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It's been a little more than a year since The Dialog Corporation was formed from the purchase of Knight Ridder Information by MAID. It's been a year with a lot of changes and upheaval—we've seen pricing changes and customer backlash, management and employee changes, a move of the U.S. headquarters, growth of existing products and forays into new Internet initiatives, subsidiaries offered for sale (CARL/Uncover), mounting pressure from financial analysts, and a disappointing stock price. Company executives have endured grueling trips back and forth "across the pond," and around the globe, as they worked to integrate the merged companies, move forward to meet stiff challenges to their core business, and mount an Internet strategy. Now, the company has released a bevy of announcements that show careful study and strategic planning, and the fruits of product development initiatives—and probably some astute strategic financial repositioning.
|Special Report on Customer Service Staffing
One question in many customers' minds this past year has been about the quality of staffing and customer support, especially with the move of the U.S. headquarters and subsequent loss of employees. In an exclusive interview with IT, a company representative said that the consolidation of staff and resources has led to greater efficiencies. Dialog's operational goal was and still is to answer at least 80 percent of customer service calls within 30 seconds—and this continues to be met. The U.S. office receives about 600 calls per day, which is the same as before.
The customer service offices in Philadelphia and Mountain View, California had previously used "universal agents" to answer calls. These front-line agents were basically just traffic cops routing calls, and none of them had MLS degrees. With the consolidation of the offices at Cary, North Carolina, this is no longer being done. The customer services department is now called the Knowledge Center and has three types of staff. The Product Support Specialists answer all calls first, helping with search assistance, training registration, document delivery, password issues, etc. There are 14 people now in this category, 12 of them with MLS degrees. To answer questions beyond this group, there are five people in a Technical Support Group, and 16 people who are Subject Specialists, in areas such as business, science, and intellectual property. Of these 16 employees, only two transferred and the remaining 14 were newly hired in Cary.
So, here are the final numbers: Before, there were 60 customer service staff, of whom eight were managers and nine were "universal agents," leaving 43 who really answered calls. Now there are 35 who answer calls, plus four managers. Only 10 customer service employees accepted the transfer from Philadelphia and Mountain View to Cary. The company reports it has benefited from the strong labor pool in the Cary area, and the presence of the nearby universities. Many of the new hires are longtime Dialog searchers. So, the corporate goals of saving money and greater efficiencies have been met, but searchers will have to decide if their service needs are being met. If you have gripes, speak up!
The company has announced a "strategic realignment of its existing operations into three newly formed divisions" to provide a greater focus for its Web-based activities. The three new divisions are: 1) Information Services, 2) Web Solutions and Internet Software, and 3) eCommerce (business-to-business).
The Information Services Division (ISD) consists of Dialog's core online service businesses, DataStar, DIALOG, and MAID. ISD will develop and expand the range of interfaces and products for information professionals and end users, and provide intranet solutions. The division has just released its new Intranet Toolkit, which will let information professionals build customized searches for end users. (Watch for details here soon.) ISD will be headed by Jason Molle and Ciaran Morton, both formerly senior vice presidents. Jason Molle is now president of the Americas, and Ciaran Morton takes over as president of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The Web Solutions and Internet Software Division will focus on Dialog's knowledge management solutions leveraging InfoSort, the company's proprietary indexing system, and the Muscat intelligent search engine technologies. The Division will license these search technologies for use in Web-based corporate solutions, such as its recently debuted LiveIntranet product. Dan Wagner, CEO of Dialog, indicated that there has been a lot of interest by companies in licensing the technologies. The division will also pursue special projects and contracts, such as those recently secured by Dialog from the U.K. Government's Department of Trade and Industry and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company is currently recruiting for someone to head the division, and it is likely to be an external appointment.
The company is currently developing a Web search service, geared exclusively for businesses, which will enable Internet users to use Dialog's professional search capabilities. The company believes the advantages offered will be a considerable improvement over existing Web search engines. Wagner indicated the service would allow searching of Web resources and Dialog databases, and would include Boolean capabilities and a "find more like this" feature. No date has been set, but Wagner said it would be released sometime in 1999.
The third division, the eCommerce Division, will focus on Dialog's growing eCommerce activities aimed at the corporate and professional marketplace. The company plans to roll out OfficeShopper (http://www.officeshopper.com) beyond the U.K. to the business community worldwide, hoping to leverage Dialog's customer base. Interestingly, Planet Retail, which was a consumer retail comparison shopping product launched last summer with plans to add a corporate focus, was not mentioned in their plans.
In addition, this division will license the procurement software on which OfficeShopper is based to other organizations wanting to develop their own eCommerce businesses. According to the company, considerable interest has already been expressed by a number of existing major customers of Dialog. The division will also provide an outsourcing service, offering a total package of creation, management, maintenance, and hosting to enable businesses worldwide to create storefronts on the Internet. Andre Brown, currently director of e-commerce and special projects for Dialog, has been named chief executive officer of the eCommerce Division.
Focus and Visibility
Commenting on the divisional realignment, the chief operating officer of Dialog, Patrick Sommers, said: "As our Internet activities have continued to grow, we have been examining the best way to structure the Group to ensure that we retain the focus on our core information services business, while at the same time fully capitalizing on the enormous potential of our proprietary Internet technologies and e-commerce innovations. By creating a three-divisional structure, with dedicated management teams and tightly controlled budgets for each, we can ensure that a greater focus is brought to bear on all aspects of our business. This structure will also allow for greater visibility and clarity for our shareholders in terms of the progress and prospects for our business."
According to the company, further details on the restructuring and the financial reporting model to be adopted as a result will be provided to shareholders at the time of Dialog's end-of-year results announcement on March 18, 1999.
While Wagner termed the changes "purely an operational matter" and the goal simply to streamline functions, perhaps the key to understanding the "realignment" is the separation of the core online business from the other two Web-focused businesses…and the separation of budgets. It is likely that Dialog needed to appease the analysts and its shareholders by making these changes. It also looks like preparation for a spin-off or a buyout—but… which division? Perhaps the current meteoric rise of Internet company IPOs has Dialog longing for a bigger slice of Internet profits. Could Microsoft—or other super-buyers…be checking out this newly decked-out Web-centric business? When questioned on this, Wagner indicated that the company was looking at and considering all available options, and that they would seize "any opportunities to enhance the bottom line for shareholders." Wagner also told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview that "while information services currently represent most of Dialog 's revenue, he anticipates that within the next five years the new divisions could contribute equally."
Board and Management Changes
The company also reported that Derek Smith, Executive Vice President and Graham Burrows, joint chief technology officer, have resigned from the board, and are leaving the company. Smith had been based in London, but had traveled extensively over the past two years. A company spokesperson said that he had worked hard through the acquisition and had been "fantastic for the company," but that it was a very heavy and demanding schedule and the travels took him away from his family. Dan Wagner, CEO of Dialog, commented that Smith had "played a significant role in the development and growth of the company" and had made "an important contribution as the liaison with our content providers."
Burrows was appointed to the board in October 1998, but had been a consultant to Dialog before that. Wagner said: "I would like to thank Graham Burrows for his work as joint chief technology officer, and his dedication in helping to establish our global technology team. With the restructuring of our technology team in place, Graham has achieved his objectives and taken the decision to move on to new challenges." Stephen Maller remains as the sole chief technology officer, based in London.
The company also announced that Ean Brown takes on the role of senior vice president, business affairs and content, assuming additional responsibility for relations with information providers.
Sale of Carl/Uncover
Dialog also announced the sale of The CARL Corporation ("CARL") and The UnCover Company ("UnCover") to Ward Shaw, CARL's chairman and CEO, for $2.25 million, of which $1 million is cash, with the balance payable through a loan note by January 2001. The cash proceeds of the disposal will be reinvested in the Dialog business.
CARL and UnCover were acquired as part of the acquisition of Knight-Ridder Information, Inc. in November 1997. CARL, which provides library automation systems, and UnCover, which provides document delivery, current awareness and journal management services, were never really seen as parts of the core business, and had been offered for sale for the past year—though reportedly at a considerably higher price than the final sale amount.
A Dialog spokesperson commented that Shaw has been running the business effectively for years and is committed to its growth. While there had reportedly been other interested parties, Shaw was "the right buyer for the service." Shaw indicated that it was a "win-win situation," and that they had a really good working relationship with Dialog.
Shaw emphasized the benefits to CARL's library system customers. "We have always partnered with visionary libraries. CARL's independence will re-energize these partnerships. We have the financing we need behind us and we are not strapped for cash. The new ownership structure assures CARL and UnCover control of its destiny." He added, "Our goal is to create a structure in which the employees participate in the profits. I can't imagine a better group of people to go forward with this enterprise."
Deal with CompuServe in Germany
Dialog also announced that it was providing a faster and more user-friendly interface to CompuServe Germany. The deal is with CompuServe Interactive Services Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, a joint venture of Bertelsmann Inc. (http://www.bertelsmann.de) and America Online Inc. (http://www.aol.com) and features an enhanced business information service for CompuServe Web customers in Germany. DataStar will continue to supply the service with customized news and business information. According to a Dialog spokesperson, CompuServe has specific content agreements for the regional markets that they serve. For example, Knowledge Index from Dialog is no longer available on CompuServe's U.S. service.


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Japanese organisations are moving their business events online in a bid to keep staff, stakeholders and customers engaged following the cancellation of events due to Covid-19.
Facing uncertainty about when the situation may return to normal, coupled with several prefecture lockdowns, previously technology-shy companies are increasingly embracing technology to hold conferences, seminars, product launches, training sessions and other events.
Tokyo-based visual production company Life. 14 inc. is among the specialists supporting Japanese organisations to host events online. Its newly created webinar event package features shooting with multiple cameras, mixing digital content like pictures and presentations with live streaming and coordinating interactive content. The company also captures highlights of events in short videos for clientsâ€™ archives or PR.
â€śWe think the demand will grow and grow,â€ť Antony Tran, president of Life.14, told TTGmice, adding that the companyâ€™s next step is to provide wireless Internet for organisations that donâ€™t have it but want to hold events online.
Companies that have been unable to travel for in-person events have also been reaching out to tech companies for support.
“We have had more demand to assist our clients with setting up webinars that can be recorded and bridged to a number of teams in different locations,” said Richard Johns, country manager of Vega Project, a Tokyo-based audiovisual and video conference system integrator.
The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ), which hosted 40 in-person business seminars in 2019, launched a Default to Action Webinar Series featuring a variety of sessions on how businesses can cope in the current climate in March.
â€śOur webinar series offers practical advice and information on business continuity tools as well as being a support network,â€ť Sarah Backley, BCCJ associate director. â€śOur goal is to go across all industries so we can be of use to all members.â€ť
As part of these efforts, the BCCJ is collaborating with chambers of commerce in other parts of Asia, to host webinars that offer international insights about coping with the Covid-19 crisis.
Shows are going digital, too. The annual Asiaâ€™s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, which was due to be held in Saga Prefecture in Kyushu, was reformatted into a live virtual event. And, following the cancellation of Japanâ€™s biggest style showcase, Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo, in its current format, the event moved online. The runway shows of collections were livestreamed on the organisationâ€™s website.

domain: news


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Huawei could very soon launch a fast charging solution, a supercharger called ‘Huawei HiCharger’, which would stand up to those of Tesla.
Although Huawei is damaged by the veto of the United States, the firm does not stop working on innovating wherever it can. Many times frontally attacking competitive products, and in this case it goes for one of the greats: Tesla. No, they are not going to launch a car, but a DC fast charging module for charging infrastructures for electric cars.
The solution would be called ‘Huawei HiCharger’, and it would be launched in direct collaboration between Huawei and various Chinese brands, such as State Grid Charge, China Southern Power Grid Electric Vehicle, etc. Recall that Huawei is prohibited from dealing with American companies.
The main component of the charging solution is a DC fast charging module that has high power density and efficiency without much noise, at least on paper.
According to reports, the launch of this Huawei HiCharger would take place on April 24, and its failure rate would be around 0.6%, well below the industrial level that moves this type of solutions, ranging between 3 and 5% . This reliability can save maintenance costs for these types of stations as well as their operators and manufacturers.
Huawei, despite having the veto on its back, is preparing to attack the electric car charging market with this solution, which again, is mainly backed by Chinese companies. In fact, Huawei has not hidden its ambition to be a supplier of important parts for cars that have ICV connections. Plans to launch a hypothetical “Huawei car” are not even on the table.
This is a new step for the vehicle business division, which works with smart driving, connectivity, electrification, cloud services, etc. This is not the first adventure of Huawei within this market; At its Developer Conference held in August 2019, the firm launched a smart car interaction system called HiCar, for users to control their cars through a smartphone.
The big problem is in the United States’ veto. Obviously, Huawei could not deploy this solution in the United States, so it would be limited to China and countries in which it does not have such vetoes. With all these details, we may not see a genuine Huawei supercharger capable of dealing with Tesla in European territory, at least in the medium and short term. But this offensive by Huawei is striking in these moments of weakness.


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Biometric-based mobile payments will almost treble during the next five years, driven by the increasing number of smartphones equipped with fingerprint scanners, new research has claimed.
The report by Juniper Research said there were just over 600 million biometrics-based payments last year, which will rise to almost two billion by 2021.
While initial adoption was driven by Apple Pay, the research house said Android Pay and Samsung Pay were starting to become engines of growth in their own rights.
The report predicted fingerprint scanners, a key factor in the increase in biometric-based payments, would be on around 60 percent of smartphones shipped this year. Their presence on mid-tier handsets will be driven by Chinese smartphone makers.
However, new kinds of biometric payments are emerging, such as Mastercard's Identity Check Mobile capability. When it goes live later this year, consumers will be able to make payments after taking a selfie or scanning their fingerprints to validate their identity.
Juniper also cited an app from India's authentication authority, which allows retailers to validate identity through a fingerprint or iris scan.
However, report author Windsor Holden said service providers still needed to be conscious of the balance between convenience and security.
He said: “Typically, the more secure the solution, the more time-consuming the authentication process. It is essential to offer a range of verification options allowing clients to determine what level of security is required for a given authentication.”


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There’s a new player in the business of delivering retail orders over that challenging “last mile” — Walmart.
The company announced Tuesday that it is expanding its delivery service to handle shipments from other businesses, even local shops.
The last mile of delivery tends to be the most expensive “because it’s the hardest to get the most route efficiency, the most amount of revenue that you can get out of an entire delivery route,” said Vince Castillo, who teaches logistics at the Ohio State University
But Walmart has solved that problem in many rural areas, where it’s already making last-mile deliveries of its own products.
The company’s service announced today: “What it does is it allows them to be able to make more deliveries with the infrastructure they already have,” Castillo said.
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And for any businesses that might be uncomfortable with having their products delivered out of a Walmart van, the retailer is promoting GoLocal as what’s called a “white label” service. “Which means … someone coming up to your door is not going to have a Walmart shirt on,” said Cathy Roberson, president of Logistics Trends and Insights, a market research firm.
“It may be Betty’s bakery, you know, as a consumer receiving those baked items, or what have you, [and they may] have no idea that Walmart is behind this,” Roberson said.
Walmart will charge retailers for the service, but it will also get something else that’s incredibly valuable: data.
“Whether it’s understanding which neighborhoods tend to prefer certain products versus other products, or what time of day people tend to buy products, or which products are bought together,” said Tom Derry, CEO of the Institute for Supply Management. “So data becomes really critical and understanding consumer purchasing patterns and being able to better serve the consumer.”
And being able to better sell to the consumer.


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No more need to take a “screenshot” of your tweets from Twitter, to share it on the Instagram application, as you can now publish it directly.
Twitter has solved a major crisis faced by a number of Instagram users who want to move tweets to their stories on the photo networking site.
Twitter was testing this feature last year, but with a limited number of users, and today it reaches all iPhone users around the world.
Also, you do not need to install a new Twitter or Instagram update to be able to use it, as it is available for use from today.
The feature is exclusive to iPhone phones only, and we may see it soon on Android, according to the Arab portal for technical news.
You can easily send tweets directly to Instagram, and it works just like other ways to share tweets across other apps.
This feature came after Twitter noticed that users were taking screenshots and then placing them in Instagram Stories. So you need to click on the share arrow below the Tweet you want to share.
But the sharing was via a screenshot only, which means that you cannot click on the tweet link until you go to its page.
It is expected that Twitter will provide this feature in the future as a way to attract users to it.
Twitter is constantly working to provide more features to its users, in order to attract new users and retain old users.


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Organizers noted that the VidCon US 2019 dates won’t conflict with Cannes Lions (set to run June 17-21 next year in France), which they’re hoping will mean more advertising and marketing execs will attend the Anaheim confab. Tickets will go on sale on later this fall.
This year’s VidCon US 2018 in June drew more than 74,000 fans, creators, brands and industry leaders to Southern California. Another 15,000 or so attended the VidCon Australia (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) and Amsterdam (March 22-24) conventions. Next year will mark the first VidCon London, confirmed to take place at the ExCeL London convention center from Feb. 14-17, 2019. The company says additional VidCon events around the world are on tap.
Viacom announced a deal to buy VidCon in February, as part of the media conglomerate’s efforts to diversify into digital content and events. VidCon was founded by YouTube’s Vlogbrothers, John and Hank Green, with the first convention taking place in 2010.
“Over the last 10 years, VidCon has become the only place where the industry, brands, the world’s top digital creators and their fans come together to celebrate and change the future of online video,” VidCon GM Jim Louderback said.
Details on the VidCon US 2019 sessions, activations, events, parties and featured creators have yet to be announced. According to Julia Maes, executive producer of VidCon US, the 10th edition of the flagship confab “will be a special blend of veteran and new rising talent from all the major platforms, throwback activations (the internet loves a ‘remember when’), and all the future-focused programming and conversations VidCon is known for.”


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China will soon race up to number two in the list of countries with the largest market for McDonald’s, a list that is currently headed by the United States. McDonald’s is planning to set up approximately 1300 restaurants in China in the next five years.
Since the first McDonald’s restaurant, which was a 500-seater, came into being in China in Shenzen in 1990, the chain has grown at a brisk pace. Shenzen, bordering Hong Kong, was chosen as it was a special economic zone in the Guangdong province. With its Big Mac and the friendly atmosphere in the restaurants, McDonald’s was quick to win the hearts of local consumers. This led to its nationwide expansion. The largest McDonald’s outlet in terms of area back then was opened at the busy Beijing Wangfujing Street of the national capital in 1992.
There are currently 2200 McDonald’s stores in China and according to a statement given to The Wall Street Journal, CEO Steve Easterbrook, the target is to establish another 250 restaurants this year.


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UK based indie developer Bossa Studios is pleased to confirm that Spy_Watch will be sneaking onto the Apple Watch alongside the launch of the hardware.
Designed from the ground up for Apple’s new device, Spy_Watch is a new type of game for a new type of hardware.
Featuring a rich and immersive story, Spy_Watch sees you as the head of a spy agency that’s fallen on hard times. Your mission should you choose to accept it: train a spy, send them on clandestine operations and reclaim the agency’s former glory.
Gameplay centres around real time notifications between you and your agent in the field that are sent and delivered via Apple Watch’s intuitive interface. Complete a mission to earn money, which can then be used to improve your spy’s abilities.
Bossa co-founder and Chief Spy Master, Imre Jele commented: “We are now all used to communicating via short text based messages and we felt this would be a really interesting and accessible way to tell an interactive story. Thanks to the Apple Watch we are now able to bring the thrill of espionage to your wrist, just like one of James Bond’s infamous gadgets.”
Spy_Watch continues Bossa’s remit to push gameplay boundaries and be at the forefront of how these can be realised on new platforms as is evident from the recent announcement of Surgeon Simulator for Valve/HTC’s Vive VR headset.


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Author: Chris Randall
BMW again has a problem with the high-voltage batteries in plug-in hybrid vehicles. Due to possible impurities in the production process of the battery cells, there is an increased risk of fire in several model series. The total number of vehicles involved is 26,700 worldwide.
One third of the 26,700 units affected worldwide are in customer hands, the rest are subject to a delivery stop. Specifically, PHEV versions of the X1, X2, X3, X5, 2-series Active Tourer, 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, i8 Coupé and Roadster, as well as the Mini Countryman from the construction period January 20 to September 18 this year, are affected. According to a Group spokesperson, its “country-specific not necessarily affected all of these models”. In Germany, around 1,800 customer vehicles have to be taken to the workshop, while a further 3,500 vehicles already produced will not be delivered in this country for the time being.
BMW is currently sourcing its battery cells from CATL and Samsung SDI, and from 2024, Northvolt will be another cell supplier. However, the “impurities in the production process of the battery cells” have probably only occurred at one of the two current suppliers – which is why only some of the vehicles are affected. “In rare cases, these impurities can trigger a short circuit within cells in the high-voltage storage, for example,” says the spokesperson.
BMW expects a solution “probably by the end of October”. However, as reported by kfz-betrieb, BMW has not yet been able to provide any details regarding the inspection of the high-voltage storage units or any repair measures that may be required. According to the report, there is only a fire hazard if the batteries are fully charged, which is why the recall announcement also asked customers to stop charging their PHEVs by cable – so although the E mode is only of limited use, there is no fire hazard.
Ford had a similar problem with the Kuga PHEV in the summer: since four vehicles suffered fires due to overheating of the battery during charging, customers are no longer supposed to charge the battery via cable either. However, the cause at Ford is apparently a safety mechanism that does not reliably dissipate enough heat and pressure.
At BMW there were apparently three reports of plug-in hybrids caught on fire last week, specifically in Erfurt, Herne and Salzburg. BMW has not yet been able to confirm whether the incidents are connected to the recall. A comprehensive analysis of the damaged vehicles is still pending.
However, this is not BMW’s first problem with its PHEVs: as recently as August, a recall of 4,460 units of the BMW 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, X1, X2, X3, X5, 2 Series Active Tourer, 7 Series, 5 Series and 5 Series Touring and Mini Countryman series was announced. During internal inspections, it was discovered that a welding bead on the high-voltage accumulator from the component period March 13 to August 6, 2020 had not been completely removed during production. “In rare cases – depending on the shape, size and position of the welding bead – the contamination during the initial charging process could cause a malfunction, such as a short circuit in the high-voltage storage tank,” said the manufacturer.
Significantly larger is a battery recall that is currently underway at Hyundai: In South Korea, the recall of over 25,000 Kona Electric has already been confirmed. According to reports, Hyundai has decided to voluntarily recall 77,000 Kona Electric worldwide. Official information on the recall is not available yet, however.


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Sunday, November 29, 2015
Five Ways to Keep the Grinch Out of Your Cybershopping: Tips from U.S. Bank Security Coach Jason Witty
Historically, Americans spend billions of dollars over the last two months of the year. On Cyber Monday alone, as many as 183.8 million people will shop online, according to the
National Retail Federation. With an increased threat of digital fraud, what can consumers do to secure their personal data?


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Over the U.S. Labor Day weekend, 1D went 3D but still couldn't come away with the box office crown. One Direction's "One Direction: This Is Us" 3D concert documentary won the North American weekend box office through Sunday, but "Lee Daniels' The Butler" took advantage of the Monday holiday to overtake Harry, Zayn, & Co. for the weekend box office's top spot at $20 million (£12.85 million). It's the third straight week "The Butler" has sat atop the box office, making it the first movie to do so in North America in 2013. Which is impressive until you put it in perspective next to the movie with the most consecutive weeks atop the box office: "Titanic" for 15 weekends in 1997-98.
In the market for an iPhone? Head to Wal-Mart. The retail behemoth is taking prices of the 16 GB iPhone 5 all the way down to $98 (£62.98), a far fall from the traditional $200 (£128.5) price associated with the latest Apple phone. It's common for a lot of similar retailers to lower such prices ahead of Apple's next model production cycle, but when Wal-Mart does something, it gets noticed - the giant currently holds the record for largest company by sales, logging $469.2 billion (£306.3 billion) in revenues last year.
Elsewhere in the mobile phone universe, Microsoft has announced it will spend $7.17 billion (£4.6 billion) to acquire Nokia's Devices and Services business, plus patents. Surely a move to help Microsoft compete with the Apple's and Google's of the world, bringing the Nokia name under the company umbrella brings a lot of heritage and mobile phone tradition. Nokia's 1100 model is still the biggest-selling mobile phone of all time, with more than 250 million sets sold since 2003.
And if you haven't had enough of all these millions and billions of dollars, can we interest you in Super Bowl advertisement talk -- before the NFL has even opened its regular season? That's the case with a few major brands, who have already announced plans to run Super Bowl TV ads, five months before the big game. Although this should come as no surprise, as the Super Bowl telecast routinely breaks its own record for the most-watched U.S. TV broadcast, with the top 21 most-watched broadcasts ever being Super Bowls.


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Botten's moves to Mac Rental site
Alan and Shannon Botten launched the business two years ago, in partnership with Shannon’s parents, Richard and Johanne Edwards. They had previously operated Botten’s Radiators at the site, a building owned by Alan’s parents at 1053 N.E. Lafayette Ave.
They initially kept the radiator business going, but Alan said the industry had changed so much, he decided to dissolve it.
“It’s going to give us a chance to expand and grow,” Alan said of the large new quarters. “We’re trying to meet the needs of the community.”
The business rents everything from small hand tools to excavators and road graders. Many items are available on site, but larger ones may take a day or two to bring in.
“The community as a whole has been very supportive,” Alan said. He said the old location is now for rent.
Mac Rental was founded by the Hurl family in the mid-1970s. They sold it to Hertz in 2000.
For more information about Botten’s, call 503-472-1599.


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Economist on Russia’s economy
“The sanctions have failed”
07/18/2023 4:51 p.m
Russia’s economy is growing again, salaries are rising. According to economist and Russia expert Vasily Astrov from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, the state and companies have adapted at an impressive speed to the war of aggression against Ukraine and the Western sanctions. The plan to force Putin to give in with sanctions did not work out.
ntv.de: Russia is waging a costly war. The country has been cut off from much of the global economy and financial markets by sanctions, yet the Russian economy is said to be growing significantly this year. Can such figures and forecasts be trusted?
Vasily Astrov: Overall, yes. The Russian economy shows a really impressive development. After a slight recession last year, it has recovered and adapted surprisingly quickly to the sanctions. However, the dynamics in the different sectors of the economy are very different.
In which areas are things going well?
In all areas that are directly or indirectly related to warfare. It’s not just weapons production that’s in full swing. The Russian textile industry, for example, and food production also benefit. The sanctions have also triggered substitution effects. Goods that can no longer be imported from the West are being replaced primarily by imports from China and other countries, but sometimes also by domestic products. Domestic tourism, for example, is booming. Because travel to Europe, among other places, is hardly possible anymore.
In which areas of the economy are there problems?
First and foremost there is oil and gas exports. Russia now sells its oil mainly to Asia instead of Europe, albeit at lower prices. It is more difficult to find alternatives for gas, since most of it is exported via pipelines. Overall, Russia has lost around a third of its export earnings, mainly due to lower energy exports. For the state budget, this means a drop in tax revenue from this area by around half.
How do the trade sanctions work beyond that?
Very different. Some consumer goods imported from the West before the war continue to enter the country via third countries. iPhones, for example, which Apple no longer sells directly in Russia, are bought by Russian companies in other countries in order to then resell them in Russia – although these products are of course significantly more expensive. Other goods are being replaced by alternative products from China, for example. This can be observed with cars, for example. The sanctions for importing capital goods are more serious. High-tech components from the West, for example for telecommunications equipment, cannot always be replaced by Chinese products. And with a huge gas turbine for a power plant, I can hardly disguise the fact that the destination country is Russia, even when importing it via a third country.
What does all this mean for the Russian population? Does economic output grow with prosperity despite war and sanctions?
You have to differentiate here too. The middle class definitely feels the sanctions. They vacationed in Europe before the war and bought Western branded goods that are no longer available or only available to a limited extent. The poorer classes, on the other hand, feel positive effects, at least economically. Real wages, that is, even after deducting inflation, are rising significantly. Because war and sanctions have led to a major labor shortage, forcing companies to pay employees better. Economically weak regions also benefit financially from the fact that many men go into the army. Because the military pays very good wages compared to the normal income in these regions. All of this means that private consumption in Russia has recovered quickly after a brief slump at the beginning of the war.
This economic development in Russia is particularly surprising for observers in the West. Where is the misconception? What was the crucial misjudgment?
There are probably several aspects that were misjudged. On the one hand, the West probably did not expect that the majority of countries would not support the sanctions. It was probably clear that China would not participate. But in the case of India, Brazil and other emerging countries, one had probably hoped for more cooperation. And in fact it is the case that even with Turkey even a NATO state does not participate in the sanctions, but intensifies its trade with Russia. In addition, it is probably the case that the adaptability of the Russian economy was underestimated compared to countries that were subject to similar sanctions. Russia is simply much larger and more economically developed than Iran, Venezuela or North Korea. The Russian economy therefore has more internal sources of growth and opportunities for diversification. The Russian economy cannot be compared to the Soviet one. Russia is a true market economy. The entrepreneurial spirit, especially of small and medium-sized companies, has made it possible to set up alternative supply chains for many sanctioned supply chains comparatively quickly. And last but not least, the Russian state has been preparing for possible sanctions since 2014 at the latest. For example, he has invested in currency and financial reserves and reduced debt.
The good economic development is apparently based, among other things, on these reserves and the possibility of the Russian state to increase its expenditure for the war, although it has lost a considerable part of its income. Is that sustainable? How long can Russia hold out?
The budget deficit should worry the Russian government in the medium term. The reserves, such as the assets of the Russian sovereign wealth fund, are finite. The state can borrow from local banks, but the interest rates are high, most recently at around eleven percent. In the long term, after a few years, the situation is likely to become more difficult. But even that does not mean that a collapse of the Russian economy is to be expected.
That is, the idea of using sanctions to force Russia to end the war failed?
Yes, overall the sanctions have largely failed. The only thing that has really hurt Russia so far has been the European embargo on oil imports. The restrictions on the delivery of certain high-tech capital goods could also lead to Russia being technologically left behind in the long term. But that’s not nearly enough to get Putin to give in.
Max Borowski spoke with Vasily Astrov.


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News - General News - In brief
Toyota innovates, Goodwood gears up and Fiat marks a milestone in the week that was
Click to see larger images
12 Jul 2013
Goodwood is go:
ONE of the UK’s most prestigious motoring events opens its gates this weekend with the Goodwood Festival of Speed celebrating 20 years of hot cars and hillclimb racing.
All 185,000 tickets to the petrolhead paradise have sold out, with spectators clamouring to see an impressive line-up of cars and drivers tackle the famed Goodwood hill.
The event has become a favorite for many of the world’s top car-makers to premier new machinery.
This year the Mexican built Vuhl 05, Jaguar’s Project 7, the McLaren P1 and nutty Caterham Seven 620 R (see stories linked below) will all hit the Goodwood hill amongst many other offerings from around the world.
Porsche will have a strong presence at the festival in 2013 as it celebrates 50 years of the 911 with a range of events including a daily parade, Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concourse and even a specially commissioned sculpture.
With an entry fee of just 4, the first festival in 1993 expected just 2,500 visitors but ended up welcoming 27,000.
Toyota near top of patent list:
TOYOTA has belied its at-times conservative reputation by filing more patents in the US last year than almost any other corporation.
Ranking 13th overall, the Japanese car-maker successfully applied for nearly 1500 patents in 2012 – even more than Google or Apple Inc.
General Motors followed closely behind in 19th place with a total of 1374 patents while Honda also featured in the top 50 with 1074 granted.
Happy birthday Fiat:
FIAT is also joining in with the birthday celebrations as it turned 114 years old yesterday.
The Italian car-maker produced just 24 examples of its first car, the 3 ½ CV, in 1899 and, over the course of its history, has built everything from railway carriages and tractors to trucks and aircraft.
Happy Birthday or, should we say, Tanti Auguri.
The Road to Recovery podcast series
10th of July 2013
Extreme Caterham hits 100km/h in 2.8s
Caterham Seven turns 40, but brutal new 620 R edition shows it isn’t slowing down
10th of July 2013
Jaguar’s retro racer concept revealed
Slinky single-seater Jaguar Project 7 revealed, hints at hi-po production F-Type
11th of June 2013
Goodwood debut for cool Vuhl supercar
New images of Vuhl 05 lightweight supercar surface ahead of Goodwood debut
4th of June 2013
Porsche turns back time for anniversary 911
Limited-run Porsche 911 harkens back to where it all began
1st of May 2013
McLaren’s P1 puts fire on ice
Testing shows the way forward for McLaren’s P1 is sideways.
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General News articles
Research General News
Motor industry news


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NEW DELHI: Motorola
Mobility has said it has resolved the issue of some non-working Moto G
smartphones, which was discovered over the last couple of days, apologised for what it called was a "one-off error" and offered a monetary credit through retail partner Flipkart
, apart from a full refund if a customer didn't wish to replace the faulty handset.
The US-based smartphone maker had informed customers over the last two days that some of its best-selling Moto G handsets shipped into India did not have registered and verified International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which rendered the devices
An IMEI is a 15-digit unique code that helps cellular networks identify valid phones. It is the unique identity number of each device, which is used to track it when stolen or misplaced.
Motorola had communicated to consumers that the devices that have IMEI number beginning with 3533 and with 16 GB memory versions were most likely facing connectivity issues. "This particular issue is now resolved and the affected Moto G devices have been registered with all network operators. All impacted customers can activate their phones immediately," a Motorola Mobility spokesperson said on Wednesday.
While apologising for the glitch, Motorola said that as a goodwill gesture to those affected, popular e-commerce website Flipkart - the handsmaker's exclusive retail partner - has credited Rs 1,200 into Flipkart wallets or accounts of impacted customers for any purchase. That apart, Motorola has offered to replace the faulty handset or fully refund customers who did not wish to wait for a replacement.
Neither Motorola nor Flipkart revealed the number of complaints it received or the number of devices that were replaced or cases where it refunded customers' money.
The company's international come back started with the Moto G launch in India last year and it strengthened its position in the consumer's mind with the global launch of Moto E here.
Motorola said that verification of IMEI numbers with Indian mobile operators was carried out at the back-end. It added that the problem emerged in a single batch due to a 'one-off error' and that "measures have been taken internally that can't be disclosed."
Analysts, however, are divided on the impact of this situation on Motorola. "It's good that Motorola acted proactively and offered either to exchange the devices or refund the money which would help them pacify the consumers to certain extent," said Gartner's principal analyst Vishal Tripathi.


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Privé Revaux Eyewear has a new minority owner.
The eyewear brand that counts celebrities Jamie Foxx, Hailee Steinfeld, Ashley Benson and entrepreneur David Schottenstein as founders has received an undisclosed investment from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.
The investment coincides with the first anniversary of the launch of the affordable eyewear brand.
“When it comes to consumer-facing private equity, TSG is the gold standard, having backed leading brands like Revolve, Vitaminwater, Smashbox Cosmetics, Huda Beauty, IT Cosmetics and Paige,” said Schottenstein. “Privé Revaux is one of the youngest brands to ink a deal with TSG, and this partnership will enable us to continue growing and accomplish goals that we never thought possible at such an early stage. I have no doubt that over the next few years, Privé Revaux will firmly position itself as a powerhouse in the affordable luxury market.”
In an interview, Schottenstein said TSG has purchased stock from the shareholders and invested money into the company to fuel its growth.
As a result of the investment, he said the plan is to embark on a three-pronged strategy to grow. It includes expanding the brick-and-mortar retail presence “dramatically,” he said. The brand operates a store on 42nd Street near Bryant Park in New York and “the goal is to open up a couple more in the city.”
The company is also close to finalizing a location for a store in Los Angeles and is looking for sites in “other major cities,” Schottenstein said.
In addition, the company’s kiosk concept that it operates in malls and other retail stores will be expanded. There are currently four in Miami and eight in the Tristate area, he said, and 11 more are scheduled to open in Los Angeles on Aug. 1.
The third prong is the brand’s wholesale initiative. Privé Revaux is carried in retailers including Nordstrom, Express, American Eagle Outfitters, QVC, DSW and others. Schottenstein said it expects to expand its presence within Express and American Eagle in particular, along with its online business.
The brand is about to reveal its first international location. Schottenstein declined to name the retailer, but said it is one of the largest optical groups in France and operates 1,300 stores. For that launch, Privé Revaux will create a special World Cup frame called Le Champion to commemorate the country’s recent win.
Schottenstein admitted that “we’re good at some things and not so good at others,” so he plans to lean heavily on TSG’s expertise in retail and digital to help fill in the blanks.
Other plans include additional celebrity collaborations. The brand offered a capsule with “Riverdale” star Madelaine Petsch that was successful, so ”part two” is in the works, Schottenstein said. There is also a special collection called R&M, created by the company’s creative directors, celebrity Hollywood stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn.
In addition, Privé Revaux will create collections around its other celebrity partners, Steinfeld and Benson. So far, Foxx has held off on having his own line, opting instead for wearing pieces from the Petsch collection, Schottenstein said. He said the actor is heavily involved in the business and believes in its vision to offer high-quality affordable eyewear to the masses.
Schottenstein said when launching the brand, he had vetted more than 30 celebrities who expressed interest in the concept and decided on these because of their commitment to Privé Revaux’s vision.
Foxx said collaborating with TSG “is an honor. One look at their portfolio and you know these guys mean business. I couldn’t be more excited about Privé Revaux’s future.”
Blythe Jack, managing director at TSG, said her company was drawn to Privé Revaux’s “dynamic mix of omnichannel distribution, high-quality affordable products and effective influencer marketing” that has “quickly proven to be a disruptive force in the eyewear space — selling more than one million pairs of sunglasses in its inaugural year. The company is clearly poised for significant global growth, and we’re incredibly excited to collaborate with Privé Revaux as it looks to further accelerate its rapid adoption by fashion-forward consumers worldwide.”
Privé Revaux was founded in June 2017 on the premise of making premium sunglasses at an affordable price. It offers more than 100 hand-crafted and polarized designer frames that retail for $29.95. In France, the frames will sell for 34.95 euros.
Schottenstein, a member of the Ohio family that made its name in the retail business with discounters such as Value City Department Stores, DSW and Filene’s Basement, has called himself a serial entrepreneur. He started his first business at age 12, selling cigars to businessmen. He founded the custom bespoke tailoring company Astor & Black, which he sold to private equity firm Castanea Partners, as well as Swiss Stays, a collar stay brand that he sold to a private investor.
But Schottenstein said now, at age 34, he’s found his calling. “My plan is to stick with this long-term,” he said. “This is actually the first time I’ve felt this way and my vision is to build this into an affordable global luxury brand.”


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The Arc of Washington County will hold its annual Christmas craft bazaar Friday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The bazaar will be held at 840 Florida Ave. in Hagerstown.
The event will include lunch.
A variety of crafts and gift items, including Tastefully Simple, snowmen, wreaths, jewelry, ornaments, flowers, specialty gift items, Dove chocolates and baked goods will be for sale.
For more information, call Sandra at 301-797-0052.
The Hagerstown Rescue Mission’s Ladies Auxiliary will hold a holiday bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Items for sale include holiday gift items, books, jewelry and many other items. Soups, country ham sandwiches and baked goods will be available.
For more information, call 301-790-3843.
The For Our Kids’ Sake Fashion Show will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center, 131 W. North St. in Hagerstown.
Tickets cost $6 for adults and $3 for students.
Refreshments will be served.
For tickets, call Dot Bell at 301-791-0717.
Thanksgiving Eve service
Zion Baptist Church, 61 Bethel St. in Hagerstown, will hold its Thanksgiving Eve service Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
All are welcome.
Share your news
Send news items by email to AroundJonathanStreet@gmail.com; mail the information to Madge D. Miles, c/o The Herald-Mail Co., P.O. Box 439, Hagerstown, MD 21741; or call 301-791-7647.


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Both and have cited a shortage of hard disc drives as the main reason behind reduced sales numbers for their graphicas processor units.
Hard drive shortages are being blamed on the large-scale flooding that hit Thailand, the world’s number two producer of hard drives, in July 2011. A reducedtion in the number of available hard drives has led to fewer PCs being sold, which in turn means fewer GPUs.
It’s being reported that Nvidia missed their own revenue projections by $116 million as a result of the HDD shortage. Meanwhile, rival GPU manufacturer AMD admitted that it was feeling “a little but of pressure in terms of hard disks” during an investor call.
Nvidia’s yearly financial result are due next month, but forecasts predict a total of $950 million (£610.7 million). By comparison, AMD’s results show revenue of $6.57 billion (£4.2 billion) with profits of $491 million (£316 million).
Source: The Verge


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The South Korean mobile manufacturer, Samsung will scribble down the chapter of memorable launches with indelible ink this year; if you got it right, you could be the one holding the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Galaxy Z Flip 5 soon.
Samsung’s next superior launch event will happen in the last week of July, which will see the robust kingdom of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Now, a South Korean publication named Chosun has knurled out the launch date of the next Galaxy Unpacked event.
Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 Launch Event Date
Before making a guess, have a cup of coffee to provoke your energy. As per the reports from the South Korean publication, the tech mammoth will conduct the event on July 26 and eventually announce its foldable smartphones.
In a flash reminiscing, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Z Flip 4 were made into the market on August 10. Therefore, the company is trying to hold the event a couple of weeks before its kind to unleash the new monsters from the cage.
In another argument, it has largely been noticed that Samsung flagships and iPhone series are getting launched in a matter of a month gap, so Samsung is hoping for some new ideas to stop the acceleration and put a break to expand the gap between these two companies’ flagships.
The report further adds that Samsung’s Unpacked event for its forthcoming foldable phone will happen in the capital of South Korea, Seoul. This might be a hefty rollover, as the company has previously conducted foldable phone launch events in the US.
Currently, there are no words of confirmation from Samsung on the launch date or venue. The company is expected to announce the official date and venue of the launch despite the rumors in mid of June. The event will also pave the way for the Galaxy Tab S9 series and the Galaxy Watch 6 lineup.


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A new online exchange for trading virtual cash between different online virtual gaming worlds goes online. This is cool — trading virtual currencies that have no meaning in the physical world but can buy things in virtual worlds. And of course, this is already convertible to cash because people resell virtual stuff for cash on eBay. Fascinating development. Is this a sign of economic changes to come. Is currency going virtual?Social tagging: Fringe > Games > Society > The Future
The data could be a saving grace for the dollar, � said Brian D
Forex Trading Software
Forex Trading Software Forum Cutting edge trading schoo
Does this mean that there are soon to be virtual Forex markets trading this virtual currency as well?


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Tesla has been knocked from its post as the world’s leading manufacturer of 100 percent battery electric vehicles (BEV) by Chinese car maker BYD. According to data from CleanTechnica, BYD produced 506,868 fully electric cars in the first half of this year, which is a market share of 15.6 percent. Meanwhile, Tesla produced only 406,869 of the cars, making up 12.6 percent of the global comparison. The next leading brands are SAIC (8.6 percent), Volkswagen (7.8 percent), and Hyundai-Kia (5.8 percent).
Elon Musk’s company was forced to scale back its production line in May 2022 following lockdown-related supply chain issues in China. According to media reports, the Shanghai Gigafactory ran out of parts needed to make the electric cars, resulting in only 200 out of the usual 12,00 vehicles being produced per day, before it rolled to a stop altogether. Since BYD’s factories are mostly located in areas that were not affected by such extensive lockdown periods, they did not suffer the same setbacks, as reported by PCMag.
The breakthrough of lithium-ion on the roads is undeniable. Sales of electric vehicles continue to grow around the world, with more than 3 million units having been sold from January to May in 2022, compared to 1.7 million in the same period of 2021 (an increase of more than 80%). Knowing that the last months of the year are typically strong for sales, analysts estimate that the market should pass the milestone of 7 million cars delivered this year.


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Sportradar Group AG has published its fourth quarter and full-year 2021 financial results, announcing a 39% year-over-year increase in yearly revenue thanks to strong growth across all business segments.
Most notably, CEO Carsten Koerl praised the company’s momentum in the United States, remarking it is ‘seeing the results’ of its early investment into the market.
Sportradar declared a Q4 revenue of $172.2m, a 41% improvement YoY (Q4 2020: $120.1m) driven by robust growth across all business segments.
Meanwhile, the company’s FY2021 revenue came in at $634.2m, a 39% rise YoY (FY2020: $450.3m) thanks to strong growth across all business segments, exceeding the top end of the company’s 2021 annual outlook range of $615m to $617m.
Q4’s adjusted EBITDA rose by 14.0% YoY to $24.2m (Q4 2020: $20.9m), while the adjusted EBITDA margin was 14% (Q4 2020: 17%) due to increased investment in content and technology, higher costs related to being a public company, and higher M&A costs.
Adjusted Free Cash Flow in Q4 decreased to a $25.0m loss, resulting in a cash flow conversion loss of 105.1%.
Sportradar notes this loss is primarily due to “additional interest from the Company’s senior secured term loan facility originating in November 2020, timing of sports data licensing payments to leagues, IPO related payments as well as higher costs associated with being a public company”.
Adjusted EBITDA for the full year increased by 33% to $115.3m (FY2020: $85.5m). Excluding Sportradar’s September 2021 Initial Public Offering (IPO) costs, adjusted EBITDA was $128.5m.
The adjusted EBITDA margin for 2021 was 18% (FY2020: 19%). Excluding IPO costs, the adjusted EBITDA margin was 20%.
Strong Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate increased to 125% for FY2021 compared (FY2020: 113%). The company attributed this improvement to its “cross-sell and upsell strategy across its global customer base”.
As of December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents totaled $826.1m, while total liquidity available for use, including undrawn credit facilities, was $948.4m.
CEO Carsten Koerl commented: “I am very pleased with our strong results, which illustrate how well we are delivering on our operational and growth plans. Importantly, we have good momentum going into our next fiscal year.
“We are continuing to invest in content, technology and people that will allow us to deliver profitable growth in line with our goals.”
In the United States, Q4 revenue rose by 92% YoY to $26.2m, driven by increased sales of US Betting services as the underlying market and turnover grew, as well as a strong adoption of its ad:s product, growth in US Media, and a positive impact from the acquisition of Synergy Sports. FY2021 revenue grew by 108% to $79.7m.
However, the segment’s adjusted EBITDA in Q4 decreased to an $8.45m loss due to increased investment in the company’s league and team solutions-focused business. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the segment decreased to a 33% loss too (Q4 2020: 11%).
FY2021 adjusted EBITDA in the US decreased as well by 38% to a $25.1m loss, while FY2021 adjusted EBITDA margin improved to a 32% loss, up from the 48% loss in the prior year.
In 2021, Sportradar entered or extended multi-year partnerships with the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the NBA G League.
Koerl continued, “We are particularly pleased about more than doubling our year-over-year revenues in the United States, which continues its explosive sports betting growth story.
“Sportradar has been a leader in this market since 2014, and we’re now seeing the results of our early investment. We continue to see the enormous opportunity as sports betting becomes an increasingly integral part of the media entertainment fabric in the US.”
Looking ahead, Sportradar expects its FY2022 revenue to be in the range of $752.0m to $791.0m, representing a growth of 18% to 25% over FY2021. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $139.0m to $150.0m, a 21% to 30% rise over the previous year, while the adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to be in the range of 18.5% to 19.0%.


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Views: 15 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2019-03-20 Origin: Site
The global bottled water market size is expected to reach USD 215.12 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. It is anticipated to witness a higher growth as compared to carbonated drinks on account of better health benefits and added nutrients. Factors such as increase in per capita spending and rapid urbanization are likely to fuel the demand for bottled water over the forecast period.
However, higher cost of bottled water may restrain the growth of the market.On the other hand, growing awareness regarding benefits of bottled water coupled with increasing preference for active lifestyle is expected to play a significant role in driving the market.
Companies such as PepsiCo Inc. launched premium priced bottled water in order to strengthen consumer interest in healthier beverages.
Some of the key companies in the market are Mountain Valley Spring Water; Nestlé S.A.; Tata Global Beverages; Danone Waters of America, Inc.; PepsiCo, Inc.; Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG; RHODIUS Mineralquellen und Getränke GmbH & Co. KG; Nongfu Spring; Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.; and The Coca-Cola Company.
Further key findings from the study suggest:
• The spring bottled water segment accounted for revenue share of over 17.0% in 2016
• Mineral bottled water accounted for the largest market share in 2016 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period. This is due to its added nutrients compared to spring water and the fact that mineral water is less processed than sparkling water
• Sparkling bottled water witnessed a share of 8.0% in 2016 and is expected to witness a significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for alternatives for carbonated beverages
• Asia Pacific is likely to be the dominant regional market for bottled water over the forecast period. Rising population coupled with rapid urbanization in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia is likely to be the key driver for the market
• Regional expansion and R&D are the key strategies adopted by most of the key companies to strengthen their market position.
• In November 2017, The Coca-Cola Company launched its bottled water brand Kinley in Nepal in order to gain domestic market share. In March 2017, Nestlé Waters collaborated with Danone and Origin Materials to develop PET plastic bottles, which were made from 100% renewable and sustainable resources.


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May 19, 2022 (MLN): Packages Limited (PSX: PKGS) is planning to expand the capacity of Bulleh Shah Packaging by a further 30-35% in addition to the expansion already announced. This additional capacity is expected to come online in 1HCY23, the management of the company informed while holding a corporate briefing session.
This expansion will help the Bulleh Shah’s capacity of the corrugated cartons to 225KT and paper & board to 450KT, as per briefing takeaways covered by JS Global.
To recall, growth in this segment was limited due to a fire that broke out in the company’s finished goods section. As a consequence of the fire, the closure of the production facility has been moved ahead.
The company has insurance claims against the incident which are expected to be recovered in 4-5months. Under the segment, the company has a corrugated cartons division with a capacity of 105KT and a paper & board division with a capacity of 265KT.
Bulleh Shah remained the second-highest contributor to net sales (42% during CY21) during the quarter posting a growth of just 5% YoY to Rs9.85bn.
In the paper and board segment, sales mix stood at 45% brown paper and 55% white paper where 65% of sales of white paper are generated from tobacco companies. The company plans to increase its market share in the segment post capacity expansion, the management further informed.
In addition, the company has increased its stake in Tri-Pack Films Limited (TRIPF) in February 2022 through additional investment taking it from 49.9% to 69.0% making it one of its subsidiaries and the 3rd highest contributing company in consolidated net sales of PKGS.
To note, TRIPF is involved in the business of producing BOPP and CPP holding a sizable share in the market. These films are primarily used in the food industry for packaging of various items such as chips, biscuits etc and have seen a surge in demand post-COVID as travel restrictions have led to higher consumption of snacking food items.
Furthermore, with the introduction of online delivery services, demand for BOPP and CPP films is expected to remain elevated. Total CAPEX incurred by the company is anticipated to be around Rs33bn for all upcoming projects including the investment in TRIPF.
The house was also briefed regarding the sales mix of the company as the management highlighted that Packages converters accounted for the highest growth during the quarter growing to Rs9.87bn, which is up by 35% YoY.
The segment contributed 34% to the company’s topline during CY21. Under this segment, the company produces folding cartons, flexible packaging and consumer products.
Adding to it, the management stated that 48% of the revenue in the segment is generated by flexible packaging while 29% is accounted for by folding cartons and 23% by consumer products. The consumer products segment is expected to grow the fastest owing to rising demand for items such as tissues, paper cups and paper plates.
The investors were apprised regarding the financial performance of the company as per which the company had posted consolidated net sales of Rs26.9bn which is up by a staggering 37% as compared to the same period last year.
The surge in profitability was attributed to a combination of multiple reasons including growth in demand from the food sector leading to higher sales for all the company’s food-related subsidiaries and the inclusion of TRIPF in the consolidated accounts. As a result, earnings expanded by 2.2x YoY to Rs41.06 per share.
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May 19, 2022: The government has released funds amounting to Rs1,949.72 million to execute seven ongoing and six new petroleum-related projects during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP 2021-22) against a total allocation of Rs3,249.54 million.
Out of the total disbursement of Rs1,949.72 million, around Rs586.54 million have been spent on petroleum projects during a 10-month period (July-April) of the current fiscal year to accelerate oil and gas exploration activities and achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector, according to official data available with APP.
As per the PSDP document, funds amounting to Rs1,473.683 million had been earmarked for seven ongoing schemes, out of which Rs 263 million were meant for the establishment of the National Minerals Data Centre (NMDC), Rs345.321 for the Expansion and Up-gradation of Pakistan Petroleum Core House (PETCORE), Rs30 million for Geological Mapping on 50 Toposheets, out of 354 unmapped Toposheets of Outcrop Area of Balochistan Province, Rs385.336 million for strengthening and up-gradation of Karachi Laboratories Complex (KLC) at HDIP Operations Office, Karachi, Rs 76.580 million for the supply of 13.5 MMCFD gas at Doorstep (Zero Point) of Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Sindh, Rs 230 million for the supply of 30 MMCFD gas at Doorstep (Zero Point) of Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Rs143.446 million for up-gradation of POL testing facilities of HDIP at Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Quetta and ISO Certification of Petroleum Testing Laboratory at Islamabad.
Similarly, for six new schemes, the government had earmarked Rs1,775.857 in the PSDP, out of which Rs40 million were kept for the development of Strategic Underground Gas Storages (SUGS) – hiring of consultancy services for Bankable feasibility study and transaction advisory services (PC-II), Rs30 million for Legal Consultancy Services for drafting of Model Mineral Agreement and updating of Regulatory Framework (Federal and Provincial Minerals/Coal Departments) prepared by Mineral Wing, Petroleum Division, Rs40 million for Pakistan National Research Programme on Geological Hazards (Earthquakes and Landslides) - Data Acquisition along Active Faults and Identification of Potential Landslides Hotspot Zones, Rs73.447 million for the supply of 10 MMCFD RLNG to Bostan Special Economic Zone, Rs149.410 million for the supply of 13 MMCFD RLNG to Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Rs785 million for the supply of 40 MMCFD gas/RLNG to Allama Iqbal Industrial City Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
May 19, 2022: The federal budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 will be business friendly and contribute to the promotion of exports and businesses in the economy, Finance Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail said during a meeting with Mr. Shini Yanagi - Vice Chairman of Indus Motor Company at Finance division on Thursday.
While welcoming Mr. Shini Yanagi, Miftah Ismail said that the present government is cognizant of the issues of the business community and hurdles in the expansion of business activities in the country.
He said that present government is committed to provide conducive and friendly environment to the investors and businessmen for the growth of economic activity and enhancement of exports. He further said that the upcoming budget.
Mr. Shini Yanagi and Mr. Ali Asghar Jamali-CEO of Indus Motor Company briefed the Finance Minister on the performance of the company and its contribution to the revenue of Pakistan. They also presented some proposals concerned with auto industry for the upcoming budget. They requested for support of the government to the auto industry in the upcoming budget in order to sustain the consumer prices and sales of cars.
The Finance Minister further assured Mr. Shini Yanagi - Vice Chairman of Indus Motor Company of government’s full cooperation and support.
May 19, 2022 (MLN): To put off pressure from foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the exchange rate, the government has decided on Thursday to ban the import of non-essential luxury items.
While addressing a news conference, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb informed that a blanket ban had been imposed on the import of non-essential luxury items to redress current economic woes under the 'Comprehensive Economic Plan'.
“A comprehensive economic plan had been formulated under which a fiscal management policy would be introduced to steer the country out of the current economic crisis. The plan would help reduce the country’s reliance on foreign debts," she added.
The minister further said it has been decided for the first time that the import of non-essential luxury items would be banned completely.
It included food items, decoration items, imported vehicles, mobile phones, home appliances, fruits, dry fruits, crockery, shoes, door and window items, lightening equipment, sauces, frozen meat, fish and carpets, tissue papers, make-up items, furniture and confectionary brands, shampoos, jams, jelly, sun-glasses, ice cream, chocolates, musical instruments and cigarettes.
Adding to it, she noted that there has been an emergency situation in the country and people will have to make sacrifices.
The economic initiatives of the current government would have a swift impact on the foreign exchange reserves for the next two months and there would be an annual impact of around $6 billion.
The government's foremost priority is to minimize dependency on the import, while an export-oriented economic policy would be introduced to give a boost to the local industry which would eventually enhance employment opportunities in the country.
All in all, these measures under the plan would not only have a direct impact on the current account deficit but also help stabilize the rupee against the dollar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is quite hopeful regarding the outcome of the above-stated decision of import ban on luxury items. Expressing his views while taking his official Twitter account, he said, "My decision to ban the import of luxury items will save the country precious foreign exchange."
"We will practice austerity & financially stronger people must lead in this effort so that the less privileged among us do not have to bear this burden inflicted on them by the PTI government," he added.
At present, the import bill for the month of April stood at $66.78bn while in 10MFY22, the bill soared to $655.37bn up by 46% compared to the same period last year.
Copyright Mettis Link News
May 19, 2022 (MLN): The total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the country decreased by $214.7 million or 1.3% WoW to stand at the lowest level of $16.16 billion since Dec 06, 2019, during the week ended on May 13, 2022, compared to $16.37bn in the previous week, weekly data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday showed.
The data further revealed that reserves held by the central bank during the week dipped by $145mn or 1.4% WoW to clock in at the lowest level of $10.16bn since June 19, 2020, mainly due to external debt payments.
Meanwhile, the reserves of commercial banks moved down by $69.6mn or 1.1% WoW to $5.9bn.
It is important to note that, the current level of foreign currency reserves is barely enough to cover 1.52 months of imports.
The continues decline in foreign exchange reserves has created strong spell of currency depreciation as it helped dollar to complete its double century against the Pakistani rupee (PKR) today. The local unit has lost 1.6 rupees to close the trade at PKR 200 per USD.
Copyright Mettis Link News


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Coca-Cola to launch Indian flavours to compete with local brands
MNC, Coca-Cola will soon launch new variant of aerated drinks in local Indian flavours to compete with smaller brands.
- Coca-Cola's new variants are expected to be 35-40% cheaper than Sprite and Fanta.
- The company is expected to launch local flavours like jeera, orange and lemon to compete with local brands.
- Local brands have nearly 12% market share in the packaged aerated drinks market.
Carbonated soft drinks producer, Coca-Cola will be launching new Indian flavours like ‘jeera’ (cumin), lemon and orange.
The new range of aerated drinks will be 35-40% cheaper than Coke, Sprite and Fanta, a report by Economic Times said on Monday.
While in April this year, introducing their summer variants, many brands turned western in their advertising approach.
ITC added ‘Pomegranate juice’ to its ‘B Natural’ refreshments, Parle Argo came up with Frooti Fizz, Hamdard launched ‘Rooh Afza Fusion’ and Rasna revisited its powdered fruit drinks portfolio to introduce flavours like - Nagpur Orange and Alphonso Mango.
However, more than 200 B brands distributed cheaper variants of aerated drinks in small geographic areas and have a consolidated markets share of 12%, the ET report added.
The packaged fruit juice segment in India was worth Rs 2,500 crore, a PTI report quoted market research firm – Nielsen analysts.
India’s $4.9 billion soda market was dominated by Coca Cola and Pepsi with 96% combined presence, a report by Business World quoted Euromonitor International on March 30.
On the back of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) launch of July 1, Coca-Cola said it would marginally raise prices of its aerated beverages but will cut rates of packaged drinking water.
Aerated beverages have been taxed at an effective tax rate of 40% in the GST regime.
The company said GST has given them the opportunity to expand its product portfolio, the report said and Coca-Cola is expected to launch the Monster energy drink soon it added.
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SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres have announced a special presale event for 2022 single-game tickets.
Fans will be able to purchase tickets from Nov. 24-Dec. 1 as part of the team’s holiday ticket presale. Coinciding with the holiday shopping season, tickets for all homes games except Opening Day will be available.
The Padres are inviting fans to celebrate a few holidays at Petco Park with home games against the Atlanta Braves on Easter Sunday, the Miami Marlins on Mother’s Day, Mariners on July 4 and Diamondbacks on Sept. 5.
In the announcement about the ticket offering, the Padres also highlighted the return of Party in the Park, with drink specials and fun activities beginning two hours before every Friday home game. KidsFest is another special event that takes place before Sunday home games.
Season ticket-holders get early access to the holiday ticket presale on Nov. 22 before sales open to the general public at 10 a.m. on Nov. 24.


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A Friend of a Friend of a Friend
Sharing is caring when it comes to streaming sites. Because these sites are paid for through a monthly subscription, what most people do is borrow their friends’ and family’s accounts, instead of paying for their own. This is a win-lose situation for the streaming companies; more people are enjoying the services than they are paying. Because of this, Netflix and Amazon are working to change policies.
The Future is Here
Though it may seem like a “Black Mirror” episode, we live in a world where artificial intelligence is real, and this technology is exactly what’s going to help streaming sites deal with freeloaders. One United Kingdom-based technology startup debuted brand new technology that allows streaming sites to gain even more information about the accounts of their clients. This AI will enable them to check out irregularities in their customer’s accounts, including extreme activity – which generally indicates multiple users.
End of an Era
With so many people sharing passwords and streaming movies and shows for a reduced or even free price thanks to shared accounts, it’s safe to say that Netflix customers will be upset about this reform. What this means is that those who do not live in the same house will have to start paying for their subscription. Streaming sites hope to use this new technology to keep their customers honest while profiting from an incremental income stream.


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— PECO says the new electric 'smart meters' are safe, but some residents are not convinced.
| July 2, 2012 |
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Engel Menendez said PECO is spending $600 million on the smart meter project.
Mad about meters →
“We have received about 425 inquiries from customers with questions,” she wrote in an e-mail to the newspaper.


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Archive for the ‘Auburn Auction Park’ tag
Antique Automobile Club of America members in the Midwest will have a new national event to look forward to next year when the club’s Central Division Spring Meet takes place in Auburn, Indiana.
According to the AACA, the new event is a collaboration between the club and Auburn, Indiana-based Auctions America by RM; the meet will be held in the friendly confines of AA’s historic Auburn Auction Park on May 9-11. These dates also happen to coincide with AA’s Spring Collector Car weekend, expanding the existing collector-car gathering to include a judged car show, judging school and training, apprentice program, and various other AACA programs and social events. With the planning process already under way, organizers are prepared for a a car count exceeding 500. Aside from the auction park, other notable events for those new to the hobby include the Auburn Cord Duesenburg Automobile Museum, National Auto and Truck Museum, Early Ford V8 Foundation and Museum, and the World War II Victory Museum.
“It is very exciting for AACA to partner with Auctions America to bring a national AACA meet to Auburn,” AACA Executive Director Steve Moskowitz said. “Both of our organizations have been at the forefront of promoting the collectible vehicle hobby and together we will be able to offer a spectacular event to our members and the hobby. Our members are going to be thrilled to not only attend a national car show but to be there for Auctions America’s great spring auction.”
Donnie Gould, president of Auctions America, added, “The AACA is one of the world’s most respected automotive associations and we are delighted to be partnering with them and to welcome them to Auburn for our Spring event. The new AACA meet adds an exciting new dimension to our Spring program as we work to put Auburn back on the map as the world’s classic car capital, celebrate the hobby and create a truly unforgettable event experience for motoring enthusiasts. As a lifelong member of the AACA, I’m personally thrilled about this new partnership and look forward to working with the AACA team.”
Image courtesy WPTA Fort Wayne/Indiana’s NewsCenter
Dean Kruse never actually got to use his Andy Granatelli Hall of Fame Museum in Auburn, Indiana, although he borrowed $3.1 million dollars to build the 22,500-square-foot edifice. That dream, among many others, died when Kruse’s world crashed down around him two years ago and Granatelli moved his plans to Indianapolis. The building has stood empty while the Dean V. Kruse foundation struggled with $2.9 million in debt. Many Kruse assets have already been sold, and The Star in Auburn reported that a court-ordered sheriff’s sale of the entire Kruse Foundation site had been scheduled for September 27. To head that off and have any chance of keeping other Kruse museums open (which presumably means the Victory Museum and National Military History Center), the empty Granatelli building had to go.
It sold this past weekend to South Dakota collector DeWayne Keiper for $995,000. Keiper’s plans are for a combination display/showroom on the site, for which you can probably make a business case, given the number of car people who come through the Auburn Auction Park in a year.
As for the other $2 million owed by the Foundation (which presumably is separate from any still-outstanding debts of Kruse Auctions, other holding companies, or Dean personally), the AP reports that there will be a November 24 auction of items from the National Military History Center to raise more funds. Kruse was reportedly hoping for $1.5 million or more for the Granatelli building.
Image courtesy WANE 15 Fort Wayne
With the record-smashing Monterey auction dust still settling, all eyes are now shifting to Auburn, Indiana, site of two big Labor Day weekend auctions. If we’re to approach both events in alphabetical order, then up first is Auctions America’s (by RM) four-day extravaganza at the Auburn Auction Park just south of downtown Auburn.
Seems fitting that we lead off a sampling of what AA will be offering with the car pictured above: A 1934 Auburn 12 Salon Phaeton. It’s touted as being a multiple AACA award winner and a second-in-class Pebble Beach winner.
If you are on the hunt for a woodie wagon, you could not possibly get any more extravagant than this lovely 1941 Cadillac, its build reportedly commissioned during World War II. The Cadillac’s history seems to be extensively documented, most of it in Maine. Not only did it make an appearance at Pebble Beach, is was also included in a Special Interest Autos pictorial entitled “Bah Habbah, 1947″ (issue #41, August-October 1977).
How about some international flair combined with brute V-8 power? This 1975 Jensen Interceptor III convertible packing a Chrysler 440-cu.in. V-8 could be an interesting cruiser, unless you wanted to preserve the advertised low mileage of 12,000.
Speaking of Chrysler Corporation products, there might be a few muscle car guys willing to take a stab at acquiring this 1969 Plymouth Road Runner sporting the highly desirable A12 performance package. The list of goodies here includes the underrated 440 6-barrel engine, lift-off scooped fiberglass hood, Dana 60 differential with a 4.10 gear and the all-important four-speed transmission, the last fact making it one of 422 according to the Mopar experts.
Our last stop at this all-too-brief something for everyone sneak peek of AA’s catalog is another super car from 1969: this Yenko Camaro. Exact build details are outlined on the website, but the one number that stuck out during our examination was 5,500, which is what the seller is claiming to be original miles this Chevy has traversed (actually, just over 5,500).
We’ve only picked a few to highlight here – perhaps there’s something just waiting to be discovered that fits your taste and budget.
As the dust settles from another record weekend in Monterey, California, attention now turns to the upcoming 55th Annual Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. Held in and around downtown Auburn, Indiana, just blocks from the ACD Auto Museum, a popular part of the festivities includes the two auctions.
For the third consecutive year, Worldwide Auctioneers will hold their three-day sale at this location on September 2-4. With roughly 450 cars consigned, plus a select number (80) vehicles consigned to their “Main Event,” a recent addition to their catalog is this 1914 Velie (below), the details of which are accessible here.
On the heels of their recent announcement of the purchase of the Kruse Auction Park, RM Auctions‘ Auctions America by RM issued a release stating that the new venture has already consigned a staggering 800 vehicles for their four-day affair, which also begins on September 2. Refurbishment of the auction park (located here), so we’re told, has gone according to plan and the company is ready to usher in a new chapter to the ACD Festival weekend. One of Auctions America’s headline vehicles is this 1934 Duesenberg Model JN Convertible Sedan by Rollston (pictured below).
Auctions America’s catalog also includes muscle cars and hot rods, a segment of the hobby that the parent company has only dabbled with until now.
Covering all of the action in Auburn beginning on September 2 will be our very own Jim Donnelly. If you don’t have plans to join him and a few thousand others, look for his reports in upcoming issues of our Hemmings titles.


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Our industry is ever-changing. Get insights and perspective from our experts as we share our knowledge and experience on how to successfully navigate the marketing landscape.
To say that the Internet has changed the media business is so obvious. It turns out that the impact of the Internet — and the outlook for the future — differs considerably depending on what part of the media industry you look at. Most of the changes in the last three years were simply laying the groundwork for actual shifts in behavior. Once those shifts start to happen in earnest, there will be feedback loops in everything from advertising to content production to consumption that will accelerate the changes, resulting in a transformed media landscape that will impact all parts of society. The end is nearer than you think.
If you want to see how much media factors into the lives of millennials, look no further than the latest Brand Intimacy Report. This year, 93-year-old Disney tops the list and rounding out the top five were media brands Amazon, Netflix, Apple and Nintendo. Disney resonates with this age group because they grew up with the brand and it has kept up with their changing interests - it now includes popular franchises like Star Wars and Marvel. Ariana Grande isn’t the only millennial with a crush on Mickey.
Digital and social video, especially on platforms including Facebook and Instagram, is top of mind for digital fashion editors as they embark on the new year. In 2016, the launch of Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, combined with Snapchat, meant there was no shortage of platforms on which publishers could experiment and create videos. And as more and more eyeballs turn to mobile, the rising ad dollars attached to video are proving increasingly appealing for publishers. What GQ, Glamour and Harpers Bazaar are prioritizing in 2017
As new technologies and expanded access to the wireless spectrum drive down the cost of operating cell services, Google and other wireless brokers will be able to create nationwide–even worldwide–networks. That would make wireless service a commodity and shift the balance of power from incumbents like AT&T to companies like Google. Out with the old, in with the new?
The early narrative was that Westworld is not ‘the next Game of Thrones.’ But maybe it can be. Between the show’s October premiere and last Sunday’s Season 1 finale, 15 percent of all HBO digital content engagement was Westworld-related. Season 6 of Game of Thrones, by comparison, accounted for 45 percent of all HBO digital content engagement while it aired. This world doesn’t belong to you.
Eight months ago, Elite Daily was “the voice of Generation Y,” in the words of a presentation it made to advertisers. Two weeks ago, the Daily Mail General Trust, its parent company, wrote down the entirety of its investment in the millennial-focused publisher, a tacit admission that the site was worthless to the company and its investors. That plunge is the latest turn in a wild ride Elite Daily’s been on since it launched in 2012. Forty million down the drain.
With print advertising on the wane, big publishing houses are looking to be as efficient as possible. That’s the situation Time Inc. finds itself in. The No. 1 U.S. magazine publisher is creating 10 digital desks that will help it grow audience faster by pooling its editorial resources. Bowing to the same realities.
Topping a list of 10 brands that were recognized for highly effective work this year, Netflix isn't what you would call a quintessential marketer. For one, the streaming video service does little in the way of traditional marketing. And what it does do, it doesn't like to discuss. The A-list.
CBS expects broadcast TV's overall ad revenue to remain steady in 2017. Excluding the effects of the Summer Olympics, broadcast TV ad growth next year will be about 4%, roughly in line with 2016, David Poltrack, chief research officer at CBS, said. The TV ad market is showing more stability compared to the last several years, and an increase in GDP growth, an acceleration in consumer spending, wage growth and pickup in retail sales are positives for 2017. Steady...steady...
Ever since the paywall model for online journalism was introduced about five years ago, news consumers have spent just as much time figuring out how to avoid paying for content as they have paying for it. But what if you only had to shell out a measly quarter to read one article instead of paying an expensive monthly subscription fee? Quarter for your thoughts.


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April 29, 2007|
The CEO of the photo sharing site SmugMug explains how Amazon S3 will save him over $500,000 this year. Amazon and others are in the process of blowing up the hosting business – pay attention to this stuff. Via Echo Ditto.
Lifehacker style blog from author Tim Ferriss. Twitter and Blackberry addicts aren’t going to like it – Ferriss’ big thing is that we’d be more productive in life and work if we were less connected. He’s right.
Seth Godin thinks the upcoming Personal Democracy Forum could be a one of those “seminal events that everyone remembers attending years later… even if they didn’t.” We got our tickets on Friday.


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Tipping Point player messes up royal family question
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Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in Fulham, West London, were put on lockdown tonight and shoppers are urged to stay away from supermarkets in the area. People are encouraged to throw out food bought from these stores this evening.
A man has been taken into custody by Met police on suspicion of tampering with the food in these stores, according to Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Police were called to the supermarkets at around 7.40pm.
The man allegedly injected “foodstuffs using a number of syringes”.
It is unknown what products have been contaminated and with what substance.
However, the council warned that processed meat and microwaveable products are likely to be tampered with.
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Jersey fishing row as French boat accused of tuna breach
“The supermarkets – Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s- have closed and crime scenes are in place,” the council Tweeted.
“Officers were called at around 7.40pm after a man was reported to be shouting abuse at people in the street.
“The man is alleged to have visited three supermarkets on Fulham Palace Road and injected foodstuffs using a number of syringes. He has been taken into police custody.
“Members of the public are advised as a precaution to dispose of any food items bought from these supermarkets this evening.
“H&F Council’s Environmental Health team are now working with the supermarket branches affected.”
Source: Read Full Article


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HP Installing Malware Protection by Israeli Startup Deep Instinct on all PCs
As of Sunday, each new HP computer will come installed with Deep Instinct’s technology
Adi Pick | 06:00 28.05.2019
HP Inc. will be installing malware protection software by Tel Aviv-based Deep Instinct Inc. on its newest line of personal computers, the two companies announced Tuesday. While the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, a person familiar with the matter who spoke to Calcalist on condition of anonymity said the deal is valued at $150 million over a four-year period.
For daily updates, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here.Just as each HP personal computer comes equipped with an Intel processor, each new HP computer will come installed with Deep Instinct’s technology, Deep Instinct CEO Guy Caspi told Calcalist in a Monday interview.


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An independent committee of experts set up to advise Britain's Food
Standards Agency yesterday issued a consultation document on the
maximum levels of vitamins and minerals that are safe to consume.
The supplement industry said...
In anticipation of final approval by the European Parliament of the
proposed Directive relating to food supplements, the European Union
Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) has issued its first opinions
regarding the tolerable upper...
A US subsidiary of German health ingredients business Degussa
BioActives said it has filed an order for prompt action on a case
it brought earlier this year against sports nutrition company
Muscle Marketing USA.
Canada's Health Food Association (CHFA) has called the national ban
on the sale of kava products 'completely unacceptable', and urged
the health department to follow the cautionary labelling practice
of the US.
Canada's national health department last week issued a stop-sale
order on all products containing the herb kava after a safety
assessment concluded there is insufficient evidence to support
their safe use.
A medical expert has said that the recent calls to review the
herbal supplement ephedra are "unfounded". Dr Steven Karch claimed
that the health reports logged by Metabolife contain 'insubstantial
Internet websites promoting 'alternative' cures for cancer can
seriously harm patients who follow their advice, according to an
editorial published in the British Journal of Cancer this
week. And some are in fact dangerous,...
British retailer the Co-op is calling for the UK government to
crack down on products which make misleading health claims. The
company is to launch a new consumer-friendly food label following
research on consumer needs.
Signs that the functional food market is gaining ground were
revealed this week when the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
announced it is considering a 'novel food' application by a food
manufacturer to market 'milk and...
The US Food and Drug Administration was put under pressure this
week when a US senator attacked the department for refusing to move
on legislation on the herbal supplement ephedra. Trade bodies still
insist however that the herb can...


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MINNETONKA, Minn. – UnitedHealthcare and Qualcomm Life have integrated wearable devices from Samsung and Garmin into UnitedHealthcare Motion, a national wellness program that provides eligible plan participants access to activity trackers and enables them to earn more than $1,000 per year by meeting certain daily walking goals. The Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro and Gear Sport, and the Garmin vívosmart 3, have been integrated with Qualcomm Life’s 2net platform and customized to enable users to see on their wrists how they are tracking against the program’s three daily F.I.T. goals. Among eligible employees, 66% registered their devices, with more than two-thirds of those staying active with the program for more than one year. “We are expanding the portfolio of available devices to make UnitedHealthcare Motion more flexible, convenient and consumer friendly,” said Dr. Sam Ho, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare, in a statement. Qualcomm Life’s 2net platform enables the bring-your-own-device model to allow the integration of more activity trackers. “This program highlights the value of combing UnitedHealthcare’s pro-consumer benefit designs with Qualcomm Life’s expertise in providing seamless connectivity across a growing ecosystem of wearable devices to help people pursue their health and wellness goals,” said Dr. James Mault, vice president and chief medical officer of Qualcomm Life, in a statement.
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