2014, Apple and Esquel together agreed to produce what were being described as more sustainable uniforms, using recycled cotton waste.
Speaking at the antitrust hearing in Washington, Tim Cook called forced labour “abhorrent.” He said that Apple “wouldn’t tolerate it…We would terminate a supplier relationship if it was found.”


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Friday, January 27, 2012
For Apple, the last two weeks have been filled with praise and scrutiny. Steve Jobs was held-up as the best American business has to offer in Tuesday's State of the Union address while the New York Times reported worrying work conditions at Chinese factories that produce Apple products. Bob speaks with Wired's Steven Levy who says the bad news won't immediately change public opinion of Apple.
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The ubiquitous coffee shop you love to hate, Starbucks, recently raised their prices on certain coffee drinks in certain regional markets, citing rising costs in commodity and fuel prices as an explanation. The most notable price hike falls on the head of the “Tall”, or small, brewed coffee which will cost 10 cents more than it did before.
Starbucks’ explanation, that commodity prices forced their hand, seems a bit specious.
Slate’s economics writer, Matthew Yglesias, used the example of Starbucks’ price hike as a way of explaining why we need commodities speculators. Starbucks, he explains, thought that coffee prices were going to continue to rise this year, so in October of 2011 they locked in a contract to buy coffee from their suppliers at October 2011’s spot price. What they didn’t anticipate, Yglesias points out, is that commodity prices would actually fall from there, leaving Starbucks paying a premium on coffee due to their agreement. Had they not locked in the October 2011 price, they would be able to buy coffee for a cheaper per pound price. This is why they’re raising their prices.
This raises the question, of course, why did Starbucks not raise their prices this significantly when the cost of coffee nearly doubled between March 2010 and March 2011? The coffee house chain instead only raised prices slightly on labor-intensive drinks. They didn’t touch the small brewed coffee or any of the brewed coffee drinks for that matter.
And getting back to Yglesias’ argument, it would be a foregone conclusion that Starbucks would have to raise their prices by virtue of the agreement they made in October of last year; just because the cash price of coffee went down, it doesn’t mean the company needs to raise their prices because of that. Had coffee prices gone up instead of down, they would still need to raise prices because of their October agreement, if commodity prices are actually the cause.
The unforeseen effects of the Durbin amendment make a more likely culprit. By limiting debit swipe fees to 21 cents a transaction, the rule was supposed to pass savings on to consumers. But payments networks raised their fees on small ticket purchases — those under $10 — to the new maximum, thereby charging exorbitant fees by percentage on these items. Twenty-one cents is one-ninth of the cost of a $1.80 coffee, which is a hard hit for Starbucks to take on one of their more popular items, especially as Americans lean on their debit cards more and more for purchases. In recent years, debit cards surpassed credit cards in swipe volume, but not dollar volume; because people use credit cards to finance larger purchases, debit transactions skew smaller.
Exposed to a large percentage of their customers now unwittingly cutting into their profit margin, is it not likely that Starbucks decided to do something to staunch the bleeding? According to this Star Tribune story on the topic, it’s a bit of a problem, especially for quick service restaurants, which deal with a high volume of sub-$10 transactions and operate on small margins. Redbox, the DVD rental service, already raised their rental fees by exactly 20 cents due to the unintended effects of the Durbin amendment. Is it not somewhat likely that Starbucks is responding to this very same pressure?


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LL Bean is embarking on eco-responsible fashion with the Pre-Loved Collection, a range of refurbished vintage pieces launched exclusively on the brand’s Instagram.
Spanning the 60s to the present day, each piece has been purchased by the exterior giant’s design team and restored for a new wear life cycle, a spread of timeless Bean basics getting new life.
A sample: a royal blue fleece jacket from the 80s is embroidered with the cursive LL Bean logo; a knit cardigan, also from the 80s, features a lovely polar bear print; a 60s hunting vest is a perfect match for fashion’s love of tactical gear.
LL Bean joins a number of brands that are launching vintage and used collections in the name of sustainability.
Last year, Levi’s introduced Second hand, a platform dedicated to vintage and second-hand denim. Likewise, The North Face Renewed and Arc’teryx Rebird are restoring outerwear and second-hand clothing to new condition, for a more affordable price. And just a few weeks ago, Banana Republic released another “BR Vintage” collection, a line of pieces from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Luxury brands are also getting into the action.
In partnership with RealReal’s circular economy program, Gucci, Stella McCartney and Burberry are offering benefits to customers who shop second-hand. In February, Alexander McQueen launched a buyback program with Vestiaire Collective.
Vintage and second-hand, once considered bad words among the fashion elite, now enjoy an unprecedented cachet among increasingly environmentally conscious consumers.
It’s clear that LL Bean is looking to cash in on the hype by selling their Pre-Loved collection exclusively through Instagram Stories, a rather new format for such a classic brand.
To secure a room, press @llbean‘s Stories on October 13, 20 and 27 at 10 a.m. EDT.


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The new board, which is expanding from 15 to 36 members, includes such agency heavy hitters as Berlin Cameron's Andy Berlin, Alex Bogusky of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Wieden + Kennedy's Hal Curtis, Arnold Worldwide's Ron Lawner, Publicis Worldwide's Dave Droga and Bob Scarpelli of DDB. The board will also include star clients like Geoffrey Frost of Motorola and Esther Lee of Coca-Cola, and production movers like Jon Kamen of @radical.media. Boyko has also added an advisory board that includes top-flight creative directors Lee Clow, Phil Dusenberry, Neil French, Jeff Goodby, John Hegarty, Bill Westbrook and Dan Wieden.
Boyko says he wanted to add to the board to ensure broad industry participation, with an eye to some of the changes that are widely acknowledged to be transforming the industry but which have not been fully addressed, inside or outside of the ad school framework. The new board members were chosen to bring a new set of disciplines to the table, says Boyko, whether production, photography, entertainment, content or education. "I wanted to bring people who, if I were a student, could help me broaden my thinking toward the way the industry is going," he says. "So it's no longer just creative people and some planners. We've all been talking about media-neutral ideas and branded content and all those things, and now it's about how to get people to start thinking about how we're going to solve those problems. Nobody has really attacked how to do that yet." Boyko plans to institute committees to provide ongoing focus and action on three main areas: promoting "psychological and financial" participation; curriculum, to ensure the ad school's program stays ahead of industry trends; and promoting industry diversity.


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Franchising with LINK means diving into an industry on the rise. Globally, the staffing industry is making more money, growing more quickly and employing more workers than many other industries. These are all great reasons to get into the staffing industry; everyone wants to enter into a profitable industry. But LINK franchisees stand out because they also care about helping people. The staffing industry is doing good work for a lot of people and expanding the industry. With LINK you could be a part of this booming industry. The numbers back it up: now is a great time to get into the staffing industry.
Global Staffing Industry
In 2017 the global staffing industry made $466 billion in revenue, according to data gathered by Statista. That’s huge. Clients all over the world need workers. That need doesn’t seem to be dissipating. Statista also reports that in 2019, the global staffing industry is projected to earn $524 billion in revenue. With LINK, you could be a part of that number. LINK staffing agencies have an AUV of $2.8 million and contribute a big share of revenue to the national and global staffing industry.
Domestic Staffing Industry
There is also a positive outlook for the domestic staffing industry. Since the end of the Great Recession in 2009, the American staffing industry has continued to grow twice as fast on average than the rest of the economy, according to Staffing Industry Analysts. That’s nearly a decade of consistent growth.
LINK franchisees benefit from the industry growing. The growth means that there continues to be space in the industry for new staffing agencies. In fact, the growth continues. The U.S. staffing market is predicted to reach a revenue of $152 billion in 2019, which is 3% growth from 2018, according to the American Staffing Association. The initial investment to become a LINK franchisee is between $112,500 and $199,000 but knowing how much potential the industry has makes the initial financial investment less intimidating.
LINK is in the People Business
Knowing that the staffing industry is successful in terms of revenue is comforting for those considering entering the staffing business. But LINK franchisees also care about having an impact on their local communities.
By placing people in jobs, our franchisees are providing candidates opportunities to support themselves, their families and positively contribute to the local economy. That’s what the staffing industry is all about. According to the American Staffing Association, U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 3.23 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2018. LINK enables franchisees to be part of an industry that helps millions of people every single day.
We understand that becoming a franchisee is a big decision. Knowing that the staffing industry is consistently growing, increasing revenue and helping more people should factor into your decision. Franchising with LINK could provide you with an ideal lifestyle: doing meaningful work that is often profitable. If you are ready to take the next step in your LINK franchise journey, reach out.


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Just in time for the Memorial weekend, fanboy favorite Bryan Singer announced...
Tag "JAKKS Pacific"
Shout! Factory Kids and FremantleMedia Kids & Family will release the latest DVD collection of Nicktoons’ popular monster battling series Monsuno: Power on May 21, 2013. The boys’ action-adventure show follows young Chase Suno who in the search for his lost father is gifted a powerful creature named Lock, a [...]
FremantleMedia Enterprises, JAKKS Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA have announced they will being production on a new 26 x 30 season of animated boys’ action-adventure series Monsuno. The joint venture series targets boys 6-11 and follows Chase and his friends as they face off against menacing villains by controlling powerful [...]
Italian animation house Rainbow has announced new raft of licensing agents for its popular brand Winx Club, on the even of London’s Brand Licensing Show. New licensees include: CPLG for Germany and Benelux; RBW for Brunei, Malaysi, Singapore and Thailand; Tuesday (Bates Group) Indonesia; License2Brand in Greece and FWD Licensing [...]
Pacific Animation Partners has announced that Monsuno, its boys’ action animated series created as a joint venture with JAKKS Pacific and Dentsu Entertainment USA, will be premiering on Japan’s TV Tokyo in October of this year. TV Tokyo is a major anime network in the country. “Dentsu is very excited [...]
Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons channel will launch its new action-adventure animated series Monsuno Thursday, February 23 at 8 p.m. (ET). The 52 x half-hour series focuses on a group of heroic kids with the fate of the world in their hands and the power to control and battle creatures known as Monsuno. [...]
MEG Toys and Mondo TV’s Puppy In My Pocket: Adventures in Pocketville has found a good home on Boomerang. The 2D-animated series, which is based on a popular toy brand, already airs across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Pan-Asia on Turner outlets. The show will begin its U.S. Boomerang [...]
JAKKS Pacific, Dentsu Entertainment and FremantleMedia Enterprises announced a global content-distribution deal with leading children’s entertainment network Nickelodeon for worldwide broadcast rights to the new original animated entertainment franchise Monsuno. The 52 x 30 min. series is a boys’ action show about a race to harness a power called Monsuno [...]
As the Licensing Expo kicks off today in Las Vegas, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association reported that year-to-year royalties generated from the sale of licensed merchandise remained fairly stable in 2010 at $5.065 billion despite ongoing softness in consumer spending. The results were published in the annual Licensing Industry Survey, which [...]
Costume maker Disguise will continue making Bakugan costumes for Halloween under an extension of its deal with Cartoon Network Enterprises. The two-year extension gives Disguise, a division of toymaker JAKKS Pacific, rights to make a full range of costumes for children based on the Bakugan animated series co-produced by Sega [...]


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German luxury carmaker Daimler will enlarge its management board to put a top executive in charge of its troublesome Chinese car business, a German magazine reported on Sunday.
The additional eighth executive board seat will be created at the group's upcoming supervisory board meeting, weekly Der Spiegel reported, without specifying its sources.
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A Daimler spokesman declined to comment.
Daimler's flagship car brand Mercedes lags larger German premium names BMW and Audi in China.
(Reporting by Ludwig Burger and Christiaan Hetzner; Editing by David Cowell)


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The plush company is growing its presence in the gifting market, and will present the range at Spring Fair.
Posh Paws International has confirmed that it is to become the exclusive distributor for Nici in the UK and Ireland. The announcement comes as the company looks to grow its presence in the UK gift market, and will take effect from February.
As part of the deal, Posh Paws will distribute an array of luxury plush product and other accessories such as girls’ gifts, stationery, nursery gifts and bedroom accessories from across the many different Nici collections. The Posh Paws Nici range will showcase the high quality always attributed with the Nici brand, and will perfectly complement the entire Posh Paws portfolio.
Sally Fielding, sales director at Posh Paws, commented: “We are delighted to be distributing the Nici range here in the UK and in Ireland and can’t wait to showcase the collection at Spring Fair next week. Nici is known for its high quality products and we couldn’t think of a better brand to now be part of the Posh Paws line up. This new deal is just one more step in further establishing our company in the gifting market.”
Readers can view the collection for the first time at Spring Fair (Hall 5, Stand 5F88-G89) or contact Posh Paws on 01268 567317.