Global gold demand in Q2 2012 was 990.0 tonnes (t), down 7% from the 1,065.8t in Q2 2011 according to the World Gold Council’s Gold Demand Trends report. This dip in demand was partly due to the comparison with exceptional demand last year, and also reflects the challenging global economic climate. In this context, gold performed as expected, acting as both a store of value and a source of liquidity.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57541-world-gold-council-s-gold-demand-trends-report-q2-2012
No other natural catastrophe impacts as many people as flooding, with an estimated 500 million people affected every year. Insured flood losses are also increasing significantly; 1970's annual claims were between USD 1–2 billion, whereas insured flood losses amounted to USD 15 billion in 2011. Recent flood events in Thailand, Australia and the Philippines have shown that floods are now rivalling earthquakes and hurricanes in terms of economic losses.
However, awareness of flood risks and their impact is still relatively low. Swiss Re's publication Flood – an underestimated risk aims to close this knowledge gap.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/swissre/56573/
As the largest minority group in the United States comprising 16.4% of the population, the Latino community is having an increasingly significant influence on a broad range of economic, cultural and political issues and, most recently, has become a key focus of attention for the national media and political leaders related to the presidential election and the Latino vote's potential to sway its outcome.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/57415-pr-newswire-latino-vote-2012/
Creating a sustainable cocoa sector that can meet the chocolate industry’s long-term demand for cocoa, the essential raw material for chocolate, while providing economic opportunities to cocoa farmers will require billions of dollars in agricultural investments across research, third-party certification and technology transfer to farmers, according to Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s leading chocolate manufacturers.
Although many groups and individual companies have made singular investments towards a more sustainable sector, to benefit a significant portion of the world’s five to six million cocoa farmers, Mars believes the industry must work together even more closely to scale up positive impacts for farmers and achieve higher yields without compromising limited natural resources.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58400-mars-chocolate-invests-in-creating-a-sustainable-cocoa-industry
ADP®, a leading provider of human capital management solutions, today unveiled its next-generation ADP Workforce Now® cloud-based platform for midsized organizations. The company showcased its new platform at the annual HR Technology Conference & Exposition in Chicago. This enhanced platform broadens ADP’s lineup of human capital management (HCM) services by providing midsized companies with access to more sophisticated tools to manage their workforce. As midsized companies struggle to compete in tough economic times, ADP Workforce Now enables businesses to be more strategic in how they manage their employees while reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58119-adp-enhances-human-capital-management-platform-for-midsized-companies
Final preparations are now underway for the 112th installment of the Canton Fair, China’s biggest trade event set to run from October 15 to November 4, 2012 in Guangzhou. In this time of global economic uncertainty, concerted efforts have been made to ensure that the Fair continues its track record of great commercial success.
Overseeing China’s highest profile trade event, organizers have implemented a raft of new measures to streamline services, stimulate new business, maintain sustainable development, enhance security, and generally refine the experience for all attendees.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58500-112th-canton-fair-an-ever-improving-platform-for-china-global-trade
Originating from four continents and symbolizing with their success stories the very sense of entrepreneurship, the “Entrepreneurs for the World 2012” Awardees were revealed yesterday at the World Entrepreneurship Forum’s prestigious annual gala ceremony.
One of the leading bodies of its kind, the World Entrepreneurship Forum aims to foster sustainable development which combines both social justice and economic growth. This year’s event attracted over 200 participants from 59 countries – business and social entrepreneurs as well as policy makers, experts and academics.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56636-world-entrepreneurship-forum
Jointly hosted by several government departments including the National Tourism Administration of China, the General Administration of Sport of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Government, the 14th West Lake International Expo Hangzhou, China officially kicked off on October 13. Organization of the 22-day event was administered by Hangzhou’s municipal government.
The main venue for the event is located in the heart of Hangzhou, while activities are also taking place at an additional 14 smaller venues located in nearby locations including at the Hangzhou metropolitan economic zone and throughout the Yangtze River Delta. The 132–program event features a series of shows including West Lake International Fireworks Show, West Lake Art Expo, China International Press Photo Contest, West Lake International Sculpture Exhibition and China Arts and Crafts Masterwork Exhibition.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58972-14th-west-lake-international-expo-hangzhou-china
During the third quarter, we were again able to capture the benefits of AEGON’s strategic priorities, resulting in solid earnings growth, improved profitability of sales, lower expenses and a continued strong capital position. Our franchise remains healthy, as evidenced by the particularly high level of At-Retirement and pension sales. At the same time, we are making essential investments to reshape our businesses in both our established and developing markets to respond effectively to the changing conditions and new realities. Although there are signs of gradually improving market conditions, there remains considerable uncertainty in the general economic environment. Consequently, we believe it is prudent and necessary to maintain a sufficient financial buffer while at the same time adhering to our strict risk and pricing discipline. The steps we are taking across our organization to get closer to our end customers, combined with the strength of our current position, give us full confidence in the prospects for our business going forward.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58637-aegon-quarter-3-results
An improving economy coupled with a severe drought that caused increased feed costs for large birds generated a 4.8 percent surge in the 2012 PNC Christmas Price Index®, the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/42897-pnc-christmas-price-index
A new Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report titled The Silent Pandemic: Tackling Hepatitis C with Policy Innovation, made possible as a result of an educational grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV and published today, highlights the urgent need for countries around the world to develop strategies to tackle head-on the growing social and economic issues associated with Hepatitis C (HCV).
While the total number of infected individuals is unknown due to a lack of available data, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 150 million people globally are currently living with the blood-borne infectious disease, HCV. Of these, up to two thirds will develop chronic liver disease and one in five will develop cirrhosis. HCV is also the leading cause of liver transplantation worldwide and in the US the disease now accounts for more deaths than HIV.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58671-janssen-silent-pandemic-hepatitis-c
With women comprising half the U.S. workforce, 57 percent of household breadwinners, and 50 percent of business owners, the economic recovery depends largely on women’s productivity and innovation. Now a new book by Apollo Research Institute —the research arm of Apollo Group, which owns University of Phoenix and other education providers—presents groundbreaking research to show how women are redefining career paths and helping organizations emerge stronger out of the recession.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59918-apollo-research-institute-women-lead-knowledge-economy-careers