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SA entrepreneurs who made the best of the COVID-19 pandemic
Over 2 million South Africans lost their jobs as a result of lockdown, but some businesses have seen remarkable growth despite a sharp downturn in the economy.
JOHANNESBURG - On the evening of 23 March, South Africans gathered around their television sets to listen to arguably the most important announcement of this year. At the time, the nation was on edge. The rate of COVID-19 infections was accelerating here at home and the rest of the world. Very little was known about the virus other than the fact that it was ruthless to senior citizens and people with comorbidities. Italy, one of the hardest hit countries in Europe, became a point of reference. Although there were 340, 000 reported cases worldwide at the time, compared to over 40 million today, it all looked scary. Nobody knew what was going to happen next. The South African government decided to take action.
“The National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nationwide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March. This is a decisive measure to save millions of South Africans from infection and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Monday night as his government imposed a lockdown on the country.
This strategy appeared sensible, especially as the country looked to buy itself time to prepare for the inevitable spread of the coronavirus. But a prolonged lockdown came at a heavy price. In the months that followed, businesses were bludgeoned. A staggering 2.2 million South Africans lost their jobs. Unemployment now stands at over 30%. Government admitted “the punch in the gut was severe”.
But even in our darkest hour, there was a glimmer of hope. The pandemic became a blessing to some sectors of the economy.
“I think the use of internet and the use of digital technology during COVID because of a lack of movement, obviously surged upwards. I think in the last quarter, if you look at the Statistsa release in the last quarter alone, telecoms was one of the growing sectors in COVID and in the [contraction] time, when everyone else was contracting up to 90% in terms of business activity and output,” says Nthabiseng Moleko, PhD graduate in development finance at the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
Johannesburg businessperson Donald Valoyi can attest to this. As companies were downsizing or shutting their doors, his grocery delivery service, Zulzi, experienced a different reality. It grew at a pace he never predicted.
“Our orders increased 500 times immediately and that means we had to increase capacity. We had to bring in more drivers. It was very difficult because it was during lockdown. Now you have to get guys who are brave to come and work for you. So yah, I think it was challenging. That type of growth comes with a lot of pain,” he told Eyewitness News.
Valoyi started Zulzi in 2013. He says: “We were just an e-commerce platform. We were selling books online to students.” But the business morphed over time. It offered anything from pharmaceutical products and alcohol to fast food. Today, it’s an inspiring company that focuses on delivering groceries. As a customer, you send a list of your grocery items to Zulzi, through an app or website. Your order will be received at the company’s call centre, before it’s sent to someone who will do all the shopping on your behalf. The shopper will then give your groceries to a driver, who will deliver to your doorstep.
“We cover all the major cities. If you talk about Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Jo’burg, we are there. We have about 45 guys who work in the office. So, this includes software engineers, the marketing team, the guys who run logistics and the customer service team. Then we have personal shoppers. We are sitting at around 250 shoppers currently. We have about 300 independent drivers at the moment. It’s an Uber-type model. Obviously that number always changes depending on how much demand we have at any given time,” says the former FNB employee. “COVID was very good for online businesses actually. Any business that’s online really took off. Everywhere I look worldwide, groceries were doing well. Valuations for the start-ups shot up,” he says.
Another entrepreneur who’s been smiling from ear to ear in recent months is Graham Wallington. He runs WildEarth, a media company that broadcasts live safaris. The company has a group of camera operators who capture images out in the wild. Those visuals are then sent to television sets, computers and mobile devices around the world, through a control room in Johannesburg. At the same time, safari guides interact with viewers in real time. “All we’re doing is, we’re just watching the unscripted process of nature unfolding, and I think that the majority of our viewers come to have this experience oftentimes because they are stuck, maybe because they are not well, maybe they are depressed, maybe they are lonely, or maybe because they are locked down and can’t access nature easily. What WildEarth offers is a way for people to feel like they are transported into the wild,” says Graham.
The concept is innovative and has become a massive hit in the coronavirus era. “Our global traffic increased five-fold between March and April 2020. Also, we saw an increase 15-fold in our South African audience during March and April 2020,” he says. The growth he is referring to hasn’t turned into financial returns yet, but it increased WildEarth’s valuation.
“I think these are businesses that are going to last because there has been a shift in the way we work. When you are talking about, for example safaris, the way we work has changed. Certainly the way we have fun has to change. The way we relax has to change”, says economist Xhanti Payi.
Developments in the local digital economy are not surprising though. A StatsSA report released earlier this year shows that over 36 million South Africans out of 59 million now use the internet. Most people consume content on mobile devices. This means the ground is fertile for innovative digital businesses or companies with a strong online presence.
“We were always moving into a relatively more online society, more online purchases. Whether we are talking about our food, we are talking about our clothes, that’s where we were going. But I guess it was accelerated even for people like me who were not particularly keen on that sort of thing. Now we are sort of there,” Payi says.
But as our nation looks to recover from the scourge of COVID-19, are we capitalising on the strength of digital businesses? President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced an economic recovery plan with bold promises. He said his government would create 800 000 job opportunities in the coming years. The plan covered many sectors including forestry, energy, construction and farming. But he said very little about developing start-ups, particularly in the ICT space. Although he spoke of supporting 5,000 young entrepreneurs in passing, few details were given on the plans to help them.
Business experts Nthabiseng Moleko and Mark Swilling say we need to think differently. The two academics from the University of Stellenbosch Business School and the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition respectively, argue in great detail, through a document they released a few weeks ago that, “continuing on the current path, reliant on mainstream economic thinking and use of existing micro-economic solutions, is unlikely to deliver different outcomes in the future”.


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[UPDATED.] Facebook announced in April that it would begin integrating offers, such as Netflix trials, as a payment option for its new, universal virtual currency called Credits.
Though Facebook initially announced plans to integrate the offers of two venture-backed monetization startups, TrialPay and PeanutLabs, Facebook has yet to make the PeanutLab’s offers available to users and competitors. Related or not, competitors in the space are beginning to cry foul over Facebook’s relationship with TrialPay.
One major bone of contention, claim two sources who asked not to be named, is that the process used to vet competitors to TrialPay was neither impartial nor clear.
“They just asked [one of TrialPay’s competitors] to give [Facebook] a presentation on the company,” says one source familiar with the matter. “It turned out that the presentation was the equivalent of a [request for proposal, at the start of most bidding processes], but [the competing company] was never notified of that and in fact, their executives were told to skip over background about the company’s fraud protection and customer service.”
TrialPay CEO Alex Rampell said he was prevented from talking publicly about many aspects of TrialPay’s relationship with Facebook. Ethan Beard, director of the Facebook Developer Network, where he oversees worldwide developer relations, is traveling this week and was unavailable for comment.
A source close to TrialPay, meanwhile, characterizes TrialPay’s meetings with Facebook as “incredibly rigorous,” athough the source declined to disclose how so. Added this person, “Facebook [also] reached out to the leading game publishers who have worked with every single monetization company in the space. This was not a narrow focus or quick decision.”
Another complaint centers on the relationship between executives at TrialPay — specifically CEO Alex Rampell and CTO Eddie Lim — and Facebook “Ninja” Jared Morgenstern, a top-level product manager who has launched several of Facebook’s biggest growth engines, including virtual gifts and its friend finder and contact importer.
Computer science geeks who were friends at Harvard, Morgenstern and Lim went on to co-found a startup called Metails.com that invited users to build out profiles of products they liked and that sold in 2004 to Buy.com for an undisclosed amount. It was later renamed Yub.com.
The source close to TrialPay acknowledges that Morgenstern was one of the Credits team members but says that Morgenstern was not part of the committee that made the final decision about using TrialPay and that he specifically recused himself due to any potential conflict.
Competitor complaints have also surfaced over TrialPay’s comparatively short history in the social gaming arena. Indeed, when I interviewed Alex Rampell for a profile in late January, he told me that the social games offer space was a “small percentage of our business” that “grew by triple digits last year.”
Said Rampell at the time, “A rising tide will lift all boats. But if you look at size of offline economy — real goods — it’s so much bigger. It might be growing at just 1 percent each year, but we don’t need it to grow. I don’t care if the pizza market grows or shrinks. A lot of people order pizzas. It’s much bigger than Zynga’s revenue will be for the next 10 years combined.”
Asked today about such complaints, the source close to TrialPay says claims of TrialPay’s relative inexperience are “simply not true” and that the company was one of the first companies to work with virtual goods companies, beginning in March 2007.
Whether or not competitors’ claims have merit, it’s unsurprising that many in the industry are unhappy with Facebook’s choice to rely heavily on TrialPay, particularly given the ballooning role that offers are expected to play in Facebook’s future.
In an exclusive interview today with InsideFacebook, Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged, for example, that games, which make up “a lot” of Facebook’s applications to date, “monetize a lot better through virtual goods than through ads.”
UPDATE: After conducting some “detailed research” about the process through which it selected its offer partners, Facebook responds:
The assertion that our process for selecting offers partners was unclear or biased is preposterous. We ran a rigorous process that gave each company a chance to make a formal pitch as well as hold other discussions. The assertion that the process was affected by any personal relationships between any Facebook employee and TrialPay is also false. We have established procedures in place to prevent situations where there could be a conflict of interest. And in this case, in an abundance of caution, Jared Morgenstern recused himself from the selection of offers partners. We hope this clarifies the circumstances in light of the uninformed and incorrect assertions made by some parties.

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While the dog-owners surveyed generally had a good awareness of the need to protect their animals against fleas and ticks, only half of those questioned said that their vets recommended year-round flea and tick control. One in three said they had previously found a tick on their dog, while one in five owners reported seeing a flea on their dog in the last year.
Almost two-thirds admitted to sometimes or often forgetting to give treatment. Over half of respondents (58%) said that they didn’t receive a regular reminder from their vet about flea treatment, but over 50% also said that they would be more likely to treat if prompted by a reminder service.
The all-Ireland research (Biosat, December 2018) surveyed 540 dog owners about their awareness of common parasites in dogs, as well as their behaviours in relation to the treatment of their pets for parasites.
The survey suggested that the message about the presence of immature stages of the flea life cycle throughout the home is also not getting through, as over half of those questioned were unaware that 95% of a flea infestation – flea eggs, larvae and pupae – will be in the home, with only 5% of the problem visible on the affected pet. With 63% allowing their pet to sleep or lie on their sofa, and 37% on their bed, this problem is further highlighted. However, over half said that being made aware of these facts about a flea infestation would prompt them to take more regular action against parasites.
When asked about where they typically buy flea and tick treatment for their pet, 80% of owners said that, while their vet is the main source of advice, only 57% bought their most recent flea treatment from a vet practice; 26% of dog-owners bought treatment from a pet store; 6% from a supermarket; and less than 2% online.
More than two-thirds of those interviewed said they would prefer to give a long-lasting (12-week) flea and tick treatment with a separate worming tablet rather than giving a flea and tick treatment every month.
Kevin Whelan, companion animal marketing manager, MSD Animal Health said, it is clear that communication and advice from the vet has a big role to play in how often dog-owners are treating their pets against parasites.
“With only 52% of respondents indicating that their vet recommends year-round treatment against fleas and ticks, there is a huge opportunity for vets to help increase awareness and plug this gap. The findings also confirm that a regular reminder service from vets would help prompt people to act and treat their pets more frequently.
“It is also interesting that while dog owners look to their vets as a main source of advice, they are significantly less likely to buy products from their vet. This shows that there is an opportunity for vets to enhance the perceived value of buying products from the vet practice.
“The convenience and frequency of administering treatment was also of considerable interest to respondents, with over two-thirds saying they would prefer a flea treatment which lasted three months compared to one that lasts just a month.”
Stressing to dog owners the importance of protecting themselves and their family, as well as their dog, is essential, according to Mr Whelan.
“Many people don’t realise that 95% of a flea infestation is in the home and it can be very tricky to get rid of these unwelcome visitors once they have started to spread. Whenever pets are frequently lying and sleeping on sofas and beds in the home, the need to protect against fleas on an ongoing basis is evident."
Main findings of the research include:
- 65% of owners admit to sometimes or often forgetting to give flea treatment;
- 58% of owners said that they didn’t receive a reminder from their vet re flea/tick treatment;
- One in five owners reported seeing a flea on their dog in the last year;
- One in three dog owners has found a tick on their dog;
- After discovering that 95% of a flea infestation (flea eggs, larvae and pupae) is in the home, and with only 5% of the problem (adult fleas) visible on the affected pet, 54.5% of respondents said it made them more likely to take steps to regularly treat their pet to prevent a flea infestation;
- More than two thirds interviewed would prefer to give a long-lasting (12 weeks) flea and tick treatment with a separate worming tablet than give a flea and tick treatment every month
- 80% of owners said that their vet is the main source of advice, but only 57% bought their most recent flea treatment from a vet practice;
- 44% of owners say their dog gets wet at least once a week;
- Over half of owners aren’t aware of the zoonotic risks of roundworm, and only 28% treat their pet four or more times a year;
- Only 37% of respondents were aware that Lyme disease affects dogs;
- The average number of times per year that respondents treated their pet against fleas was 3.4
- The average no of times per year that respondents treated their pet against worms was 3.2
- One in three dog owners also owns a cat


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Released on EurekAlert! On November 18, 2013 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-11/pc-chh111813.php
Highlights heart health, urinary and gastrointestinal tract and other metabolic benefits
CARVER, Mass. (Nov. 18, 2013) – Cranberries are more than a holiday favorite, given their remarkable nutritional and health benefits. A new research review published in the international journal Advances in Nutrition provides reasons why these tiny berries can be front and center and not just a side dish. The review authors conclude that cranberries provide unique bioactive compounds that may help reduce the incidence of certain infections, improve heart health and temper inflammation.
Ten worldwide experts in cranberry and health research contributed to the article, including scientists and medical experts from Tufts University, Pennsylvania State University, Boston University, Rutgers University, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom and Heinrich-Heine-University in Germany. The authors included more than 150 published research studies to create the most thorough and up-to-date review of the cranberry nutrition and human health research.
“Hundreds of studies show that the bioactive compounds found in cranberries improve health,” said lead author Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, FASN, FACN, CNS, Director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory and Professor in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. “For example, the polyphenols found in cranberries have been shown to promote a healthy urinary tract and exert protective benefits for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.”
Based on the totality of the published cranberry research, the authors concluded that the cranberry fruit is truly special because of the A-type proanthocyanidins (a polyphenol from the flavanol family), in contrast to the B-type proanthocyanidins present in most other types of berries and fruit. The A-type proanthocyanidins appear to provide the anti-adhesion benefits that help protect against urinary tract infections (UTI), which affect more than 15 million U.S. women each year. They present evidence suggesting that cranberries may also reduce the recurrence of UTIs – an important approach for relying less on antibiotic treatment for the condition.
Cranberry Health Benefits Extend Beyond Urinary Tract Health
The authors also cite data that shows the cranberry may improve cardiovascular health by improving blood cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure, inflammation and oxidative stress. Cranberries have been shown to help support endothelial function and reduce arterial stiffness. Together, these benefits may promote overall health and functioning of blood vessels to help slow the progression of atherogenesis and plaque formation, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
Need Fruit? Eat More Cranberries
While all fruit contributes necessary vitamins and minerals to the diet, berry fruits offer a particularly rich source of health-promoting polyphenols. Because of their tart taste and very low natural sugar content, sugar is often added to cranberry products for palatability. Even with added sugar, cranberry products typically have a comparable amount of sugar to other unsweetened fruit juices and dried fruit products. Additionally, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans asserts that the best use of calories from added sweeteners is for improving the palatability of nutrient-rich foods, as is the case when adding sugar to cranberries. As an additional option, non-nutritive sweeteners are used to produce low calorie versions of cranberry products. Americans can help increase their fruit intake by incorporating cranberries and cranberry products into their diet and there is no need to wait for the holidays – cranberries can be enjoyed year round – fresh, frozen, dried, or in a juice or sauce.
“While we look forward to more research to better understand how cranberries affect our well-being and longevity, we know that including cranberries and cranberry products in a healthy diet is a great way to increase fruit intake,” said Dr. Blumberg.
The Cranberry Institute provided support for the research article. For more information about the Cranberry Institute, the health benefits of cranberries and current scientific research visit http://www.CranberryInstitute.org
About the Cranberry Institute
The Cranberry Institute is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1951 to further the success of cranberry growers and the industry in the Americas through health, agricultural and environmental stewardship research as well as cranberry promotion and education. The Cranberry Institute is funded voluntarily by Supporting Members that handle, process, and sell cranberries. Supporting Members are represented in national and international regulatory matters and research efforts are done on their behalf.
Original Article released:
Link Cited on: LINK de DIET


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ALLENTOWN, Pa. - He says no one really knows if consumers will be opening up their wallets or tightening their belts this year, so how can small business owners cash in on customers this holiday season?
It was the topic of a recent article on Forbes.com by small business owner and columnist Gene Marks.
Gene stopped by 69 News at Sunrise to tell us more.
READ Gene's full article here - http://www.forbes.com/
Allentown, PA 18102


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There’s always a lot happening in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest:
- A new bar from the owners of The Daily Growler opens today! Find The Daily Bar at 883 N. Fourth St. in Italian Village. The open bar space, which features both indoor seating and patios, includes draft beer, wine, and cocktails.
- Kitchen Social opened its second location this week, at 6791 Longshore St. in Bridge Park
- The pierogi shop Sweet Cle-bus opens tomorrow, Nov. 6, at 10:30 a.m. The shop is located at 447 Lazelle Rd.
- After closing its two restaurants in the past couple years, Little Eater has returned as a catering business.
- Business First reported that Ashtyn’s Seafood House is coming soon to Polaris.
- A location of Korean hot dog joint Myungrang Hotdogs is coming 850 N. High St. in the Short North.
- Following a break-in last week, the Bexley Coffee Shop has been closed, but they’ll re-open on Monday, Nov. 8.
- The Hungarian Butcher announced its grand opening date for Friday, Nov. 12. The butcher shop will be located at 2177 W. Dublin Granville Rd. in Linworth.
- Da Levee Cajun cuisine is coming back for one night, for a special dinner at Short Supply bar in the Short North on Thursday, Nov. 11. Get your tickets here.
- The Daily Growler is bringing back its annual Beer + Donuts pairings for Sunday, Nov. 28. You can get tickets for one of their three locations or order a take-home version.
- The holiday-themed pop-up bar, Miracle at Citizens Trust, is set to return again this year, Nov. 26 – Dec. 30.
This week I’m also writing:
- 5 Restaurants to Try This Month
- Track down the Mersh’s Breakfast Cafe truck
- Join the Worthington Farmers Market for its Outdoor Winter Season! (Experience Worthington)


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Samsung Announces Portrait QWERTY Galaxy Pro [VIDEO]
Samsung joined Motorola (Droid Pro) and HTC (ChaCha) today with the announcement of a portrait QWERTY Android phone. Dubbed, what else, the Galaxy Pro, it features the form factor that was once synonymous with BlackBerry phones. The phone runs Android 2.2 and features an 800MHz processor, a 3-megapixel camera and a 2.8-inch touch display. As of right now the Galaxy Pro is expected to land on wireless provider Three over the next few months, but a price has yet to be announced.
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Koushik Dutta has rolled out an updated release of his popular and handy app AllCast. As we expected would ultimately happen, his new version offer support with the Chromecast’s SDK.
Engadget is reporting today that they have proof, of sorts, that Motorola has designed an alternate version of the yet-to-be released Droid Pro. This model will be different in that it will not have a camera feature.


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In this article, we look at a new trial which explored the use of medicinal cannabis in supporting the health and wellbeing of an Asian elephant – with encouraging results.
Medicinal cannabis for pets
Evidence has proven medicinal cannabis to be beneficial to animals where it has historically been used to treat medical conditions in humans.
CBD Vets Australia offers a legal pathway to access CBD products that have undergone stringent quality testing. These are not to be confused with hemp seed oil products, for reasons we explain here!
The most common carrier oils in CBD are olive, hemp and MCT oils – each of which has well researched health benefits.
There are numerous plant constituents in medical cannabis other than CBD and THC, that all play a part in the diverse medicinal actions of cannabis.
Unravelling the intricacies of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in dogs and cats can help understand the role of endocannabinoids and CBD oil treatments for pets.
Given the media hype surrounding CBD and hemp products for pets in recent years, you’d think cannabis has only just bounded into the scene like an agile Aussie cattle dog.


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- New World Bank survey indicates rapid rise of mobile phones and the internet-69% of adults globally now have an account at a bank or mobile money provider
- Financial planning advice in Australia faces change after miss-selling problems says GlobalData
- Squirro new study indicates AI and ML on the increase in financial services
- Central Bank of Ireland to launch Innovation Hub
- FICO fraud identification solution Falcon Assurance Navigator now available on AWS
- Swedish FinTech Tink launches API platform
- Swedbank expands partnership with Meniga expired
- HSBC takes climate change investment decisions on tar sands projects and some coal-fired power stations expired
- UBS has "excellent start to 2018, with our results once again showing the power of our diversified business" says CEO Ermotti expired
- Wells Fargo faces $1bn penalty expired
- PCF Bank retail deposits top £100m mark expired
- New credit card launched in Indonesia expired
16th June 2017
Barclays launches ready-made investments
Barclays has launched its Ready-made Investments, removing the complexity from investing, allowing customers to effectively build a diversified investment portfolio by investing in individual Barclays funds.
Barclays’ Smart Investor customers can now easily select from a range of existing Barclays funds, which they can select as matched to their chosen risk profile and financial goals, making it straightforward for beginners to get started. Each fund is made up of a mix of investments across different asset classes, giving instant access to a diversified portfolio with global exposure.
In terms of financial goals, customers can choose between ‘Growth’ and ‘Income’ investments. Growth investments aim to increase the value of investments over time, whereas Income investments suit those looking for a regular income.
Clare Francis, Savings and Investments Director at Barclays, said: “Over the longer term, stock market investments have tended to perform better than cash savings (though of course, past performance of investments is not a reliable indicator of their future performance), and in the current low interest rate environment, stock market investments are one of the few ways that you might still beat inflation while growing a nest egg, albeit at the risk of loss of capital.
“However, our research shows that uncertainty about what to invest in is still one of the biggest barriers preventing people from getting started. Ready-made Investments are designed for people who understand the benefits of investing and who want the reassurance of a carefully selected range of assets, with a risk level they feel comfortable with.”


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(BBC) – The US has seized a shipment of human hair products from China, that it says was made by forced labour from children or prisoners.
The products came from Xinjiang in the far west of China – where it’s thought a million Muslims have been detained in “re-education” camps.
“Production of these goods constitutes a very serious human rights violation,” said US customs official Brenda Smith.
China said the “forced labour” accusation was false and malicious.
The US did not say whether the hair itself came from children or prisoners – merely that the products were made by them.
What was seized?
The products were detained by the US Customs and Border Protection at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
The goods came from a company in Xinjiang, which, the agency said, indicated “potential human right abuses of forced child labour and imprisonment”.
The products were part of 13-ton shipment of hair products worth more than $800,000 dollars.


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Temporary changes that saw disabled parking bays relocated to allow bars and restaurants to use streets for outdoor service have been extended for another year.
Lichfield District Council made the changes in July 2020 to create more space on local streets during the coronavirus pandemic.
A number of the parking bays were then converted to outdoor seating areas for businesses who applied for pavement licences.
After an extension of the Business and Planning Act 2020, the council has now approved plans to extend the current city centre arrangements until 30th September 2022.
It means the 21 disabled parking bays on Market Street, Bore Street Conduit Street and Tamworth Street will remain suspended, with alternative locations continuing to be available at the Bird Street and Lombard Street car parks.
Cllr Liz Little, cabinet member for major projects, said:
“With Covid still very much with us, it’s really important that we have space to maintain social distancing in the city centre.
“We also want to support our local businesses who are keen to keep their outside seating areas for another year.
“We hope blue badge holders will understand the decision and continue to make good use of the remaining blue badge bays that are available in the city centre and in Bird Street and Lombard Street car parks.”Cllr Liz Little, Lichfield District Council
The council said the decision would also mean 18 hospitality businesses would see their pavement licences extended for another year.


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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — With the omicron variant outbreak growing larger every day, the owners of San Francisco’s popular Zuni Cafe have announced they will be requiring indoor diners to not only provide the city mandated proof of COVID vaccination but also confirmation they have gotten a booster shot.
They said the requirement — the toughest of any San Francisco restaurant — was being instituted to protect the health of its staff from the extremely contagious strain.
“We remain disinterested in invading your medical records and we have a strong desire to keep the guests and workers of Zuni Cafe safe,” the owners said on an Instagram post. “We look forward to a time when this will not be necessary.”
The owners said the booster requirement for indoor dining will go into effect on Wednesday, December 29th. There also is one exception.
“Diners 4 years and younger who are ineligible for vaccinations are welcome to dine indoors with their party,” the post said. “Diners without proof of vaccination are welcome as guests at our outdoor tables.”
Other Bay Area restaurants face also facing difficult choices as the omicron outbreak continues to grow.
“We had someone on the team test positive for COVID yesterday morning so we had to cancel the whole event and it’s incredibly frustrating,” said Imana, the creator of Hi Felicia Supper Club.
The project hosts dinners in Oakland as a pop-up but a restaurant is one of their goals for 2022. For now, their service is on hold and they will take January off to regroup.
Restaurants in Oakland and the South Bay have also posted limited service or temporary closures on social media.
“We’ve had such a year and 2021 was starting to look a little promising but it is what it is,” said Tracy Marin, the regional manager of Asian Box in San Francisco.
The Cow Hollow neighborhood in San Francisco has many restaurants with various degrees of COVID restrictions depending on the business. Some have stayed in a takeout only format, others kept the safety measures they first brought out at the beginning of the pandemic.
“We are telling our stores to bring back hand sanitizers, in the stores we are making sure that everyone is wearing the proper masks, we have sneeze guards up,” Marin told KPIX 5.
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association sent a newsletter to members on Monday encouraging the booster for any restaurant staff eligible for the additional dose as a way to protect from the omicron variant.
“It’s just the new normal I think, we have to get used to this new variant,” Imana said.
The California Restaurant Association said in a statement that the latest variant is evidence that the pandemic continues to impact restaurants. The CRA said the industry will need help to come out of the challenges of the past two years.


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The next economic downturn will test the resilience of American retailers, analysts say, and Target could be among those best-positioned to weather the challenge.
In a note to investors on Thursday, Cowen analyst Oliver Chen named the Minneapolis-based chain the firm’s top pick among retail industry stocks, ahead of competitors Walmart (number two) and Costco (number six).
“We view Target as a best-in-class merchant and believe its private label brands across apparel and home are differentiating it from peers and helping drive strong [comparable sales growth],” he wrote, adding that Target has the cash needed to invest in digital innovation and ultimately survive macroeconomic pressures such as U.S.-China tariffs or a potential recession. Chen also raised Cowen’s price target on the retailer’s stock to $130 from $120; it opened Thursday at $106.90.
In August, the company reported adjusted earnings of $1.82 per share for the second quarter — beating Wall Street’s estimate of $1.62 a share and jumping 23.9% from the same period in 2018. Revenue increased 3.6% to $18.4 billion, and digital sales soared 34% as customers flocked to Target’s same-day fulfillment options: in-store pick up, drive-up and Shipt delivery.
Sales through these channels more than doubled year-over-year, said CEO Brian Cornell, assuring investors that the resources the company has devoted to building this infrastructure are now paying off. (Target acquired the same-delivery service Shipt in 2017 for $550 million in cash, and it has invested significantly in expanding ship-from-store capabilities to leverage its fleet of 1,855 U.S. stores.) Additionally, the company has opened new stores at a time when many competitors are shrinking their footprints, focusing on small-format stores and campus locations, both of which are top performers in the current environment.
Target’s gains — and money it has spent to achieve them – underscore the gap between the top tier of retail performers and their struggling, cash-strapped peers. Bankrupt Sears and debt-burdened J.C. Penney, for instance, could be stuck facing all the same macroeconomic headwinds as Target and Walmart, but with few of the same buttresses, analysts say.
“Retailers with better scale, a fixation on value or elite specialization are in a better place versus others who will lose share,” wrote Chen. “Our take is we are in the midst of an accelerating bifurcation in retail, with winners and better-capitalized companies increasingly taking share across the board.”


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Nintendo now fully owns the Astral Chain IP
The Astral Chain IP was previously held by both Nintendo and developer PlatinumGames. Now, however, that’s no longer the case.
PlatinumGames boss Atsushi Inaba confirmed to VGC that Astral Chain fully belongs to Nintendo. There were questions regarding its ownership after the official website changed its copyright, and PlatinumGames was no longer included.
Regarding what’s now shown on the site, Inaba said “it’s as it looks.” He also noted:
“It’s as it is written on the website: Astral Chain is their IP and as such there are limitations on how much we feel we should talk about.”
VGC later attempted to clarify the Astral Chain IP ownership, but a PlatinumGames spokesperson said the company was “not in a position to answer this question.”


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Singapore Coin Scam and More
Singapore is an amazing country on many fronts. It is one of the most forward-thinking places on earth from a commercial point of view. In this article, we look at the overall landscape for Blockchain and Cryptocurrency in the tiny nation-state and the latest Singapore Coin scam.
Is Singapore Crypto friendly?
Singapore is, without doubt, a major crypto hub. At the end of 2018, both South Korea’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, and major Chinese player Binance announced their expansion into the local market.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) at the end of 2018 broadened the existing regulatory framework to bring certain cryptocurrencies under its jurisdiction. The central bank introduced a mandatory licensing regime for payment service providers, which are now required to apply for one of three licenses based on the
nature and scale of their crypto activities.
The Singaporean Ministry of Law has said this week that businesses should exercise caution and do their due diligence before accepting cryptocurrencies. This statement was in part made regarding a recent promotion by a local business. A large jewellery retailer, SK Jewellery, with a chain of jewellery stores in the city-state, has partnered with Singapore-based point-of-sale systems startup Bizkey Network to accept Bitcoin and other digital assets as payment. The company is offering discounts of 10% to 20% on their products when purchasing with cryptocurrency. In a two-hour flash sale, $30000 worth of transactions in crypto took place.
Concern over the use of precious metals and digital assets to aid money laundering is under the spotlight, with a bill being proposed to the government at present. It will be very interesting to see the Singaporean stance on Crypto as 2019 progresses. Singapore does not classify Crypto as legal tender but retailers are able to accept them.
Singapore’s stance on Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain
Singapore does not consider Bitcoin a currency but rather a good and applies services tax on it use. The entire global cryptocurrency space is still waiting on regulatory clarity with regards to ICO classification as securities or not. In the United States, the Howie test is applied to ascertain if something is a security or not.
Singapore has been passing laws and proposing bills recently and this week an ICO fell foul of new regulations and had their STO, security token offering halted. The ICO in question advertised the STO offering on Linkedin and in doing so breached the law with regards to advertising an STO without a registered prospectus with the Singaporean Monetary authority. This gives good insight into how Singapore is moving forward in that space and to me, it seems Singapore is taking a very open stance to this new industry. Having a prospectus isn’t exactly a major barrier to entry and you would think any serious venture would have one before taking an offering to market.
Blockchain in Singapore
In Singapore, there is a very clear belief in Blockchain technology. The government is very supportive of Blockchain tech and has funded many projects. News out this week in that space is lead by Standard Chartered banks Singapore unit pulling off its first cross-border trade finance transaction on a blockchain-based platform. This is significant as there has been a general malaise over the real application of Blockchain tech and its real-world application outside of Bitcoin.
Standard Chartered worked with startup Distributed Ledger Technologies platform to complete an agri-business supply chain deal in one day. This was a major achievement eclipsing the normal five to seven days for this transaction.
The head of trade for the Singapore transaction banking business, Ujjwal Jain said in a statement that the use of blockchain-based platforms “enables the bank to support our clients’ entire supply chain and provide seamless trade financing within a day”.
“This helps free up cash flow and working capital, which our clients and their supply chain can reinvest into their business,” he added.
“The transparency of the whole process also helps build trust and loyalty across the supply chain to promote more cost-efficient products and services. This is a win-win for all parties.”
Having lived in Singapore for many years and still being a regular visitor there for the many Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency and Blockchain events that take place, I see Singapore as arguably the most important place outside of the US to watch for developments in Crypto and Blockchain. So far the Island nation State is taking a very measured approach.
Singapore coin scam
I have been sent an amazing offer to buy ‘Singapore Coin‘ by many people in the last couple of days. I find this particularly hilarious as it came via a Facebook sponsored ad. It is hilarious for a number of reasons. The fact that the Hardforking website has been restricted from advertising on Facebook as it does not meet Facebooks cryptocurrency guidelines is right at the top of the list.
How on earth has the Singapore Coin sponsored story managed to get past facebooks bots? I can assure you Facebook is insanely strict on anything to do with cryptocurrency. We are a Bitcoin site and Venezuela aside I’m not aware of any other countries that have made Bitcoin illegal, just the country Facebook. Coming in a close second is the fact that surely the entire planet is now aware of cryptocurrency scams and can spot them yet people are still trying this nonsense.
2019 is hopefully the year of a clear out of scammy projects, better clarity over-regulation and maybe even Facebook allowing us to tell people about Bitcoin. Singapore’s stance on Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies and blockchain will play a major role in global acceptance and adoption, watch this space.
Any bets on Facebook launching a coin this year? Leave your comments below.


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Thinking of getting serious writing done on an iPad? Real keys can help. Consider one of these keyboard accessories.
The iPhone 5 rumors culminated today, 12 September, with Apple's announcement of the iPhone 5 with bigger screen and 4G LTE. Read CNET's iPhone 5 coverage.
Tablet users averaged 30 percent more viewing time than desktop users and were more engaged, according to a recent study.
Company is reportedly handing over information to potential suitors to help them determine how much they might want to spend to acquire all, or part, of Yahoo.
Automotive News reports on how Imperial Coachbuilders will convert a Nissan Leaf electric car into a limousine.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean further fragments the OS as many handsets wait to update to Android 4.0. CNET weighs in on how far the Android OS has come and where it's going.
As we observe the fifth birthday of the iPhone, CNET takes a look back at all the models, their highs and lows, and how they changed the cell phone industry.
I've had every iPhone, but I'll always remember my first. Five years later, a look back.
The number of the day is 0, brought to you by the United States economy and Jill Schlesinger, editor-at-large for CBS MoneyWatch.com and host of an Emmy-nominated podcast! Jill sits with us today and reveals her plan of attack on Suze Orman at the award ceremony. She'll also give an update on the state of the economy and why the rich and poor have never been further apart.
Considering self-publishing a book? CNET's David Carnoy discusses the ins and outs of what it's all about.


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Meituan-Dianping, China’s biggest on-demand food delivery mammoth, had a triumphal debut on the Hong Kong bourse. Its shares ended its first trading day up 5%, with a market cap of over US$50 billion.
“James Tan, the Managing Partner of Quest Ventures, sees profitability concerns as a valid part of the whims when a private company transits to become a public entity. Having seen through the Nasdaq listing of the then 55tuan – a startup he founded – despite the market onslaught and delays, he believes that Meituan, which has a good track record of growth thus far, will be able to weather the current storm.
Furthermore, China’s food delivery market is huge. Just like the case in the global food delivery space, it is likely that the market is sufficient to accommodate at least two dominant players.”


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Following a five-month wait, Foxtel has made its streamlined IPTV service, Foxtel Play, available to selected 2013 LG Smart TV models.
Foxtel's new streaming IPTV service, Foxtel Play, won't cannibalise its core set top box business because it is targeted at a "very different market", according to the company.
Seventeen of the 22 new BRAVIA LCD TVs announced by Sony Australia on Tuesday will feature Sony Internet TV, the company's latest extension of the BRAVIA Internet Video video-on-demand service. With a staggered release from March onwards, Sony's 2011...
Foxtel and Microsoft have today announced more details of a new service that will provide Xbox 360 users with access to live and on-demand Foxtel TV via their consoles. The new service will be launched at the start of November.
The first three Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to sign up to Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) service FetchTV now face increased competition in the form of Apple's newly revamped Apple TV service.
A report released by Canon has shown that the television market is stronger than ever, with sales rising and viewers spending more time in front of the screen each day.
Foxtel has launched an online video-on-demand service for its Foxtel iQ2 set-top boxes, allowing subscribers to purchase TV shows and movies directly from the device.
Apple is reportedly in talks with Fox, CBS, NBC and The Walt Disney Co. to offer 99-cent TV episode rentals through iTunes. It's unclear if each network would offer all their content for rental on iTunes or just select series. Episodes would be avail...
The IPTV market in Australia has increased yet again with a Sony Computer Entertainment Australia and Yahoo!7 partnership to provide PS3 console users with further television content via Yahoo!7's PLUS7 catch-up TV service starting at the end of this...
The ABC's iView catch-up television service is now available on Sony's Internet-connected BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray players.
Australia's third-largest Internet service provider (ISP), iiNet, has struck a deal with FetchTV to distribute an IPTV service to its customers.
National broadband provider iiNet yesterday held out the possibility that customers would be able to sign up to its internet television (IPTV) offering without needing one of its BoB ADSL routers, in a wide-ranging briefing about the FetchTV-based se...
Subscription TV provider FetchTV has announced prices for its video on demand service. Subscribers to the upcoming $30 per month service will gain access to all Australian digital free-to-air channels, as well as a selection of subscription TV conten...
ABC's iView online video on demand service will be accessible on Sony's Internet-connected BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray players from mid-May.
NineMSN has launched an online video on demand service dubbed FixPlay. The site features content from Channel 9 and the Nine Network's digital Go! channel, as well as from Warner Bros and the BBC.
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We reported less than a week ago that Apple planned to reintroduce the discontinued iPhone 4 in India. According to the latest hearsay, the 8GB model should have been re-released in the country for around Rs 15,000 ($245/€180) outright.
Unfortunately, Apple has overpriced the iPhone 4 8GB in India once again. ThinkDigit reports that Apple iPhone 4 8GB is now available in the India for no less than Rs 22,900 ($370 / €275) off contract.
Some authorized resellers and online retailers offer discounts of up to Rs 500 ($8 / €6), but that’s almost nothing in comparison with the total amount that customers will have to pay to get it.
For the time being, neither seller offers any buyback or EMI schemes, so there’s no way to drop the iPhone 4’s price further than it is now.
It’s unclear why Apple has re-introduced the smartphone in India and has priced it so close to the initial suggested retail price of Rs 26,500 ($420 / €310), but we doubt that it will have any success the second time.


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Retail sales have fallen for the third consective month as inflation hits household budgets.
Shoppers are cutting back on purchases of white goods such as fridges and dishwashers, as well as opting for cheaper brands when buying food and other items, according to the latest Retail Sales Monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.
Overall retail sales dropped by 1% in June 2022, the third decline in a row.
Prices in the UK are currently rising at the fastest rate for 40 years, driven by soaring energy and fuel costs.
Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said that people were cutting back on spending “against a backdrop of unprecedented price rises on the high street”.
Online shopping continued to fall in June, with total sales down 9%. The biggest falls were seen for non-food purchases related to the home, such as furniture, home appliances and computing.
However, there was some relief for food and drink retailers thanks to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, with sales up by almost 1.5% year-on-year.
“Sales volumes are falling to a rate not seen since the depths of the pandemic, as inflation continues to bite, and households cut back spending,” said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
“While the Jubilee weekend gave food sales a temporary boost, and fashion sales benefited from the summer holiday and wedding season, this was not enough to counter the substantial slowdown in consumer spending.”


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Easily the biggest feature of the HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) is the ‘Room Scale’ user-tracking provided by Valve and its SteamVR system. Using a laser-based tracking solution named Lighthouse this unique option allows users to walk around a virtual environment of up to 15 feet by 15 feet and have those movements replicated in-game. It’s something yet to be seen in any other VR HMD but, all that said, Valve has recently stated that it isn’t thinking of VR as a ‘standing exclusive experience’.
Valve Designer Yasser Malaika said as much today during his ‘Interaction in VR: The Rules Have Changed (Again)’ talk at the 2015 Games Developer Conference (GDC) in Europe. When asked about using more traditional input devices with the HTC Vive the developer noted that the company was “not thinking of VR as a standing exclusive experience.” The company has confirmed that the HTC Vive will also support seated videogames in the past, although the kit is yet to be seen being used with such an experience.
The HTC Vive is set for release during this holiday season, pitting it ahead of the launch of the Oculus Rift PC-based HMD in Q1 2016 and the Project Morpheus HMD for PlayStation 4 within H1 2016. Specific details about the consumer device such as pricing are yet to be revealed, although HTC has suggested that it will be sharing such details at some point in October 2015. A launch line-up is also said to be being around this time.
VRFocus will continue to follow the HTC Vive closely, reporting back with the latest updates on its progress.


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Optus increases third quarter profit
Optus has rung up a 6 per cent rise in third quarter profit to $143-million.
Source: Lateline Business | Duration: 24sec
ALI MOORE: In other earnings news Optus has rung up a 6 per cent rise in third quarter profit to $143 million.
Revenue growth slowed to under four per cent after Optus lost market share in the competitive mobile phone market and decided to stop reselling Telstra's fixed line services. Parent company SingTel's net profit for the third quarter fell four per cent to $952 million.


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Meta, Amazon, Twitter and T-Mobile habe announced that they're no longer attending next year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in person due to the threat brought about by the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
Consumer Technology Association announced in April that the event will return as an in-person affair in 2022 different from the strictly online-only affair this year. While the organizer requires attendees to show proof of vaccination to be able to attend the expo, the Omicron variant's emergence prompted companies to reconsider their plans.
Amazon in a statement said that it will no longer have an on-site presence at the event “due to the quickly shifting situation and uncertainty around the Omicron variant," and its smart home subsidiary Ring will no longer be attending, as well.
Facebook parent company, Meta also said it won't be attending the expo in person anymore but might participate in the event in a virtual capacity "due to the evolving public health concerns related to COVID-19."
Companies like Twitter, T-Mobile Pinterest and iHeartRadio has also said they will not be present at the event but they are exploring ways to virtually participate virtually.
"due to the spike in Covid cases across the country in the past week," Twitter said.
"While we are confident that CES organizers are taking exhaustive measures to protect in-person attendees and we had many preventative practices in place as well, we are prioritizing the safety of our team and other attendees with this decision," T-Mobile said.


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Sales on biggest online shopping day hit $1.03 billion, according to comScore.
Online sales during the 2010 holiday season in the United States totaled $32.6 billion, an increase of 12 percent compared to 2009, according to comScore. The total marked an all-time high.
The biggest spending day of the season – and also year – was Monday, Nov. 29, 2010, when sales totaled $1.03 billion, a 16 percent jump.
Based on percentage change, the biggest increase came on the free shipping day, Dec. 17, 2010, when sales climbed 61 percent; sales totaled $586 million in 2009 compared to $942 million in 2010.
|Online Spending: 2009 vs. 2010 Holiday Season|
|Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2010||29,084||32,589||12%|
|Thanskgiving Day (Nov. 25)||318||407||28%|
|Black Friday (Nov. 26)||595||648||9%|
|Cyber Monday (Nov. 29)||887||1,028||16%|
|Green Monday (Dec. 13)||854||954||12%|
|Free shipping day (Dec. 17)||586||942||61%|
Methodology: Full season comparison based on calendar days; individual day comparisons are based on corresponding shopping days in 2009. Green Monday is the second Monday in December.
Learn Digital Marketing Insights From Leading Brands!
ClickZ Live Chicago (Nov 3-6) will deliver over 50 sessions across 10 individual tracks, including Data-Driven Marketing, Social, Mobile, Display, Search and Email. Check out the full agenda, or register and attend one of the best ClickZ events yet!
Anna Maria Virzi, ClickZ's executive editor from 2007 until 2012, covered Internet business and technology since 1996. She was on the launch team for Ziff Davis Media's Baseline and also worked at Forbes.com, Web Week, Internet World, and the Connecticut Post.
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Google My Business Listings Demystified
To help brands control how they appear online, Google has developed a new offering: Google My Business Locations. This whitepaper helps marketers understand how to use this powerful new tool.
5 Ways to Personalize Beyond the Subject Line
82 percent of shoppers say they would buy more items from a brand if the emails they sent were more personalized. This white paper offer five tactics that will personalize your email beyond the subject line and drive real business growth.


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As the month of December rolls along, you can expect more and more of these types of lists to pop up. It’s that time of the year for the year-in-review wrap-ups, and today it’s Yahoo that’s giving us some insight on top searches in 2012.
The top three Yahoo searches in 2012 come from three different realms: politics, tech, and pop culture. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Yahoo users were most interested in the Elections, the iPhone 5, and Kim Kardashian (in that order). Yahoo says that in the 12 years that they’ve been doing the year-in-search list, this is only the third time that a “news” event has claimed the number one search volume slot. The other two were recent events, Michael Jackson’s death in 2009 and the BP oil spill in 2010.
Here’s the complete top ten list of 2012 Yahoo searches:
- iPhone 5
- Kim Kardashian
- Kate Upton
- Kate Middleton
- Whitney Houston
- Political Polls
- Lindsay Lohan
- Jennifer Lopez
Bing recently unveiled their 2012 search stats and there’s quite a bit of similarity among the two lists. Over on Bing, Kim Kardashian was the most-searched person of the year, beating out Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. In the news stories category, the iPhone 5 took the crown beating out the 2012 Elections and the 2012 Olympics.
When you just look at gadget searches, it’s Apple all the way. In that category the iPhone 5 finished ahead of “iPad 3” and the “iPad mini.” The rest of the top ten gadget searches were the Samsung Galaxy S3, Kindle Fire, iPhone 4, Nook, iPod Touch, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Samsung Galaxy Note.


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CAMPAIGNERS have criticised misleading food labels for concealing the high levels of added sugar contained in products.
Labelling on sugary drinks and sweet snacks points out what percentage of the recommended daily intake of sugar it contains, but reports have shown these are based on the total sugars rather than added sugars, which have no nutritional value.
Fat actually helps to slow down the digestion of sugarNutritionist Emma Conroy
There is a higher allowance for naturally-occurring sugars than for so-called “free sugars” added for taste, which are linked to obesity and tooth decay.
Food companies say they are following European legislation but campaigners have described the situation as “confusing” for consumers.
Scottish nutritionist Emma Conroy said: “I would be all for clearer labelling on different kinds of sugars.
“Labelling is a complicated issue. One of my biggest bugbears is you often see carbohydrates listed, then ‘of which sugars’ below that.
“I’ve always thought that was a fairly confusing way to communicate that.”
A 330ml can of Coca-Cola contains almost nine teaspoons of sugar, or 35g, which makes up 117 per cent of an adult’s daily sugar allowance, as all the sugars in the drink are added during processing rather than being naturally occurring.
On the label is states it is only 39 per cent of the total allowance.
A 45g portion of Starburst fruit sweets contains 9.3 teaspoons of sugar that would represent 124 per cent of an adult’s recommended daily intake of added sugar, yet the label states that the confectionary contains 41 per cent of the daily allowance of total sugar.
UK government advisers recently recommended that the daily intake of free sugars should be halved from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in a bid to tackle soaring obesity levels.
The new guidelines from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) call for people over the age of 11 to consume no more than seven teaspoonfuls of sugar a day – less than a can of Irn-Bru.
A simple way to check the amount of sugar in a product is to look at the ingredients list, Ms Conroy said.
Ingredients are listed in order of size so any of the names for sugar – such as fructose or glucose – anywhere near the start of the list indicate a high sugar content.
Ms Conroy, who runs the firm Edinburgh Nutrition, said: “I am very positive about this sustained attention to sugars rather than fats which I think has been a long time coming.
“The impact that sugar has on the body, which is what is being looked at here, is entirely affected by what it comes with. So for example a low-fat yoghurt with added sugar will have a much higher impact on the body’s blood sugar than a full fat yoghurt with sugars naturally occurring in lactose.
“Fat actually helps to slow down the digestion of sugar.”
Ministers backed the calls for clarity on food labelling, as part of a sustained drive to reduce obesity levels north of the Border.
Public health minister Maureen Watt said: “The Scottish Government has always been supportive over calls to make food labelling clearer and more consistent as part of our commitment to creating a healthier Scotland.
“We recognise the benefits of providing such information to consumers so that they are more aware of the nutritional composition of their food and to help them make informed dietary choices.
“We are already taking action in a range of ways to improve diet and reduce obesity, including a £10 million investment over a four-year period on projects to encourage healthy eating – which includes eating more fruit and vegetables, eating less salt, fat and added sugar, and becoming more active.”


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This claymation version of "Ghostbusters III" brings Tarantino's neo-noir stylings to the supernatural world of Ghostbusters.
Movie director files $1 million lawsuit against Gawker, claiming the site facilitated copyright infringement of an unproduced script published to the Internet last week.
Director Paul Feig tweets a picture of an unlicensed nuclear accelerator that appears to have been purchased from old Radio Shack parts, but CNET's Danny Gallagher likes the homemade look.
Controversial service had faced paying damages of hundreds of millions of dollars in copyright infringement lawsuit filed by record labels.
Dubbed Broadcasts, the new app should avoid the legal hassles that have plagued Grooveshark in the past.
This charming fan-made trailer recasts famous scenes from "Ghostbusters" with toy cars, homemade ghosts and girls lip-syncing Bill Murray's funniest dialogue.
Watch the highlights from the Her Universe fashion show that put Iron Man, Loki and Pokemon on the runway in clothes designed by geeky fans.
Some quite pulsating Russian dashcam footage ends with a car chase, a knife, a shovel, and a sense of deja-seen-that-in-a-video-game.
A peculiar Nokia ad, presaging the launch of the Lumia 1020 in Abu Dhabi, features parachutists. It also has a weird Asian man at the end who seems to be up to no good.
In a move that lives somewhere between progressive and repressive, Playboy offers a new iPhone app without its signature flesh.


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The European winter season might open earlier this year as some slopes have reported over a metre of fresh snow in the last week, with this marking the beginning of the tourism season.
After the warm weather in October, temperatures across the Alps have decreased, and snowfalls have been covering the mountains in the first weeks of this month.
Ski Solutions reveals that up to 50 centimetres of snow are expected to cover popular Alpine destinations next week, with some of the most known being the Swiss municipality of Crans Montana, the French destinations of La Plagne and Chamonix French commune, as well as the Austrian village of Saint Anton am Arlberg.
Storms have been piling into the Alps for the last two weeks, with snow accumulations of more than 100cm quite widespread now on the upper slopes. This will ensure a solid base for the winter ahead, and with a lot more snow in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be one of the best starts to the winter ski season that I can remember.
He also noted that a surge in bookings for these destinations has been noticed due to the exceptional conditions, which make the ski destinations and the experience even more enjoyable.
Jet2.com has also launched a 10 per cent off sale on flights to some ski destinations, including Chambery, Geneva, Grenoble and Salzburg, over the winter.
The weather has encouraged several ski resorts to publish their opening dates. SLopes are not open yet in France, but big-name resorts have announced they will open one week earlier, potentially on November 18.
As Euronews reports, Tignes resort will have a total of 1,300 metres of slopes available for skiing this season. Kitzbühel in Austria opened two weeks earlier, the same as Sölden, with 60 kilometres of vertical skiing territory for sports lovers.
Nine areas in Switzerland have already been opened, including Davos, Zermatt and Verbier, with the latter opening three weeks earlier. Italian ski resorts are expected to open a week earlier, on November 18, and skiers are welcome to enjoy one metre of snow in the last week of Madonna di Campiglio.
These changes are related to the warming climate that is threatening the world, including Europe, as some ski centres, especially those at lower altitudes, are being forced to close due to lack of snow.


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Johnson & Johnson is recalling all batches of its popular Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 50+ (aerosol sunscreen) after detection of a cancer-causing chemical in some samples.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration reported on Monday that all batches with an expiry date of 30th August 2023 or earlier should not be used due to possible health risks linked to benzene.
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure.
It is not an ingredient in the aerosol sunscreen but is sometimes used in medicine manufacturing processes.
“Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc product testing detected benzene at concentrations less than 3 ppm in 2 of the 17 batches supplied in Australia,” the TGA said in a statement on Monday.
“Exposure to benzene in this sunscreen product, at the levels detected, would not be expected to cause serious adverse health effects, but to reduce the risk to consumers, Johnson & Johnson Pacific Pty Ltd is recalling all batches of the affected product supplied within Australia.”
Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have any concerns, questions or have experienced any problems related to using these products.
Johnson & Johnson recall of US sunscreens
It comes less than a month after Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled five of its Neutrogena and Aveeno brand aerosol sunscreen products from its US markets after detecting low levels of benzene in some samples during internal testing.
At the time, Johnson & Johnson said benzene was not an ingredient in its sunscreen products and it was investigating the cause of the contamination.
Johnson & Johnson also notified distributors and retailers to stop selling the products and arranged for their return “out of an abundance of caution”.
“Daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” the company said.
Disaster for Johnson & Johnson
The recall is another blow for J&J, one of the world’s largest producers of consumer health products.
J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has also been hampered by production problems and the shot has been linked to two very rare side effects: Guillain-Barre syndrome and a potentially life threatening blood clotting condition.
US regulators have said the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the risks.


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31 Aug., 2017
15 Loeries for JWT MEA at #Loeries2017
The Loeries Creative Festival is the biggest creative gathering in Africa and the Middle East. The Festival brings together the best innovative minds from the industry for a week of recognition, reward and inspiration.
Across two nights, more than 200 Loeries were awarded across twenty-two categories.
This year, our teams in the Middle East and Africa took home a total of fifteen wins from the festival: three Gold, four Silver and eight Bronze.
In the Effective Creativity category JWT Riyadh and Saudi Telecom’s (STC) “LaYwagif” (which means non-stop) earned a Gold Loerie. Since the Saudi youth are very active on YouTube, our team in Riyadh created“LaYwagif” an online hub that featured light-hearted videos about broadband. Thanks to this campaign, STC became the world’s most-viewed telecom brand on Youtube.
Our second Gold Loerie was awarded to JWT Dubai’s “Micropolitics” campaign for the Egyptian news organization, Mada Masr. The campaign featured two films, “Suzy’s Beauty Salon” and “Under-14 Handball.” Each was designed to renew readers’ interest in politics by highlighting the many ways politics happen around us every day.
JWT Cape Town’s work for the Organ Donor Foundation, “Dead Zone Radio” received a Silver Loerie in the Ambient & Alternative Media category. The Cape Town team also received three Bronze Loeries for work created for clients Marmite, SANBS and Tabard.
Another Silver winner, JWT Johannesburg, walked away with a Silver Loerie in the Indoor Posters category for a campaign for Zam-Buk, an antiseptic ointment brand. JWT Casablanca earned a Silver Loerie in the Tactical Use of Magazine category and a Bronze Loerie in the Single Medium category for their “Uncover Violence” campaign for ENTI.ma. Scanad brought home our final Silver Loerie in the Art Direction category for “Long Lasting Pleasure,” a campaign created for Masculan, a condom brand.
We also received Bronze Loeries for JWT Riyadh’s “Bedtime Stories” campaign in the Photography category; JWT Dubai’s “Cost” campaign in the Radio Station Commercials category; and JWT KSA’s “Unveil Saudi” campaign in the Integrated campaign category.
You can find a full list of the winners here.


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Amid the continuous downtrend in the non-fungible token (NFT) market trading volume, bankrupt cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) has managed to turn its financial misfortune into a remarkable success story.
According to a report published by Reuters earlier today, on Friday, Auction house Sotheby’s announced the sale of seven NFTs from the defunct firm, fetching a whooping sum of $2.5 million.
Auction Of Three Arrows’ NFT Assets
Among the collection of NFTs put up for auction, it was the artwork titled “Fidenza #725” that stole the show, commanding an impressive price tag of over $1 million. The visually captivating image, characterized by its graphic dashes and curves in a subtle blend of cream, yellow, pink, and black, garnered significant attention from bidders.
Interestingly, Three Arrows Capital had acquired this particular NFT for 135 ether, equivalent to approximately $341,786 at the time, as reported by DappRadar. This remarkable increase in value showcases the substantial appreciation potential within the NFT market, despite its current drop in volume.
The auction of Three Arrows Capital’s NFT assets is a crucial part of the firm’s ongoing liquidation process. Since its collapse in 2022 due to the sharp decline of cryptocurrencies Luna and TerraUSD, the Singapore-based company became the first major crypto firm to file for bankruptcy that year.
In a filing seen by crypto news site The Block, the firm estimated its overall assets to be worth around $1 billion, with the NFT collection alone valued at approximately $22 million. This auction provides a unique opportunity to liquidate the NFT holdings and potentially recover some of the losses incurred by the firm’s unfortunate downfall.
The Power Of NFTs In A Volatile Market
The significant success of Three Arrows Capital’s NFT auction serves as a testament to the enduring value and appeal of digital assets, even in times of financial distress. NFTs have emerged as a groundbreaking and innovative sector within the cryptocurrency space, attracting both collectors and investors alike.
The ability to tokenize and authenticate unique digital content has opened new avenues for artists, creators, and investors to participate in a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem. This recent auction exemplifies the transformative potential of NFTs, as they remain more than just unique digital collectibles.
While the bankruptcy of Three Arrows Capital initially cast a shadow over the firm’s future, the unexpected success of the NFT auction highlights the resilience and adaptability of the crypto industry. This outcome reinforces the notion that NFTs can serve as valuable assets, capable of generating substantial returns for investors, even amidst market volatility and challenging circumstances.
Beyond the financial implications, the auction also highlights the broader impact of NFTs on the art world and the way ownership in the digital age is perceived. NFTs have disrupted traditional notions of art ownership by enabling artists to retain a stake in the value of their work and receive royalties on subsequent sales.
This revolutionary shift empowers creators and encourages artistic innovation in a digital landscape that was previously challenging to monetize effectively.
While NFTs have proved to have huge potential as a blockchain technology application, these unique digital assets remain a part of the crypto space. Meanwhile, the crypto market has been in a blend of bulls and bears in the past week.
Over the past 24 hours, the global crypto market has seen a 0.2% gain after recording a slight decline as of yesterday. The crypto market currently has a value sitting firmly above the $1 trillion mark.
-Featured image from iStock, Chart from TradingView


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The global carbon market has generated almost as much money in the first half of this year as it did throughout the whole of 2007, according to Point Carbon, a provider of market intelligence for the energy and environmental markets. A total of 1.8 Gt CO2e was traded globally in the first half of this year, worth some $59 billion, compared to $62 billion for all of 2007.
The aggregate worth of transactions in the first half of this year is already a full 94% of the value for all transactions in 2007. This is due to several factors, notably a higher average carbon price of $32 per tonne CO2e, up from $21 over the same period last year.
Of this 1.8 Gt CO2e, a massive 1.3 billion was traded within the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), representing 70% of total trade so far this year, compared to 61% over the same period last year. Trades within the EU ETS generated $47 billion over the first six months of this year, up 161% on the first half of 2007.
In the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) market, some 502 Mt CO2e was traded in the first half of this year, worth $12 billion. This is up 27% and 20%, respectively, on the first half of last year.
In addition, several new markets and market segments have been introduced, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in the U.S., the trading scheme in Alberta, Canada, and the upcoming Australian federal Emissions Trading Scheme.
The figures and conclusions, taken from Point Carbon's "Carbon Market Monitors Mid Year Review," show that global carbon markets are growing strongly, despite a global economic downturn. According to Endre Tvinnereim, Senior Analyst at Point Carbon said, "for all of Kyoto's shortcomings, the carbon market owes pretty much everything to the Kyoto Protocol. The market is no longer immature and precocious, but rather advancing on many fronts, both geographically and in terms of financial sophistication. Indeed, unlike other economic sectors hit by a global downturn this year, the global carbon market is in rude health."
Important developments are also in store for the remainder of 2008 including the issuing of EUAs by all participating governments. This will again make a real spot market in EUAs possible, similar to the spot market that was generated during the first phase of the EU ETS.


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Cree has revamped its complete line of consumer LED bulbs, including more than 30 products ranging from A-Lamps and candelabras to reflectors and downlights. Developed with consumers preferences in mind, the upgraded line is engineered to work better and last longer, with light that delivers exceptional colour quality. The launch comes in conjunction with The Home Depot’s recently redesigned bulb aisle that aims to help consumers easily navigate, understand and choose LED light bulbs.
“The new line of bulbs delivers the best value for consumers who are looking for long-lasting, true-to-colour LED lighting that will enhance their home,” said Phil Primato, senior marketing manager of Cree. “We have simplified our packaging into an easy-to-understand white box that explains the value of exceptional lighting.”
Cree’s LED bulbs can improve the appearance of home décor, increase comfort and even affect mood. For homeowners looking to modernise their space through a remodel or gain more light in their home, it is as easy as changing the light bulbs. The entire line of these high-quality bulbs includes over 90 colour-rendering index (CRI) light, making the hues in your home appear more vibrant, rich and natural.


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It is the World Emoji Day today and to celebrate the occasion Apple has shared the details of its new emoji which it would be launching for all iOS devices this fall season, giving the users more variety to express themselves.
The new emojis will bring more diversity to the iOS keyboard along with additions to the popular categories of food, animals, activities and smiley faces. As many as 59 new emoji designs will be made available for all Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch in the upcoming fall season. the new emoji have been created on the basis of the approved characters in the Unicode 12.0.
In the latest update to the emojis, the holding hand emoji that is primarily used to represent couples in a relationship will now allow users to select different combinations of skin tone and gender. There will be more than 75 possible combinations in this.
The iPhone maker had proposed to introduce more disability-themed emojis to the Unicode Consortium last year and has developed a new guide dog, an ear with a hearing aid, wheelchairs, a prosthetic arm and a prosthetic leg, all of which would be available in the emoji keyboard.
Apart from this, many additional categories of emoji are getting updated such as a new smiley face for yawning, a one-piece swimsuit, new food items including a waffle, falafel, butter and garlic, and new animals like the sloth, flamingo, orangutan and skunk.
There are already around thousands of emojis that are currently available including emotive smiley faces, gender-neutral characters, more professions, various clothing options, food types, animals, mythical creatures and more.
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Wonderful Halos named No. 1 most-loved healthy snack brand
LOS ANGELES – Wonderful Halos, America’s biggest and fastest-selling mandarin brand, was recently named the No. 1 most-loved healthy snack brand among both parents and kids, according to a 2018 Brand Love™ study released by youth and family market research consultancy Smarty Pants LLC.
Wonderful Halos not only earned the top spot in the healthy snack brand category ranked by parents but is the first healthy food brand to crack the top 10 most-loved list in the Brand Love study’s 10-year history. This year’s Parentfinity™ scores reveal Wonderful Halos as parents No. 9 favorite brand overall among other brands like Amazon, Crayola, Netflix and Google.
Among kids, Wonderful Halos was the highest ranking healthy snack brand to top the charts. Other brands to make kids’ most popular list include YouTube, iPhone, iPad, Google, Disney, and LEGO.
“Parents and kids don’t often see eye-to-eye, but when it comes to healthy snacking their love of Halos transcends age,” said Adam Cooper, vice president of marketing at The Wonderful Company. “Halos has not only earned the trust of parents as that rare sweet snack bursting with ‘Pure Goodness’ the whole family can feel good about eating, but the fact that we’ve become a fan-favorite among our biggest critics, kids—who love them for being a fun, bite-size snack, small enough to hold and easy to peel on their own—is the sweetest reward.”
The annual Brand Love study identifies the brands that capture parents’ and kids’ hearts, time, and purchase power. This year’s study assessed 379 brands across 19 consumer categories, from favorite foods to beloved characters and technology, surveying more than 8,900 parents and children ages 6–12 across the country.
The Smarty Pants Brand Love study comes on the heels of the best-selling season Wonderful Halos has ever seen, which featured its biggest in-store point-of-sale display program and biggest digital program ever. The campaign also included six television commercials, a Times Square billboard in New York, and an influencer marketing program where the brand partnered with some of YouTube’s biggest kid megastars, including Ryan of Ryan ToysReview.
“We’re just getting started, and our marketing momentum continues this November as Halos kicks off the season with its multimillion-dollar ‘Good Choice, Kid®’ national campaign,” said Cooper. “This will be complemented by a robust marketing and advertising program with added investment in new in-store point-of-sale displays, and expanded digital and influencer programs.”
About Wonderful® Halos®
Wonderful® Halos® are sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel mandarins filled with “Pure Goodness®”. The kid-sized fruit is available in produce aisles nationwide at grocery, mass and club retailers during California mandarin season (November–May). To discover more about the fun, delicious world of Halos®, visit halosfun.com.
About Wonderful Citrus
Wonderful Citrus is America’s largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus, including clementine/mandarin, navel and Valencia oranges; lemons; limes; grapefruits; and other citrus varieties. Wonderful Citrus owns, cultivates and harvests nearly 60,000 acres of fresh citrus and ships around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply. Our citrus can be found in all channels of distribution, most visible in the produce department of grocery stores across America under the flagship consumer brand of Wonderful® Halos® mandarins.
Wonderful Citrus is part of The Wonderful Company, a successful, fast-growing privately held $4 billion company with 9,000 employees worldwide. We’ve made Wonderful® Pistachios America’s fastest-growing snack brand. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful® into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful® Halos® is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI® Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in America. JUSTIN® Wine produces California’s top-selling, high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. And Teleflora® is the world’s leading floral delivery service.
The Wonderful Company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $200 million invested in environmental technologies and sustainability research, $45 million in charitable giving and education initiatives every year, $80 million toward the construction of a new charter school campus in California’s Central Valley, and innovative health and wellness programs, including two new, free primary care clinics for employees and their dependents.
To learn more about The Wonderful Company, its products and core values, visit www.wonderful.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


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A digest of important news from sources selected by our local editors. Delivered weekday mornings.
Austin-area entrepreneurs have secured $8.2 million in pledges for new ventures via Kickstarter.com since the site was launched about three years ago.
According to data provided by the crowdfunding website, it’s become a significant source of capital. But like all sources, it yields mixed results. A total of 659 Austin projects — from smartphone games to music albums — have been successfully funded through Kickstarter, but 418 weren’t able to reach their funding goals.
Austin tech startup Jumpshot LLC was one of the companies that walked away a winner. It’s attracted more than $140,000 so far on Kickstarter after launching a campaign in July to raise $25,000 for its computer management software. The company, which has been under development for two years, received the pledges from more than 2,400 Kickstarter members.
Jumpshot is marketing software that rids personal computers of pre-packaged software, improves computer speeds, removes viruses and diagnoses hardware and network connectivity. Co-founders David Endler and Pedram Amini said the fresh capital will be used to hire additional workers and launch a marketing campaign that includes providing copies of the application on universal serial bus, or USB, devices.
Complementing VCs and angels
Kickstater.com currently lists more than 50 Austin-based projects as “staff picks” — local evidence of the burgeoning trend of startups turning to crowdfunding for financing instead of the conventional angel investors or venture capitalists.
New York-based Kickstarter Inc., which launched in 2009, operates with a threshold pledge system for “creative projects” — music, film, technology and video ventures mostly. Listings enable future customers to pledge amounts that would then be used to fund product development. Overall, Kickstarter has reportedly raised $323 million for projects during the past three years.
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Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk firms encouraged to look to China to help reduce trade deficit
- Credit: Archant
Brexit uncertainty is focusing minds on increasing the east of England’s already burgeoning trade with China, which has been showing promising signs in recent months and years.
Latest figures from the Department of International Trade (DIT) for the east of England show the region’s export trade with the world’s second largest economy rose by £75m from £1.249bn in 2017 to £1.324bn in 2018.
Balancing what has historically been one-way traffic, with cargo ships arriving at the Port of Felixstowe laden with goods only to return virtually empty, has been a major focus for UK officials and businesses, with the need to build strong export markets growing stronger as the UK prepares to exit the European Union.
Thinley Topden, responsible for the east of England at the DIT, pointed out that China was one of the world’s strongest economies – accounting for a third of all global economic growth in 2018, with imports valued at £126bn.
“Thanks to a rapidly evolving consumer market and a growing population of 1.3bn, opportunities for British exporters continue to grow as appetite for our products and services builds year-on-year,” he said. “The benefits of exporting are well understood. It can help businesses grow revenue and profitability and make them more resilient in today’s competitive business environment.”
However, finding the right target market will often depend on the industry, and it’s important understand the nuances of the markets, he said.
“In China, there is a lot of emphasis placed on inter-personal relationships in business, known as guanxi, and face-to-face meetings go a long way to achieving the rapport required to secure new business partners,” he said.
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Forming good transport links can help. With Stansted Airport lobbying hard to establish direct routes with China, market access for east of England exporters look set to improve, he said.
Stansted chief executive Ken O’Toole said the airport’s ambition was to be the “Chinese gateway to the east of England”, helping to attract more investors and tourists to the region.
Four decades of urbanisation have seen more than 640m people – nearly half (46%) of China’s entire population – migrate from the countryside to its cities, resulting in a growing need for regions with strong agricultural sectors, like the east of England, to help China modernise and increase rural productivity.
Thanks to organisations and facilities such as Agri-Tech East and the Eastern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub, a research centre in Soham, there is a world-leading network of innovative farmers, producers, processors and technologists emerging across the region that are well-placed to capitalise on overseas opportunities and meet demand in markets such as China, he said.
Steve Elsom, regional director for the east of England at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, points out that the largest markets for the east of England’s manufacturers include the US, which imports £3.8bn worth of its goods a year, and China, which imports £1.3bn.
“Manufacturing is the third largest sector in the east of England and is one of the most diverse in the country. Many leading and global companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, machinery and electronics call the region home,” he said.
“It is this diversity that contributes to the region’s overseas success. British manufacturing has a global reputation for high quality and international demand for British-stamped goods shows no sign of slowing.”
The future succcess of the region will rest on businesses of all sizes and sectors looking to overseas markets for growth, he said.
“The benefits of exporting are vast. It offers the opportunity to showcase British manufacturing and provenance to international customers, allows firms to diversify their markets and can result in a more profitable and resilient business model.”