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Is paying more for organic milk, meat or a can of beans worth it?
The “USDA Organic” label generally signifies a product is made with relatively minimal synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and that animals are raised according to certain guidelines. But disputes over the rules, and questions about adherence, may raise doubts about whether the price is justified.
A federal audit in September found the U.S. Department of Agriculture was “unable to provide reasonable assurance” that required documents for imported organic grains were reviewed at domestic ports of entry, among other weaknesses. The Washington Post last year had reported that massive shipments of the imported grains intended mostly for animal feed were wrongly labeled as organic, and also questioned practices by major organic dairy and egg producers.
Some farmers also say practices have strayed from the spirit of the rules about organic food, and are planning new labels.


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Twitter turned ten this year, and Larry (Twitter bird) had flew past a few rough winds in the past decade. One of the worst storm that hit the news recently was Twitter’s possible sale and speculations have been arising on possible suitors from all over. Given the nature of the situation, the twitterati in us decided to clear the air and reason the issues with expert who has been in sync with social media.
Twitter’s micro blogging had captured the attention of millions, what could be the reason behind its move to settle for an acquisition?
Twitter has been a great social platform for real-time context rich news, information sharing, and an excellent place for branded advertising if you plan well. All that said, the company has been in trouble for quite some time. Twitter entered this year in a crisis mode. Somewhere it was struggling to attract new users, its strategy was muddled, and fourteen top executives had left since CEO Dick Costolo resigned in mid-2015. With that as a background, I think being acquired would be the right way to go, as long as it fits well with the one that acquires them.
Trending hashtags are still sought after by most, as a metric to measure the success of a campaign, where did the company miss out on monetizing from this?
Great question! If you look at Facebook for example, around 2013, they saw a shift in their user pattern. For them until then, the number of desktop users was way higher than the mobile users. The moment mobile took over and they could see a pattern, they knew which way their product was evolving. Now, comparing that with twitter, they have struggled to grow the user base, in the first place.
Secondly, while Twitter is excellent for branded advertising, the lucrative targeted ads never really took off. This is where Facebook raced ahead and has almost become a digital ad powerhouse. Also I personally think, they could have differentiated between the individual user accounts and brands, which could have been a potential monetizing factor, something like pay for more visibility. In a marketplace where more and more apps are betting on millennials, the mobile users of twitter generate lesser revenue compared to its desktop users. Any day, customers are everything.
Talking of Twitter treating company profiles too as an individual profiles unlike Facebook or LinkedIn, do you think it was a strategic move?
On a platform whose USP has been 140 characters, I don’t think dedicating a page like LinkedIn or Facebook would have been feasible. Treating them similar to individual pages and giving them the same 140 characters is very much their game, but they could have taken some tactical measures to monetize the presence of companies and brands.
Do you think enterprise focused companies would be interested in shopping for Twitter?
If you look at the list of suitors, it’s a mix of both enterprise as well as consumer focused companies. We hear speculations around Microsoft, Verizon, Salesforce, Google and Disney among the suitors. For an enterprise focused company such as Salesforce, it is indeed interesting because the acquisition would give them access to the huge amount of data generated by the social network and could fuel its artificial intelligence journey. For B2C enterprises such as Disney too, it’s a great fit as it can leverage Twitter’s instant broadcasting platform, and of course not to forget Periscope.
How do you think Twitter would evolve under the major suitors such as Google and Salesforce, should the acquisition go through?
It is this X factor that makes mergers and acquisitions interesting. It can go either way. Google for instance, has acquired lot of products in the past and they have been successful in most cases. YouTube is one good example.
With Google+ becoming an afterthought for social media marketers, the acquisition might come as a big step in reviving their social impact. Now imagine, the integration of all the Google services with Twitter, along with a single sign-on option, it would be one of the most efficient social platforms to be on.
And with Salesforce, we will have to only wait and see how the micro-blogging platform would tie itself to the customer relationship management platform as a product. With Disney now in the game, we are indeed in exciting times and I’ll be closely watching the moves of Warner Bros if the Disney acquisition go through.

domain: news


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Dorchester Collection is seeking to add to a group of hotels that have hosted celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Queen Elizabeth II by opening properties in New York and Asia.
Rupert Murdoch, the 82-year-old billionaire chairman of News Corp., filed for divorce from his third wife, Wendi Deng Murdoch, who famously defended him from a pie-hurling assailant.
Andy Warhol led Sotheby’s biggest auction as the Pop Art icon’s silk-screen painting “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” sold for $105.4 million in New York.
The federal government may shut down but Washington’s restaurants keep going. Here are some places to try when visiting the U.S. capital.
Billionaire hedge-fund manager Steven A. Cohen is selling artworks from his collection during the big, semi-annual auctions in New York this month.
Elizabeth Taylor , the violet-eyed beauty whose hectic off-screen love life often eclipsed her most sultry film roles, has died. She was 79.
Elizabeth Taylor was the ultimate movie star.
A 50.6-carat pearl given to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Richard Burton sold for a record $11.8 million as Christie’s International hosted the world’s most expensive private jewelry auction.
Elizabeth Taylor’s glittery designer gowns, rhinestone-adorned tops and feather capes raised $2.6 million at Christie’s International in New York yesterday, a record for a fashion auction.
A 33-carat diamond and a Van Gogh painting will be among top lots in auctions that may raise more than $50 million for the estate of Elizabeth Taylor.


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Attendees at CES 2020 expected Sony to spill more details about its upcoming PlayStation 5. The tech company did deliver by unveiling the new PS5 logo.
However, Sony had one one huge surprise in its back pocket: its own electric car concept called the Sony Vision-S.
The Vision-S boasts entertainment capabilities, camera sensors, and more. TechCrunch reports that the car was built with other big names in tech such as Bosch, Continental, Genetex, Nvidia, and Magna.
The electric car comes with 33 sensors inside and outside of the vehicle for safety and support. On the entertainment side, it has Sony’s immersive 360-degree audio and a panoramic screen stretching across the front dashboard.
Sony, however, made no suggestion that the car would go into production.


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SAMSUNG Electronics Co says a US court has prohibited it from making or selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet computer in the United States.
But for the time being, it will still remain on sale in Australia.
Samsung said it was disappointed that the court ruled that its tablet infringed Apple technology because it was too similar to the iPad.
The court said that Samsung has also been banned from importing the device, or any other product that is “no more than colorably different” and “embodies any design” that infringes Apple’s patent, into the country, according to court filings.
District Judge Lucy Koh ruled that Apple make a strong case that Samsung had copied the design of the iPad, NASDAQ reported.
Apple last year asked the US District Court of Northern California to block sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1, firing up a legal battle between the two electronics giants over smartphones and tablet computers.
The preliminary injunction bars Samsung from making or selling the tablet or any similar devices in the US.
The latest court order is the second decision that rules Samsung’s Galaxy tablet copied the iPad’s design. In 2011, a German court issued an injunction against the Galaxy tablet upon Apple’s request.
Samsung will be unable to make, sell or import the tablet into the US.
IBM security analyst Lee Seung-woo told NASDAQ the ban was unlikely to affect the 30 legal battles Apple is fighting against Samsung around the world.
Along with the US, Apple has successfully banned Germany from selling the tablet. It also tried to ban the tablet in The Netherlands last year but in January a Judge denied Apple’s request for a sales ban. The Galaxy Tab was also briefly halted from being sold in Australia but a Federal Court judge unanimously overturned the temporary ban in November last year.
Other lawsuits have been filed by Apple in France, Japan, the UK, Italy and South Korea. Apple also took its fight to the International Trade Commission in June last year.
News.com.au has contacted Samsung to find out how Australians are affected.


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The Massachusetts senator's alarm-sounding on consumer debt neglects to measure it against the growth in the economy and the ability to pay.Economyread more
Equifax will give consumers a range of options for monitoring their credit or making claims of fraud or data misuse, part of a $425 million restitution fund.Technologyread more
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and her family have seen their investments skyrocket since President Donald Trump started enacting pro-business policies. Meanwhile, DeVos...Politicsread more
The construction industry is heavily dependent on Hispanic and Latino workers, a workforce that diminished during the last housing crisis and has not come close to full...Real Estateread more
A group of gold miners stocks, "BAANG," are better plays than mega-cap FAANG names, according to John Roque, technical analyst at Wolfe Research.Marketsread more
T-Mobile is choosing to move ahead with a merger with Sprint even though it will prop up Dish Network as a new, possibly disruptive fourth U.S. wireless competitor.Technologyread more
Danger is lurking in the stock market: An abrupt sell-off could be around the corner if the Federal Reserve doesn't deliver the rate cut the market expects next week, the firm...Marketsread more
Shares of Beyond Meat jumped 12% Monday afternoon, nearing its all-time high, on investor optimism ahead of its earnings.Food & Beverageread more
Carl Icahn thinks Occidental Petroleum's CEO got played by the Oracle of Omaha himself in the company's effort to buy Anadarko Petroleum.Investingread more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic copies of a popular, pricey pill for nerve pain. The agency on Monday said it approved nine generic...Biotech and Pharmaceuticalsread more
Starbucks is licensing its mobile and loyalty program technology in a deal that will give global franchisees the chance to offer the Starbucks mobile app to customers.Restaurantsread more
At least one positive thing could come from the last year's massive Equifax data breach: The fees that consumers shell out to protect their credit reports could be going by the wayside.
A provision included in a Senate bill that's headed for likely passage in the next few days would require credit-reporting firms to let U.S. consumers put a freeze on their credit reports without paying for it.
Freezing your credit report generally blocks outside access to your file. This means a scammer can't get a loan or establish credit using your personal information because the potential lender is unable to check your report and typically will reject the application.
At last count — the total was revised upward by 2.4 million last week — as many as 147.9 million consumers were affected by the cyberattack at Equifax, which was revealed last September. The personal information compromised in the breach include names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, addresses and some driver's license numbers.
The congressional effort to require free freezes is part of a larger measure, S. 2155, which rolls back some banking regulations put in place after the financial crisis that rocked the U.S. economy a decade ago. While consumer advocates have long sought free credit freezes, they are opposed to this provision being part of a bill that eases regulatory requirements and oversight of banks and mortgage lenders.
"I think free freezes are good, but not when it's part of a bill with other things that puts consumers and the economy at risk," said Mike Litt, consumer campaign director at consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG.
Supporters of the bill, however, say it will make it easier for consumers to access loans and will encourage economic growth.
Litt also said that by imposing a national standard for credit freezes, it prevents states from taking additional steps to give consumers better control of their own credit reports. Additionally, the provision does not require passwords or PINs — only identifying information — when a freeze is lifted, which Litt said could make it easier for criminals to access your credit report.
As it stands now, only a few states require credit freezes to be free. U.S. PIRG estimated last year that consumers collectively would face a $4.1 billion tab to freeze their credit reports at the three largest firms: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. In states where fees are legal, consumers can pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per freeze.
Additionally, some states currently allow credit reporting firms to charge a fee for a temporary removal of your freeze when you want a lender to check your credit report so you can get a loan.(Some states waive these fees for certain consumers, such as seniors or active-duty military members.)
The Senate bill, as amended, would also ban charging consumers for a temporary removal of a freeze.
The provision also would extend short-term fraud alert to one year from the current 90 days. These alerts are separate from freezes, and mean that a lender seeking to approve an application must first contact you to verify the request is from you, not an imposter.
With a fraud alert, you only need to contact one credit reporting firm, which in turn is legally obligated to share that with the others. It also already is free.
If S. 2155 clears the Senate — which it is expected to do with some bipartisan support — it would need to be approved by the House as well before it could go to President Donald Trump for his signature.
— CNBC's Kayla Tausche contributed to this report.


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Certicom Corp. appears to be strengthening its position as a supplier of security technologies for small computing devices and information appliances.
The Canadian company has recently announced several agreements to license cryptographic tool kits. Noteworthy among the licensees are leading providers of set-top television boxes.
To set-top providers Philips Electronics, Neon Technology, and MTX, Certicom is delivering technology based on SSL, the Secure Sockets Layer protocol that is in widespread use in Internet commerce.
Combined with Certicom's championing of elliptic curve cryptography - which it has licensed to several smart card companies and small-device manufacturers such as Palm Computing, among others - the SSL activity has Certicom riding a new wave of data security developments.
Larry Dietz, an information security analyst with Current Analysis Inc., who is based in Santa Clara, Calif., said, "Certicom's play in the set-top box field further establishes them as the leader in this critical new frontier for security solutions."
"Set-top boxes, similar to most next-generation computing devices, have much more challenging security considerations than desktop products," said John Hsueh, vice president of software at Neon Technology in Milpitas, Calif.
The developers' tool kit, which Mr. Hsueh said "provided us with the most advanced security possible," is SSL Plus. The most widely deployed of its kind, SSL Plus is Certicom's by virtue of its acquisition last year of Consensus Development Corp. of Berkeley, Calif.
With both SSL and elliptic curve, an alternative method of data encryption well suited for constrained computing environments, Certicom is hoping to capitalize on the evolution of electronic commerce to remote and wireless devices.
Mr. Hsueh said SSL Plus was "easily and rapidly deployed and our consumers can now safely and securely purchase goods and services from the Internet."
Meanwhile, Certicom has licensed elliptic curve cryptography, or ECC, to BellSouth Wireless Data. SSL Plus with ECC is ready for the next-generation of 3Com Corp.'s organizer, the Palm VII.
Certicom's technology is also embedded with Diversinet Corp.'s digital certification system in an authentication package for Research in Motion Ltd. pagers. All three companies are Canada-based, and RIM is a supplier to BellSouth.
The most recently announced SSL Plus customers, besides Neon, are LPL Financial Services of Boston and San Diego, which operates an extensive brokerage network for independent financial advisers, and Sterling Commerce of Dallas, a leader in business-to-business e-commerce systems.
Mary Van Zandt, Sterling's director of security initiatives, said SSL Plus "proved to be the best at providing the next-generation security capabilities essential for the server authentication and privacy of data transfer across a range of networks."
On the ECC front, Certicom last month said several new members had joined the Standards for Efficient Cryptography Group, which it organized to promote interoperability among the varying implementations of elliptic curve.
The additions, bringing the membership past 20, were announced before the group's first meeting Feb. 18 in San Francisco: ABN Amro, American Express, Deloitte & Touche, Hitachi, InterClear, Pitney Bowes, and Visa International.
Among those already in the fold were Baltimore Technologies, Diversinet, GTE Cybertrust Solutions, Hewlett-Packard, Rainbow Technologies, and Xcert International.
"Visa has always maintained strong advocacy for efficient security standards for a broad range of applications," said Richard K. Hite, its vice president of risk management. "Visa's participation demonstrates our commitment to developing interoperability among the most-efficient security implementations available."
Mona Sana, an American Express Co. security analyst and cryptographer, said ECC "offers significant advantages for token-based electronic commerce applications. We believe the SECG can implement specifications that will accelerate the integration of ECC into these applications."


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THE owner of the Strathfieldsaye Supa IGA is concerned two planned Woolworths developments will cost local jobs and squeeze the independent store out of the market.
Woolworths wants to build a supermarket complex about 300 metres from the IGA, and another development next to Strath Village.
Mark Geyer, who co-owns the store with the Bateson family, said Strathfieldsaye couldn’t support a second supermarket. IGA commissioned a report which found Bendigo had 30 per cent more supermarket floor space than the state average.
“The report found it would probably reduce our trade by about 30 per cent,” Mr Geyer said.
“As a consequence, we would have to really look at our employment and adjust those staffing levels to suit the loss we would have.
“It would certainly have a dramatic effect.”
Mr Geyer said 120 staff worked at the store. “It would not only impact on the staff, but surrounding traders as well,” he said.
“We’re local people that have taken an enormous gamble over the past six years, in particular in developing that site.
“We’re not against competition but the current population figures don’t support two shopping precincts in a small shopping community like Strathfieldsaye.”
The Strathfieldsaye development is believed to be with the City of Greater Bendigo planning department and the Strath Village development is before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Councillor Mark Weagoda said there was still work to be done with the Strathfieldsaye Woolworths.
“There’s already a lot of congestion there with people getting in and out of school,” he said.
“I’m not opposed to growth but at this stage, I don’t feel it’s the most appropriate position for a supermarket.”
Woolworths did not respond to the Advertiser’s questions in time for publication.


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Easing supply constraints and a desire for cheaper motoring led the UK used-car market to record four consecutive quarters of growth in 2023, ending the year on a high.
The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that transactions grew by 5.1% across the year, with 7,242,692 passenger cars changing hands on the UK used-car market. This means that 351,915 more drivers took to the road in a second-hand car in 2023. In the fourth-quarter alone, transactions grew by 6.9% to reach 1,679,116 units.
The figures suggest the UK used-car market is buoyant once again after years of disruption. Yet the figures are not quite as high as may be expected, especially with used-car supply once again in good health. With the UK car parc not depleting, it is likely that drivers are holding onto their vehicles for a little longer.
In 2022, supply-chain issues in the new-car market caused problems in the UK used-car market. Drivers who were unable to buy a new car, or whose cars were delayed on the production lines, kept their existing models for longer. This meant a shortage of used-cars for those looking to buy second-hand to take advantage of.
It is likely that numbers will continue to improve in 2024. The new-car market is forecast to grow, and this leads to even more used-cars available for purchase.
Beware the BEV
Across the UK used-car market in 2023, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) transactions almost doubled, rising by 90.9% to a record 118,973 units.
This only equates to a 1.6% share of the overall UK used-car market in the year; however, this is an increase on the 0.9% hold in 2022. The SMMT highlights that the rise is in line with increases in the new-car market, and demonstrates “keen demand for zero-emission motoring in this naturally more affordable price bracket.”
While the number may not sound as impressive compared to the total figure, it does highlight that the issue of de-fleeting is one that needs to be considered, especially by the independent aftermarket. Most fleets will get rid of their stock after three years, rather than fund them through the MOT and subsequent repairs.
Taking this into account, we need to look back to 2020 and the new-car registrations of that disrupted year. Across the whole 12 months, 108,205 BEVs were registered. This is almost in line with the 2023 UK used-car market transactions for BEVs. While a number of these transactions will have been made by private sellers, the figures are close, and suggest that as the years roll on, an increased number of BEVs will come into the UK used-car market, where they will likely be taken into independent garages for their servicing requirements.
This means that by 2026, there could be around 772,617 BEVs having entered the UK used-car market, as they hit three-years of age.
There is also the hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market to consider. In 2023, sales of these models in the used-car market were also strong, up by 40.0% and 25.1% respectively and, collectively, electrified vehicles represented 5.6% of the market, up from 4% in 2022.
“A healthy new car market is key to driving choice in the used sector and it is great to see record numbers of second and third owners benefitting from the growing availability of electric vehicles,” commented SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes. “The demand is there, but to sustain it we must enable every motorist to make the switch.
“The upcoming Budget is a prime opportunity for government to do just that – halving VAT on new EVs, while making public charging as easy and affordable as plugging in at home, would ensure a faster and fairer transition for all, giving the UK a green economic boost.”
Is a diesel decline looming?
Diesel and petrol, however, remained the most dominant fuel types, with a total of 6,827,466 units changing hands, amounting to 94.3% of the overall market.
Petrol transactions improved by 4.5%, while diesel bucked the trend seen in the new-car market and improved by 2.1% year-on-year. This indicates that there is still a demand for diesel in the UK used-car market.
However, there could be a looming crisis ahead for diesel, and it is all related to supply, once again. As numbers wilt in the new-car market, and fleets especially turn to hybrids and BEVs, there will be a shortage of diesel models coming into the used-car market. Buyers who want this powertrain will struggle to find newer models, while older models will either be held onto by their owners, or will come to the end of their life.
Diesel’s market share dropped year-on-year in 2023. By the end of December 2022, the powertrain held 39.1% of the UK used-car market, yet this had dropped to 38% just 12 months later. This is continuing a trend of recent years, and is likely due to lack of supply rather than wilting demand.
But this also presents an opportunity, with diesels getting older and drivers holding onto them, their servicing requirements will be as important as always. Diesels are still being sold today, even if their numbers are dropping. Last year, the technology only just held off PHEVs, with 0.1% more market share, to prevent it ending up as the lowest-selling powertrain type in the UK. This is an unwanted position it will likely take in 2024.
Back to black for UK used-car market
The Ford Fiesta, recently discontinued, topped the best-seller list in the UK used-car market for 2023. The popular Ford was comfortably ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa in second, and the Volkswagen Golf in third.
Superminis once again proved the most popular used car body type, accounting for one in three (32.1%) sales in the year. They were followed closely by cars in the lower medium segment, which took 26.6% of the market, and dual-purpose vehicles (15.2%). The smallest volume segment was luxury saloons, representing just 0.5% of transactions.
Bucking the grey trend in the new market, black cars were the most popular used purchases, with more than 1.5 million buyers (21.4%) choosing the colour. Grey, however, increased its ranking, displacing blue to take second place. At the niche end of the spectrum, 4,870 buyers opted for pink, while 4,686 cream cars found new owners, and maroon represented 4,585 transactions.


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Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox
Big Huge Games revived by Brian Reynolds as a mobile studio
Game industry veterans Brian Reynolds and Tim Train have rechristened their new studio Big Huge Games and confirmed the mobile F2P strategy game they've been working on is called DomiNations.
October 27, 2014
1 Min Read
Game industry veterans Brian Reynolds and Tim Train have rechristened their new studio Big Huge Games and confirmed that the mobile free-to-play game they've been working on since last year is a Clash of Clans competitor called DomiNations. This is a remarkable return to form for both developers, who cofounded the original Big Huge Games in 2000 as part of a coterie of ex-Firaxis developers. They went on to launch the acclaimed real-time strategy game Rise of Nations and begin development on what would become Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, though Big Huge was later acquired by THQ in 2008 and subsequently by 38 Studios in 2009. The game was eventually released under the 38 Studios label in 2012. Reynolds left Big Huge in 2009 to join Zynga. After 38 Studios collapsed in 2012 its assets were sold at auction and Reynolds acquired the rights to the Big Huge Games name, according to a GamesBeat report. Reynolds and Train founded their new studio last March as SecretNewCo, and later announced that they were working on a project known as SecretNewGame in partnership with free-to-play game company Nexon. The game has now been renamed DomiNations, and is expected to launch early next year on iOS and Android devices as a free-to-play multiplayer strategy game that will see players building empires that traverse the technological span of human history.
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Finnish FinTech company PayiQ has launched a new groundbreaking Ticketing-as-a-Service technology. The new cloud-based mobile solution combines smart mobility and community.
Ticketing-as-a-Service (TaaS) is a fourth generation mobile ticketing service that meets the needs urbanization, increasing shared economy and modern sense of community pose on cities, traffic operators and event organizers. This cloud-based solution is a one stop shop for mobility, event and other services – all services are available on mobile devices. The service was first taken into use in Paavo Nurmi Games.
“The Ticketing-as-a-Service platform that we have developed enables a new era in service providing. With our technology it is easier than ever before to create innovative service concepts and combine different modes of transport and services like sports games and other public events. In fact, only sky is the limit. Technology is no longer an obstacle, it’s an enabler.” says PayiQ’s CEO Tuomo Parjanen.
PayiQ has developed its service in a Tekes project as a part of a national Witty City program. The company’s technology has been awarded nationally and internationally. The current production version is already in use in twenty Finnish cities and the company has expanded to Russia, the Middle East and Nordic countries. New technology is immediately available for both current and new customers.


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Consumer Reports to Host Its First-Ever Teen Driving Safety Program
12 Apr, 2011, 06:00 ET
Event set for April 30 at CR's Auto Test Center in Connecticut
EAST HADDAM, Conn., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports will host its first-ever teen driving safety program in cooperation with the national non-profit Tire Rack Street Survival® driver education program. The event will be held on Saturday, April 30, at CR's Auto Test Center in Connecticut and give young drivers important new skills and experience behind the wheel.
"We're pleased to be making our facilities and experts available for this special program," said David Champion, Sr. Director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam. "Car crashes are among the biggest causes of fatalities among teens. Making sure they have the right vehicle, and driving skills, is critical."
Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center is used year-round for testing vehicles, tires, and a limited number of auto aftermarket products. Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, acquired the old Connecticut International Dragway property in 1986 and subsequently established one of the largest automotive test centers in the United States.
Though the track is closed to the general public, Consumer Reports periodically makes its facility available to the Connecticut State Police for its advanced "Emergency Vehicle Operation Course."
The driving school initiative is in line with Consumer Reports' recent effort to educate teens about the dangers of texting while driving. In March, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Consumer Reports announced a partnership to educate parents, teachers and teens about the dangers of distracted driving. The DOT and CR released a free guide for parents and educators called "Distracted Driving Shatters Lives" that is available at the DOT's web site, http://Distraction.gov and at http://www.consumerreports.org/distracted. Copies of the brochure are being distributed to schools and volunteer groups by the National School Safety Coalition.
Teens are the most at-risk group of drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds is four times the risk for drivers 20 and older. The rate for 16-year-olds is nearly twice as high as it is for 18- to 19-year-olds. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, collision damage costs for vehicles insured for teenagers to drive are more than double those for vehicles insured for use by adults only. The main difference between these groups is lack of experience.
"We're trying to make the roads safer for everyone," said Bill Wade, Street Survival National Program Manager. "We're pleased that Consumer Reports is partnering with us to run this driving school and believe it will be of great value to young people in the community."
Unlike traditional driver education programs based on classroom theory and simple maneuvers, the Street Survival program improves driver competence through hands-on experiences in real-world driving situations.
Teens will learn from experienced, knowledgeable driving coaches how to control a vehicle, rather than just operate one. They are taught how their actions govern a car's responses, what the vehicle's limitations are, and how to avoid crashes entirely. Unlike other advanced driving schools, students use the vehicle they will drive most (either their own or one from a parent), so new skills can be directly translated to their own daily driving experiences.
The Street Survival class is open to licensed or permitted drivers aged 15 to 21 years old and costs $75. The fee for participating is used to offset costs associated with the program; Consumers Union is not charging anything for the event, and it is not receiving any funds or other compensation from the Street Survival program. Forms, schedules and more information can be found online at www.streetsurvival.org.
The program is limited to no more than 40 students; because of the high demand for these courses, CR and Street Survival expect the April 30 event to be fully subscribed. But other Street Survival events are always being planned, and students are encouraged to check out other upcoming programs.
ABOUT TIRE RACK STREET SURVIVAL®
Tire Rack Street Survival® program improves driver competence through hands-on experiences in real-world driving situations. Classes are conducted by experienced driving coaches from local members from regional chapters of the BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Porsche Club of America and other car clubs that volunteer. Students are taught in their own cars, not specially prepared program vehicles, so that the skills they learn can be directly translated to their daily driving experiences. In 2010, 81 communities signed up to benefit more than 1,800 students.
ABOUT CONSUMERS UNION
Consumers Union (CU) was founded in 1936 and is recognized as one of the most important consumer organizations in the world. It maintains the world's largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing facility. CU, publisher of Consumer Reports and ConsumerReports.org, is an independent, nonprofit testing and information organization serving the consumer. CR is a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, CU's mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.
The material above is intended for legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports® is published by Consumers Union, an expert, independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. We accept no advertising and pay for all the products we test. We are not beholden to any commercial interest. Our income is derived from the sale of Consumer Reports®, ConsumerReports.org® and our other publications and information products, services, fees, and noncommercial contributions and grants. Our Ratings and reports are intended solely for the use of our readers. Neither the Ratings nor the reports may be used in advertising or for any other commercial purpose without our permission. Consumers Union will take all steps open to it to prevent commercial use of its materials, its name, or the name of Consumer Reports®.
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CNET news editors and reporters provide top technology news, with investigative reporting and in-depth coverage of tech issues and events.
Updated: 1 hour 26 min ago
Starting today, Xbox Gold members can save up to 65 percent off digital games.
Whether you're in the market for the Xbox One S or the higher-powered Xbox One X, we've got the deals and games you should be looking at.
The best PlayStation bundles come from Black Friday sales where you can get the console plus tons of hot games.
Here's the full list of the Echo, Fire, Kindle and other Amazon gear and their upcoming sale prices!
One of NASA's radio antenna picked up a signal from Opportunity, but further investigation showed it was a false positive.
The FCC is reviewing rules to help deal with the 500,000 pieces of zombie satellites and other space debris orbiting the Earth.
Zuckerberg said Facebook will create a governing body to address content appeals.
GameStop deals start on Sunday -- but most of the same ones will be at Target, too.
Black Friday 2018 Google Assistant deals: $25 Google Home Mini, $99 Nest Thermostat E, $170 SimpliSafe security system and more - CNET
Jump-start your holiday shopping with deals on these Google-Assistant-enabled devices.
Or, buy a Pixel 3 at full price and pick up a $200 gift card.
If all goes according to plan Thursday, a Falcon 9 will carry a spacecraft to boost communications for the "hams" among us.
Can't wait for Nov. 23? Here's a look at what you can get today!
There won't be a big PlayStation press conference at E3 next year. Or a booth on the show floor. In fact, Sony isn't showing up at all.
Elon Musk's space company aims to provide global broadband coverage.
The deal has the studio producing multiple films over the next few years.
Black Friday 2018 deals at Best Buy: OLED TVs, Sonos, Google -- and the best HomePod price ever - CNET
The original big box tech retailer busts out the bargains for the biggest sale day of the season.
The company will also cancel debts for more than 20,000 customers as part of a settlement.
T-Mobile Black Friday deal starts Nov. 16, includes free iPhones, LG and Samsung Galaxy phones - CNET
The catch? You'll have to open up a new line and trade in an eligible device.
A Falcon 9 rocket carried a satellite to orbit equipped with some special gear for ham radio operators.
The Freedom from Facebook group wants the FTC to seek maximum penalties over Facebook's breach of nearly 30 million users. That would be about $1.2 trillion.


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Fashion show to benefit women’s charity program
Real Women Fashion Show
When: 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 3
Where: Granby Ranch, 1000 Village Road
Cost: $25, includes refreshments
For more information, call 970-281-5112 or email email@example.com
This weekend, fashionistas can get some local wardrobe inspiration while also supporting local women.
The Bridge Grand County will host its first Real Women Fashion Show, with apparel and accessories for adults and kids from local retailers. Several Grand County vendors will showcase and sell their accouterments, including Be… Boutique, Mountain Flair, the Salon at Winter Park and Changes Thrift Store. Resident artists featured at the show include Lavender Elephant and Marjorie Cranston. All proceeds benefit The Bridge and its outreach programs, which serve local women through faith-based mentorship, resource connection and leadership training. “Up here in the mountains, we tend to be an isolated community, it’s hard to make those connections sometimes,” said Mary Housely, a founding member of the non-profit organization.
Based in Granby and founded in 2012, The Bridge has 25 mentor volunteers and about as many members, who meet regularly for bible study, book clubs and family groups. While faith-driven, the charity is non-denominational. Housely said one of the group’s primary goals is to help women in the community get to know each other. While the fashion show serves as a fundraiser, it will also functions as a networking tool in forming those connections. “Come to show, hear our hearts and what we’re doing in community,” Housely said. “We want to be a support to one another.”
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.


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Star Trek Online Celebrates Five Year Anniversary
Today, Perfect World Entertainment Inc. and Cryptic Studios announced the fifth year anniversary for Star Trek Online. In celebration of the game’s milestone, the popular in-game Anniversary Event will return to Star Trek Online from Jan. 29 to Feb. 26 including a new story episode featuring Garrett Wang (Harry Kim) and Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar).
The Anniversary Event brings in-game improvements, including a revamped Romulan story arc, new secondary deflector items and updates for the bridge officer training system. These improvements are proof of Cryptic’s dedicated development over the last five years including 12 major updates and two expansions. Focusing on introducing and improving in-game systems through community feedback, the past half-decade has solidified Star Trek Online as a compelling MMO experience for both Star Trek and science-fiction fans.
Star Trek Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online game where players can pioneer their own destiny as Captain of a Federation starship, become a Klingon Warrior and champion the Empire through the far reaches of the galaxy, or rebuild the Romulan legacy as the commander of a Romulan Republic Warbird. Its last expansion, Star Trek Online: Delta Rising, brought players into the Delta Quadrant and reintroduced them to iconic members from the Star Trek: Voyager cast including Seven of Nine, The Doctor, Harry Kim, Neelix and Tuvok. In Star Trek Online, players have the opportunity to visit iconic locations from the popular Star Trek universe, reach out to unexplored star systems and make contact with new alien species.
For more info, visit http://www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online
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Intel's Profit Tops Expectations
Published 7:00 pm, Monday, January 13, 2003
AP Business Writer
Computer chip giant Intel Corp. injected some vigor into the listless technology industry Tuesday with fourth-quarter results that outstripped expectations.
The Santa Clara-based company earned $1.05 billion, or 16 cents per share, more than double its profit of $504 million, or 7 cents per share, at the same time in the previous year. A $75 million tax benefit generated by several Intel divestitures helped to fatten the 2002 profit.
The earnings topped the consensus estimate of 14 cents per share among analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
The showing reflected much stronger demand for Intel's chips than management anticipated at the outset of the quarter. The company registered fourth-quarter sales of $7.16 billion, a 3 percent increase from $6.98 billion in the prior year.
The revenue topped the consensus estimate of $6.9 billion.
Intel disclosed the results after the stock market closed Tuesday. The company's shares gained 41 cents to close at $17.79 on the Nasdaq Stock Market, then gained another 14 cents in extended trading.
While pleased with the quarter, Intel management emphasized there still are no signs pointing to a high-tech revival.
"We are doing all the right things, but what I can't tell you is when things will really start to pick up," Andy Bryant, Intel's chief financial officer, said in an interview.
Still, Intel's pleasant surprise may help to deepen the conviction that the worst is over in high-tech, setting the stage for brighter times during the second half of 2003.
"That's about all we can hope for at this point," said industry analyst Eric Rothdeutsch of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey.
With the business climate still shaky, Intel remained cautious about its prospects. The company said its first-quarter revenue will range between $6.5 billion and $7 billion. The consensus estimate of industry analysts had been $6.6 million.
In another possible red flag, Intel disclosed a dramatic reduction in its budget for capital expenditures. The company said its capital spending in 2003 will range between $3.5 billion and $3.9 billion, down from $4.7 billion in 2002.
With the personal computer industry in a slump, Intel has been trying to broaden the appeal of its chips for cell phones and other high-tech gadgets.
While the company is making progress in other markets, Intel's sales aren't likely to accelerate noticeably until skittish businesses decide to buy more powerful personal computers for their workers, said industry analyst Matthew Sheerin of Thomas Weisel Partners.
The fourth quarter ended a brutal year for Intel and other chip makers. With businesses continuing to sit on their wallets and more consumers shopping for low-priced computers, chip makers had to lower their prices to stimulate sales.
The conditions hurt Intel, although not as badly as some of its rivals, such as Advanced Micro Devices. Intel reduced its work force by 6 percent during 2002, eliminating 4,700 jobs to bolster its profits. The company has jettisoned 11,500 jobs since its payroll peaked in March 2001.
The cost cutting during 2002 wasn't enough to spare Intel's stock from a beating. The company's shares plunged by 50 percent during the year.
For all of 2002, Intel earned $3.12 billion, or 46 cents per share, on revenue of $26.8 billion. That contrasted with 2001 earnings of $1.29 billion, or 19 cents per share, on revenue of $26.54 billion. Intel has posted an annual profit for 16 straight years.
On the Net:


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US and Canada Round on Mexico in the latest NAFTA talksBy Elliot Bullman
Labour and market access proposals from both countries have put Mexico´s private sector on alert, during the fourth day of negotiations.
On Tuesday, the third round of negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement saw two proposals that put the Mexican private sector on alert. On the one hand Canada sought a renegotiation on labour and wage standards, and on the other hand, the United States sought to limit Mexican agricultural exports by seasonality.
It is the first "aggression" received by Mexico´s agri-food sector in the talks and one of the biggest threats to Mexico in the negotiations, according to Bosco de la Vega, president of the National Agricultural Council.
The proposal from the US delegation stems from pressures of Florida strawberry growers and Georgia blueberries, who demand that the access of Mexican products to that market be restricted to certain seasons so that they do not coincide with their crop harvests.
De la Vega vehemently opposed the move saying that Mexico is opposed to seasonal control of its exports.
During the first four days of the third round, the leading trade union leaders in the United States and Canada were close to the negotiators in their countries pushing the idea of raising labour standards, including wages.
Interviewed at the headquarters of the negotiations in Ottawa, Canada, the country's largest trade union leader, Jerry Dias, insisted that the jobs that have been lost in Canadian industry are due to low wages in Mexico.
In the labour field, he said, the Canadian proposal is tougher than the one put forward in the Transpacific Partnership Treaty (TPP). De la Vega confirmed that Mexico will not accept an imposition in wages and warned that each country must respect its salary subjects.
Also defending itself from the US proposal in the agri-food sector, Mexico could counteract the US´s attempt to impose a seasonal fruit embargo by appealing the importation of legs and thighs of chicken and pork which are under review for possible dumping practices, says Juan Carlos Anaya, director of Grupo Consultor Agricultural Markets (GCMA).
Sales of these products to Mexico account for approximately 80% of US production, and if they are found to enter the country at a price lower than their domestic market, Mexico could apply countervailing duties.
The talks continue in Washington next month.
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- The Fate of Bitcoin is in the Hands of a Thousand People
- Apple Plans to Acquire Shazam
- Mexican Launches his own 'Netflix'
- Despite NAFTA and AMLO, Mexico maintains stable outlook


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The Caped Crusader and his love will be returning to more than Gotham City when children and adults drape themselves in the most popular costumes for Halloween '92.
Nothing is hotter than Batman and Catwoman for children and adults, said Terry Sullivan, the owner of Inc Presents Danskin, a Delray Beach costume store.
Either Batman, Catwoman or both were the top choices in six costume stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties that were surveyed at random. Costumes vary from a simple black Batman cape ($8.99 to $13) to full, more expensive, elaborate, licensed outfits found in costume stores and renting for more than $100.
For example, Land of Magic and Novelties in Boca Raton sells or rents a complete outfit, with a latex "muscled" chest, bat belt, cape and latex mask with a face made from a mold of Michael Keaton's chin. It rents for $125 and sells for $395.
Keaton played the Caped Crusader in the movies Batman and Batman Returns.
Costumes are also available for those who don't want Latex and Spandex.
"Political masks are real hot," said Land of Magic and Novelties store manager Tom Ladshaw. "We got three dozen Ross Perot masks in and they were gone in half an hour. Barbara Bush has not done as well. "I haven't sold one yet," he said. The masks cost $20 to $30.
Pirates, vampires, witches, flappers and genies are also popular.
"Halloween is about escapism," Sullivan said. "A lot of people can be into a dull routine or niche all week long, but then they can climb into a costume and be someone they never are."
Children want to be their favorite television or movie characters, especially the Little Mermaid, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Captain Hook, said David Ztar, the store manager for Costume World in Pompano Beach.
"Gone are the days of witches, pumpkins and ghosts," Ztar said. "They want to be what is on TV."
For those who enjoy teetering on the dark side, Halloween has almost no boundaries. The stores carry the standard array of severed fingers, eyeballs, warts, coffins, rats and every other nightmarish fantasy one may enjoy. Or you can get really gory.
"With Gore-fx, you can create burn tissue, scar tissue and wounds and still be able to eat and drink with it, which is different than full face masks," Sullivan said. Flesh Gore-fx costs $9 to $40, depending on the amount bought.
Then there's Kevin Bamford, 23, of Boca Raton, who decided to be a crash dummy at his fraternity Halloween party.
"I wanted to be something out of the ordinary, something that hasn't been done before," he said.
MOST POPULAR COSTUMES
BOYS GIRLS MEN WOMEN
Sears Batman Belle Dracula devils, cats
Inc Presents Danskin Batman Catwoman Batman Catwoman
Kmart Batman Little Mermaid Dracula cows
Costume World Batman Catwoman Batman Catwoman


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The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas is pushing the public to buy rice from local farmers, its regional director, Remelyn Recoter, said yesterday.
This week, the DA Region 6 celebrated the National Rice Awareness Month, with the theme, “Buy Local. Eat Local. Support Our Rice Farmers”.
Recoter said the celebration coincided with the present situation of the local rice industry after the passage of the Rice Tariffication Law.
“The government has lifted the importation ban to reduce the market price of rice. DA has aided rice farmers, especially those who have a farm one-hectare or less,” she said.
She said the agency is currently distributing the Survival and Recovery assistance to more than 5,000 farmer-beneficiaries in the region.
“Each beneficiary received a P15,000 zero-interest loan and it is payable in eight years,” Recoter said.
Moreover, the P10 billion tariff generated yearly will be given back to the farmers through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, she said.
Of the amount, P5 billion will be allotted for rice farm machinery and equipment, P3 billion to rice seed development, propagation and promotion, P1 billion to expanded rice credit assistance, and P1 billion to rice extension service.
To address the complaints of the farmers on the removal of the import cap, the DA has also required local government units to buy palay, or unhusked rice, directly from local farmers.*
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Federal Court Justice Mordecai Bromberg on Thursday said that Apple has been charged with a a fine over $2 million. Under new consumer laws, the fine is only the fifth fine exceeding $1 million, which emphasizes the “seriousness of a company the size of Apple refusing to change its advertising”.
Apple promoted in an ad that the new iPad can run on 4G mobile networks using a sim card, but the connection was not possible. High quality global journalism requires investment. Apple’s third-generation iPad -- launched in March 2012 -- uses the 700 megahertz and 2,100MHz frequencies to connect with 4G LTE services. Telstra, the telecommunication company that operates Australia’s first 4G LTE network, involves dual mode LTE / HSPA+ mobile broadband devices that operate seamlessly across 1800MHz and 850MHz spectrum bands. Telstra Next G network customers access 4G where it is available and then get a seamless switchover to the 3GHSPA technology in other areas where 4G is not available.
The Apple ads ran from March8 to May 12, even after Apple was notified about the misleading advertising.


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Many people are thinking about upgrading to a fresh 79xx ATI out now, or a 78xx soon to be released. Most of these people are upgrading from the DX10 generation GPUs like the 4000 series radeons and the 200 series nvidea. Some are upgrading from the low end first dx11 generation cards like the 5750. If you decide to buy now, expect a huge performance boost, but at a price. Nvidia has yet to provide competition to the new 7000 series ATI products.
If you do decide to get to get a 79xx card for 450-550$, pay attention to the cooler it uses. The ASUS DCU II is already available and is nearly as effective as MSI's Twin Frozr at a much lower price mark-up, just remember its a 3 slot wide cooler. And MSI is now debuting its 7950 version of the Twin Frozr, and the test results for cooling and noise are every bit as awesome as they are for the other Twin Frozr cards:http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-radeon-hd-7950-twin-frozer-iii-review/9
I am not sure what MSI is going to charge as a premium, but on a 450$ card, anything under a 80$ would be not outrageous considering the Twin Frozr prices in the past.
I know some people cant wait, and if you are wealthy enough, you probably shouldnt. Nvidea's new cards should come out late spring early summer, and knock the current prices way down. Most people expect Nvidea's 600 series to outperform the 7000 series by a decent margin, which is what I would expect too. But at this point, because ATI got such a huge leap out infront of nvidea, I expect the two companies to release their near-ish future generations in a staggered succession, rather than simultaneously. It is easily expected that ATI will respond to the 600 series outperforming the 7000 series by releasing re-tuned current tech, or by rushing out another die shrink generation.
And for those wanting to buy the 68xx or 69xx series for cheap, ignore the current sales and wait until the 78xx series pushes down the midrange market sometime feb-march. Save some cash.
Im probably going to get a nice ASUS DCU or MSI TF 7850. 79xx is way too pricey right now for me, and my double 4890s are burning a hole in the ozone, my ear drum, my pocket, and my wall.


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SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, opens today (September 13) its newest mall in Olongapo City, the SM City Olongapo Central.
In a statement, SM Prime said this will be its second lifestyle mall in Olongapo and will add 72,000 square meter (sqm.) of gross floor area (GFA) to its mall portfolio.
“Olongapo City remains as one of the fastest growing cities in Central Luzon creating a wonderful synergy on economical and sustainable development,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.
Read more: https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/09/12/sm-opens-2nd-mall-in-olongapo/


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King Abdullah Port has been ranked the second fastest growing port in the world in 2018, according to Alphaliner, the global leader in analyzing maritime transport data, port capabilities and the future of vessels and shipping route development; King Abdullah Port was ranked eighth in 2017. Within the same ranking, King Abdullah Port is now ranked 83 in the list of the 100 largest container ports in the world in 2018 after ranking 87 in 2017.
Alphaliner stated that King Abdullah Port increased its throughput from 1.7 million TEU in 2017 to 2.3 million TEU in 2018; ranking second globally and first in the region in terms of container handling.
King Abdullah Port CEO Mr. Rayan Qutub expressed his pride in the Alphaliner ranking, commenting: “This success indicates that we are on the right track and it truly embodies the slogan ‘Sailing Toward the Vision’ which we launched during the port’s official inauguration by the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman during a ceremony celebrating our pride in this success, the national spirit, and the leadership’s efforts to advance the Saudi economy. King Abdullah Port is a testament to the success of public-private partnerships due to its connection to more than 17 government agencies while being fully managed and operated by the private sector.”
Qutub went on to say: “We are fully committed to the Vision 2030 and we hope to achieve more during this coming period in full accordance with its objectives. The port is added value to the Kingdom’s economy in terms of logistics support and attracting industrial and commercial investments. In addition, the endless support we receive from our partners from the private and public sectors promotes the port’s role in advancing the national economy by offering integrated logistics services that contribute to highlighting the competitiveness of the Kingdom to become a leading global logistics hub.”
King Abdullah Port features a state-of-the-art infrastructure that includes the world’s deepest 18-m container berths. This is in addition to the largest and most advanced cranes in the world, which use the latest technologies and have a capacity of 65 t and 25 TEU; thereby enabling the port to offer services to massive vessels now and in the future.
Run by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the region’s first port to be fully owned, developed, and operated by the private sector. It has been listed as the fastest growing container port and one of the world’s top 100 ports after less than four years of operation. Eight of the largest shipping lines operate at the port to offer integrated services to importers and exporters, and the port’s development plan is proceeding at a steady pace with a clear vision to become one of the world’s leading ports. Utilizing its advanced facilities and proximity to the assembly, re-export, and logistics services zones, the port offers its clients logistics support that can enable them to achieve their desired growth.


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Early-bird registration is now open for the 2012 International Aquarium Congress (IAC) which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 9 to 14 September 2012. Exhibition sales have also opened and a limited number of exciting sponsorship opportunities are available. Hosted by the Two Oceans Aquarium, this is the first time that the Congress will be held in Africa and indeed in the southern hemisphere.
Besides the formal conference proceedings which will include presentations, exhibitors and café conversations, delegates will have the opportunity to network with peers from around the globe while experiencing the very best that Cape Town has to offer, from ‘strandloper’ (literally: beach walker) and African dining to shark cage diving and whale watching.
A variety of pre- and post-conference tour packages will be on offer so that delegates can encounter a broad spectrum of South African activities, landscapes, cultures and cuisines.
The IAC is the most important and prestigious event for the global public aquarium industry. Held every four years, it is the only international platform that gathers decision makers and professionals from the global public aquarium community to share and learn about new developments in the fields of inter alia animal husbandry, research, technology, management, education, conservation and sustainability.
Approximately 500 of the world’s most influential aquarium personnel and key decision makers in exhibitory, conservation, sustainability and education are expected to attend the 2012 IAC.
Countries represented will likely include Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.
Two Oceans Aquarium Managing Director Dr Patrick ....READ MORE
Zoo News Digest
The Zoo Professionals Book Store
if you are looking for a book. This is an Amazon affiliate and you will get a good deal
you can subscribe to the largest and longest established zoo related ezine


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Serbia needs EUR 5 billion to solve waste water problem
An investment of around EUR 5 billion is needed in order for European standards to be implemented in the water management sector in Serbia and the ministry is ready to start an investment cycle for solving the problem of waste water treatment and waste management, Serbian Environment Minister Goran Trivan announced at his meeting with representatives of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). The legal frameworks, Serbia's strategic plans in the field of waste water treatment and the tasks within the EU accession process and the opening of Chapter 27 were also presented at the meeting.
Foreign companies account for over half of Serbia's exports
Three percent of Serbian businesses are majority-owned by foreign companies and generate 20 pct of added value, accounting for over 50 pct of the country's exports and nearly half of the total retail revenues, according to figures released by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PKS). Most of the foreign companies operate in the banking, automotive and auto parts sectors and their presence in the mining sector is increasing, Bojan Stanic, head of the PKS Analytics and Services Department, has told Tanjug.
FAM Krusevac sold to American company Valvoline for EUR 9.5 million – Local brand not to be discontinued
The agreement on the sale of Fabrika Maziva (FAM) in Krusevac to the American company Valvoline for EUR 9.5 million was signed last weekend in the presence of the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. The agreement was signed by the director of FAM, Jelica Djurovic Petronijevic, and the vice president of Valvoline Europe, Diego Brodoni. The factory has 218 employees. This is the second sale of FAM, which avoided bankruptcy in 2016 thanks to the state's intervention, despite its large debts.
Croatian food group Podravka reports higher 2018 sales, net profit
Croatian food group Podravka said its net profit rose to 216.2 million kuna ($33.07 million) from 165.6 million kuna in 2017, while operating profit (EBITDA) was up 6.8 percent to 464.5 million kuna better results in all markets, notably in southeastern and central Europe where Podravka sells 82 percent of its products.
Stocks rise after Trump pushes back March trade deal deadline, European markets close higher on US-China trade move
Stocks rose on Monday after President Donald Trump said he would delay placing additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Equities also got a boost from dealmaking activity. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped as much as 209.61 points before closing 60 points higher, led by gains in Caterpillar and DowDuPont. The S&P 500 gained 0.1 percent, while Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.36 percent. The major indexes fell towards the lows of the day in the final minutes of trading.
Trump said in a series of tweets the U.S. would not add more tariffs on imports from China at the start of March. He cited "substantial progress" in bilateral talks between the world's two largest economies, including intellectual property protection and technology transfer issues. However, he did not state a new deadline.
Sentiment was also lifted after General Electric announced it will sell its biopharmaceutical business to Danaher for $21.4 billion. News of the deal sent GE shares up more than 6 percent. Danaher's stock also jumped 8.5 percent.
Meanwhile, Barrick Gold launched a bid to acquire Newmont Mining for $7 billion in an all-stock deal. If approved, the deal would come after years of stagnant gold prices. The precious metal has been trading between $1,000 and $1,400 per ounce in recent years.
European stocks moved higher Monday as investors monitored the ongoing China-U.S. trade talks. The pan-European Stoxx 600 finished provisionally up 0.29 percent by the mid-afternoon. Autos were the clear top-leading sector, up more than 2.1 percent, as trade talks between the U.S. and China take center stage. The sector is highly influenced by developments in global trade.
Carrefour – Europe's largest food retailer – said it could cut up to 4 percent of its Italian workforce as it adjusts to slowing sales in the country. The retailer's shares fell by more than half a percent during afternoon deals.
Vivendi, Telecom Italia's main shareholder said that it would support a merger with rival Open Fiber, under the right conditions, Reuters reported.


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The beginning of the year already heralded that coronavirus problems in China would strongly affect global trade relations, which would shrink. The lockdown in Europe deepened the crisis. What does trade with China look like after the first wave of the outbreak?
Poland’s trade with China – characteristics
In the face of the crisis, the structure of trade relations between Poland and the Middle Kingdom is important. So far, we imported 110 billion PLN worth of goods from China in a year. Our exports were more than ten times smaller. First concerns about trade downturns, which appeared in Polish trade media at the turn of January and February, were not fully reflected in the real economy. This was compounded by recalling the situation in 2003, when economic disruption was caused by the emergence and spread of SARS.
Before the symptoms of the epidemic appeared in Poland, it was forecast that the most vulnerable industries were those using Chinese electronic equipment and textiles
Situation in March – the end of lockdown in China
It was feared that the end of production in China would force Polish buyers to look for suppliers of e.g. electronics on other markets, which would not be easy. However, it turned out that this demand was largely met thanks to warehouse reserves. In January the Aliexpress platform even increased deliveries to our country. In turn, the extinction of economic life in Poland coincided with its restoration in the Middle Kingdom, which made it possible to limit the effects of the crisis. Some analysts stress that the downturn in the economy coincided with the Chinese New Year, when factories stop working for two weeks anyway
At the same time, analysts predicted that Chinese exports in March 2020 will decline by at least 14% compared to the same period last year. In reality, the reduction in dollar-denominated export volume was only 6.6%. Considering the extent of interference in economic life – it was not a very bad result at all
Difficulties in trade with China – rather short-term
The current belief is that there is a rather short-term disruption in trade with China, where the coronavirus has an impact. Early predictions suggested that while the global economy, and most likely Poland, would lose out from problems with the outbreak in the Middle Kingdom, the efficiency with which the Chinese authorities deal with the problem would be key
The exclusion from normal functioning of Hubei province, where the problems started, affected the automotive factories located there – Bosch and Foxconn (manufacturer of electronic equipment). Just as the whole world watched with alarm at the beginnings of the epidemic in China, so it was with incredulity that the radical methods of fighting the insidious enemy were put in place in the Middle Kingdom.
Trade with China after coronavirus. What will be the new trends?
However, the situation of world trade in the prospect of a pandemic in China has provided an opportunity for further consideration. Admittedly, unless there is a sudden resurgence of the disease, the pessimistic scenarios will not materialize, but what if it were otherwise? After all, another pandemic disease could emerge in the future, and we face a trade war between the US and China. Many global players have recognized how detrimental it can be to be dependent on the supply of goods from one country. Looking for sources to diversify can be costly, but it is tempting to insure your business just in case of unexpected trade disruptions.
China also realizes the seriousness of the situation, and perhaps this will result in the expansion of Chinese companies abroad. Spreading production capacity to other territories as well may help them.
The collapse of globalization?
Back in May, one could read reports that predicted the collapse of globalization after the coronavirus, of which the first victim was to be global trade. Economic regionalization, the rise of protectionism and the decline of China were supposed to be the next symptoms of the crisis. Now, however, it seems that if anything is seriously threatening economic globalization, it is US-China relations rather than the results of the pandemic itself.


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Troubled sales of homes around Tampa Bay drop to minimum in years That will June, Short sales and hottest black friday deals bank owned house home property property mortgage property foreclosure made up 18 percent of all bay best black friday deals 2015 online area home sales.
Associated with down from 22.4 percent a year ago and 42 percent in January 2011 at the peak of the house and property foreclosures crisis, Subject to real estate data service CoreLogic. "Values came up 20 for each since 2010, So troubled sales are not what she were,'' Tampa Realtor Jamie Meloni said friday. "There are far more retail sales now versus years in the past.'' In Hillsborough region, Where 333 suffering homes sold in June, Much of the game has been around subdivisions and in areas around the University of South Florida, Nebraska ave and Sulphur spgs. "That were a hot market in 2005. Assets were offering for $150,000 manage to $200,000. Extended, They're choosing $30,000 and therefore $40,000, To make sure they took a real hit,'' Meloni layed out. "Investors are very driving up the worthiness now 50 percent of our market is cash deals.'' For Hillsborough located inside of June, The annually median sale price of foreclosure single family homes rose 13.6 signifiant. C if you want to actually $125,000, Nevertheless the value of homes sold through short sales dropped 5.2 k. C to assist you for $124,000. Next to Pasco, With 249 special deals, It only agreed to be and the second. The median expense of short sales jumped 32 per-cent to $132,500 while amusement foreclosure dropped 9 percent to $70,000. With you when Pin theellas, With 294 merchandising in June, At home. of troubled homes showed price increases. Prices for house home property property mortgage property foreclosure rose 16.7 for-Nickle to $105,000, And prices abbreviated sales increased 35 percent to $155,000. All three counties, Not like, Had far fewer short sales than sales of bank owned domains. With his brief sale, The lender must agree to let the home go for under the balance due. "Offers sales, You're utilizing the homeowner and then you have to get permission from the bank, So it introduces a lot more steps and there's a no guarantee the bank has to agree,'' i thought i'd say Meloni, Who addresses only home. "In most functions, Short sales end up as house home property real estate mortgage property foreclosure due to its runaround, This just irritates the homeowner to death.'' Land wide, CoreLogic ranked the Tampa Bay area third among major metro areas in the little bit of distressed sales in the 12 months ended in June. The orlando, black friday blu ray florida and Miami areas were second and third.
Withinside June, Distressed sales included 9 percent of homes sold across the country. Florida had the main share of distressed sales at 21 percent with Michigan, Annapolis, Connecticut and the state il. California had completed improvement with shoes black friday 2015 distressed sale dropping from 76 percent to just 12 percent in June.
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Mobiistar from Vietnam is the latest brand to bring its selfie phones to India
Bangalore, May 28 2018: Move over, China. Vietnam is here! If you thought the Indian smart phone market was taken over by the Chinese, think again. Vietnam has made a humble yet impressive debut with Mobiistar coming to India with a duo of affordable selfie smart phones.
The smart phone market in India has assumed a pyramid structure, with some 15 odd companies dedicated to flagship devices that cost in excess of Rs. 40,000. Then comes the mid-range segment where 15-plus players operate in the Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 25,000 range and finally the sub-Rs. 10,000 segment that so far had seen lesser players, but now a lot of new brands are taking seriously. Mobiistar is one of them.
The brand has entered India with two devices from its Selfie Star series -- the XQ Dual and the CQ. The first one comes in a 3 GB + 32GB memory configuration, and a 13 MP + 8 MP dual front camera along with a 13 MP rear camera. The 5.5 inches Full HD display sits snugly on the frame making the device lightweight and easy to hold. The CQ, on the other hand, comes in a 2 GB + 16 GB memory configuration, and an 8 MP back, 13 MP front camera. This device comes with a triple SIM slot, and a 5-inch HD display. The XQ Dual and CQ are powered by Snapdragon 430 and 425 processors respectively.
Mobiistar, at least for now, stick with the basics , without trying too many frills. For instance, the devices come with display screens with the 16:9 aspect ratio and a UI experience which is very close to that of stock Android. Design-wise as well, it hasn't tried to do anything spectacular, no colour changing back panels and aviation grade metal! But the camera performance is pretty good, and the brand has consciously focussed on group selfie enhancements and better low-light performance thanks to its innovative star light feature.
What truly sets Mobiistar's devices apart, is the fact that they come equipped with not just VoLTE but also ViLTE, which is new the standard for video over LTE. XQ Dual and CQ are probably the first devices to launch ViLTE devices in India, at least in this price range. It allows you to make lag-free and better quality video and group video calls. The devices are prices at Rs. 7,999 and Rs. 4,999 respectively. With the bundle of features they offer, and the fact that they are ViLTE-enabled, Mobiistar has made an impressive debut in India. VISHNU ANAND


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Yesterday's big announcement focusing on the new Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat had plenty of stuff going for it – information, pictures and the rabid enthusiasm that always accompanies such an eagerly anticipated reveal. What it was lacking, though, was a proliferation of videos of the new model.
- Volvo shoots for self-drivers by 2021
- Jeep spends $1 billion on factories
- Find Parts & Accessories for your vehicle!
- Obama rolls out new EV plan
- Infiniti dealers ranked best, Tesla worst
- Compare Volvo XC90 and Lincoln MKX


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Super Smash Bros. Vs. Batman Arkham Knight: Who’ll Win Best Game At People’s …
December 27, 2015 - Super Smash Bros
The 2016 People’s Choice Awards are days away, and there’s been lots of gibberish about that pretension will take home a endowment for best game. The options embody “Super Smash Bros.” and “Batman: Arkham Knight” though will they come out on top? Let’s summation a nominees!
“Super Smash Bros.”
“Super Smash Bros.” is another diversion that could have simply been estimable during final year’s People’s Choice Awards, though a pretension unequivocally came into a possess in 2015. This is mostly interjection to a further of impression DLC that’s introduced 5 new fighters to a already vast roster. In fact, that trend is staid to continue with a release of Bayonetta and Corrin in Feb of subsequent year.
Like many games on this list, “Super Smash Bros.” is a resplendent instance of how DLC should be rubbed to keep players articulate about a game. Especially for a association like Nintendo that’s historically seemed behind a times with courtesy to networking capability, this warrior is a overwhelming achievement.
“Batman: Arkham Knight”
“Batman: Arkham Knight” arrived in Jun of this year, and it valid to be among a year’s tip titles. While it didn’t mount a possibility opposite “Fallout 4” and “The Witcher 3” among a hardcore crowd, a People’s Choice Awards offers an event for mainstream acclaim.
“Batman: Arkham Knight’s” many notable item is that it’s a good end to Rocksteady Studio’s “Batman: Arkham” trilogy. It charity a clever story with a biggest chronicle of Gotham that a array has seen to date, and it let players take advantage of a Batmobile for a initial time. The game’s been underneath glow for problems with a PC version, though it plays really good on PS4 and Xbox One.
“Grand Theft Auto V”
“Grand Theft Auto V” was initial expelled in 2013, though there’s still copiousness of reason to cruise this aroused Rockstar Games juggernaut for an endowment in 2016. While a single-player mode hasn’t stretched given launch, a enclosed “Grand Theft Auto Online” knowledge has grown substantially.
In 2015, players were finally arcane to a rarely approaching online heists update that combined multiplayer raids to an already constrained suite. It’s also unfit to omit a drip of DLC that charity new vehicles, equipment and play modes to a knowledge over time. “Grand Theft Auto” fans had been clamoring for an MMO chronicle of this dear mayhem-filled authorization for a while, and “Grand Theft Auto V” is about as desirous and tighten as it gets.
“Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare”
“Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare” was 2014’s “Call Of Duty” title, and it didn’t disappoint. It touted a slew of unconventional gameplay mechanics that might turn a customary for how a knowledge feels from now on. The using and gunning movement was faster than it’s ever been, and those highlights were protracted by a cold single-player debate featuring Hollywood’s Kevin Spacey.
DLC also played a purpose in Advanced Warfare’s success. From Jan by Sep of this year, 4 map packs supposing deteriorate pass owners with an unconstrained tide of calm to enjoy. There was also a Exo Zombies mode, that blended commune fun with murdering a undead. “Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare” was one of a series’ best attempts during charity something new alongside what fans have approaching for years.
“Minecraft” needs no introduction during this point. Dating all a approach behind to 2011, this block-building materialisation still has a mob of ardent fans peaceful to cackle adult any square of calm they can get their hands on.
In 2015, a trend continued. Under Microsoft’s ownership, only about each height was arcane to new blocks to build with and new biomes to explore. Its developers during Mojang also took honour in adding protected calm from a likes of “The Simpsons,” “Ratchet And Clank” and more. For those that suspicion a “Minecraft” disturb was over, consider again. The diversion was only expelled on Wii U, that means gamers have even some-more ways to get in on a fun.
To find out that of these titles will be crowned best game, balance in to a 2016 People’s Choice Awards Jan. 6 on CBS.
Which of these titles should emerge victorious? Is “Super Smash Bros.” or “Grand Theft Auto V” a lock? Let us know in a check and comments section!


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Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), in partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), announces the “Shop & Drive in Style” campaign for one of the biggest annual celebrations in Dubai, the 24th edition of the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). The exciting campaign is in its first edition, and is set to run for six weeks from July 1 to August 14, where shoppers will get an opportunity to drive home a luxurious Infiniti Q50 every week.
With every spend of AED 200 at any of the participating malls, shoppers will be eligible to enter the digital raffle draw and win big. Each eligible customer will be able to enroll for the draw at the participating mall’s customer service desk by presenting the purchase receipt.
Six lucky shoppers will take home brand new Infiniti Q50 in the weekly draw to be held on 9,16, 23,30 July 6, & 14 August 2021.


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This article has been updated from a previous version to correct Celera's full-year non-GAAP earnings per share.
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Celera reported after the close of the market on Wednesday that its fourth-quarter revenues quadrupled to $43.4 million from $10.2 million year over year, thanks largely to the acquisitions of Berkeley HeartLab and Atria Genetics in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.
Excluding the contribution of those two acquisitions, Celera’s fourth-quarter revenues were $15 million.
Product revenues increased 48 percent for the quarter to $9 million from $6.1 million, while revenue from royalties, licenses, and milestones doubled to $8.3 million from $4.1 million. Celera also had service revenue of $26.1 million, compared to no service revenue in the comparable period of 2007.
The Alameda, Calif.-based company posted a net loss of $96.8 million, or $1.21 per share, for the three-month period ended June 30, compared to a net loss of $8 million, or $.10 per share, in the prior year. The most recent quarter’s results include a $91.2 million non-cash tax charge to establish a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets as a result of the firm’s separation from Applera.
Celera’s R&D costs fell 30.4 percent to $9.4 million from $13.5 million in the quarter, while its SG&A expenses more than tripled to $25.1 million from $8.3 million. The firm attributed the increased SG&A spending to activities related to Berkeley HeartLab.
The firm will launch its KIF6 cardiac gene test later this week, Celera CEO Kathy Ordoñez said during a conference call today, and it expects the test to be a significant revenue generator from the Berkeley business.
For full-year 2008, Celera reported revenues of $103.2 million compared to 2007 revenues of $43.4 million. The firm’s net loss for the year was $103.2 million, or $1.30 per share, compared to a net loss of $20.6 million, or $.26 per share, for fiscal 2007. Excluding charges, earnings per share were $0.01 for the year, compared to a loss of $0.24 per share for the prior year.
The company’s services revenue for 2008 was $71 million, while product revenue was $32.1 million and royalty, licenses, and milestones revenue was $36.3 million.
Celera finished the quarter and fiscal 2008 with cash and short-term investments of approximately $335 million.


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London - H&M Group, parent company of leading Swedish fashion retailer H&M, has taken a minority stake in Swedish company re:newcell to help speed up its transition to a circular business model. Re:newcell uses a new technique to recycle used cotton, viscose, and other cellulosic fibers into a new, sustainable dissolving pulp. In turn, this pulp can be used to make new textile fibers and fed into the textile production cycle.
The investment will help H&M achieve its ambitious goal of using 100 percent recycled and other sustainably sourced materials by 2030. "Re:newcell´s technology has the potential to become a commercial and scalable solution for the industry and accelerate the journey from a linear fashion industry towards a circular one", said Cecilia Brännsten, Acting Environmental Sustainability Manager, and circular economy lead, at H&M group in a statement.
"I am proud that H&M group sees the advantages of our innovation," added Mattias Jonsson, CEO of re:newcell. "Together we can contribute to changing the way fashion is produced and recycled." In order for the H&M Group to move to a circular business model, it must find solutions to substitute the fibers it currently uses with recycled fibers or other sustainably sourced alternatives, which is why the group is working with numerous initiatives.
At its plant in Kristinehamn, Sweden, re:newcell uses both used clothes and residues from textile production to create new fibers, decreasing the amount of textiles dumped in landfills. Its plant features a closed loop production system for chemicals and water and uses renewable energy and is able to produce 7,000 tons of pulp per year, with additional units being planned.
"This is the link that has been missing from the production cycle. re:newcell has closed the loop," added Jonsson. "The way fashion is produced and consumed can hopefully be transformed into a never-ending loop in the future." News of the sustainable fiber investment comes as H&M stands accused of incinerating 12 tonnes of unsold, usable apparel per year in Denmark rather than recycling it. H&M has denied these claims, arguing the clothing destroyed was not safe for recycling.
Photo: courtesy of H&M


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SPF Test Debate Sizzles
By: Nancy Jeffries
Posted: October 10, 2008, from the February 2006 issue of GCI Magazine.
page 4 of 6
“Consumers are confused by multiple SPF numbers, especially the highest numbers that can’t be confirmed by different laboratories,” said Stanfield. “And the ambiguity of UVA and broad spectrum claims and terms such as ‘water resistant’ and ‘very water resistant.’ I believe more effort should go into formulating cosmetically attractive products that consumers find easy to use and don’t have to pay large sums of money for. And I’d like to see new and better sunscreen ingredients and innovation in the science of sun protection.”
Matthew Holman, interdisciplinary scientist and team leader, FDA, and Susan Cruzan, press office, FDA, say effectiveness testing of over-the-counter (OTC) sunscreen products currently is limited to SPF testing, representing protection against sunburn caused primarily by UVB radiation. “The SPF test has been used in the United States since the 1970s,” said Cruzan. “The FDA has modified it slightly over the past 30 years to incorporate scientific and technical advances and improve accuracy and reproducibility. However, the SPF value on OTC sunscreen products today still represents the same protection measurement that consumers have come to know and understand over the past three decades.
“In the future, the FDA will propose effectiveness testing against UVA radiation,” continued Cruzan. “Scientific studies suggest UVA radiation causes long-term skin damage, such as skin cancer and premature skin aging. Currently, OTC sunscreen manufacturers can test their products for UVA protection by a number of methods published in scientific journals. If an OTC sunscreen product demonstrates effectiveness, then it can be labeled as ‘broad spectrum,’ ‘provides UVA/UVB protection’ or similar claims.”
The FDA is developing a proposal that will require a specific UVA test method and UVA labeling. “After the FDA develops the proposal, we will publish it in the Federal Register, and the public will have the opportunity to comment on it. After reviewing the comments, the FDA will then publish a final rule on UVA testing and labeling. This final rule will have an effective date, after which OTC sunscreen manufacturers will have to comply with the FDA’s UVA testing and labeling,” Cruzan said.
Dieter Kuster, CEO and senior chemist, CA Botana, said in vivo and in vitro testing provide very different measurement approaches. “In vivo testing is less and less common because of total spectrum UVB and UVA, whereby UVA is the longer wavelength and cancer causing, which in most cases shows after several years of consistent exposure to sunlight without protection,” he stated. “Those waves are present from sunrise to sunset, and will penetrate through windows. UVB, the most common wave, is a shorter wave, but will show irritation and, consequently, a burnt condition.” Kuster noted in vitro testing seemed safer, with the sun protection factor determining the amount of protective ingredients used.


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The Rainbow Foods stores in the Twin Cities will all be sold as its Milwaukee-based corporate owner Roundy's initiates its exit from the metro market. Former competitors will purchase the groceries and their inventories.
Supervalu announced that it will work with four other chains — including Lund Food Holdings — to purchase 18 Rainbow Foods stores for approximately $65 million. The Star Tribune notes the scenario will "reorder the Twin Cities grocery market."
The Business Journal reports that 10 existing Rainbow stores will be turned into Cub Foods, bringing the total number of Minnesota Cub stores to 76. Supervalu, which owns the Cub chain, said it expects to make 1,000 job offers. MPR News adds that Supervalu said it will also take over some employee pensions related to the stores it's buying.
The Pioneer Press adds Supervalu is entering into the deal with Jerry's Enterprises, Haug Enterprises, Lund Food Holdings and Radermacher Enterprises.
Lund Food Holdings will purchase the Woodbury and Eden Prairie locations, with plans to rebrand them as Byerly's. Both stores will be extensively remodeled. A statement from Edina-based Lund Food Holdings said all of the Rainbow employees will have a chance to continue their employment.
These 10 Rainbow stores will become Cub Foods stores:
– Chaska, 200 Pioneer Trail
– Eagan, 1276 Town Centre Drive
– Lakeville, 17756 Kenwood Trail
– Minneapolis (Lagoon), 1104 Lagoon Avenue
– Minneapolis (Quarry), 1540 New Brighton Road
– Oakdale, 7053 10th St. N.
– Plymouth, 10200 Sixth Ave. N.
– Roseville (includes stand-alone liquor store), 1201 Larpenteur Ave.
– St. Louis Park (includes stand-alone liquor store), 5370 16th St.
– St. Paul, 892 Arcade St.
These two Rainbow stores will become Byerly's:
– Eden Prairie, 970 Prairie Center Drive
– Woodbury (includes stand-alone liquor store), 7050 Valley Creek Plaza
These six will be sold but will remain under the Rainbow Foods banner:
– Maplewood, 2501 White Bear Ave.
– Minneapolis (Lake Street), 2919 26th Ave. S.
– Plymouth (Plymouth Station), 16705 County Road 24
– Richfield, 140 W. 66th St.
– St. Paul (Midway), 1566 University Ave. W.
– West St. Paul, 1660 Robert St. S.
MPR News created a map to track the changes.
-Red markers = future Cub Foods stores
-Yellow markers = future Byerly's stores
-Blue markers = Rainbow stores under new ownership
Another nine Rainbow Foods locations that aren't listed above will be sold if a buyer can be found, or closed if no one comes forward to purchase them.
Rainbow has historically been the Twin Cities No. 2 grocery chain after Cub, but it slipped to fourth place in recent years. The company has closed five Twin Cities stores in the past 16 months.