Private equity firm H.I.G. Capital has expanded its European logistics footprint through the acquisition of four last-mile delivery facilities in France, marking another significant move in the increasingly competitive logistics real estate sector. The transaction, announced on December 4, adds to the growing trend of private equity investment in logistics infrastructure across Europe.
The transaction encompasses four logistics assets located in Toulouse, Bordeaux, Caen, and Rennes. The facilities are currently occupied by major logistics operators including Amazon, XPO, and Kuehne+Nagel. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
This acquisition aligns with broader market consolidation in the logistics sector, as investors seek to capitalize on the growing demand for last-mile delivery infrastructure. The deal represents H.I.G.’s latest move to strengthen its position in European logistics real estate, following similar acquisitions across the continent.
The acquisition comes amid intense competition for logistics assets, particularly those serving last-mile delivery operations. Industry data indicates growing pressure on retailers and logistics providers to maintain rapid delivery capabilities, with research showing that 25% of consumers will switch retailers if delivery times exceed three and a half days.
The last-mile delivery sector has seen significant investment activity in recent years, driven by:
The deal highlights several key trends in logistics sector M&A:
H.I.G. Capital, which manages $66 billion in capital, has been actively expanding its real estate portfolio. The firm has invested in over 400 companies since its founding in 1993, with its current portfolio comprising more than 100 companies generating combined sales exceeding $53 billion.
The acquisition addresses several key challenges facing the logistics sector:
The transaction reflects ongoing consolidation in the European logistics sector, as investors seek to establish scaled platforms capable of serving growing e-commerce demand. Industry analysts expect continued investment in the sector, particularly in assets supporting last-mile delivery operations.
The deal also highlights the evolving relationship between real estate investors and logistics operators, as property owners increasingly seek to provide infrastructure supporting modern delivery requirements rather than traditional warehouse space.
Investors and industry observers will likely watch how H.I.G. leverages these assets to capture growth in the French logistics market, particularly given the strategic locations of the acquired facilities and the strong tenant roster in place.
The GST regime has simplified taxation, brought stability and has been a success, enabling record collections ahead of targets, but there have been constant demands for rationalization of the GST rate structure. The present structure has multiple tax slabs, making compliance and administration complex. Hence experts in the industry have demanded lowering of tax slabs.
The Group of Ministers (“GoM”) recommendation of a new slab with a tax rate of 35% for tobacco products and carbonated or aerated beverage is contrary to the objective of GST rate rationalization, as with this, GST will now have an additional layer of tax slab. It is also being mentioned in sections of the press that apart from proposing changes to the GST rate on tobacco and aerated beverages, the GoM is also deliberating revisions to tax slabs on a range of other goods, including ready-made garments, and luxury items like handbags and watches. The proposed increase in GST is likely to further reduce consumption and demand, impacting economic growth. The logic of pushing GST rates higher especially in an inflationary environment and falling demand does not appear to be prudent.
Impact of proposed increase in GST
Aerated drinks
As per a cross-country World Bank study on sugar-sweetened beverages, India has one of the highest tax rates for carbonated soft drinks at a total tax rate of 40 % as of 2023.[1] Countries like the UK and France have adopted a sugar-layered tax approach, i.e. high sugar/high tax and low sugar/low tax. Growing health consciousness in India has seen consumers switching to lower sugar content products, creating a new market for reformulated aerated beverages. However, a uniform tax on sugar carbonated drinks disincentivises producers from investing and innovating to produce products with low sugar content due to the high tax rate.
A layered tax approach will enable producers to invest in manufacturing these products, leading to more jobs, and consequently more revenues for the government. It will also bolster innovation, promote public health, while increasing revenues for the government.[2]
Higher costs would also lead to reduction in the manufacture and consumption of aerated drinks and result in an overall reduction of the government revenues. [3]
Cigarettes
The proposed 35% slab is excessive, as consumers, already reeling under inflation are likely to shift to cheaper products or the grey market. Tax policy that is too aggressive threatens to reverse the positive trends in healthier decision-making.[4]As per the WHO data, cigarettes are least affordable in India due to high taxes basis the per capita income levels. Increase in tax rate will further increase the unaffordability of cigarettes, particularly at a time when disposable incomes are low and the consumers’ capacity to pay is under stress. Consumers will opt for smuggled cigarettes which are sold cheaper due to tax evasion. Excessive taxation on cigarettes over the years has boosted illicit trade at the expense of legal tax paid cigarettes. A surge in the grey market for such products, will be counterintuitive and imported / counterfeit products will be sold without any quality checks and in an unrestricted manner including to minors. This would also lead to loss of potential revenue to the government, besides general public health issues.
Estimates from International research agencies such as Euromonitor, suggest India is now the 4th largest illicit cigarette market in the world. Illicit cigarettes according to the research agency now represent 26.1% of Indian cigarette market, as much as 1/3rd of the legal cigarettes – this will go up significantly[5]
To curb illicit trade– an approach, both in terms of tax moderation and strict enforcement are required. Surely, increasing the tax rate would only help illicit operators make more profits with higher arbitrage. Revenue growth targets may thus not be met.
Balancing growth and inflation
A focus on encouraging compliance with lower tax rates and improved enforcement would be more effective. It will be critical for the government to strike the balance between growth and inflation against the backdrop of geopolitical developments and economic uncertainties. The prevailing economic environment necessitates that the GST Council keeps the consumer and businesses at the heart of its decision-making.
Authored By: Upendra Nath Sharma, Partner, JSA.
HSBC Cashback Card is considered to be the most admirable credit card in India that offers unlimited cashback on all purchases. Also, cardholders can enjoy complimentary HSBC Credit Card Lounge Access benefits and multiple discounts across partner brands.It is enabled with VISA Pay wave technology and accepted globally, which allows making contactless payments along with unlimited cashback on all transactions.
A credit card statement is a consolidated document that contains details like purchases, payments, debits, and credit transactions of a credit card holder. It acts like a periodic reminder that is issued to the cardholders at a fixed interval of time. It controls and ensures the timely payment of the dues to evade late penalties. The credit card number is segregated into 8 different parts that provide the complete details of all the transactions done. Let us understand the different sections and sub-sections of an HSBC Credit Card Statement with the help of this article.
Location | Details |
Top Left-Hand Side | Basic Details like Name, email ID, and address |
Top Right-Hand Side | Due Date of Payment, Total Dues, Minimum Amount Due, Credit Limit, Available Credit and Cash Limit |
Account Summary | Opening BalancePayment/CreditsPurchase/DebitsFinance ChargesTotal Dues |
Past Dues | Over limit3 Months+2 Months+1 MonthCurrent DuesMinimum Amount Due |
Domestic Transactions | DateTransactionDescriptionAmount |
Reward Points Summary | Opening BalanceEarned rewardsDisbursedAdjustedClosing Balance |
Offers on Credit Card | Explained, If any |
Other Updates | Explained, If any |
Features of HSBC Credit Card Statement
Mentioned below are salient features of the HSBC Cashback Credit Card Statement:
Steps to check HSBC Credit Card Statement Online
Mentioned below are the two ways to check HSBC Credit card statement online:
Step 1: First, log in to the Internet banking portal of HSBC Bank with the help of a Username and password.
Step 2: From the homepage, choose the option “Account Services”.
Step 3: Click the tab “Manage Your Accounts” from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Choose the option “Statements and Advice”.
Step 5: Choose the credit card account for which the transaction history is to be viewed.
Step 6: The transaction history can be seen under the below-mentioned heads:
Step 1: Download the HSBC India app from either the Play Store or App Store.
Step 2: Log in using the 6-digit passcode set, Face ID, or Touch ID.
Step 3: Go to the tab “Accounts”. Choose the statement at your convenience.
Step 4: Next, click the tab “View Statements”.
Step 5: It will then redirect you to the credit card statement, from where you can get the statement for the period of the last 12 months.
Step 6: Select the period for which the statement is required.
Step 7: You can now download the statement on your device.
Offline Ways to Check HSBC Credit Card Statement
Mentioned below are steps to check the HSBC Credit card statement offline:
Step 1: Visit the nearest branch of HSBC Bank and request a credit card statement.
Step 2: Also, one can call the HSBC credit card number and request a credit card statement.
Step 3: Another alternative is to write an e-mail requesting a credit card statement to HSBC Bank. You will then receive the credit card statement via mail or post from the HSBC Bank.
How to Switch to HSBC Credit Card Online Statement
Mentioned below are steps to switch to the HSBC Credit card e-statement:
Step 1: Log in to the HSBC Bank net banking portal with the help of username and password.
Step 2: Click the tab “Request e-Statement or e-Advice” option.
Step 3: You must set up a one-time request and then click “Continue”.
Step 4: A secure e-mail and an SMS from the bank will then be received to inform that the e-statement is prepared.
Below mentioned are the benefits of switching to e-statements:
How do you manage mistakes in your HSBC credit card statement?
In case of any unauthorised payments or wrong entries passed in the credit card statement, the same should be reported to the bank. Mentioned below are the steps to rectify the mistakes, if any, in your HSBC Credit Card Statement:
How to enable it?
Login to HSBC Online Banking > My Banking > Communication Preferences > Statements > Select “eStatements” option > Save
Login to HSBC Online Banking > My Banking > Communication Preferences > Updates and Notifications > Select “Secure message” option > Save
NOIDA : Khalsa E-Vehicle Pvt. Ltd, Muzaffarnagar-based India’s leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, today announced its participation at the 21st EV EXPO to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi starting December 20 to 22, 2024.
At the event, Khalsa EV Stall would be showcasing its latest line of vehicles, scheduled to be inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Honorable Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India. Known for its e-rickshaws and e-carts, Khalsa EV have been manufacturing battery operated vehicles for the last 10 years.
At the Expo, Khalsa E-Vehicle will also be launching its new Electric Auto in L5 Model Segment, which is powered by high-speed Lithium-ion battery with a range of 200 km, the first in its class in India. The model would be available in both passenger and cargo versions.
Commenting on participating at the expo, Shivam Narang, Managing Director, Khalsa E-Vehicles Pvt. Ltd said, “We are extremely delighted to share that on December 20, Khalsa EV would be participating at the 21st EV EXPO at Pragati Maidan. It is a matter of pride for us as our stall would be unveiled by Shri Nitin Gadkari ji, who would also inaugurate the Expo. At Khalsa EV, our aim is to revolutionize urban transportation by leading the transition to sustainable, zero-emission mobility solutions, creating a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient world for generations to come”.
Khalsa EV has ICAT Certifications in L3 e3w (which is also working under COP authority) for passenger and cargo versions in Lithium-ion batteries with three years warranty. The target market of Khalsa includes urban commuters, gig economy drivers, small businesses, and those seeking affordable, sustainable transport.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training, is excited to announce the launch of the Cyber Leaders Podcast, a groundbreaking audio series designed to equip Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and aspiring cybersecurity leaders with actionable insights and strategies to navigate today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape. Hosted by industry luminaries James Lyne, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at SANS Institute, and Ciaran Martin, Director of the SANS Institute CISO Network and former CEO and founder of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, the podcast offers a unique blend of thought leadership, technical expertise, and practical advice tailored to help security professionals excel in their roles.
“We’ve created this for leaders who don’t just want to keep pace with change – they want to drive it,” said Lyne. “Cybercriminals continue developing playbooks, sharing tactics, and distributing tools across online forums and marketplaces. Security leaders, in turn, must confront emerging regulatory pressures, navigate advancements like artificial intelligence, grapple with personal liability, and refine their mix of investments and capabilities to manage organizational risk effectively.”
“The CISO role can be incredibly isolating and high-stress, so CISOs have consistently urged SANS to help facilitate a greater exchange of ideas. I like to think that the podcast was not really our idea, but theirs,” remarked Lyne. “We’ll be sharing what works, what doesn’t, and learning together. Leadership strategies and how to approach the board are as important as the latest technical exploit or tool. That is why Ciaran and I set out to find world-leading experts, researchers, journalists, and leaders – we wanted to share their stories and insights and, together, make life harder for the criminals.”
The Cyber Leaders Podcast delivers exactly that, positioning itself as a must-listen series for professionals aiming to stay ahead of emerging threats while building robust security programs. The inaugural season features seven episodes, each offering in-depth discussions with global thought leaders. Covering topics from modern leadership strategies to the latest trends in risk management and cyber resilience, the series bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity challenges and broader business imperatives. The first two episodes debuted on December 13, 2024, with new episodes released weekly every Friday at 6:00 a.m. GMT.
Unlike other industry podcasts, the Cyber Leaders Podcast focuses on empowering listeners with leadership insights that help them connect the dots between cybersecurity and business resilience.
“Leadership in cybersecurity is evolving rapidly, and the role of the CISO is increasingly required to bridge the gap between technical expertise and strategic decision-making,” said Martin. “This podcast is our way of helping current and aspiring leaders build the skills they need to defend their organizations while still leading confidently in the boardroom.”
SANS Institute invites cybersecurity leaders and aspiring CISOs worldwide to subscribe to the Cyber Leaders Podcast. Tune in to the premiere episodes here to start your journey to becoming a more confident and effective leader.
As the country marks 10 years of the “Make in India” initiative, ABB’s System Integration Unit reports delivering 85 percent of the integrated analytical systems manufactured at the Bengaluru facility to international customers. Analytical systems were exported to countries such as Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, with the team currently working on projects for Canada and Australia.
Integrated gas and liquid analyzer systems play a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of production processes. These systems provide accurate measurements of various process gas and liquid components, enabling real-time monitoring of production streams and emissions. This not only helps in detecting and mitigating potential hazards, but also in optimizing process control, reducing operational costs, and minimizing environmental impact. Additionally, by monitoring emissions and identifying inefficiencies in the production process, they aid in preventing environmental damage and ensuring optimal production.
“ABB is committed to helping customers across industries improve their efficiencies and performance, and we are increasingly able to do this from our base in India,” said Javier Suárez Díez, Global System Integration Manager at ABB. “Our team in Bengaluru combines extensive technology expertise with robust technical capabilities that make us competitive in the global analytical market.”
ABB provides analyzer system integration with fully customized analytical systems and solutions from the initial engineering stage through to fabrication, testing, field start-up, and on-site support. The analytical systems portfolio includes direct-read continuous gas analyzers, online gas & liquid analyzers utilizing advanced laser analytical techniques, rapid response process gas chromatographs, and more.
ABB’s focus for India emphasizes exploring business opportunities and delivering comprehensive analytical solutions both domestically and globally.
“The expertise we have developed in India effectively supports the most challenging applications in energy industries, both domestically and internationally,” added Díez. “We are happy to see that while we continue to grow in India, we can also serve our international customers out of India.”
In India, ABB has successfully delivered analyzer solutions for prestigious projects, including a major petrochemical complex as well as projects with several state-owned oil and gas enterprises.
For over 40 years, ABB has provided fully customized industrial process and gas analyzer systems to some of the largest oil and gas development projects in the world, from the Texas Gulf Coast to Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. In addition to Bengaluru, ABB operates gas analyzer integration facilities in Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Shanghai in China and Houston in the United States.
Recently, ABB received the Distributor of the Year award for the work of its System Integration Unit at the Instrumentation Excellence Awards in London, UK. The recognition was given for exceptional customer service in an area that is crucial for the energy transition – industrial process and gas analysis.
Bengaluru – Waaree Energies Ltd., India’s largest solar PV module manufacturer has joined global forces by aligning to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) initiative with the goal of committing to a sustainable future. It further reinforces the company’s mission of propagating renewable energy solutions that contribute to a cleaner planet.
Waaree Energies has built a legacy quotient in championing the cause of sustainability through its range of energy transition solutions. Its fundamental proposition revolving around the transition to renewable energy acts as a force multiplier to corporates looking forward to leapfrog their respective carbon neutrality targets.
UNGC encourages businesses worldwide to embrace sustainable practices encompassing critical aspects such as human rights, labour standards, environmental stewardship and anti-corruption. Waaree Energies’ latest move reflects upon the company’s resolve to implement socially responsible policies while supporting global sustainability objectives.
Dr. Amit Paithankar, Chief Executive Officer, Waaree Energies, said, “We are excited to collaborate with other global corporations on projects aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Our aim is not only to lead by example but also to inspire others in our industry to adopt sustainable practices. Engaging with the UNGC will provide us with valuable insights and tools to further integrate sustainability into our business model and also enabling it for our clients across the world.”
The accreditation places Waaree Energies among the global best, collectively working on advocating the cause of sustainability. The company’s commitment goes beyond operational excellence as it aims to foster a culture of sustainability that resonates throughout the industry and beyond. By leveraging resources and training opportunities available through the UNGC, Waaree Energies is set to strengthen its expertise across all facets of sustainability.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced its strong results in the 2024 MITRE ATT&CK®Evaluations: Enterprise. Sophos XDR detected 100% of the adversary behaviors in attack scenarios targeting Windows and Linux platforms, mimicking malware strains from ruthless ransomware-as-a-service gangs LockBit and CL0P. Further, all of Sophos’ responses to these ransomware attack scenarios were marked “technique” – the highest possible rating that denotes who, what, when, where, why and how attacks were carried out.
Sophos XDR achieved:
• ‘Analytic coverage’ ratings for 99% of sub-steps (79 out of 80) across three comprehensive attack scenarios
• Highest possible (‘Technique’) ratings for 98% of sub-steps (78 out of 80)
• Highest possible (‘Technique’) ratings for 100% of sub-steps in the Windows and Linux ransomware attack scenarios
“Attackers are relentless to innovate techniques to bypass trusted security defenses. This assessment from MITRE helps security buyers evaluate the effectiveness against today’s threats,” said Simon Reed, chief research and scientific officer at Sophos. “Sophos is committed to transparency and conducting third party measurement to help security buyers make informed decisions to strengthen their security posture. We’re proud of Sophos XDR’s ongoing excellence both in industry testing and real-world frontline defenses. We’re consistently evolving our solutions, just like attackers are constantly evolving their tactics, so our customers can stop known and unknown threats before they escalate into destructive attacks.”
MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations are among the world’s most respected independent security tests. This round of MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations: Enterprise evaluated the abilities of 19 vendors in detecting and analyzing attack tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) leveraged by real-world adversarial groups. In this cycle, MITRE also expanded ATT&CK Evaluations to include macOS attacks emulating tactics from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – where 19 out of 21 Sophos XDR detections were also categorized as “technique” – the highest possible rating.
Sophos XDR combines active adversary mitigations – including industry-first Adaptive Attack Protection that immediately activates heightened defenses when a hands-on-keyboard attack is detected, stopping the attack and providing defenders valuable additional time to respond; anti-ransomware technology; deep learning artificial intelligence; and exploit prevention to prevent and stop attacks. It is powered by Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence, a cross-operational task force of more than 500 security experts within SophosLabs, Sophos SecOps, and SophosAI.
Learn more about Sophos’ evaluation results at https://sophos.com/mitre.
Disclaimer: MITRE does not rank or rate participants
Pune : Jupiter Hospital hosted a heartwarming felicitation ceremony to honor the brave patients and selfless donors of its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program. With 52 successful transplants conducted in just three years, the hospital celebrated this achievement by launching its expanded BMT unit, unveiling its patient support group activity, and recognizing the vital contributions of partnering NGOs.
The event spotlighted patients and donors whose courage and generosity have transformed lives. Of the 52 transplants, 60% were for children, including patients as young as two years old. The hospital’s commitment to affordability was underscored by the fact that 12 transplants were performed free of cost, thanks to funding from esteemed organizations like Thalassemia Society Pune Chapter (TSPC), Bajaj Finserv, The Hans Foundation, The Lifeblood Council and The Child Health Fund (CHF).
Dr. Rajendra Patankar, CEO, Jupiter Hospital, Pune shared, “This celebration honors not just the patients and donors but the collaborative spirit of everyone involved. Our expanded unit and support initiatives symbolize our commitment to making advanced care accessible to all.” The expanded BMT unit now offers double the capacity, increasing from two to four beds, along with state-of-the-art digitalized services.
Dr. Sweta Lunkad, Consultant Hematoncologist & BMT physician states that ” “With 52 successful transplants, Jupiter Hospital’s new Bone Marrow Transplant Unit enhances our capacity for exceptional care. Proudly providing comprehensive services from diagnosis to cure” To further enhance patient care, the hospital also launched its ‘Nav Chaitanya’ support group. Designed to assist BMT patients and their families, the group provides crucial information, resources, and emotional support during the recovery journey.
Dr. Liza Bulsara, Consultant Hematoncologist & BMT physician remarked, “This is a great initiative that truly reflects the spirit of hope and collaboration. It’s heartening to see lives being transformed and care reaching those who need it the most.”
The ceremony included inspiring stories from patients and donors, highlighting the resilience, compassion, and hope that define the success of the BMT program.
Jupiter Hospital remains dedicated one stop solution to advancing healthcare and fostering community support to transform lives.
The 52nd FCBM Annual Conference: A Convergence of Innovation and Networking
The Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers (FCBM) of India, the apex body representing India’s corrugated packaging industry will hold it’s 52nd Annual Conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Convention Centre in Whitefield ITPL, Bengaluru from 20th to 22nd December 2024.
The FCBM Annual Conference is a flagship event that draws industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, consumers, machinery suppliers, paper mills, and others connected to this growing sector. This year, the 52nd FCBM Annual Conference will be hosted by the Karnataka Corrugated Box Manufacturers Association (KACBMA). The conference is set to welcome over 1,000 delegates and sponsors.
The conference will be inaugurated by Mr. Abhijit Iyer-Mitra as Chief Guest, alongside Shri A.L. Annamalai as Guest of Honour and Mr. C. Arun Kumar as the Keynote Speaker. Other dignitaries include Shri Dharmendra V. Pandya, President of FCBM; Shri T.M. Raghavan, Vice President; and Shri Manish Bothra, Conference Chairman.
The conference will feature engaging technical sessions covering topics such as:
• Innovations and advancements in corrugated packaging.
• Skill development and compliance strategies.
• Emerging challenges and opportunities in the industry.
• Environmental sustainability and awareness.
• The role of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.
In addition, motivational talks by nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers will add value and inspiration to the sessions.
The highly popular “Corru Clinic” will return, offering attendees expert guidance on resolving operational challenges. Industry “doctors” will provide practical, real-world solutions for plant-level problems.
RRR Expo: A Hub for Networking and Business Opportunities
Running concurrently with the conference, the RRR Expo will showcase 50 exhibition stalls, providing a vibrant platform for sponsors and exhibitors to interact with over 1,000 entrepreneurs and potential customers.
A Family-Friendly Affair
True to its tradition, FCBM’s conferences are designed as family-friendly events. The organizers have ensured an exciting program for spouses and children to enjoy the vibrant culture and charm of Bengaluru. Evenings will feature entertainment and opportunities to experience the city’s renowned hospitality.
The 52nd Annual General Meeting
The 52nd Annual General Meeting of FCBM will take place at the same venue on the 22nd December and Shri T.M. Raghavan will formally assume the role of President of FCBM, ushering in a new chapter of leadership for the Federation.
The Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers (FCBM) of India, the apex body representing India’s corrugated packaging industry, boasts a robust membership of over 2,000 manufacturers. Recognized as one of the country’s most dynamic and well-organized trade associations, FCBM has been at the forefront of advancing the corrugated packaging sector since its inception in 1971.
Comprised of 13 regional associations representing different geographical areas of the country, FCBM provides its members access through these associations. Over the decades, the Federation has significantly expanded its activities and focus areas, including:
• Representing and safeguarding the industry’s interests.
• Exploring and developing new markets for corrugated packaging.
• Promoting awareness about the benefits of corrugated boxes as a sustainable packaging solution.
• Offering a common platform for members to exchange ideas and address industry challenges.
• Undertaking research and development to continuously upgrade technologies and skills.
• Fostering camaraderie and unity among members.