text:
FDA Issues Nationwide
Warning to Consumers About Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Hot Dog Chili
Sauce Marketed Under a Variety of Brand Names
Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. If the ¡°best by¡± date is missing or unreadable consumers should throw the product out.
Two children in Texas and an Indiana couple who ate these products became seriously ill and have been hospitalized.
Symptoms of botulism poisoning can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc. Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.
Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten Castleberry¡¯s Hot Dog Chili Sauce, Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce should seek immediate medical attention.
All of the above products are manufactured by the Castleberry Food Company in Augusta, Georgia.
Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states¡¯ active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products¡¯ distribution.
Castleberry is also voluntarily recalling a numbr of products that are not under FDA¡¯s regulatory authority. For a list of these products, visit: www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp.
FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available. Consumers can call the FDA at 1-888-723-3366.
Castleberry recommends consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry¡¯s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry¡¯s consumer hotline at 1-888-203-8446.
chili sauce plant in botulism scandal had prior problem
expands food recall on botulism fear
The fund is working with the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which has issued a health hazard alert
described by Connors Bros. as a "precautionary move."
in the Food Supply
Wednesday, Jul. 18, 2007 By GILBERT CRUZ/WASHINGTON
Source of Article: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1644705,00.html
In the wake of a series of scares involving E.coli-laden spinach, poisoned pet food and salmonella-tainted peanut butter and snack puffs, it seemed safe to assume that the nation's food supply wasn't particularly well-safeguarded. On Tuesday, Congress made it clear just how vulnerable it is, in a House investigative hearing that identified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as underfunded, understaffed, and unprepared to ensure the safety of foreign food imports into the United States.
"Preliminary findings confirm...that the FDA has failed to adequately respond to increased imports of foreign food products," said Energy and Commerce Committee Senior Investigator David Nelson in his testimony before a House subcommittee. "Recent accounts of tainted imports from China provide additional evidence, simply stated, that FDA lacks sufficient resources and authority to ensure food safety and that legislation will be needed to correct these deficiencies."
The shortcomings listed were legion. Despite a marked uptick in imported food, the amount actually inspected by the FDA has fallen precipitously, said Rep. Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat and chair of the oversight and investigations subcommittee. "While FDA inspects less than one percent of all imported foods, only a small fraction of that is actually tested for contaminants," said Stupak. Furthermore, food that is suspected of contamination is typically tested by private labs that the FDA has no jurisdiction over and which importers have learned to manipulate. There are also not enough staff members to give shipments more than a cursory look. In the San Francisco office, for example, four reviewers are overwhelmed to the point that they can typically devote only 30 seconds or less to each individual shipment. With the FDA allowing imports to come in at over 300 ports of entry, it would be impossible to have staff at each facility, said the panel, leaving great potential for shady importers to take advantage. "They know what ports to go into, they know where the FDA does not have an inspector or a lab, and they know what private labs they can go to for testing," said Kevin Barstow, investigative counsel for the committee.
Some attempted to draw a link between the FDA's deficiencies and the potential for domestic terrorism. "Who needs al-Qaeda when you have E.coli," quipped Democratic Rep. Jay Inslee, of Washington. Others were more specific. "The wheat gluten incident (in which imported pet food was discovered with poisoned wheat flour) drew a road map for anyone who wanted to attack us maliciously," said Nelson. He feared that the large holes in inspection coverage that would leave the country open to sabotage, saying, "They just have to find the [products] that are not being reviewed at all." William Hubbard, former associate FDA commissioner, called the agency's woes, "a perfect storm?a scenario in which the United States is flooded with an enormous volume of food from abroad, where the risks to food are greater than ever before at a time in which the FDA's ability to protect our food supply is growing ever weaker."
After several hours of hearing lobs thrown at his agency, Commissioner von Eschanbach got the chance to respond, though he was short on specifics and long on general pronouncements about the need for the FDA to start using "21st century science." It was a phrase that he used often as an explanation for the lab closures, referring to them as necessary consolidations and saying that they were "intended to bring FDA's laboratory infrastructure into the 21st century." To demonstrate the future, von Eschanbach pulled out a large, gun-like device that could be used to immediately identify whether bottled water contained arsenic or other heavy metals.
Von Eschanbach followed up his committee appearance with a visit to the White House Wednesday where President Bush announced the creation of an import safety panel, headed up by Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt.The group will report back in 60 days with an updated food safety plan focused on both the countries and companies that import food into the U.S.
Rep. John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, said he planned to introduce legislation within the next week that would provide more authority to the FDA. It would likely include a user-fee similar to the one Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois?who has long lobbied for food safety reform?introduced in a bill last week. In that legislation, companies wanting to import food into the United States would have to pay a fee, the revenue of which would pay for greater inspection capabilities and research into food safety technology. If passed, it would increase the number of food shipments inspected from about one percent to a whopping...three to four percent of total imports.
FDA to relax
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration plan to allow foods made without a protein found in wheat, rye and barley to be labeled gluten-free to help the estimated 1.5 million to 3 million Americans with Celiac disease, which can cause inflammation of the small intestine.
A pending FDA proposal stating that food derived from cloned animals is as safe to eat as conventionally produced food, with the possibility that the agency will not require cloned meat and milk to carry any special label if approval is granted.
Panel Faults FDA on Food Safety
For example, when it comes to fish, importers sometimes route product through an inland point of entry, such as Las Vegas, instead of a big Pacific port city, the Associated Press reported. Importers can also get around FDA mercury inspections by offering younger, smaller fish to inspectors, then use the resulting agency approval to import larger fish with higher levels of the toxin, the investigators said.
A committee investigation also found that the FDA has little ability to police food imports. In San Francisco, for example, the agency's staff can manage only a cursory review of imports, generally dedicating just 30 seconds to each shipment as it flashes by on a computer screen, according to the investigators, the AP reported.
"We know that we are vulnerable to harm from abroad, where rules and regulations governing food production often are more lax than they are at home," said committee member Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., raising the prospect of terrorists tampering with imports entering the U.S. food supply, the news service reported.
The FDA's ability to guarantee the nation's food supply has been criticized by Congress and others following months of headline-grabbing food-borne illnesses, including E. coli contamination in spinach, salmonella-tainted peanut butter and snack foods, and contaminated pet foods and toothpaste imported from China. In addition, potentially cancer-causing agents were found in fish and shrimp imported from China, resulting in an import embargo on those products.
Committee members were also critical of the FDA proposal to close more than half of its laboratories.
"FDA's ill-conceived decision to close seven of its 13 laboratories likely would expose American consumers to even more danger from unsafe foods, particularly imports," committee member Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., said Tuesday.
Committee investigators also questioned the FDA's mostly voluntary approach to domestic and imported food safety. Lack of authority has left FDA inspectors unable to access records and test results by some companies, the AP said.
Except for certain food categories, the FDA has no authority to mandate inspections. "FDA has no rules governing testing protocols, record retention... manufacturing, quality assurance and control, or the right to examine any records that a food-processing firm chooses to keep voluntarily," the congressional report said.
However, one food-safety expert believes the FDA may be just a convenient scapegoat for a broken federal food-safety system.
"The food-safety system is based on a paradigm that is outdated," said Dr. Pascal James Imperato, chairman of the department of preventive medicine and community health at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center.
The current system is based on a model when foods were much less complex, said Imperato, a former New York City health commissioner. "When one looks back at when most of the FDA regulations were encoded, we go back to a time when foods were very simple with very few ingredients, and now there are multiple ingredients for multiple sources," he said. "FDA regulations are not structured to deal with a world of complex food production and the mixing of multiple ingredients.
"What is new is the importation of larger and larger volumes of food," he added. "But not just foods, but rather ingredients incorporated in foods. There, it becomes more difficult to put those under close surveillance, because they work their way into the food chain at various points in the system. And that requires significant resources to monitor."
Another big problem, Imperato said, is that there's no central agency responsible for coordination of food safety.
"The other problem is that the existing regulations are frequently quite weak. Food processors, distributors and growers adhere to industry standards to which compliance is voluntary and the FDA does not have enforcement authority," Imperato said. "In addition, the FDA's enforcement staff has been greatly reduced in recent years."
Imperato contends that new regulations are needed to standardize food safety. "In addition, the FDA needs to be given the authority to enforce the regulations," he said. "This is going to be a perpetual problem. And eventually the federal government must address it but I'm not optimistic that is going to happen in the short term."
Food safety a big problem worldwide: WHO officials
Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters
Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, said the United Nations agency receives about 200 reports of tainted food products each month in its 193 member states.
But many food-borne diseases go unreported and outbreaks of salmonella or E. coli bacteria can take on massive proportions according to the WHO, which backs "farm to fork" food safety.
"I have to say that food safety is a big problem for both developed and developing countries," Chan told a news briefing, adding that the WHO was working with countries to strengthen their regulatory frameworks."
China, where poorly regulated food and drug safety standards have been a problem for years, is reeling from health scandals. On Friday Chinese authorities told food and drug companies to put safety first and urged the media to paint a rosier picture.
Patients in Panama have died from mislabeled chemicals in medicines from China and pets died in the United States from substandard feed, while tainted Chinese toothpaste was found in Central America and elsewhere.
But Jorgen Schlundt, director of the WHO's department of food safety, said China had been seriously addressing shortcomings since 2001 and was starting to implement some of the WHO's suggestions.
HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL COMMITMENT
"They are working on it. There is a high-level political commitment to do something about it," Schlundt told Reuters, stressing that food safety was an issue in all countries. "We are not expressing any concern especially about China."
"China has realized some time ago the need for updating its food safety system. It takes a long time to update a system, not only for China. After the BSE crisis, it took the UK a long time," he added.
BSE, bovine spongiform encephalopathy or mad cow disease, is a fatal brain disease of cattle that emerged in Britain in 1986 and can cause variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans.
Since 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission set up by the WHO and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has developed food standards and codes of practice to protect health worldwide.
The WHO also issues about 10 to 20 "emergency notifications" each year, signaling a potential international public health problem linked to food, according to Schlundt.
Most relate to problems in industrial countries, which have better systems for reporting disease outbreaks, and the figures do not indicate the true extent of problems elsewhere, he said.
"A number of developing countries have very weak food safety because it hasn't been a priority," he said, citing gaps in sub-Saharan Africa as well as parts of Latin America.
The WHO last September alerted its membership to an outbreak of the diarrheal disease E. coli 0157 in spinach in the United States, which had caused 205 cases including three deaths.
It acted on information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the spinach, sold to Canada and Mexico, had later been distributed to other countries including China.
Congress: FDA Lab Closure Plan Too Risky
By ANDREW BRIDGES
Source of Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071700687.html
WASHINGTON -- A Food and Drug Administration plan to close half its laboratories is an assault on food safety that probably would expose more Americans to harm from unsafe food, lawmakers charged Tuesday.
The FDA's ability to police the nation's food supply has come under withering criticism from Congress amid a string of high-profile cases of foodborne illness, including E. coli-tainted spinach and salmonella-contaminated snack foods. The FDA, meanwhile, says it's streamlining its operations, including through a plan to consolidate the labs where it tests foods.
Members of Congress called that plan misguided and questioned whether it would save money, as FDA has claimed. Worse, they said, is the risk it would harm food safety.
"FDA's ill-conceived decision to close seven of its 13 laboratories likely would expose American consumers to even more danger from unsafe foods, particularly imports," said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., at the onset of a hearing of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce subcommittee on the FDA and food safety.
Imports from China, in particular, recently have come under scrutiny. Chinese-made ingredients have been linked to deadly pet food ingredients mixed with industrial chemicals and snack food seasonings contaminated by salmonella.
"We know that we are vulnerable to harm from abroad where rules and regulations governing food production often are more lax than they are at home," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., in raising the prospect of terrorists tampering with imports entering the U.S. food supply.
FDA officials, including commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, were expected to testify later Tuesday.
An ongoing Energy and Commerce Committee investigation found the FDA has little ability to police imports. In San Francisco, for example, the FDA's staff can only conduct a cursory review of imports, generally dedicating just 30 seconds to each shipment as it flashes by on a computer screen, according to investigators.
Even when products are flagged by the FDA, importers have learned to . the system, investigators said. For example, the FDA relies on results obtained from private labs before clearing and releasing suspect imports, including Chinese farmed seafood. But those labs produce results driven by financial rather than scientific concerns, investigators told the subcommittee.
Investigative counsel Kevin Barstow said he was told by an unnamed FDA deputy lab director that "none of the test results he's seen are completely accurate."
"The words he used were 'not good' and 'spooky,'" Barstow told the subcommittee.
Importers also can reduce the level of scrutiny by having their products test negative five consecutive times, according to a summary of the investigators' findings. Since some large fish, including tuna, can be flagged for high mercury levels, importers will arrange to have five lots of smaller fish _ generally younger and with comparatively less mercury _ tested to obtain an all-clear from the FDA, according to the findings. Once the monitoring decreases, the importers can then resume bringing in larger fish that otherwise might not pass muster.
Some potentially problematic seafood imports are being steered to enter the country in Las Vegas to avoid the scrutiny they might receive in San Francisco and other West Coast seaports, according to House investigators.
The problems go beyond food. In Puerto Rico, investigators learned importers were getting around the FDA's blocking of imports of Chinese-made toothpaste made with an antifreeze ingredient by co-packaging them with toothbrushes. Once labeled in import records simply as "toothbrushes," the packages were able to slip past the FDA until the agency caught on, senior investigator David Nelson said. Examples of the tainted toothpaste included a Crest knockoff called "Crust," Nelson said.
International Conference for Food Safety and Quality (Nov.
6-7, 2007), South San Francisco Convention Center
For Management Of Norovirus Infection In Cruise Ships
Norovirus infects between 600,000 and one million people in the community in the United Kingdom every year. This guidance has been produced to help prevent and control outbreaks on the comparatively rare occasions when they occur on board cruise ships.
Norovirus is highly infectious and causes a very unpleasant but generally short-lived infection lasting 1-2 days from which people will usually recover without treatment. The symptoms are vomiting, which is often sudden and "projectile", diarrhoea and sometimes both. Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
There is no specific treatment for norovirus apart from letting the illness run its course. It is important for those affected to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Outbreaks most commonly occur in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools and can be difficult to control and long-lasting because norovirus is easily transmitted from one person to another. The virus can survive in the environment on surfaces or objects.
The newly produced Guidance for the Management of Norovirus Infection in Cruise Ships provides guidance for health professionals, port health and other agency staff and ships' crews on how to prevent, identify and manage norovirus outbreaks on the rare occasions that they do occur on board cruise ships.
Professor Pat Troop , the Health Protection Agency's Chief Executive, said: "The aim was to produce straightforward and practical advice to discourage the introduction of infection to cruise ships in the first instance and to help the industry and public health authorities manage outbreaks in a consistent manner when they do occur."
Dr. John Curnow who chaired the multi-agency group that developed the guidance said: "Passengers on a cruise ship expect to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Our aim as a group was to identify and recommend procedures that will be robust enough to manage any possible outbreak and at the same time ensure that infected passengers are able to get back to normal holiday activities as quickly as possible".
Mr. William Gibbons, Director of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: "We worked closely with the Health Protection Agency and with a range of other partners in the development of the guidance and we are delighted that the published document is now available on the HPA website. It means that all parties who are required to deal with an outbreak of infection will have immediate access to sound and practical advice that will minimise the impact for passengers and crew alike."
The guidance covers risk assessment and management, pre cruise actions, the on board incident team, outbreak control group, cleaning procedures, hand hygiene and management of the vessel whilst in port.
Pathogen resistance to drugs rising, according to UK study
By Ahmed ElAmin
Source of Article: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=78143-pathogen-antimicrobials-e-coli
12/07/2007 - Up to 29 per cent of the Campylobacter pathogen are now resistant to a commonly used antimicrobial, according to a UK survey.
The report serves as a warning to processors about the problems of resistant pathogens being passed along the food chain to consumers. The three-year project could eventually lead to more testing and controls, and restrictions on the type of animicrobials that can be used to control pathogens.
The survey found that cephalosporin
resistance in E coli from bacteraemia
In humans E. coli is one of the two most important bacterial pathogens causing sickness in the UK.
The majority of E. coli O157, one of the most dangerous forms of the pathogen, were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested, the survey found.
Some of the E. coli 0157 foundin humans showed resistance to tetracyclines, sulphonamides and streptomycin, with some variation by region.
Salmonella, the most common causes in cases of human infection in the UK, also had low resistance to common antimicrobials. However resistance to more than one drug in S. Typhimurium, the second most common form of the pathogen, is common.
S. Typhimurium commonly has resistance to nalidixic acid, the report stated.
There was no resistance detected to amikacin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime or ciprofloxacin in Salmonella isolates of animal origin from England and Wales.
Similarly, no resistance was detected to cefotaxime or ciprofloxacin in animal Salmonella isolates from Northern Ireland or Scotland.
All human and animal isolates
of L. monocytogenes were found to be susceptible to
The survey found that between 22 to 24 per cent of C. jejuni and 28 to 29 per cent of C. coli were resistant to ciprofloxacin. C. jejuni accounted for 90 per cent of infections in humans in the UK.
The survey also showed that resistance rates of the virus in cattle, sheep and pigs at slaughter were lower than in humans.
For C. jejuni, the prevalence of resistance seen in humans is about the same as that detected in retail chicken.
The report showed that about half of the total tonnage of antimicrobials was used in animals in 1994. Approximately 80 per cent of antimicrobial prescribing in humans was for patients in the community while 87 per cent of antimicrobial use in animals was in food-producing animals.
Tetracyclines accounted for 54 per cent of total antimicrobial use in animals, while ¥â-lactams accounted for 14 per cent.
Now Sick From Salmonella Booth At Taste Of Chicago - Salmonella Attorney
Source of Article: http://www.marlerblog.com/
Pars Cove Booth Blamed For Making 696 Sick
Nearly 700 people have reported becoming ill after eating food from the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth at the Taste of Chicago. A total of 28 people have been hospitalized because of illness suffered after eating the tainted food, according to the city Department of Public Health. 97 of the 678 are laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonellosis, with more results pending, the release said. Of the 97, 60 have been identified as Salmonella Heidelberg, one of the more common Salmonella serotypes in the United States.
We have been contacted by a dozen of the ill and continue to investigate the cause of the outbreak. Tomatoes were a part of the Hummus dish. Salmonella Heidelberg has been found in earlier outbreaks tied to tomatoes.
Charm Sciences is pleased to announce 4 new commodities approved for official testing of Zearalenone
Lawrence, MA, June 22nd, 2007
- Charm Sciences is pleased to announce four new commodities approved
for official testing of Zearalenone in the U.S national grain inspection
system. Charm Sciences ROSA (r) Zearalenone (Quantitative) test has received
The ROSA Zearalanone test is the only test to be approved for official testing of Zearalenone in the U.S national grain inspection system. An official Certificate of
Conformance ( http://www.charm.com/pdf/certif_zear_commod.pdf
Charm's ROSA (Rapid One Step Assay) Zearalenone test procedure includes a sample extraction and 10 minute incubation. A test strip is then inserted into a digital ROSA-M strip reader. Quantitative results are displayed and recorded on the reader (with automatic printing and download options).
Other ROSA tests include the 3 minute Aflatoxin P/N, the 3 minute DON P/N, the 10 minute ROSA Aflatoxin Quantitative, which have already received approval from USDA GIPSA. A 10 minute quantitative test for DON and fumonisin were recently added to the ROSA mycotoxin family. All ROSA mycotoxin tests can be run on the same equipment.
Zearalenone can appear in pre-harvest
corn, wheat, rice or maize by several species of Fusarium, e.g., F. graminearum.
Swine are particularly susceptible to the presence of Zearalenone in feedstuffs
as it is an estrogenic mycotoxin, which can cause infertility, or
Charm Sciences, Inc
Bio-Rad¡¯s RAPID¡¯E. coli O157:H7 Agar Granted Performance Tested Method Status by AOAC Research Institute
RAPID¡¯E. coli O157:H7 agar, manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, was granted Performance Tested Method status by the AOAC Research Institute (certificate # 060701). RAPID¡¯E. coli O157:H7 is a chromogenic medium for isolation and identification of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef and fresh spinach. It is a rapid method producing accurate and easy-to-read results.
RAPID¡¯E. coli O157:H7 is a selective chromogenic plating medium for the rapid isolation and presumptive identification of E. coli O157:H7. Characteristic E. coli O157:H7 colonies appear as dark blue with a black precipitate around the edge after 24 hours incubation at 37¡ÆC. This chromogenic medium differentiates E. coli O157:H7, including atypical ¥â-glucuronidase positive or sorbitol positive E. coli O157:H7 isolates, from other E. coli strains. The cultural properties of the medium are based on a balance of careful selected growth-promoting nutrients and classical selective ingredients. Potassium tellurite and novobiocin are used in addition to enhance the selectivity of the medium by inhibiting interfering flora. The presumptive identification system relies on differential characteristics driven by proprietary chromogenic substrates coupled with both carbohydrate fermentation and pH modification. Background flora, if not inhibited, give rise to red, green or colorless colonies
RAPID¡¯E. coli O157:H7 is available in two sizes, dehydrated media 100g (Item # 356-4748) or dehydrated media 500g (Item # 356-4747). For more information, please visit www.foodscience.bio-rad.com or call (800) 4BIORAD.
Bio-Rad¡¯s RAPID¡¯Salmonella Agar Granted Performance Tested Method Status by AOAC Research Institute
RAPID¡¯Salmonella agar, manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, was granted Performance Tested Method status by the AOAC Research Institute (certificate # 050701). RAPID¡¯Salmonella is a medium for isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. in selected foods. It is a rapid method producing accurate and easy-to-read results. A shortened enrichment time (30hr) was validated against standard reference methods (48hr).
RAPID¡¯Salmonella is a selective and differential medium for both the isolation and the presumptive identification of Salmonella species, including lactose-positive Salmonella , S. typhi and S. paratyphi serotypes, from other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The cultural properties of the medium are a balance of carefully selected growth-promoting nutrients and classical selective ingredients (citrate, surfactants). The presumptive chromogenic identification system relies on a proprietary chromogenic substrate that allows the detection of the Salmonella C8-esterase activity. The color of the uninoculated agar is clear to whitish. All the presumptive Salmonella positive colonies are magenta on a clear-white agar background. A second chromogenic substrate, targeting activity of many interfering bacteria, yield blue colored colonies. Background flora, if not inhibited by the mixture of selective agents, can produce violet to green or colorless colonies.
RAPID¡¯Salmonella is available in two formats, dehydrated media (Item # 356-4705) or prepared plates (Item # 356-3961). For more information, please visit www.foodscience.bio-rad.com or call (800) 4BIORAD.
for Assurance GDS¢â for Listeria spp.
The Assurance GDS (Genetic Detection System) combines the latest innovations in microbiology and molecular science to provide food processors with significant advantages in speed, accuracy and ease of use.
For more information on how Assurance GDS can improve your pathogen testing program, visit us online at www.biocontrolsys.com, or contact us via email or phone at email@example.com or 1-800-245-0113.
Copyright (C). All rights reserved FoodHACCP.com.


text:
Google might partner with LG on 2014 Nexus 7
Asus and Google have obviously enjoyed a healthy and fruitful company and Google even put Asus’ logo on the back of the original Nexus 7. What would force a change then?
Turns out Google might want to use LG so that it can upgrade the Nexus 7 screen and LG has that technology. LG is already manufacturing the Nexus 4, so it would not be a huge surprise to see Google partner with the Korean company.
Google has already made huge advances in screen technology with the 2013 Nexus 7. The 7-inch tablet is the first one in its form factor to feature a ‘Retina’ display. LG is right now making screens for Apple devices like the iPad mini and it has managed to deliver displays that are thinner and with narrower bezels. We’ve also long been hearing about LG now having the upper hand in the race to the first flexible display. It’s all a speculation at this point in time, but the possibilities are definitely there.
What would you expect from the 2014 Nexus 7?

domain: news


text:
|Grapegrower & Winemaker||Wine & Viticulture Journal||Wine Industry Directory||
||Daily Wine News||
News posted on Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Riverland Wine Council appoints new general manager
The Riverland is set to boost its contribution to building a sustainable Australian wine industry with the appointment of Shay McQuade as general manager of the Riverland Wine Industry Development Council (RWIDC).
Bubbling with ideas
Australian winemaker Penfolds is considering making champagne in Champagne.
Foster’s urged to sell
Foster’s should sell its two large company-owned vineyards in the Murray Valley to the Federal Government to help reduce Australia's winegrape oversupply and return much-needed water back to the Murray-Darling system, Murray Valley Winegrowers (MVW) has suggested.


text:
Dell will invest in additional acquisitions and remain committed to its struggling PC business once a $US24.9 billion deal to go private is complete, according to company officials.
Prominent shareholder advisory group Institutional Shareholder Services has given a stamp of approval to Dell founder Michael Dell's bid to take the company private.
Investor Carl Icahn and Southeastern Asset Management have made a counter-offer for Dell that would keep the computer company still publicly traded, according to reports.
In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, Dell highlighted the dismal financial straits that led to its plan to take the company private, a move that now has some major shareholders in an uproar.
The CEOs of IBM and Dell have called on U.S. government leaders to put aside their differences and create a long-term agenda to promote innovation and improve the country's competitive stature in the world.
The U.S. government can save more than $US1 trillion over the next 10 years by consolidating its IT infrastructure, reducing its energy use and moving to more Web-based citizen services, a group of tech CEOs said in a report released Wednesday.
Two labor unions have asked Dell shareholders to withhold their votes for Chairman and CEO Michael Dell to remain as a director on the company's board following a US$100 million accounting practices settlement the company made with the U.S. Securitie...
Dell will pay US$100 million to resolve an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission into the company's past accounting and financial reporting practices, it said Thursday.
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Hisense takes the fight to home entertainment heavyweights with flagship Series 8 and 9 ULED TVs
- 2 Sony's latest Ultra HD OLED debuts in Australia
- 3 Panasonic Ultra HD OLED TV Review
- 4 D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD DSH-C310 review
- 5 Oppo A77 smartphone: Full in-depth review
Join the newsletter!
- Microsoft's Surface Book 2 has a power problem
- This week in games: Battlefront II disables microtransactions, Total War goes to Britain
- Star Wars: Battlefront II review: The Dark Side
- iMovie 10 review: Free video editing that's elegant and easy
- Buffered VPN review: It gets the job done
PCW Evaluation Team
Brainstorming, innovation, problem solving, and negotiation have all become much more productive and valuable if people can easily collaborate in real time with minimal friction.
The print quality also does not disappoint, it’s clear, bold, doesn’t smudge and the text is perfectly sized.
The Huddle Board’s built in program; Sharp Touch Viewing software allows us to easily manipulate and edit our documents (jpegs and PDFs) all at the same time on the dashboard.
The biggest perks for me would be that it comes with easy to use and comprehensive programs that make the collaboration process a whole lot more intuitive and organic
I rate the printer as a 5 out of 5 stars as it has been able to fit seamlessly into my busy and mobile lifestyle.
It’s perfect for mobile workers. Just take it out — it’s small enough to sit anywhere — turn it on, load a sheet of paper, and start printing.
- Huawei Mate 10 Pro Review
- Apple TV 4K review
- Legion Y520 Gaming Laptop review
- Which flagship TV is best? Sony 4K HDR Bravia 2016 versus LG 4K HDR OLED 2016
- 10 Blu-ray movies / Best looking Blu-ray movies
- CCReporting AnalystNSW
- CCDBA / Database Services SME - Large Telco - Sydney CBDNSW
- FTSystem AnalystQLD
- CCJunior to mid-level - Business Analyst ? AgileACT
- CCSenior Salesforce Functional ConsultantNSW
- CC.net developerNSW
- CCProduct ManagerNSW
- FTSenior Change ManagerNSW
- FTSenior PHP DeveloperNSW
- FTManager, Digital DeliveryOther
- FTNetwork Services ManagerOther
- FTFront End Developer - Ractive.JS (Urgent)Other
- CCDeployment ManagerVIC
- CCPNI ConsultantVIC
- FTJava DeveloperOther
- FTTIBCO iProcess LeadOther
- FTSenior Project CoordinatorOther
- FTSenior Project Controls Officer / CoordinatorOther
- CC.Net DeveloperNSW
- FTSnr Information Security Consultant - IT Services - North Ryde areaNSW
- FTData AnalystOther
- FTManagement Consultant - ConsultancyOther
- TPInstructional DesignerNSW
- CCAxway DeveloperQLD
- CCChange ManagerNSW


text:
EASE of doing business in Davao City is one of the highlights of Seda Abreeza Hotel’s 5th anniversary celebration.
Seda Abreeza’s general manager Ken Kapulong, in an interview with SunStar Davao said with the city’s robust tourism industry and ease of doing business, it is one of the country’s best areas for hotel operations.
"Five years gave a progressive trend for us. Davao has always been a city capable of development and innovation that’s why Ayala Hotels and Resorts Corp. chose to build its third Seda Hotel here in 2013," he said.
He also shared that in recent years, its hotel occupancy rate will never go down 70 percent all-year round as Davao is also known as a strong Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions’ (Mice) destination.
"The attention and exposure Davao gained through its tourism efforts definitely contributed to the hotel industry. Conventions and big events as the Asean Summit put us on the limelight and gives opportunities for other potential markets to see Davao and what it can offer to its tourists," he added.
In a speech last April 10, Kapulong expressed his gratitude for its partners support for the success of Seda Abreeza for the past five years.
“What we achieved was product of hard work and teamwork, but above all, it is an outcome of putting into heart that genuine Filipino hospitality is what makes any hotel experience complete,” he said.
He also mentioned that the hotel’s success in Tatler is because of the Misto diners’ patronage. Misto is the hotel’s all-day a la carte dining restaurant which offers an assortment of international classics and regional favorites. It was recognized as one of Tatler's Best Restaurant Guide for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018.
“The certifications from and awards from websites and award-giving bodies were a result of good experiences and reviews shared online. All trainings conducted with international standards are inspired by our sincere motivation to give the best feelings in the world,” he added.
Last year, the hotel was awarded a four-star rating by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao Region, which means it passed the quality of service standards which is assessed after a thorough inspection of the hotel from the cutleries used, the treatment of the staff to the clients, the food, and even the temperature of the rooms, among others.
“We are looking forward to share more years of memorable stays, exquisite food and stronger partnerships,” Kapulong said.
The 11-storey hotel, which features a comfort urban hotel living, has 186 guest rooms and 10 fully-equipped function rooms for corporate or social events that can house 10 to 330 persons.
Seda Abreeza was launched in Davao City in April 2, 2013.


text:
Spanning across sport, culture, history and day-to-day life, DDB's latest work reminds us of the spirit of Aussie mateship.
Westpac has launched its latest work, focusing on the Australian spirit of mateship and people helping people.
The ad shows different moments in Australian history, starting with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where people have helped one another.
The video is accompanied by the iconic David Bowie song "Heroes", with the tagline, 'Help when it matters. It's what Australians do' appearing in the final seconds.
The theme of the ad is designed to link back to Westpac’s brand promise of helping in the moments that matter.
“As Westpac enters its third century, we want to continue the essence of our Proudly Supporting Australia positioning, while drawing on what makes us truly Australian,” Westpac Group head of brand advertising and media Jenny Melhuish says.
“For Australians it is this unique spirit of helping one another that makes us special. As the nation’s oldest company and first bank, Westpac has played a role in the lives of many Australians for more than 200 years – whether it is helping people buy a home, save for a family, start a business, or in times of emergency or natural disasters."
DDB managing partner Chiquita King says the ad is a perfect example of DDB's belief in emotionally driven work.
The creative launched nationally across TV, digital, out of home and social.


text:
What's New in the UFV Library?
Information about new resources, exhibits, and what's happening in the UFV library.
Friday, April 15, 2016
April 23, 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, and the UFV Library in Abbotsford has created a display to celebrate the event. Please drop by and take a look!
Here are some fun websites as well.
Shakespeare MOOC - Take a free online course about Shakespeare, starting April 16th
Posted by Patti Wilson, April 15, 2016
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
Post a Comment
Post Comments (Atom)


text:
The release date announced at PSX wasn’t quite the whole picture.
— NieR: Automata (@NieRGame) December 5, 2016
But the March 7, 2017 date appears to be the North American release date following the two new trailers that have dropped. They’re both exactly the same with the exception of the date at the end.
Square Enix confirmed the European release as March 10 on Twitter.
The Tuesday/ Friday release dates do suck, but at least you won’t go booking off a Tuesday for no reason next year.
So expect to see Nier: Automata hit shelves in the US on March 7, and in Europe on March 10, 2017.


text:
The U.S. International Trade Commission has said that it will open an investigation into Taiwanese phone maker HTC’s patent-infringement claims against Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).
HTC had filed its complaint with the U.S. ITC in May, alleging that Apple infringed on five of its patents regarding power management and cell-phone directory hardware and software.
That complaint followed two months after Apple had hit HTC with its own patent-infringement suit.
HTC is asking the U.S. ITC to impose a ban on Apple that would bar the company from importing, marketing and selling iPhones, iPads and iPods in the United States.
Of course, the decision to open an investigation in no way foretells an outcome. The chief administrative law judge of the trade panel will assign the case to one of the U.S. ITC’s six administrative law judges, who will convene an evidentiary hearing. If the judge finds that Apple is in violation of the relevant provision of the Tariff Act, the matter will pass to the commission to review.


text:
ShopNow to Use Informatica's PowerCenter.e
The e-commerce-enabling company plans to use the CRM system to consolidate customer demographic data generated from its shopping Web site.
Kerry Hatch ran American Express's OPEN business card division and led units at Starwood and Time Inc.
The hotel chain woos stranded airline passengers with deals based on flight cancellations.
The company claims its new Signal Tag can quintuple the number of A/B vendor tests marketers can do each year.


text:
Another flagship killer phone coming from one plus. At the end of last year specifically on November 15, OnePlus surprised its own and strangers launching a new version of its flagship. Now, as many expected, it seems that we are putting the same movement on the part of the brand, as well as revealing what would be the first image of the OnePlus 5T.
What’s New in OnePlus 5T?
The latest news from Gizmo China site gives important information about the phone to be introduced in November. According to the site, we will see on the screen one of the most important changes in the new OnePlus phone. The OnePlus status will remain unchanged in the following process as the industry switches to 18: 9 screen format. The new model will feature an 18: 9 format Optical AMOLED display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080p at 6 inches. The site also shared a phone-owned render image. We see that the phone in the posted image looks a lot like the Galaxy S8 and LG V30. It is not yet clear whether the display is curved or not in the new model.
OnePlus 5 is already a powerful phone on the hardware side. So once again on the 5T, we will see the Snapdragon 835 processor, 6 GB / 8 GB RAM and 64 GB / 128 GB internal storage.
OnePlus has not yet confirmed that a new model will be on the market, but there are serious signs that a new model is on the way. At the beginning of these, OnePlus 5 does not have the stake in many countries.
Don’t forget to share! 🙂


text:
CES 2013: AMD unveils new GPUs, APUs and SoCs
Published: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | Posted By: Dennis
Gotta love CES news out of Taiwan.
AMD has launched the Radeon HD 8000M series of mobile graphics processing units (GPUs) set to deliver discrete graphics performance to a variety of notebook designs, including the portable ultrathin form factor. The AMD Radeon HD 8000M series are the first notebook GPUs to be offered with AMD Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture, which delivers compute power and performance while stretching battery life through AMD Enduro Technology, according to the vendor. Designs are currently shipping with Asustek Computer and Samsung, with Lenovo and additional OEMs shipping soon.
Additionally, AMD announced the availability of AMD Radeon HD 8000 series desktop graphics, available only through OEMs. The AMD Radeon HD 8000 series features GCN Architecture with support for DirectX 11.1 for acceleration of Windows 8 platforms, AMD App Acceleration to enhance GPU performance, and features intelligent power management technology such as AMD PowerTune with boost.
8000 series graphics FTW!! Lets hope they are a little better than last time.
Related Web URL: www.digitimes.com/news/a20130108PR203.html
comments powered by Disqus


text:
It's been about 200 years since the first battery was invented, and every major holiday--as AAAs are being shoved into remote controls and gaming consoles and miniature robotic dogs--confirms what everyone has been feeling for the past few decades: the battery as we know it should be obsolete. And yet the familiar battery continues to be a component in every consumer-facing electrical device on the market, though disguised as thinner or smaller than previous incarnations.
But researchers at Cambridge, along with their French collaborators, have now figured out how to see inside supercapacitators and this may herald the end of the battery. While traditional batteries involve chemical reactions to generate and store electrical current, supercapacitators have positive and negative electrolyte ions that stick to the surfaces of the electrodes when the supercapacitor is being charged. The process of sticking and hopping that occurs within a supercapacitator happens much faster than the chemical reactions in a battery, so supercapacitators charge much more quickly.
"Previous theories had been made by computer simulations—no-one's observed this in 'real life' before," said Dr. John Griffin, a researcher in the Department of Chemistry at Cambridge.
Now that researchers are able to see the supercapacitator process at work, they're able to more fully understand what's happening at an atomic level. That means they'll be able to eventually experiment with manipulating the size of the holes in the electrode and ion properties to alter the charging mechanism.
This new knowlege could spell the eventual end of chemical batteries and could mean a significant difference in the way electronics are built. There's also the safety issue: anyone familiar with repairing mobile devices can confirm how dangerous a leaking battery is. With supercapacitators, there's no danger of chemical leakage. This new science could also mean that, finally, electrical cars replace their fossil fuel counterparts.
Looks like there may well be an end in sight to the trusty AAs.
SOURCE: Nature Materials


text:
MIAMI, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal-Loan.com announces one hour approvals for everyone. Consumers with bad credit are no longer left in the dark.
Lenders are starting to change the way that they do business. In the past, technology was always available to large companies and the government first. Today technology is on a completely different playing level. Consumers now get their hands on the latest technology before large companies do. This is taught consumers that technology can speed things up.
Consumers are using their own computers and smart-phones to communicate with people all over the world, and they are doing it almost instantly. This has taught consumers about instant gratification, and now they expect it everywhere they go.
Lenders have had to step up to the plate and match this technological, they have had to increase their loan approval times to keep consumers happy. Waiting weeks, days or hours is no longer acceptable to consumers. If consumers can't get instant approval, they will happily go somewhere else.
Personal-loan.com has seen this trend, and decided to give consumers what they want, Loan approvals as quick as they can possibly get them. Personal-loan.com is proud to announce a new group of lenders that are offering one hour personal loan approvals. These loans are even being approved for people that have bad credit.
Mark, a representative for the company weighs in on the subject.
"It was only a matter of time before consumers started expecting to have everything instantly. We saw this trend coming when we first launched our website. At the time, we had several lenders that were offering speedy loan approvals, but they were not offering loan approvals fast enough, and they were not offering loan approvals to people with bad credit. Our company has changed all of that. We just added over a dozen new lenders to our exclusive network of lenders that are offering one hour approvals on personal loans for bad credit. They have told us that credit doesn't matter. Everyone deserves one hour approvals, and we aim to give it to them."
Personal loans are short term loans that consumers can use for any purpose. Unlike traditional loans that are always geared towards a specific purchase, personal loans are not. Personal-loans.com is a loan comparison website. The company behind the website is not actually responsible for funding any of the loans.


text:
- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Tumblr
Amazon has unveiled its latest Indian original series, The Family Man, which it will stream worldwide.
The terrorism drama stars well-known Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee as a middle-class man working for an intelligence agency who has to battle terrorists while protecting his family from the impact of his demanding and low-paying job.
The series is produced and directed by the Bollywood filmmaker duo of Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., whose credits include such titles as zombie comedy Go Goa Gone and comedy drama Shor in the City. The duo is producing the series via its banner D2R Films.
While a release date was not unveiled, The Family Man will launch on Amazon Prime Video sometime this year in Hindi and will also be dubbed in South Indian languages Tamil and Telugu. Amazon Prime Video India content director Vijay Subramaniam said the series had “a gripping script, and we think it will capture the imagination of audiences globally.”
Bajpayee added: “There is a lot of content out there for people to watch, so it becomes essential for us to not only make our series sincerely and sensitively, but also to tell a unique story — something that concerns the common man and his uncommon life with his extraordinary struggle.”
Amazon kicked off its Indian originals last year with cricket drama Inside Edge. Since then, it has been beefing up its local offerings with a variety of content, from stand-up comedy to reality formats, such as music talent show The Remix.
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day


text:
Round Up - SABMiller's Full-Year Results 2012-13
In May, the UK's SABMiller released its results for the year to the end of March. Here's a round-up of just-drinks' coverage of the company's performance.
SABMiller has delivered a strong set of full-year results but problems loom, such as pressure on Miller Lite in the US loom, an analyst has warned.
SABMiller will likely go ahead with three building projects in Africa this year, while expansion in Nigeria is to come under review “quite soon”, the company's new CEO has said.
SABMiller has posted a fall in full-year profits, but hailed a strong performance as sales grew in almost all regions.
Earlier today, SABMiller released a full-year trading update, reporting a 7% rise in organic group sales. Here just-drinks take a more detailed look at sales performance by region:
SABMiller has said that its latest fiscal full-year performed in line with expectations, as sales delivered a year-on-year increase of 7% in value terms.
- What's so special about Islay anyway? - Comment
- Six key trends for alcoholic drinks in 2016
- Aus wine industry pays price for past failures
- Ten things to know about spirits in the US
- Will value-sharing in Travel Retail become reality
- SABMiller hits back in UK corporation tax row
- Alcohol industry warning over Kroger plan
- Diageo's Orphan Barrel The Gifted Horse - NPD
- American rye whiskey sales leap 600% in five years
- William Grant & Sons restructures US team
- What Next for Beer and Brewers Following the MegaBrew Deal?
- Global travel retail insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends
- Global Beer Trends 2015 : Global Beer Trends and Long-term Forecasts
- Global Whiskey Market 2016-2020
- Global sparkling wine insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends research


text:
Sony to buy Israeli chip maker, targets IoT
Tue 26 Jan 2016
Sony announced today that it has bought Israeli chip maker for $212 million (approx. £150 million) – a move which the Japanese multinational hopes will ‘play a pivotal role’ in the future development of the Internet of Things.
Altair Semiconductor, based in the city of Hod HaSharon in Israel, currently employs around 220 people and has business units across the U.S., China and Taiwan. The company owns specialist modem chip technology and related software for the 4G wireless technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE). Its products – used to connect a variety of devices to the internet including smart security systems, power meters, and vehicles – have been praised for their low power consumption, high performance and competitive prices.
According to Sony, innovation in this area will lead to a “connected environment in which ‘things’ can reliably and securely access network services that leverage the power of cloud computing.”
The Altair acquisition is expected to complete early next month, with Sony planning to expand the tech company’s existing business to support its own sensing R&D branch, designing new products for the wearables and Internet of Things markets.
‘By combining Sony’s sensing technologies – such as GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and image sensors – with Altair’s […] modem chip technology, and by further evolving both, Sony will strive to develop a new breed of cellular-connected, sensing component devices,’ the Tokyo-based firm wrote in an official statement this morning.
The company added that with the expected growth in IoT markets, it aims to deliver a range of component devices which feature ‘both sensing and communication capabilities, as well as new LTE solutions.’
As a result of the acquisition, Sony said that it does not anticipate any ‘material impact’ on its financial results this fiscal year.
A swathe of global companies has turned to Israel recently in pursuit of technological innovation. The country has also been looking to build a stronger trading relationship with Japan, as seen in this month’s newly established partnership between Honda Motor and Israeli startup OurCrowd to develop applications for connected cars.


text:
The IHOP drink menu includes the new Frosted Mint Hot Chocolate and the classic Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate. IHOP has a location in Beavercreek, located at 2460 North Fairfield Road. There is also a location in West Chester Twp. at 7748 Cox Lane.
IHOP isn’t the only restaurant to switch their menu up for the holiday. Frisch’s Big Boy is offering a limited edition Hot Fudge Cake. The seasonal treat has peppermint ice cream and crushed candy sprinkled on top of the chocolate fudge.
The classic dessert will be available in a special holiday flavor from Nov. 30 to Feb. 7. Frisch’s has more than 95 locations in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Want more holiday news? Follow reporter Kara Driscoll on social media.


text:
Oil prices fall takes toll on Intercontinental Hotels as bookings in the US and Middle East drop
- Terror attacks also contribute to a fall in sales growth in Europe
- Competition from Airbnb, and independent hotels also hits US business
- But analysts say results are OK and firm is a victim of its own success
Shares in Intercontinental Hotels fell today as the firm became a victim of record low oil prices which have caused a slowdown in booking in the US and Middle East.
The FTSE 100-listed company said its revenue per available room - which is an industry specific measure - was only up 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, compared to 2.5 per cent growth in the previous quarter and a 4.8 percent rise a year earlier.
The disappointing figures sent IHG shares around 1 per cent, or 25p lower to 3,200p in lunchtime trading.
Big stable: IHG runs over 5,000 hotels under names such as Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and InterContinental - including this one in Dubai
The group particularly highlighted problems at hotels based in oil producing US states, such as Texas, North Dakota and Oklahoma.
The company has about 14 per cent of its rooms in these states, higher than an industry average 10 percent, and the market has been badly hurt by the slide in oil prices.
IHG said oil executives had cut back on travel and there were fewer bookings from workers, many of whom had lost their jobs.
Revenue per available room in those markets fell by 7.3 per cent, compared to 2.5 per cent growth in the rest of the region.
The firm added that in the Middle East revenue per available room was also down 7.7 per cent, likewise because of weak oil prices.
Analysts also noted that competition from online apartment-sharing startup, Airbnb, and independent hotels has also had an impact on IHG's US business.
Oil rich: IHG has hotels dotted across the Texas citities of Houston, San Antonio and Galveston but with oil at just $50 per barrel executives are choosing to stay at home and not travel
In Europe, the group said 'ongoing challenging conditions' led to revenue declines in countries including France, Turkey and Belgium - all of which have seen tourist demand slow following terror attacks.
Across Europe, IHG's revenue per available room growth was flat.
However, chief executive Richard Solomons maintained a positive view, saying that while revenue growth has slowed 'the fundamentals for the sector, and particularly for IHG, remain compelling'.
Analysts were generally lenient on IHG and said the company had become a victim of its own success.
Hargreaves Lansdown, equity analyst Nicholas Hyett, said: 'There's nothing inherently ugly in today's results, they're just a little disappointing.
'That's the problem with being a successful and rapidly growing company: people start to have expectations.
'Exposure to North American oil producing regions continues to hurt, despite the fact that the group should now be seeing easier comparatives here as we pass the point where lower oil prices kicked in last year.
'Oil also seems to be playing a part elsewhere, with a poor performance in the Middle East weighing down the whole Asia, Middle East and Africa region.'
He added: 'It's not all bad news though. With 50 per cent of group and 40 per cent of European central costs in sterling, as well as 70 per cent of group debt, the lower pound should prove a benefit, even if a stronger US dollar undermines revenue growth.'
Looking forward analysts said IHG could engage in more M&A in the coming months.
Facing growing competition from online startups, hoteliers have been consolidating.
AccorHotels, Europe's top hotels group, bought the owner of luxury hotels including London's Savoy, while Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Most watched Money videos
- Ferrari send fans into rapture with teaser for their new car
- This is how Volvo's new V60 City Safety technology works
- Land Rover unveil 70th edition of it's famed Defender model
- Amazing new road markers that reduce accidents and traffic
- Should you buy a petrol or diesel car: Here's how to decide
- Rare 427 Shelby Cobra and Ferrari 275 discovered
- Heat map shows 'millions of pounds' of wasted energy in shops
- How to invest in biotech: A top fund manager explains
- Can emerging markets continue to climb? We ask a top manager
- Where are the best places to invest in 2018?
- Undercover: Seminar on the 'secrets' to investing in Bitcoin
- Everything you need to know about cryptocurrency Bitcoin


text:
Apple Store News
News on Apple Store continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
8 hrs ago | Rediff.com
Image: Rami Shamis celebrates outside the Apple Store on New York's fifth avenue after being the first to buy the iPad Air.
Are You as Liberal as President Obama?
How much do you know about Islam?
18 hrs ago | Macworld UK
The button at the top of my iPhone 4S , commonly known as the lock button, power button or sleep button, is broken.
19 hrs ago | Small Business Trends
What's not to like about this new hypersonic iPhone 5S? When you look at it across the room, you won't see any difference between the 5S and the 5 .
22 hrs ago | Wireless Week
As a manufacturer of mid-range Android smartphones, Kyocera has had to get creative with how it differentiates its products.
The endeavor is reminiscent of the "Year of Code" campaign promoted in 2012 by programming tutorial company Codecademy, which culminated in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg tweeting that his New Year's resolution was to learn to code.
Apple's " 12 Days of Gifts " iOS app that was available in previous years only to customers in international markets including Canada, Europe, and other countries, is for the first time ever offered to U.S. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners as well, MacRumors reports .
Qualcomm has launched Gimbal , its take on Apple's iBeacon , a system of context-aware proximity beacons intended for shopping, social networking, mobile services, and more.
Could Fort Greene be getting a Genius Bar to go with the coffee and alcohol varieties? According to a report on The Real Deal, Apple is weighing two neighborhoods to plant their first Brooklyn location: Fort Greene, near BAM, and Williamsburg.
Paying the bills can be tough in New Zealand's biggest city, so the Herald has examined what we are payingmore for and why.
When you download the Apple Store app, you'll want to make sure that push notifications and location services are enabled, both for the app and for iOS as a whole.
Apple Launching iBeacons To Guide Store Visitors On Friday, Apple began using the iBeacon technology at its 254 U.S. stores to send you messages about products, events and other information - tailored to where you are inside, provided you have downloaded the Apple Store app and have given it permission to send notices based on your location.
GPS will tell you how to get to the nearest Apple store. With iBeacon, Apple hopes to guide you around once you're inside, whether it's to pick up an order, upgrade to a new iPhone or shop for a pair of headphones.
A display shows a new Apple iPad Air tablet inside the Apple Store on New York's fifth avenue, after the new iPad went on sale, November 1, 2013.
Last week Apple activated an interactive shopping system based on its iBeacon micro-location technology at all of its U.S. Apple Store locations.
Honoring Nelson Mandela. Apple on Friday honored anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, who died earlier this week at the age of 95, by turning its home page into a tribute.


text:
Apple to take huge bites out of the streaming and gaming pies
This Spring, Australians will have the opportunity to subscribe to Apple’s new streaming service, Apple TV+, which will give users access to a huge batch of original programs, documentaries and movies, ad-free and on demand.
This week, a lot of schmoozing, if not exchanging of promotional funds, went down in Cupertino, California, when a bunch of famous folks shared the stage to share the Apple streaming news.
Directors and actors on hand to endorse the product included Steven Spielberg, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Momoa, after Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the company’s new subscription platform, which will launch in more than 100 countries.
In addition this week, Apple announced its new program of Apple TV releases for May and said it its app will be available on Samsung Smart TVs beginning this Spring and on Amazon Fire TV, LG, Sony and Vizio platforms in the future.
And now for more big news… Apple has introduced the world’s first game subscription service for mobile, called Apple Arcade.
Apple Arcade will feature new and original games from acclaimed indie developers, as well as the usual offerings form major studios.
Already among some 300,000 titles are releases by Annapurna Interactive, Bossa Studios, Cartoon Network, Finji, Giant Squid, Klei Entertainment, Konami, Lego, Mistwalker Corporation, Sega, Snowman, ustwo games, and dozens more.
The service promises customers the freedom to try any game from its handpicked collection of titles that are all-you-can-play, with no ads, ad tracking or requiring additional purchases.
Apple is also promising to respect user privacy, but I’m pretty sure you could read that bit in more ways than one.
Feel free to leave a comment!


text:
- July 16, 2023 11:25 AM
- February 15, 2023 2:20 PM
- June 24, 2021 10:41 AM
Tokyo, Japan | Britain hailed its first major post-Brexit trade deal Friday after signing an agreement with Japan that it said shows it can stand alone on the global stage, as talks on a pact with the European Union remain bogged down.
London said the pact, which was agreed after just a few months of talks over the summer, would boost business between the two by £15.2 billion ($19.5 billion) and proved others could be signed elsewhere.
The deal comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson pursues his "Global Britain" strategy that seeks potentially more advantageous trade deals than those that were negotiated while it was an EU member.
The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement covers sectors including food, textiles and technology and largely replicates the existing EU-Japan arrangement, which will no longer apply to Britain at the end of this year.
It is due to take effect on January 1 -- the end of a transition period in which London and Brussels are trying to thrash out the terms of their own new relationship.
British-Japanese trade was worth around £30 billion last year, while Britain's imports and exports to the European Union, its biggest trading partner, totalled $670 billion.
After the signing ceremony in Tokyo, Britain's International Trade Minister Liz Truss said: "It used to be said that an independent UK would not be able to strike independent trade deals, or they would take years to conclude. But today we prove the naysayers wrong."
Truss also said the deal "paves the way" for Britain to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership between 11 countries including Canada, Mexico, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.
But joining is likely to be a complex manoeuvre that will take years.
Long-running post-Brexit talks with the EU resumed Thursday after Britain ended a week of threats to abandon them.
Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier arrived in London vowing to work around the clock to salvage a trade deal and avert potential economic chaos at the end of the year -- although key sticking points still remain.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Friday highlighted the importance of a smooth end to the Brexit transition period, especially for Japanese businesses that see the UK as a "gateway to continental Europe".
"It is of paramount importance that the supply chains between the UK and EU are maintained even after the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Japan has high hopes that an agreement is reached soon," he said.
Britain formally left the EU in January, following a seismic referendum in 2016 that saw voters opt to end five decades of European integration.


text:
Chinese online travel service provider eLong, partially owned by US online travel service giant IAC/Interactive Travel, aims to make an initial public offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ stock market.
It is to further expand business and strengthen its competitiveness against rival Ctrip. The Beijing-based company said in a statement filed to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday that the company and some shareholders intended to issue 4.385 million American depository shares (ADSs), or 8.770 million ordinary shares, on the NASDAQ under the quote of LONG.
The ADSs will be priced between US$11.5 to US$13.5 and raise as much as US$59.20 million from the IPO. But the exact IPO date has yet to be decided.


text:
SEARCHED FOR:OLA CABS
Crowdfunding company Crowdera appoints Srinivas Chunduru to leadership team
Chunduru has spent two decades at Piramal Housing Finance as business head and executive director.
Onus on industry to make cleaner mobility solutions which make people feel safe: Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a hug...
Mobility firms Ola, Zoomcar may downsize fleet as rides thin out
Zoomcar owns more than 10,000 cars that customers rent on a self-drive basis...
Bounce lays off 130 workers as Covid-19 hits mobility business
The mobility business globally has been one of the worst-hit due to the spread of the virus.
Ola Cabs gives 500 vehicles to transport doctors and for coronavirus-related activities
Karnataka government on March 23 had said, Ola, Uber, taxis, autorickshaws shall not be permitted for passenger transport except for procuring essential commodities and medical emergencies.
Ola Cabs to start services for non-COVID-19 medical emergencies in 15 cities across India
Ola has decided to ferry non-COVID medical emergencies. We launched Ola Emergency services in Bengaluru & now we are offering services in ne...
Ola, Uber resume services in select cities. Read to know if yours is on the list
Uber's services in all cities which fall under the Red Zone remains suspended.
BITS Pilani’s Accelerator launches 16th edition; to help 1,000 early-stage startups
The top 10 ideas from across the country would undergo a 10-day mentorship program in Bangalore with investment workshops by firms like Accel Partners and Blume Ventures.
Ola Electric's most experienced official Sanjay Bhan quits
Sanjay Bhan’s departure comes as a huge setback to India’s most valuable electric-vehicle startup since he was entrusted with the challenging task of onboarding dealer partners in 2020 as Ola Electric readies for a big-bang launch of its commercial operations next year.
Startups cutting employee costs
Oyo, Ola, Paytm, Quikr, Zomato and Rivigo have handed out pink slips or are likely to.
Nexus leads $3.3-m Series-A in Yolobus
The investment takes the total capital raised by the company to $4.1 million across its seed and Series-A rounds.
Ola targets 1 million bike partners by next year
A recent in-house survey revealed that six out of 10 Ola bike partners also work for food delivery networks, helping increase their income levels.
Startups should be allowed to list outside: Rajan Anandan
There are at least 10 to 20 companies which are ready to get listed if the government enables this, the Sequoia MD said.
Ola aims to double scale of business in Australia, New Zealand by 2021
A company source said the firm is looking to double the scale of business across parameters such as revenue, customers, driver-partners and the number of rides. Ola said it is "set to launch in 11 new locations each in Australia and New Zealand, taking its total presence across 33 cities in the region".
Startup investors writing more $100 million cheques this year
With the rush of capital and new types of investors coming in, venture capitalists said the time taken for startups to grow their business and rack up $100 million in funding has also shrunk over the past few years.


text:
UAE Networks Block BlackBerry's BBM Channels Service
Published on: 12th Dec 2013
By: Ian Mansfield
Both of the UAE's mobile networks have reportedly blocked the use of BlackBerry's new BBM Channels on smartphones although the service is still available in the country via websites.
BlackBerry itself said that it is working with the regulator to unblock the service.
One of the two networks, Du said the service was no longer available: "In accordance with the internet management policy issued by the TRA to regulate internet content that is not in line with moral, social and cultural values that the UAE stands for, the BBM Channel application is unavailable to du customers until further notice."
The regulator has not issued any public comment, although mobile mobile networks say that the block was at its instigation.
"We are working with our partners in the UAE to ensure their customers are able to enjoy the premier messaging experience of BBM and we will continue to work together to resolve any issues preventing people from using BBM Channels," BlackBerry said.


text:
Considering that there has been a lot of news focused on EA and DICE's Star Wars Battlefront, there has been not much said about Battlefield 5. Even though Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline were met with mixed reviews, it is a safe bet that Battlefield 5 is on the way. In fact, there has been some recent information leaked about it online which could point to it being released either this fall or next winter. This is everything that is known about Battlefield 5 Release Date and News.
Battlefield 4 was infamous for being released with a ton of issues, such as being dropped from matches or unable to connect. EA has already confirmed that Battlefield 5 is on the way, and it's pretty clear that the developers want a more fine-tuned game before Battlefield 5 gets into the hands of gamers. However, Gotta Be Mobile states that it could be as soon as this year.
Technically, it will arrive in the third or fourth quarter of this year. However, as learned from Mass Effect: Andromeda, EA has a funny definition of what "fourth quarter" means. It is possible that Q4 could refer to the period after 2016 is over, like in January, February, or March of 2017.
As far as what content will be in the game, it is believe that it will not be with cops and robbers like in Battlefield Hardline. EA CFO Blake Jorgensen announced that the game would return to Battlefield's military roots, probably to appease the fans of Battlefield Hardline who didn't appreciate the change. This is the same CFO who had the weird idea of what fourth quarter meant for Mass Effect Andromeda, but perhaps Battlefield 5 could have a holiday release date.
A possible leaked date comes from a Swiss retailer World of Games, who accidentally leaked the release date of Battlefield 5 to October 26th, 2016, according to Mobipicker. EA has not confirmed that date, and it is possible that this date is a "placeholder" that somehow managed to work its way onto a website with legitimate information about the game. The Express reports that the listing has been changed.
There are rumors that it could take place in World War I. The World of Games lists Battlefield 5 as "Mehrspieler Taktik Shooter im 1. Weltkrieg," or "Multiplayer tactical shooter in WW1" when translated to English. Like the possible release date, this description has been removed. What is expected of a World War I game would be heavy tanks, machine guns, artillery, gas, trenches, and tunnels based on most World War I conventions.
Either way, look optimistically this holiday season to see if Battlefield 5 is available on the PS4, Xbox One, and the PC.


text:
The acquisition expands Sysnet’s commitment to delivering cyber security and compliance solutions to organizations globally.
Sysnet Global Solutions, a leading provider of cyber security and compliance solutions, today announces that it has acquired NuArx, Inc. to further enhance Sysnet’s technology platform and accelerate its market expansion. NuArx, Inc. is a market-leading provider of PCI compliance, managed security and digital transformation solutions for the restaurant, convenience, grocery and retail industries throughout North America, and is headquartered in Southfield, MI.
The acquisition comes at a time when cyber-criminal activity is increasing drastically, significantly impacting businesses of all sizes. Recent reports show that COVID-19 has provided opportunities for cyber criminals to increase activity and innovation, a secular trend that threatens the stability and business continuity of many organizations. The addition of NuArx brings extensive compliance and security expertise for protecting the digital interactions of businesses and their customers. With over 4 million merchants and payment processors now in the Sysnet organization, Sysnet has taken the lead in delivering cyber security and compliance solutions to organizations worldwide.
NuArx’s SecurePCI® platform delivers integrated managed security and PCI compliance solutions. The platform has fueled NuArx’s rapid growth with major brands throughout North America.
The NuArx acquisition follows Sysnet’s recent acquisitions of the Managed Compliance Solutions (MCS) division of ControlScan and Viking Cloud. The combination of four cyber security powerhouses – Sysnet, NuArx, Viking Cloud, and ControlScan – creates a scalable platform for next-generation cyber defense with security consulting services delivered by the industry’s leading experts.
“The acquisition of NuArx by Sysnet is part of Sysnet’s growth strategy and helps position Sysnet at the forefront of security and compliance,” Gabe Moynagh, Chief Executive Officer of Sysnet commented. “As organizations continue to strain under the ever-increasing onslaught of cyber-attacks, scalable cyber security platforms are needed so merchants of all sizes and locations can address emerging threats, while also achieving and meeting critical compliance mandates. NuArx bolsters Sysnet’s cyber security and compliance solutions and plays a critical role in helping our customers meet ever-increasing threats.”
“The NuArx team is very excited to join Sysnet Global Solutions,” said Rich Stanbaugh, Chief Executive Officer of NuArx. “Combining our teams, expertise and technology platforms is a big win for our customers, delivering a broader range of services and cutting-edge solutions with the same innovative culture and commitment to customer success.”
The Sysnet team was assisted in the transaction by Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
Truist Securities, Inc. served as financial advisor, and Gunderson Dettmer LLP served as legal advisor to NuArx.
NuArx was a portfolio company of One Equity Partners. OEP partnered with management to invest in NuArx in 2016 to support its formation and growth after a successful exit from ANX.


text:
Apple and News Corp. launched “The Daily” for iPad. Google showed off Android 3.0 Honeycomb on a Motorola Xoom. BlackBerry already launched Playbook. HP will show off webOS tablets next week in San Francisco.
So you tell us: Which tablet will be king, or are they all doomed to fail? Why? Comment, post a video response to YouTube/Facebook, or hit us up with a User Submitted editorial!


text:
Asheville City Schools
Excellence with Equity
- Asheville City Schools
Return to Headlines
ACS takes part in Safer Internet Day
Asheville City Schools invites you to join us as we take part in Safer Internet Day. This is a time to support safe internet use by students in our schools and community.
Safer Internet Day aims to not only create a safer internet but also a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.
We have joined forces with a company called Linewize as we work to keep our students and staff safe online. Matt Whiteside, Instructional Technology Director for Asheville City Schools is hosting an online information session on February 7th from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM in partnership with adolescent internet use expert and psychologist Teodora Pavkovic. This event will be held over ZOOM and is free to the public.
At this event, families will learn more about major social media and gaming platforms, the main online safety risks kids encounter today and what to do about them, and some actionable tips on how you can manage online safety and digital wellness at home. There will also be time for families to ask questions.
You can register in advance for this online information session here: https://familyzone.zoom.us/.../WN_BBi0Gf1aSDeLDzqem5WKOw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Families can use Asheville City Schools' digital wellness hub for additional resources. It contains the latest topics, trends, guides and timely articles from digital wellness and online safety experts, specifically focused on child development.
It can be accessed here: https://ashevillecityschools.onlinesafetyhub.io/
We hope you will make plans to join us and as always, thank you for your continued support of Asheville City Schools.


text:
Microsoft has now begun paying startups who are working with the tech firm using LLM models in niche models.
The existing app ecosystem stakeholders will have to first think about AI first or they will get disrupted by the new technology.
We have seen startups building their toplines by using AI, says Microsoft India CTO
Indian startups have started using large language models (LLM) in niche languages to solve real world problems especially in the Indian context, Rohini Srivathsa, chief technology officer at Microsoft India and South Asia said during the inaugural session of Inc42 Gen AI Summit in Bengaluru today.
Srivathsa said during the panel discussion with Inc42 co-founder and chief executive officer Vaibhav Vardhan and Sangeeta Bavi, executive director-Digital Natives, Microsoft India that AI in India has started to become mainstream with its integration in different industries and that “we haven’t even scratched the surface of this evolving technology.”
“I believe that India will have a huge role to play in India’s $10 Tn economy. Apart from helping the consumer, workforces we also have seen startups building their toplines by using AI. Besides technologists and developers, even the business leaders in large corporates and startups are now interested in finding out how the revenues of the company will grow using Gen AI,” Srivathsa said at the summit.
While replying to a question as to how the tech giant like Microsoft is working with native Gen AI startups, Sangeeta Bavi said that Microsoft has now begun paying startups who are working with the tech firm using LLM models in niche models.
Bavi said that for both B2B SaaS and B2C startups, AI will be an important futuristic tool which will either disrupt existing applications and help in customer retention ( B2C).
“The existing app ecosystem stakeholders will have to first think AI first or they will get disrupted by the new technology. Things are moving at the speed of weeks in Gen AI, so I suggest app developers to move at that intensity,” Bavi added.
Microsoft India’s CTO explained that there are startups which are working in both small and large language models where native cultural and dialects are used and this could unlock further opportunities for a market like India.
“I also see AI’s huge use cases in real estate, financial services and healthcare sector,” Srivathsa noted.
Microsoft’s top executives also delved on the talent gap that may exist because of demand in Gen AI technology. “Microsoft has already begun skilling the workforce under various training programmes looking at paradigm shift.Similarly there are AI tools readily available which could be used by corporates
Microsoft’s CTO also added that the corporates and startups will have use AI to leverage the data created because of digital public infrastructure, ONDC, Aadhar success.


text:
Raw Talent Guitar Lessons for Beginners Software Announces New Price for September 1, 2011
Raw Talent Guitar is setting a new price for their guitar learning software that will go live on September 1, 2011, bringing an end to the introductory price. The company will keep free shipping in the 48 contiguous states and plans to move into stores for the 2011 holiday season.
The new price is set to increase on their Web site on September 1, 2011, bringing an end to the introductory price of $199.
"We're making this announcement so that consumers looking to buy guitar learning software will have one last chance to purchase Raw Talent Guitar at the introductory price of $199,” said Marc Quadagno, Director of Media Relations for Raw Talent Guitar.
"Plus, we're giving out this coupon code for an additional $20 off," said Quadagno. "Customers can enter coupon code 'lastchance' to save and the promo code expires on September 1, 2011."
Last week, the company set the date to raise the price and announced their plans to move into music stores for the holiday season. The company is currently looking for new distribution channels to share their brand of guitar education and as part of their strategy the company will raise the price from $199 to $209 on September 1, 2011.
“Raw Talent Guitar is a great supplement to any lessons a guitar instructor might use, but also works as a standalone tool,” said CEO Lawrence Fisher. "Now, following our appearance at Summer NAMM 2011, we plan to move into the guitar lessons review sections of music stores across the country."
Raw Talent Guitar has been on the market for six months with national advertising and continuous public relations campaigns, including appearances at CES 2011 in Las Vegas, SXSW 2011 in Austin and Summer NAMM 2011 in Nashville, and the company plans to end the year strong.
"When we launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, our product was only available online," said CEO Lawrence Fisher.
As part of their ongoing strategy to find a place on store shelves, Raw Talent Guitar does not expect this new price will affect sales from current online distribution channels on RawTalentGuitar.com or Amazon.com.
"We launched our product at the lowest price available and we promise to keep our product at the minimum amount," said CFO Scott Fisher. "We want our current price of $199 to remain our retail price as we expand, and a slight price increase of $209 online is necessary to grow our brand."
"Presence in stores simply means more exposure, and our Web promotions will continue to grow our brand," said Quadagno. "Whether you want to purchase at your local music store, or for those more prone to online purchases, we'll be there whenever you're ready to learn to play guitar."
Raw Talent, Inc., launched their flagship product, Raw Talent Guitar, at CES 2011 in Las Vegas and executives expect continued growth with an even higher sales rate through 2012.
About Raw Talent Guitar
Raw Talent Guitar was founded in October 2008 by brothers Scott and Shaun Fisher after they realized limitations in learning to play an instrument with video instruction, which lack instant feedback or evaluations from an instructor. Many involved with the project are musicians by trade, and many professional musicians and guitar instructors were consulted to make Raw Talent Guitar as accurate as possible. The company mission is to be the worldwide leader in providing the most fun and accurate at-home training and evaluation tools for self-taught musicians and artists for use with their personal computers.


text:
After days of panic buying, Haryana state went dry Monday - a victory for women’s groups who campaigned for a liquor ban because alcoholism among men was tearing families apart.
On Sunday, the last day of legal liquor sales, thousands rushed to buy booze discounted at up to one-fourth its original price by merchants eager to clear their shelves before the ban went into effect.
The ban was enacted by the new government of the northern Indian state. It makes possession, consumption, manufacture and sale of liquor punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and a $60 fine.
Click here to comment on this story »


text:
New $17M facility, 137 new jobs, more expansion planned
Kemin showed off its new state-of-the-art research lab during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Des Moines Monday.
The new Molecular Advancement Center is the third major expansion at Kemin's facility in the Des Moines metro.
Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov Kim Reynolds toured the new $17 million facility Monday morning.
Kemin is known for its research and manufacturing of nutritional products for humans and animals -- and now has several new labs and a test kitchen for its 60 scientists.
Since October 2010, when Kemin announced its plans to expand, the company has already added 137 new, full-time jobs.
Kemin executives said the company's largest goal is to improve the quality of live.
"Kemin is dedicated in making that dedication to make that food available for the 9 billion people that will inhabit our planet. It's our mission and passion to do that with safe, nutritious food on a worldwide basis," said Chris Nelson, Kemin president and CEO.
The company said its expansion is not over yet. A new manufacturing facility is being built now, and is expected to be finished in 2014.
Kemin has 26 job openings right now.


text:
More to explore:
Already have an account?
Log in now
Amish Women Quilting
amish women | Amish Girl
amish people women - Bing Images
amish women - Google Search
amish women | ... The New York Times) Three amish women in Nickel Mines, PA
This photo said it was Amish, but the women look Mennonite to me. Anyway...it's a view of a quilting party.
In this July 13, 2011, photo, Amish women ride in a buggy on their way home from shopping in an Amish country store in Centerville, N.Y.


text:
Jackie O’s XIV
14th annual anniversary party starts Friday, Jan. 10 in Athens
The number of craft breweries in Ohio has nearly tripled over the past five years: there are 328 independently-owned breweries operating in the Buckeye State today, compared to just 110 at the end of 2014.
We’re at the point now where a brewery anniversary is roughly a daily occurrence. This blog has endeavored over the past two years to chronicle as many of these occasions as possible, but it has become an almost Sisyphean task and, ultimately, not as engaging a topic as it once was. Is something that happens every day worthy of column inches?
It is when you put on an anniversary party like Jackie O’s does.
This Friday, the brewery will celebrate 14 years in business with the release of seven barrel aged beers in bottles and the tapping of a whopping 81 unique beers across all three Athens locations.
Jackie O’s is one of the longer-tenured breweries in the state; only a few trailblazers like Great Lakes, Columbus Brewing Company, Barley’s and a handful of others have been making beer in Ohio longer. Starting out as a tiny brewpub in 2005 – owner Art Oestrike purchased O’Hooley’s in downtown Athens and renamed it after his mother – Jackie O’s quickly expanded to open the public house next door to the brewpub in 2009. Demand for their core beers – Mystic Mama IPA, Firefly Amber Ale and Razz Wheat, to name a few – necessitated further expansion in the form of a production brewery and taproom that opened in Athens in 2013.
Along the way, Jackie O’s developed what may be the state’s largest and most prolific barrel-aged beer program. At a nondescript warehouse near the brewery, hundreds upon hundreds of barrels are filled with stouts and saisons and sours and all manner of other styles, soaking up character while they await their eventual release. This weekend’s anniversary celebration will feature no fewer than 50 beers from this impressive cellar, including seven that will be released in bottles starting Friday morning.
Four variants of the popular Dark Apparition Russian imperial stout headline the bottle release. The annual bourbon barrel aged Dark App is supplemented by a vanilla and coffee bean infused version, as well as a cinnamon and coconut variant. Rounding out the Dark App bottles is a variant aged in rye whiskey barrels.
Two barrel aged saisons made the cut for this year’s anniversary bottle release. Ouillage is a Vienna-style saison aged in oak barrels for 28 months and then refermented on whole, fresh blackberries. Hive Five Reserve is an oat saison brewed with orange blossom honey, aged in oak barrels for 23 months, then refermented on wildflower honey.
With so many beers maturing in barrels, you had better believe there’s ample opportunity to make a stellar blend. Spirit Beast is that beer, artfully combining five bourbon barrel aged barleywines, imperial stouts and porters to make a decadent cuvée bursting with character.
If you’re planning to buy bottles, you’ll want to get to the Jackie O’s brewery taproom early on Friday morning: bottle sales begin at 11 a.m., but lines are known to form overnight and some of the available bottles will sell out very quickly (the two saisons, in particular, have very small allotments per person.)
Get all the details on the available bottles and allotments, the draft lists at all three locations and more at facebook.com/jackieosbrewery
Cheers to 14 years of beers from Jackie O’s!


text:
(Yicai Global) Feb. 7 -- The world's largest ride-hailing operator Didi Chuxing Technology Co. has teamed up with 12 carmakers, including the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, to create a car-sharing platform for new-energy vehicles.
The service will integrate with Didi's existing ride-hailing app, the company said in a statement today. Automakers will also be able to offer vehicle financing and insurance through the platform.
The Chinese car-sharing market will boom over the next few years, with annual orders surging to as much as 700 million from about 20 million now, it added, saying the value of the sector will soar to almost CNY24 billion (USD3.8 billion) from CNY700 million.
Didi hopes the new service will strike up cooperation with new partners along the industrial chain, including vehicle makers, pay-as-you-go car rental platforms, leasing companies and charging service providers.
The 12 carmakers involved in the new platform are


text:
eBay unveils visual search feature
Written by Peter Walker
eBay has unveiled several new initiatives for buyers and sellers, including a search feature that couples advancements in computer vision with relevant filtering, letting shoppers discover products using pictures and words.
In its first quarter results statement, the global commerce company also announced the addition of Google Pay as a payment option, alongside the completed integration of PayPal on its new platform, which has been live for a couple weeks with a small set of customers and will continue scaling over the coming months.
Following roll-out in the US, eBay also revealed that Germany will be its second market for managed payments, subject to regulatory approval. This model eliminates PayPal as the middleman for payment disputes over claims and returns.
The company delivered revenue for the quarter ended 31 March of $2.6 billion, up two per cent on, primarily driven by gross merchandise volume of $22.6 billion, although that was down by four per cent during the quarter.
Devin Wenig, president and chief executive of eBay, explained: "Our initiatives to create a next generation payment and advertising experience are on track, we saw healthy buyer growth and disciplined cost control, and we continue to simplify the buying process while remaining focused on sellers’ success."
Hugh Fletcher, global head of consultancy and innovation at Wunderman Thompson Commerce, commented that eBay’s introduction of grouped listings, a slicker payment system and personalised recommendations has allowed the marketplace to create a truly seamless customer journey.
“To continue to compete with Amazon, the marketplace must now look to lock-in the 180 million active buyers by continuing to offer what Amazon can’t do,” he stated. “By continuing to innovate, working out what they could do that Amazon can’t and creating a seamless and personalised experience for the customer, other online vendors may have a chance of success in an increasingly competitive market.”