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Printed conductive inks are being developed for transistors, sensors, antennae, RFID tags and wearable electronics for use on different substrates for space-constrained applications, including IoT applications, where small, low power and inexpensive endpoints define the network.
Printed electronics offer a breakthrough in the penetration of information technology into everyday life. The possibility of printing electronic circuits will further promote the spread of Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Commenting on the material, known as Cyrene, Kewen Pan, the lead author on the paper said: “This perhaps is a significant step towards commercialisation of printed graphene technology. I believe it would be an evolution in printed electronics industry because the material is such low cost, stable and environmental friendly”. Research continues into the use of graphene for faster transistors semiconductors, flexible screens and phones and wearable electronics.
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) partnered with the National Graphene Institute at the University of Manchester to provide a materials characterisation service. They have jointly published a good practice guide to measuring the characteristics of graphene.


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Form is short-term, course is irreversible, as they claim in sporting activity– however possibly they ought to claim it in the show business, also.
After shedding a mixed 1.2 million customers throughout back-to-back quarters of decrease in 2022, Netflix has actually relatively recuperated with a Q3 incomes record (opens up in brand-new tab) that bodes well for its lot of money in 2023 and also past.
Between July and also September this year, Netflix included a tremendous 2.4 million customers to its swimming pool of paying clients– a number that takes its worldwide client matter to a brand-new high of 223 million. The record-breaking type of Stranger Things period 4, combined with the likewise victorious success of Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story throughout the very same three-month duration, assisted Netflix get to the turning point.
Purple Hearts, The Gray Man and also Extraordinary Attorney Woo were additionally essential in assisting the banner redeem its losses, and also all informed, Netflix states that income, running revenue and also subscription surpassed its very own projections in Q3 2022. For context, firm execs had actually wanted to include 1 million brand-new customers in between July and also September.
“After a difficult initial fifty percent [of the year], our team believe we get on a course to reaccelerate development,” Netflix stated in a declaration coming with the outcomes. “The trick is pleasing participants. It’s why we have actually constantly concentrated on winning the competitors for checking out daily. When our collection and also motion pictures delight our participants, they inform their buddies, and after that even more individuals view, sign up with and also stick with us.”
Netflix has actually experienced when faced with raised expense from competing banners like Prime Video, Disney Plus, and also HBO Max in current months, while price of living dilemmas in several areas have actually compelled customers to restrict their month-to-month costs on home entertainment material.
But Netflix employers understand where they stand in an ever-expanding streaming market. “Our rivals are spending greatly to drive customers and also interaction, however constructing a big, effective streaming company is hard,” Netflix stated in its newest incomes record. “We price quote they are all shedding cash, with mixed 2022 operating losses more than $10 billion versus Netflix’s $5 to $6 billion yearly operating earnings.”
That operating earnings just looks readied to swell in the coming year, also. Not just is Netflix increase its suppression on account sharing in a proposal to increase income, however the banner is additionally preparing to release a more affordable, ad-supported membership rate to reduce the discomfort on customers’ pocketbooks and also its very own profits.
Netflix has actually verified that this less expensive Netflix strategy– readied to set you back $6.99/ ₤ 4.99/ AU$ 6.99 each month– will certainly release in the United States, UK and also Australia on November 3, supplying clients an extra budget-friendly means to view Netflix at the expenditure of seeing 4 to 5 mins of advertisements per hr.
Will it confirm a success? Only time will certainly inform, however the remarkably big uptake of a comparable membership rate at HBO Max is encouraging.
In any kind of situation, Netflix appears to have steadied its ship– at the very least in the meantime. Of training course, mega-hits like Stranger Things and also Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story do not occur monthly, and also the firm would certainly be important to stay clear of complacency, however at the very least Netflix has actually gone back to the type of monetary security that saw it able to generate strong brand-new motion pictures and also television programs often.

domain: news


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China plans to build world-class advanced factory clusters in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region focused on products such as electric vehicles and robots, it said on Tuesday, as the country seeks to confirm its global competitiveness, reports Reuters. As tensions have mounted with the United States, Chinese leaders have pledged to build a modern industrial system and achieve technological breakthroughs to win the “strategic initiative.”
Over the last decade, China has sought to integrate the economies of the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and the surrounding Hebei province, known as Jing-Jin-Ji, which could also reduce income gaps in the region and curb pollution.
“Faced with new situations, new tasks, and new requirements, as an important industrial development highland in China, the task of promoting coordinated industrial development in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei is even more urgent,” the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement on Tuesday.
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Experts and innovators from across the space sector supply chain are convening at Space-Comm Expo, taking place 7-8 June 2023 at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.
Brought to the industry by leading organisers Hub Exhibitions, in partnership with the aerospace events experts at Farnborough International, Space-Comm Expo is the largest UK-based exhibition dedicated to showcasing and sharing insight on the commercial future of space for business, defence and aerospace. Positioned at the forefront of the space industry, Space-Comm Expo is supported by ADS and UK Space.
Discussing the upcoming instalment, Rob Sherwood, managing director of Hub Exhibitions, said: “While remaining agile and at the forefront of the industry, Space-Comm Expo has grown exponentially since its launch, producing more international attendance and exhibition interest year-on-year. With over 150 exhibitors, 3,000 visitors attending the event and a celebrated conference programme in 2022, we look forward to welcoming the sector to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in June ahead of this year’s global airshow cycle.”
World-class speaker programme
This year’s event agenda is focused on bringing the future of space to reality, covering topics such as the future of the space economy, digital transformation, space exploration missions, space tourism space sovereignty and global space governance, sustainability and debris mitigation, a multi-orbit future, and creating new economies in space.
Opening the show’s conference programme, astronaut Tim Peake will be discussing the current state of the UK space sector and why the industry needs to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Peake was the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station, where his work on its Principia mission was propelled across the globe and is now a best-selling author.
Speaking on the announcement of the programme and the themes of the 2023 event, Kevin Craven, CEO, ADS Group, said: “In Space-Comm Expo’s exciting third year, ADS is proud to continue supporting the truly versatile event that connects, showcases, and celebrates the tenacious UK space sector.”
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Nokia Lumia 920 Sells Briskly but Struggles to Meet Solid Demands
By Erik Pineda | December 4, 2012 11:20 AM EST
Supply of Nokia's Lumia 920 was getting scarce in the past few weeks due mainly to solid demands and apparently the Finnish mobile phone maker was caught off guard by the overwhelming reception generated by its new flagship smartphone.
In a research note published Monday by market research firm Canaccord Genuity, it appeared that the Lumia 920 started on a rock-solid footing in the U.S. market, its sales numbers decent enough to come behind the bestselling smartphones in America as of November this year - Apple's iPhone 5 and Samsung's Galaxy S3.
"Our checks indicated the Lumia 920 was the top-selling Windows smartphone at AT&T and number 3 selling device at that channel," Canaccord Genuity analyst T Michael Walkley was quoted by BGR News as saying.
That same note indicated too that the Nokia smartphone, powered by Microsoft's Windows Phone 8, has been drawing remarkable attention from key markets around the world, including Europe, where the handset was recently reported by Bloomberg as enjoying an LTE advantage over the iPhone 5.
"The Lumia's LTE connectability is going to help Nokia stand out to holiday shoppers," a Nokia official was reported by Bloomberg as saying, adding that both the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 are LTE-compatible with at least 12 networks in Western Europe.
Unfortunately, such headstart was squandered a bit by Nokia as it struggled to meet orders for the 920, cause of which was likely on cautious efforts by the firm not to over-produce the WP8 handset, analysts said.
"Limited initial supply was cited as the reason for early post-launch stock-outs at some carriers versus overwhelming demand," Mr Walkley said in his note.
He also expressed fears that it could prove lost opportunity for Nokia to rake in as much cash as possible with the Lumia 920, adding that consumers' interest of the gadget could eventually wane in the months ahead as fresher handsets hit the international market.
One possible competitor for the 920 come the early months of 2013 is Samsung's Galaxy S4, which is being rumoured to join the million-selling Galaxy S pedigree as early as the first quarter of next year.
Yet for now, Nokia can take comfort on robust sales figures from key markets which pointed to the fact that the Lumia 920 is developing into a smartphone brand that spells more good news for the tech firm, BGR's Zach Epstein said.
"We wondered if (the Lumia 920) was compelling enough to attract consumer attention. In these early days, the answer appears to be 'yes'," Mr Epstein said.
But as other analysts have initially observed, Nokia could ill-afford to relax just because the 920 has been registering fantastic sales figures. Its Windows rival, HTC's Windows Phone 8X, is also doing relatively well, Mr Walkley said.
In fact, the HTC 8X is outperforming the Lumia 820 in the same U.S. market based on data provided by T-Mobile and Verizon, the Canaccord analyst added.
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When advertising for a brand, it is an important part of the marketing strategy. Pepsi recently released its Halloween ad, and it has sparked a lot of controversy among social media users. This article shares how to analyze the different aspects of that ad. You can easily find pepsi and coca cola halloween advertising services online from many sites.
Pepsi has been releasing Halloween-themed ads for years. This year, they have released a series of three ads that focus on the "Choose Your Own Adventure" style of commercials.
The first ad features a group of people looking at the artwork for a haunted house. One person gets chosen to read the story, and then they are taken on a journey through the haunted house. Along the way, they make choices that affect the outcome of the story.
The second ad features people in a haunted house. They can choose to be scared or brave, and the outcome of their choice affects how the other characters react to them.
The third ad has a similar premise to the second ad, but this time it's set in a carnival setting. Players can choose to be scary or funny, and their choices also have an effect on how other players behave.
Pepsi used Social Media to get people to watch their ad. They created a post on their Facebook page that said "What's scarier than a ghost? A Pepsi Ghost!" They also created a Twitter account and tweeted the same thing. The ad got a lot of attention from people on Social Media.


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Bank account hacking
on the rise
Lack of awareness is cited
as the cause of most cases
The number of cybercrimes through online banking accounts has increased from one case in 2011 to 63 today, according to the Special Investigation Commission (SIC) of the Central Bank (BDL), which said that the stolen amounts range between $1,500 and $2 million.
“Cybercrimes are not individual cases, but rather happen through well connected criminal organizations or criminals aware of where to carry out their hacking,” said Abdul Hafiz Mansour, Secretary of the SIC. “Lebanon is a free economic market and a strong financial hub that enjoys high deposits, flexible in- and out-capital flows and active trade with international markets. That’s what explains the reason behind the rapid increase of cybercrimes in recent years,” he said.
Around 75 percent of cybercrimes affect individual consumers, while the rest takes place against financial institutions. “Most of the cases involve traders who still lack the awareness of protecting their deals with their counterparts abroad,” said Mansour. “Banks have their own control systems, in addition to a commitment to the requirements by controlling banking authorities. They also manage to take more precautious measures, once they have been hacked,” he said.
BDL has been active in recent years in issuing circulars related to developing payment systems through ATMs, plastic cards, and money transfers. It has also prohibited the use of electronic money and bitcoins.
A draft law concerning electronic transactions and the electronic signature (e-signature) is held up in Parliament. “If Parliament starts to meet regularly anytime soon, we hope this law may be ratified, as it would help greatly in controlling financial cybercrimes,” said Mansour.
Cybercrime is usually a crime conducted via the Internet or some other computer network. It may include anything from downloading illegal music files to stealing millions of dollars from online banking accounts. Cybercrime also includes non-monetary offenses, such as creating and distributing viruses on computers or posting confidential business information on the Internet.
Reported by Leila Rahbani
Date Posted: Nov 13, 2015


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Homeopathic firm given clean bill of health
Local manufacturer Washington Homeopathic Products (WHP) was notified last month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it has pulled its operations back into compliance with federal regulations at its Morgan County facility.
The FDA had issued a Warning Letter to the company in August 2009, outlining a number of manufacturing and advertising violations.
WHP President Joe Lillard said since his company received the warnings, every employee has contributed to a change in the way their products are made, labeled, warehoused and promoted.
The company makes individual and combination homeopathic remedies.
The WHP staff has now instituted extensive documentation processes, tracking not only their own production but certificates of origin and analysis for every item they purchase from other companies for use.
“We had to throw out all our products – not because they were bad, but because we couldn’t prove where we got every product in them,” Lillard said.
The loss of inventory cut WHP’s sales in half for nearly six months, Lillard said.
“We had 72 combination remedies before. Now we have 25, but we’re adding more back every day,” said Lillard.
WHP has made an effort to keep its customers informed about their inventory and changes to the products and labels, which now cannot claim treatment of chronic illnesses.
“We’ve been in business so long, I guess they figured we’d be back,” Lillard said.
In addition, the company’s plans to build a second building in Morgan County’s industrial park were shelved, and they cut their staff in number and hours, Lillard said.
The company also sank a significant amount of money into the services of a consultant who advised them how to meet the FDA regulations they had failed to meet before, Lillard said.
As a result, WHP now has standard operating procedures for every step of manufacturing for every product they make, has updated equipment methods and has trained its entire staff on Current Good Manufacturing Practices – CGMP, for short.
“By God, we learned all those words,” Lillard said.
‘There’s a tremendous difference in our level of knowledge,” he said.
His company’s release from FDA warnings was a result of a concerted effort from his 40 employees, all of whom are Morgan County residents.
WHP has been in business since 1873, and grew quickly after Lillard and his wife Linda Sprankle bought the company in 1991.
“There are only three companies in the U.S. will a full line of homeopathic products. We’re one of them,” he said.
“I was determined to do it. I decided they are not going to put me out of business,” Lillard said.
The company continues to have a weekly meeting with the FDA, and sends them letters every two weeks outlining the steps and procedures it has taken and continues to take to address the agency’s warnings.
“We did what they said to do,” Lillard said.


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SpinGreen Turns New York City Green: TextileWorld
In the one year SpinGreen has been in business, it has diverted well over 3 million pounds of textiles from landfills, and has donated more than $100,000 in cash and clothes to charitable organizations. There are 600 locations in New York City where textile products may be dropped off.
Polina Groman, CEO and founder of SpinGreen, said the idea came from a friend in England, where used merchandise is recycled. “I then discovered that throughout Europe there is much more awareness of sustainability than there is in this country,” she said. “I think that attitude is changing, partly through SpinGreen.”
SpinGreen takes textiles others turn down. What is reusable is donated to charitable partners. What is not is recycled for other uses such as housing insulation or car seat stuffing. Children’s clothing is one area in which there is an enormous turnover — a lot is very slightly worn, and some is nearly new. “In New York City, people live in apartments and don’t have a lot of storage space,” Groman said. “They are looking for a good way to donate merchandise.”
Textiles that are not reusable are sold. Some proceeds are given to major charitable organizations such as The Police Athletic League, American Red Cross and Gay Men’s Health Center. Other proceeds are used for SpinGreen’s other philanthropic initiatives, including after-school educational programs. “By working with schools and boys and girls clubs we are teaching positive attitudes toward recycling. This helps to bring in more used merchandise and to create awareness,” Groman said.
New York City residents may deposit used textiles in collection bins provided by SpinGreen, which recycles the textiles for reuse or for conversion for insulation, stuffing or other uses.


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Frito-Lay using AI to create ‘global’ flavour profiles
By Canadian Vending
AI tech helps anticipate exotic flavour trends
By Canadian Vending
Snacking trends are evolving to include more multi-cultural flavours, according to Frito-Lay’s U.S. Snack Index survey.
The study revealed the majority of U.S. consumers are demanding more variety in their flavour choices in theirs snacks, and are drawn to “globally inspired” foods.
To address demands for international flavours, food companies are looking for new ways to curate flavour profiles for groups and/or geography.
Frito-Lay is using AI technology to continually analyze millions of data points that identify micro-markets for a flavour or product that might otherwise be missed. Recently, AI unveiled small market segments in the eastern U.S. that sought hot and spicy flavours, although most in the macro market surrounding it had a more classic flavour palate. They then used AI to reshape their distribution to ensure that precisely the right products were available in each local point of sale based on local shopper demographics.
“It’s given us a ‘tasty’ challenge – to predict, respond and adapt to rapidly expanding consumer preferences with speed and agility by leveraging technology to ensure we can get consumers exactly the snacks they want exactly where they want to buy them,” said Michael Lindsey, chief transformation & strategy officer, Frito-Lay North America in a press release. “We believe it’s our job to develop and deliver snacks that equally delight a niche community as well as a mass crowd.”
The U.S. Snack Index stated that 69 per cent of the surveyed respondents indulge on international flavoured foods at least once a month, and more than 76 per cent agree that they like to try flavours from countries and cultures that are not their own.
- 74 per cent of Americans say they are willing to try new types and flavours rather than only purchase snacks they have tried previously.
- 68 per cent of respondents prefer a lot of flavour options, 30 percent prefer a few and just two percent desire only one option.
- 44 per cent are “curiosity seekers, whose current flavour choices are driven by places they have already travelled, whereas 38 per cent first tried a new taste sensation because they saw them in a local store or restaurant.
- 36 per cent of adults nationwide say they are more adventurous with the foods they eat compared to five years ago.


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Bank organises meeting to boost Sino-African trade
Tag: Bank, Sino-African trade
Summary: Standard Chartered Bank is this year hosting the 12th Africa Chairmen here as part of boosting Sino-African trade and investments.
Bank organises meeting to boost Sino-African trade.
Standard Chartered Bank is this year hosting the 12th Africa Chairmen here as part of boosting Sino-African trade and investments. The bank chose Beijing for this year’s conference, which started on Monday and expected to close Friday, to solidifies its unique global footprint to support, promote and grow economically enhancing trade and investment corridors between these two regions.
While in China, Standard Chartered will provide the Africa Chairmen with insight into China’s strides in economic development, the Bank’s Chinese expansion strategy as well as facilitate strategic introductions with relevant and influential government, industry and private sector leaders across China. The Bank’s Africa delegation will also participate in China’s ‘4th Conference of African and Chinese Entrepreneurs’ during the ‘Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’ (FOCAC) in Beijing.
This will developer the sino-african cooperation.


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Karl Magnus Troedsson, General Manager of Battlefield developer DICE, posted a long blog on the Battlefield forums explaining why the Visceral Games team has decided to push the Battlefield Hardline launch window back into 2015. Essentially they want extra time to spit-polish the game, and to implement some ideas stemming from all the feedback they received during E3 2014.
“The more we thought about these ideas, the more we knew we had to get them into the game you will all be playing,” he wrote. “However, there was only one problem. We would need more time. Time that we didn’t have if we decided to move forward with launching in just a couple of months.”
The extra time means adding new feature ideas that come straight from the community that will “evolve the cops and criminals fantasy into a truly unique Battlefield Multiplayer experience.” The extra time will also enable a deeper “crime revenge” story in single-player campaign, and more polishing on core features. Stability will also benefit from added time.
“This has been a focus for our team since day one and we’re going to be using the extra time to continue to optimize the game for a stable launch” Troedsson wrote. “We have learned a lot from Battlefield 4, are continuing to learn from our Community Test Environment and will learn more from another Hardline beta. More time allows us to surface issues that the team can attempt to fix prior to launch.”
Meanwhile, Executive Producer Mark Darrah broke some depressing news to Dragon Age fans, reporting that Dragon Age: Inquisition will not be ready for purchase until November 18, 2014 here in North America and November 21 in Europe. Previously the game was slated for an October 7 release.
“We appreciate the enormous support we’ve received from all of you to get to this point, and while this extra few weeks may not seem like a lot, I know the game you’ll play will be all the better for it,” Darrah writes.
“I’m privileged to be a part of a team that has been working very hard to surpass every measure they’ve set for themselves,” he adds. “That has meant completing huge amounts of game content, fixing bugs both big and small, and improving the overall experience. This last bit of time is about polishing the experience we want you to see. Ensuring that our open spaces are as engaging as possible. Strengthening the emotional impact of the Hero's choices. And ensuring the experience you get is the best it can be in the platform you choose to play on.”
To read the full announcement, head here.
Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.
Perhaps people will learn to be cautious instead of putting it all on EA. Begs the question. If people don't like that they release unfinished games, why do they blindly hand over money to them?
2. Still the same goddamn game as BF4
3. Arent there some DLCs yet to be released for BF4?
4. "omg BF so different from COD"
5. FU EA, i got bf4 and premium for 50$ buying it from mexican market. GG i win


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Have you received a pre-paid debit card in the mail? Don't throw it out. It could be your stimulus payment.
While millions of Americans have received their stimulus money, many are still waiting on their checks from the U.S. government.
The IRS began sending the payments out in April as part of a $2 trillion relief package authorized by Congress. The money amounts to up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples, plus $500 for each child under 17 for families who meet certain income qualifications.
Direct deposit payments were the first to go out, followed by paper checks. But some people – nearly 4 million – may instead receive prepaid debit cards.
The cards can be used to make purchases, get cash from ATMs or transfer money to your own bank account without any fees, according to the Treasury Department. You can also check the account balance online.
The cards also come with consumer protections against fraud or loss, the agency said.
"Pre-paid debit cards are secure, easy to use, and allow us to deliver Americans their money quickly," Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement. "Recipients can immediately activate and use the cards safely."
There are certain features that individuals should look for to make sure the debit card is legit, according to the IRS. A Visa label should appear on the front of the card, while the back of the card should have the name MetaBank N.A. for the issuing bank. The card should arrive in an envelope labelled "Money Network Cardholder Services," and it should include information explaining that it is your stimulus payment.
Americans cannot choose to receive their stimulus check by debit card. Instead, that is determined by the government.
More from Invest in You:
Four simple things to shore up your pandemic finances
Parents find it near impossible to make childcare plans in the pandemic
This simple financial plan makes it easier to get through tough times
Some are concerned that the form of payment might be confusing to some people. This week on Capitol Hill, members of the House Ways and Means Committee wrote a letter to the Treasury Department expressing their concerns about the debit cards.
"Recent reports indicate the cards are creating confusion and actually may delay when Americans receive this emergency assistance," the lawmakers wrote.
The cards typically arrive in an envelope labelled, "Money Network Cardholder Services," which is "not a name that taxpayers recognize," the representatives wrote.
Furthermore, the debit cards are also not labelled as economic impact payments or with the Treasury Department's name. And while there is a phone number on the cards, they do require individuals to enter a "substantial portion" of their Social Security numbers, the letter said.
"When added together, these facts are leading many individuals to believe that the debit cards are junk mail or a scam," the lawmakers wrote.
Disclosure: NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are investors in Acorns.


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The federal government has released new standards for the types of snack foods and a la carte items that can be sold in schools in order to cut down on high-fat and unhealthy options. Take a look at which foods made the cut and what got the boot.
Ashleigh Stumler thought she was getting dizzy as she hiked in the thin air of Mount Everest. But a guide told her it was something else. An earthquake was roiling Nepal and shaking the world's tallest mountain to its roots.


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March 2, 2020
Last week the FDA greenlighted the ultrasound app VistaScan from Emagine Solutions Technology.
The new software app can be used on a doctor's cellphone or tablet. It can also connect with companion ultrasound probes, which are already FDA cleared.
The company previously partnered with the Red Cross to assist women with prenatal scans, according to a video on the company’s website.


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Jump to navigation
Gold prices have been running at historically high levels, which has put a crimp in some businesses that use the shiny yellow stuff. But in New York City one merchant has found a tasteful way to adjust. Andrea Mustain reports.
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Posted on 11 June 2011
For a long time many people have doubted whether staying in the UK for a beach holiday was still cheaper than going abroad, with the advent of budget airlines etc. Well, we now have definitive and irrefutable evidence that holidaying in Antalya in Turkey is cheaper for Britain’s than a holiday in Torquay.
Currency specialist Travelex has found that Brits can save over £600 by choosing Antalya over a staycation in Torquay.
For a start Brits get 10% more spending money than last year because Sterling has rallied against the Turkish lira.
Travel is cheaper, with return flights from Gatwick to Antalya available from just £368, compared to £525 for a return to Exeter (also from Gatwick), including the £20 cab fare into Torquay.
It than costs £92 less to stay in Antalya, with a room at the four-star Lara Park Hotel by the beach costing £426 for 2 adults, 1 week, compared to £518 for the same stay at Torquay’s 4 star Braddon Hotel.
At £30.50 per person, a three course meal with wine is about half the price in Turkey, and a pint of beer is just less than half price at £1.86 against £3.20 in Torquay. Likewise a spa day is almost 50% cheaper in Turkey at just £70, cocktails are a bargain, and an outing to a model village is more than three times cheaper.
Travelex’s Peter Davies said: “It’s incredible to think Brits can save money by travelling to Turkey rather than staying put on their home soil.
“What’s more, it’s pretty much guaranteed sunshine in the summer, which is a lot more than can be said for Torquay.”


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Free Gifts That Keep On Giving
By Matt Pillar, editor in chief
My Grandpa was a pack rat and a sucker for a gadget. He had an impressive collection of trinkets and token gifts he’d received from door-to-door salesmen and catalog retailers over the years. He didn’t sew, but he could have made a quilt with all the fabric swatch samples he’d amassed from Blair mailings. And, when the Schwan’s Frozen food man added Grandpa’s rural Pennsylvania home to his sales route and stopped by with an introduction and a free box of ice cream on a stick, Gramps thought he’d found his new best friend.
There’s somewhat of a revival happening in terms of free gifts and samples in retail, marked by cutting-edge cross-channel retailers putting a new spin on the old shoe brush salesman’s gimmick. And, according to some recent research, it’s working.
Last month, Harris Interactive released a report commissioned by IDR Marketing Partners, which revealed that two in five Americans are very-to-extremely likely to purchase more often from an e-commerce site after receiving a free gift, while 40% said they’re “somewhat likely” to. The survey also found that consumers are 90% more likely to purchase more frequently from an online retailer who offers an unexpected offer or free gift sample with order deliveries. Some 65% of those consumers said they’re likely to share that positive experience with their online peers, while 50% are likely to talk about it with their friends in person.
Free gifts clearly offer retailers an opportunity for competitive differentiation, especially in light of Harris’ findings that fewer than half of online retailers currently offer them. The study suggests that if you don’t currently engage in a free sample/gift program, it pays to start with women, who are far more likely to share their positive experiences than men are.
With the consumer benefit of free gifting established, lets address your primary concern. “Sure, of course our customers love freebies,” you’re thinking. “And yeah, giving stuff away would certainly create buzz,” you say. “But we’re in the business of selling, not doling out free stuff.” That’s where cooperative marketing companies like IDR Marketing Partners (which commissioned the study) step in. IDR connects its retail clients with brand manufacturers who are eager to distribute samples and freebies to a large and targeted potential customer base, and who have the budget to do so. The company aligns the manufacturers’ samples and gifts with its retail clients’ customer demographics, helps the two companies develop a campaign, and manages the logistics of fulfillment.
Running shoe retailers give away free socks and energy drinks. Personal care retailers give away hair conditioners and moisturizing lotion. Pharmacies give away razors and OTC medication. In the end, you the retailer pay only for a service that delights customers and, according to the research, gets them talking and keeps them coming back.


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OnePlus foldable phone launch
Sharma claims that on top of the more “standard” smartphones, tablets, and other products, OnePlus is planning on launching foldables as well. The tipster suggests that the brand might launch horizontal folding and vertical folding smartphones in the near future. This should ideally not come as a surprise to any, considering OPPO has already entered the foldable space with its Find N series of smartphones.
To further strengthen the claim, Sharma has also posted an image of a couple of trademarks OnePlus has seemingly filed lately. The image suggests that OnePlus might name its foldable smartphones as the OnePlus V Fold and the OnePlus V Flip. Sadly, there’s no word as to what the specifications and features of either of these devices would be.
This is probably the first time that the news surrounding OnePlus foldables has popped up ever since OnePlus joked about one back in 2022. While there’s no concrete launch timeline available yet, we can certainly expect the OnePlus V Fold and OnePlus V Flip to launch sometime later this year.


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The edible oil manufacturer, Adani Wilmar has announced that it will undertake a gradual overhaul of its edible oil packaging with a new all-PE laminate packaging to make it entirely recyclable from the first quarter of FY 2018-19.
Pouches needed to pack edible oil have a film of nylon to ensure that oil is insulated from outer atmosphere.
Edible oil manufacturer Adani Wilmar will soon replace all its packaging for edible oil in pouches from non recyclable polymers to recyclable polymers.
The pouches needed to pack edible oil have a film of nylon to ensure that oil is insulated from outer atmosphere. This enables oil to preserve its aroma. However, nylon used is not recylable. Adani Wilmar has tied up with Vishakha Polyfab Private Ltd (VPPL) which will supply the packaging material with a special additive that enables the plastic to be recycled to make granules, which will be used to make other materials. While this will increase the cost of packaging, Angshu Mallick, COO of Adani Wilmar said the company will not pass on the cost to the customer. The use of recyclable material will be prominently displaced on the package.
“Non-reuse of packaging material was a major headache for us. We are glad that now it will be resolved,” said Mallick. The focus will now be on creating awareness among the rag pickers about the property of the packets and segregation so that these can be sent to proper recyling agencies.
IoT, or the Internet of Things, quite literally talks about how physical objects (aka things) such as machines and materials are now a part of a very large system (you guessed it right, the Internet) that allows them to communicate and share data with the help of sensors, microcomputers, assisted software, etc.
From tracking your online shipment on your laptop to switching on the smart lights in your room using voice commands, all this “convenient access to information” is made possible due to the “Internet of Things”.
The DS Group is committed to the mission of Green enabling by Social, Structural and Economic transformation that will drive sustainability in its business. As a committed corporate citizen, the Group aims to create a closed loop system that minimizes the use of resources, creation of waste, pollution and carbon emission. The use of R PET in popular confectionery brand ‘Pulse’, the leader in hard boiled candy segment is a small step towards environment sustainability and circular economy. The PET Jar is made from a combination of virgin and recycled PET granules, which means that the waste from eco system is being reused into packaging and not burdening the planet. The company is also targeting Industrial ecology and blue economy by working towards reducing resource depletion and environmental pollution.
In last few decades the consumerism has increased at an exceptional pace and so has the quantum of waste that has led to an environment mayhem. The reuse of goods and waste utilization is negligent in the production-consumption cycle. Packaging is an unavoidable part of this development, as it protects, preserves, enhances, disperses information, acts as a marketing tool and allows for safe transportation. The packaging sector is a large user of the plastic and the increasing environmental pressure on the economic system requires a reconsideration of our economic paradigm. It is imperative that it consciously shifts its consumption preferences to recycled and reusable material. The world is heading towards an “ecological credit crunch” and is under severe ecological debt as we are over-utilising the natural resources without replenishing, and this crisis is far worse than all the financial and health crisis mankind has ever faced. This urges societies, corporates around the world to increase the efficiency of natural resources use and to reduce the overall environmental impact. Reusable, recycled packaging has been suggested as an option to significantly reduce environmental impacts.
WWP Beauty Stands at the Forefront of Sustainability Through Strategic New Partnerships, Leadership and Innovation
Company partners with several eco-minded organizations and ramps up innovation towards circular beauty, zero waste, and carbon neutrality to support its mission of building a more sustainable, clean and inclusive future.
Gillette is proud to introduce Gillette TREO™, the world’s first assisted shaving razor, to caregivers in Canada. TREO is specifically designed for a caregiver to shave someone else, allowing caregivers to provide a dignified shaving experience for their loved ones who, for whatever reason, are unable to shave themselves. Gillette was inspired by real-world conversations that revealed the need for a product like TREO. Gillette knows that caregivers take on a lot and hopes that TREO can help make a meaningful difference in their daily routines with their loved ones they are caring for.
Aptar Partners with CARE® to Further Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sponsors the Fast + Fair COVID-19 Vaccine Response CampaignNews:
Through our on-going global partnership, Aptar will support CARE’s mission, including education programming, women’s economic empowerment efforts and CARE’s Crisis Response Campaign, by sponsoring the Fast + Fair COVID-19 Vaccine Response Campaign.
Women and girls have always been a vital part of CARE’s fight against global poverty. During the pandemic, women are on the frontlines of the crisis, and women are at a higher risk of infection while caring for the sick and out-of-school children.
“CARE has a tremendous, worldwide track record as a highly effective non-profit organization that has supported and empowered women and girls around the world for over 75 years. We are very proud to make CARE the global signature cause for Aptar as we work to further women’s education and empowerment, and join their fight against COVID-19 through global vaccine distribution,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO. “As a manufacturer of components for the delivery of vaccines, including stoppers for glass vials and syringe components, the work CARE is doing to advocate, facilitate, protect and educate about vaccines is critical. We believe that everyone should have the same level of access to vaccines and COVID-19 support.”
Through the Fast + Fair COVID-19 Vaccine Response Campaign, the organization is stepping in to help communities around the globe ensure more than 100 million people in 10 countries – including women, those living in extreme poverty, and nearly 275,000 healthcare workers – have access to the COVID-19 vaccines over the coming year. Wealthy countries have already purchased 53% of the most promising vaccines. However, they account for just 14% of the world’s population. Through CARE’s Fast + Fair campaign, CARE is working to influence U.S. and global policy to ensure equitable vaccine availability and distribution.
CARE is also focused on supporting health systems in every stage of vaccine chain—including planning, tracking, training and delivery—prioritizing at risk groups including health workers, caregivers and refugees. CARE will work to engage communities to provide correct information, combat stigma and build trust.
Aptar is an early sponsor of the Fast + Fair Campaign and will join the CARE Corporate Council, a coalition of corporate partners committed to multi-sector collaboration, and using their influence, expertise and people to empower women and girls.
“CARE’s mission aligns with our purpose, values and mission to further diversity and inclusion, empower women and to support the communities where we live and work, along with global communities who are the most marginalized and the most in need,” said Shiela Vinczeller, Chief Human Resources Officer. “By partnering with CARE, we can also work to accelerate Gender Equality both within Aptar and around the world.”
CARE rose to an enormous challenge 75 years ago, sending millions of CARE Packages® to starving families in Europe after World War II. The CARE Package became iconic, representing a tangible way to provide immediate, lifesaving and life-changing assistance. Since then, CARE’s work has grown it has become a recognized leader in disaster relief and humanitarian aid. In April 2020, CARE quickly mobilized to launch a new CARE Package to respond to the United States’ biggest needs due to COVID-19. The organization has sent 3 million CARE Packages in the US – including food, income, support for frontline workers, and protections from sexual abuse/gender-based violence to individuals and communities in need.
“CARE is grateful to be partnering with Aptar to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine reaches those most in need, regardless of where they live,” President and CEO of CARE US, Michelle Nunn said. “Aptar’s support of our Fast + Fair COVID-19 initiative will help protect those most often overlooked by society, including women, those living in extreme poverty, and informal healthcare workers. This pandemic has taught us that none of us are safe, until all of us are safe. Protecting those most vulnerable is not only ethical, it’s the only way to wage an effective global vaccination campaign and end this pandemic.”
Aptar has formalized policies around Human Rights; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Community Engagement and Global Giving on its corporate website. These important policies outline Aptar’s commitment to upholding human rights, the environment, and the communities in which it operates.
Home skincare devices: a growing trend
As beauty consumers increasingly seek dermocosmetic solutions for their daily skincare needs, devices that deliver salon-quality skincare treatments at home have boomed as a category. Developed within the auspices of Paris Santé Cochin — Europe’s largest start-up incubator in the health sector located within the Hospital Cochin in Paris — the revolutionary LightinDerm skincare device uses three types of regenerative light to transform and activate photo-active serums and provoke deep skin regeneration and rejuvenation when applied. Within the device, the airless roll-on capsule enables secure housing and delivery of different formulas according to the customer’s preference and skincare requirements. For Aptar, the challenge was to develop a perfectly sealed resistant product which would also diffuse light rays in the most efficient way to enable activation of the ingredients within the serum.
Technical challenge: accepted!
A market-first, the airless roll-on recharge capsule developed for LightinDerm is the result of two years’ intense work by Aptar’s airless and custom design experts. After extensive laboratory and industrial testing, the designers hit on three materials — the combination of which remains a tightly guarded secret — for the final airless roll-on capsule, which is fully recyclable. The recharge capsule consists of three parts made by Aptar, combined with the glass roller ball through which the light passes as it evenly distributes the formula and mechanically massages the skin. Inside the capsule, which has a guaranteed seal, is an airless piston designed exclusively for LightinDerm.
Made in France excellence
The technical achievement of creating an airless roll-on capsule was made possible thanks to the cutting-edge technologies and expertise across various disciplines present at Aptar’s industrial sites around France. Aptar’s capacity for next-level research and large-scale testing, undertaken in close collaboration with the client, was key to producing this revolutionary product for LightinDerm. Globally renowned for excellence in the beauty industry, Aptar is a proud contributor to France’s reputation as an industry leader. Innovative start-ups like LightinDerm, working together with industrial powerhouses like Aptar, will help to ensure the continued health of the French beauty industry and its ability to reinvent the market with the delivery of ground-breaking new products.
European countries with DRS are found to have the highest rate of success, with an average beverage container return rate of 91 per cent. Australia’s deposit programmes, which are relatively new compared to other jurisdictions, have the lowest success rates so far, with an average return rate of 68 per cent.
The return-to-retail model of DRS – where empty bottles and cans are returned for a refund of the deposit at shops where they are purchased – is the most effective, with an average return rate of 89 per cent, compared to return-to-redemption centre or depot systems, which have an average return rate of 81 per cent.
Clarissa Morawski, chief executive of Reloop, said: “This is good news for the planet. It reveals that each year more and more countries are realising the need for DRS to collect and recycle valuable cans and bottles and to address the massive crisis in wasted containers, many of which end up as litter.
“Deposit Return Systems are the only proven way for a country to achieve recycling rates of over 90 per cent, meaning fewer bottles and cans in our forests and on our beaches.”
Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, has launched a new paper EcoWicketBag for Drylock Technologies’ baby diaper ranges, bringing sustainable paper-based packaging to the hygiene market globally.
The global hygiene products manufacturer approached Mondi to create a more sustainable alternative to its existing plastic diaper packaging that would travel well, have strong shelf-appeal, and protect the product - while also using renewable resources and significantly reducing its CO2 footprint.
A key advantage of using paper-based solutions is the recyclability of paper and that consumers are more likely to know how to dispose of it correctly. The EcoWicketBag can be placed in existing paper streams, even in countries with the strictest recycling regulations, thereby supporting the circular economy. An EcoWicketBag made out of fully compostable materials is also available.
EcoWicketBag fits with Drylock Technologies’ existing plant processes, meaning it is the first paper wicket bag range that can be filled and sealed on existing machines.EcoWicketbag is made of extremely durable kraft paper keeping products sterile and safe with easy opening. It is fully recyclable and also available in compostable version.


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$ 8 billion Wolt deal largest in the industry
DoorDash, the largest food delivery service in the United States, said it was buying Finnish food delivery startup Walt Enterprises Oy for about $ 8 billion.
The sale of all shares is DoorDash’s largest purchase to date, eclipsing the acquisition of Caviar in 2019. Last year, Just Eat Takeaway.com NV bought Grubhub for $ 7.3 billion and Uber Technologies Inc. acquired Postmates Inc. for $ 2.65 billion
The merger will expand the number of DoorDash customers to 700 million
Tony Xu, co-founder and CEO of DoorDash, said, “This relationship is targeted at accelerating and expanding to play for a bigger prize on an even wider global stage.”
Xu stated that Wolt, based in Helsinki, operates in 23 European markets, 22 of which will be new to DoorDash, bringing the total number of clients to 700 million.
“Wolt has a long runway ahead of it, and our collaboration creates the groundwork for our international expansion,” Xu said.
Walt specialised in mid-market markets from Helsinki to Tel Aviv, with plans to expand to Berlin and Tokyo in 2020. Despite Wolt’s influence, DoorDash will remain unavailable in the United Kingdom, where Uber has been active since 2016.
In expanded trading in New York, DoorDash shares jumped 24 percent on news of the deal and third-quarter results that topped analysts’ forecasts.


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Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced another $3.6 billion worth of stock sales Wednesday. This brings his total to nearly $40 billion for the year. Investors are disappointed as Tesla’s shares slump at their two-year lows.
According to a U.S. securities filing, he sold 22 million shares of the most valued carmaker in the world over three days starting Monday and ending Wednesday.
This sale marks the second large stock purchase he’s made since October’s $44 billion acquisition of Twitter. He had repeatedly assured that he would not sell Tesla shares again in April.
Although it is not clear whether the Twitter purchase is related, they have annoyed investors because of the perception that he has shifted his resources and focus to Twitter over Tesla.
Tony Sycamore of brokerage IG Markets said that Tesla stock is not popular among small-time investors.
It’s not a great situation. Many investors have Tesla shares, and many of them are furious with Elon.
A Reuters request for comment by Tesla was not immediately answered. Musk emailed after business hours to get a response. According to Refinitiv data, Musk’s stake of 13.4% in Tesla has fallen from 17% last year.
Tesla stock rose by about 1% on Thursday morning trading. This is despite it having halved in the year. It has underperformed both automakers, and the more tech-heavy Nasdaq, which are down around 30%.
Musk has sold nearly $40 billion in total over the last year.
Tareck Horchani of Maybank Securities, Singapore’s head for prime brokerage deals said that “it will begin to be tiring investors.”
Musk had sold $4 billion worth of shares just a few days before this latest sale.
Ross Gerber is a Tesla investor and strong Musk supporter. He tweeted that Tesla should be announcing a buyback to “take advantage of Elon’s low share price.”
Musk has lost a lot of his fortune in Tesla shares and was briefly displaced by Bernard Arnault, Louis Vuitton boss.
Twitter is seeing advertisers leave amid concerns about Musk’s strategy to monitor tweets. This could impact revenues as well as its ability to repay interest on $13 billion of debt Musk took out for this deal.
Investors claim that his controversial tweets could also damage Tesla’s brand and reduce sales.
“Investors are concerned about demand, pricing, auto-GMs (gross margins) and Twitter distraction/overhang/impact on Tesla brand,” said RBC Capital Markets, slashing its price target by $100 to $225.
Tesla faces macroeconomic challenges that affect demand for their expensive vehicles. To boost its demand, the company offers discounts in China and the United States.
Musk stated Tuesday that Tesla would be great in the long term, but it doesn’t have control over macroeconomic tides.


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The print edition of venerable U.S. weekly news magazine Newsweek is no more. From the Jan. 4 issue it relaunched as a digital-only publication.
Writing in the final print edition of Dec. 31, 2012, Editor in Chief Tina Brown wrote, “A magazine that will soon turn 80 will now be, when all the changes are unveiled in February, a vigorous young publication all over again, taking its readers to territory that is new and uncharted.
“One thing, however, will not change,” Brown pledged, “and that is our commitment to journalism of the highest quality.”
Is the American magazine’s demise a foreboding of things to come in Japan? Newsweek’s Japanese-language edition (referred to in the vernacular as Nyusuiku Nihongo-ban) was launched in January 1986. Hankyu Communications, its publisher, announced it will continue. According to data appearing in Tsukuru (February), circulation of Japanese Newsweek dropped from 54,481 copies per week in the second half of 2009 to 39,457 in the first half of 2012.
Japan’s weekly tabloids, general news magazines, business magazines and so-called jōhō-shi (information magazines) have all suffered declining readership over the past three years. The few genres that are still selling well include fashion-related glossy publications that appeal to a young female readership, and television programming guides.
Tsukuru also noted that the number of magazines folding began to surpass the launch of new publications from 2006. This trend remained steady through 2011. In 2010, for instance, as opposed to 110 new magazines launched, 216 existing magazines ceased publication.
With the single exception of 556,485 copies of “Ie no Hikari,” published monthly by the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, no secular weekly or monthly vernacular magazine enjoys circulation of half a million copies. Kodansha’s Shukan Gendai last year managed to boost its circulation by about 55,000 copies over figures for the second half of 2009 (325,677), but most general-readership magazines posted significant declines. Japan’s Audit Bureau of Circulation data gave these changes between the corresponding periods in 2009 and 2012: Shukan Bunshun (534,303 to 465,983); Shukan Shincho (435,916 to 356,623); Shukan Post (298,999 to 284,755); and Weekly Playboy (181,455 to 125,774).
Several magazines, moreover, have dropped below the 100,000 mark, a potentially dangerous situation for nationally circulated publications. These include Spa! (86,658 to 65,147); Aera (105,403 to 80,618); Sunday Mainichi (74,597 to 73,072) and Sapio (71,912 to 56,538).
The declining sales of magazines are symptomatic of slumping sales among publishing firms, retail bookstores and wholesalers. An online publication called Business Journal (Jan. 5) noted that on Dec. 14, Takeda Random House Japan had filed for bankruptcy. The company, originally founded as a joint venture between Kodansha and U.S. publisher Random House, was founded in May 2003, and at its peak did ¥1.3 billion in annual sales.
Times have been particularly rough for small- and medium-sized publishers. At a symposium last year, Hideo Iida, president of publisher Shinjinbutsu Oraisha (founded in 1951), was quoted as saying that over the coming fiscal period he was contemplating a 30 percent cut in the number of titles, due to lack of demand for books. “In 2012, 60 to 70 percent were returned unsold,” he remarked.
According to industry data from the Research Institute for Publications, overall sales of printed media in the first 10 months of last year declined year-on by 3.2 percent to ¥1.457 trillion. In contrast to a decline of 2.3 percent for books, magazines fell by 3.9 percent over the same period. The Business Journal article noted that in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, magazine revenues fell year-on-year by 6.6 percent, dropping below the critical ¥1 trillion level to finish at ¥984.3 billion.
“Magazines aren’t even selling at convenience stores,” a sales rep for one of the magazine publishers is quoted as saying. “Naturally the same situation holds at bookstores. Even if we ship more copies, it’s become so bad there are stores where you don’t see them put out on the shelves.”
He added that one major distributor has adopted a roughshod policy of placing a cap on the number of magazines that can be returned unsold, and if the sales target is not met, the number of copies shipped for the next issue is reduced.
To make matters worse, revenues at bookstores in Japan continue declining, with outlets shutting down at the rate of about 1,000 stores per year.
In an article titled “The future direction of the magazine industry for which the age of winter has arrived,” Hiroyuki Shinoda, Tsukuru’s editor, observed that for some time already, publishers such as Shueisha, Shogakukan and Kodansha have subsidized general readership magazines with their profits from sales of comics.
Magazines have also been sustained to a degree by serializing fiction and other works by popular authors, which are then released later in book form. But it’s becoming obvious that this strategy cannot be sustained much longer. Kodansha’s phasing out of its monthly magazine Gekkan Gendai, which was relaunched as g2 — “a new type of nonfiction media combining magazines, books and the Internet” — stands out as a new business model designed to provide a bridge for transition of contents from magazines to books.
“Isn’t there anything else publishers can do but sit there and contemplate the demise of magazine culture?” Shinoda asked.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
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Deere's Fiscal 2Q16 Results Are Out, but No One's Celebrating
Deere’s earnings in 2Q16
Deere & Company (DE), the world’s largest manufacturer of tractors and harvesting combines, released its fiscal 2Q16 earnings before markets opened on May 20, 2016. This 2Q16 earnings release will serve as a snapshot of the company’s operating performance in the three-month period between February and April. Deere’s earnings release resulted in a price action of -5.5%. The stock closed at $77.72 on May 20.
In fiscal 2Q16, Deere reported diluted EPS (earnings per share) of $1.56, as compared to estimates of $1.48. These fiscal earnings reflect a decline of 23.1% over fiscal 2Q15’s diluted EPS of $2.03. The decline in diluted EPS was due to across-the-board declines in operating margins and sales, which led to a 28% drop in net income. Declining farm incomes contributed to weak demand for agriculture equipment whereas excess used equipment inventory led to a slump in the construction and forestry segment.
Declining farm incomes contributed to weak demand for agriculture equipment, whereas excess used equipment inventory led to a slump in the company’s Construction & Forestry segment.
Among competitors in the agriculture (DBA) and construction (ITB) equipment space, AGCO (AGCO) and Caterpillar (CAT) declared their 1Q16 earnings on April 27 and April 22, respectively. The earnings declared by CAT and AGCO were for the quarter that ended March 31.
On the recent quarterly performance call, Samuel R. Allen, Deere’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, noted that “John Deere’s second-quarter performance reflected the continuing impact of the downturn in the global farm economy and further weakness in the construction equipment sector.”
Allen added that “in the face of challenging market conditions, Deere’s businesses benefited from the sound execution of operating plans, the strength of a broad product portfolio and our success creating a more flexible cost structure.”
Browse this series on Market Realist:


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china factory big mining ratio widely mining machine
Alibaba Launches Crypto Mining Business in China . Finance .
Jan 16, 2018 . Lately, if China and cryptocurrency hit the headlines together, the news was likely to be negative. Today, however, we are seeing something different. Alibaba, the Chinese e commerce and tech giant, has quietly launched a cryptocurrency mining platform, according to a report published by a local news.get price>>
China's Alibaba Quietly Launches Cryptocurrency Mining Platform .
Jan 16, 2018 . Alibaba has recently launched a virtual currency mining platform P2P node, from the terms of the service agreement terms platform, the main operating platform is Alibaba East China Ltd.. It is reported that the company on October 10, 2017 has been completed registration, registered in Nanjing, the.get price>>
Ethereum Mining, Ethereum Mining Suppliers and Manufacturers at .
Ethereum Mining, Wholesale Various High Quality Ethereum Mining Products from Global Ethereum Mining Suppliers and Ethereum Mining Factory,Importer,Exporter at Alibaba .get price>>


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Useful... or just annoying? Facebook to trial new feature that automatically plays videos in news feeds
- Footage will play on silent as users scroll down their homepage
- Sound will start only when people click on the video
- Site says feature will not be open to advertisers - for now
Facebook is to begin testing a new mobile feature that plays videos automatically as users scroll through their news feeds.
The videos will begin playing as they come into view on the screen, and users can preview them within the feed without clicking on or opening them.
Each video will play silently and can be viewed with sound upon clicking.
New feature: Social media giant Facebook is to trial a service which automatically plays videos as users scroll down their news feeds
The new capability will only be rolled out to a small group of random users, and videos will only play automatically if they are uploaded directly to Facebook — not embedded from other sites like YouTube.
The social media behemoth hopes the added functionality will let users get more out of the video content on their feed, particularly since the site lets users preview the video without interrupting the scroll.
For now, the new autoplay feature only applies to videos uploaded by individuals, bands and musicians, but Facebook said it could be open to advertisers in the future.
A spokesman said: 'We're doing this to make sure we create the best possible experience. Over time, we'll continue to explore how to bring this to marketers in the future.'
No details were released regarding a timeline for rolling out the feature to all users, or whether it will be available for Facebook's desktop platform.
Innovator: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has grown the site into a multi-billion dollar business
The news comes weeks after the social media site announced plans for a new payment system to rival PayPal by allowing users to make mobile purchases using their log-in details.
The system would work by automatically filling in forms with the payment details added by users to their Facebook account whenever they make purchases on mobile applications.
The site would not expand on its plans but it is said to be focused on improving the mobile checkout experience.
It added that it would not be involved in payment processing which would remain with retail apps’ current service providers.
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The Acer Aspire E5-575G-75MD is a mid-range notebook designed for everyday users. It’s not as stylish as other devices, but it gets the job done at a much lower price than most of the competition, therefore offering increased value over time.
Dell’s mid-range 2-in-1 notebooks, the “Inspiron 5000” series have been recently upgraded with the latest CPU technology from Intel. Today I’ll have a look at a top tier device, the Dell Inspiron i5378-7171GRY.
Lenovo’s new Ideapad 510s ultrabook model, the 80TK002GUS is a lightweight, powerful and versatile laptop, perfect for travelling professionals, home offices or even college students.
Dell is one of the first laptop manufacturers to adopt the brand new generation of Intel processors, called Kaby Lake. Specifically, the 17-inch Dell i5767-6370GRY features a 7th generation Intel i7 CPU.
When it comes to high end gaming laptops, it’s hard to contest the duopoly that ASUS and MSI have imposed in the last couple of years. Both manufacturers released new models earlier this month. Today I’ll review the sleek and powerful ASUS ROG GL502VS-DB71.


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WELSH beef exported under a special licence was served at a roast beef dinner held in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba.
The event was hosted by British Ambassador Paul Hare, in conjunction with the International Trade Centre and the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.
The Welsh beef, from Welsh farms, was supplied by St Merryn Foods of Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
The chamber has over the past six months been working in partnership with the Federation of Cuban Chambers of Commerce to encourage bilateral trade between Cuba and the EU and the EU and Cuba.
The project is EU funded. "The Welsh beef was sampled at the roast beef dinner evening to which decision makers in Cuba and Cuban importers and end users had been invited," said Mr Hare.
"Cuba in the short term may present problems for our exporters but in the medium and long terms a market of 11 million people cannot be ignored."
Don Thomas, MD of Welsh Lamb & Beef Promotions said, "This event gives Wales the opportunity to lay down the marker for Welsh Beef, which is gaining in its recognition as an international quality brand. The costs are negligible to support such an event as this, however the longer term opportunity could be significant."


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Business News›manish singhal
Arvind Kejriwal asks what will a common man gets from one nation-one election concept
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has questioned the benefits of the 'One nation, One election' concept, suggesting that issues such as equal education and equal treatment for all are more important. The Centre has formed a committee to examine the possibility of simultaneous elections to various bodies. Kejriwal also promised to provide free education and power in Haryana, following a comment by the Chief Minister of Haryana about self-reliance rather than freebies. Haryana is set to hold elections next year.
Pi Ventures logs final close of its second fund at $85 million
Pi Ventures had announced the first close of the second round in January 2022 with Rs 303.5 crore ($40 million) raised from venture capital firm Accel, entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
Deep-tech firms hail draft policy, flag friction points
Open for public consultation and released on Monday, the recommendations are spread across nine themes including access to funding and strengthening the intellectual property regime.
Life sciences IT firm Axtria plans to expand India operations, hire over 1,000 techies
The company is hiring for its offices in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Noida, and new centres coming up in Pune and Hyderabad, Axtria said in a statement.
16,000% rally! This multibagger BSE500 stock turns Rs 10,000 to Rs 16 lakh in 10 years
Tanla Platforms has offered a 16,000% return to investors in the last 10 years, with the stock surging in the last five years by 1,620%. The company offers cloud communication solutions, and according to the shareholding pattern, is majority owned by the public. Technical analysts predict the stock has strong bullish momentum and could continue to trend higher in the near term.
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Early-stage fund pi Ventures raises Rs 100 crore from Sidbi’s startup fundThe announcement comes two weeks after the Bengaluru-based firm, which focuses on artificial intelligence and deeptech-based businesses, raised Rs 22 crore from Belgium’s Colruyt Group for the same fund.
Microsoft’s GitHub fires almost half of India workforce; ad-based OTTs set to take offAfter announcing in February that it will reduce its workforce by 7%, Microsoft-owned code-sharing and publishing service GitHub laid off 45% of its India team on Tuesday.
Early-stage fund pi Ventures raises Rs 22 crore from Belgium-based ColruytThe fundraise at pi Ventures, a firm focussed on artificial intelligence (AI) and deeptech startups, has helped it nearly hit its final close in the range of Rs 675 crore to Rs 750 crore, founding partner Manish Singhal told ET.
Pi Ventures raises Rs 66 cr from British International Investment for second fundThe investment by UK-based BII, a development finance institution, takes the corpus of Pi Ventures’ Fund-II to about Rs 530 crore, said Manish Singhal, one its founding partners.
Pi Ventures raises Rs 300 crore in first close of second fundThe combination of rupee and dollar capital was entirely raised from high net-worth individuals and family offices from India and abroad. The remaining amount will be raised from institutional investors.
Chalo raises $40 million in Series C led by Lightrock, Filter CapitalWith this fundraise, Chalo hopes to invest further in technology, deepen its presence in India, and expand to international cities.
Venture investing is moving from a market share led thesis to an IP/product led thesis: Manish Singhal, pi VenturesIn an e-mail interview Manish Singhal, founding partner of pi Ventures, discusses the fund’s priorities, why it's looking at newer areas like space tech, exits and other aspects.
Indians are experimenting with their drinks and nothing exemplifies this better than 'Indian Accent'At the new bar at the Indian Accent that is moving to The Lodhi in Delhi, Beedle will bring the headiness of global ideas — house-made absinthe, maraschino and vermouths.
Hot startup: How medical device firm ten3T helping patients with real-time cardiac monitoringThe startup, which recently raised Rs 1.65 crore in a funding round led by pi Ventures, is looking to lease out its devices to patients.
Indian fashion designers target the middleclass with ready-to wear offeringsSome of the country’s biggest designers are launching more affordable labels, aiming to strike a chord with young, fashion-conscious middle and upper middle class.
Running an apparel business online just as expensive as running a brick-and-mortar storeIn fact, with ecommerce in the country pushing fashion brands to give more than 15-20% discounts, it could also eat into their profit.
Hyperlocal startup DropKaffe raises $300k in fundingBengaluru-based hyperlocal startup DropKaffe is trying to change this by ensuring that their customers are served freshly brewed coffee right at their tables.
BetterButter raises $250K in seed funding led by growXFounded by Sukhmani Bedi and Niyaz Laiq, the Delhi-based start up focusses on recipes and allows users to create, discover and share recipes.
Advisory companies gain as startups look to woo investorsFinancial services company ValPro launched its deal-enabling platform, Enablersinvestment. com, for facilitating seed round and Series-A funding.
Let'sVenture founder Manish Singhal quits angel dealmaking platformAs on November 2014, it had facilitated 17 fundraising deals worth a total commitment of Rs 21.95 crore from a group of 120 angel investors.
Flipkart set to raise $1.5 billion in another round of mega fund-raisingThe company has raised a total of $1.2 billion this year and has just completed a round of festival sales marked by steep discounts.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress attack PM Narendra Modi over price rise, communal tension"People will give a reply to whether prices (of essential commodities) have gone down or not," said Congress President Sonia Gandhi
Congress slams 'mindset', flays Najma Heptulla in 'Hindu' comment rowCongress today hit out at Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla for her reported remark that all Indians were "Hindus" .
Startups could become investment avenue for retail investors as Sebi plans to regulate crowdfunded dealsCrowd-funding is making significant shifts: from creative and fun projects to serious businesses, from donations to equity stakes, from the fringes to the mainstream.
Startups wary of companies law; new rules may hit fundraising plans and appointment of directorsBeginning April any Indian startup which wishes to raise capital must get its shares valued by an independent valuer appointed by the govt.
Stock exchange for unlisted startups to make exits easierEntrepreneur Manish Kumar’s proposed stock exchange, Grex, is intended to be a private placement platform for high growth startups.
If Narendra Modi had to quit, he would've done it in 2002: Manish TewariTewari was replying to a question by reporters on whether his party would seek Modi's resignation over the snooping row.Load More
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Ever since The Sims 4 June 2020 update, a lot of players have noticed that their game seems to be crashing on a fairly regular basis. If you’re an avid Sims player, this is understandably frustrating because a crash can oftentimes mean loss of progression. In this guide, we are going to take a look at the crash to see if there is a fix.
The Sims 4 June 2020 Update Crash Error
If your game has started crashing ever since the June 2020 update, you’re not alone. Lots of players have been flooding Reddit and the official EA help forum to let developers know that something isn’t right. The Sims 4 June 2020 update crash error seems to mostly be affecting players that are using a Mac. Based on reports, players will be playing the game like normal and all of a sudden the software will shut down, forcing them to restart the game.
Further, some players are reporting that after the crash that they are unable to load back into the game at all. This is certainly disappointing to players, especially on the heels of an update and with the Eco Lifestyle expansion coming to all platforms later this month. Plus, encountering bugs in general in video games is always a pain. So is there a fix for The Sims 4 June 2020 update crash? Unfortunately, there is not.
Plenty of players have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game, restarting the game, and even deleting some of the games core files, but have had no luck. It seems the issue is on the development side and has nothing to do with the local files. In all likelihood, there was some type of issue with the update when it was pushed live. Thankfully, The Sims 4 is one of EA’s biggest properties, so developers are likely already working to fix the update crash error. The bad news is, there really isn’t anything to do but wait it out.
Hopefully, things will get patched up before the Eco Lifestyle expansion goes live on June 5. The new expansion is all about going green and allows players to help make a variety of eco-friendly changes in their life. Players can help clean up Evergreen Harbor, purchase new, eco-friendly appliances for their homes, learn to make things on your own, and work to become a voice in your community for change.
If you’re interested, you can check out the official Eco Lifestyle trailer in the video below:
While you’re waiting for the update error to get fixed, be sure to check out some of our other Sims 4 coverage for when you’re able to get back in. Below you’ll find a few of our most recent guides.


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Lotus has plans to improve both the Elise and Evora with a list of 150 items. Improvements are centered around the Evora, and are designed to boost dwindling sales and bridge the styling gap between the current car and the next wave of Lotus’ due 2013.
Changes include improved gearchange quality, throttle response and exhaust note. Furthermore, improving the general build quality of the car is of concern. Lotus is aiming to be on par with Porsche quality standards, says boss Dany Bahar.
A styling overhaul is also planned for the 2012 Evora model. Lotus’s ex-Ferrari design boss, Donato Coco has complained the present Evora’s front end is “too weak” for a modern sports car. “Even many economy cars look more aggressive,” he says.
Coco went on to explain the importance of motorsport being the brand’s central appeal, which is why the company is competing across so many categories.


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Five Reasons to Skip Bottled Water: Toxic Tuesday: Purity Not Guaranteed
Contrary to the image of purity advertised by the bottled water industry, bottled water may contain a lot more than simply H2O.
Testing commissioned by Environmental Working Group in 2008 found 38 pollutants in 10 brands of bottled water, including disinfection byproducts, industrial chemicals, radioactivity and bacteria. Some of the chemicals detected have been linked to health effects, including cancer and methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Two of the brands tested even bore the chemical signature of municipal tap water, meaning that they were chemically indistinguishable from what comes from the faucet.
Unlike water utilities, which must test their water regularly and provide the results to consumers once a year, the bottled water industry rarely discloses the results of contaminant testing it conducts. Instead, the industry hides behind the claim that bottled water is held to the same safety standards as tap water. But promotional campaigns saturated with images of mountain springs and prices 1,900 times the cost of tap water lead consumers to believe that they’re buying a product that is much purer than the water that comes out of a garden hose.
EWG isn’t alone in finding that bottled water contains potentially harmful contaminants. In 2008, scientists at Texas Southern University evaluated 35 brands of bottled water and found that four were contaminated with bacteria. In 1999, the Natural Resources Defense Council tested 103 bottled waters and detected potentially worrisome contaminants, including microbes and regulated chemicals, in about half.
These tests strongly indicate that the purity of bottled water cannot be trusted. Given the industry’s refusal to make available data to support its claims, consumers have little reason to be confident of the purity of bottled water.
Saleh M, Abdel-Rahman F, Woodard B, Clark S, Wallace C, Aboaba A, Zhang W, Nance J. 2008. Chemical, microbial and physical evaluation of commercial bottled waters in the greater Houston area of Texas. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng.,43(4): 335-47.


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It is a arduous time to be a Tesla fan. The resale worth of the corporate’s once-popular electrical automobiles is dropping together with the corporate’s inventory. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in the meantime, has been obsessive about temporarily invite back and once-banned white supremacists and neo-Nazis., usually brought on by choices like his latest strikes to
Later at present might be one other check as the corporate experiences its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, throughout which it’s going to both show the haters proper or recharge many followers’ beliefs within the firm.
The final three months have been a whirlwind, even for an organization like Tesla, whose mercurial CEO had already grow to be a fixture of the Twitter-sphere, whereas demeaning journalists who ask powerful questions. Since paying greater than $44 billion to take over as Twitter’s proprietor and CEO, Musk has shifted that strategy to overdrive, sharing conspiracy theories, attacking the transsexual group and tweeting backwards and forwards with extremist political commentators.
In the meantime, shares of Tesla cratered 65% final 12 months, pushed partially by issues that Musk has turned off his prospects and unfold himself too skinny at a time when competitors fromis heating up. The corporate’s shares have recovered a few of their losses because the starting of the 12 months, rising about 33% to $146.10 — which remains to be far under the corporate’s split-adjusted file of $407 slightly over a 12 months in the past.
On Wednesday, the corporate’s as a consequence of announce its income and gross sales for the vacation procuring season. Usually, this is able to be a rote monetary launch, the place analysts and buyers learn by information to glean the most recent insights concerning the widespread electrical automobile maker. However this time, it might function a referendum on the corporate’s future, and whether or not it will possibly succeed regardless of Musk’s consideration cut up with different initiatives like, medical and, in fact, Twitter.
“Plenty of unhealthy information is already baked into Tesla’s inventory,” Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives wrote in a message to buyers earlier this month. “The Cinderella experience is over for Tesla and Musk now must navigate the corporate by this Class 5 darkish macro storm as a substitute of specializing in his new golden baby Twitter which stays a distraction and overhang for the Tesla story/inventory in our opinion.”
Many analysts have used the time period “distraction” when describing Musk’s seeming obsession with Twitter. He is drawn flak for the period of time he is spent on the struggling social community since taking on as its CEO.
“We consider Mr. Musk is more and more remoted because the steward of Twitter’s funds together with his consumer administration on the platform,” Oppenheimer analysts wrote in a message to buyers final month, when the agency wasto downgrade Tesla’s inventory from “Outperform” to “Carry out.” “We see potential for a adverse suggestions loop from departures of Twitter advertisers and customers… simply as Tesla’s aggressive atmosphere intensifies.”
In higher occasions, Musk may need weathered this storm higher. In any case, he was beforehand the tech trade’s reply to the billionaire comedian e-book industrialist Tony Stark, also referred to as Iron Man. And simply as with every good fashionable drama, the principle character is way from excellent, and his future is equally unsure.
Analysts on common anticipate Tesla to report a revenue of $1.13 per share on almost $24 billion in gross sales, in accordance to surveys printed by Yahoo Finance. That might quantity to a 32% soar in revenue on a 35% enhance in gross sales.
Buyers and analysts may even be listening carefully to no matter Musk says on a convention name following the earnings launch Wednesday. The corporate lower costs for its automobiles by as a lot as 20% earlier this month, a transfer analysts noticed as taking over opponents, although it additionally upset present Tesla house owners and resellers, who out of the blue needed to take care of having both paid extra or getting much less promoting their used automobile.
“The worth cuts have a big impact on [Tesla’s] economics,” Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi stated in a observe to buyers forward of Tesla’s earnings report.
#Teslas #Hurting #Elon #Musks #Twitter #Meltdowns #Query
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘ACCC’) has released its annual compliance and enforcement priorities for the year ahead, with a focus this year on a number of key areas including small business, environmental claims, the digital economy and consumer and fair trading issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The franchising sector had another action-packed year in 2021, with significant changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct (‘Code’) coming into effect, requiring Franchisors to review and update their Franchise Agreements and Disclosure Documents to comply with the new Code. Several proceedings instituted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘ACCC’) also continued and the question of when an agreement constitutes a ‘Franchise Agreement’ to which the Code applies was again considered and decided in the Federal Court of Australia.
This article summarises some of the key events that occurred and impacted the franchising sector in 2021 and the lessons that can be learned from them.
Under Division 245 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth), debts that a creditor forgives are offset against amounts that could otherwise reduce taxable income. Paragraph 245-40(e) excludes a debt that is forgiven for reasons of natural love and affection from those offset provisions. The Commissioner of Taxation has now ruled that for the purposes of paragraph 225-40(e), the creditor forgiving the debt must be a natural person.


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tech2 News StaffJan 21, 2019 19:52:19 IST
Samsung has announced its latest chipset in the Exynos 7 Series called the Exynos 7904 and it will be available on the mid-tier devices from the South Korean giant. The company said that this new mobile SoC has been customized for India, making it cost-effective as well a performer.
The Exynos 7904 is an octa-core chipset built on a 14 nm manufacturing process which Samsung claims has been used to give an enhanced "user experience through excellent network speed and smooth multitasking while consuming less power." The chipset combines two Cortex A73 cores running at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex A53 cores at 1.6 GHz.
The chipset supports a single-camera resolution of up to 32 MP along with a total of three cameras attached together. Apart from that it also has support for FHD at 120 frames-per-second (fps) or UHD at 30 fps of video playback. Embedded LTE modem in the Exynos 7904 chipset supports Cat.12 3-carrier aggregation for 600 Mbps downlink speed.
Rajeev Sethi, Senior Director and Head of Sales and Marketing, Device Solutions, Samsung India said in a statement, “Samsung is committed to bringing world-class innovative technologies for the consumers. With smartphones driving the digital revolution, the Indian market has great potential. The Exynos 7 Series 7904 will enable advanced mobile experiences in a broader range of devices with triple-camera support, powerful performance and connectivity."
Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison.


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MONTEREY, Calif. - You don't have to wait until next Halloween to play dress up because Monterey Comic Con is underway in Seaside this weekend.
From costume clothing to sketches and toys, Friday, the Monterey Comic Con kicked off its second year on the Monterey Peninsula.
About a thousand people came out to Comic Con in 2016 and attendance is expected to double this time around featuring stars like Rufio from the 1991 movie “Hook.”
"When we were younger, we were all told when we watch sci fi shows, we were the weird ones and we had to be pushed to the side,” said Comic Con goer, Sheldon Birch. “Now the super hero movies are sweeping the box office. The comic industry is taking off and video games, they are mainstream now. They rival Hollywood in some ways. And so we are bringing to the people what they've shown that they like."
"2017 started in New Orleans, went through Miami, up to Washington D.C., made it here, and I’ve still got 5 or 6 shows left to go,” said Gallbraith.
Comics and cartoons are not only exercises of one's imagination, there are some deep messages, too. Take it from Princess Ana of Arndell from Frozen.
"The heart is not so easily changed, but the head is,” said Pittman.
Comic Con goes until 8 p.m. Friday and will run Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets are sold online and at the door.


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Updated from 5:26 p.m. EDT
matched Wall Street estimates for the third quarter, posting earnings of 7 cents per share on strong sales of its rheumatoid arthritis drug, Enbrel.
Net income for the third quarter rose 26% to $39.7 million, or 7 cents per share, compared to $31.5 million, or 6 cents per share, in the third quarter last year.
Enbrel sales in the quarter totaled $198.1 million, up 15% compared to the same period last year. That figure was on the higher end of company guidance and within the range expected by Wall Street analysts.
On the company's conference call, Immunex officials forecast fourth quarter Enbrel sales of between $205 million and $215 million -- enough to meet its previously stated goal of $750 million in 2001 sales of the drug. Immunex has been under pressure all year to overcome a supply crunch for the drug. In August, the company announced several agreements with manufacturing partners to boost Enbrel supplies. Immunex also said it's still on track to get a new company-owned plant in operation during the second half of 2002.
Wednesday, the company reiterated its previous forecast that this new manufacturing capacity will contribute to 2002 Enbrel sales of between $900 million and $1.3 billion. Immunex is hoping to expand use of the drug into other diseases like psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
Total revenue for the quarter reached $253 million, compared to $219 million in the year-ago quarter.
Immunex shares fell $1.84, or almost 8%, to $21.34 in Wednesday trading, before earnings were announced.


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The Two Different Worlds of Bank Tech -- U.S. and the Other 194 CountriesThe rate of core conversions in the U.S. is slowing down, but it's increasing in other markets -- due largely to growing demand for mobile banking services.
First, a 50-cent lesson in geography. Mexico and Canada are not the 51st and 52nd states of the U.S. I say that because some bank tech vendors, who like to inflate their customer numbers, always include Canada when I ask for U.S. activity. Canada has thousands of credit unions so it can make a difference. Also our affection for Canada is understandable when you consider that Canada is the #1 country we trade with. Canadians also play a good game of hockey. And Canadians speak our language unless you're in Montreal, which is also a good way to con your wife into a substitute trip to Paris when you're already in Boston. The drive is beautiful, the people are cordial, the restaurants are true French, and it's a great escape from the problems that pollute the nightly news. Canadians don't have a care in the world. Canada knows how to manage Canada.
Now that we hopefully understand there are differences between the U.S. and our adjacent friendly neighbor, I'd like to deliver some differences regarding the bank core business in far-off lands as their activities rolled out in 2010.
Remember, the U.S. is the only country that apparently believes in free enterprise whereby any group of fat-cat-businessmen who can put together $8 million in capital (maybe more now after the reform) can apply for a bank charter. That relatively easy process has meant lots of banks over the years.
There are 15,215 banks and credit unions in the U.S. right now, diminishing at a rate of 3 percent per year. That's not a mystery; It has been every Fed Chairman's hidden agenda to have fewer banks. And it'll happen now at a greater rate of decline because not even an optimist like Donald Trump would ever think of starting a bank in today's "new normal."
U.S. FIs have been growing their technology since 1958, when coincidentally the first semiconductor computer entered the fray. Small banks first leaned on their upline correspondent banks, and then broke away to hire entrepreneurial companies (Jack Henry, ITI, Florida Software, Computer Services, Inc., and Fiserv) who offered better solutions. Switching core systems has been a high-volume business until 10 years ago.
In 2010, 307 U.S. FIs switched to a new core system. Everywhere else (mainly developing countries), the number of new core switches was 125. In a movie of another kind, the catchphrase would be, "Show me the numbers, Jerry." The U.S. has more FIs than 194 other countries combined.
There's an important message in the previous metrics comparison however. The U.S. number (307) is diminishing or leveling off because technology is maturing, and bankers are reasonably happy with the technology they have. The international number is increasing because of what I call "new awarenesses." The new affluents in India and China won't be too happy with their old lifestyles now that they have "tasted" Hermes, Ferrari, condo-mania, fuse-it-all-dining, fun-before-work, and something called "freedom to live." And the village people took to a mobile phone quicker than the rice wagon is coming.
So while new cultures are realizing they too can have a bank account by simply using a phone, U.S. bank customers are now rather ho-hum about having their bank in their ear. And core vendors offer mobile banking as easily as auto manufacturers provide cigarette lighters. Mobile is just one easy-to-add piece of a vendor's Internet Banking module. Take it or leave it.
The net effect of this whole new awareness of mobile banking is pretty much a net zero for core vendors. This phenomenon of a new piece of technology has happened before. In 2000 there were 33 Internet Banking vendors displayed in Automation in Banking. Today there are only two independents remaining (and both are looking for a home). The paradigm for entrepreneurs is, "Build it and a core vendor will buy it." There are now 80 brands of core systems readily available in the global market. These brands are owned by 35 companies. Many of the 35 are wannabes. There are clearly five companies winning this battle of who's got the power -- not just the products but the know-how. Winners in this context are defined by how many customers they have and include, Fiserv, Jack Henry, FIS, Oracle Financial Services Software and TEMENOS. Surprisingly, there are six huge (average $20 billion) systems integration companies in the list of wannabes, and I'm not talking about the most obvious one, IBM. I view the six as acquirers, not providers.