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End Gender Based Violence in the Walmart Garment Supply Chain!
Doug McMillan, Walmart CEO
Concentrated in short term, low-skill and low-wage positions, women garment workers are at the base of Walmart garment supply chains in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Indonesia and are at daily risk of gender based violence and harassment at work.
Women garment workers are targets of gender based violence because they are seen as less likely or able to resist. Making up the majority of workers in garment supply chains in Asia, women workers are disproportionately impacted by forms of workplace violence perpetrated against both women and men.
A global coalition of trade unions, worker rights and human rights organizations, which includes Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) CENTRAL Cambodia, Global Labor Justice, Sedane Labour Resource Centre, and Society for Labour and Development released a groundbreaking factory level research report detailing gender based violence in Walmart's Asian garment supply chains. They are also asking for Walmart to take immediate action to end the violence and harassment that women garment workers are forced to endure daily.
For women garment workers, violence and harassment isn’t limited to violence that takes place in physical workplaces, but also during commutes and in employer provided housing. Women garment workers in Walmart supply chains in Bangladesh, Cambodia and India reported acts of violence that include acts that inflicted sexual harm and suffering; physical violence, verbal abuse, coercion, threats and retaliation, and routine deprivations of liberty including forced overtime.
Doug McMillan, Walmart CEO
From: [Your Name]
The Women’s Leadership of Asia Floor Wage Alliance is asking Walmart to publicly support and commit to ending gender based violence with three immediate action steps:
1. Publicly support and commit to proactively implement a ILO Convention Recommendation on Gender Based Violence that includes the recommendations from the Asia Floor Wage Alliance and partners
2. Meet with the Asia Floor Wage Women’s Leadership Committee in the next three months to discuss the supply chain findings and next steps.
3. Proactively work with the Asia Floor Wage Alliance to pilot women’s committees in factories that eliminate gender based violence and discrimination from the supplier factories.
Garment workers deserve a safe workplace free from gender based violence and consumers don’t want clothes tainted with exploitation and violence. As the world’s largest private employer, Walmart has the the power to influence other companies and governments by setting the international industry wide standard that gender based violence in the workplace will not be tolerated.


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Dodge is working on a redesign of its Challenger muscle car for 2019.
In the meantime, the long-in-the-tooth current model (it’s been on sale since 2008) will continue to receive updates.
For 2017 there’s a Challenger T/A that benefits from a few upgrades including some items borrowed from the high-performance Challenger SRT Hellcat. Admittedly this isn’t something to rave about but things are expected to heat up very soon.
According to Automotive News (subscription required), the 2017 Challenger lineup will be expanded as early as this fall with an all-wheel-drive Challenger GT AWD model. Previewed in concept form at the 2015 SEMA show, the Challenger GT AWD is expected to come with a wide-body kit and a 3.6-liter V-6. The Challenger’s V-8s have been ruled out due to tight and packaging and torque constraints of the all-wheel-drive system, which is borrowed from the Charger.
ALSO SEE: We now know what the Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee looks like
Dodge Challenger GT AWD concept, 2015 SEMA show
And in calendar year 2017 we will reportedly see a wide-body version of the Challenger SRT Hellcat. The car is thought to be arriving as a 2018 model and with the new name Challenger ADR (American Drag Racer). The wide-body design will allow engineers to install much-needed wider rubber. We’ve also heard that output from the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 could be bumped beyond the current 707-horsepower rating.
The Challenger ADR is expected to be a final hurrah for the current Challenger before the redesigned model arrives. The new Challenger, which may end up being called a Barracuda, will benefit from the lighter, more dynamic Giorgio platform debuting in the Alfa Romeo Giulia. We hear weight savings could be as high as 500 pounds. A redesigned Charger will also use this platform.
This time around there will also be a convertible. According to Automotive News, it’s the convertible that will be called the Barracuda while the coupe will retain the Challenger name. Whatever the convertible is called, expect to see it launched for 2021.
What still isn’t clear is the fate of the current crop of Hemi V-8s, including the Hellcat. We’ve heard that they may be phased out with the introduction of the Giorgio-based models. Hopefully that isn’t the case.

domain: news


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Google Play Android adware exists in some two hundred apps, downloaded over 150 million times, security research firm finds…
Security researchers have discovered a new form of adware cleverly concealed inside hundreds of Android apps, with more than 150 million installs.
Google Play Android Adware Apps Discovered in 200 Mobile Programs
The suspect malware masqueraded as an innocuous ad-serving platform, which would open back doors to install additional malware.
The purpose of this modus operandi was to circumvent Google’s app store scanning. After installed, said malware deletes the app icon, yet the mobile program persists in the background, which auto-loads every time the device powers up.
After the malware receives its instructions from its command-and-control server, it would secretly go through its list of web addresses, serving adverts to generate fraudulent revenue.
The firm which identified the problematic apps, Check Point, has published a list of the offending apps. Although Google has or is removing these apps, it does not remove them from users’ devices. Meaning, users must track them down individually to uninstall them from their mobile devices.
Presently, the problem consists of adware but experts warn it could evolve into a bigger threat.
Google’s official figures claim it removed approximately 70,000 apps last year from the Play Store.


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Hermance, the owner of the nation’s oldest gay bookstore, has thrown in the towel and confirmed that the store will be closing its doors next month.
At the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Giovanni’s Room became a safe haven for many who have been diagnosed with the disease. It was a location where they sought and found the emotional support they needed during their battle.
The gay bookstore was named after Giovanni’s Room, a James Baldwin novel that was published in 1956. The novel is set in Paris and revolves around a young man who is struggling with his sexuality.


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Dapper Labs, the company behind CryptoKitties, a blockchain-enabled digital collectible game, raised a $15M round led by Venrock, Google Ventures, Samsung, and Andreessen Horowitz. The new funding comes a few months after Dapper Labs' Series A round, where the company raised $12M. While the company has declined to give details about its next moves, Dapper Labs has put up a teaser page hinting at the release of a new digital collectible called "Dapper."
CryptoKitties has struggled to gain traction after the game's peak in December 2017. According to DappRadar, in the last 24 hours, there were only 358 users on CryptoKitties, a far cry from the game's peak of 14,914 daily active users.
(Data Source: DappRadar)


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A little website with a hopeful name is the latest evidence that the Internet is living up to its promise of making the world a better place—even the impenetrable, balky fashion world.
Normally, but not always, the online petition site Change.org focuses on fairly predictable issues and shames fairly predictable wrongdoers. Recent petition headlines read: “Subaru: Stop Selling Cars Where Women Can’t Drive,” “Tell the FBI: Rape is Rape!”, and “U.S. Senate: Support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act”
But as of late, Change.org has been aiming its daggers at fashion houses. A recent campaign accused Versace of practicing sandblasting, a dangerous method of distressing denim that involves workers firing sand at jeans under high pressure. The large amount of silica dust that’s generated can cause silicosis, a potentially lethal pulmonary disease, as workers inhale tiny particles of silica. Documented deaths have occurred in Turkey, Bangladesh and other countries where sandblasting is done manually.
To its credit, Versace (eventually) banned the practice and managed to turn the awkward situation into a PR opp, putting out a statement announcing their reversal and stipulating that any supplier found to be employing sandblasting would be in breach of contract. This follows similar moves by Levi’s, H&M, and Gucci.
Now Dolce & Gabbana is facing Change.org’s sting, accused of the same harmful practice. More than 25,000 online activists have signed a petition for the campaign, Stop the Killer Jeans, demanding its disuse. So far, no change. In fact, Dolce & Gabbana has stated publicly they have no intention of abolishing sandblasting.
But high-minded folks don’t give up easily. So when Dolce & Gabbana deleted posts by Change.org members on its Facebook wall, the organizers of the campaign only stepped up their efforts, saying, “[The campaign] has now launched an impressive social media campaign and recruited tens of thousands of supporters from all over the world to demand that Dolce & Gabbana follow in the footsteps of their competitors and ban sandblasting.”
We pretty much know how this will turn out. Still, you should visit the campaign page on Change.org and witness firsthand how fashion is being changed for the better, one pair of jeans at a time.


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Ethanol burner safety warning
An interim ban on unsafe ethanol burners has been imposed.
Ladder safety matters
Watch our ladder safety films and stay safe if you're up a ladder this summer.
Consumers with disability
View our range of educational resources and videos to help consumers with disability understand and exercise their consumer rights.
Find out the results of OFT’s annual state-wide toy safety checks.
I want to...
- Real estate salesperson disqualified for siphoning rent money
- Signed, sealed, delivered: over $5.7M returned to Queenslanders in 2016
- Warning about the potential risks with air lounger products in water
- Sunshine Coast residents reminded of danger of yo-yo balls
- Government announces interim ban on unsafe ethanol burners


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But today the industry is singing a different song. Last May, when the Obama Administration announced new fuel economy/greenhouse gas rules that will require cars to get 35.5 mpg by 2016, automakers were on the podium. And when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) sued California over its own greenhouse gas rules the actual automakers (in an umbrella known as the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers) sat it out.
There are good business reasons for the shift. Automakers are recognizing that failure to act now will only lead to stricter regulation down the road. And its intransigence was starting to alienate increasingly eco-conscious consumers.
We do occasionally get out and take a look at other industries, and it's instructive to see that the winter recreation industry is also taking global warming seriously. They should, and self-interest is a powerful motivation. We visited some New England ski areas last year that were forced to diversity into summer resort activities because there just isn't enough snow anymore. Resorts are being forced to make snow virtually around the clock if they want to keep the slopes open. Cold weather this season has helped a bit, but the ongoing trend is toward warmer winters and gradually diminishing participation in seasonal recreational sports (which is why snowmobile sales are way down, and SUV sales aren't all that hot, either).
At a recent "Gotham Gets Green" event in New York sponsored by the outdoor industry, the challenges were brought into stark perspective. According to Protect Our Winters (the snow industry climate change group founded by pro snowboarder Jeremy Jones), in 2003 the world's highest ski area was permanently closed due to loss of its glacier. Some 47 Alpine resorts didn't even open in 2007 due to climate change, with average temperatures dramatically up. "The ski industry recognizes that climate change is a major threat," said Christina Thomure, a self-proclaimed former ski bum who is now director of sustainable operations for Grand Targhee Resort in Alta, Wyoming. Thomure pointed to the latest science, which predicts warmer winters, reduced snow pack and, in many areas, less water, which makes it harder for resorts to make snow. Aspen could rise by 14 degrees by the end of this century, and by 2075 Park City could lose a third of its snow days. The ski industry set up the Sustainable Slopes project in 2002, through the National Ski Areas Association. More recently the Keep Winter Cool campaign was launched. Many resorts have installed renewable energy projects. According to Thomure, at Jiminy Peak a wind turbine now provides a third of the resort's energy needs. At Park City, the Save Our Snow action plan is in place. Meanwhile, the Whistler resort is reducing emissions by five percent a year, aided by micro-hydro projects. The ski industry has bought 300 gigawatts of emissions credits, and has implemented anti-idling measures, built and retrofitted green buildings, provided incentives for carpooling, provided public transportation, used alternative fuels for vehicle fleets, and wrote a joint letter in support of the Lieberman-Warner climate bill, said Thomure. The ski area is embracing a triple bottom line that includes "people, profit and planet." According to Thomure, "The best part is that this is a conservative idea. Instead of being regulated by government, it is the free market that drives change."
And that's exactly what the auto industry is finally saying in its new mantra embracing the challenge of climate change. And there's a chance for them to work together. Several business coalitions have organized to create a unified lobbying force for addressing climate change and related energy efficiency. Businesses for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) includes Nike, Starbucks, Gap, Symantec, Stonyfield Farm, North Face, eBay, Ben & Jerry's, Levi Strauss, Sun Microsystems and Timberland.
Last March, the group released an agenda that included reducing greenhouse emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. It also calls for an economy-wide cap-and-trade system that auctions 100 percent of its carbon credits, stimulating green job growth, and limiting construction of new coal plants to those that can capture and store carbon dioxide.
BICEP is flexing, and it may soon add the auto industry into its column.


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Recently, several messages from influencers have directly impacted the share prices of various companies. Admittedly, this phenomenon is not totally new, especially on Twitter, but its expansion to other social networks and its frequency raise the question of the power of influencers. We take a look at these recent events as well as the role of influencer marketing in the financial sector.
Twitter and the financial markets
We can’t talk about Twitter without mentioning a certain White House tenant and Twitter addict. Donald Trump, despite being president of the United States, continues to actively use the microblogging network with cuff reactions and attacks. Last 29 March, Amazon was once again targeted – the animosity between CEO Jeff Bezos and the president is known. The impact was immediate as the e-commerce giant’s stock plummeted in New York as a result of the tweet.
I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2018
But it was also the charismatic boss of Tesla, Elon Musk who made the markets react following several tweets. It all started when WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton called for people to delete Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal – which we spoke about in a previous article. Elon Musk responded, it seems, with a touch of humour but turned words into action by removing Tesla Motors and SpaceX’s Facebook accounts. The hashtag #deletefacebook had ramifications, seriously accentuating the fall of the already troubled Facebook stock.
Tesla Goes Bankrupt
Palo Alto, California, April 1, 2018 — Despite intense efforts to raise money, including a last-ditch mass sale of Easter Eggs, we are sad to report that Tesla has gone completely and totally bankrupt. So bankrupt, you can't believe it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2018
A few days later, Elon Musk struck again: he wanted to play an April fool’s joke on his 21 millions followers by announcing his company Tesla’s bankruptcy. However, given that the firm’s results had being disappointing for several months, the tweet caused a share price fall of more than 7% on Wall Street. Musk’s humour wasn’t really appreciated by the financial markets!
Lastly, we can mention Oprah Winfrey’s tweets, which had positively influenced French company SEB’s share price and more recently that of Weight Watchers. Twitter has long been a space where rumours and information on the financial markets circulate. Since 2012, the symbol $ or cashtag has made it possible, by associating it with the name of a business, to find all the financial information of the corresponding company. In addition, tools using financial forecasting algorithms based on the analysis of social networks are being developed. In this regard, we can mention iSentium or the European start-up SESAMM.
The growing power of influencers
Other social networks are not being left out as Instagram and YouTube have also become influential channels for the financial world. To prove the point, take signer Rihanna’s Instagram story last 16 March where she criticised an offensive ad on Snapchat. Snap Inc. stock consequently tumbled more than 4%. The firm suffered from a lack of HTML brand safety. Before that, the American star Kylie Jenner had already caused a stir, indicating her discontent following the redesign of the app. It’s mostly companies whose business model relies heavily on the number of users, as with most apps, that are the most vulnerable.
Social networks are also important for cryptocurrency rates which are particularly volatile, we discussed this in a previous article on the topic. In France, early this year, the starlet Nabilla recommended investing in Bitcoin on a YouTube video, provoking a reaction from the French financial market regulator. Beyond the anecdote, the case illustrates the awareness of markets and financial regulators of the power and role of influencers, who can have a strong and direct impact on a company’s share price or investment by individuals, and who must therefore be prudent and responsible.
Influencer marketing is not confined to fashion or culture but also impacts stock markets. Companies must be responsive and, with an eye on their e-reputation, carry out social media monitoring, since nowadays a simple message on Twitter, Instagram or YouTube can change a company’s value.


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Konga has alerted the public of an alleged fake website “attempting to defraud customers using our brand name”, according to an advisory issued Wednesday by the e-commerce company.
“Our attention has been drawn to the activities of unscrupulous and faceless individuals and groups attempting to defraud customers using our brand name, the latest being the use of a bogus and fake website (https://konga18.com/#/login), “ Konga says in an email alert seen by Technology Times.
“These scammers,” Konga says, “have leveraged the trust reposed in us by our customers to attempt various fraudulent activities on unsuspecting shoppers.”
The e-commerce company disowns the alleged fake site, says that “Konga has no form of affiliation with this site – https://konga18.com/#/login – or any other site whatsoever that is not our official website. Our official website is www.konga.com.”
Konga, which is asking its customers to “stay alert, and be on your guard against fraudulent activities”, warns that, “anyone transacting any business on this fake website is doing so at huge personal risk. We understand that their modus operandi involves insisting that ‘would-be’ customers prepay for their orders.”
According to the e-commerce company, “we advise all our customers and members of public who wish to patronise us, that our official website remains www.konga.com and any news, update, or discount will be communicated via our website and social media pages.”
Konga adds further that “our customers have a multiplicity of payment options to choose from, including payment on delivery which is available in Lagos , Abuja, Port Harcourt, Edo, Ogun, Delta, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Kaduna. You can also pay for anything you order on Konga.com or in any of our physical stores using other payment options, the most popular of which is KongaPay.”
Source of Article


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photo: S. Novak
Last week the USDA and DOJ met to discuss the current face of the livestock industry. The picture is grim. Let go of any false visions of idyllic farm animals grazing on the pasture and replace that image with the massive corporations that currently monopolize the industry. An overstatement it is not--currently, four companies process 80 percent of U.S. beef--that's 4 out of every 5 beef cattle. Pork is much the same with 66 percent of all pigs coming from four companies. According to Civil Eats, 500 ranchers, farmers, workers, and concerned consumers turned out for the public forum and an estimated 2,000 people in the audience the next day for the official hearing. But will anything come of it?Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder listened to grievances from a host of organizations hurt by a livestock monopoly. The top four beef companies have increased their control of the industry dramatically from 36 percent to 80 percent since 1980. As livestock monopolies close in on the remaining farms, the consumer is left to suffer the repercussions.
"It's continually been a struggle to get access to packers," said Bob Mack, 50, who runs an 800-head cattle feedlot in Watertown, South Dakota. "Livestock production has become so concentrated that it's difficult for some producers even to participate."
Many farmers at the hearing commented that they had gone out of business because they haven't found a buyer for their livestock and still others can't get a fair price and haven't been able to pay higher feed costs, according to a story on ABC News.
But it's consumers that end up paying the real prices. When eight meat producers have such control over the beef and pork industry it means that the decision of a corporation translates into decisions for our entire food supply. It's a scary proposition when it's dollar signs not public and livestock welfare that motivate an industry.
After the egg recall I wrote about what happens when an egg farmer can spread its disease to ½ billion eggs and 17 states and the meat issue is much the same, if not larger in scope. If factory farms didn't have the breadth and reach that they do today, then one farm couldn't inflict such widespread damage. Such monopolies are supposedly (I understand this is not always the case) not allowed to go on in business, so why is our nation's food system an exception? So few farms control our nation's dairy, meat, and seed industries (think Monsanto), so what now?
The USDA's New Proposed Rule
The USDA's new proposed rule would have a big impact on allowing smaller livestock producers to survive. Part of the proposed rule would make it easier for farmers to sue under the Depression-era Packers and Stockyards Act. Farmers would no longer need to prove industry-wide anticompetitive behavior to file suit. Accoding to BNET, the rule would also prevent cattle and hog buyers from paying more to big producers than they do to small ones. Additionally, it would prevent processors from making farmers take on additional debt for other equipment or upgrades unless the farmers will recoup 80 percent of the cost in doing business.
The USDA and the DOJ will meet this December to make a final decision. In the meantime, let your opinion be known here.
Like this? Follow me on Twitter.
More on the USDA:
USDA Tightens Organic Standards on Dairy and Livestock
Tyson Injects Unborn Chickens with Antibiotics, Sues USDA to Keep Antibiotic-Free Label Organic Compost Delivered To USDA Headquarters


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For the first time in the year 2007, Bajaj Pulsar 220 (Bajaj Pulsar 220) was brought, and as soon as it arrived, this ‘The Fastest Indian’ bike explained the real meaning of speed to the people. After being the best seller in its class for 15 years, the production of this bike suddenly stopped. With the launch of the new 250cc platform, the Pulsar 220 is said to have been discontinued and will officially go out of production in April 2022.
It is said in media reports and on many social media platforms that the company has started booking it. Interested buyers can book the 220F for a token amount of Rs 1,000 and expect deliveries by mid-March.
Re-booking started due to increasing demand.
It is being said that the Bajaj Pulsar 220F is witnessing a steady demand in the country. Despite Bajaj having cool models like the N250 and the F250, the 220F remains the favourite of customers. For this reason, the company has decided to restart its booking.
Design of Bajaj Pulsar 220F
According to the information, Pulsar is relaunched with Black-Red and Black-Blue colour combinations. Also, new colours can be added to it. The design is expected to be seen the same as before. THE NEW MODEL SHOWS A V-shaped LED headlight cluster, split seats, clip-on handlebars, and a semi-faired design.
Along with this, features are expected to include telescopic forks at the front, twin shock absorbers at the rear, a single-channel ABS as standard for braking, and a double cradle-down tube frame in the hardware setup.
Pulsar 220F Price
The last record price of Bajaj Pulsar 220F was Rs 1.18 lakh. Whereas the price of the upcoming model is expected to be in the range of Rs 1.35 lakh. Both these prices are ex-showroom.


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A few years ago, a Russian site called AllofMP3 electrified servers around the world as people clamored to download DRM-free songs at well below the market rate (generally 20-30 cents as opposed to 89-99 cents each) before the site was shut down. In 2006 the RIAA brough a $1.65 trillion lawsuit against the company, which said it operated in compliance with Russian copyright law. In June 2007, the web site shut its doors after being pressured by the Russian government (a sister-site MP3Sparks, as well an affiliated invite only site called “MemphisMembers,” still survive).
Now, TechCrunch reports that a Ukrainian site with a similar business model of selling DRM-free MP3 music for well below market rate ($0.20 or less per song) has emerged. The site, MP3Count, might not last for a couple of reasons.
One reason, as one of the commenters at TechCrunch points out, is that the Ukraine is part of the World Trade Organization, unlike Russia. That means pressure from the US government and the EU to shut down the site might be more quickly complied with than it was in the case of AllofMP3.
The other reason, as another commenter brings up, is that MP3Count is an exact duplicate of an existing Russian site called MP3Sugar, which has been around since at least 2005. It’s hard to tell if the two sites are related or not — both have completely different domain name registration information — but MP3Count mimics more than just the design. All textual and graphic content, lists of top artists, and even download stats are the same on both sites.
If MP3Count isn’t a sanctioned duplicate of MP3Sugar, it could face trouble on two fronts — from the RIAA and other recording industry groups on one side, and from irate Russian web site owners on the other.


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Xiaomi has had such a lot success with its app store in China that it’s displayed a global app store that may permit developers from urban center, Taiwan, and Singapore to point out off their wares. The companies’ Chinese app store is averaging fifty million downloads daily. That figure includes some downloads of the quite 3000 apps designed for the Xiaomi MI Pad pill.
Recently, Xiaomi celebrated the ten billionth transfers from its Chinese app store. From the start of this year through October, the corporate has paid out $60 million to developers. That’s why the code jockeys area unit salivating at the thought of Xiaomi gap ups its app store to alternative international markets. With the manufacturer branching bent on Asian country, that might appear a logical place for Xiaomi to open its app store.
Xiaomi and alternative corporations take pleasure in Google’s call to presently keep the Play Store out of China. However the Chinese market is just too huge for Google to remain out of forever and there’s speculation a couple of attainable come back. Which may cool off Xiaomi’s app store to a small degree? After all, why accept a 3rd party robot app store once the first is on the market. Except for the instant, that’s all conjecture, and Xiaomi still has the chance to run up some huge numbers for its Chinese app store.


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The mission, which takes place from November 25 to November 27, is being organised in partnership with the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce, which is providing a packed schedule of events.
BHETA said: ‘With a population of 20 million and a home improvement (DIY) market worth an estimated Euro 2-3 billion per year, Romania has seen developing trends in both housewares and gardening.
‘DIY retailers reported a sales growth of up to 30% in 2016, with Dedeman and Arabesque holding 80% of the market share. Home and garden specialist retail chains are a favourite shopping destination, with trends increasingly more in line with Western consumers.
‘The country’s economy is set to continue growing and consumers are increasingly demanding convenience and high quality.’
The trade mission will bring together buyers, distributors and market experts from Romania’s major home improvement, housewares/utility and garden retailers, including store visits and one-to-one buyer meetings.
Two- and three-day packages are available which include a 20% discount for bookings made before October 31. Accommodation is included but delegates are responsible for booking their own flights and transfers.
BHETA members wishing to take part can register by contacting Madalina Ciinaru at the British Romanian Chamber of Commerce on firstname.lastname@example.org. It is also essential to advise BHETA of registration by contacting Nicola on email@example.com
BHETA housewares sector director Will Jones said: “Export can seem daunting for companies not already involved, so it’s great that BHETA can now offer really practical support, alongside the experience of existing exporters amongst the membership who are willing to share knowledge and best practice.”


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Peterborough entrepreneur Brooke Hammer has created a unique—and yummy—product called NICEcream that consumers are raving about, and that is scaling locally and beyond.
Hammer, who took home multiple awards including the FastStart Innovation Award, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough Award and the StartUp Peterborough People's Choice Award at the recent Bears' Lair entrepreneurial competition in Peterborough, is building terrific buzz about her product.
Founder Brooke Hammer (at left) with Innovation Cluster's Rosalea Terry at product launch event (Photos from launch by MossWorks Photography)
NICEcream is a delicious ice cream made entirely from bananas (no extra ingredients or preservatives are added), and is the signature product from Brooke's new startup Chimp Treats. NICEcream recently launched at Amuse Coffee Co., and people are going bananas for it.
"The reaction to it has been overwhelmingly positive," Hammer tells PTBOCanada. "As we all know, children are incredibly (and sometimes brutally) honest, but all of the children at our launch party loved it—and moms loved it too! I could not be happier with the way Peterborough has been responding to the product, and the kind words and encouragement that they've shared with me."
This healthy junk food alternative is available to order online, and is already available at Jo Anne's Place Health Foods, Amusé Coffee Co., Play Café and Baked 4 Uin Peterborough. It will be expanding to other local retailers in the upcoming weeks and months, and plans are in the works to expand to retailers in Toronto and beyond.
NICEcream is unique in that Chimp Treats is recreating everyone’s favorite junk foods entirely from fruit. It is essentially junk free junk food, a delicious product that tastes like a treat but is healthy. Sweet!
Hammer, who credits the Innovation Cluster, FastStart Peterborough and Peterborough Economic Development for helping her develop and scale this business, plans to roll out other products—all made from fruit—down the road. "We're changing the game completely by reimagining 'junk food'," says Hammer, who studied Business & Entrepreneurship at Trent University.
"We've partnered with Sustainable Peterborough, River City Farms (they'll be utilizing our thousands of banana peels for compost for their crops) and local strawberry farmers (via the Agricultural Society) to create a strawberry banana NICEcream for the PTBO Ex," Hammer tells PTBOCanada. "We will also be present at many festivals and events in the coming months, such as the Peterborough Yoga Festival, Hootenanny on Hunter and more!"
Sampling NICEcream at launch event
Hammer tells PTBOCanada she has huge plans for the business outside Peterborough. "We are currently negotiating with a co-packer (and distributor), and have partnered with amazing investors, so we predict being available across Ontario within the next four months and across Canada within the next seven months. I am planning on growing this business on an international scale."
Customers sampling NICEcream at launch event
It would not surprise us one bit to see Brooke Hammer's Peterborough startup become a global hit someday soon, and NICEcream to become a household name.


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Sri Lanka’s first mega Sathosa outlet was opened in Jaela today. Minister Bandula Gunawardhana attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that Sathosa provides goods at concessionary prices to consumers. The ministry of trade expects to open Sathosa mega outlets in main cities of the country. The next mega shop will be open in Monaragala.
- Transporting of burnt oil will be monitored with GPS technology
- The 2nd semifinal match between Sri Lanka legends and South African legends tonight


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Bloomberg's Plan to Hide Cigarettes
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a new health law calling for stores to keep cigarettes away from buyers.
Bloomberg said that the time to prohibit retailers displaying tobacco products has come. To buy cigarettes people would have to ask beforehand. "These laws would protect New Yorkers, especially young and impressionable New Yorkers," Bloomberg said at a Queens hospital. He says the goal is to reduce the number of young smokers.
Christine Quinn, City Council Speaker said she "supports the goal of these bills" but noted they would get a full review in the office.
It should be mentioned that if the law comes into force, such initiative would become the first of its kind in the nation.


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The Downside To Owning Your Own Island
Who hasn't dreamed of having their own coral-fringed island, lounging on its sandy beach, coconut daiquiri in hand?
So the news this week that Oracle CEO Larry Ellison just purchased almost the entire Hawaiian island of Lana'i (price tag reportedly $500 million) may make most of us more than a little jealous. It's good to be Larry — or Johnny (Depp) or Richard (Branson) or Celine (Dion), to name a few others in the elite club of island owners.
It's not difficult to envision the benefits of having your own piece of water-bound paradise. But what about the downside? We talked to Chris Krolow, the CEO of Private Islands, a Toronto-based company that sells 20 to 25 islands a year through its website, newsletter and magazine, Private Islands.
Location, Location, Location
The old adage that real estate is all about location is doubly true when it comes to buying an island, which by definition carries certain obstacles to access. In short, you're likely going to need a boat. Or perhaps a jet, which means your island had better be big enough to house a runway.
"Most people who want an island are avid boaters," Krolow says. Ellison, who has competed in numerous offshore sailing races and owns his own elite sailing team, certainly qualifies. But even the most ardent boater wants relatively easy access to their island idyll.
Krolow recalls showing one couple an island in the Bahamas recently. "We spent 13 hours getting to it by cigarette boat, and it was sort of obvious that the husband and wife thought that was too much," he says.
Then there was that $28,000 steal that sold not long ago in Nova Scotia — a very remote part of Nova Scotia.
"If your island is near an area that is supersaturated or superdeveloped, like parts of 'cottage country' near Toronto, chances are the islands are going to go for a premium," Krolow says. "The opposite is true in Nova Scotia, where locals would never buy an island — they don't want to deal with the hassles of getting there, the weather and the fog."
Weather can be an obvious problem. Paradise can seem anything but, if there's a hurricane or tropical storm with damaging winds and dangerous squalls bearing down.
Blue Skies And Red Tape
Islands typically have their own ecosystems, and in many locations, you'll need an environmental impact study before you can even begin to think about development.
In the Bahamas, where Private Islands does a lot of business, that's likely to cost a cool $50,000 or so, Krolow says. And in Ontario, any island you buy has to be a minimum of 1 acre in area or you won't get a permit to build on it.
There's also the possibility that someone else will claim it's their island, not yours.
"Every once in a while, there may be someone contesting a deed on the basis of squatter rights," Krolow says. "It's happened in the past in Central America, and that's caused the deal to fall through."
And what if someone demands to use the beach on your island?
A couple who bought Dobbins Island in the mouth of Maryland's Magothy River in 2003 found themselves embroiled in a years-long battle with boaters and environmentalists over public access and development on the 7-acre island. The legal fight still isn't over.
What About Indoor Plumbing?
To avoid these environmental and land-use restrictions, many island shoppers look for the sweet spot between developed and undeveloped, Krolow says. But they could be in for a rude awakening when it comes to some of the costs and concerns involved with development.
"The most sought-after islands are the ones that have some development, but it's not necessarily reflected in the price because it's dilapidated or whatnot," he says. "That's because you can usually replace whatever was there without too many restrictions, and that can save a lot of time and money."
You might get lucky and have a good freshwater source of water on your island, but getting power from the mainland is "a big, big bonus," Krolow says. Otherwise, you've got to generate it yourself.
And hauling a generator, not to mention other building materials should you want to build anything on your island, isn't easy or cheap.
King Of The Castle
So an island that's already developed can be good, but you'd better like what the previous owner did with it.
Krolow cites one particular island in the Bahamas with an asking price of $10 million.
"It had its own runway, a series of buildings, sandy beaches and even power from the mainland," he says. "But it stayed on the market for a very long time and, in my opinion, sold for way under price because there wasn't a lot of 'vision' left."
That's because buying an island is something of a mini-exercise in megalomania — many owners want to make their own kingdom, not one inherited from someone else. Of course, once you've created your island empire, the flip-flop is on the other foot once you want to sell.
Perhaps more than any other type of real estate, an island invites the owner to "make their mark," Krolow says. "So islands that are already overdeveloped — something where that vision is already pretty much done — those might stay on the market for longer."
A Question Of Privacy
An island might sound like the perfect place to get away from the stresses of life on the mainland, but too much privacy can be stifling for some people. Celebrities may have a different problem.
Most of us probably wouldn't have to worry about being stalked on our own private island. Not so if you're Johnny Depp.
"In this era of Google Earth, an island isn't the best hiding place," Krolow says.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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PARIJS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– De SESAMES Awards, die deel uitmaken van CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS, gaan jaarlijks naar de tien beste technologische innovaties binnen de branches voor smartcards, digitale beveiliging, identificatie, veilige transacties en contactloze technologieën.
Deelnemers aan deze twintigste editie, afkomstig uit vijftien landen, presenteerden hun projecten ten overstaan van een kritisch panel met internationale experts.
De SESAME Awards, die een onbetwist keurmerk van excellentie zijn, betuigen wederom hulde aan projecten die een afspiegeling zijn van de dynamiek van innovatie binnen de sectoren voor vertrouwenwekkende technologieën.
De competitie trok dit jaar veel deelnemers en introduceerde twee nieuwe categorieën: Beste gezamenlijke initiatief, dat wordt uitgereikt aan projecten die zijn uitgevoerd door meerdere bedrijven met een gemeenschappelijk economisch of sociaal doel, en Beste applicaties voor verbonden objecten, een erkenning voor de snelle ontwikkeling van op elkaar aangesloten objecten in de afgelopen jaren.
The SESAMES Awards: Innovations That Herald Future Trends
PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Organised as part of CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS, the SESAMES Awards are given to the 10 best technological innovations in the smart card, digital security, identification, secure transactions and contactless technologies sectors.
For this 20th edition, participants from 15 countries have presented their projects to the keen and critical scrutiny of a panel of international experts.
The SESAMES Awards: Banking & Payment Application category well represented
An undisputed hallmark of excellence, the SESAMES Awards, which celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2015, will once again pay tribute to projects that reflect the dynamism of innovation in the trust-based technologies industries.
The 2015 edition has attracted a host of entrants and introduced two new categories: Best Joint Initiative, awarded to projects carried out in partnership between several companies with common economic and social objectives and Best Connected Objects Applications, which acknowledges the rapid development of connected objects in recent years.
Olivier Trebucq 1, panel member for the “Discovery” category observes: “Once again, the SESAMES awards 2015 has been a huge success. Most technologies and applications were seen in the “Best Banking & Payment Application” with almost 50 proposals. Many projects in the “Best IT Security Solution” and “Best Identification Application” categories also meet growing requirements for security and ID verification in online exchanges and commerce. In general, the innovations that have been presented meet the expectations of network operators and service providers who need to take account of mobile use”.
A competition showcasing innovation and providing media exposure
The 2015 competition has attracted companies from 15 countries and was open to all innovative projects regardless of whether the entrants are exhibiting at the CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS exhibition. This free competition draws entries from all types of companies from start-ups and SMEs to major global leaders.
The winners of this 20th edition will be announced at the awards ceremony which will take place on 17 November, the first day of CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS.
After the ceremony, the winners of each category have the chance to present their innovation during “Innovation Breaks” on “Innovation TV”, the television platform set up at CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS. Throughout the exhibition, images will be broadcast offering the winners unique exposure and credibility as testified by the winners of the 2014 edition.
Mareike NEUMAYER, Senior Communications Manager, business Solutions Division – Morpho: “As winners of a SESAMES in 2014 with the MorphoTablet™, we were able to present our new product to a relevant audience and enhance our brand reputation. CARTES Secure Connexions allowed us to access additional communication channels. Communication about the SESAMES awards gave our product a lot of visibility. Our award-winning product MorphoTablet™ has been deployed in significant numbers in various countries throughout the world. A new-generation biometric tablet is will soon be release. The SESAMES competition is a great platform through which Morpho was able to show its innovative credentials.”
Henning MOELLER, Product Manager OTAbility – Comprion: “It was a great honour for the entire OTAbility development team to win a SESAMES Award in the Manufacturing and Tests category. Convincing an independent panel motivated us to develop our OTA solution with our clients. OTA solutions are on a roll thanks to the growth of M2M, IOT and eUICC. OTAbility has become a standard part of our full range of testing tools. We view the SESAMES Awards as a seal of quality which we highlight in our marketing and communication operations throughout the year.
Mattias Eld, CEO and Co-founder – Fidesmo AB: “The SESAMES Awards are the most prestigious innovation awards in the smart card and secure transactions industry. As such, it shows that we are recognised as an innovative company in the sector. This opens doors for us in terms of the media and new clients, which are the most difficult hurdles for a startup to overcome.
We have recently launched our service with the Swedish Sunfleet Group and the website triply.se. We are currently developing our service for other form factors and applications. The SESAMES Awards are a rare opportunity to show the entire industry what you have achieved. When you win one, you can be genuinely proud as you know that the judges are aware of all the work that has gone into the product and all the fine detail required to reach this level. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.”
A panel of international experts to choose the 10 winners
Entries are submitted to a panel of 34 international experts all recognised within their field of expertise.
Here is a list of panel members for the 2015 edition of the SESAMES Awards:
BEST IDENTIFICATION APPLICATION
|Donald E. Malloy, Chairman – Initiative for Open Authentication – OATH
|Max Snijder, CEO – European Biometrics Group
|Frédéric Trojani, Chairman – Secure Identity Alliance
BEST IT SECURITY SOLUTION
|Jean-Noël Georges, Global Program Director – Frost & Sullivan
|Jorge F. Krug, CIO and IT Director – Banrisul
|Al Pascual, Senior Analyst – Security, Risk & Fraud – Javelin Strategy & Research
BEST TRANSPORTATION APPLICATION
|Laurent Cremer, Executive Director – OSPT Alliance
|Greg Pote, Chairman – Asia Pacific Smart Card Association (APSCA)
|Nicolas Raffin, President – Smart Payment Association
BEST BANKING & PAYMENT APPLICATION
|Stefano Vincenzo Ciminelli, Executive Director, EMEIA Financial Services – Ernst & Young
|Michelle Evans, Senior Analyst, Consumer Finance – Euromonitor
|Eric Nizard, President – EESTEL European Experts in E-Transactions Systems
|David Robertson, Publisher – The Nilson Report
|Christophe Uzureau, Research VP – Gartner Industry Advisory Services
BEST MOBILE SECURITY SOLUTION
|Daniel Bachenheimer, Unique Identity Services, Global Head – Accenture
|Sergio Cozzolino, VP Strategy & Innovation – Telecom Italia – GSMA
|Kevin Gillick, Executive Director – GlobalPlatform
|Nathan Hilt, Director – PwC
|Liisa Kanniainen, VP, Corporate Mobile Solutions – Nordea Bank
BEST RETAIL SOLUTION
|Angelo Caci, Owner – Caci Consulting
|Vincent Druguet, Deputy General Manager – DigitasIbi
|David Parker, Director – Polymath Consulting
BEST MANUFACTURING & TESTS PRODUCT
|Pierre Métivier, Founder – NET7 Innovation
|Jean-Jacques Quisquater, Director – Math RiZK
|Fredy Yiap, Publisher & Editor in Chief – CardsNow! Magazines
BEST CONNECTED OBJECTS APPLICATIONS
|Pierre Courrieu, Partner – Cepheid/Consulting
|Jean-Christophe Lecosse, General Manager – CNRFID
|Thierry Spanjaard, Chief Editor – Smart Insights
BEST JOINT INITIATIVE
|Marilyn Bochicchio, CEO – PayBefore
|Frazier Evans, Payments Director – Booz Allen Hamilton
|Timothée Mangenot, President – Eurosmart
|John Devlin, Principal Analyst and Founder – P.A.I.D Strategies
|Guillaume Rio, Technology Trends Manager – L’Echangeur
|Olivier Trebucq, Head of Cloud, Big Data, Privacy – INRIA
Panel members selected the finalists and winners of the SESAMES Awards based on 3 fundamental criteria: how innovative the product/service submitted is, how suitable it is for the market and the strength of the pitch.
Upcoming dates for the competition:
The panel will examine entries throughout August up until 27 September with product finalists officially announced on 1 October.
1 Cloud, Big Data, Privacy – Directorate General for Data Transfer, INRIA


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BUSINESSES in Majorca that rely on summer tourists for survival have been experiencing a mixed trade over the past few months, with many reporting losses of up to 25 per cent on this time last year.
Local government statistics out this week show a 5 per cent down-turn in profits across the entire entertainment sector on the island.
Bars and restaurants geared towards families have put the loss down to a shift in the market. They say that there has been an increase in short weekend breaks for stag and hen parties, which puts families off and leave the week's trade quieter.
Chris, from Lisa's Bar in Magalluf, said: I noticed a big increase in these big party groups of up to 60 people. People now save their money all year just for a weekend. They are replacing the mums and dads and kids that used to come. Donna, the manageress at Lady Tavern, has reported losses of over 20 per cent from last year and also said there has been a noticeable increase in men on holiday for stag parties this year. Magalluf is dying out as a family resort. They are choosing to go to cheaper and more exotic places. You now pay roughly 1'400 euros for a week's family holiday in Magalluf. For the same you could go to Florida. Dino, who owns family restaurant Hollywood's, said: There are a lot more youngsters and less families this year. The stag and hen outings are what have really damaged us. The president of the Majorcan Association of Tourist Attractions, Omar Garcia, has said this week that some businesses in the entertainment sector have reported losses from between 10 and 25 per cent.
He also identified an increase in bookings for weekend breaks and all-inclusive holidays, which has affected businesses as well.
The all inclusive holidays in particular have had a very negative effect, he said, because the tourists have both lunch and dinner in the hotel and don't make use of any of the restaurants or tourist attractions in the area.
He said more and better promotional campaigns were needed to attract British families back to areas such as Magalluf.
He added that the number of German visitors was on the rise again, while an increase in Spanish visitors was helping to fill the gap left by the drop in British visitors.
It is also necessary to extend the season, he said, starting in April and continuing through October.
Nick Brown, owner of four Tom Brown's restaurants in Magalluf, said that Majorca's down-turn in profits was a result of a greater choice of holiday destinations open to tourists due to cheaper flights and increased prices on the island. We get a lot more trade over the weekend, because more and more people are coming over on these low-cost flights. For my restaurants I've noticed a 40 per cent increase in profit on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. What Majorca has got to watch out for is that it doesn't price itself out of the market. The island as a whole is very expensive compared to similar places in Europe and is becoming less competitive. Bar and restaurants that cater more for families are frustrated at the trend towards young groups of people on stag or hen weekends, because the majority of the money spent is on alcohol and not food.
Colin Jakings, owner of Roosters in Magalluf for seven years, said: I can't see business getting back up to the heights of four or five years ago. Those days are gone. The problem now is that the all-inclusive holidays are on the increase, which is bad news for people like me in the restaurant trade. Concerns have also been raised about the effect on tourism of the recent industrial action in Majorca, which saw cleaners striking for three days and left the Son Sant Joan airport strewn with rubbish and toilets closed.


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Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh)
In the aftermath of a face-off between armies of India and China, members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, Aligarh carried out a protest calling for shops to boycott goods and products from China. Protesters walked through streets, raising slogans against Chinese products.
The protest aimed to educate residents of the area and local shop-owners as to why they should not buy or sell goods from China. Volunteers visited 11,000 families in Aligarh while going door to door on Saturday.
According to Gaurav Sharma, the Bajrang Dal Convener said the protest was carried out in response to the violent face-off that took place at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, where 20 Indian jawans lost their lives.
"To bring China down, we have to target their economy. If it is not possible to ban all Chinese products, the public must be careful not to purchase anything made in that country. While our soldiers fight the enemy at the borders, we also have to join them from here. If we stop consuming their products, their economy will be negatively affected and they will think twice before hurting another Indian jawan," Sharma told ANI on Saturday. He also added that they are also running a campaign on social media for the cause.
"We are following all COVID-19 social distancing guidelines given by the government. We are wearing facemasks and only walking in groups of 2-3," he added.
Suman, a local shop owner in the area is also one of many who have put up posters, calling for a boycott of Chinese goods, in front of her store. "I will make a conscious effort to check all products before I make any purchase for my shop," she told ANI.
Rajkumari Verma, a resident said, "they told us the Chinese troops killed our men at the border. We are with them in this boycott. I have vowed not to buy anything from China, even small things like sewing needles and toys for my children."
‘Boycott China’ face masks hit in Jammu
Jammu: After a face-off with China, people in Jammu have decided to boycott Chinese goods. On Sunday people were seen buying indigenously manufactured 'Boycott China' face masks to fight coronavirus. "After Galwan valley clash with China,'Boycott China' masks are in huge demand, said Amit, a shop owner in Srinagar said while speaking to ANI. "I have got masks imprinted with favourite characters of my children. At least they will wear it happily," said a customer. Notably, some of the masks also have slogans like "Boycott Made in China" and "Boycott Red China, Buy Made In India."


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Japanese researchers have developed a new type of lithium-ion conductor that could help prevent the kind of lithium-ion battery fires that grounded the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft last year.
The UBR-1 is a 4-foot tall, one-armed robot that could make warehouses and factories more efficient by performing tasks normally done by human workers.
Anticipating a storage crunch spurred by big data, IBM and Fujifilm are advancing the state of art in magnetic tape with a prototype capable of storing 85.9 billion bits of data per square inch.
What would "Alice in Wonderland" sound like if it were set to music? And what if the composer were a computer?
You might think twice about buying produce from Japan's Fukushima, where a tsunami-hit nuclear power plant spewed radiation.
What do you get when you combine an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, a Kinect motion tracking sensor, multiple computers and a video game from the 1980s? PaperDude VR, a project presented at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Toronto th...
Microsoft's research division has developed a keyboard that can interpret basic hand gestures, potentially bridging a gap between touch devices and more traditional input methods.
Using a home inkjet printer, special ink and photo paper, scientists from Microsoft Research have created what they hope will be the future for fabricating basic electronics. Presented at CHI 2014 in Toronto, the project uses "circuit stickers" which...
This week on World Tech Update we take you inside the New York Auto Show, where BMW introduced its X5 eDrive concept car.
Planet Labs, a satellite imaging startup formed by ex-NASA engineers, has applied for permission to more than double the number of satellites it has in orbit.
A Space X Falcon rocket lifted off Friday afternoon for the International Space Station (ISS) from the Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida.
This week on World Tech Update, Google confirmed its acquisition of drone maker Titan Aerospace, a move poised to advance delivery of the company's data services and mapping applications.
Just down the street from a cluster of venture capital firms on Silicon Valley's Sand Hill Road is the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a sprawling, 426-acre site where researchers are pushing the boundaries in physics, chemistry and materials s...
Lego-like parts that will form the building blocks for Google's Project Ara will be produced on 3D printers and ship in time for the customizable smartphone's release early next year.
Users of satellite navigation systems around the world were experiencing problems this week after Russia's Glonass satellite positioning system was hit by a major disruption.
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By PAULENE POPARAD
GK Development consultant Valerie Kretchmer said bringing a 351,419 square
foot retail mall to Chesterton should help, not hurt, existing businesses,
especially in its historic downtown.
But mall opponents asked if her comparison was apples to apples, or apples
Then again, mall supporters said the jobs that the mall will bring are too
good to pass up in challenging economic times.
Kretchmer compared the likely impact to Chesterton retailers by using
big-box commercial developments built in Morris and Antioch, both Illinois,
and in Valparaiso, areas she called comparable communities. She said
merchants in Valparaiso indicated big-box retailers there generated traffic
that brought more shoppers into their downtown.
The key, she said, is to monitor what mall stores are selling and not to
duplicate that merchandise. In the two Illinois examples, Wal-Mart
Supercenters were in the community. Despite that, their downtowns remained
viable with little or no vacancies although grocery sales declined, she
Kretchmer said Chesterton will see population growth and by having
customer-friendly hours and service as well as unique merchandise,
Chesterton’s 32 downtown stores can survive and thrive, especially if the
popular outdoor European Market continues to draw crowds here.
During public comment, local downtown business owner Frank Sessa said, “I
really don’t see this project as a detriment to the downtown. Let’s not pick
on the shopping center for shops failing.” He estimated since 1977 about 50
small businesses have gone out of business.
Joan Carpenter said GK should work with the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of
Commerce and possibly a shuttle service between the mall and downtown could
Mall proponent Jim Kowalski said in his 30 years living here Chesterton’s
downtown hasn’t changed. “It’s a special area. It’s going to be there and
it’ll stay there.” But it isn’t a sleepy little town any more, he added. The
town needs new tax base to support its residential development, added
Kowalski, and part-time jobs are needed, especially for teenagers who now
have to drive out of town to find them.
Eric Koeger, chairman of the Chesterton Hometown Improvement Program, said
both the town’s quality of life and new business development can co-exist.
He said it’s not up to us to decide if we need a Target or Kohl’s, rather
it’s the town’s role to do it responsibly by requiring high standards. “If
they’ve met them and are willing to be partners in our community, I urge you
to approve their plan.”
Several residents said they objected to GK’s lack of imagination in choosing
Target and Kohl’s for their main anchors feeling other stores would be more
desirable. Said Laura DeSousa, “They’re giving us a very pretty development,
pretty boxes with the same stuff inside.” As did a few others, “I realize
this is pretty much a done deal. I’ve resigned myself to that,” she said.
George Maney voiced support; he said the elderly need a place to shop and
having a mall close by will enable the town to keep their money here.
Downtown business owner Marjory Crawford said of Illinois-based GK, “It’s
all for their advantage, not ours.” Valparaiso’s downtown is home to the
county seat, she also noted, which generates traffic of its own. With GK on
the State Road 49 bypass, “What happens to downtown Chesterton when everyone
Kelly Rivera is co-owner of Top Hat Tuxedo. She said ongoing issues like the
lack of downtown parking should be addressed before a new mall. “I’m all for
making money, but make it somewhere else,” she told GK representatives.
Several residents speaking would live near the mall either east of it on
County Road 1100N or Dickinson Road, in Tamarack subdivision to the west, or
along County Road 100 E that intersects Rail Road.
Some of those speaking said the vacant stores in Valparaiso’s northside
County Seat Mall, which is being sold and renovated, is the impact of
big-box development on that city’s east side. Al Riolo said Chesterton’s
west side is “basically dead” after WiseWay relocated. “Big corporations
suck the lifeblood out of small retailers,” he stated.
Nada Karas of Lucrezia restaurant in Chesterton said Target and Kohl’s don’t
fit our community. “I don’t want Merrillville here. Leave it for
Agreed James Oates, “I don’t want to live along (U.S.) 6 in Portage.
Chesterton is a home community. We came here to escape those things. We can
drive. Our town is a community of people living here. It’s not a community
of strip malls.”
George Manning, owner of two downtown antique shops, said the GK proposal
isn’t right for Chesterton. “This meeting is an outcry. There is an
ill-balanced plan here. We need to think downtown, old town.” He proposed a
While some speakers welcomed the mall’s opportunities for employment, mall
opponents said the majority of jobs will be low-paying and part-time, not
the kind that will enable families to live here and afford a home. The area
needs clean, high-tech jobs that pay more, speakers said.
Some of the 50 acres the GK PUD would rezone, 40 of it for retail, is now
zoned industrial. Commission member Jeff Trout asked landowner John Ameling
if he ever had tried to market his industrial acreage. Ameling said no. “I
didn’t think it’s in the best interest of the town and I still don’t.”
Controlled development was supported as desirable, but this isn’t it, said
mall opponents. Others felt the quality of life and peace of mind they enjoy
would be shattered by thousands of mall shoppers, and that crime might
follow, overburdening town services and police.
Tom O’Keefe said if the town had problems with a three-day Wizard of Oz
Festival, how can it hope to cope with the impact of a major retail mall
here every day? He said planned development of the Gary/Chicago Airport can
have positive benefits for Chesterton if it is patient, rather than “putting
a noose around our neck” now.
The comments of Maureen Foos, who lives adjacent to GK land, drew applause.
“My main plea is, turn this down.” She said surveyors working for GK
arrogantly placed survey stakes on her land. “They figure they have us in
their pocket.” She also said blue heron and salmon who frequent the area and
creek will suffer.
With about 30 vehicles per minute coming to the area, Foos said, the Pioneer
Trail intersection, even with improvements funded by GK, won’t work and she
suggested a roundabout. She called for a separate traffic indicator for
pedestrians and cyclists to cross State Road 49, and for planted berms to
Michael Foos, who spoke as a proponent, said environmental concerns existing
now could be improved by mall construction, and he asked that Dickinson Road
to the east not be extended south of County Road 1100N.
Yet Dan Hager said Chesterton is being over-developed and the mall is a
symptom. “We don’t need it. Please take your mall someplace else.”


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Carterwood are delighted to announce their sponsorship of the ‘Property investor of the year’ category at this year’s HealthInvestor Awards. The event will be held on the 12 June at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.
With over 400 companies involved, and more than 1,200 guests on the night, the HealthInvestor Awards 2018 was the biggest event of the year for the health industry.
Carterwood have been successful in being nominated for and winning a number of awards over the past 8 years, but 2019 is Carterwood’s first year as a sponsor at the event.
Amanda Nurse, managing director at Carterwood, said “We’re particularly pleased to be sponsoring the ‘Property investor of the year’ category, given the synergy between this category and our client base, and will be excited to hear the winners announced.
The HealthInvestor Awards is one of the most prestigious events of the year, and we’re delighted to be involved this year as sponsors, in addition to being finalists in two categories. It promises to be an exhilarating evening!”
Health & social care experts Carterwood are finalists in the ‘Consultant of the year – strategic’ and ‘Property consultant of the year – property services’ categories, having previously been winners in the latter category a number of times.
Finalists in the ‘Property investor of the year’ category include:
- Civitas Social Housing
- Inspired Villages Group
- Layland Walker
- Omega Healthcare Investors
- Patron Capital Partners
Carterwood provide solution-focused commercial due diligence as well as handling the sale and acquisition of property and businesses throughout the UK in the health & social care sector. To find out more about Carterwood and their services visit www.carterwood.co.uk or telephone 08458 690777.


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Campaign for Pubs
“Dishonest and as nonsensical as it is puritanical” Campaign for Pubs slam Welsh Government decision to ban alcohol in pubs
The announcement was made by First Minister Mark Drakeford and the new rules will come into force from 6pm this Friday, 4th December with less than five days notice.
The news is devastating for pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants and means in effect they are losing the vital December trade. It will mean many pubs will have to cancel orders, which also seriously affects small brewers and other suppliers, having a devastating effect on all businesses in the sector. Many small Welsh breweries had been continuing to brew beer on the basis that pubs would continue to open. Beer order for December have already been placed and stock will have to be thrown away.
Wales had a 17 days so-called ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown over school half-term in late October to early November to avoid further restrictions. Alas it clearly failed and the strategy being pursued in Wales, as in the rest of the UK, is putting businesses including pubs into a never ending cycle of closures and draconian restrictions, which is destroying thousands of profitable businesses and pushing many families into hardship.
The Campaign for Pubs are calling for Welsh politicians to oppose the new measures and have stressed that there must be proper support for pubs and all affected hospitality businesses, compensating them for the loss of crucial December trade and through the winter.
Join Us Today
Join the Campaign for Pubs TODAY!


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To grab a bigger piece of the huge online retail market in India, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail is planning to embed its e-commerce application JioMart into WhatsApp in the next six months.
The inclusion of the JioMart app in WhatsApp will provide it unlimited reach to over 40 crore users of WhatsApp in India, and thus help build its online presence. This could potentially pose a bigger challenge to Flipkart and Amazon, which currently dominate the online retail game in India.
Launched in May 2020 across 200 cities of India, JioMart offers everything from fruits and vegetables to household products on its app, just like Amazon and Flipkart. "It is essentially marrying of strengths for both companies," LiveMint reported Jayanth Kolla, founder and partner, Convergence Catalyst, as saying.
JioMart was launched after Facebook inked a mega $5.7 billion deal with Reliance Retail for 9.9 per cent stake last year. Under the pact, WhatsApp will help Reliance boost the reach of JioMart.
Reliance Retail has also launched a drive connect with all kirana stores with JioMart. This will allow a smooth operation of orders and delivery will be either taken care of by stores or its delivery arm, Grab.
With JioMart, Reliance will make further inroads into the general trade market by connecting kirana stores with consumers via its platform. Once incorporated, JioMart will allow customers to place orders with a simple message. It has also launched point-of-sale machines to help kirana services such as financing, inventory management and tax returns filing, etc.
Also read: How big is Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail is already a leader in offline retail and the deal with WhatsApp gives it a much-needed boost to move towards dominating the online segment too.
Reliance Retail, as per its annual report for FY20, already runs around 11,784 retail stores, spanning 7,000 towns and cities of India.
The company closed the much-awaited deal with Kishore Biyani's Future Enterprises on August 29, 2020, under which it acquired the retail & wholesale business and the logistics & warehousing business from the Future Group on a slump sale basis for Rs 24,713 crore. The deal, however, has been challenged by Amazon India, which bought 49 per cent stake in Future group subsidiary Future Coupons for Rs 1,500 crore in 2019. Amazon has taken Future to a Singapore arbitrator, citing breach of the agreement and has sought the deal should be halted.
Copyright©2021 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today


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The Transparency and Consent Framework is a widely-used mechanism that facilitates the management of users’ preferences for online personalised advertising.
Following the French CNIL’s recent decision about cookie consents, the Belgian data protection authority has issued a ruling stating that the TCF developed by Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe (IAB Europe) fails to comply with a number of provisions of the GDPR. The TCF is a widespread mechanism that facilitates the management of users’ preferences for online personalised advertising, and that plays a pivotal role in Real Time Bidding (RTB). The Belgian DPA imposed a €250.000 fine on the company, and is giving IAB Europe two months to come up with an action plan to bring its activities into compliance.
Since 2019, the Belgian DPA has received a series of complaints which challenged the conformity of the TCF with the GDPR. Ironically, the TCF was actually developed to contribute to compliance with the GDPR by organisations relying on the OpenRTB protocol which is widely used for RTB.
When users visit a website or application for the first time, an interface (a Consent Management platform or CMP) will pop up where the user may consent to the collection and sharing of their personal data, or object to various types of processing based on the legitimate interests of ad tech vendors. The TCF facilitates the capture, through the CMP, of the users’ preferences which are then shared with the organisations using the OpenRTB system. It places a cookie on the user’s device. These can be linked to the IP address of the user, therefore making the author of the preferences identifiable. The TCF plays a pivotal role in the architecture of the OpenRTB system, as it is the expression of users’ preferences regarding potential vendors and various processing purposes, including offering tailor-made advertisements.
IAB Europe claimed that it was not a data controller, but the Litigation Chamber of the BE DPA found that it was because of the registration of individual users’ consent signal, objections and preferences by means of the unique Transparency and Consent (TC) String, which is linked to an identifiable user. This means that IAB Europe can be held responsible for possible violations of the GDPR.
Following this, the Belgian DPA identified a series of GDPR infringements by IAB Europe :
In view of these infringements, the Litigation Chamber has decided to impose serious sanctions, particularly because the TCF may lead to a loss of control of personal information by large groups of citizens. It therefore imposed an administrative fine of 250.000 EUR on IAB Europe. It has also ordered IAB Europe to take the following corrective measures aimed at bringing the current version of the TCF into compliance with the GDPR:
The draft decision has been examined within the cooperation mechanism of the GDPR (the “one-stop-shop mechanism”). Following scrutiny and amendment, the decision was approved by the data protection authorities in the EEA.
The Belgian DPA is giving IAB Europe two months to present an action plan to implement these corrective measures. The decision can be appealed.


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FDA Defines "Gluten-Free" For Food Labeling
In a recent press release, the FDA has finally ruled what foods can actually be labeled gluten-free. This is huge news for any Celiac or gluten-intolerant person in the country as there has not been a standard for labeling gluten-free foods... until now. The FDA has now set a gluten limit of 20 parts per million in products labeled gluten-free, a widely accepted standard in both the European Union and Canada.
From the release:
“Adherence to a gluten-free diet is the key to treating celiac disease, which can be very disruptive to everyday life,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “The FDA’s new ‘gluten-free’ definition will help people with this condition make food choices with confidence and allow them to better manage their health.”
This new federal definition standardizes the meaning of “gluten-free” claims across the food industry. It requires that, in order to use the term "gluten-free" on its label, a food must meet all of the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. The rule also requires foods with the claims “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” and “without gluten” to meet the definition for “gluten-free.”
The FDA recognizes that many foods currently labeled as “gluten-free” may be able to meet the new federal definition already. Food manufacturers will have a year after the rule is published to bring their labels into compliance with the new requirements. “We encourage the food industry to come into compliance with the new definition as soon as possible and help us make it as easy as possible for people with celiac disease to identify foods that meet the federal definition of ‘gluten-free’” said Michael R. Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. The term "gluten" refers to proteins that occur naturally in wheat, rye, barley and cross-bred hybrids of these grains. In people with celiac disease, foods that contain gluten trigger production of antibodies that attack and damage the lining of the small intestine. Such damage limits the ability of celiac disease patients to absorb nutrients and puts them at risk of other very serious health problems, including nutritional deficiencies, osteoporosis, growth retardation, infertility, miscarriages, short stature, and intestinal cancers.


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Internet orders prove vital for businesses
With so many companies battling to remain profitable, it is encouraging to see that organisations have been receiving healthy internet orders.
New figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown that firms benefited from online purchases worth $189 billion in 2010-11.
This would have been an absolute godsend for retailers in particular, as it is clear that Aussies are being more cautious with their cash because of the uncertain economic climate.
The proportion of corporations that said they received orders via the web went up from 13 per cent in 2009-10 to 28 per cent the following year.
Enterprises have had an exceptionally hard time of things in recent years and many have found it very difficult to get hold of much needed business loans from the nation's banks.
It is crucial for the wider economy that corporations are able to expand, but lenders have been far more strict about who they give money to.
Have a question about business banking? Ask the money gurus at Mozo Answers.


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HP's big announcement yesterday that it was “exploring strategic alternatives for its PC and mobile businesses mobile devices discontinuing, exploring options for WebOS” to focus on software and services is a bold but extremely treacherous move. While the comparisons to IBM have been bandied about on the Web all day, in Forrester’s mind this is a very different time than when IBM began that shift almost 20 years ago. The market today is very different, making it much harder for HP to execute the pivot.
The services business, especially the outsourcing segment, has stalled out. There is no better example than HP’s own services business, which has shown negative growth over the last two fiscal years. It is becoming increasingly clear that IT shops think that pursuing a cloud strategy public or private is the way to keep control and not have to outsource.
The software business may be on the same brink of fundamental change as mobile and as a service combine to change the pricing, delivery model, and focus of innovation. There is also a fundamental shift away from spending on the traditional systems of record like ERP to systems of engagement with customers, partners, and the business decision-maker. The $10 billion Autonomy Corp deal is targeted at the analytics element that will underpin many of these systems of engagement. The analytics space is getting increasingly crowded as IBM, Accenture, and Deloitte seem to acquire an analytics software firm on a weekly basis.
Earlier this morning, Google announced its intention to buy Motorola Mobility for 12.5 billion in cash or $40/share. There are three broad justifications for the deal:
Access to the Motorola patent portfolio which it could then license to partners like HTC and Samsung to protect against the long arm of Apple's lawyers.
An integrated hardware/software play to compete with Apple. The problem with this logic is that the deal does not address the fragmentation on the Android platform, which is the bigger issue.
The set-top business to bolster its lagging Google TV offering.
This said, the deal leaves Google in a very awkward position of being half-pregnant and trying to be a provider of an open source "environment" while at the same time competing with its "customers." It also means that there are four integrated hardware/software offerings: Apple/iOS, HP/WebOS, RIM/QNX, and now Google/Motorola, and potentially a 5th if this deal emboldens Microsoft to pull the trigger on the long-rumored full takeover of Nokia. The Apple story of simplicity and focused innovation at the app level has won out over complexity and innovation at all levels. Unfortunately, the deal extends the overall market fragmentation at a platform level well into 2013 to the frustration of developers.
So where does this leave the Asian OEMs HTC, Samsung, and LG? If Microsoft passes on the Nokia acquisition, this deal could throw Windows Mobile a temporary lifeline. Forrester can hear Steve Ballmer and company pitching the Asian players on how Microsoft is the only hardware agnostic player left and that HTC, Samsung, and LG should increase their support for Windows Mobile as protection against Google favoring its own hardware play.


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A collection of news and information related to Genetic Engineering published by this site and its partners.
Displaying items 1-12 of 398 » View mcall.com items only1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11-34 Next >
They've already been available for several seasons, but grafted tomatoes are readily available this season. Wat's so special about grafting tomatoes? Let's start with what grafting is. Long used in the orchard and ornamental markets, the process involves...
Tags: Tomatoes, Farms, Agriculture, Trips and Vacations, Kutztown
Should the government require companies to label food that contains genetically modified organisms? Last November, California voters rejected a ballot initiative that would require such labeling, but bills that would do so were recently introduced in...
I am so excited; spring is my very favorite season! Here in the south, all sorts of trees and plants are bursting forth with extraordinary colors and spilling their aroma into the air. In nature, spring is a time of regeneration, a time for a fresh start....
At last, Pennsylvania is starting to steal some of the thunder from New York City when it comes to culinary news. This week's big story, of course, was a judge's trashing of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on Big Gulp, set to take effect Tuesday....
SportsTalkWhoever coined the phrase, "Cheaters never prosper," never had Lance Armstrong in mind. The disgraced former seven-time Tour de France champion was unceremoniously stripped of his titles and banned from all sanctioned athletic competitions by the U.S....
The Hartford CourantHARTFORD — Activists pressing for a state law requiring labels on food with genetically modified ingredients are disappointed and angry that the House of Representatives weakened a bill approved by the Senate earlier this week. "It's very clear...
Tags: J Brendan Sharkey, Government, Laws, Robin Williams, Activism
The Hartford CourantThe Berkshire International Film Festival will be held from Thursday, May 30, to Sunday, June 2, at various locations in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, Mass., offering a slate of narrative features and documentaries that have not yet been shown in...
Have you been feeling “under the weather” lately? Many farmers breathed a sigh of relief last week as they finished up planting corn. Estimates are that 2.4 million acres of corn were planted from May 13-19 in South Dakota. About 95% of...
Tags: Weather Reports, New York City
The movement to force the labeling of genetically engineered food is gaining momentum. In November 2012, an initiative to require the labels in California was on the ballot; it was defeated. Now, federal legislation carried by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif....
WASHINGTON (AP) - The organic food industry is gaining influence on Capitol Hill, prompted by its entry into traditional farm states and by increasing consumer demand. That's not going over well with everyone in Congress. Tensions between conventional...
If you believe you have a right to know what you put in your body, join us at 11 a.m. Saturday at Main Beach for the March Against Monsanto. If you believe our Aliso Beach fire pits are a sacred right to enjoy a bonfire at the beach, let your local...
The campaign to require the labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) took a gut punch Thursday. State House lawmakers rejected a tough GMO labeling bill passed by the state Senate, and voted instead for a watered-down...
Tags: Dannel P. Malloy
May 24, 2013 |Story| Allentown Morning Call
May 13, 2013 |Story| Allentown Morning Call
Mar 1, 2013 |Story| Allentown Morning Call
Mar 14, 2013 |Column| Allentown Morning Call
Oct 10, 2012 | Allentown Morning Call
May 24, 2013 |Story| Hartford Courant
May 24, 2013 |Story| Hartford Courant
May 24, 2013 |Column| Aberdeen News
May 24, 2013 |Story| Los Angeles Times
May 24, 2013 |Story| Aberdeen News
May 24, 2013 |Story| Coastline Pilot
May 24, 2013 |Story| WTXX-LTV
Original site for Genetic Engineering topic gallery.


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Oppo to launch Windows Phone 8 handsets alongside Nokia and other WP partners?
When Microsoft announced Windows Phone 8, it unveiled a list of hardware partners that would make and sell WP8 handsets starting later this year. The list obviously includes Nokia, as well as: Samsung, HTC, Huawei, Acer, ZTE, and Lenovo. As you can see, three of the partners are Chinese companies. And the fourth may join soon.
According to WPDang, Microsoft may agree to let Oppo manufacture Windows Phone 8 handsets starting 2013. Of course, we still need an official confirmation on this, so for now it’s just a rumor.
(this is just a mock-up, not a real Oppo Windows Phone device)
Based in Dongguan, China, Oppo has recently launched the world’s thinnest smartphone ever – the Oppo Finder, which runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and is only 6.65 mm thick.


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THE global economy has had its fair share of a rollercoaster ride last year. The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic was swift and in a short span of time, economic projections took a turn for the worse. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic left companies spinning in a downward spiral in an instant, all looking at a fast solution to keep operations up and running amid the imposition of health protocols and the necessity of employing remote transactions. The unforeseen impacts of the outbreak tested the resiliency of firms and their ability to adapt to changing situations.
Toward the end of 2020, when businesses have gradually learned to adapt to modern means of corporate management and operations, economic experts and analysts have expressed optimism that 2021 will be a year of soft or subdued recovery. In January, the World Bank announced in a report that the global economy is seen to grow in 2021 following a contraction last year. The report cited that while there is an anticipated recovery, governments and policymakers still have a tough challenge to face — that of addressing issues in debt management, budget policies, and structural reforms, among others.
In the Philippines, the same optimistic outlook was recorded. In another report, the World Bank forecast that although it sees the Philippine economy contracting by 8.1 percent in 2020, it will likely bounce back by 5.9 percent this year and by 6.0 percent in 2022. The rosy projection is in line with optimistic results of the fourth quarter survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS). Data gathered by the SWS showed that 91 percent of Filipinos remain hopeful that the economy will be able to weather the economic impacts of the global health crisis and will recover this year.
The results of these reports find support from signs of gradual economic progress including recovery of developed countries, increased remittances from overseas Filipino workers and the planned rollout of a mass vaccination program.
Three months into the anticipated year of recovery, the Philippine government announced that it is imposing another enhanced community quarantine as part of efforts to quell the spread of the Covid-19 virus, a statement which has since stirred renewed uncertainties across various economic sectors.
The announcement of another lockdown dashed hopes for recovery at least for the early part of the year for different firms, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism sectors, industries considered massively affected by the imposition of safety protocols during the pandemic. In addition to these industries, small businesses and start-ups constitute another sector, which remains in need of fresh support from the government during the new normal.
MSMEs in the Philippines
According to data released by the United Nations in October, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprise a majority of businesses in the Philippines and employ more than half (63 percent) of the country’s total workforce. Data from recent years also showed that these businesses constituted a considerable portion of the country’s gross domestic product. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also stated that most MSMEs are situated within low-income areas and as such, serve as drivers of growth for local economies.
The current community quarantine in the country is another challenge that small businesses will have to face even as they find ways to go beyond their operational blueprints to spur business recovery. A year earlier, when the pandemic set in, a big chunk of MSMEs experienced challenges in operations. While a number of these businesses continued to operate albeit at decreased capacity, the first community quarantine put a dent on these companies’ financial statements.
Government support for small businesses
The Asian Development Bank cited in a post-webinar report that six months after the virus outbreak, many of these small businesses reopened despite a continued decline in domestic demand. Although the number of MSMEs, which reported low incomes decreased, overall, there was still a drop-in income across the segment. Challenges MSMEs faced during the period include access to additional funding. This is as MSMEs mainly relied on their own funds and other financial sources to stay afloat.
Government support was listed as one of the top measures that MSMEs desired, including business subsidies and tax reliefs. In addition, credit access provided by banks and financial institutions was also mentioned as a form of assistance that small businesses are looking forward to receiving. Such forms of assistance were earlier cited by the BSP as tools that can help MSMEs bounce back from the effects of the pandemic on their financials.
The recent passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) Act provides significant tax reliefs to MSMEs in a bid to help them recover from the effects of the pandemic. Under the Create Law, small and medium corporations with net taxable income of not more than P5 million and total assets of not more than P100 million can avail of the 20-percent corporate income tax starting July 1, 2020. Small businesses with sales of not more than P3 million will pay 1 percent percentage tax only instead of 3 percent from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023.
Moving forward, government assistance for micro-entrepreneurs can come in the form of direct financial aid. In fact, the government has laid out initial funding for MSMEs under its 2020 Covid-19 Rehabilitation Support Program. More similar funding projects either from the national government or local government units are anticipated to help small businesses cope with the effects of the health crisis.
The reality is that MSMEs must continue to address key challenges amid the pandemic. While these businesses are facing these issues head on by ramping up adaptive business measures, optimizing online platforms, reducing expenses and diversifying their product offerings, receiving government support would allow them to step up their game in solving these challenges.
To be able to spur economic growth and recovery, the answer is clear. The government (both the national and local government units) must come up with new initiatives and policies that will respond better to the needs of MSMEs, a sector that has already been dubbed a driver of economic growth. By implementing a mix of sound monetary and fiscal policies on top of continued financial support, the government can help fast-track the recovery of MSMEs which can, in the future, help the economy grow.
Wendell Ganhinhin is a partner and head at the Cebu and Davao Branches of P&A Grant Thornton. P&A Grant Thornton is one of the leading audit, tax, advisory, and outsourcing firms in the Philippines with 23 partners and more than 900 staff members. We’d like to hear from you! Tweet us: @GrantThorntonPH, like us on Facebook: P&A Grant Thornton, and email your comments to firstname.lastname@example.org. For more information, visit our website: www.grantthornton.com.ph
As published in The Manila Times, dated 07 April 2021