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With regards to the longstanding claims of lead being present in Maggi noodles, Nestlé India insisted that no lead was added to the noodles in any form at any stage in a notice on its official website since last week.
A Nestlé India spokesperson stressed that the Maggi noodles “has been confirmed and reaffirmed many times through rigorous testing by laboratories accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
“To ensure that food is safe, the Food Regulations have specified safe-limits for several elements including lead and Maggi noodles have consistently cleared these tests.
“Lead is a naturally occurring substance, present in the air, soil, water, grains, and other materials.”
The spokesperson also told FoodNavigator-Asia that the firm was “taking proactive steps” in India to reassure consumers the safety of MAGGI. This includes releasing print advertisements in multiple languages in regional and English publications between Jan 5 and 7.
For instance, it had published an advertisement to emphasise that Maggi is safe in local media The Economic Times.
The firm is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against government representative, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), after the Indian Supreme Court had ordered the latter to revive a class action suit against Nestlé India in January 3, The Economic Times reported.
During the court hearing on January 3, bench head Justice DY Chandrachud said: “Why should Maggi noodles have lead at all? I would be averse to eat Maggi with lead in it. Why should children eat Maggi with lead?”
The Maggi noodles were first found to contain lead higher than permissible level in 2015.
It was then that the NCDRC had filed a class action suit under the Consumer Protection Act against Nestlé India, on the claims that the firm was selling noodles containing excessive lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
NCDRC also sought a compensation of INR$6.4bn (US$91.4m).
Maggi noodles were subsequently banned in India as it was found to contain lead that was higher than the permissible level.
It re-entered the market five months later.
Since then, it had bounced back as the category leader with a current market share of nearly 60%.
The saga surrounding Maggi noodles did not only involve the presence of lead.
In November 2017, a batch of Maggi noodles produced in 2015 was found to contain ash content above permissible limits for human consumption.
Since NCDRC first filed a class action in 2015, Nestlé India had conducted another round of sample testing and requested the court to wait for the results.
Engaged to do the testing, the Central Food Technology Research Institute Laboratory (CFTRI) declared that the lead and MSG levels in Maggi were within permissible limits.
For the present lawsuit, the Supreme Court said it would proceed with the case based on the report done by CFTRI and no further testing would be allowed, the Business Standard reported.
“(The CFTRI) Reports show lead below detectable limits in some samples and only minuscule quantities of lead in others,” Nestlé India’s lawyer Rajesh Batra was quoted to have said in the court during the ongoing lawsuit.


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(CNN) – Since the world closed in March, many of us have made a mental list of all the places we will go once we are finally able to travel again. Now the borders are reopening and the restrictions are hotels and resorts are slowly reopening, and the prospect of traveling has become a reality again. their first big trip into the new era of travel. Cancun, in southeastern Mexico, has launched a “Come to Cancun 2 × 1” campaign, which will apparently offer two free nights of accommodation for every two nights paid and reimburse the price for a plane ticket so that visitors can take a companion with them. In May, casino owner Derek Stevens offered more than 1,000 flights to Las Vegas to boost domestic tourism in the U.S. In Thailand, the Cape Fahn Hotel, the first of Koh Samui’s private island luxur y resort, recently launched a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion on its luxury villas with swimming pool. New era of travel The Cancun Hotel Association offers customers who pay for two hotel nights two additional nights. ELIZABETH RUIZ / AFP via Getty ImagesWhile visitors will still have to pay for their flight and accommodation. The Balkan country of Bulgaria has chosen to stop charging visitors for sunbeds, umbrellas and even tables on its popular beaches. In Switzerland, Geneva Tourism has launched “Geneva Boxes” made up of urban experiences and hotel packages offering discounts of up to 65%. And it’s not just big savings, and in some cases gifts, that are currently on the table for travelers. Various countries are choosing to launch competitive campaigns aimed at convincing nervous customers to travel following the current Covid-19 pandemic that they are a “safe” destination. Central Asia, Uzbekistan has gone so far as to offer payment to visitors who contract Covid-19 while on vacation there. The “Uzbekistan: Safe Travel Guaranteed” campaign hopes to reassure travelers by promising $ 3,000 in compensation to all tourists infected with Covid-19 during their stay. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, which has reopened Borders with certain countries, in June, undertake to cover the cost of accommodation, food, drink and medicine for visitors who test positive for the virus during their stay. But as the struggling travel industry tries to rebuild itself, are these sweeteners really enough to convince worried travelers to take the plunge? In a recent survey by the International Air Transport Association, 45% of respondents said they hoped to travel within a few months of the subsiding pandemic, while 33% said they would avoid traveling future to reduce the risk of catching the virus. Joanna Lord, director of marketing for the Skyscanner travel search engine, explains that incentives, especially lower prices, are a simple and effective way to create demand at first, but over time, travelers will more focused on safety than price. “In the short term, discounted flights and accommodation are likely to be common as travel providers boost their cash flow by stimulating demand,” Lord told CNN Travel. Security guarantees The government of Uzbekistan will pay travelers compensation of $ 3,000 if they are infected with Covid-19 .STR / AFP via Getty Images “In the longer term, we expect prices to reflect bookings that provide more flexibility, security and customer confidence. ” In the absence of a vaccine, these factors will be more important to travelers and could allow traveling service providers to charge more. “However, Lord points out that” flexible booking policies “and accommodation policies are more valuable to customers in these uncertain times. Bekistan has launched its national guarantee to visitors, tourism officials at the destination said “They were so confident in their new safety and health measures, the president was” ready to put money where he is. “According to David Goodger, director of Tourism Economics, a According to the Oxford Economics Company , this level of insurance could seal the deal for customers concerned about security measures, as well as finances, noting that many have less disposable income to spend on travel due to the pandemic. ” security will take on greater importance in the early stages of recovery, including security guarantees, low infection rates, testing and tracking in all destinations, as well as additional hygiene measures and other measures to limit the spread, “he told CNN Travel. ” He [the “Uzbekistan: Safe Travel Guaranteed” campaign] is essentially insurance against Covid, and signals that the destination is safe to visit, while providing a financial incentive. “” There should be some success with this measure, and it could be more effective than a simple price reduction, or The 2 for 1 deal, in the very short term. “Lori Pennington-Gray, professor and director of the Tourism Crisis Management Initiative at the University of Florida, also believes that ensuring customers are well taken care of if they catch the virus during their visit is a positive way to regain confidence “There is always anxiety with air travel,” she told CNN Travel. Regaining travelers’ confidence Casino owner Derek Stevens has offered more than 1,000 flights to Las Vegas. in May.Ethan Miller / Getty Images “It is important that destinations restore confidence, and one of the ways to do this is to have programs that show the traveler that he is committed to his safety.” ” So things like covering the cost of t heir medical bills or covering their funds [if they contract Covid-19] are important. “I don’t think that just putting it in place will convince people to come back. But it’s a way to strengthen the commitment of this destination to ensure the safety of its visitors.” Pennington-Gray recognizes that some travelers simply accept the risks more than others, and it is the customers that the destinations should target at this point. “We find that some people are waiting for a vaccine because they are really reluctant to take risks and they will not travel [for now]”she said, pointing out that there is probably no incentive attractive enough to convince people in this category to leave the country now. However, for those who are already planning their next trips abroad and identifying places where borders are open, such incentives will be a “It’s about who this market is and what it looks like,” she adds. Pennington-Gray also points out that most travelers are very aware that it is not just the destination to protect visitors now. should take the necessary steps to ensure their own safety when traveling, such as wearing masks when necessary and complying with local social distancing measures, which differ from ‘One destination to another. “It will be this balance between what the industry can do and share with the consumer and what the consumer can do to protect themselves,” she adds. way to recovery Cyprus has undertaken to cover the cost of accommodation, food, drink and medicine for visitors who are living with the virus during their stay. ETIENNE TORBEY / AFP via Getty Images The European Union finally reopened its doors to visitors from different countries of the world on July 1. However, the United States was absent from the list. While the US State Department still advises its citizens to avoid international travel due to the pandemic, Americans are currently allowed to enter a number of Caribbean islands, including Jamaica and Aruba, as well as the Maldives and Croatia, to name a few. While it is clear that the recovery process will likely be slow, especially since destinations like Spain and Melbourne, Australia have issued a second lockout shortly after the easing measures, Lord points out that Skyscanner has noticed a significant increase in searches for customers lining up to reopen specific borders. “While this is clearly a difficult time for the industry, we have seen green upsurges in some markets and expect it to gain momentum after a period of tentative travel,” she said. . “Although the number of searches on the Skyscanner site decreased overall at the start of the lockdown in March, we saw a gradual increase in searches during the months of May and June in countries like the United Kingdom and Spain , as travel restrictions began to ease. ” “This pent-up demand for travel, as evidenced by global search behavior, has resulted in a significant increase in bookings during this same period as soon as restrictions allow.” Lord says Skyscanner has seen a 116.4% month-over-month increase in flight bookings. in the United Kingdom between May and June 2020, while the figures for Spain increased by 144.9% month-on-month over the same period. Although these figures are certainly encouraging, it will take probably a while before the travel industry rebounds, and experts have suggested that things may never go back to the way they were. “I am not sure [the travel sector] will never be the same as it was [pre-Covid 19]”Says Pennington-Gray.” It can take years to operate at full capacity and at the same volumes. But we know from previous crises that the travel industry is very resilient. “It will not be a question of using incentives to encourage people to travel,” she adds. ” It will really be a commitment to business practices. “the industry to engage in things that will keep them safe, like providing cleaning stations, and to communicate those things to the consumer.” The travel industry will rebound, it just won’t happen tomorrow. “.
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According to John Scott, JM Scott Management Services, gourmet burgers were something born of North America’s 2008 economic downturn.
“People went to the hamburger, because it’s a comfort food. And then, over a period of time…people said, ‘you know what, I’d like something a bit better.’”
That’s when, as Scott says in the video below, a New York chef decided to create a gourmet burger made of steak. It was a hit, and today, gourmet burgers can be found in all kinds of high-end establishments.
Filmed at the Canfax Cattle Market Forum in Calgary, this interview has Scott join Shaun Haney to address the history and appeal of the gourmet burger. The discussion evolves from there, delving into what fast food chains are doing to respond to this kind of competition and the ever-changing perception of ‘fast food.’
Also from CanFax ’14: Big Money for Bulls, Stabilization of the Cow Herd & Tight Feeder Margins for 2015


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We’re approaching the festive season, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish our readers all the best during your Happy Holidays!
Lexus Enthusiast will be taking time off over the holidays, with regular posting set to resume on January 2rd. It’s time to recharge the batteries and put 2018 in the rearview mirror.
Please stay safe, never drink and drive, and have a wonderful holiday season,
Editor of Lexus Enthusiast


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Lilly Strattera "approvable"
This article was originally published in Pharmaceutical Approvals Monthly
FDA's Aug. 12 "approvable" letter for Strattera (atomoxetine) requests data that will require "analyses from either existing studies or a potential new study" of the non-stimulant attention deficit hyperactivity disorder product, Lilly says. The firm "continues to plan for final FDA approval in the spring of 2003," although "approval timing is contingent upon further discussions with the FDA regarding the additional data requested
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Theradaptive's “paint-like” regenerative therapeutic can be applied to any device to promote bone regrowth or regenerate tissue.


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Taking flight starting September 29th the Disney Skyliner will transport guests between four resorts and two theme parks!
With the Epcot Skyliner station being located at International Gateway it is also a great new way for guests staying at BoardWalk Inn, Yacht and Beach Club to access these resorts and Hollywood Studios.
The Disney Skyliner will accommodate up to 10 guests, including access for wheelchairs and ECVs.
While the gondola is continuously moving this will allow airflow through the cabin to keep it cooler on those humid Central Florida days.
The other interesting tidbit to come out of this release as that guests will be able to in fact stay at Disney’s Riviera Resort on cash, and not just DVC points.
Are you looking forward to the Disney Skyliner and the new vantage points that it will afford?


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The right to sell rice: white vs. basmati
Two restaurants in a Rhode Island mall food court are in the fifth year of a legal battle over the right to sell rice. David Chu, owner of Cathay Cathay, says he pays extra rent to be the mall’s sole provider of white rice, which he calls “the backbone” of Chinese food. But Yogi Sood of Gourmet India says his lease allows him to sell basmati rice—a long-grained strain of white rice—which he calls the “must ingredient” of Indian cuisine. Legal fees so far have totaled $250,000.
Utah's strange new liquor law
The state legislature in alcohol-unfriendly Utah is considering a bill that would require bars and restaurants to prepare all alcoholic beverages behind a 10-foot wall. A Senate committee approved the measure, designed to protect children from the tempting sight of drinks being mixed. Liquor commissioner Gordon Strachan voiced his opposition. “Not only is the cost significant,” said Strachan, “it makes Utah look even stranger.”
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JC Penney hit with multiple downgrades
Could Ron Johnson be the next CEO to be fired after the retailer's dismal performance?
The bad news just keeps on coming for JC Penney (JCP).
On Feb. 15, Benzinga reported on Gilford Securities' downgrade of the Plano, Texas-based firm. Then, after finishing far below expectations on the earnings front, JC Penney's stock plunged 17% to close out February.
Now, a day after Benzinga reported Vornado sold nearly half of its stake in the lumbering department store chain, JC Penney woke up to two more downgrades.
Oppenheimer has downgraded the company from "outperform" to "perform."
The ratings agency states, "We continue to believe that behind a lot of noise the components of a potentially meaningful strategic shift are taking shape. Near-term risks for JCP are, however, building and could potentially disrupt or even derail the company's recovery."
Accordingly, Oppenheimer has reduced its price target from $30 to $15.
Citi has also decided to take a jab at JC Penney, downgrading the company to "neutral." On this note, Citi analyst Deborah Weinswig states, "We came away from our Headquarter visit with the company's CEO, CFO, and COO more concerned that JCP's return to topline growth will take longer than expected. We continue to be supporters of the company's long-term vision, including its shop strategy and new brand launches. However, we are less convinced that the course-correcting strategies being implemented around pricing and marketing will drive meaningful sales improvement."
With this in mind, Citi has reduced its price target from $22 to $15.
Hasta la vista, Ronnie?
The Wall Street Journal reports JC Penney is considering selling the company or terminating CEO Ron Johnson if the sales decline doesn't reverse in 2013.
According to the report, the company's board of directors will closely evaluate sales and merchandising results over the next six months. The board hopes the opening of Joe Fresh stores, a makeover to the company's home department and the re-introduction of regular discounts will help get results, as notes the Wall Street Journal.
However, if all else fails, the mentioned sale or termination of Johnson could become a reality.
Penney plunges again
With the one-two downgrade combo from Citi and Oppenheimer, JC Penney is stumbling in the market yet again.
After reaching a four-year low and ultimately closing down nearly 11% Tuesday, JC Penney was trading below $14.50 for the first time since March of 2009. The stock declined over 3% in the morning hours on Wednesday, but pared some losses by the afternoon.
More from Benzinga
How unfortunate that this great old company is being destroyed. I, too, used to buy almost everything from Penny's; now I don't because they are no longer offering the prodicts I want. I have a very generous gift certificate that I can't even manage to spend part of. I don't care about the trendy brands; I want the dependable products that I have counted on for years. And the cute little monthly "catalogues"- cuteness is all tehy ahve going for them. What a waste of money.
1) JC Penny's should change its name to Jay Z Penny's to bring the urban youth in.
2) Stock entire store with Nike's selling for $100 - $200 a pair, made in China for about 6 bucks.
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Bill Stiritz has experienced an estimated $145 million in paper losses on his investment in the company.
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October 16 2014 - Products
Pegasus TransTech released upgrade 1.1 for the company’s Transflo Mobile+ document scanning application for drivers and carriers.
July 29 2014 - Products
Pegasus TransTech has released Transflo Docu-Type, an automated document classification system that complements the Transflo suite of scanning applications.
July 15 2013 - Products
Eleos Technologies announced that it has launched a new service that corrects and enhances document images scanned with Qualcomm in-cab scanners. The new service dramatically improves image quality and legibility while reducing the size of the document images.
May 15 2013 - Products
Pegasus TransTech, a provider of document scanning applications to the transportation industry, has released an enhanced version of Transflo Mobile. This solution allows users to scan and submit delivery documents instantly using only a smartphone.


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The Superhuman Sports Committee explores the concept of tech-enhanced sports events, which may be the norm in the next decades to come.
Toshiba takes its visitors to a trip down the uncanny valley with its new sign language robot.
In a surprise move, Yahoo has been rumored to be laying off the majority if not all of their software development staff located in Bangalore, India.
Toshiba (TYO: 6502) has announced the roll out of its very first 15nm NAND flash memory chip. The chips are already available for sampling starting this October, with the first 16GB version chips to be shipped first and the rest of the other size versions to follow shortly. This new NAND flash memory chip utilizes both the flash memory chip and its controller in a single board. Toshiba claims that this optimization technique promises an overall increase in its data transfer speed (8% read, 2% write), as well as making the chips around 26% smaller compared to its predecessors. Its updated interface also boasts a significant increase in speed,
Ricoh announces that it will be providing a new certification standard for smartphone cameras through its GR certification program.
Touchscreens may soon bid farewell to standard notebook PCs. A recent report from Digitimes — which has often questionable accuracy — has just detailed what seems to be a recent decision by major notebook PC vendors to do away with touchscreens for notebook PCs in the near future. According to the information presented, demand for touchscreen notebooks overall wasn’t as high as expected, and thus affected companies are now planning to adjust accordingly. Following this assessment, the report also states that touchscreen notebook PC vendors will be ceasing production of touchscreen notebooks for the final quarter of the current year. One of the most cited reasons for the
Chinese startup InnoLight raises $32M in Series C funding led by Google Capital, and will focus on building 100Gbps optical transceivers that enable servers to communicate through fiber-optics.
$4.6B richer after the Alibaba IPO, Japanese tech and telecoms conglomerate SoftBank is reportedly discussing a potential acquisition of movie studio DreamWorks Animation.
Soon, patients in Japanese hospitals may be monitored 24/7 using smartphones. That is according to a new proposal recently announced by Japanese IT giant NEC. The new system, called as the Application Platform for Healthcare, will primarily focus on the concept of using smartphones to monitor hospital patients via wireless video feed. The system will be offered and catered to medical institutions nationwide towards the end of October. Traditionally, nurse call systems are often made of pre-installed communications equipment that is simply set up throughout the medical establishment. If medical attention is required, users are to speak through the comms units, and a nurse on standby
Making a robot dance is one thing, but coordinating a group of dancing robots is an entirely different ball game. That is perhaps why Murata’s robot cheer squad evokes a unique sense of awe, something that we haven’t felt since the appearance of these critters. The Murata Cheering Squad, as it is affectionately called, was unveiled just a few days earlier at a press conference by the company in Tokyo. The demonstration presented a total of ten units, which each of the 35cm, 1.5kg cheer robot moving through a surface using a single large ball. It balances itself using three gyro sensors, which constantly checks
In order to catch up in a mobile SoC market dominated by Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) and MediaTek (TPE: 2454), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) announced Friday that it is making a strategic investment in two Chinese SoC makers via Tsinghua Unigroup, a government-affiliated private equity firm. “China is now the largest consumption market for smartphones and has the largest number of Internet users in the world,” said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO, in a statement. “These agreements with Tsinghua Unigroup underscore Intel’s 29-year-long history of investing in and working in China. This partnership will also enhance our ability to support a wider range of mobile customers in China
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Assistant robots are very important tech assets in Japan today. In fact, its development industry is still growing to be the primary backbone of the country’s elderly healthcare system. Panasonic, in response to this evolving industry develops its own, one that tries to see what your grandma will do next. The Autonomous Stand and Walk Assistant Robot is, as suggested, an assistant robot that aids elderly people in going about their daily lives. It may not look as charming or advanced as Asimo, but what is unique about this robot is its automatic position assist system. Whenever the person it assists tries to do something,
Tablet implementation on schools is certainly not a new concept. However, it is always fascinating to see its implementation, as it shows the tablet’s significant impact on education in developed countries worldwide. Japan is no different, and soon, another school in this country is about to distribute tablets to students in the name of education. Starting September 26, the Asahikawa Fuji Girls High School in Hokkaido prefecture will be distributing iPad mini units to its first and second year senior high school students. This is part of the school’s curriculum shift to include updated electronic mobile devices and computers. Each student will be provided with
When it comes to smart eyewear, we usually think of floating interfaces, navigation guides, and augmented reality. Board games certainly weren’t on top of the list, but this idea from Japan takes the traditional game of Shogi and pushes it into the next generation with a new smart eyewear unit. The Shogi smart eyewear unit is the product of the collaborative effort between software developers and prominent Shogi players in Japan. The unit has no official name, and it is probably best to tell you early on that this particular model won’t be commercially available soon. The primary function of the Shogi smart eyewear is
Immersion is undoubtedly the most important aspect of VR. Who can deny the wonderful sensation of seeing and hearing inside a virtual fantasy world? But you know what’s even more fantastic? Bringing the ‘R’ in VR closer to us, and there’s no other better example of this than this upcoming VR game that lets you play with bikini-clad ladies at the beach. PlayGirls is the brainchild of PG Production and Japanese game company Illusion that combines VR and lovely AV actresses. Why are actresses involved you say? Well, the concept is described as the “Sexy Actress Perfect Simulation Project”, which, as suggested, recreates an actress
The VR boom that Oculus Rift has made created a lot of new innovations and ideas, but it has also spawned many creations that try to emulate the concept in a much simpler form. Take this new VR headset in Japan for example. If you need some quick and cheap VR experience, then this simple gadget might be the thing you need. Called the Smartphone Virtual 3D Goggles, this VR headset has the same concept of slapping your own smartphone into your face a la Google Cardboard. There’s not much tech specs to be introduced here, but it is advertised to be able to use most
Toshiba (TYO: 6502) has announced the scaling down of its consumer PC business to give more focus on its general business-to-business operations. This decision is in response to the company’s need to secure and stabilize its overall business structure, and as a result around 900 employees from the PC business division will be laid off. In accordance to the change and restructuring of its business operations, the Japanese electronics giant will be shifting more towards corporate-targeted services, such as provision of enterprise hardware like workstations and business-use mobile devices, as well as technology-based client solutions. Part of the plan also includes of the corporation’s extension of


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25 March 2020
Most mines are being placed on care and maintenance but some remain critical to the economy, including those supplying coal to Eskom.
Operators in the hospitality sector are preparing to close almost all their operations for the duration of the countrywide lockdown.
The investment group says companies in its portfolio will be affected differently by the pandemic, with most of its Virgin Active gyms closing.
Mpact and Trellidor have delayed payment of their dividends until September in order to preserve financial liquidity due to current uncertainty.
The pulp and paper producer says the Vulindlela expansion project will undergo a controlled shut down due to the pending lockdown.
The drilling services specialist has maintained a stable order book as it develops new technology and makes complementary acquisitions.
24 March 2020
A growing number of property groups say retaining cash will help them weather the difficult conditions that are likely to continue for the short term.
The private education and staffing group says it will revisit the situation at its May board meeting and may resort to share buybacks.
Standard Bank says it remains well capitalised and liquid but cannot estimate the likely negative impact Covid-19 will have on its performance.
In another timely Macro Insight at a time of turmoil in markets is titled "Fixed income leads the way for equities" offers valuable pointers- and lessons.
Households are stocking up on long life products including canned meat and vegetables and baby food due to Covid-19.
The casual dining restaurant group is beefing up its home delivery capability but says trading will become increasingly difficult, impacting sales this year.
The companies say they will revisit the share repurchase at a later date once markets have settled.
23 March 2020
While supply chain disruptions are easing, the retail group says turnover will be impacted as European countries restrict trading.
The gold producer says it is developing plans to help regain delayed production once mining operations resume.
The bank and wealth manager will report a decline in full-year earnings, with the pandemic impacting fourth-quarter results.
The ICT group says its Logicalis and Westcon division have reported rising orders for remote access computing, security and collaboration networks.
The network operator says it will reduce the price of its monthly bundles by up to a half next month.
Fear grips the world
The investment group has liquidated loss-making franchises and is disposing of businesses so it can improve shareholder returns.
20 March 2020
The mass market bank and lender has defended the resilience of its business model following a sell-off of its shares this week.
The bank says it is taking steps to protect stakeholders and has appropriate capital, liquidity and funding buffers in place.
The group is reviewing its capex plans for the year due to the expense of fixing the converter plant at its Waterval smelter.
The technology group is halfway through a two-year turnaround as it cuts costs, sells non-performing businesses and reduces debt.
The investment group has grown its intrinsic value during a turbulent period thanks to an increase in the value of the data network operator.
Weekly summary of Merger & Acquisition activity by South African companies
Weekly summary of all Merger & Acquisition activity from across Africa (excluding South Africa)
: Weekly summary of corporate finance activity by South African exchange listed companies
Businesses should be well aware of the risks involved, the regulatory requirements and licences necessary, before entering into the Cannabis market
19 March 2020
The manufacturer has benefited from new vehicle launches but says it is already seeing declines in new vehicle sales and exports due to the pandemic.
The branded food producer and distributor has benefited from improving profit margins and a lower interest bill.
Sasol is under considerable pressure, with massive loss of value for shareholders. Ingham Analytics issues a timely Macro Insight on the oil market.
The residential property developer says it is keeping a close watch on the Covid-19 virus despite strong demand for its lifestyle apartments.
The cement producer says year-to-date sales are down in SA but most of its international operations have continued to grow revenue.
The telecommunications solutions company credits a debt recovery for the improvement.
The mining services group is no longer selling its Nkomati Anthracite and Benison Coal operations but has earmarked others for disposal.


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More retailers opting for standalone formats due to shortage of quality properties
A recent report on the state of retail realty by Jones Lang LaSalle says that though the retail industry is poised for a boom, shortage of quality properties may curtail its chances. So now, retailers are looking for stand alone properties.
“The last few months have seen a lot of mid-sized office and mixed-use buildings in Mumbai going under the hammer. What is so unusual about these buildings is the fact that they are going to be redeveloped into stand-alone retail formats,” said Ashutosh Limaye, head - research and real estate intelligence service.
According to Jones Lang LaSalle, 2011 saw a retail real estate supply of 13.8 million square feet hit the market, with 10.7 million square feet getting absorbed. But there is a catch. “All worthy properties are fully consumed and good properties on hand being leased within the blink of an eye. Delaying decisions by even a few days means diminished hopes of business expansion. There is simply not enough good retail space to sell their wares. It can well be imagined what the scenario will be when FDI into multi-brand retail opens up,” Mr Limaye said.
Retailers, he says, have realised that most malls have turned out to be unprofitable. The rush for constructing malls has resulted in a number of unviable projects; many of them concentrated in a select pocket; and looking like a replica of the next. “So, we have quite a few mediocre shopping centres with substandard locations in inappropriate catchments, designed experimentally and sold by strata (strata-selling mall space is like issuing a death warrant to the mall). These are ruins of hastily-commissioned projects where no retailers want to come, thus adding to the pile-up of vacant retail space in our cities. To compound this problem, there are very few new launches that can lure retailers on project merit,” Mr Limaye says.
Big retailers are now eyeing old mansions, mixed-use buildings and small office blocks in established and emerging locations. “Properties which, with retrofitting, can enable retailers to start selling in no time at all are fast becoming precious assets for big retail companies. Even constructing glass cubes on plots that house the 'building next door' is seen as preferable over having to wait for properly located and configured malls to come along,” he said.
It may also be profitable to realtors to sell away individual properties, because it is difficult to find buyers in the present scenario. “Commercial and retail sectors are seeing many distress sales~ especially by small builders,” said a builder, “because of the global economic situation, many pre-commissioned properties are now without takers. In recent times, because of strong dollar price, some NRI investments have come, but mostly for residential property; and is not of much significance.”
The retail sector is currently under a lot of pressure. Many are having trouble managing staff and operation costs, and have incurred substantial debt, especially in the lifestyle and apparel sector. Future Group’s Pantaloons has a debt of Rs 2273.12 crores, while the much troubled Koutons has Rs 806.81 crores. In the last one year, Kouton’s stock price has fallen by 70% and was trading at an abysmal Rs16.55 on 6th February. Brandhouse Retail, which is the home of Reid&Taylor, Carmichael House and Belmonte, was trading on Rs13.84 on 6th February, which is a 56% fall over one year.
The decisions on direct import of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and allowing foreign airlines to invest would go to the Union Cabinet for a final nod
New Delhi: In major initiatives to strengthen the cash-strapped aviation sector, a Group of Ministers (GoM) on Tuesday decided to allow airlines to directly import jet fuel to enable them save on high incidence of tax and permit Air India to raise Rs7,400 crore by issuing bonds or other means, reports PTI.
The GoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, was also apprised of the decision to allow foreign airlines pick up 49% stake in Indian carriers.
While the decisions on direct import of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and allowing foreign airlines to invest would go to the Union Cabinet for a final nod, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) would take up Air India’s financial restructuring plan for approval soon, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh told reporters after the 90-minute meeting here.
“First thing is that on Air India’s financial restructuring, the GoM has taken a view. Bonds will be issued, but this will have to go to the Cabinet. Bonds, and there are other ways, GoM has more or less taken a view on this,” he said, adding that about Rs7,400 crore would be raised through these means.
On ATF imports, Mr Singh said," Airline companies will be allowed to import fuel directly for their use. This also has to go to the Cabinet. GoM has approved this. We will try to see whether some kind of credit arrangement can be made.”
The meeting was also attended by Home Minister P Chidambaram, Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, apart from top officials.
Joginder Singh will join Ratnakar Bank in early February and will be based in the Mumbai office
Mumbai based Ratnakar Bank has announced the appointment of Joginder Singh Rana as chief operations officer (COO). After a 22 year successful stint at Citibank, Joginder will join Ratnakar Bank in early February and will be based in the Mumbai office. He will be responsible for the Bank’s operations & administration functions and will also spearhead the Bank’s operational risk and compliance framework. Joginder is a seasoned banker and has held senior leadership roles both in Citibank India and overseas.
Ratnakar Bank has also seen additional appointments in the last couple of months including R Gurumurthy as head of corporate & institutional banking, previously heading the FI Strategic Coverage Group for Standard Chartered Bank out of Mumbai and Tajinder Kumar who has joined as the Head of Human Resources; his last corporate role was as the Human Resources Director of Asia Pacific Regional Group Technology & Operations organization of Deutsche Bank AG in Singapore.
Vishwavir Ahuja, Managing Director & CEO of Ratnakar Bank commented “I am truly delighted that these individuals have agreed to take on their respective roles. We know that they are not only a highly talented group and motivated team players but truly understand how to build a strong banking platform and lead people.
These appointments are a significant step forward in delivering our vision and underline, our commitment to the bank’s transformation. They will join a highly experienced team across India that is committed to deliver best in banking services – a culture that has been proven to benefit our clients in all regions.”


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22-05-2018 | Tesco is removing “best before” labels from many of its fresh produce lines, which it says will help reduce waste.
The supermarket will remove the advice from about 70 pre-packaged produce lines to avoid “perfectly edible food” being thrown away.
The items that will lose the label include apples, potatoes, tomatoes, lemons, other citrus fruit and onions.
“Best before” labels indicate that the quality of a product may deteriorate after the date indicated.
In contrast “use by” dates indicate when it becomes less safe to consume the food.
“We know some customers may be confused by the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates on food and this can lead to perfectly edible items being thrown away before they need to be discarded,” said Mark Little, Tesco’s head of food waste.
He said fruit and vegetables were among the food most frequently thrown away by consumers, although many are ignoring “best before” dates already.
“Many customers have told us that they assess their fruit and vegetables by the look of the product rather than the ‘best before’ date code on the packaging,” he added.


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Retailers struggle to stock shelves for holidays amid port congestion, shipping delays.
Congestion at ports in the United States as well as Asia is causing major shipping delays and leaving retailers “desperate to get their goods to physical and virtual store shelves for the holiday season,” according to Eric Kulisch, FreightWaves’ air cargo editor.
Shippers are shifting cargo from oceans to air transportation to avoid delays. But this expensive ocean-to-air shift has ripple effects, including environmental ones. Moving freight via ocean vessel is much more efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions than moving it via aircraft.


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FinTech: Cannabis Wholesale Platform Leaflink Clocks Over $1B In Payments Transactions
LeafLink connects 8,700+ retailers with 3,500+ brands and distributors for streamlined cannabis commerce.
Leaflink, a wholesale platform for the cannabis industry that offers payment solutions, announced Wednesday that it had processed over $1 billion in transactions since the company’s inception to date across 1700 active operators and 22 markets. (CISION PR Newswire)
More and more states in the US are favoring the sale of recreational cannabis, which received a boost in demand during the lockdowns forced by the pandemic. This trend is likely to be a significant tailwind for Leaflink which acts as a B2B facilitating platform for pot players of all kinds including distributors and retailers.
According to Reuters, the company has raised over $131 million of equity and a credit facility of $250 million. Investors include Founders Fund, Thrive Capital, Nosara Capital and Lerer Hippeau.
Leaflink Payments offerings include Flexible and Direct Payments to increase the speed and security of wholesale transactions. LeafLink’s marketplace processed approximately $5 billion in annual orders in 2021, making up an estimated 42% of U.S. wholesale cannabis commerce.
“LeafLink looks to the future of cannabis and constantly strives to elevate the ways retailers and brands transact with each other,” said Ryan G. Smith, CEO and Co-Founder. “As cannabis rapidly evolves, it is essential that our platform keeps up with the changing needs of our customers as we provide critical liquidity to the industry.”
Earlier this month, Leaflink announced a new pricing model by way of a bundled package of offerings from its full platform of logistics solutions, payment tools, and other services that could save cannabis businesses about 20% per month or more in operational costs.
Related Story: Cannabis Cash Spells Opportunity for Fintechs
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One year after the first COVID-19 outbreak, this Japanese retailer has come up with a new take on face masks... and it's a little bit freaky.
This hyper-realistic mask models a stranger's features in meticulous detail. Although Shuhei Okawara's masks don't have the ability to protect you from the coronavirus, they will lend you the appearance of an unidentified Japanese adult.
"Mask shops in Venice probably do not buy or sell faces. But that is something that’s likely to happen in fantasy stories," Okawara said. "I thought it would be fun to actually do that."
The masks will go on sale in early 20201 for 98,000 yen ($950) apiece at his shop in Tokyo called Kamenya Omote. The store sells products that are popular accessories for parties and theater.
Over 100 applicants sent Okawara their photos when he launched the project in October. He paid a model 40,000 yen to use his likeness; an artisan then reworked the image and used a 3D printer to bring the mask to life.
Okawara believes that there will be strong demands for these masks.
"As is often the case with the customers of my shop, there are not so many people who buy (face masks) for specific purposes. Most see them as art pieces," he said.


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But all the information required, even if I had been approved immediately, kind of shoots down some of the logic. Tell us what you think bitcoin Economist. But some are finding ingenious ways to cut economist on their energy costs; one even put computers in his Tesla car so he could mine bitcoins using its free charging stations. That excitement take shifted to the world of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Never-ending Tory Stocks May is intolerable—but unsackable.
MOST money these days is electronic—a series of ones and zeros on a computer. In other words, people think the market is highly valued. Serguei December 1, at 7: Receive our Daily Dispatch and Editors' Picks newsletters. Cryptocurrency Trading For Beginners. That goes for the US stock market too, which also now looks quite overvalued I was teaching my lecture in the morning.
Bitcoin can be used to buy a few things. He wrote a seminal take on speculative manias, Irrational Exuberancea deep analysis of the dramas over the centuries when otherwise sane people drove prices for tulips, stocks, and economist to inexplicable heights. Graphic detail 4 hours ago. How did I hear about it? PUT the word Bitcoin into Google and you take in Britain, at least four stocks at the top of the list: That excitement has shifted to the world of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Economist. A more likely explanation is that stocks new and easier ways to bitcoin in bitcoin become available, more investors are willing to bitcoin the plunge.
But a currency has three main functions: Imagine buying an iPhone X with bitcoin in January. You would by now be cursing as the same coin could buy ten phones—Christmas gifts for the whole family. A currency is also a unit of account for debt. Your salary, paid in dollars, euros or whatever, would not have kept pace.
Put another way, had bitcoin been widely used, the last year might have been massively deflationary. Such issues will be of minor concern to those who managed to buy bitcoin earlier in the year. They will just be delighted with the profits. But why has the price risen so fast? One justification for the existence of bitcoin is that central banks, via quantitative easing QE , are debasing fiat money and laying the path to hyperinflation.
But this seems a very odd moment for that view to gain adherents. Inflation remains low and the Federal Reserve is pushing up interest rates and unwinding QE. A more likely explanation is that as new and easier ways to trade in bitcoin become available, more investors are willing to take the plunge. As the supply of bitcoin is limited by design, that drives up the price.
But it is worth remembering that the cost of using bitcoin is going up. In total, bitcoin uses as much electricity a year as Morocco, or enough to power 2.
All this costs much than processing credit-card transactions via Visa or MasterCard. But some are finding ingenious ways to cut back on their energy costs; one even put computers in his Tesla car so he could mine bitcoins using its free charging stations. Much mining is done in parts of China where electricity is cheap.
There are two ways of thinking about this. One is that the eventual price of bitcoin will equal the marginal cost of mining, which may be rising but is well below the current price. Whether the investors driving the price higher are pondering all this is open to doubt.
It looks like a re-run of the dotcom craze. Adverts for trading digital currencies are appearing on the London tube and celebrities have piled onto the bandwagon. As seen many times before, when lots of investors buy an illiquid asset, the price can rise exponentially. The top is hard to call. At some point, the urge to turn all those digital zeros into cars and iPhones will prove too great. My take on bitcoin is the standard boring economists' take: And, if you'd listened to me and us economists , you're continuing to live in relative poverty as your friends get rich, with money and wealth coming out of nowhere and millionaires minted overnight.
After all, the logic behind bitcoin is that it is a super easy, cheap and fast way to send money. Exactly what I needed. Part of the problems I faced were no doubt specific to me, as a US national living in Russia. Many bitcoin exchanges are country specific, and didn't like my Russian IP address. Others did, but required a lot of information, including a picture of my with an ID, and also a picture of me with a bank statement with my home address in the US written on it.
I ended up never getting approved, and never got a straight answer from some of these exchanges on why not. Probably, they are just minting money so fast why should they invest in customer support. But all the information required, even if I had been approved immediately, kind of shoots down some of the logic. If I'm a drug-dealer looking to accept payment in bitcoin, I'm still going to have to provide a lot of information to the exchanges.
And, while my troubles may have been unique, bitcoin isn't that easy to use. Your grandma isn't going to be buying groceries or trading bitcoin anytime soon. That is, people who wanted to buy bitcoin in their brokerage accounts were too lazy to cash out their accounts and buy bitcoin directly, so they paid double the price to avoid the hassle. Grayscale Bitcoin Investment Trust. In addition, the fees associated with buying bitcoins in Russia using rubles, sending them to myself in the US, and then converting them back into dollars are at least an order of magnitude larger than just buying dollars using my currency broker, and then sending money to myself directly.
Even the miner's fees are calculated in a super non-transparent way. It's probably that way for a reason. Theoretically, some other problems with bitcoin is that there is free entry. Anyone can create an infinite amount of cryptocurrency out of thin air. The marginal cost is zero. The saving grace is that there are network effects -- a currency becomes more valuable the more people that use it, and so it will be tough for other cryptocurrencies to displace bitcoin.
However, that can't explain why there are thousands of cryptocurrencies with huge market caps. Only of these will ultimately be the victor, and bitcoin is likely to be one of them. The Federal Reserve would lose control over monetary policy, for example, and to the extent cryptocurrencies enable drug smugglers and hackers and others to evade the authorities and paying taxes, this should be something which governments will have a real interest in illegalizing.
Thus, there is no endgame where bitcoin replaces the US dollar, the Chinese Yuan, or the Euro as the primary currency of a major economy. It is simply too volatile, and there will be nothing to stabilize its value. It's techy, it's complicated, and few people understand it. Those who spent the time to learn how it really works then become part of the cult and evangelize over it. It could be compared to the spread of a religion: If many people very fervently buy into it, it could be a bubble that lasts a long time.
This is the optimistic case for bitcoin. Or, it could be more like the spread of a disease I'm stealing this from Robert Shiller. To grow, the disease needs a lot of new people to infect. But, over time, there are fewer and fewer new people to infect, as most people have had the disease, and the rate of new infections crashes. Bitcoin may not be so different -- the early adopters buy in, sending the price up.
The higher price means more news, and is a positive feedback loop as the mainstreamers start to buy. Doubt creeps into the minds of naysayers, who might have believed it to be a scam initially, but now see the price soaring, against their predictions.
Usually the moment to sell is after almost everyone who is a quick adopter has already adopted, the median person has too, and the moment at which people who are typically late adopters start to invest.
At that point, the economy will run out of suckers, and the price will start to stagnate and fall. Legend has it that Joe Kennedy sold his stocks in after a shoeshine boy started giving him stock tips. An older family member of mine was day-trading tech stocks in the s, and then bought a condo in Florida in This person is my bellwether.
Given this may be a reason to buy in the near term, before the late adopters get wind and, damnit! A few bad days, and panic selling can ensue. Once it crashes, a generation of people could be so turned off by crypto they'll never touch it again. What crypto does is settle the debate over whether fundamentals drive stock prices and exchange rates. I gave a talk at LSE a few weeks ago on my research on exchange rates and manufacturing, and someone stated their belief that exchange rates are driven by fundamentals monetary policy and so it was monetary policy which drove my results and not exchange rates, per se.
However, as we see with bitcoin, which isn't driven by any kind of fundamental economic value, as it pays no dividends and has high transaction fees, bubbles can happen and markets aren't that efficient. There is never going to be a day when everyday people use "byteball bites" to buy groceries. It also shows another reason why governments might want to tax windfall profits or large capital gains at a higher rate. Those profiting from cryptocurrency are incredibly lucky. Their "investments" don't leave any reason to deserve favorable income treatment relative to wage income.
Stock market earnings are similar. Luck is involved just as much as skill. Lastly, though, let me state my agreement with others that government-sponsored electronic currencies are probably a thing of the near future.
12 Dec 80% of Wall Street economists, strategists believe bitcoin is a bubble: Survey. Bitcoin's price has jumped more than 1, percent since the start of the year, and bitcoin futures just began trading at the Cboe. Wall Street does not seem convinced about bitcoin's role as a currency. When it comes to the stock. 1 Nov All this indicates that Bitcoin has reached a new phase. The stockmarket has been trading at high valuations, based on the long-term average of profits, for some time. But there is nothing like the same excitement about shares as there was in the dotcom bubble of That excitement has shifted to. open source project inspired by Bitcoin that the companies hope will one day provide a more secure and reliable way of trading stocks and other assets” ( Finley, ). For example, IBM says that disputes over tax rates or incorrect shipments take an average of 40 days to resolve today. With Hyperledger, the hope is this.


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Brazilian regulator seizes iPhone sold by Apple without power adapter from retail store
PROCON.SP and the Consumer Protection Association has been sued in this matter by PROTESTE and has been fined in both lawsuits. For iPhone 12 series and later models, Apple continues to sell iPhones without complying with the requirement that Brazilian regulators ``include a power adapter,'' but iPhones that do not meet the requirements have been banned from retailers by Brazilian regulators. It turned out to be confiscated.
Starting with the iPhone 12 series released in 2020, Apple does not include a power adapter with the iPhone. Apple explains that the reason why the power adapter is no longer included in the product package is ``to reduce the burden on the environment,'' but the Brazilian consumer protection regulator
Exclusivo: iPhones forum apreendidos no DF por venda sem carregador – Tecnoblog
Brazil seizes iPhones from stores due to free charger requirement
Brazilian regulator PROCON.SP has been investigating ``Apple does not include a power adapter with the iPhone 12'' since October 2020. Apple has explained that the reason why it stopped including the power adapter is `` to reduce the burden on the environment'' , but Apple did not give a detailed explanation, so 10.5 million reals (about 270 million yen) ) was fined.
Brazilian regulator fines Apple more than 200 million yen because ``iPhone 12 does not come with a power adapter''-GIGAZINE
PROTESTE , a Brazilian consumer protection association, has also filed a lawsuit against Apple, among which the problem was that the iPhone did not come with a power adapter. In the lawsuit, the court ordered all consumers in Brazil who purchased the iPhone 12 and 13 series in the past few years to be supplied with a power adapter, and that all new iPhone sales should come with a power adapter. Ordered Apple. Apple is dissatisfied with this and intends to appeal.
Apple loses in court again because ``the iPhone does not have a power adapter'' and is fined even more -GIGAZINE
In response to this trend, in September 2022, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice banned Apple from selling iPhones without power adapters . However, Apple, which has shown signs of appealing each decision, still sells iPhones in Brazil without power adapters.
And on November 11, 2022, a report by Brazilian media Tecnoblog revealed that PROCON.SP seized hundreds of iPhones from multiple retail stores in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. PROCON.SP seized `` iPhone without power adapter '' prohibited by the Ministry of Justice, and it seems that it was seized from retailers such as Claro, Vivo, Fast Shop, and iPlaces in Brasilia.
However, three days after the seizure, Apple submitted a permit to sell the product in Brazil, which means iPhone sales will be allowed again pending further details from Brazil's telecommunications regulator, ANATEL . is.
On November 22nd, Apple commented to Tecnoblog that 'all iPhone sales are continuing as normal.' However, Laura Tirelli, head of consumer protection at SENACON , Brazil's Ministry of Justice's national consumer affairs office, explained that 'until November 21, Apple could not sell iPhone 12 and later models.' It reveals that the seizure by PROCON.SP was legitimate.
in Mobile, Posted by logu_ii


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Oppo A5, a budget smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer, had recently surfaced online along with specifications and images. According to the previous leaks, the Oppo A5 appears similar to the Oppo A3 and the Realme 1 smartphones. Now, the upcoming have been spotted on a Chinese certification site that tips more details about the Oppo handset and we expect it to go on sale in the country soon. The listing has suggested features that are in line with the key highlights that were seen in an earlier report, including a display notch on a 6.2-inch screen, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor paired with 4GB of RAM.
Two smartphones from Oppo, with model numbers PBAM00 and PBAT00 were spotted last month in a TENAA certification listing in China. These smartphones are believed to be the upcoming Oppo A5 that had recently surfaced. As per both the listings, the alleged Oppo A5 will sport a 6.2-inch display with 19:9 aspect ratio and a notch similar to the Oppo A3. However, it has a lower HD+ resolution of 720x1520 pixels, compared to the full-HD+ resolution of the Oppo A3. Additionally, it will be powered by an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8GHz, which could be the Snapdragon 450 SoC. Additionally, it is equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of inbuilt storage.
When it comes to the camera, the TENAA listing reiterates the details that were leaked earlier. The Oppo A5 is said to feature a dual camera setup on its back, with a 13-megapixel sensor and a 2-megapixel sensor. There is no fingerprint scanner on the smartphone, meaning the 8-megapixel camera at the front may function for a face unlock feature.
The listing shows that the Oppo A5 will be fuelled by a 4100mAh battery and in terms of dimensions, the smartphone measures 156.2x75.6x8.2mm and weighs 168 grams. In terms of connectivity, the handset will have 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Sensors on board include an ambient light sensor, gravity sensor, and proximity sensor. Finally, the Oppo A5 is expected to come in Dark Blue, Light Blue, Powder, and Purple.


text: At the F8 developers conference Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg😎 that the FB Messenger🗯 app was the company’s fastest-growing platform📈 in 2015. It is also the second most popular messaging app on iOS📱 globally. Last year FB Messenger🗯 had around 700 M monthly active users👥, in Jan that number went up to 800 M and today it’s at 900 M💥. Messengers growth has outpaced other FB properties like WhatsApp💬 and Instagram📷. Mark also said that, at 60 billion messages📩 a day, Facebook Messenger🗯 and WhatsApp💬 combined have three times the global volume of activity compared to that of SMS📨 messages.


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Launched in the year 2013, YabaLeftOnline.com has become a popular and widely trusted online platform. The sole aim behind its conceptualization was to offer easy access to a plethora of the latest Nigerian entertainment, music, news, viral content and videos to its users. This online platform takes the hassles out of the process of keeping oneself abreast with the recent happenings in the fields of interest. YabaLeftOnline.com has emerged as a preferred choice for all those who crave being updated without doing much. Using this coveted online platform, they can conveniently browse content and videos of their choice anytime and anywhere.
While answering a YabaLeftOnline.com related query, its spokesperson in an interview stated, “At YabaLeftOnline.com, we strive to bring the latest Nigerian happenings at the fingertips of our users. We are a team of seasoned technology experts and journalists committed to bringing the exact latest updates. As customer convenience is our priority, we have given our website an easy to use and understand design. Users can come online using their mobile device and browse to quickly find out news they are interested in. Our team does its best to source reliable information and then publishes the same in the simplest yet attractive manner.”
There is no dearth of news-hungry people making constant efforts to grab their daily dose of news and all sorts of happenings matching their interest. There were times when such people had to count on televisions, newspapers and magazines for the same, which certainly was a time-consuming process. Times today have changed, as they can find everything online with a few clicks. However, it is imperative to count only on reputed and trusted online platforms. YabaLeftOnline.com certainly belongs to this reliable category and has set benchmarks in terms of providing correct and detailed news updates.
The spokesperson added, “It is a matter of sheer pride for us that we have revolutionized the way people used to grab information related to everyday happenings. They need not count on several sources but just our single online platform, for it covers all segments of entertainment and news. Serving multiple areas of interest, YabaLeftOnline.com has something to offer to every user. Be a user is looking for celebrity rumors, comedy skits, weird stories, someone with a huge interest in Nigerian music and videos or in need of regular updates on politics, our online platform offers it all.”
Those interested in Naija entertainment gist can count on YabaLeftOnline.com. This online platform is reputed for bringing the best of Nigerian entertainment news for readers. The best part about this online platform is that every piece of news is put up in an attractive and easy to comprehend format so that readers remain glued.
YabaLeftOnline.com is an online portal that brings the latest and correct Nigerian news updates for its readers. Therefore, those on a lookout for the Naija latest gist can count on the online platform for a convenient and rewarding experience.


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Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from April to November 2020 have increased by 22 percent (YoY) to $ 58.37 billion – the highest for the first 8 months of any fiscal, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on January 27 said.
FDI equity inflows in the first eight months of FY21 rose by 37 percent (YoY) to $ 43.85 billion, said the Union Ministry statement said.
“During April to November, 2020, total FDI inflow of US$ 58.37 billion has been received. It is the highest ever for first 8 months of a financial year and 22% higher as compared to first 8 months of 2019-20 (US$ 47.67 billion),” the Union Ministry said in its official statement.
FDI in India rose by 13% in 2020, as inflows declined in major economies due to pandemic: UN
Apart from this, the FDI equity inflows received during April-November 2020, rose by 37 percent (Y-o-Y) to $ 43.85 billion. This is the highest FDI inflows in April-November for the first 8 months of any fiscal. It was US$ 32.11 billion in April to November, 2019-20.
Stating the reason for the increase in the FDI inflows, the Centre stated that it is due to the measure taken by the Government on the fronts of FDI policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business.
Earlier on Sunday, the United Nations had said that FDI into India rose by 13 percent in 2020, boosted by interest in the digital sector. It added that fund flows “declined most strongly” in major economies such as the UK, the US and Russia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India and China bucked the trend.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Sunday issued an ‘investment trends monitor’ stating that global FDI collapsed in 2020 by 42 percent to an estimated $ 859 billion from $ 1.5 trillion in 2019. It also mentioned that such a low was last seen in the 1990s and is more than 30 per cent below the investment trough that followed the 2008-2009 global financial crisis.
In its report, the UNCTAD said FDI in South Asia rose by 10 per cent to $ 65 billion, while FDI in India rose by 13 percent, boosted by investments in the digital sector. It added, 13 percent rise in FDI saw the total foreign investments for 2020 touching $ 57 billion and noted that acquisitions in India’s digital economy was the largest contributor to this rise.


text: Competition Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, has labelled digitization the “one big change that overshadows everything else.” There is healthy debate among the competition law community as to whether such statements are exaggerated. Indeed, an alternative perspective is that competition law is flexible enough to deal with issues in the digital sector without any significant amendments in approach but rather by simply applying the existing rules in a flexible and appropriate manner. Competition authorities across the globe are increasingly devoting substantial resources to try to understand the issues posed by digitisation and to ensure effective competition in digital markets. For example, to be better equipped to deal with what it sees as the novel challenges posed by digital markets, the EU Commission appointed three expert advisors to prepare a report on “Competition policy for the digital era” which was published in April 2019. As this report is the only such report at EU level (there are several other national reports), section one of this article analyses the findings of the report in some detail. In section two, we focus on one of the principle issues regulators are grappling with in the context of digital markets: that is, ensuring effective competition in situations where a platform business also competes in other markets with companies that depend on that platform. In this section, we pay particular attention to the risk of regulation being introduced to remedy the concerns identified by competition regulators and discuss the recently adopted (June 2019) EU regulation on digital platforms.


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SEOUL, March 31 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co.'s two best selling sedans failed to make the top 100 brand list in the first quarter of this year, a report by a local market research firm showed Sunday.
The two vehicles ranked 44th and 78th in 2018, with the exclusion of the Grandeur, being particularly significant, Brandstock Corp. said.
The near-luxury full-size passenger car had consistently ranked among the most recognized brands since the car hit showrooms in South Korea in 1986.
In addition, the latest findings showed Hyundai's high-end sub-brand, the Genesis, sliding to 28th place in the January-March period from 26th for the whole of last year.
"Starting from 2017, when the diplomatic crisis with Beijing caused by the deployment of the U.S. anti-missile system here impacted Hyundai, which relied on the Chinese market, the carmaker's standing has been falling," the corporate brand evaluator said.
It said that other locally made vehicles, like the Chevy Spark city car, made by GM Korea Co., and Tivoli, a small crossover by SsangYong Motor Co., all lost ground falling, to 82nd place and 94th place, respectively, in the three months of this year.
On the other hand, German luxury carmaker's overall brand standing surged by 15 steps to 80th place this year, on the strength on robust sales in Asia's fourth-largest market.
The latest findings showed that Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy brand held onto the first place slot, which it has retained for eight straight years, with E-Mart Inc. the country's largest discount hypermarket chain, and top mobile messenger KakaoTalk coming in at second and third place.
In addition to the top three, KB Kookmin Bank, Incheon International Airport, Lotte World Adventure, Shinhan Card Co., Naver Corp. and Google made the lost of 10.
Brandstock's rating is based on brand stock top index that evaluates both stock trading value and consumer assessment to come up with a ranking.
Bumpy road lies ahead for Samsung, even after heir avoids detention
One month into eased social distancing, S. Korea wrestles with cluster infections, cases with unknown routes
Virus outbreak sheds light on overlooked side of highly touted 'fast' delivery services
Moon's post-corona presidency laden with tough tasks
S. Korea shifts toward new normal of everyday quarantine but wary of 'blind spots'


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More than 2,7 million chickens have been culled so far in South Africa due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which is affecting commercial layer and, to a lesser extent, broiler breeder and commercial broiler flocks.
Izaak Breitenbach, head of the Broiler Organisation at the South African Poultry Association, said HPAI had broken out in mid-April and peaked rapidly in June.
Four weeks had then followed without any HPAI outbreaks, thanks to sound management by both industry and government.
Infections flared up again, however, due to biosecurity breaches following the civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal during July, with devastating financial consequences for the industry.
“It’s difficult to quantify losses, but the industry took three years to recover after the 2017 HPAI outbreak, during which two million birds were culled and slaughter numbers declined to 17 million birds per week,” Breitenbach said.
This time around, the industry responded to the culling of birds by keeping flocks for longer to produce more chicks for replacement, and a number of companies imported fertilised hatching eggs to increase chick supplies.
“We [also] slaughter a bit later to have fewer but heavier birds to bolster total meat production,” Breitenbach said.
He added that demand and supply of poultry meat was currently at breakeven point, with the industry experiencing a 12% reduction in demand from 21 million slaughter birds per week to 20 million. This was due to the COVID-19-related lockdown, the impact of HPAI, and the July unrest.
Breitenbach added that shortages normally occurred from October to December due to festive season demand, and this was followed by an oversupply from January to April.
In terms of the Poultry Sector Master Plan, however, the industry had pledged a slaughter capacity of 22,5 million birds a week.
“We need to repopulate the depleted flock as soon as possible to facilitate economic growth and the transformation envisaged by the master plan,” he said.
“Transformation isn’t possible in an environment where the newly created capacity in terms of the master plan is [not being filled]. Replacement of illegal and unfair trade is also more important than ever to prevent unfair competition.”
The weekly HPAI infection rate was currently low and Breitenbach said he foresaw a much improved situation by the end of the year.


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A rare coin launched to mark the First World War could be worth an eye-watering £500.
The £2 coin is worth a lot of money due to an error on its design as the words “Two Pounds” are missing on the head side.
It is the 2014 First World War Centenary £2 with the normal version of the coin still worth £2.
The Royal Mint released this design seven years ago to mark 100 years since the First World War.
It features an image of Lord Kitchener who was an important British war figure who appeared on government propaganda posters.
Coin Hunter experts say 5,720,000 of these coins were struck for circulation, but it’s still “very rare” to find one without a date.
However the first of its kind sold at Lockdales auction in March 2020 for an eye-watering £500.
It is believed another was also recently posted on the Coin Hunter Facebook page, which means there are at least two that exist.
Writing on the group, Coin Hunter experts said: “Check your coins that feature Lord Kitchener.
“If the heads side does not show ‘TWO POUNDS’ – you have an error that appears to be very rare.”
If you think you’ve got your hands on a rare coin, you can ask the Royal Mint to check to see if it’s real.
Previously, a rare Brexit coin fetched for £21,000 on eBay with 10 million in circulation.
The Royal Mint released the rare Brexit 50p coins to mark January 31, 2020.
And a rare 50p coin from the 2012 Olympics sold for £360 on eBay as it comes with an error.
While the 50p is considered rare due to its design, the copy comes with a minting error which is why it’s selling for loads on eBay.


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This month, the European Union is introducing a landmark privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will reshape how technology companies store, process, and profit from users’ personal information. It will also enshrine the “right to be forgotten,” and entitle consumers with the power to withdraw their data and give it to another organization.
Across Africa, where many nations either don’t have or enforce comprehensive data safety laws, there are legitimate concerns about how consumers should and could be protected. Africa has the lowest internet penetration rates globally, but improved digital infrastructure, increased smartphone uptake, and the proliferation of innovation spaces have made the internet a rapidly transformative tool.
The question to strengthen online privacy rights comes at a time when African governments and activists are clashing over issues including information censorship, surveillance, data retention, interception, and internet shutdowns. The current uproar over digital privacy has also been amplified following recent revelations that data mining company Cambridge Analytica harvested millions of Facebook profiles and worked to fix elections in Kenya and Nigeria.
As the internet boosts employment opportunities in Africa, especially through e-commerce, there are also concerns about how laws like the GDPR will affect the cross-border transfer of personal data particularly among multinationals with a global footprint.
Patchwork of laws
The biggest weakness to preventing the fraudulent use of data in Africa is the lack of a blanket regulatory framework, besides piecemeal efforts by governments to implement their own policies. Currently, only 23 out of 55 nations have passed or drafted personal privacy laws, and only nine of them have data protection authorities says Ephraim Kenyanito, a program officer with digital rights advocacy Article 19 in Nairobi. “Africa is really vulnerable to data breaches, and the lack of robust laws could have devastating implications,” Kenyanito says.
Progressive laws like the African Union’s convention on cybersecurity and personal data have not taken off too, with only 10 nations signing it since it was adopted in 2014. And unlike the GDPR, the AU law is not automatically enforceable and can only be potentially transposed into specific country legislation. These drawbacks negatively impact users’ privileges online, giving companies the leeway to abuse them without consequence.
For instance, internet companies and telcos are currently facing tough questions over whether they are on the side of government or consumers when it comes to data protection. A recent study of Orange and Vodafone subsidiaries by the Internet Sans Frontières (ISF) advocacy group shows they granted Africans fewer digital rights than their European subscribers.
Bad data management
Even in cases when laws are passed to make governance systems more efficient, failing to take privacy implications into account could have severe consequences. Ahead of its tense 2017 elections, Kenya amended its electoral laws to introduce biometrics in order to instill trust in the voting system.
But a joint Strathmore University and Privacy International report show there was no framework to protect the alphanumeric data in the voter register, and that a redacted version was even available for sale under the Access to Information (ATI) law. And even though the electoral commission made efforts to redact the information available as required under the ATI regime, voters who hadn’t subscribed to political texts received unsolicited messages from politicians through their mobile phone numbers. The messages sent to the respondents frequently contained information identifying their names, addresses, and polling stations.
Such practices exemplify the ethical and practical challenges of new technologies, and how micro-targeting, consumer profiling, and data caching can be abused. Arthur Gwagwa, a senior research fellow with the center for intellectual property and information technology law (CIPIT) at Kenya’s Strathmore University says in the era of big data and artificial intelligence, there’s need to synthesize privacy concerns with existing technologies.
“Africa has always been lagging when it comes to innovating around and addressing privacy issues,” Gwagwa says. But the continent, he adds, can’t afford that now, given states’ ability to surveil and censor data traffic for self-serving purposes. “We need data laws that reflect the African reality.”
Kenyanito says educating consumers on the existing laws and their rights is the first step to addressing the data privacy challenges online. In return, users, he says, would be able to hold companies and governments accountable, stand in solidarity with others whose rights are infringed on, and use platforms judiciously while giving minimum information to third-party sources.
As GDPR comes into force in late May, the debate over information safety will take center stage too. Julie Owono, the executive director of ISF, says this is the right time to take online advocacy offline and to connect with both high-level government officials and ordinary users.
“It’s now we are building the internet of tomorrow that we want to see in our continent,” she said.


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Womenswear label Emreco has launched its first transactional website as it seeks to rebuild its presence among its 45-plus target market.
Emreco managing director Richard Reinhold said the website, www.emreco.com, would support existing stockists by rolling out a click-and-collect service in the near future to drive footfall in-store, alongside a list of all its stockists.
He added: “The consumer site will also be a marketing tool for the brand, increasing awareness of Emreco among the end consumer, as well as providing information on where they can purchase the brand.”
Scotland-based Emreco has 500 independent stockists across the UK. The business had 1,000 stockists at its peak in 2000.
The business has also redesigned its trade website, www.tradeatemreco.com, to be more user-friendly. It enables wholesale customers to browse the collection and place repeat orders online, and provides a larger range of campaign images than previously.
The brand has also launched its first mail order catalogue for spring 14, which includes an edited collection of Emreco’s bestsellers. It can be ordered by post, phone or online.
Wholesale prices range from £6.25 for T-shirts to £35 for outerwear.


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Nagoshi, who is also Sega’s chief creative officer, is said to have made the comments in an official Sega video discussing his development history.
In a section covering his 2001 puzzle game Super Monkey Ball, the designer and producer commented, according to Sega’s own translation:
“I think even now the Nintendo platform is still a game console that is played by a wide range of age groups, but basically, I think it’s hardware for kids and teens. Amid all that, at that time, Nintendo was also putting a lot of effort into the kids market, and I thought it would suit.”
If taken literally, Nagoshi’s comments could play down the chance of the 18 and M-rated Yakuza series being released on Nintendo’s platform.
As noted by VGC’s network partners at Nintendo Life, Nagoshi previously claimed in a 2018 interview that Nintendo had turned down the chance to publish the original Yakuza game, while the Japan-only Yakuza collection for the Wii U was a commercial flop.
The most recent Yakuza instalment, Like a Dragon, released in the West last month. In VGC’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon review, our critic Matthew Castle called the game “hugely entertaining”.
Nagoshi’s other series, Super Monkey Ball, could be set for a new instalment according to one of the game’s voice actors.
Matt Brian, who is the voice of the Monkey Ball series’ announcer, has been actively teasing a new Monkey Ball game this summer, including showing off a script that fans speculate could be related to something called ‘Monkey Ball Retro’.
According to comments made by the game’s director last year, positive sales could lead to further series remakes or even a new game.


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SEO: More and More Google Updates
SEO is always changing, social media is always evolving, and the internet is never the same as it was a second ago. Paving the way is Google, verifiably the most popular site in the world, in constantly updating its infrastructure and layout. Fortunately, the tech giant has never been one to hide anything from its massive, permanently loyal user base, and as the internet continues to evolve Google makes a point to keep everyone updated and informed. Over the last week or two, Google has unveiled a series of its latest updates—so what do they mean for you?
By now, you’ve no doubt learned of the Penguin update, Google’s newest weapon against Black Hat SEO practices. We now have the first companion update—what does it include exactly? Not much we didn’t know already. This particular update will affect less than 0.1% of all English language searches—but is significant in being the first full-fledged launch of algorithmic changes. Be sure you’re keeping good SEO practices (avoiding overoptimization with too unnatural use of keywords, spammy content, and bad backlinks), and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Revamped Webmaster Tools
This month has brought several new changes to Google’s Webmaster Tools. We now have access to a new dashboard, with the newest and most significant messages in the center of the page, with complementary status charts to help streamline your experience (not that Google’s ever been overly complicated).
Google Plus Local
“Google Places” (including overall content, reviews, and photos) has now been fully integrated into Google +, Google’s delve into the social media game. It will be seen as a very small change for most users, but this is likely the first of a long-term strategy for Google to integrate everything into Google + as it slowly begins to dominate the world.
Even though competitors like Bing are worth acknowledgement, there’s no sign Google’s command of the internet is anywhere near an end. As it continues to develop, you can expect to see more Google services integrated and streamlined, and more updates to constantly improve availability and quality of content on the web. Staying up-to-date is essential for any business, especially one interested in preserving or creating an online presence—so consider reaching out for some advice from the pros.


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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDKY) – A Lexington business that’s ignored an executive order made by Governor Beshear is heading to court today.
Brewed coffee bar has been served by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for allowing customers to eat indoors.
The official court complaint against Brewed owner Andrew Cooperrider is on display at the cafe. It says an inspector found customers eating indoors and also mentions a citation given due to lack of face masks.
Cooperrider says he feels positive going into this afternoon’s hearing. he states the order seems arbitrary, and he says arbitrary laws are against the Kentucky Constitution.
Cooperrider says he feels his back is up against the wall and wasn’t given another choice besides staying open. Plus, he says his space is considered a patio because he has an open garage door.
The health department says 50 percent of a space needs to be open for it to be considered outdoor seating.
Cooperrider says he lost another business, Dean’s Diner in Wilmore, back in June after the first set of restrictions.
Our partners at the Lexington Herald-Leader report reactions from customers have been mixed, some saying they won’t come back and others giving encouragement.
Cooperrider told the Herald-Leader he’s willing to comply if the government would pause the business, temporarily stopping rent and other bill payments.
The hearing will be virtual this afternoon at 2:00.


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Concerns about a declining standard of living have spiked in the last six months, with worries about inflation overall outstripping distress -- itself high -- about rising gasoline prices. Four in 10 Americans say they've cut back on their driving, and three in 10 report trouble paying other household bills.
Sixty-eight percent in this ABC News/Washington Post poll say they're worried about maintaining their standard of living, up 17 points just since December. Women are more concerned than men (74 percent vs. 62 percent), the poor more so than the wealthy.
On gas, more than six in 10 report financial hardship caused by higher prices at the pump, and 41 percent say they've cut back on their driving to deal with it. While that's far and away the leading strategy, others say they're buying or saving up for smaller cars, cutting back on other expenses or shopping around for cheaper gas.
These economic jitters are reflected in ABC's separate weekly measure of consumer confidence. Seventy-seven percent of Americans now say the economy's getting worse, matching the record high, set in late 1990, in polls dating to 1981. Ratings of current economic conditions are at a 14-year low.
These views in turn have a political impact: As reported Monday, 82 percent say the country's seriously off on the wrong track, the highest since mid-1992 and a point from the record in polls since 1973. And George W. Bush's job approval rating has hit a career low 31 percent, a level unseen since Jimmy Carter in 1980.
INFLATION: The federal government issues its monthly inflation report this morning, and prices clearly are a concern to average Americans. While 20 percent cite the price of gasoline as the single most important economic issue facing their families, more, 32 percent, say it's rising prices more generally.
And while concern about gasoline prices is up a scant 4 points since January, concern about inflation more generally has risen by 9 points, supplanting worry about health care costs.
There's a division between the sexes: Men are more apt to complain about gas prices; women, about inflation in general.
Apart from gasoline, three in 10 Americans report trouble paying their other household bills because of rising prices, with a vast income gap: Among people with household incomes under $20,000, 54 percent report problems paying household bills, compared with just 14 percent in $100,000-plus households.
The biggest single household item causing concern, by far, is the price of food, cited by 56 percent of those who report trouble paying household bills. That's followed by utility bills, 21 percent; and health care expenses, 15 percent.
GAS: Sixty-three percent report financial hardship because of gas prices; about a third say it's a serious hardship. These have stabilized since last month although prices have continued to rise; that suggests people either are adjusting or finding workarounds.
As noted, four in 10 say they're driving less; beyond simply cutting back that includes carpooling or using mass transit. Among the solutions respondents offered: "Searching for the cheapest gas stations," "multi-tasking, doing two or more things when going out," "drive slower and use less gas," "having the kids ride their bikes to school," and "I don't eat out any longer."


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If you’re wondering whether Epic Games is satisfied with Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ decision to give iPhone and iPad developers a way around Apple’s 30 percent cut, the answer is most definitely no. Epic will appeal the court’s ruling in Epic v. Apple, a spokesperson confirmed to The Verge.
It’s not hard to imagine why: Epic lost on every other count. Apple will not be forced to allow users to sideload apps, or accept other app stores, or lower its fee below 30 percent.
The lone decision against Apple was a significant one, but it only forces Apple to allow app developers to point to their own choice of payment methods instead of Apple’s IAP — and Epic might not even benefit from that decision unless Apple agrees to bring Fortnite back to the App Store to begin with. That’s yet another thing the court didn’t mandate.
Epic’s also being forced to pay Apple a few million dollars, not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but not a winning look.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney also made it clear on Twitter that he doesn’t see the decision as a win:
He also suggests that Epic, not Apple, is in control of when Fortnite returns to the App Store, but it reads like sour grapes. Sure, Epic might decide to withhold the game until or unless Apple provides more favorable terms, but right now Epic doesn’t have the ability to bring Fortnite back even if it wanted to. It’s not clear whether Apple is even interested.
In fact, we’re currently waiting to see if Apple will cut off Epic’s developer account for Unreal Engine, too. When the ruling takes effect on December 9th, it will also end a preliminary injunction that kept Apple from doing that.
It’s not clear whether Apple might also want to appeal. It’s possible! Publicly, the company called it a “huge win” and a “resounding victory,” writing that “the headline is that Apple’s app store business model has been validated.” But it’s not entirely a win. If app developers have the ability to ditch in-app payments for the likes of PayPal and Stripe, it could put some of Apple’s billions at risk.


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- 1 min read
YAP rolls out programmable credit in partnership with Visa
API Infrastructure company YAP said the programmable credit card platform would allow FinTech and financial service providers to offer customised credit cards.
The Co-Founder of YAP, Madhusudanan R, on the launch said “The consumer Credit business is at an inflection point both from a business model as well as new forms of distribution,” he further noted “Given the rise of new categories like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), as well as technology enabled businesses looking to embed fintech in their user journeys, our API stack becomes very relevant as it is built to meet the diverse demands of the new economy while keeping the core functions related to Credit decisioning, risk management etc., with the bank.”
Arvind Ronta, Head – Products India and South Asia, Visa, remarked “New players in the payments ecosystem have brought about interesting innovations and in YAP’s platform we saw flexibility, efficiency and a more targeted proposition for consumers and clients."


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Ukranian tennis star, Alona Bondarenko, appears suggestively in the new K-Swiss ad campaign. So what’s with the headline? It’s almost as if the brand is saying, “Hey, this is a tennis star, not a sex object.” Except they’re not. Toth Brand Imaging is behind the work.
Archives for February 2008
Chicago Tribune reports that 48% of teenagers bought no CDs at all in 2007, up from 38% in 2006. Rachel Rottman, 14, says she hasn’t bought a CD in a year. The Santa Monica High School freshman says she downloads five or six songs a day, using paid services such as iTunes and social networking […]
Stuart Elliott brings us the story of a small beer brand using the interwebs to further its cause. A Mexican import, Pacifico, is filling its Web site with 30 brand-centric video clips that celebrate a life centered on sun, sand, surf, street food and a willingness to eat extremely hot peppers or play checkers with […]
Mavericks at Work explores a new addition to the workplace lexicon—humbition. What’s humbition? It’s a term Polly and I first heard from Jane Harper, a nearly 30-year veteran of IBM. It is, she explains, the subtle blend of humility and ambition that drives the most successful leaders—an antidote to the know-it-all hubris that affects so […]
A couple of interactive designers/viral marketing guys in Ireland started The Big Word Project a dictionary with the simple concept of buying words for $1 per letter and letting your site define that word. For example, the word Pulp is now defined by AdPulp.com for the low price of $4. Nice viral aspect to it […]
I’ll probably never get a press release from Schick(r) eve(r) again. But when a press release shows up in you(r) mailbox with the following: Schick(R) Quattro(R) Do Not Reply (SchickQuattro@energizer.com) to email@example.com, date Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 8:19 AM subject Schick(r) Quattro(r) Get Experimental Video Contest It is kind of hard to not be […]