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In the years since the Great Recession, you've probably heard about the electronic payment system and so-called cryptocurrency called bitcoin.
But you're perhaps less likely to have heard of the underlying technology that powers it. It's called blockchain.
Blockchain technology is a digital ledger distributed across a network of computers that keeps track of transactions. But beyond payments, it can be used for a wide variety of applications such as contracts, documents and basic record keeping.
"Wall Street is going to eventually move into this in a big way," says Alan Friedland, founder of Compcoin, a blockchain-based public currency trading platform. "In the meantime, it's a great opportunity to get into early."
Just like the internet democratized the dissemination of information, blockchain technology democratizes the securitization of information, says Chris Burniske, head of blockchain products with Ark Investment Management.
"It's probably the most impactful general purpose technology that's been invented in the 21st century," he says.
While bitcoin decentralizes payments, another major blockchain technology called Ethereum enables decentralized applications. Another, Storj, is involved in decentralized computer storage. Each issues its own value token or coin -- bitcoin issues bitcoins, Ethereum issues ether, and Storj issues Storjcoin X -- that can be bought and traded. There are now many different digital currencies.
Blockchain assets have a very low correlation to other assets, and so they can be used to diversify portolios, Burniske says. Some use them as a risk hedge similar to how they use gold, he says.
Stan Miroshnik, managing director with the Argon Group, an investment bank focusing on the blockchain sector, adds that bitcoin is uncorrelated to bonds, gold, real estate, commodities and emerging market currencies. It only has a very small correlation to U.S. equities, he says.
Blockchain is "an important enough technology that people should try to invest a little bit," Miroshnik says.
There are different schools of thought about the best way to invest in this nascent, but growing, industry.
On the one hand, you can stockpile tokens, such as bitcoin or another digital currency, and hope the demand for them will increase, their value will rise and you can sell them later at a profit. Or, you can invest in the companies that are creating different blockchain-based products.
Morningstar analyst Jim Sinegal falls into the latter camp, saying investors should focus on companies that stand to make money if they find useful applications for blockchain technology.
He suggests investors go after the companies because the coins don't generate any cash flow. So the only way you'll make money off it is if a token's price goes up and you can then sell it, Sinegal says.
However, because the industry is so new, it can be tough to invest in companies with exposure to blockchain technology, Sinegal says. He compares it to the early stages of internet stocks in the 1990s. A few were successful, but investors lost money on others.
"It's very tough to make a direct investment," he says.
While more than 70 of the world's largest financial institutions have joined a blockchain-development consortium, and large technology firms like International Business Machines Corp. ( IBM) and Microsoft Corp. ( MSFT) have blockchain solutions, Miroshnik says it remains difficult to get true exposure to the technology through public companies.
The blockchain penny stock universe includes BTCS, Global Arena Holding, HashingSpace Corp. and First Bitcoin Capital Corp.
But penny stock companies are very young and may not be the best investment now as their business models are evolving, Miroshnik says.
Miroshnik says investing in coins is the way to go because blockchain assets appreciate for two reasons.
First, there is a real cost to producing each transactional ledger of the blockchain. It takes computer equipment and energy. These so-called miners compete to produce the next block in the chain and are rewarded with coins. This cost of production keeps going up over time, creating a fundamental driver of higher value, Miroshnik says.
Additionally, there is transactional value created as demand rises for a blockchain coin, Miroshnik says.
For investors wanting to buy into this emerging asset class, they can go to places such as Coinbase, Bitstamp or Kraken, Burniske says. It's similar to a foreign exchange trade, where investors exchange the value of one asset with another based on exchange rates, he says.
Uninitiated consumers should stick with bitcoin or ether to get comfortable with the language of this emerging capital market, Miroshnik says. For other coins, investing means doing research into what project they are supporting and what value the investor thinks it represents, he says.
"That process is very similar to how you would think about investing in small-cap stocks," he says.
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Uniqlo to phase out plastic bags
Fashion retailer Uniqlo's parent company Fast Retailing is set to remove single-use plastic bags from its brands, replacing them with reusable and paper alternatives.
Under the plans, all Uniqlo stores still offering single-use plastic bags will switch to the new paper bags on 1 September. The bags will be made using paper certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
The bags will initially be given out for free, before a 10 yen (around 9p) charge is introduced in Uniqlo’s home nation, Japan, next January. This charge will then be expanded to cover Europe, the US and South Korea at a later date in 2020.
The aim of the charge is to encourage consumers to ditch single-use bags altogether in favour of reusable alternatives. Uniqlo has therefore launched a range of reusable tote bags made using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles to complement its new paper bags. Each of the reusable bags contains the equivalent of six plastic bottles and retails for £1.49.
Fast Retailing predicts that the switch to reusable and paper bags, combined with its other efforts to reduce plastic packaging, will prevent the use of 7,800 tonnes of plastics annually by the end of 2020. One of its other notable moves in this space is to remove plastic covers and hangers from slippers, with the phase-out due to be completed across all of its markets by the end of 2019. Fast Retailing is also exploring alternatives to the flexible plastic packs currently used to house its Heattech range of underwear.
“Sustainability is the biggest challenge for all types of companies,” Fast Retailing’s chief executive Tadashi Yanai said. “Higher costs are not an excuse for inaction if we aim to be an industry leader.”
It’s in the bag
With the war on plastics showing no signs of slowing down, Uniqlo is just one of many high-profile retailers to have introduced or expanded their paper bag offerings in recent months.
Last month saw Boots become the first UK national pharmacy, health and beauty retailer to phase-out single-use plastic bags, for example, with similar switches having previously been made by the likes of Primark and Zara.
This trend is particularly pronounced in the supermarket sector here in the UK. Sainsbury’s is currently in the process of removing all plastic bags from its in-store bakeries by September, following the successful introduction of paper bags to produce aisles earlier this summer. Similar offerings are also being rolled out across Morrisons and Aldi.
Supermarkets are additionally targeting plastic bags at the checkout, with Morrisons and Iceland having both introduced paper alternatives in the past 12 months. Those without paper bag offerings are increasingly removing 5p bags also, in favour of more sturdy and reusable options.

domain: news


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By the end of this year, companies will have spent 15 percent more on enterprise social software than in 2009, a growth rate expected to carry over into next year, according to Gartner.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was one of 17 billionaires this week to pledge donating more than half of their wealth to charitable organizations.
Facebook on Sunday introduced a redesign of its user profile pages in advance of an interview on the "60 Minutes" news show where CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained the redesign.
Some of the developers behind Google Wave have submitted their software to the Apache Software Foundation for inclusion.
Diaspora, a widely anticipated social network site built on open-source code, has cracked open its doors for business today, at least for a handful of invited participants.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg says that in the future, messaging will be much more simple than today's e-mail.
Many good reasons to be wary of Facebook's newly announced "Messages" service have already been pointed out on numerous occasions throughout the media. Even besides the obvious privacy concerns, other features of the new service also could prove prob...
The CEO of Google says he's not worried at all about Facebook's new messaging system.
I'm fascinated by how technology's center of gravity shifts over time. For a long time Microsoft was the 900-pound gorilla (careful where you stand -- it's got a bad case of gas). More recently Apple and Google have taken turns dominating what we tal...
Apple's Ping is no longer afraid of the World Wide Web.
If you find yourself using Facebook to send out work-related emails to coworkers, you're not alone.
You'd think the drinking water in Silicon Valley has been replaced with baby formula, given how childish some of the biggest companies in tech have acted this year. First on the Romper Room roll call is Steve Jobs, who has thrown tantrums over Adobe ...
Mobile social networking company MOKO.mobi (ASX:MKB) has revealed it has signed a deal with UK carrier O2 for its eponymous platform.
Only 30 million people have used Facebook Places, one report finds. If that sounds impressive, consider that it represents just six per cent of Facebook users. And that's not the number who use it. That's the number who have tried it.
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Merc Elite is being developed by 49Games and is the first title that studio has produced for Bigpoint since being acquired in 2011. It's going into open beta this summer and will be playable in a browser with the Unity 3D engine.
The title was introduced at Gamescom this week. If you're hanging around there, you can get your hands on it now in Hall 8.1, booth B11; otherwise, you can sign up for the beta on the website.
[Source: Bigpoint press release]


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The Xiaomi Mi Band and Mi Band 2 became a hit because of their simplicity, affordability, and extra-long battery life. Now, Xiaomi is expected to step it up a notch with the upcoming Mi Band 3.
The original Mi Band only had three LED lights on the front that tells you whats going on with the device. The screen was not introduced until the Mi Band 2 where they also added capacitive buttons to help you navigate through its straightforward interface.
But with the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Band 3, the company is rumored to use an OLED touchscreen display. This, in theory, will provide a more intuitive way of interacting with the smart band. Plus, the use of an OLED panel means that it will be power efficient — in line with previous Mi smart bands.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 was recently spotted being worn by Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s founder, in an event in China. It shows a smart band with a screen that protrudes from the body itself.
Related: Xiaomi Philippines products
Reports suggest that the display is removable for recharging, and quite possibly, for swappable bands that provide different looks.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is expected to have improved movement tracking, heart rate monitoring, and will feature more health-related information.
Additionally, it is said to have an IP67 water and dust resistance certification, Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC. With NFC, there’s also a huge possibility that the Mi Band 3 will have mobile payments capabilities built-in just like the new Apple Watch.
However, these are still rumors and leaks. We’ll just have to wait for Xiaomi’s official word as it gets released on May 31.


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With the death toll mounting in the Syrian rebellion, the Obama administration has stepped up calls for strongman Bashar al-Assad to give up power.
But two years into the bloodiest chapter of the Arab Spring, the administration, under pressure from lawmakers and allies, has only taken halting steps to help provide training, equipment and intelligence to moderate rebel fighters.
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On Wednesday, June 16, SME Connect organized a webinar on the Digital Services Act: where are we and where do we go? to gather an expert panel of institutional actors, policy-makers, industry stakeholders and SME representatives to discuss the latest status of the DSA and exchange opinions and perspectives to create a European blueprint of regulatory framework fit for the digital age.
Moderated by DR. Horst Heitz, Chair of the Steering Committee, SME Connect, the virtual meeting saw high-level speakers such as Alex Agius Saliba MEP, IMCO Committee, Former IMCO Rapporteur on the DSA, Co-Chair SME Connect Working Group Platform Economy; Henna Virkkunen MEP, ITRE & AIDA Special Committee, Co-Chair of the SME Circle in the European Parliament, ITRE Committee Rapporteur on the DSA, Co-Chair SME Connect Working Group Platform Economy; Justyna Romanowska, Councillor for Telecom and Information, Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU; Mike Sax, Founder & Chairman, App Association; Fabian Fechner, Deputy Head of Brussels Office, Handelsverband Deutschland HDE; Manon Tabaczynsky, Senior Policy Officer, Allied for Startups.
In his general overview, Alex Agius Saliba MEP stated that the DSA concerns consumer protection, fundamental rights, trust and fairness. It seeks to modernize rules for platforms, content moderation and consumer protection. “We are laying down the rules for the future of the internet,” he remarked.
Henna Virkkunen MEP highlighted the importance of the DSA in our digitalized society: its scope encompasses from large social media platforms, to small online stores and everything in between. Besides better consumer protection and fundamental rights, it has to establish a powerful transparency and accountability framework for online platforms and lead to fairer and more open digital markets. Another goal is to overcome fragmentation and achieve the Digital Single Market.
Justyna Romanowska believes the proposal itself to be in good shape at this point. Though, enforcement and enforceability are still very important topics to discuss. She also stated: “We all wish for an integrated regulation but, for certain provisions, Member States will need to draft national laws”.
Mike Sax also reflected positively of the DSA, as it would offer clarification on the responsibilities for online platforms and other intermediary services, together with the legal certainty that will allow entrepreneurs the stability to know which investments they can make in developing products. However Mike believes that in the IMCO Report, proportionality should be broached again.
On behalf of HDE, Fabian Fechner remarked the necessity to consider the impact that platform requirements might have on the traders that are selling those platforms. Also, their main concern is competition from less-regulated third countries, as “These regulations apply to EU SMEs from day one which could inhibit their growth.”
Lastly, Allied for Startups and Manon Tabaczynsky shared three main concerns: proportionality, liability and the country of origin principle. “As it stands, the IMCO Draft Report doesn’t incentivize innovators; it only reinforces already strong players.”


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Over a decade ago, Nintendo unleashed onto America Pokemon: one of the most unstoppable crazes that would sweep the nation. And it’s made huge steps since then.
Pokemon has exploded from an original 151 monsters to a jaw-dropping 649. To celebrate, a group of dedicated Pokemon trainers who call themselves TheSpeedGamers are making it their mission to capture every single one. That’s right, you can head on over to their website right now where they’ve been playing since June 15, and will end Friday, June 22. During this time they’ve been streaming their adventures and collecting donations to raise money for ACT Today! to promote Austism Care and Awareness.
This amazing marathon also happened to fall on the same weekend that the release of another fantastic Pokemon title ‘Pokemon Conquest’ dropped from Nintendo. In the game, you and your trusty Eevee must face several Pokemon and unite a divided nation. Using a turn-based strategy system of gameplay, ‘Conquest’ will have a similar feel to the Pokemon games you have grown to love over the years.
2012 is a great year to be a Pokemon trainer. With several new titles still on the way this year, you’ll want to make sure your DS is fully charged, and you have a few Pokeballs at the ready!


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The European Commission has already been notified of the logo that has been developed to accompany the new standard. For a premium account we need your address. Every week we will send you a roundup of the most important news in farming and agriculture, completely free! Bord Bia launches world’s first scientifically supported Grass Fed Standard for milk. The research highlighted … Advice for a new entrant to sheep farming, Demand for calves continues into new year, Westmeath TY students find new use for sheep wool, Mart status: Update on what marts are open and when opening sales are taking place, Anger from locals after dead calf dumped in Donegal, Poots chairs first meeting of Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group, Carbon footprint is a ‘red herring’ for Irish agriculture, European Court of Justice to hear first case in Irish – on veterinary medicine labelling, Development Co-Ordinator / Breed Secretary, Dairy Farm Worker (North Galway/Mayo Border). The launch of the Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard is particularly timely, as the benefits of pasture-raised dairy are being recognised around the world. You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon! The minimum acceptable grass fed figure for an individual herd to qualify as grass fed is 90% on a fresh weight basis. Irish dairy processors will now be able to provide verifiable proof that the milk used in products and ingredients has come from grass fed cows. After the standstill period concludes, the ‘Grass-Fed’ logo will be formally launched towards the end of February, and incorporated into Bord Bia’s marketing activities. ‘There will be very few hill farmers in years to come’. The standard will include 99% of the milk pool from the Republic of Ireland and will require farms to operate under a 95% grass-fed threshold. According to a Bord Bia spokesperson, the purpose of the standard is to … IFA President Tim Cullinan said the change by Bord Bia to include young bulls in its grass fed standard is the right thing to do for farmers. Therefore, it provides assurance for what we have long known to be true: grass is intrinsic to the quality of Irish beef. Bord Bia Launches Grass Fed Dairy Standard. Just enter your email below to join our list. PGI for Irish grass-fed beef Grass-fed dairy from Ireland. Ornua is a verified member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green food and drink sustainability programme which is underpinned by the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).. Developed by Teagasc – the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority – the Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard acknowledged “the growing consumer demand for greater clarity on the provenance of food and drink products” as well as the desire to purchase dairy from sustainable, grass-fed farming systems, Bord Bia said. The new Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard for Irish Beef is the world’s first independently verified standard that provides verifiable proof of the grass-fed status of each and every qualified animal. Glanbia Ingredients Ireland—a co-op centered around its farmers—is the company behind the Truly Grass Fed seal. Following consultation with the IFA over recent weeks, Tim Cullinan said Bord Bia has now agreed to the following changes to the grass fed standard; […] With a pioneering spirit and an innate connection to the land we call home, Glanbia Ingredients Ireland holds a deep passion for the power of grass-fed dairy. Please read the Producer Standard to become familiar with all the requirements. ... his 300-cow dairy … Last autumn’s launch of Bord Bia’s ‘Grass Fed Standard’ marketing initiative is helping to deliver an enhanced profile for Irish beef in the UK, according to the organisation’s senior manager for meat and livestock, Joe Burke. Up to 40k pro rata (may negotiate slightly): For retail and food service customers of Irish dairy, the Bord Bia Grass-Fed Standard is the newest expression of an enduring national commitment to excellence that makes Ireland one of Europe's leading dairy exporting nations and the natural choice for consumers demanding the highest quality, grass-fed dairy. Almost two thirds (64%) of consumers are willing to pay more for grass-fed dairy, driven by its strong association with terms such as ‘natural', ‘healthy' and ‘premium'. Bord Bia and Teagasc have developed a new Dairy Grass-Fed Standard in conjunction with the dairy industry, which has been approved by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB). The SDAS is Ireland’s national dairy scheme setting out practice on Irish dairy farms in the areas of animal health and welfare, land management, biosecurity, safe farming practices and the production of safe milk. Through Bord Bia’s new Grass Fed Standard, Irish dairy processors will now be able to provide verifiable proof that the milk used in products and ingredients has come from grass fed cows. Our Grass-Fed Standard utilises data collected during farm audits as part of Bord Bia national Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme. ‘Irish Grass Fed Standard’ starting to make its mark in the UK Posted 9 hours ago Last autumn’s launch of Bord Bia’s ‘Grass Fed Standard’ marketing initiative is helping to deliver an enhanced profile for Irish beef in the UK, according to the organisation’s senior manager for meat and livestock, Joe Burke.
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Innovation paved the way for Airdrie’s café-on-wheels concept truck to win gold in the Best of Airdrie Readers' Choice Awards.
With its unique name and ever-changing location, the family-operated business 'Caffeinated Squirrel' brewed its way to the top of the best cup of coffee category.
“It’s quite a humbling experience. [We’re] very grateful that we’re able to provide such a service to the community and that we’re accepted as a mobile business,” said Annette Schulze, the owner and operator of Caffeinated Squirrel.
Schulze believes the coffee truck won the gold award because of their coffee's quality and the rotating selection of baked goods that Caffeinated Squirrel sources from local bakers in Airdrie. In the past, Caffeinated Squirrel has partnered with La Table Haute Pastry, which won a silver Best of Airdrie Readers' Choice Award this year.
“It’s nice to coordinate with other entrepreneurs in the service and food industry,” Schulze said.
Schulze and her husband Richard tend the Caffeinated Squirrel together. Sometimes, the couple is joined by their two daughters. The tight quarters of the vehicle mean there is only room for four people to occupy the truck at one time, which Schulze said makes for a tight squeeze.
“If we’re doing a big event, then we can fit four people in the truck. It’s a tight space but it’s important to have that speed – you don’t want anybody waiting,” she added.
Catering to bigger events is something Schulze is hoping to do more of in the future, so she and her husband are ready to be accumulated to those tight spaces. Recently, Schulze said the Caffeinated Squirrel has been serving drinks at movie sets and other special events.
Schulze, a former flight attendant with a love of coffee, was seeking a career change when Richard noticed a lack of café options in the rural neighbourhoods outside of Calgary, which sparked the idea of creating a mobile coffee shop.
“I just like the idea of having a fancy truck, looking like a little bistro, to do venues and different events that we can kind of control our own time and where we can go,” Schulze said.
Having a permanent storefront was never an idea the mobile business owners pursued, but as the coffee truck gets busier, the couple has contemplated a brick-and-mortar option.
“We’re not sure if that’s the step we want to take yet because we’re so new,” Schulze explained. “I think the mobile business is fun because it’s always different and we’re always in different locations…I think that’s why I enjoy it so much, because it’s not the same every day.”
However, operating a mobile business comes with its own challenges. Schulze said one of the toughest issues they face is determining which community and at what time the coffee truck should be present in Airdrie, while also ensuring the business is not being disruptive to the community.
Much like operating the truck, finding the business a name was a family affair. The couple knew they wanted to incorporate “coffee” or “caffeine” and began tossing names around during a family drive. Ultimately, it was Richard who suggested Caffeinated Squirrel.
“We just kept saying different animal names and then he thought of the Caffeinated Squirrel. He just came up with it and when he said it, I was just like ‘Oh yeah, that’s cool’,” Schulze said.
The attention-grabbing name has caught on in the community, and Schulze said the mobile business now has regular customers who visit the truck daily, who make serving the Airdrie community a wonderful experience.
“We couldn’t be successful without the community,” Schulze added. “Thank you so much to the Airdrie community for supporting us for the last couple of years. We are grateful to them and we always hope that we can continue to serve them.”


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Trend Micro Incorporated a global cybersecurity leader, has announced Trend Vision One™ – Endpoint Security, the latest offering in its next-generation cybersecurity platform, which unifies prevention, detection, and response for user endpoints, servers, cloud workloads, and data centers.
Cellulant (https://www.Cellulant.io), Africa’s leading pan-African payments company, won three prestigious awards at the just concluded National Communications Awards
Idea Hive an innovative performance marketing agency has made its inaugural launch into the East African market in a bid to provide data-driven technology to create unique, insightful brand strategies and marketing campaigns for clients.
TikTok is serving up misinformation to users searching for news about politics, climate change, Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and more, according to a report released Wednesday.
The event will provide a springboard platform for businesses to grow their intra-African trade and investments across the continent’s single market of 1.4 billion people created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
The event is poised once again to provide an important platform for strategic networking and partnerships among participants
At its Global Summit in Kigali today, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with VFS Global, revealed that the African Travel & Tourism sector could add US$168BN to the continent’s economy and create over 18 million new jobs.
Indigo’s prime location and contemporary appeal make it highly attractive to renters, ensuring a steady income stream for investors
Superior Homes Kenya has today broken ground for the construction of a KSHS 350 million modern roadside stopover complex at Sultan Hamud town along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway that will provide all-in-one safe and secure resting points for long-distance truck drivers.
To understand the new politics stance and other pro nationals of recent…


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Does anyone else feel like they spend a small fortune on their hair every year? Well, that’s because many of us are. Further confirming our suspicions, we recently came across a survey conducted by Advanced Dermatology in 2022 of over 1,000 Americans on their annual grooming costs—and get this, the average spend came out to $877 for women (and $592 for men). Though the survey includes other beauty maintenance costs like skincare, makeup and even gym memberships, topping the list were hair products, haircuts and color.
Ever curious about the spending habits of others, we polled our friends and colleagues to get a sense of how much they shell out each year on their hair. The overall consensus? It costs a pretty penny...but it’s a worthy investment considering the way it makes them look and feel.


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Following this morning’s drop of Walmart’s highly anticipated Black Friday 2017 ad, HP too has unveiled what deals it will be bringing to the table. With just over 2 weeks away until the year’s biggest shopping event begins, HP is looking to excite customers with an early glimpse at deals on PCs, peripherals and more. Be sure to head below the jump to see what new computer tech you can score for a discount.
HP will be kicking off its “biggest sale of the year” on Thanksgiving Day with a wide range of its laptops, desktops and PC accessories seeing noteworthy price drops. So if you aren’t a fan of the MacBook Pro discounts we saw from Best Buy, this is a second chance to pick up a new computer, all while scoring some savings along the way.
This year’s collection of deals will be available exclusively online in a sale more akin to the typical fare of Cyber Monday. As of now HP hasn’t specified what time it will be offering up its savings, but we can expect it sometime in the evening like other retailers. Below you’ll find our top picks from the sale alongside the ad scans themselves.
Noteworthy computer and accessories deals:
- HP ENVY Laptop: $900 (Reg. $1500)
- HP Bags and cases from $15 (50% off)
- HP Pavilion All-in-One: $1,150 (Reg. $1,600)
- HP External Portable USB 3.0 1TB Hard Drive: $69 (Reg. $100)
- Z3700 Wireless mouse: $15 ($20)
- HP Pavilion Laptop: $410 (Reg. $760)
- 20% off select HP gaming accessories
- HP headsets and speakers up to 50% off
- HP EliteOne 800 G3 23.8″ All-in-One PC: $839 (Reg. $1,769)
You’ll of course want to stay tuned into 9to5Toys on Twitter and Facebook this holiday. We’ll be continuing our coverage of Black Friday 2017 leading up to the one-day shopping extravaganza alongside the latest news, deals and more. Don’t forget to bookmark our Black Friday 2017 guide as well, which is packed with ad scans, noteworthy deals and more.
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It looks like it’s a season of upgrades and facelifts. Various car manufacturers as well as auto tuners have been very busy for the past couple of months giving a brand new oomph to current models. And Japanese automaker Suzuki is one of them.
Suzuki’s unique ‘C’ segment S-Cross SUV has helped increase its sales for the last four years that it has been in the market. And after years of becoming the face of the Japanese brand, it is now ready for a fresher and even better look.
On October 17th, the fresh new look of the S-Cross SUV will be revealed and along with it will be an even better set of engine options. The 2017 Suzuki S-Cross model will go on sale on October 17 with a starting price of £14,999 or $19,458.


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Franchisor finds way to beat gloom
Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced a 134% increase in net profit in spite of the recent economic turbulence which has hit consumer confidence.
The owner of the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchises saw growth stimulated by their purchases of Brumby’s and Michel’s and a record number of new store commissionings (61).
There is now a total of 1,052 franchised outlets under RFG’s four franchise systems comprising:
• 307 Donut King outlets (a net increase of 18 outlets on previous year)
• 329 Brumby’s Bakeries outlets (a net increase of 8 outlets on previous year)
• 348 Michel’s Patisserie outlets, (a net increase of 6 outlets on previous year), and
• 68 bb’s café outlets (a net decrease of 3 outlets on the previous year).
RFG Chairman John Cowley said the Company had exceeded management’s expectations during the past 12 months. “The Company has now fulfilled all aspects of the strategic growth plan outlined in RFG’s May 2006 Prospectus, delivering upon its commitment to shareholders and transforming itself into a genuine market leader within the retail food franchising industry,” he said. “Not only has the Company added two successful and highly recognized franchise systems to its portfolio in Brumby’s Bakeries and Michel’s Patisserie, it has continued to achieve consistent and sustainable growth in new outlet openings, outlet average weekly sales and outlet average transaction values.”
The financial year also saw an increased roll-out of product to Donut King outlets from the Central Manufacturing Facility and the entry into a Master License Agreement to enable the Donut King brand to enter the Chinese marketplace.
RFG CEO Tony Alford acknowledged that current economic conditions were not ideal but believes the company will be able to cope in spite of falling consumer confidence and spending. “Whilst no business is immune from present market conditions, RFG’s systems have historically traded well during retail and economic adversity. Our franchise systems are well positioned in terms of product and service delivery to absorb the many current external market pressures,” Mr Alford suggested.
A further 50 outlets across the RFG franchise systems are expected in the coming year.
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A young Australian entrepreneur has won retailer support for his innovative new beverage. Some of Au...
Non-for-profit’s OzHarvest and MobileMuster are teaming up to encourage Australians to recycle their...
OMG the rise and rise of whisky in Australia continues and the possibilities are seemingly endless.


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Harvest during a global pandemic
Writing for VinePair, Tina Caputo reflects on the current and upcoming challenges facing wineries preparing for this year’s harvest. Closed borders and social distancing measures have forced wineries to find new and innovative solutions to working in the vineyard. Caputo provides the example of Swiss wineries, who usually employ workers from multiple European countries to assist during the annual harvest. In light of restricted travel options due to Spain’s closed borders, Swiss agriculture association AgriGenève reached out to Swiss Air to organise a chartered flight to carry 141 Portugese workers to Geneva.
Wineries have also had to adapt production to Covid-19 conditions. Whilst most work in the vineyard can be adjusted to adhere to social distancing rules, this will be more difficult for the upcoming trellising given the increased number of laborers. As Caputo explains, “More than 50,000 laborers perform the task… and while most of this workforce is local, the sheer number of people working in the vineyards will make distancing difficult.”
The number of laborers needed will be even higher during the upcoming harvest. For example, Champagne requires around 120,000 seasonal workers and around 60% of this workforce usually comes from Eastern Europe. Alongside the challenges to securing the necessary labor, wineries must adapt the working environments and housing to new safety and sanitation requirements.
Caputo highlights how these obstacles will be harder to overcome for small, independent producers, commenting how, “For some, the question isn’t how to safely harvest or how to get enough workers, it’s whether to harvest at all.” Wineries will have to make quick decisions regarding this year’s harvest. The article ends with a quote from Bill Smart, vice president and general manager of Lambert Bridge Vineyards in Sonoma County, who aptly notes, “Grapes don’t wait to ripen because they are concerned about a pandemic.”
“Merlot as we know it is on the verge of extinction”
So warns Mélissa Godin in this article for Time. Discussing the effects of climate change on the flavour of French wines, she notes how “Merlot will be the first victim of climate change amongst grape varieties in [Bordeaux].” Bordeaux has never provided an ideal environment for grape growing and climate change has, and will, only increase the level of effort needed from winemakers.
Godin describes how the last few decades have seen the Bordeaux harvest start increasingly earlier in the year, “resulting in many French wines having higher alcohol levels than they used to.” Whilst this has been problematic in Bordeaux, other regions such as Champagne and Alsace have found benefits in the higher temperatures, with winemakers reporting “since 2017 that droughts have decreased the amount of mildew on their vines.” However, as temperatures continue to rise winemakers are conscious that these benefits will not be long-lasting.
In response, scientists are working on experimenting with different vines more resilient to a warmer climate to see if they can survive in the region. Despite a history of strict regulations on the use of grape varieties, in July 2019 French appellation authorities added seven new grapes to the short list of varieties allowed to be grown in France. The research is slow to progress, however, due to the slow growing cycles of vines.
Winemakers not only need to adapt to higher temperatures, but they are also faced with risks of erratic weather patterns. Godin highlights how “unusually hot weather” resulted in a 12% output decrease in French wine in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic places further economic pressures on French winemakers. Wineries have and will continue to be negatively impacted by lower sales and exports, cancelled wine events and shortages of seasonal workers. French winemakers must continue to find ways to adapt to the changing environment, but there is no doubt that “the taste of Bordeaux is going to change.” Read more here.
The future of the on-trade wine scene
Writing for Meininger’s, Robert Joseph contemplates the future of the on-trade wine scene. Joseph quotes Time Hayward, journalist and restaurateur, who commented, “Even usually optimistic industry voices are beginning to admit that perhaps three-quarters of current restaurant businesses in the UK won’t survive lockdown and subsequent social distancing.” Hayward notes how given the fact that many restaurants were already running on an unsustainable model prior to the pandemic, many of them will unfortunately have no choice but to close down.
In light of restaurant closures and less large-scale social events due to social distancing measures, Joseph outlines the clear challenges facing the on-trade wine industry. Both expensive and unfamiliar bottles will be impacted. Although “only 20% of consumption by volume takes place in the on-trade in most countries, the value of that segment is far higher.” Furthermore, sales of unfamiliar wines are largely reliant on handselling in restaurants. However, the problem is not isolated to top-end products. As Joseph explains, “Plenty of producers and distributors depend on the sale of inexpensive wine ordered in large volumes by cafes and bars.
So how should producers respond? Joseph offers two areas of focus: marketing and distribution. Whilst not novel advice, they are now more important than ever. To read more, click here.
The impact of climate change in the Mediterranean
One of the nine case studies in McKinsey Global Institute’s publication “Climate risk and response: Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts” focuses on the Mediterranean basin. In this case study the impacts of climate change, predominantly heat- and precipitation-related aspects, on Mediterranean economies and communities are explored. This article by McKinsey provides an overview of the findings.
According to the study, since the late 19th century the Mediterranean basin’s average temperature has increased by 1.4 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than the global average of 1.1 degrees. Temperatures are projected to continue rising and are expected to “raise hydrological variability, increasing the risk of drought, water stress, wildfires, and floods, and noticeably change the Mediterranean climate.”
Some key findings include:
- The “number of days with a maximum temperature above 37 degrees” are projected to “increase everywhere in the Mediterranean region” by 2050.
- Rainfall throughout April to September is projected to fall by up to 10% by 2030 and 20% by 2050 in Italy, Portugal, Spain and areas in Greece and Turkey. Drought conditions could “prevail for at least six months out of every year in these areas” by 2050.
- Water stress will increase throughout the Mediterannean a water supplies are projected to decline by 10% in 2050 and up to 25% by 2050.
- Larger areas – “up to double the current areas on the Iberian Peninsula” – will see increased risks of wildfires.
- Warmer temperatures will likely result in higher disease infection rates, with researchers already warning that “the West Nile virus is likely to spread by 2025 and to spread further by 2050.”
The case study also examines the likely impact of climate change on the region’s production of grapes and wine up to 2050. Traditional winemaking regions may see production fall as a result of water stress and higher temperatures. Vineyards will have to test new grape varieties as certain current ones, such as Merlot in Bordeaux, will not be able to survive in warmer climates. According to the study, “certain growing areas in Italy, Portugal, and Spain could experience large declines in production or even collapse.”
With many vineyards already taking action, the study discusses the measures that wine growers can take in order to adapt to the changing climate. These include, “cultivating grape varieties that ripen more slowly or require less water….harvesting earlier, reducing sunlight on grapes, irrigating vineyards…[and] planting different crops or moving to new locations, including higher altitudes and slopes other than the conventional south-facing ones.” Read more here.


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This is CNET and here are the stories that matter right now.
Epic Games escalated its fortnight legal battle with Apple over the weekend accusing the iPhone maker of posing an unfair threat to the game developer community.
The charge appearing in a filing submitted Sunday in a northern California federal court.
Sent us on Apple's threat to ban unreal engine code it offers to outside game developers to help them make apps of their own.
Apple has yet to respond to the Sunday filing but responded to the lawsuit itself on Friday by saying its actions are authorized by contracts and assertion that Epic disagrees with With
In other Apple news, it seems the concerns raised by WordPress last week aren't as bad as first thought, with Apple confirming that the website building giant doesn't have to include in app purchases in order to remain on the App Store.
Apple said in a statement on Saturday Since the developer removed the display of this service payment options from the app, it is now a free stand-alone app and does not have to offer in app purchases.
We've informed the developer and apologize for any confusion that we have caused.
This comes off to Apple had first taken issue at the WordPress app originally featuring a payment plan section, but not offering in app payments.
Thus violating AppStore rules all developers must follow.
And finally over the weekend, DC fan dome unveiled a whole host of brand new trailers for upcoming films and TV shows from the DC.
A universe from the HBO max trailer for Zack Snyder's Justice League cut to the reveal of Kristen week's Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984 to even a glimpse at Rock steadies upcoming video game Suicide Squad kill the Justice League.
Other notable trailers included a peek at Robert Pattinson, the Batman and a colossal character revealed trailer for James Gunn's upcoming film The Suicide Squad
Stay up to date with the latest by visiting CNET


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NADA Applauds House Appropriations Committee Passage of Legislation to Stop FTC’s Flawed “Vehicle Shopping Rule”
WASHINGTON (July 14, 2023)—The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) applauds the July 13 passage of the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill by the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Included in the bill is a provision, under Title V of the bill (Sec. 530), which would stop the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its proposed “Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule” (also known as the “Vehicle Shopping Rule”), which would complicate vehicle sales and harm consumers. Enactment of this provision does not affect the FTC’s ability to enforce existing law or prevent the FTC from proposing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the future.
“We greatly appreciate Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chair Steve Womack’s leadership and the Committee’s support in advancing this legislation by providing the FTC with the opportunity to revisit their ill-conceived ‘Vehicle Shopping Rule,’” said NADA President and CEO Mike Stanton.
The proposed “Vehicle Shopping Rule,” released in July 2022, would require an extensive series of unnecessary written and oral disclosures when communicating with consumers related to the vehicle sales price, certain credit terms, and voluntary protection products (VPPs).
The additional disclosures required under the proposed rule would overwhelm car buyers and small businesses with additional paperwork lengthening the car buying process, while costing businesses hundreds of millions of dollars.
A recent study by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) found that “[w]hile the FTC estimates the proposed rule will generate USD 29.7 billion in net consumer benefit over a ten-year period…, CAR’s analysis reveals that the proposed rule would actually cost consumers USD 38.1 billion over those same ten years.” CAR’s study also found that “an additional 2 hours would be required to successfully complete a typical transaction” under the FTC’s proposed rule.
“This flawed rule would not only upend the sales process for consumers and small businesses, the data the FTC relies upon to support its rule is either unverified, previously rebutted, anecdotal, or non-existent,” added Stanton. “We are encouraged that today’s Committee action will help ensure data-driven rulemaking that includes critical stakeholder input and consumer testing.”


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The solo travel market is growing, but the mainstream industry is not doing enough to cater for this sector, according to new research.
Mintel, which officially launched its 2018 Solo Traveller Report today (November 14) in association with solo specialist Just You, highlighted “large potential” for growth in the single traveller sector, particularly in escorted group tours.
The research showed 17% of adults took a holiday on their own in the last five years – a year-on-year rise of two percentage points. The majority of these, 15%, were ‘pure solo’ travellers, not travelling with a group.
The study found 60% of respondents said there is a “widespread belief” the travel industry does not cater well enough for solo travellers, 45% believe there is still a ‘stigma’ attached to travelling alone while 61% said it was “more of an adventure”.
The study said: “Solo travel can be promoted as a dynamic and rich alternative, offering unique opportunities for exploration and discovery. It is entering the mainstream but there is still a lingering feeling that holidaying alone carries a stigma, and a widespread belief that the travel industry does not cater for well solos.”
Mintel’s research found 52% of solo travellers were interested in taking an escorted tour, while price and security are the most important factors for solo travellers. As many as 85% of respondents said single supplements were an important issue, and 65% wanted 24-hour contact with a travel company.
John Worthington, Mintel’s senior travel analyst, said: “From our research, the top things that solo holidaymakers are looking for are rooms with no single supplement, advice on safe places to go and 24-hour contact with a travel company.”
He added: “In the groups market, escorted tours have the largest potential for expansion.”
Solo travel specialist Just You said the results reflected its own findings. Managing director Alistair Campbell said: “The Mintel research mirrors what we are seeing in our bookings and what are customers are saying to us. Just You already has in place what solo travellers are looking for; all our customers get their own room with no supplement to pay.”


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Sales of all vaping products other than those prescribed by doctors to help quit smoking should be halted to stem the surge in youth vaping, a leading tobacco control expert has said.
In an opinion piece published in the Sax Institute's peer-reviewed journal Public Health Research & Practice, associate professor Becky Freeman said predatory retailers of vaping products , Manufacturers and importers took advantage of loopholes in regulations to put illegal products on the market that appealed to young consumers.
In theory, Australia's regulatory model should effectively protect young people from vaping, as a doctor's prescription is now required to obtain nicotine-containing products, which are only used as a smoking cessation aid.
However, Freeman, an associate professor at the University of Sydney's School of Public Health and the Charles Perkins Centre, said in practice manufacturers continue to import and sell vaping products that contain nicotine, they just don't label them as containing nicotine or falsely claim they don't. nicotine.
“Distinguishing legal non-nicotine vaping products from illicit nicotine-containing devices requires laboratory testing, which hinders effective enforcement of regulations,” she wrote.
"Stopping the importation of all vaping products into Australia, regardless of nicotine content, unless shipped to a pharmacy, will simplify and improve enforcement and stop the flood of illicit products. It will also make vaping products less accessible to young people."
About a third of Australian teenagers aged 14-17 have used e-cigarettes, a recent survey found, and previous research has found harm from vaping, including poisoning, burns, addiction and lung damage.
Dr Freeman writes that Australia has fallen behind on tobacco control since the landmark plain packaging reform more than a decade ago. Understandably, the focus of public health action in recent years on the COVID-19 pandemic has stalled momentum in chronic disease prevention. Players in the tobacco, alcohol, gambling and fast food industries have been quick to take advantage of this lack of focus, she said.
She wrote: "The Australian government was caught flat-footed by an aggressive industry seeking to undermine decades of effective tobacco control.
But she also acknowledged the good news that after 10 years of minimal action, new measures and initiatives are being developed to reduce smoking, which remains the single most important preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia.
In November 2022, the federal government announced it would reignite the fight against smoking addiction with a series of new measures. Although these have not yet been tabled in the Australian Parliament, they are expected to include updated graphic warnings on tobacco products; protection against the use of flavors and additives such as menthol; Activities remain transparent.
The Health Secretary recently approved a new National Tobacco Strategy with ambitious targets to reduce smoking rates, while the Therapeutic Goods Administration recently launched a consultation on potential reforms to prevent children and young people from accessing vaping products .


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SweepSouth secures R50m in new funding
Online cleaning services platform says it has created 15,000 jobs
SweepSouth, which operates an online cleaning services platform, said on Monday it had raised more than R50m in its latest funding round.
SweepSouth, cofounded in 2014 by Aisha Pandor and Alen Ribic, is said to have created jobs for more than 15,000 people.
The platform connects clients to pre-vetted cleaners in SA. The company will use the funds for its expansion into markets.
“In addition to expanding the markets we operate in ... we are also looking forward to a formal announcement regarding our new platform, SweepSouth Connect, which offers services such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, locksmiths, carpet cleaners and nannies, as well as the growth of our online SweepSouth Shop which sells a range of home products,” said Pandor.
In June, Naspers’s R1.4bn start-up fund, Naspers Foundry, invested R30m in SweepSouth. This was the fund’s first investment since Naspers announced its creation in October 2018. SweepSouth said it has grown 26% since Naspers Foundry’s investment.
The Cape Town-based SweepSouth said existing investors Naspers Foundry, Smollan, Vumela, CRE VC, and musician Black Coffee had contributed to the latest round of funding, with the Micheal & Susan Dell Foundation investing $1m (R14.5m) in the company.
SweepSouth said it has expanded its business to seven cities including Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
According to Stats SA, about 1-million domestic workers are employed in the country.


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City's annual momo festival is back -- this time with over 100 variants of the round steamed South Asian delicacy.
From mayo to garlic chutney, and bhel chat to beetroot, the three day festival that began yesterday, has momos for everybody.
25 momo koisks have been set up to offer anything from momo burgers in creamy sauce to Italian momo pizzas.
"We will soon be taking it to other cities," says Shantanu Verma, founder of GoBuzzinga, which is organising the festival.
With Yudin- Darjeeling Steamers offering 'open momos', visitors can customise the dumplings with stuffing of their choice, along with four different sauces.
"We are trying to mould this dish from our native land into a healthier option," says Shivangi, the owner of the stall.
Poku, that draws its inspiration from Himachali cuisine while experimenting with European dishes at the same time, is serving soft dumplings coated with Italian white and red sauce.
Pradeep Kumar, co-founder of Poku says, such festivals help us promote our brand.
"During such festivals our joint grabs much more eyeballs and there is possibility of doing better business. We try experimenting with momos in every possible way to give our customers a unique experience," says Kumar.
From spicy lemon momos to sweet pan and shrimp and achaari momos, the festival has a good balance of steam, fried, tandoori, gravy, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
The festival is set to continue till July 16.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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Responding to what they see as customer demand for environmentally friendly products, American Express and U.S. Bank this week announced the introduction of payment cards that aim to help — or at least not hurt — the planet.
AmEx has partnered with retail property firm Macerich for the Give Green gift card, launched Oct. 28. According to a Macerich press release, every Give Green gift card purchase “benefits American Forests, the nation’s oldest nonprofit citizen conservation organization, which is dedicated to growing a healthier world through healthier forest ecosystems.” For each gift card purchased, Macerich will donate $0.70 of the $2.95 purchase fee to American Forests, with Macerich contributing at least $100,000 to the organization.
Meanwhile, U.S. Bank this month introduced a biodegradable PVC Voyager commercial fleet card. Fleet cards are used by corporations and other groups managing multiple vehicles. “The 99 percent PVC product biodegrades in nine months to five years in soil, water, compost, or wherever microorganisms are present,” says a U.S. Bank press release. Still, it won’t turn to dirt in your pocket, soiling your pants. “The product performs within all standard card parameters and has a standard shelf life,” U.S. Bank says.
Demand for green
The Give Green gift card seems to be the result of female demands: The press release cites the 82 percent of women in the United States who indicate they “feel better about purchases that benefit a worthwhile environmental cause” as the rationale behind the product.
Targeting women could be a wise decision: A recent survey conducted by consumer research firms National Research Network and The Hartman Group Inc. shows “significantly more” women than men like to both give (73 percent vs. 58 percent) and receive (85 percent vs. 71 percent) gift cards. Combine that with the desire to go green, and it seems like the product is a no-brainer. “Our shoppers want to be able to make choices that benefit the environment, and our new ecofriendly gift card gives them a simple way to give a meaningful gift and also feel good about their purchase,” Tina McCuddin, vice president of gift card product development and marketing for Macerich, says in the release.
U.S. Bank also sees its biodegradable fleet card fulfilling a customer need. “Our clients are increasingly concerned about selecting products and services that have less impact on the environment,” Michael Oleniczek, senior vice president of U.S. Bank Voyager, says in the press release. “We expect these cards to be extremely popular.”
Ready to go green? Poll shows otherwise
However, data shows consumers may not be all that interested in going green. According to a CreditCards.com poll conducted in April 2008, 53 percent of cardholders said they would not swap their existing plastic card for a card made from recycled or biodegradable material, even if that green card had the identitical terms and conditions as their current card. Additionally, 18 percent said they were not very likely to change to a card made of recycled or biodegradable material, with 35 percent saying they were not likely at all to make the change to a more environmentally friendly card.


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Autonomous Cyber AI, bias mitigation, RPA, and international trade key themes at AI Expo Africa 2021 ONLINE
Autonomous Cyber AI, algorithmic auditing and bias mitigation solutions are some of the technologies that will take centre stage at AI Expo Africa 2021 ONLINE as more international sponsors sign-up to exhibit their products and services at the continent’s largest annual gathering of buyers and suppliers of AI, RPA and 4IR smart technologies.
Event organiser AI Media Group expects over 5 000 delegates will attend the virtual trade event which takes place 7th to 9th September. Dr Nick Bradshaw, AI Media Group CEO and AI Expo Africa founder commented, “Both delegate sign ups and exhibiter demand has seen early uptake this year. We already have in excess of 4500+ delegate registrations and we are pleased to announce the first of our virtual international trade missions with the signing of The Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa who return for the 2021 edition hosting their stunning Country ePavilion showcasing cutting edge 4IR tech companies from Switzerland.”
Head of Show Production Daniel Mpala pointed out that there is a breadth of technologies and solutions being exhibited at this year’s show. “For example, we have KOSA AI, a Kenya-based startup that’ll showcase the world’s first automated algorithmic auditing and AI bias mitigation solution. Given that AI bias is such a topical issue in the AI community, it’s encouraging to have such companies exhibit at the show. Companies that are interested in these and other 4IR solutions should take advantage of the dedicated showcase day on the 7th of September to explore these products and service,” he added.
Andrew Tsonchev, Director of Technology at Darktrace UK who are joining as Platinum exhibitors stated: “Against the backdrop of a global shift in the way that companies operate, demand for Autonomous Cyber AI solutions has soared. As world leaders in Autonomous Cyber AI, we look forward to showcasing the Darktrace Immune System at AI Expo Africa 2021. Our AI innovations protect the workforce and data of over 4,700 organisations globally from sophisticated attackers, by detecting, investigating and responding to cyber-threats in real-time — wherever they strike.”
Alet Opperman, Sales and Marketing Manager at 1ai — part of the TreasuryONE Group of companies — stated, “As the region’s leading RPA solutions company we help clients unlock financial and operational value through the automating of business processes. Our team of certified automation consultants deploy cutting edge Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions allied to many years of domain knowledge in this region. Our RPA software partner is Automation Anywhere, Ranked no. 1 in the 2020 HFS Research survey of the top 10 RPA software providers. Automation Anywhere is the only RPA vendor with a Local cloud instance based out of AWS in Cape Town. Together we offer an end-to-end solution for any company embarking on a new process automation journey.
Daniel Schneider, Head of Swiss Business Hub Southern Africa stated, “We are very excited to be taking part in AI Expo Africa 2021 for the second year in a row, our virtual trade mission and ePavilion will be a great way for African companies, partners and start-ups to engage with Swiss 4IR tech companies and learn more about our programmes to strengthen trade and innovation between Africa and Switzerland. Switzerland Global Enterprise, the Science Technology and Innovation office, as well as the Embassy of Switzerland look forward to welcoming delegates in September.”
Other early sponsors that have signed up for AI Expo Africa 2021 ONLINE include US-based Accubits company Future Tech, Czech-based IBA Group, UK-based Elzware, as well as South African firms Aizatron, COGO People Analytics, CompariSure, ecosystem.Ai, WizzPass, and Amathuba AI.
AI Expo Africa 2021 ONLINE delegates can expect to hear from 80 thought leaders in AI, Data Science and Robotic Process Automation on the 8th and 9th of September. In addition, delegates will this year be treated to unique online experiences that will form part of the social programme. Like last year, the 2021 edition will also include a 30-day OnDemand Show archive which will be accessible from the 10th of September.
About AI Media Group
AI Media Group is the organiser and curator of AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest B2B/B2G trade-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Data Science business conference. With a community of over 4000 members, it is the largest trade body of its kind in the region. AI Media Group are also the publishers of Synapse, Africa’s first quarterly trade magazine showcasing Africa’s AI and Data Science innovation and case studies. The group also runs the AI TV YouTube channel which hosts discussions on trends in 4IR technologies with local, regional and global thought leaders.


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The Microsoft iLoo, 2003
On 30 April 2003, MSN UK, a division of Microsoft, issued a press release announcing the imminent introduction of the iLoo, the world’s first internet-enabled port-a-potty. The introduction of this product was described as part of Microsoft's effort to allow people to log on "anytime, any place, and anywhere."
The iLoo, the press release promised, would include a wireless keyboard, a height-adjustable flat plasma screen, a six-channel surround-sound speaker system installed under the sink, broadband internet access, toilet paper conveniently printed with url suggestions, and (last but not least) a toilet outfitted with vacuum suction to guarantee maximum hygiene.
The press release continued:
A graphic was also released to the media illustrating the iLoo's features.
The announcement received widespread attention, including coverage the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and the Associated Press.
Reporters pestered Microsoft with questions about the iLoo. For instance, wouldn’t the queue for it be miles long? Were beer-soaked, sweaty music festivals really the ideal place to introduce it? And what about keeping it clean? What kind of fluids might get on the keyboard?
Microsoft representatives explained that a security guard would be posted outside the toilet, and a cleaner would swoop in between uses to keep it spotless.
Nevertheless, reporters kept asking questions with increasing concern, until, almost two weeks after the announcement, Microsoft abruptly admitted the entire thing had been a joke. There was no iLoo, the company said. It was just a flight of fancy. Nouri Bernard Hasan, a Microsoft spokesman in the United States, described the iLoo as "an April Fools' joke," despite the fact that it had been announced a month after April 1.
Microsoft's confession that the iLoo was a hoax was considered unusual, since Microsoft had never before issued a fake press release. Not even on April Fool’s Day. But the next day the software maker fueled further controversy by changing its mind and issuing a follow-up press release stating that the iLoo actually was not a hoax. MSN UK now claimed the project had been under serious development, but that "corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington, looked at it and decided maybe this wasn't a good idea."
Lisa Gurry, MSN group product manager, explained that, "We jumped the gun basically in confirming that it was a hoax and, in fact, it was not. Definitely, we're going to be taking a good look at our communication processes internally."
This reversal inspired numerous tongue-in-cheek headlines such as: "Microsoft dumps internet toilet idea - again" (Mercury News); "MS flushes out iLoo rumours" (the Statesman, India); "Software titan poo-poos iLoo" (New York Post); and "Microsoft admits iLoo was a load of crap" (Independent Online, South Africa).
Microsoft's follow-up press release left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the iLoo. Had Microsoft actually been developing this product, as they said, or did the company simply claim the product was real because it did not want to appear to have hoaxed the media? Microsoft never provided further clarification. It has stood by its final statement that the iLoo was a real, but never completed, project. It does not response to queries about the iLoo.
Andrew Cubitt's i-loo
Andrew Cubitt alleged that Microsoft might have stolen the idea for the iLoo from a product he developed in 2001 as part of a university degree in product design and engineering at Brunel University. Cubitt called his product the i-Loo internet toilet roll browser. Cubitt had displayed his i-Loo at the Ideal Home Show's Future Concepts gallery.
Andrew Cubitt's i-loo
Andrew Cubitt's i-loo
Cubitt's i-Loo was described as: "a novel and unique product designed to make best use of the time you spend on the loo! The product allows you to search the internet whilst sitting on the toilet and print out any web pages you are interested in on your toilet paper. i-Loo brings a whole new meaning to the word downloading. The unit is fixed in front of a toilet on the cubical wall. The product provides up to date information about new products, daily news and lottery results through an easy to navigate software package. Normal operation of the toilet and paper dispenser is evident."
After Microsoft debuted their iLoo, Cubitt told the Inquirer: "Mine did everything that the Microsoft one is meant to do, but additionally printed information on toilet paper and didn't use a keyboard for the interface due to hygiene reasons."
Microsoft did not address Cubitt's claims.
The iLoo inspired a number of spoofs. For instance, the website Scrappleface issued a faux news story alleging that the first "iLoo blogger" was suffering from performance pressure:
The Specious Report later issued a spoof press release alleging that Apple planned to introduce the "P4 laptop" to compete with the Microsoft iLoo. The product was supposedly designed to appeal to people who "think outside the can."
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Starting in April, a little-known generic drug company in Philadelphia suddenly raised the price of fluphenazine, a medication used to treat symptoms of certain types of schizophrenia, by 1,650% over a three-month period. The evidence: Prescription tracking firm IMS Health discloses the number of times a medicine is prescribed and the medicine’s gross sales. IMS tracked 32,072 prescriptions of fluphenazine in in the first three months of 2016, generating $358,000 and yielding a net price of $11.17. Between April and June, there were 37,320 prescriptions at a net price of $195.53, generating $7.3 million in sales over the three-month period.
Lannett did this right as Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Martin Shkreli were turned into political targets for drug price increases over the last year. But Lannett has in recent years been aggressive when it comes to raising prices on some of its generic drugs. Around the same time Lannett was boosting fluphenazine prices in the spring, it also increased prices of clindamycin, an antibiotic, and terbutaline, an asthma treatment, by 286% and 47%, respectively.
With fluphenazine, however, Lannett was in a unique situation. The drug was largely being sold by three companies in the U.S., but recently one of those companies dropped out of the market. In addition to continuing to raise the price of fluphenazine in the summer, Lannett also increased the number of prescriptions it sold, IMS data shows, making fluphenazine Lannett’s second-biggest selling drug in August, the latest month for which IMS data is available.
For decades, Lannett was a sleepy generic drug company that only a few years ago, in its fiscal year 2012, had net profits of $3.9 million on annual revenues of $123 million. But starting in 2013, the company changed direction under the leadership of its chief executive officer, Arthur Bedrosian, and increased prices on three key drugs, helping to push profits to $150 million on revenues of $407 million in its fiscal year 2015. The company explained in its regulatory filings that the increase in its gross profits “was mainly attributable to product price increases.” Investors discovered Lannett’s stock and drove it from $5 at the start of 2013 to a high of $71.15 last year and a market capitalization of $2.5 billion. Fortune called Lannett, a company founded in 1942, the fastest growing company in America last year. Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in August that Lannett had “experienced strong revenue and earnings growth over the last few years, which was driven in large part by strategic price increases.”
Bedrosian, 70, has not been shy about discussing the price increases with investors. Traditionally, cheaply produced generic drugs face competition and counteract soaring drug prices. But sometimes, like when competitors abandon a market, companies can be in a position to raise generic drug prices substantially. “We’ve been aggressive with regards to pricing our products. We certainly look at opportunities there,” Bedrosian told Wall Street analysts in August. “Sometimes you have no choice, but to raise the price or discontinuing a product, if you’re not going to make money on it.”
Bedrosian became Lannett’s president in 2002 and CEO in 2006. In a letter he wrote to Forbes, Bedrosian said, “Lannett’s drug prices are established by a number of different factors (including increased regulation over the last few years) and are managed by Lannett’s sales and production departments, not by me.” The letter was written on Bedrosian’s personalized letterhead that refers to him as Aruthur Bedrosian, JD, due to a Juris Doctorate he received from Newport University in California, which is not listed as an accredited institution by accrediting agencies and state approval agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
In July 2013, Bedrosian received a penalty from the Internal Revenue Service for willfully failing to timely report overseas bank accounts at Swiss Bank UBS. The federal government says in a February legal filing that Bedrosian owes the U.S. $1 million. Bedrosian sued the federal government for illegal exaction and says in a legal filing that he acted appropriately at all times. In his letter, Bedrosian said the IRS penalty “was unlawful in that I had relied on the advice of a professional accountant in determining how to report certain income and that I had relied upon the advice of an IRS revenue agent in determining how to proceed regarding the IRS’s inquiry.”
In a separate statement, Lannett said a variety of market factors affect the prices charged by generic drug manufacturers, including increased raw materials costs, manufacturers entering or exiting the market for certain drugs, and new fees and regulations imposed in recent years by the federal government that have increased product costs greatly, particularly for American companies like Lannett. Lannett said generic drugs play a central role in lowering overall healthcare costs and that its prices are extremely affordable compared to brand name drugs, with many of its drugs priced for pennies per pill. At certain dosages, for example, clindamycin recently was priced at 17 cents per pill.
“Lannett’s drug pricing strategy is consistent with industry norms,” Lannett said. “Manufacturers like Lannett do not sell directly to consumers and do not set the prices that are ultimately paid by consumers; they are only one player in the supply chain for generic drugs. Before a patient purchases a prescription medication, drug distributors, wholesalers, insurance companies, and pharmacies impose markups that increase the price that the end consumers ultimately pays.”
Lannett’s aggressive pricing strategy first centered largely around three popular drugs covered by Medicare—digoxin, ursodiol, and levothyroxine. At one of four offered dosages, the average manufacturer price for Lannett’s digoxin, a lifesaving treatment used for congestive heart failure, rose by 857% to 50 cents per pill from April 2013 to April 2015, according to Lannett’s AMP pricing list. By September 2014, Lannett had received a subpoena from Connecticut’s attorney general about the company’s pricing practices for digoxin. The company maintains that it acted in compliance with all applicable laws and is cooperating with the investigation. Starting around April 2013, Lannett increased the price of levothyroxine, a widely used thyroid medicine, by 158% in two years to 14 cents per pill. Between December 2013 and October 2014, Lannett boosted the price of a generic drug for gallstones, ursodiol, by 700% to $286 per prescription, IMS Health data shows. Ursodiol recently cost $2.29 per pill.
Product price increases contributed $157.3 million of revenue in Lannett’s fiscal 2015, an SEC filing says. Levothyroxine and ursodiol accounted for half of Lannett’s revenue in its fiscal 2015, according to research from Deutsche Bank. Shares of the company soared as a result in 2015. But since then some of Lannett’s price increases have started to stabilize and reverse. Digoxin has in particularly faced increased competition and its price has decreased. At the same time, Lannett conducted a transformative deal in November 2015 to buy Kremers Urban Pharmaceuticals for $1.2 billion, financed mostly with debt.
Given the company’s size, Lannett has a fairly large generic product pipeline, with the FDA reviewing 31 generic applications. Last month, Lannett said the Food and Drug Administration had approved its abbreviated new drug application for an opioid addiction treatment. But its previous big drug price increases have started to fade or slow, and the Kremers acquisition has been hit by setbacks stemming from the loss of a major customer. Lannett’s stock price has been cut by more than half since its 2015 high—although the shares are still up 400% since the start of 2013 and the company is valued at $1 billion.
Wall Street has worried that Lannett’s drug price increases could make Lannett a political target. “It’s hard to determine what level of price increase will cause a media outcry and patient firestorm,” analysts at Oppenheimer wrote this year, referring to the drug of Martin Shkreli’s company. “Daraprim had a 5,000% price increase vs the +1,900 increase seen on fluphenazine. However Daraprim’s absolute dollar price per pill went to ~$750 for a necessary drug in HIV, whereas we believe fluphenazine’s price is still below $10/pill.”
With the stock falling, revenues hit by $45 million in drug price decreases in fiscal 2016, and the Kremers acquisition disappointing Wall Street, Lannett’s prices for fluphanzine, terbutaline and clindamycin started to increase. Lannett claims it did not adjust prices because of the Kremers deal, claiming “that acquisition has been a success,” and adding that while relations with one Kremers customer was briefly suspended, Lannett has “reestablished that relationship.” Also in recent months, Michael Bogda, Lannett’s president, resigned. Bedrosian had been grooming Bogda as his successor, saying last year that “as part of the succession planning, he’ll be able to takeover my role as chief executive officer.” In August, Lannett surprised Wall Street with earnings that handily beat expectations. Lannett’s stock is up 60% since hitting its 2016 lows in March.


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Domain registrars are often hosting typo domains, and GoDaddy is one of them. In this case reported by Ananova, a news blog, GoDaddy was a bad daddy for the domain owners that were hoping to profit from mis-keyed direct navigation of a big brand, where the landing pages had money-making ads on them. Here’s more
Thomson Reuters issued a dire warning re GTLD’s and Threat of Cybersquatters. The 60,000 employee company is warning brand owners to start monitoring their brands now, before the impact of all the new GTLD’s is upon us. The Internet namespace is about to increase and the opportunity for squatting on brand names...


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German material-handling supplier KION Group AG said yesterday it will acquire a minority ownership stake in Chinese manufacturer EP Equipment Co. Ltd. as part of Kion's strategy to expand its presence, in China and worldwide, in the light-duty or "entry level" warehouse equipment segment.
The Chinese industrial truck market expanded by 40 percent in the first nine months of 2017, according to Kion. Warehouse trucks were a major factor in this growth, with the entry-level version playing a particularly important role, driven by increased demand for greater mechanization and equipment upgrades, Kion said.
In a 2016 survey, the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) ranked China third among global markets with the greatest potential for lift truck growth over the next three years, behind India and Mexico. In 2015, China ranked seventh.
The EP partnership will "allow us to extend our product offering to a much wider range of customers," said KION Group CEO Gordon Riske at a ceremony marking the signing of the agreement.
Kion is no stranger to China. In 1993 it became one of the first German companies to make direct investments in China when the Linde Group, whose material handling business was re-branded in 2006 as Kion Group, established production, sales and service, and research and development activities in Xiamen. In 2009, Kion acquired Baoli Forklift Co. to penetrate the Chinese economy lift truck segment. The "economy market" includes lift trucks that are more basic workhorse types, with a limited number of features and technology, and priced well below premium or mid-level equipment. They are often referred to as utility, standard, or value trucks. Much of the growth in that "value priced" market seems to be overseas.
Kion currently has about 4,000 employees in China, and touts itself as the largest non-Chinese company in the lift truck market.
EP Equipment was founded in 1999 by He Jinhui, who remains its chairman. The company employs more than 1,000 people around the world and is prominent in the Chinese and U.S. markets. In 2017, EP Equipment shipped more than 50,000 units, a record for the company.
Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close during the year, were not disclosed.


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Hero MotoCorp and Tiger Global-backed electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy on Sunday said that it has signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a manufacturing facility at Hosur.
The facility, to come up at a 400,000 sq ft area, will house electric two-wheelers manufacturing and also Ather’s lithium-ion battery, which is considered to be a key area of focus for the company.
Though the company did not disclose the investments, sources in the know said that Ather will be making over Rs 600 crore into this TN facility. A few months ago, Ather had said that it will make an investment of $100 million into the new facility as its Bengaluru plant nearing saturation. The investment is an opportunity for value creation in the sector and will create job opportunities for the region. More than 4,000 employees will be trained in requisite skills in the EV sector as a part of this initiative over the next 5 years.
The decision to invest in Tamil Nadu stems from the fact that the state government came out with an electric vehicle policy recently which offers huge incentives. Ather Energy has already announced its plans to expand to 30 cities in the next few years and this MoU will help scale up production plans for the same. This MoU comes on the heels of a big push for electric two-wheelers by state & central governments with an updated FAME policy II, GST reduction, and benefits for taxpayers on loans for electric two-wheeler purchase, the company said.
It may be recalled that Ather Energy opened its pre-orders in July 2019 for Chennai and pre-orders till December are full. The third batch of Ather 450s are now available with deliveries expected in February-March 2020. The company has been offering test rides at their experience centre, Ather Space in Chennai.
Ather has also been investing in setting up fast-charging infrastructure in Bengaluru & Chennai. Currently, Chennai has ten fast charging points. Ather is gearing up to launch in Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi and Mumbai in the coming year.
Tarun Mehta, CEO, Ather Energy, said: “We are rapidly scaling up and we need to expand our production capacity to meet the growing demand. The new unit will help us meet the demand for the next few years across the country.”
Tamil Nadu has been a hub for automobile manufacturing, and they have been working closely with us in their effort to build an EV ecosystem.”
“A manufacturing facility at Hosur was an ideal choice considering that, it is close to our R&D facilities in Bengaluru and most of the existing and potential future supply base is operating in the region. The availability of a built-up option of our desired scale and proximity helped in the decision making,” he added.
The Ather 450 is designed for city riding conditions, with a top speed of 80 km/hr, a range of 75 km and one of the quickest accelerations of 3.9 seconds from 0-40 km/hr in the scooter category. Also, for the first time in the category, Ather 450 comes with parking assist, which allows riders to reverse into tight parking spots. The key differentiator of the Ather 450 is its intelligent features, seamless charging and ownership experience.
The Ather 450 has a 7” touchscreen dashboard that allows onboard navigation with options of alternative routes and saved locations. It comes with the Ather app that enables push navigation from the phone to the vehicle dashboard, remote monitoring of the vehicle’s health and charge status. Finally, with the over-the-air (OTA) updates functionality, the vehicle can improve over time with continuous upgrades in addition to new features and functionalities.


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The leisure aspects of a shopping trip is a significant driver in where consumers chose to shop, according to a wide ranging survey.
Researchers at Southampton University found:
- There has been a modest resurgence in specialist retailers such as artisanal bakers, butchers and tea and coffee merchants in high streets.
- Retailers are exploiting opportunities created by on-line shopping - particularly with the rise in click and collect buying. Within five years, seven out of ten on-line shoppers will prefer to collect goods themselves rather than risk missing a delivery at home.
- The leisure aspect of shopping trips is a significant driver of footfall and that high streets that include a good range of cafes, bars, restaurants not only increase the dwell time but the average spent during trips to town.
More top news
The business group is warning Theresa May she is running out of time to make progress on a Brexit deal.
The attacks came as Erdogan promised to expand Turkey's border operations against a US-backed Kurdish group in the fight against IS.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards will manage responses to large scale product recalls and identify risks to consumers.


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On Friday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. President Barack Obama announced a goal of 54.5 miles per gallon by the year 2025 as the next phase to increase fuel efficiency in cars and light-duty trucks in the United States.
Joining the President on stage were numerous guests from various levels the automotive industry including CEOs from GM, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover North America, Volvo, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda, as well as United Auto Workers President Bob King. In addition, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson as well as various members of Congress were present. There were also numerous hybrid and electric vehicles on display.
President Obama remarked to the 250 people in attendance that for a long term solution to the nation’s energy needs, “We’re going to need to build on the progress that I’ve seen in your factories, where workers are producing hybrid cars and more fuel-efficient engines and advanced electric vehicles. We need to tap into this reservoir of innovation and enterprise.”
“The companies here today have endorsed our plan to continue increasing the mileage on their cars and trucks over the next 15 years. We’ve set an aggressive target, and the companies here are stepping up to the plate,” the President stated. He continued, “By 2025, the average fuel economy of their vehicles will nearly double to almost 55 miles per gallon.”
According to the White House this program with a planned phase-in to start 2017, will save consumers a total of $1.7 trillion, or an average of $8,000 per vehicle by the year 2025.
In order to achieve its goals, this program uses the following incentives for the auto manufacturers rather than legislation:
- Incentives for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cells vehicles;
- Incentives for advanced technology packages for large pickups, such as hybridization and other performance-based strategies;
- Credits for technologies with potential to achieve real-world CO2 reductions and fuel economy improvements that are not captured by the standards test procedures.
In addition, the EPA will offer the following provisions:
- Credits for improvements in air conditioning (A/C) systems, both for efficiency improvements and for use of alternative, lower global warming potential refrigerant;
- Treatment of compressed natural gas (CNG);
- Continued credit banking and trading, including a one-time carry-forward of unused MY 2010-2016 credits through MY 2021.
Concerning this program, LaHood stated “These standards will help spur economic growth, protect the environment, and strengthen our national security by reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.” He continued, “Working together, we are setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles.”
Meanwhile, EPA Administrator Jackson remarked, “This is another important step toward saving money for drivers, breaking our dependence on imported oil and cleaning up the air we breathe. American consumers are calling for cleaner cars that won’t pollute their air or break their budgets at the gas pump, and our innovative American automakers are responding with plans for some of the most fuel efficient vehicles in our history.”


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Hillier Garden Centres has announced four additions to its nurseries for 2023, some of which will be exclusive to Hillier Garden Centres.
This year’s selection is a mixture of flowering and foliage plants suitable for garden beds and planters and includes the Erysimum ‘Colour Vibe’ collection, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Exceptional’, Cordyline ‘Magic Star’, and Dicentra ‘Amore Titanium’.
All four plants will launch at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, taking place from 28 – 30 April at Beaulieu, Hampshire. They will be incorporated into the Hillier Experience garden feature and visitors will be able to purchase them from a retail area situated alongside the garden.
Charles Carr, head of wholesale nurseries at Hillier, which is headline partner of the event, comments: “We are thrilled to be launching our new range of plants this spring. We’ve been developing these for a long time – there are some really unique plants in our 2023 line-up and I can’t wait for people to see them.
“There is a wonderful mix of flowering and foliage plants, perfect for adding colour and texture to a whole host of gardens this spring. We will officially be launching these new plants at the BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair in April, where they will feature in the Secret Garden inspired garden that Hillier is creating at the fair.”


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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Memorial Day travel is expected to increase this year, thanks to healthier economic conditions, according to a report released Thursday by motorist group AAA.
A total of 32.1 million American are planning to travel, a 5.4% increase from last year. They'll spend an average of $809 on their holiday trip, 1.1% less than last year.
"While the economy continues to be rocked by waves of occasional uncertainty, improved economic performance from one year ago should cause more Americans to take vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend," Glen MacDonell, director of AAA travel services, said in a prepared statement.
AAA travel agents have been reporting double-digit spikes in the percentage of travelers making advanced bookings for tours, cruises and hotels, he added.
The report said 87% of travelers will be driving to their holiday destinations, a 5.8% jump from last year -- thanks in part to gas prices that AA expects to stay under $3 per gallon, on average.
While airfares are unchanged from a year ago, air travel is expected to rise 2.4% to 2.14 million. Another 2 million Americans will travel by rail, buses or watercraft.
Nestle is investing in developing a new milk allergy test for babies with the French biopharmaceutical firm, DBV Technologies. More
In 1998, Ntsiki Biyela won a scholarship to study wine making. Now she's about to launch her own brand. More
The gender pay gap in the labor market is pretty well documented. But the gender gap also exists in the housing market. More


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Lifesmart is launching new space cooling and air cleaning products at the National Hardware Show.
The company said it has partnered with Culer, Inc., on a new line of space coolers to complement Lifesmart’s core business in space heaters. The coolers are infused with Culer technology to provide portable cooling power both indoors and outdoors.
The space coolers, said Lifesmart, will roll out via the company’s website, as well as with TV shopping retail partners in the summer of 2015. The company then plans to launch the space coolers in leading retail stores in the spring of 2016.
For its new air purification appliances, Lifesmart has partnered with Austin Air, which will manufacture an exclusive Lifesmart unit.
“We are really looking forward to the Hardware Show where we intend to extend the brand with these new products and additions to our current infrared sauna line,” said Mike Dolder, president of Lifesmart.


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Last weekend several websites reported that an ironic incident in which a hacker hacked into systems of another hacker(s) and tried to extort ransom. The incident was noticed when an unknown hacker posted a Pastebin dump exposing redacted details of hackers behind an underground hacking forum basetools[.]ws. This forum is used by hackers as a marketplace for trading stolen credit card information, profile data, and spamming tools. The forum website claims to have 150,000 users and 20,000 hacking tools. The hacker who compromised the systems of forums shared snapshots of admin panel for the forum and also disclosed the details of tools offered on the forum, login credentials of SSH shells, backdoors, and spambots hosted on compromised websites etc. Interestingly, hacker kept a ransom note on Pastebin post demanding a ransom of $50,000 to prevent him from sharing the forum admin details with law agencies. It seemed that the hacked was had some personal resentment as he/she disclosed that that the admin manipulates stats on the forum by creating a user with handle RedHat. This user is mostly listed as top user in the forum’s list.
- Weekly Summary (2017 Week-43)
- SIM hijacking campaign against T-Mobile customers


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AUSTRALIA’S first Eco Fashion Week will be held in the Swan Valley from |November 19 to 26.
It has been organised by eco-designer Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, from Brigadoon, who founded the international label Green Embassy.
She has invited like-minded designers from around the world to join the event.
“We are so excited that Houghton Wines has offered to be the sponsor of this in the Swan Valley for the Perth Fashion Scene,” Ms Kuvan-Mills said .
“We will be offering tickets to the event at $50 per seat so it will be affordable for people who follow fashion in Perth to attend the opening night and subsequent events.”
Ms Kuvan-Mills said her work was sustainably produced and in keeping with the progressive Swan Valley approach to food and wine. Its label as Australia’s first |humane food region was the perfect fit for the fashion event.
Humane food regions offer foods which are produced with an animal welfare-friendly approach as defined by the RSPCA.
Former Swan Mayor Charlie Zannino, who launched the first humane food region, said “put simply, it means animals have a better quality of life and are |respected as living, feeling creatures”.
The week-long fashion extravaganza will offer runway events, workshops in making accessories, pop-up shops in the gallery, and Swan Valley food and Houghton Wines.
Ms Kuvan-Mills produces her garments from merino, alpaca and silk with this in mind.
The collection she is working on uses recycled fishing nets.
Ms Kuvan-Mills believes sustainable fashion and food is the way of the future.
She previously worked in the UK as a veterinarian and said animal welfare was an important priority for her.
“I came to fashion designing via a circuitous route and the idea is to put the Swan Valley on the map for humane food and wine as well as fashion. In 10 years I can see this being a big event,” she said.
Local artisans and artists are also invited to display their work at the event in |November. Canadian TV has already expressed an interest in covering the event and British photographer Simon Armstrong has confirmed his attendance.
Ms Kuvan-Mills said she hoped the City of Swan would support the event.
“International eco-designers are already booking flights for this event so I am excited we have secured the venue,” she said.
Anyone interested in being part of the event can email perthecofashion week.com.au, or call 040 747 9520.