text:
“Establishment of an IT and ICT town and an exports and imports hub will turn Payam into the first digital special trade zone,” Managing-Director of Payam special trade zone and international airport Nader Sanagou Motlaq told FNA.
He added that officials at Payam special trade zone also plan to further attract internal and foreign investment to help flourish the region.
Payam special economic zone stretches over an area of 3600 hectares some 40 kilometers away from Tehran in Alborz province with economic, industrial and agricultural centers and among the country’s most populated provinces.
The Iranian government operates six free trade zones and 16 special economic zones in the country, with the most prominent being Kish Free Trade Zone, Qeshm Free Trade Zone and Chabahar Free Trade Industrial Zone. These zones have been specifically set up to support economic activities and facilitate international trade relations and offer attractive guarantees and protections to foreign investors.
Companies and investors in these zones are exempt from routine taxation and other customary charges that are imposed on mainland Iran.


text:
Amazon has requested that all of its employees delete the TikTok app from their phones citing security concerns. According to the New York Times, the company email stated that the app is now prohibited from all employee phones that can “access Amazon email,” and that employees need to remove the app by Friday in order for email access to continue. (Update: A company spokesperson now says that the email was sent “in error.”)
"Due to security risks, the TikTok app is no longer permitted on mobile devices that access Amazon email. If you have TikTok on your device, you must remove it by 10-Jul to retain mobile access to Amazon email."
— Scott Hickle 🌎 (@scotthickle) July 10, 2020
TikTok has been under increased scrutiny lately. The app, which is owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, was banned in India last month. More recently, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that the US could ban Chinese apps like TikTok due to the potential threat to national security.
TikTok itself also pulled out of the Hong Kong market on Monday, citing a new Chinese national security law that would make it impossible to use. Despite TikTok being based in China, the country itself does not have access to the app. The company has even decided to stop employing Chinese moderators and claimed that none of its data is stored in China. TikTok has also taken pains to say that a lot of its business and data decisions are made outside China, a move which the company hopes will alleviate any concern that it’s controlled by the Chinese government.
Amazon has reportedly said in the email that employees can still check TikTok on their laptop browsers.
Update (5 PM ET): In a statement to Engadget, an Amazon spokesperson said “This morning’s email to some of our employees was sent in error. There is no change to our policies right now with regard to TikTok.” What was the error? Amazon did not specify, but for now at least, employees are not required to remove the app from their phones.

domain: news


text:
Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2017
We are thrilled to announce that David Store Navigational Management Ltd has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise, one of Britain’s most coveted business awards.
This is a huge accolade and achievement for our company and one we are honoured and excited to have received. The award is credit to our outstanding team of employees and loyal clients who without their support, our growth would not be possible. The Queen's Awards for Enterprise have been operating since 1966 and her Majesty the Queen makes the awards on the advice of the Prime Minister and advisory Committee. They are announced annually on the 21st April, the Queens birthday.
Managing Director David Store said “Being recognised by the Queen's Award is testament to what a highly motivated and dedicated team of people can achieve. The award has given us a real opportunity to pause and reflect on our company’s success. Recent years have seen exciting but busy periods of growth and the award provides us with extra motivation to continue our development to create the world’s best Superyacht management service.”
Official Queen's Award Statement
Founded in 2000, David Store Navigation Management is now the world’s second largest navigational management company, supplying customised charting, publications, flags and instruments for the global super yacht industry. The aim is to become the global market leader by 2020 targeting the major builders and service facilities in Holland, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Overseas sales have grown by 54% over the last three years with an increase in UK employees and profitability. David Store Navigation Management exports all its sales. It wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.


text:
Most display panels are sandwiched between layers of glass making them rigid and also pretty breakable. Samsung Display has just filed a patent application for a new flexible AMOLED display technology, called “Youm”, that does away with the glass layers, replacing them with a special plastic film. The result is a flexible display, which can even be rolled up or folded, that according to Samsung is unbreakable and lighter than conventional displays.
You can see a comparison between the Samsung YOUM AMOLED panel technology and standard LCD and OLED panels below.
This isn’t the first flexible display technology we’ve seen and Samsung has been toying with flexible panels for a while, but the company is said to now be ready to mass produce the panels with a probable 2012 release.
Now as far as applications go you can put your imagination at work as the possibilities are endless. The screens can wrap around curvy gadgets and take all kinds of different shapes. We are also imagining foldable tablets or even ‘tube-form’ tablets where you pull the display out of the enclosure. The key is that now manufacturers could pretty much integrate a display into anything.
Here’s a couple of videos showing off the tech and its possibilities:
- Display shootout: HTC One X vs. Galaxy Nexus (vs. iPad 3) screen comparison
- Sharp expanding production of first IGZO LCD panels, too late for the iPad 3 but in time for a 7-inch iPad?
- Samsung is ready to mass produce flexible, unbreakable and lighter AMOLED displays called YOUM
- Corning takes glass into the future with 'A Day Made of Glass' video
- Sony starts selling its 'magical' OLED panels, coming to a camera EVF or head-mounted display near you -- hopefully
- Galaxy Nexus AMOLED HD display uses PenTile Matrix technology, no biggie


text:
Information technology is often seen as something that large corporations buy into, having a systems administrators that monitor all forms of the organisations internet and network infrastructure.
This isn’t actually the case. Well, at least not for the last couple of years at any rate.
According to Gartner’s Peter Sondergaard, the consumer technology market is actually much bigger than the enterprise technology market.
As broadband becomes widely available and cheaper device are flooding the markets, consumers have access to more services. With that, their demands have increased that companies adapt to their behaviour, instead of companies expecting consumers to adapt to theirs.
As an example of this, Sondergaard mentioned taxi-hailing company Uber. He explained that Uber took a step back from traditional taxi companies, and looked at what people really needed.
“You have to watch what the customer does, and don’t ask them what they want,” he said, explaining that Uber didn’t start with a traditional dispatch service, but saw that consumers had mobile phones and the need to call for a taxi.
Since both the customer and the driver have mobile phones, it almost seems natural now to bring the two together – and every company should adapt this philosophy.
“That is what companies are faced with now. They need an approach that mimics the approach of Uber,” he said.
The buzzword from Gartner at this year’s annual Symposium is algorithms, and how they will be playing a huge role for consumers and businesses alike.
Algorithms at their core are definitely not a new thing, as they’ve been around for ages, but Sondergaard said that we are in an age of algorithms now without even knowing it.
“The difference now is that companies haven’t managed their software code this way before. If you don’t manage it as an assets, then you are painting yourself into a corner,” he said. “The world has been too focused on big data over the last three years, but you need to hone in on what is really important.”
The analysis of algorithms is turning out to be much more than just gathering data, detecting patterns and giving people what they want. Staying with Uber as an example, the company’s lifeblood is pretty much built on an algorithm that brings drivers and passengers together.
But what on earth can a company like Uber possibly do with all the data that have been generated through hailing a taxi over the years?
Well, Uber can go through its data sets to pinpoint data that helps it run more efficiently. It can also give the data to city planners, so that roads and city infrastructure are better conceived and constructed.
Sondergaard surmised that Uber can help city planners to rid cities of bottlenecks, “but they won’t necessarily sell the data – they should rather just give it away.”
For now, it seems like a feasible plan, but as more companies start to explore and experiment with different kinds of algorithms, it might cause a bit of a problem in the future. Algorithms can be coded to perform various and different functions without any human intervention or knowledge, so in the future there will probably be a need for them to be regulated.
But that, according to Sondergaard, isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
“Algorithms will need to be regulated, but we don’t have the systems in place or a regulator to do that now. The regulators don’t have the knowledge to do so, and it will take a long time until they do. But the necessity of managing it in a responsible way will become important.”
In a case where an algorithm has caused a bit of havoc in the industry and a serious headache for regulators, Bitcoin is a prime example.
The crypto-currency threw financial regulators and institutions for a loop, as the online-only monetary value seemingly defied all boundaries when it came to value and transacting online.
Algorithms are found in almost all online retail environments. They form the core of Google, and it’s almost impossible to not find them in their crudest form in all websites.
As with everything technology related, it is only a matter of time until we find out which companies will be using algorithms for the greater good, and those that will use them for selfish or even nefarious purposes.


text:
Last month, KeyPlex, a plant health product supplier, invited me to attend a peptide symposium. The use of peptides in citrus has become a hot topic in the past year, so the event drew about 80 growers and other industry stakeholders.
KeyPlex presented the learning session at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, FL. The company says it chose to host the event because of the interest and the fact all of their products are based on peptide technology. Gerald O’Connor, President of KeyPlex, welcomed the group and noted the interest.
“We’ve talked to many growers and understand their interest but also saw there were a lot of questions about peptides,” he said. “We felt it was important to host this event to provide answers to those questions. And it is important to us to hear from the growers about solutions they are seeking to improve production in their groves.”
One of the products featured at the symposium was KeyPlex’s new product, KP-120, a peptide-based technology. The micronutrient product promotes root growth and also has fungicidal activity. According to Mauricio Flores, the fungicidal activity is an important distinction. Flores consults with KeyPlex on product development and evaluation.
In June 2021, Flores pulled more than 200 leaf, fruit, and twig samples across Central Florida and made a surprising discovery. The samples showed large populations of the fungus Glomerella cingulate, which is the sexual stage of the Colletotrichum gloesporoides fungi.
What makes the discovery potentially noteworthy is an observation Flores made on a coffee plantation in Costa Rica where early and late fruit drop and twig dieback arose as a significant problem in only two seasons. By the second season, fruit drop had grown to 60% on the coffee plants.
Flores isolated the G. cingulate fungus in samples collected on the coffee pants. Flores developed a fungicide program that included KY-120 aimed at controlling the fungus. Fruit drop and twig dieback were reduced dramatically. KY-120’s peptide and systemic activity, along with a fungicide, provides synergistic control of the fungus.
For citrus growers plagued with fruit drop and twig dieback in their groves, this could be a very meaningful discovery. If similar results occur in citrus as did in coffee, it could be a long-sought solution to fruit drop.
Currently, the company is cooperating with growers to determine the best application timing, methods, and rates. Eight to 16 fluid ounces of KP-120 applied 60 to 30 days pre-harvest, along with a fungicide, is the current standard recommendation. But as Flores noted, those recommendations will evolve as more is learned.
O’Connor told me KeyPlex was excited to bring the discovery of G. cingulate and its potential role in fruit drop to growers. He says plans are underway to reconvene with growers in February to discuss how various timing and rates of application impacted fruit retention and yields.


text:
Quality real ales and good home made food at heart of a March pub as it reopens with new name Georges after quick transformation
REAL ales, fine food and good wines are at the heart of a pub reopening today after a five-day refurbishment.
Established pub and restaurant owners Marion and Steve Smith have teamed up with 17-year-old Andre Marsh and will open the doors of re-designed and renamed Georges this afternoon.
Andre, along with brother Arron, 21, ran The Dog in Chatteris but after a battle with landlords Punch Taverns, when the lease bought by their father Nigel was not transferred to them from the former owners, they had to close last July.
But the family see the �20,000 transformation as a chance to start again with Fenland influenced home made food and fine coffee at the centre of their plan to turn the pub into a thriving business.
Nigel Marsh said: “We have turned Georges back to a traditional pub focusing on good home made food, good real ales and a good atmosphere.
You may also want to watch:
“Customers will see a familiar face when they come in as we believe this is vital in creating a friendly atmosphere
“We have teamed up with Marion and Steve who are specialists in home cooking and have had two five star rated pubs in the past.”
- 1 Homes evacuated as FOUR gas leaks disrupt March
- 2 All roads reopened after gas leaks cause day of disruption
- 3 30 firefighters tackle A14 lorry blaze
- 4 White van driver sought after Passat overturns
- 5 20 travelling families park illegally at rugby club
- 6 Hooded man exposes himself to two women
- 7 Family farmers win court case against oat milk giants
- 8 Club shuts its doors after illegal encampment spotted
- 9 Glamping site granted drinks licence despite neighbours' protests
- 10 Pub closes as owners decide not to sell
The new owners have introduced a real ale and cider shed, which will house up to eight ales and four ciders, many of which will be from micro breweries within 35 miles of the pub and customers will see their pint poured straight from the cask.
Mr Smith said: “We want to play a big part in March. We are going to take part in the March Festival and the St George’s Festival next month.
“The front of the pub has changed and we can’t wait to see the new plants in full bloom as it will make a huge difference to the way the High Street will look.
“We are going to have a real ale festival over Easter and we would like other pubs to join us to create a March beer festival in the future.”
Georges, formerly known as The George, will have three beer gardens, one transformed from the old car park at the front of the pub, a lounge and will include a coffee tavern which boasts six different roasts to match the tastes of customers.
Andre Marsh said: “Hopefully this will be the start of building a chain of pubs for the family.”
The pub will offer takeaway pints from as low as �1.50 each, rivalling supermarket costs with fresh ales on sale.
They are offering free pints for friends when customers go to their website www.georges-march.co.uk and leave feedback as the pub strives to improve service.


text:
Maine Lobstermen vs sue Monterey aquarium: Battle of the Seafood Giants
ME, PORTLAND — An aquarium on the other side of the country is being sued by a coalition representing the Maine lobster industry for advising seafood buyers to stay away from a variety of lobster that is mostly harvested in their state.
Industry organizations, including the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, are suing the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California for defamation, contending that its Seafood Watch conservation program’s “red list” shouldn’t include their prized harvest. The case was filed on Monday.
Due to the risk of rare whales becoming entangled in the fishing gear used to collect American lobster, the species that accounts for the majority of the U.S. lobster market, Seafood Watch placed lobster from the U.S. and Canada on its list of seafood to avoid last year.
There are only around 340 right whales in North America that are endangered, and their numbers have been dropping recently. But the lobster business is claiming before the U.S. District Court in Maine that the aquarium’s advice is based on flawed evidence and misrepresents lobster fishing as a danger to whales.
According to court documents, the lawsuit requests that the aquarium be ordered to take down “defamatory comments” from its website and other materials.
“This is a significant lawsuit that will help eradicate the damage done by folks who have no clue about the care taken by lobstermen to protect the ecosystem and the ocean,” said John Petersdorf, chief executive officer of Bean Maine Lobster Inc., one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, in a statement.
The aquarium says its recommendations are correct based on the best available evidence. It says right whales are indeed vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear.
The lawsuit ignores “the extensive evidence that these fisheries pose a serious risk to the survival of the endangered North Atlantic right whale, and they seek to curtail the First Amendment rights of a beloved institution that educates the public about the importance of a healthy ocean,” said Kevin Connor, a spokesperson for the aquarium.
The following news is similar to the one you just read:
- WWE Backstage News For Bray Wyatts Internal Creative Pull
- Breaking News: Is Rafael Silva Exiting 9-1-1 Lone Star?
Due to worries about harm to whales, another organization, the Marine Stewardship Council, this year suspended a sustainability certification it had given to the lobster sector in Maine. Some retailers have stopped selling lobster as a result of the loss of sustainability recommendations.
Maine is the primary hub for the American lobster industry. Last year, the sector delivered 98 million pounds of lobster to the ports. Although it was less than the year before, that amount was still considered by historical standards.
Please check back often, as we will be making updates to the site as they become necessary. You should share this with your loved ones.


text:
- Subscribe NowLimited Time Offer
Sign Up for the Louisville Business First Afternoon Edition Newsletter
Send this story to a friend
GLI to lead trip to Houston
Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce, will lead a trip to Houston later this year to learn about the city’s successes and the obstacles it has overcome
The 2013 GLIDE (Greater Louisville Idea Development Expedition) trip is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 17 and will include a stop at the Texas Medical Center, which employs more than 95,000 workers and serves 6 million patients per year.
GLIDE participants also will see how Houston has grown to become the 10th largest port in the world and second largest in the United States, according to a news release. They also will visit the Center for Houston’s Future, a think tank developed to help the region define problems and develop solutions.
“Houston and Louisville may differ in scale, but there are some surprising similarities,” GLIDE 2013 chairwoman Sandra Frazier said in the release. “Both cities enjoy strengths in logistics and distribution, a thriving health care sector, a welcoming attitude, amazing arts and cultural attractions, and a terrific restaurant scene.
“Taking the time to learn how Houston is putting it all together will be a valuable exercise for this year’s GLIDE team and will provide fresh insight and information for Louisville as we embark on our own future planning.”
GLI’s new president and CEO Craig Richard hails from Houston. He took the top post at the local chamber in January after nearly five years as chief economic development officer at the Greater Houston Partnership.
Richard will be the subject of a profile story in the July 19 print edition of Business First.
Past destinations for GLIDE trips include Jacksonville, Fla., Denver and Toronto. Last year’s trip to Oklahoma City, Okla., gave participants the opportunity to see the benefits of a local-option sales tax, which the city has used to revitalize its downtown.
Information and registration for the GLIDE trip can be found at GLI's Web site.
John R. Karman III covers these beats: Economic development and government, commercial real estate, transportation, utilities, sports business, lottery, tourism/conventions, higher education, nonprofits, Jeffersontown, Downtown, Central Area.
- Most popular
- Opening nears for new outlet mall in Simpsonville (slideshow)
- Oops! USA Today lists Lynn's biscuits among nation's best
- Metro Council expected to approve fiber Internet plans
- Angel's Envy project could move forward with sale of Main St. property
- U of L reorganization following financial review could cost jobs
- Company launching here that will sell everything but your house
- Waffle Taco loses to McGriddle in head-to-head match-up
- Which wireless provider has the best service in Louisville?
- Starting the day with a little brandy
- Is it coincidence that U of L is naming a building after Kosair?
Community Manager – Property Manager (Two Person Team) | Louisville, KY
Business Banking Sales Manager II PNC | Louisville, KY
Retail Store Sales Associate – Customer Service Adidas | Louisville, KY
Sales / Customer Service - Part Time / Full Time – Summer Work Vector Marketing | New Albany, IN
Director of Nursing Job HCR ManorCare | Louisville, KY


text:
HempAmericana Inc (OTCMKTS:HMPQ) CEO Salvador Rosillo recently was back on the Uptick Newswire’s ‘Stock Day’ podcast and discussed some updates about his company with the host. Also, the company issued a letter to its shareholders a few days ago mentioning the setbacks and overall journey of the company in the last one year.
HempAmericana to start manufacturing its flagship products soon
The company reportedly purchased a land in Augusta, Maine which earlier was an organic garlic farm. Over the last few years, the land has been in uncultivated state and thus is an ideal surface for growing industrial hemp in large quantities. The land is stretched across 10 acres and HMPQ is planning to use it to its fullest potential. HempAmericana intends to construct greenhouses and plant thousands of seeds on this land.
Apart from that, the company is also planning to produce several other products along with Hemp. The company has been planning for the setup for some time. Just recently HempAmericana purchased a ready-to-operate carbon dioxide extractor machine of 245-liter volume. The company is soon going to start product manufacturing of powdered isolates and CBD oils which are expected to be the flagship product of the American company.
HempAmericana’s letter to shareholders discuss setbacks in last 12 months
In its letter to the shareholders, the CEO of HempAmericana has revealed that the company encountered few setbacks during its journey in the last 12 months. In the letter, Rosillo says that in almost all the encounters the company was fortunate to get the best outcome including the installation of blue-chip machinery, and state-of-the-art facility. The company managed to stay debt-free all through the year without putting any burden on the shareholders or the balance sheet of the company.
The CEO also discussed how the company has failed to find resources for funding its aggressive growth strategy. Rosillo revealed that he has personally poured $120K in the company to overcome any possible capital shortfalls and to make sure that the operations move forward as planned. The CEO also added in the letter that the Central Maine Power Company will most probably install HempAmerican’s Pole and Transformer which will supply the company required power for fulfilling its full production activities.
Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. (OTCMKTS: DLTNF) Unveils Vaccination reward Program to Encourage Manitobans to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Delta 9 Cannabis Inc. (OTCMKTS: DLTNF) has announced the Delta 9 “Joint for Jabs” program, a vaccination reward program, to encourages residents of Manitoba to receive the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to be fully vaccinated.
Delta 9 Cannabis launch rewards program
The program started on June 21, 2021, and people that had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be eligible to enter the rewards program at its locations in Manitoba. The company employs several Manitobans in the province, and the company hopes to help in the reopening of the local communities.
John Arbuthnot, the company’s CEO, said, “We want to encourage all Manitobans to get vaccinated as soon as possible to help ensure that we can all get back to doing the things we love with our friends and family. Our hope is that the “Joints for Jabs” program will contribute to achieve this objective.”
The rewards program is tiered with prize draws expected to be held monthly. In addition, there are three grand prize draws in which a customer will receive One year of Supply of Cannabis, 20 free joints every month at the company’s stores in Manitoba, and Delta 9 Branded Apparel giveaways.
Delta 9 Cannabis announces expansion to Newfoundland
Recently, the company announced that Oceanic Releaf Inc., its strategic partner, had received five cannabis retail licenses in Labrador and Newfoundland provinces. Delta 9 Cannabis owns a 5% stake in Oceanic’s current retail store and expansion plans and production facility operations.
Arbuthnot said that they are looking forward to expanding their presence in Newfoundland. He said that opening five new Oceanic stores in Newfoundland would enable the company to get insight into customers’ buying preferences to assist in tailoring products for the local market.
Vapor Group Inc (OTCMKTS:VPOR) Business Model Paying Off As Orders for Isolate CBD Stream In
Vapor Group Inc (OTCMKTS:VPOR) is evidently having a spectacular run following the adoption of a new business model early this year focused on the lucrative CBD industry estimated to be worth well over $16 billion. The company recently secured $80,000 order for its premium CBD isolate bringing the total tally of orders to $600,000 this year alone.
$500,000 in under 3 months
As of April this year, the company had reportedly secured orders totaling about $500,000. In its Q1 2019 earnings, VPOR reported a number of high-profile business deals from reputable names in the industry including White Label liquid and GenCanna global, Inc among others. The company’s biggest purchase order thus far came in May when industry titan, Diamond CBD owned by potNetwork holdings placed a hefty $210,000 order for its bulk CBD isolate.
Vapor bills itself as the provider of industry grade CBD isolate famed for its high potency and purity. The product is developed in the company’s state-of-art manufacturing facilities that utilize sophisticated nanotechnology to deliver a premium end product sought after by industry leaders. The trickling enormous purchase orders are testimony of the product’s unparalleled effectiveness.
The company’s products are manufactured from 100% organic hemp sourced from the best growers in the United States from the states of Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon. VPOR is constantly researching and experimenting on new processing methods and techniques to stay at par with the industry’s dynamic trends.
VPOR’s President and CEO, David Zinger is confident that the company is on course to becoming the premium suppliers of industry-level CBD isolate. Zinger credits the company’s success to over the past few months to “smart planning and strategizing.” Further, he is optimistic that with the continued sustainable growth, the will be able to provide long-term value to their stakeholders.
Positive trends witnessed in the CBD industry points to a lucrative future for players in the sector including Vapor. Reportedly, 7% of Americans are using CBD products now with the number expected to spike by 10% come 2025.
Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCMKTS:MJNA) Authorized To Offer CBD Products In Bulgaria
Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTCMKTS:MJNA) has announced that it has been granted authorization to sell its hemp derived CBD products in Bulgaria.
Medical Marijuana receives authorization for CBD products in Bulgaria
Blake Schroeder the CEO of Kannaway stated that they are delighted to continue paving the way for CBD acceptance in Bulgaria to follow suit with what is happening in the rest of the world. The CEO added that following the authorization they were hoping to position themselves in the Bulgarian market and become leaders in CBD education across Europe.
The authorization means that Kannaway’s goods will be freely sold in Bulgaria and they are equally approved for export. Kannaway VP Alex Grapov said that the company was looking forward to trailblazing the global CBD market as advocates of its benefits. He added that they have met with regulatory bodies to makes sure that the company’s operations are within the purview of the law thus creating an avenue for customers and brand ambassadors.
Publication of CBD research on CIPN in Molecular Sciences Journal
Last week Medical Marijuana announced that its portfolio company Kannalife Inc. (OTCMKTS: KLFE) had published its findings on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in the Molecular Neuroscience Journal. Market Study Report LLC has indicated that the international market for CIPN treatment is expected to exceed $1.88 billion by 2024. Kannalife expects clinical trials for its CBD-like molecule KLS-13019 as a therapeutic treatment for CIPN to commence in the second quarter of 2020.
Medical Marijuana CEO Stuart Titus said that CIPN affects around 30% to 405 of patients undergoing chemotherapy adding that they were pleased to support Kannalife in its research to discover a treatment alternative for such patients.
Kannalife was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to work on the research. The grant permits the research in the development of KLS-13019 in CIPN and drug dependence. Kannalife has the obligation to study important advancements that involve identification of the mechanisms that bring CIPN and the application o0f study results in designing on novel treatment approaches for neuropathic pain and use of the approaches in reducing opioid prescription and opioid abuse.


text:
Hacker group claims it breached Sony's PlayStation Network and stole information
The backbone of Sony's wildly popular PlayStation 4 video game console is the PlayStation Network. It's the online service that powers Sony's digital storefront, all online gaming on the PS4, and much more. If you're using a PlayStation 4 online in any capacity, you're using PSN.
On Sunday evening, hackers claimed to have breached PSN and stolen database information. The group, named "OurMine," was able to overtake Sony's official PlayStation-branded Twitter accounts to announce the alleged hack:
The accounts were quickly retaken by Sony, and the tweets from the hackers were deleted. A handful of Twitter users captured the moment before it was gone, as seen above.
When contacted, a representative for OurMine told Business Insider the following:
"We got only registration info [usernames, names, emails, etc.]. No, we are not going to release it. We are a security group; we will only send it to Sony to prove it. And no, Sony haven't contact us yet."
Sony didn't respond to our request for comment as of publishing.
Despite OurMine's claim to be a "security group," its official website describes the group as "an elite hacker group known for many hacks showing vulnerabilities in major systems." The concept is simple: OurMine hacks services operated by major corporations, publicizes those hacks, then sells its security services to the company it hacked. In the case of Sony's PlayStation Network database, OurMine is claiming it hacked in and stole user information stored in a database.
It's not clear if that information was actually taken; Sony hasn't confirmed or denied the hack, though it's clear that at least Sony's social media accounts were indeed compromised. Following the breach on social media, Sony scrubbed the tweets from OurMine and hasn't issued any statements publicly.
- Elon Musk sparks another Shiba Inu rally ‘to the moon’ — other Shiba coins follow suit
- The best wildlife photos of the year show a curious grizzly, dueling reindeer, and fish swimming through a cloud of sperm
- Trading app Public lists shiba inu coin on its trading platform as the Robinhood rival broadens crypto offerings
- This Ethereum-based metaverse is letting crypto fans own land on the Red Planet, even though international space laws would disagree
- Unemployment rate in India sees a dip after a month
- L&T aims to become carbon neutral by 2040 and here's how
- Paytm may drop its pre-IPO sale as advisors recommend lower valuation
- Adidas onboards Deepika Padukone as its global brand ambassador


text:
Santiago Rojas Arroyo, the Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, confirmed that the average growth of the country’s tourism in 2013 remained at the same rate as in the past three years. The Republic of Colombia is set to reach four-million international travelers this year.
Recent Growth of International Arrivals
According to the fiscal forecast disclosed by Rojas and board members, international arrivals will be increasing at 4 to 4.5% rate throughout the second to fourth quarters of 2014 while for the Americas, growth will be spanning from 3 to 4%. For the past three years, Colombia has exhibited a 5.5% average growth of the tourism industry.
For the collective amount of visitors that landed in the country in 2013, 1,726,300 visitors were accounted for land, sea and air travel. To be more precise, 306, 694 were passengers by cruise, 561,703 were residents of Colombia, while the remaining 1,153,248 stemmed from border integration zones.
Colombian Tourism and Technology
The tourism industry of Colombia had always been low on internet presence. However, it has gradually gotten connected online through both industry and consumer driven initiatives. EnMiColombia.com, for instance, was launched by Grand Solutions back in 2012 serving as a steadfast social network edged to cater past and present visitors and potential tourists to the republic.
The platform gives the travelers enough space to share their experiences, travel stories, uploading media files such as photos and videos, as well as searching for the latest discounts on air, land and sea travel passages.
Another contributor would be Colombia.travel that launched a streamlined iPhone app back in 2012, which allows travelers to plan Colombian holidays in advance through an event calendar, easy-use-map integrated with possible interest points throughout the 17 republic regions.
Among the most noteworthy for the developments would be Worksurfers.co site that allows those who travel as a work or business requirement to organize their stay within the republic. Each development is therefore specified for a certain target group in the travel industry.
Change of Social Tourism Perspectives
Colombia has had the travel industry solely based on popular neighborhoods, fabulous hotel chains and other elements along the line just to broaden their social benefits. With Mayor Gustavo Petro's direction, Bogota is currently working on guided tours that will draw visitors into natural attractions, ethnic streets, indigenous zones, as well as the architectural landmarks of the city that would give a more meriting impression to inbound travelers. This perspective change will be of the essence in driving wealth to the city, particularly to the low-income sectors, and not continue reinforcing those that can standalone by themselves due to foreign popularity.
Seeking Global Recognition
Colombia is finally grossing the kind of international attention it had sought since then. In contrast to the past conditions of Colombian travel, it is now on the commendable rather than the warning list. National Geography has even featured the northern coast of the republic, claiming it to be among the 2012 best trips by natural beauties and preserves. In addition, Bogota recently passed a tourism safety test conducted by a global experts team, drawing more potential visitors to it for the coming peak seasons.
Fortifying Hospitality Sectors
It comes to no questions that hotels are vital for travelers. The hospitality sector of Colombia has begun refacing hotels with environmental concepts, and a good example would be Aloft Bogota Airport, which received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification after having replaced its roofs with greener options, and thanks to its integration with a rainwater recycling system, as well as parking spaces exclusive for bicycles and low-emissions vehicles. Bogota's Bio Hotel will also open a couple of properties in cities such as Barranquilla, Bucaramanga and Cali by mid-2014.
Shunning the Dangerous Reputation Away
The threatening image of the Colombia has been existent since early 80's. Since it has been stifling the inbound travels, they are now focusing on improving the security conditions on a fuller scale in order to let the tourism sector flourish.


text:
The Co-operative Group today said its profits fell nearly six per cent during 2011 “against the backdrop of the severely challenging UK economic downturn.”
The Manchester Mutual grew sales in the year to December 31 by one per cent from £13.1bn to £13.3bn but its earnings before tax and payments to members dropped from £396m to £373m.
Like-for-like sales at the group's food arm produced an underlying operating profit of £309m, which was down from £389m in 2010.
Chief executive Peter Marks said that was due to tough trading conditions, an increased number of special offers at competitor chains like Tesco and Asda and the fact the Co-op was still only part-way through a modernisation programme at its stores following the acquisition of 800 Somerfield branches in 2009.
He added life-for-like food sales were down 3.6 per cent in the first half of the year but picked up in the second six months, meaning sales for the whole of 2011 were 2.1 per cent down on 2010.
Across The Co-op's specialist business division – which includes funerals, pharmacies, motors and electrical products – performed well, with underlying operating profits up from £90m to £99m, despite the impact of an £18m reduction in government funding of prescriptions.
Mr Marks said he expected 2012 to be another challenging year but added: “The Co-operative Group has delivered a solid set of results against the toughest economic backdrop I have seen in more than 40 years in business.
“2011 was a time of severe challenge for the UK economy and for our millions of customers and members.
“Consumers have been assailed by rising costs, credit squeeze and uncertainty about the future to an extent unparalleled in recent times. Against this background, I believe that this is a creditable performance. We have delivered profitability in-line with expectations, while maintaining our financial strength and resilience.”
Mr Marks said the Co-op was committed to continue its investment programme, which would leave it in good shape for when the UK economy picks up.
During 201, it opened two new distribution centres, with two more in the pipeline, with a total investment of £110m.
It has spend £12.5m on a new stock management system, has fitted out 421 stores, opened 32 new outlets and plans to launch 350 new product lines in 2012.
Operating profits at the Co-op's pharmacy arm fell by 11 per cent to £29.7m but were up more than 20 per cent in its funerals division to £53.6m.
The Co-op's legal services arm, which gained Alternative Business Structure status from the Law Society earlier this week, increased operating profits by 15 per cent to £4.5m.
Despite enjoying a strong Christmas, the mutual's online electrical retail business saw sales down seven per cent to £82.1m.
Mr Marks added: “It is in times like these that a business shows its true colours; we have revealed ours by continuing to invest for the future – continuing the work that we have been doing over the past five years during which we have revitalised this business and set it up for the future, while doubling sales and doubling profits.
“Our determination to build on this success has not slowed and over the past year we have invested in the services, systems and infrastructure we need to deliver real value to our customers while setting out to realise the true potential of our vast, diverse customer base and our strong family of businesses.
“We have also invested significantly in discounts and special offers for our customers. Although these moves have impacted our short-term profitability, we believe our first duty in times of financial and job insecurity is to help our customers make their money go further.
“Looking ahead, I do not expect to see any significant recovery in the UK economy during 2012, with little hope of an improvement in disposable income for our customers. If anything, it is quite possible that things will get worse before they get better. In spite of this, I remain optimistic.
“The Co-operative Group is in better shape than ever before because of all the work done over the past five years.
“Our ownership model means that we can take a long-term view and we are as driven, determined and ambitious as ever to modernise our business. We will not allow the current economic downturn to knock us off the course we have set. We have the resources, the resolve and above all the belief to make our vision a reality. When better times come – and they will – these are the foundations on which we will build lasting success."


text:
China to increase supply of money to boost economy
China said it plans to increase the amount of money circulating in its economy next year in a new effort to spur consumer spending and shield the country from a global downturn.business Updated: Dec 14, 2008 11:12 IST
China said it plans to increase the amount of money circulating in its economy next year in a new effort to spur consumer spending and shield the country from a global downturn. Saturday's announcement by the country's State Council, or Cabinet, comes on the heels of a multibillion-dollar economic stimulus package announced last month that calls for injecting more government money into the economy through spending on construction and other projects.
There are mounting signs that China's economic slowdown is sharper and deeper than expected. Exports fell in November for the first time in seven years and the industry minister warned Friday that worse was to come.
China will increase its money supply by 17 per cent next year, the Cabinet said in a statement on its Web site. It said that would be 3 to 4 percentage points above the total growth of economic output and consumer prices.
Increasing the supply of money is aimed at stimulating domestic economic activity and spending by making more credit available to encourage consumers and companies to borrow.
"We must strengthen the role of the financial sector in supporting economic growth by better implementing an active fiscal policy and moderately easing monetary policy," the Cabinet statement said.
The growth rate of China's money supply slipped this year as business activity and bank lending slowed.
The growth in China's broadest measure of money supply shrank from 16 per cent in August to 15 percent in November, according to the central bank. That measure, known as M2, includes cash and bank deposits.
The Cabinet also decided to increase by 100 billion yuan ($14.6 billion) the amount of loans for the country's policy banks this year and suspend and reduce the sale of some central bank securities, the statement said.
The central bank has been draining billions of dollars from the economy every month to reduce pressure for prices to rise as revenues from China's booming export industries flood through the economy.
The government said it would stop sales of three-year central bank notes and reduce sales of one-year and three-month bank notes, but gave no other details.
With economic growth forecast at 9 per cent and inflation at about 6 percent this year, China's money supply growth has just kept pace with growth in commercial activity. With both growth and inflation forecast to be lower in 2009, the planned expansion in money supply should be much larger than is needed to maintain commercial activity.
China's industry minister Li Yizhong said Friday that the government will spend 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) to subsidize loans to companies to improve technology and cut energy use. Li said Beijing might buy surplus steel to help producers as demand plummets, as well as cut taxes to spur auto and real estate sales.
First Published: Dec 14, 2008 11:10 IST


text:
While pretty much every automaker out there today is working hard to bring semi and fully-autonomous vehicles to market in the not-too-distant future, only a handful of automakers — Tesla, Nissan, General Motors, Audi and Mercedes-Benz — are getting the lion’s share of publicity surrounding self-driving cars.
But earlier today, Ford made a move that could see it share some of that limelight by announcing its intent to have a fully-autonomous, high-volume Level-4 autonomous vehicle in production and on the roads of the U.S. by 2021. At the same time, it cemented its commitment to autonomous vehicle research and development by announcing a doubling of its autonomous vehicle development team in Silicon Valley as well as making major investments in four startups working on core autonomous vehicle technology: Velodyne, SAIPS, Nirenberg Neuroscience LLC, and Civil Maps.
As you might expect, all four firms Ford has invested in focus on a specific key technology. Velodyne for example, focuses on LIDAR sensor technology, while SAIPS is an Israeli firm recently acquired by Ford that focuses on enhanced artificial intelligence computer vision. Nirenberg Neuroscience LLC meanwhile focuses on facial and object recognition technology, and Civil Maps is a specialist in 3D ultra-high resolution mapping technology.
Ford, which notes in its press release that it was the first automaker to begin testing its vehicles at the specially-built MCity test facility at the University of Michigan as well as be the first automaker to publicly demonstrate autonomous vehicle operation in snow, says that while it will have a fully autonomous car ready for market by 2021 will not be be introducing that technology in a car customers can buy. Instead, it will build a fully-autonomous Level-4 car for use in ride-sharing fleets.
Not sure what Level-4 Autonomy is? It’s the fifth level of six autonomous vehicle classifications currently defined by the U.S. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in which a car can carry out all dynamic driving tasks completely autonomously and safely. Level-0 (no autonomy) is the equivalent of a fully manual operation car, while a Level-5 vehicle can operate completely independently in the same set of conditions as any normal human driver, including inclement weather or challenging road conditions. Level-4 and Level-5 autonomous vehicles operate at such a high degree of autonomy that they rarely require intervention from a human and as such, do not need to include standard automotive controls such as steering wheel or pedals.
For comparison, Tesla’s current Autopilot system on the Model S and Model X electric cars is currently operating at Level-2 automation.
Talking earlier at a press conference announcing Ford’s new goals for autonomy, Mark Fields, president and CEO of Ford, was adamant that Ford’s autonomous vehicle push would be as revolutionary as the vehicle production line of Henry Ford was a century ago.
“The next decade will be defined by automation of the automobile, and we see autonomous vehicles as having a significant an impact on society as Ford’s moving assembly line did 100 years ago,” he said. “We’re dedicated to putting on the road an autonomous vehicle that can improve safety and solve social and environmental challenges for millions of people — not just those who can afford luxury vehicles.”
Field’s mention of high-end cars — obviously a thinly-veiled attack on both Tesla and Mercedes-Benz and their respective semi-autonomous vehicle technologies — emphasises that while some automakers are looking to introduce autonomous vehicle technology in their high-end models, Ford is taking a significantly different approach. In fact, by focusing on autonomous vehicles for use in fleet environments (where it’s easier to make the business case for buying an expensive, cutting edge vehicle than it is to justify the same financial investment for personal use) Ford is conveniently side-stepping the elephant in the room: that all first-generation fully-autonomous vehicles will be expensive.
But there’s also another key benefit to focusing first on car-sharing platforms: customer exposure. If Ford were to focus on bringing its autonomous vehicle technology to market via one of its premium brands (like Lincoln, for example), only customers who could afford the technology would be exposed to it, along with potential customers who happened to have friends or colleagues with an autonomous car.
By focusing on an autonomous car sharing platform, anyone who can afford the service — essentially a driverless cab ride — can benefit from the technology.
Finally, Ford’s decision to focus on autonomous car sharing service vehicles first also ensures it can prepare itself for a future where car ownership is no-longer expected as a norm but rather an optional extra. With GM already laying claim to some of the market with its own autonomous vehicle project and close integration with Lyft, Ford’s move into the sphere makes sound business sense.
Naturally, Ford is confident in its capabilities and says it is already hard at working making sure its goals are met. But will it achieve its lofty goal, or will legislative and regulatory issues stand in its way? Or will it be beaten to market by a rival automaker’s technology?
Leave your thoughts in the Comments below.
You can also support us directly as a monthly supporting member by visiting Patreon.com.


text:
- 🚗 Texas mandates inclusion of Tesla’s NACS connector in EV charging stations for federal funding eligibility.
- 🛢 Initially, Texas planned to include Tesla’s NACS and CCS connectors in EV charging stalls.
- 📊 Texas Department of Transportation revises requirements due to major automakers’ support for Tesla’s NACS connector.
- ⏰ Concerns raised by a group of EV makers delay the vote, urging time for standardization and safety testing.
- ⚡ Tesla’s NACS connector becomes mandatory on new EV chargers after unanimous vote.
- 🚙 Multiple major automakers commit to adopting the NACS connector for Tesla Charging Stations.
- 🌍 Push for more charging options to accommodate the growing popularity of EVs.
- 💯 Texas expects 97% coverage of over 168,000 electric vehicles with fast charge ports using the two-connector approach.
- 🛣 Tesla continues expanding its charging infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada.
Tesla secured a significant triumph in Texas recently, with the Lone Star State announcing its mandate for companies to incorporate Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector in their electric vehicle charging stations to qualify for federal funding.
Earlier in June, we highlighted Texas’ intention to integrate Tesla’s NACS connectors alongside the conventional Combined Charging System (CCS) connectors in EV charging stalls.
The Texas Department of Transportation acknowledged that substantial automaker support for the Tesla NACS connector prompted the need to revise the Phase 1 requirements for expanding the state’s charging infrastructure.
However, as June progressed, a coalition of EV manufacturers and operators, including ChargePoint Holdings and ABB, alongside the Americans for Affordable Clean Energy Association, expressed reservations about the accelerated standardization of Tesla’s NACS within such a brief timeframe.
“Time is needed to properly standardize, test, and certify the safety and interoperability of Tesla connectors across the industry,” the group said.
Because of the pushback, Texas deferred its vote from mid-July to yesterday, which would give the State more time to adequately examine the NACS connector and its inclusion as a mandatory connector on new EV chargers.
However, the vote occurred yesterday, and Tesla’s NACS connectors are now mandated on chargers in order to qualify for federal funding as a unanimous vote moved the plan forward.
As Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Fisker, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Polestar, and many other companies have already committed to adopting the NACS connector to take advantage of Tesla Charging Stations, the need for more charging options is needed now more than ever.
Allowing more cars to use more charging stations will only benefit the consumers that choose to drive EVs. While charging stations were a competitive edge previously, EVs are becoming so mainstream and accepted by the general public that it is time to put aside exclusivity and give drivers who have not yet made the switch from gas to electric another reason to consider.
Texas Department of Transportation Director Humberto Gonzalez said (via Reuters):
“The two-connector approach being proposed will help assure coverage of a minimum of 97% of the current, over 168,000 electric vehicles with fast charge ports in the state.”
Tesla continues to build out its charging infrastructure across the U.S. and Canada, and other companies are also continuing to move forward with their buildout of additional charging stalls as EV adoption increases in the United States.


text:
The CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Thomas Schäfer, has announced plans to cut jobs due to the current crisis facing the German automotive group, which has long been seen as one of the most influential and powerful automobile producers in the world.
“With many of our current structures, processes and high costs, we are no longer competitive as a VW brand,” said Schäfer on Wednesday at a general meeting of union shop stewards in Wolfsburg, which is the headquarters of VW. The 53-year-old predicted that the company would therefore have to “tackle the critical issues, including personnel.”
The news comes at a time when the German left-liberal government is reeling from a sinking economy, growing budget deficit, and accusations that the government is sabotaging private industry with its costly energy transition and migration policies.
The VW leader pointed to companies like Tesla, which now has an automotive plant outside of Berlin, where costs have been dramatically lowered to the point that Tesla makes significantly more per car sold than VW and other companies. Schäfer argues that VW must follow suit or perish.
German media outlets such as News38 are reporting about internal letters that point to up to 6,000 job cuts in the future at Wolfsburg, which would account for one in every 10 jobs. The news is sparking shock within the VW workforce.
VW personnel director Gunnar Kilian is now pushing for more part-time jobs for older employees to help cut costs.
“We must consistently see the demographic curve as an advantage,” Kilian demanded.
The German industrial model features workers’ councils, which act as mediators between the companies and workers. The workers’ council is negotiating with management to increase efficiency and save a total of €10 billion in costs; however, such cost-cutting moves have long been pursued by German automobile producers during each new crisis.
Currently, no final decisions have been made in regard to these cost-cutting measures. It is important to note that the German government is a substantial shareholder in VW, and any decision made often is made in cooperation with government officials. With the left-liberal bloc, there may be pressure behind the scenes to avoid an embarrassing round of layoffs.
At a works council meeting in Wolfsburg on Dec. 8, VW employees will learn more about how negotiations are developing, with VW aiming to implement changes before 2024.
Group management and the workers’ council are currently negotiating a program for greater efficiency in the company, which is intended to save a total of €10 billion. No concrete decisions have yet been made. At a meeting in Wolfsburg on December 6, employees are to be informed about the status of negotiations. The company’s aim is to have decided on the main changes before the end of the current calendar year.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars is part of the Volkswagen Group, which produces a number of other brands, including Audi, Ducati, Porsche, and Seat. The group, in total, made €73.8 billion in revenues last year, while Volkswagen Passenger Cars account for about one-third of this revenue.


text:
In a recent survey by TNS Global on behalf of Ebates.com, around 52 percent of respondents said they’ve engaged in “retail therapy,” the act of shopping and spending to improve one’s mood. Both men and women admitted they’ve opened their wallets when feeling blue. However, this form of therapy can put your finances at risk if it’s the only way you can temper your mood, or if you feel guilty about your spending behaviors and don’t shop in moderation.
When you’re sad, you see the world differently, says Scott Rick, a professor of marketing at the University of Michigan whose research focuses on the emotional causes and consequences of financial decision-making. Rick says people who are upset often think they live in an environment that’s out of their control. One way to restore control, he says, is by making choices about what to buy.
Decisions can be between material items (a pair of shorts versus jeans) or what to consume (a smoothie versus a milkshake). Studies show retail therapy is less effective for feelings like aggression, but Rick says purchases – cheap or expensive – can help relieve mild depression.
Despite its benefits, retail therapy is shunned by many consumers. “I think it’s unpopular these days to say you shop for pleasure because we’re supposed to be in some stoic state in this post-recession economy,” says Kit Yarrow, a professor of psychology at Golden Gate University in San Francisco who studies consumer trends and behaviors. “I think shopping serves as a healthy purpose for a lot of people. If it works for you, you should not feel guilty. Do it, enjoy it and don’t overdo it.”
April Lane Benson, author of “I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self,” says consumers must be conscious of their shopping behaviors. Although retail therapy can have positive effects, she says it can easily evolve into a spending problem. “We turn to instant gratification when we feel distressed,” Benson says.
Yet sometimes a quick pick-me-up is necessary. Margaret Meloy, a professor of marketing at Pennsylvania State University and co-author of the 2011 study “Retail therapy: a strategic effort to improve mood,” says people must diffuse negative emotions before they worsen, or they could lose control of their shopping behaviors and act recklessly with money. Such untreated depression or frustration can push people to spending extremes.
A key difference between healthy and compulsive shoppers is that compulsive buyers often experience remorse when they get home and see what they bought, Meloy says. Meanwhile, consumers who use retail therapy modestly don’t regret their purchases. “There isn’t this kind of upward and then downward spiral as there typically is with compulsive shoppers,” Meloy says.
People who use retail therapy appropriately are not only happier but may also be more confident, perform better at work and express themselves more creatively, according to Yarrow.
Yarrow says when consumers shop with purpose, using a checklist (written or mental) of things they need, their purchases can make them feel more equipped to handle certain situations. A prime example: couples with a baby on the way. “A lot of them just go crazy at the mall, but they’re actually imaging themselves as parents,” Yarrow says. “When people visualize their new life through the process of shopping, they feel more in control and more prepared.”
Similarly, buying a new work wardrobe can boost your confidence and potentially improve or weaken your job performance. A study last year by researchers at Northwestern University found participants who wore white doctor’s coats performed better than participants in ordinary clothing on tests of attentiveness and concentration (traits associates with experienced physicians). As such, some workers perform differently on casual Fridays; people who wear sweatpants to the office instead of a suit, for example, might be more lackadaisical with their duties than they are on the other days of the week, according to Yarrow.


text:
“When there’s a crisis, you go to work and you get it done,” said Anne McMullin, President of Urban Development Institute, a non-profit association for BC’s real estate development industry. “We need to come together, more than ever, to rebuild and come out of this better than we were.”
A BCIT Journalism alumna (’91), Anne was part of an BCIT alumni guest speaker panel at BCIT Alumni Association’s 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 2. Held online for the first time ever, the event welcomed nearly 100 attendees from near and far, including Hong Kong, Manitoba, and New Jersey.
The speaker panel, which was moderated by Paul McCullough, Vice President, BCIT Advancement, included three business leaders, who shared insights on the impact of the pandemic on their industries: real estate development, e-grocery delivery, and hospitality and tourism.
Across all three industries, each of the speakers agreed: the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on consumer behaviour and the operations of organizations. Survival and success depends very much on adaptability in a new world of many unknowns.
“What do new homes look like?” said Anne about the future of new home development, particularly in the multi-family residential market. “Will [buyers] demand bigger units, office space, more outdoor space? And what does the amenity space look like? It’s going to change how we do business with each other.”
E-Grocery sees increased demand
BCIT Business alumnus (’10 and ’11) Reza Bafandeh, Vice President, Food-X Technologies, a fresh food delivery platform facility, said the pandemic created unprecedented demand for Food-X Technologies and its e-grocery clients, SPUD.ca, and Walmart, as more people opted for online grocery delivery.
“Not only did we have 20x growth on website, but from an infrastructure perspective, what load does that take?” he said about the effect on online grocery delivery. “We had to completely shift gears in terms of direction and methodology to serve customers in the way our business was intended to do… The transition pushed the e-grocery world about six to 10 years ahead of schedule. We had to work consistently to innovate and provide that same level of experience that you’d get going into a store.”
Soon after physical-distancing recommendations were made by BC’s Public Health Office and to meet the increased demand for online grocery shopping, Food-X Technologies had to expand its workforce quickly. Reza said the company connected with the hospitality industry—which has seen many businesses temporarily close—to hire displaced workers and partnered with touring companies to utilize their vehicles as part of its delivery fleet.
Doing the right thing will underpin survival
In Hong Kong, Brad Kirk, COO, Harilela Hotel Group and Hospitality alumnus (’78), said the region—whose economy was already buckling as a result of local protests—was hit hard when the pandemic emerged in January.
“At the end of January, we were already seeing business decimated as China was shutting down and Hong Kong started to take steps,” he shared. “As of January 29, we went down to two percent occupancy. Our China hotels were closed by the government instantly to keep everyone safe. It kept all our employees safe.”
Going forward, Brad said hospitality businesses that will succeed beyond COVID-19 are those who did the right things: “Were those businesses generous, open and honest, and truthful? If you did the right things, you’ll be rewarded. Hopefully we did the right things.”
Alumni Association highlights of the past year
During the AGM, BCIT Alumni Association President Emil Bosnjak talked about the accomplishments of the Association this past year, including the 2019 Distinguished Awards gala, the 40th anniversary of the Association, and the launches of the Fraser Valley chapter as well as the new BCIT Alumni Perks app. He also highlighted the Association’s $1 million pledge—the largest single gift in the Association’s history—towards BCIT’s INSPIRE Campaign to help establish an Alumni Centre at the Burnaby Campus, and a $10,000 donation to BCIT’s COVID-19 Emergency Student Response Fund.
“As the world changed so rapidly toward the end of March, we reworked our plans for the coming year to offer alumni more ways to engage and volunteer online,” said Emil, encouraging attendees to stay up to date through alumni newsletters, social media, the website, and the BCIT Alumni Perks app. “I’d like to thank all alumni who are involved and passionate about BCIT. You attend our events, volunteer on advisory committees and boards, many of you mentor students, or volunteer as guest speakers, donate, or you take part in our affinity programs. You make a huge difference, and we are extremely grateful.”
BCIT Board Chair and alumnus Doug Eveneshen, and BCIT President Kathy Kinloch expressed their gratitude to alumni, and for the partnership with the BCIT Alumni Association: “I’d like to acknowledge you for your generosity in the form of a $1 million donation toward BCIT’s INSPIRE Campaign and for your $10,000 gift to the COVID-19 Student Emergency Response Fund,” said Kathy. “This generosity will help our current students follow in your footsteps despite the significant financial and other challenges of the ongoing pandemic. You, our BCIT alumni, continue to be the leaders, innovators, and creators in this new paradigm of physical distancing and keeping each other safe.”
Watch the video (below) of the AGM highlights including the full guest speaker panel dialogue. The BCIT Alumni Association President Emil Bosnjak shares the Association’s highlights in the President’s Report at approximately 14:15 and the speaker panel starts at approximately the 32:00 mark.
Special thanks to our generous event sponsors Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and BCIT School of Business + Media, and our Affinity Partners TD Insurance, iA Financial Group, Prospera, and BMO.


text:
Pharmaceutical Spending Fell Slightly; A First, Says IMS Institute
This article was originally published in The Pink Sheet Daily
IMS report on U.S. medical trends highlights the trends in patient spending and shows that over one-third of spending was concentrated in the top five therapeutic classes in 2012.
You may also be interested in...
IMS Health’s report on U.S. drug spending in 2013 shows a return to growth last year after a decline in 2012, with a lower impact of brands losing patent protection being an important factor, as well as brand price increases.
2012 was a record year for drug approvals; now many of those drugs approved last year and this year are launching and off to a strong start in the first three months of 2013.
FDA official says the rate of approving applications in the first review cycle may not increase much more, even as the new review model, intended to promote more first-cycle approvals, has yet to finish with its inaugural applications.


text:
Online fraud is still a dominant issue in the retail banking sector despite the major decline in losses reported by the Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA). The latest figures suggest the cost against UK institutions was calculated at a substantial £17.1 million for the first half of 2013, even though it represented a decrease of 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2012.
Improved fraud detection and swifter action on phishing sites is reported to have contributed to the significant drop. The FFA statement released in early October said that enhanced processes for intelligence-sharing across the banks, as well as better online security tools and greater awareness amongst consumers had led to a decline in losses. Phishing sites, set up by criminals to trick vulnerable customers into giving away their passwords by convincing them they are communicating with their bank or building society, has also seen a dramatic 87 per cent drop in the numbers of these sites, since the equivalent period in 2012.
These statistics may paint a more positive picture; however the retail banks affected by the continuing online fraud practices are still working hard to tackle the issue. The drive to keep customers and their accounts protected remains as strong as ever, with an increased demand for enhanced security solutions to guard customers against online fraud.
At Accumuli, we have been working with a fortune 500 banking group that has a large retail presence across Europe. The bank had invested heavily in retail online banking fraud prevention systems, including two-factor authentication devices, which were provided to every customer. Despite this proactive action, the bank still faced a significant on-going problem from fraudulent online banking transactions, caused by advanced malware specifically targeting their customers. The malware works by manipulating the online banking web interface displayed to the customer, in order to obtain the required two factor codes and make fraudulent payments.
Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem with many financial institutions facing attack from this type of advanced malware. The malware used to launch this breed of attack is widely available to buy from hacking forums and even some social media sites, and the code is continually being changed and enhanced to avoid detection.
In a bid to protect its customers, maintain regulatory compliance and protect its world leading reputation, the bank had built internal fraud systems, using analytical techniques, which meant that customers suspected of being victims of online banking fraud were placed in a protected mode and were proactively supported while the malware was removed.
However, the action was not completely successful as the attacks on the bank continued, and the process of protection became both labour intensive and expensive. The bank also needed to continually adapt to changing fraud patterns, which led to using more complex analytical detection techniques and required extra staff to provision.
The bank identified the need for a system that would enable the automation of the analytical detection process developed in-house and increase the speed of detection and response. The system had to have the capability to be rapidly enhanced to deal with new or evolving online banking threats and complex detection criteria and also deliver a platform that could be extended to provide detection and prevention technologies for other types of transactional fraud.
The result of a market review by the bank led to it selecting SIEM as its preferred solution for delivering an automated fraud detection solution. The approach we took involved using our seven stage EDGE methodology to analyse, design and deliver a comprehensive ArcSight SIEM solution. The detection design included a flexible, extensible framework and implementation technology to allow the bank to rapidly update and refine the detection rules if the threat evolves or if new detection patterns are identified.
The new system was designed to support fraud detection capabilities for more than 13 million online daily banking transactions, as well as infection detection capabilities in excess of 40 million web logs per day.
The banks technical teams from mainframe, networks and retail banking worked alongside the Accumuli SIEM experts, who designed and delivered the automated online banking fraud detection solution, implementing existing bank detection logic. When the implementation was completed, the bank’s fraud analysts were provided with an interface into which fraudulent and suspicious transactions were displayed in near real time. The transactions were accompanied with metadata detailing the detection logic that was matched and a threat score, to allow the analysts to prioritise their work.
The system had a significant impact on detection times, reducing it from 24 hours using the manual process, down to less than ten minutes using ArcSight and the external database interface. Subsequently, this allowed the bank to rapidly begin the process of blocking fraudulent payments or start the recovery process before any money had been extracted from the destination account.
As retail online banks continue the fight against fraud it has become clear that increasingly sophisticated techniques from today’s fraudsters demand more complex solutions to help protect customers. The losses to UK online banks may be on the decline but the issue is still highly prevalent in this sector and needs to be tackled with the right mix of expertise and technology.
Jon Inns, Director of Product Management, Accumuli
Global Banking & Finance Review
Why waste money on news and opinions when you can access them for free?
Take advantage of our newsletter subscription and stay informed on the go!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Global Banking & Finance Review │ Banking │ Finance │ Technology. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Business2 days ago
Bluprintx strengthens sales and marketing leadership to drive global growth-as-a-service expansion
Top Stories1 day ago
Reconsidering climate risk: a return to valuation fundamentals
Business2 days ago
Leverage the customization revolution to promote your brand
Top Stories2 days ago
Britain sets out marketing rules for EU investment funds in the UK


text:
PlayStation 5 Controller Revealed
Sony has revealed the controller for the PlayStation 5, which it calls the “DualSense.” The new controller sports new functionality, and a brand new look to match.
PS5 And PS4 News And Announcements
- PS4's PlayStation Plus Free Games For April 2020 Revealed
- PS5's Release Shouldn't Be Affected By Coronavirus, Sony Says
- PS5 Specs: Sony Reveals CPU, GPU, SSD, TFLOPs Details And More
- Everything We Know About PS5's Price, Specs, Games, And Release Window
Source: Read Full Article


text:
Toys R Us & Babies R Us South Africa – celebrating women & moms EVERYDAY!
Toys R Us & Babies R Us South Africa celebrate the spirit of womanhood this Women’s Day by honouring the country’s hardworking mothers.
The leading toy and baby product brand shone its spotlight on their most special customers – moms.
She said that they wanted to honour “real people” who deserve a real salute for just being themselves.
In addition, Toys R Us & Babies R Us SA, applaud the efforts of all female employees particularly staff and partners, as well as all women in SA who continue to push gender equality and pave the way for future generations of women.
Over the years, the brand has been instrumental in advancing women in the workplace with approximately 60% of females occupying management roles.
“We believe an empowered woman is an inspiration to all. We are proud to have exceptional female talent occupying very key positions in our organization and they continue to contribute to successfully growing the brand,” said Annells.
Join the celebration by sharing your inspiring “mom” story.
Like the Toys R Us Facebook page: ToysRUs.SouthAfrica or follow us on Twitter @ToysRUs_ZA
Get It Magazine Durban August 2018Into the Wild with Francoise Anthony


text:
According to the recent NPD report that was announced recently, the sales breakdown for NBA Live 16 and NBA 2K16 showed a very sales large gap between the two games.
As noted by a user on NeoGAF, NBA 2K16 sold an astounding 1.1 million copies in North America alone. As for NBA Live 16, apparently it only sold a measly 8,300 copies in North America.
That is a large gap. EA Sports were promising that NBA Live 16 would be able to challenge NBA 2K this year. However, it looks like the fans forgot that the game existed and decided to pick up 2K Sports’ game instead.
It did not help the fact that both NBA Live 16 and NBA 2K16 both came out on the same day this year. The North American release date for the games this year was September 29th. It would have been smarter if EA Sports released the game on a different day instead of competing directly with 2K Sports.
The NBA Live series suffered ever since the franchise took a multi-year hiatus. Since the series got revived two years ago, EA Sports has been trying to play catch up ever since.
With sales so low, it will be interesting to see if EA Sports announces NBA Live 17, or decides to cancel it and go back to the drawing board once again…


text:
// Primark launches new partnership with Fairtrade to support people in its supply chain
// The new partnership sees the launch of a sustainable skincare range
Primark has launched a new sustainability-focused partnership with Fairtrade as it seeks to support the livelihoods of people across supply chains.
Primark has introduced a new skincare range as part of its global partnership with Fairtrade Foundation.
The new range will include Fairtrade certified ingredients, helping to support stable and secure livelihoods for farmers involved.
READ MORE: Primark may be late to the online party but it could bring fizz
The products include nourishing body butter, bath oil, face cream, balm to oil cleanser, multibalm and hand cream, which contain Fairtrade certified shea butter and olive oil.
They can be found in the Wellness section of selected Primark stores from this month.
The partnership was founded upon Primark and Fairtrade’s shared values of offering more sustainable products and improving the livelihoods and resilience of people across supply chains.
Each product from this new range will display the Fairtrade mark which shows it has been certified to offer a better deal for the farmers and workers involved.
Fairtrade sourcing enables economic, environmental, and social benefits aimed at improving the livelihoods of farmers and workers.
“Our Primark Cares ambition is to make more sustainable products affordable for everyone while improving the lives of the workers who make our products,” Primark Cares director, Lynne Walker said.
“We know we can’t do this alone and so we’re delighted to partner with Fairtrade to work together towards our shared goals.
“This partnership will help us deliver on our ambition by offering an affordable beauty collection, at scale, which helps provide better opportunities for farmers without a high price tag.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
Source link >


text:
TAMPA — The days of carrying bands of tickets to go on rides at the Florida State Fair are over.
The roller coaster is going digital.
Admission for all rides at the fair, which opens next month near Tampa, will be deducted from a prepaid card that's scanned each time you use it — replacing old-fashioned tickets and perhaps ushering in more flat-fee armband days.
"Tickets in one form or another have been around since the beginning of rides," said Chuck Pesano, executive director of the Florida State Fair Authority. "We always have change in life, and this one, we think, has some real positives to improve the experience for our consumers."
The fair calls them FUNCARDs. Like buying old-fashioned tickets, fairgoers use cash, debit cards or credit cards to get the cards in $5 or $20 increments. Like old tickets, they're issued on a use it-or-lose-it basis. Then at each ride, the fairgoer presents the card and the operator scans it to deduct the cost. At any ride, the fairgoer can ask the operator how much is left on the card.
But unlike the old tickets, a fairgoer who loses the card while on a ride that twists upside down or spins in circles no longer has to search for it or wonder if a stranger pocketed it. Instead, he can take the receipt to a booth. Attendants can find the card in the system, cancel it and issue a new one with the remaining credits.
Unlike some other fairs that went digital in the past decade, the Florida State Fair is using the cards only for rides. Cash is still required for games and food.
The Iowa State Fair faced heavy backlash a couple of weeks ago when it announced it would implement a mandatory cashless payment system this year not only for rides but for food and games as well.
That fair reversed course when people flooded social media bemoaning the change.
For Florida, the cards might make it easier to increase the number of armband days in the future. For years, fairgoers have requested more days when they can go on as many carnival rides as they want for a flat fee.
The problem with armbands, though, is that there is no way to track which rides are getting the most foot traffic. This information is essential for the Florida State Fair because it divvies up the proceeds to its many operators based on how popular their rides are with customers.
To establish a base to allocate shares, the fair always used tickets — not armbands — on Saturdays.
"We're excited about this," Pesano said. "We've always had to limit the number of armband days, and once we get comfortable and see that this is working the way we need it to work, that's going to give us the flexibility to add those Saturdays and possible other armband days."
Organizers say they have put security precautions in place to protect personal financial information and to prevent ride operators from double or triple scanning the cards.
"The FUNCARD and armbands don't have any personal information on them," said John Prestianni, director of finance. "It's just a bar code. All information is retained in the software, so if someone loses a card or armband, there's no information people can steal."
Frank Zaitshik, CEO and president of Wade Shows, has been using the technology with his rides at other fairs since 2012.
"We've always prided ourselves on being a company that's ahead of the curve," said Zaitshik, who is bringing 35 rides to this year's fair, including roller coasters. "Customers carry less and less cash. You see it in every day life. If you go on a cruise, a cruise is cashless anymore. Airplanes are cashless."
One concern with a digital system is the learning curve for operators who have not used it before, and its reliance on Wi-Fi to transmit the information from each ride to the main system. The technology director and carnival midway operator will conduct a session with operators the day before the fair opens.
"I think the Florida State Fair has done their due diligence in communicating with myself and others in efforts to avoid those mistakes," Zaitshik said. "When you're wireless there's always some challenges, but they're pretty well-run with fiber optic."
Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report. Caitlin Johnston can be reached at [email protected] or (813) 661-2443.


text:
Plant-Based Food: The New Trend That Just Might Have Staying Power
September 26, 2019
(Industry Intelligence Inc.)
– Food trends come and go. I remember when the Atkins diet was all the rage about 15 or 16 years ago. Atkins-branded products started popping up in supermarkets. Fast-food chains started offering burgers wrapped in lettuce, and even Subway offered special Atkins wraps. And how about when kale was the only type of green you should have in your salad? Remember when millennials were spending every cent they had on avocado toast? Anyone recall Dippin Dots?
Yes, it’s normal for a food trend to be all the rage for a while and then either just disappear or sit quietly on food shelves without the luster they once had. But according to a recent article in Forbes magazine, the newest trend out there—the plant-based food market—might very well have some staying power.
According to the article:
---A new study conducted by Nielsen and commissioned by the Plant Based Foods Association found that sales of plant-based foods grew by 20% in the 52 weeks ending June 16, 2018, reaching a total of $3.3 billion. Meanwhile, total food sales are growing just 2% a year.
---According to a report by Markets and Markets, the plant-based food market is estimated to reach $4.63 billion in 2019 and increase to $6.43 billion by 2023.
---Some industry analysts are saying plant-based meat substitutes might just grab 50% of the meat industry by 2050, totaling $50 billion.
---According to Nestlé, 87% of Americans, both vegans and meat-eaters, are incorporating plant-based protein into their diets, with two-thirds of them doing so one or more times a week.
---Plant-based food companies have raised more than $16 billion in the last decade, with record gains of $13 billion in 2017 and 2018 alone, according to the “State of the Industry Report” released by the nonprofit organization Good Food Institute.
Plant-based food is the latest trend out there. But unlike some of its predecessors, this trend might stay strong for years to come.
Nevin Barich is the Food and Beverage Analyst for Industry Intelligence, which can help YOU better address your own industry challenges. We invite you to come take a look at our service.Call us today at 310-553-0008 and we’ll schedule you for a 15-minute demo.


text:
Seattle’s Original Farmers Market
Pike Place Market was founded as a public market in 1907 to provide a place for Seattle citizens to "meet the producer" cutting out middlemen. On the first day, the farmers sold out in minutes and a grand tradition was born. Washington farmers continue to sell their locally grown produce and specialty farm products to shoppers seven days a week, 363 days a year.
New Evening Farmers Market on Wednesdays!
Enjoy the long summer evenings at the Pike Place Evening Farmers Market on Wednesdays, from 5-8 p.m., beginning June 1. Shop from dozens of local farmers who bring their freshest, just-picked-that-morning produce to market.
The Wednesday market will feature more than a dozen local produce farmers with tents set up in a double row on Pike Place. Family Fun activities are on the second Wednesday of each month and look for At The Table culinary programming in the Market's own Atrium Kitchen on third Wednesdays.
Pike Place Market Farmers Market Locations
City Hall Plaza Market
May 31- October 11
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
600 4th Ave
South Lake Union Market
June 2 – October 13
Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
410 Terry Ave. N
First Hill Market
June 3 – October 14
Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
9th Ave and University St.
Debit/credit, EBT, WIC and Senior FMNP accepted.
At The Table events in the Atrium Kitchen
Learn new recipes, take a hands-on cooking class and get inspired by Seattle's top chefs in the Market's Atrium Kitchen during the Wednesday evening farmers market. All culinary events are posted on the Market-wide event calendar.
Preserving Farmland and Developing the Local Food Economy
In order to maintain our heritage as a vibrant farmers market, the Pike Place Market recognizes the importance of making sure farmland is available for generations to come, and that farmers can operate sustainable businesses. To support this we partnered with the City of Seattle and King County to convene the “King County Farms and Food Roundtable” to identify key recommendations to preserve farmland and increase market and distribution opportunities for local small and mid-sized farmers in King County. Read the full report.


text:
PlayStation 4 owners will have to wait a little longer to get their hands on Nathan Drake’s latest adventure.
SCEA President Shawn Layden announced Tuesday on the PlayStation Blog that “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” will now release two weeks later than expected. Layden says the delay is to allow for additional manufacturing time, which makes sense considering “Uncharted 4” is likely to be one of the hottest-selling PS4 titles of the year.
“Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” will now launch May 10.
In related news, an open multiplayer beta for “Uncharted 4” will run March 4-6.


text:
The Fresno State Craig School of Business will open its new Student Store, the first of its kind in the California State University system, on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Student Store will be a small retail kiosk where students will receive hands-on business learning experience through operating and running the store as part of a two-semester, four-unit class.
Among the 10 students, there are a variety of majors including marketing, finance, fashion merchandising and management. The store will carry merchandise that will range in prices from $16.99 to $34.99 including shirts, sweaters, key chains and other items bearing the name of the business school. An online version of the store will also go operational.
The Student Store was made possible through the partnership between the Craig School of Business and Associated Students, Inc., along with a $60,000 donation from FocusVision, a local market research technology firm. INFO: Cara Peracchi-Douglas, development director, at 559.278.2919 or firstname.lastname@example.org.
University Communications news intern Easton Kerby contributed to this report.


text:
Roddick backer nets pounds 12m in share sale
Friday 28 June 1996
The man who lent Anita Roddick pounds 4,000 to help found the Body Shop 20 years ago, sold a 3.5 per cent stake in the company yesterday, netting pounds 12m.
Ian McGlinn, a former garage owner, sold 6.7 million shares priced at 180p to the Aeon Group, one of Japan's largest retailers. Aeon is also the Body Shop's head franchise operator in Japan where it has 70 stores.
Mr McGlinn's sale will still leave him with a 23.8 per cent stake in Body Shop, worth pounds 82m. The company said Mr McGlinn had told them he has "no current intention of making any further reductions in his shareholding".
Body Shop said it did not know why Mr McGlinn had decided to sell the shares. However, pounds 12m is enough to buy more peppermint foot lotion and moisturising shaving gel than any man could ever need.
Though Mr McGlinn has been gradually reducing his stake in the company, he has been a loyal supporter. He first encountered Anita Roddick when he was running a garage in Littlehamptonn and he used to eat in the Roddicks' restaurant. When the young Roddick was turned down by the bank for a loan, Mr McGlinn stepped in with a loan in return for a 50 per cent stake.
The business went on to become one of Britain's best-known companies with stores across the world. While Ms Roddick is one of Britain's most high-profile businesswomen, Mr McGlinn has maintained a low profile.
Body Shop said its new Japanese investor had not disclosed its reasons for buying the shares. "They know our business quite well. We view it as a positive move."
Body Shop's shares have been under a cloud because of difficult trading in America. Its trading statement at its annual meeting last week showed like-for-like sales in America still falling and flat in the UK.
Gordon and Anita Roddick had hatched a plan to take Body Shop private but later abandoned the move when new of their intentions leaked last year. It has since tried to woo the City with a more progressive dividend policy.
- 1 All Blacks Aaron Cruden misses New Zealand flight after drinking session, has brilliant excuse
- 2 Kim Kardashian 'nude photos' leaked on 4chan weeks after Jennifer Lawrence scandal
- 3 'F*ck it, I quit': TV reporter Charlo Greene quits live on air in spectacular fashion
- 4 Alicia Keys leaks nude photo 'to create a kinder and more peaceful world'
- 5 Clothes store Joy angers mental health campaigners with Twitter exchange on bipolar disorders
Scotland could still declare independence – even without referendum, says Alex Salmond
Scottish referendum results: Cross-party consensus collapses amid Tory-Labour spat on the 'English question'
Hilary Mantel 'should be investigated by police' over Margaret Thatcher assassination story, says Lord Bell
Scottish independence: David Cameron is becoming the 'George Bush of Britain'
Plebgate MP Andrew Mitchell called officer a 'little s**t', claim court documents 'exposing ex-Chief Whip's 'record of abusing police'
Archbishop of Canterbury admits doubts about existence of God
iJobs Money & Business
£20000 - £25000 per annum + OTE £40,000: SThree: SThree are a global FTSE 250 ...
£20000 - £25000 per annum + OTE £40000: SThree: As a Recruitment Consultant, y...
£20000 - £25000 per annum + OTE £40,000: SThree: SThree Group have been well e...
Up to £80000: Saxton Leigh: My client, a large commodities broker, is looking ...


text:
Bengaluru: The country’s most coveted fashion stage, Lakmé Fashion Week, held the biggest model hunt – Lakmé Fashion Week Model Auditions in partnership with TRESemmé for the Winter/Festive 2017 season at Hyatt Bangalore, today.
A panel of experts chose 6 winners after three competitive rounds to walk for the upcoming season. Pavitra Malaiappan, Aditti Anand, Soumya S, Raksha Belliappa, Devika Bhanguni, Esha Gohil, wowed the judges, paving their way to the ramp this Winter/Festive season.
For the first time ever, the aspirants also competed for the chance to bag a contract with IMG Models, international leader in talent discovery and model management.
The jury included experts from the Indian Fashion Industry, Supermodel – Sonalika Sahay; Show Director– Anu Ahuja; Fashion Choreographer and Stylist – Prasad Bidapa; Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance – Jaspreet Chandok; IMG International model scouts – Luis Domingo and Victoria Da Silva and from Fever FM – RJ Niki
Sonalika Sahay, Supermodel said, “I was thrilled to see so many beautiful girls walk the ramp in Bengaluru. In fact they were so good that it actually got really difficult to choose just a few. “
Prasad Bidapa, Fashion Choreographer and Stylist said, “IMG Reliance has created the ultimate platform for models with Lakmé Fashion Week. Bengaluru girls stepped up in droves to try out for this amazing audition. Catching up with Anu Ahuja and Sonalika Sahay, my co-judges was just great. I had a brilliant time!”
Purnima Lamba, Head of Innovation, Lakmé said, “All the contestants at today’s model auditions showcased vibrant personalities and a bold freshness that resonates with the spirit of Lakmé. The winners for this Winter/Festive season show a lot of potential and will surely take the runway by storm.”
Jaspreet Chandok, Head of Fashion IMG Reliance said, “Lakmé Fashion Week has always sought to introduce and nurture fresh talent from the industry . This season’s Lakmé Fashion Week Model Auditions in partnership with TRESemmé saw a fantastic turnout. I am confident that those chosen will go on to make waves both at home, and internationally.”
Lakmé Fashion Week is credited with introducing some of the most successful faces in the Indian fashion industry including Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, and Yana Gupta to name a few. With the Model Auditions in partnership with TRESemmé, Lakmé Fashion Week stands true to its commitment of providing a foundation to new and emerging runway talent.
Victoria Da Silva from IMG Models said, “We had a great response for the auditions, it goes on to show how popular Lakmé Fashion Week is in India. We are looking for a fresh face that has an international appeal.”
Luis Domingo from IMG Models said, “We are looking for a girl who has an interesting personality and hence we ensured that we not only judge basis their catwalks, but also spend ample time speaking to them and gauging their personas.”
The event was supported by Fever 104 FM Bengaluru
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
KPIT Awarded the FKCCI CSR Awards 2018 for CSR Excellence in Basic Education
SMEs, partners must collaborate to fast track cloud adoption in East Africa
We must find a voice in the global health conversation or face the consequences
Magma to offer Scholarships to Meritorious Students from underprivileged families
The ‘INDIA 2.0’ Project: ŠKODA AUTO assumes responsibility for the Indian market on Volkswagen Group’s behalf
2014 The Global Indian New Network (TGINN)