Last month, HMV said it faced a "probable" breach of its current banking agreements in February and was facing "material uncertainties".

BBC: HMV launches month-long 25% sale

The troubled music, films and games retailer said it faced a "probable" breach of its current banking agreements next month, and was facing "material uncertainties".

BBC: HMV warns over its future as sales continue to fall

In a research note today, Reitzes notes that his Japan-based colleague Masahiro Nakanomyo contends that Canon and Fuji Xerox could be facing shortages of toner material starting next quarter.

FORBES: Laser Printer Makers Seeing Parts, Toner Shortages Due To Quake

This implies the potential for a less robust understanding of both the material risks and opportunities facing corporations as they seek to drive strong enduring business performance.

FORBES: A Different Lens On Sustainable Asset Management

In Asia's dynamic economies, rising costs constitute the biggest challenge facing business Companies have to cope not only with increasing wages, rents and raw material prices, but also with the tighter money imposed by higher interest rates instituted to dampen inflation.

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Uranium 235 is the key material in starting a nuclear reaction, and its acquisition is the main problem facing states which want to go nuclear.

BBC: Nuclear threat casts global shadow

The sheer scale of the task facing Ford could also limit the effectiveness of its plans to stamp out smut, sexist and racist material.

BBC: The problems of finding filth