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Furniture & Decor
The store recently set foot on Indian grounds, with their first store in Hyderabad.
An estimated 40,000 people visited IKEA’s 400,000 sq ft big box store on Thursday in Hitec City.
Stampede like situation on Ikea's inauguration day as over 40,000 visitors bring Hyderabad to a halt
About 10,000 customers had visited the store by 4 pm but the crowds swelled later as thousands of office goers headed to the shopping place while returning home from offices
“The best part is that this store looks the same as IKEA’s other global stores. The experience is the same,” explained Rajini Venugopal, IKEA’s first Hyderabad store customer, who was greeted with thunderous applause by IKEA staffers queued up to greet customers on the opening day of the megastore spread over 4 lakh sft in the city’s IT hub of HiTec City.
To try and ensure it recoups its $1.5-billion investment, the Swedish company has tweaked its offerings to suit Indian tastes, starting with the restaurant, where "Smaklig Maltid -- 'Enjoy your Meal' in Swedish" is written on the wall.
In many countries, the Ikea business model has been subtly tweaked to fit local preferences and customs.
Brodin’s take is different from foreign retailers who are wary about the govt’s latest draft e-comm policy.
IKEA has however said that one of its highlights in India would be offering affordable products, with over 1,000 items on offer at the store here priced at less than Rs 200.
Ikea expects its restaurant biz to drive higher footfalls in India, a sharp contrast to other markets.
A quick check on IKEA's newly launched India website showed popular products looked cheaper than in the United States. For instance, in India, the white variation of the company's best-selling Billy bookcase is cheaper by a fifth than in the United States and the dark-grey Ektorp sofa is priced 30 per cent lower.
The furniture retailer said it is at an initial stage of working with partners for converting industrial scrap and waste into recycle plastic material.
IKEA will have to contend with the opulent aesthetic of Maharaja sofa, a symbol of richness for the middle class.
"IKEA Retail India decided to move the date as it needs some more time to live up to its expected quality commitments towards customers and coworkers," said IKEA in a statement.
IKEA plans to offer online sales in cities where it can support them with fulfilment, delivery and assembling services.
Set up at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the store, which will employ 1,000 people (or co-workers as IKEA likes to call them) and stock 7,500 SKUs, will boast of many firsts for the Swedish behemoth.
We have big plans for India. Telangana is one of our first identified priority markets, besides Delhi NCR, Maharashtra and Karnataka, Betzel said.
Deputy Country Manager of IKEA India, Patrik Antoni said the company will be installing charging pods at its store in Hyderabad to encourage both employees and customers to switch to electric vehicles.
We want to be affordable to many people, and that’s going to be a struggle in India.
The workshop gave an overview into what to expect from IKEA’s children’s product range in the India market, where it is gearing up to open its first store in Hyderabad in July this year.
Sources in Huda said Ikea is interested in a plot of 20.46 acres, more than double the size of the plot that the company had earlier bought.


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After four months in operation, motorcyle-themed vegan dive Motobar (487 King St.) has announced it’s shutting its doors. A Facebook post says the restaurant serve its last meal this weekend and that a new restaurant will take over.
While our reviewer Eric Doksa wasn’t impressed with the food, writing, “In a town that’s surrounded by farms providing amazing produce, there’s really no reason to resort to “faux this” and “faux that” — we appreciated owner Paris Evans attempt at a unique concept, carrying on the tradition of this address, previously home to Fifth Element-esque L.I.F.E. Bar. One can only hope the next tenant can marry that same spirit of creativity — Czech-Canadian fusion? — with great cuisine.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) won a major court victory in its dispute with Sabre over the IATA PaxIS product. On Jan. 11, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Canada) dismissed Sabre’s claims that the IATA PaxIS products violated confidentiality obligations.
“IATA has won an important legal battle to preserve competition for airline data transaction products. The Canadian court decision vindicates the rights of airlines to determine how their trade association may use their data,” said IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani.
PaxIS is an airline industry business intelligence product based in part on ticketing data that IATA collects and processes through its billing and settlement plans (BSP). This data is transmitted to IATA by the global distribution system (GDS) providers, such as Sabre, that assist travel agencies in ticket issuance for their airline principals.
In 2006, Sabre filed a lawsuit against IATA alleging breach of confidence by IATA with respect to its use of the ticketing data, transmitted by Sabre, in IATA’s PaxIS products. IATA vigorously defended this claim with the assistance of the Canadian law firm Fasken, Martineau, DuMoulin.
In its 32-page decision, the Ontario Superior Court found that IATA acted lawfully in developing the PaxIS products based on data from its BSPs. The court also rejected each of Sabre’s arguments that IATA owed Sabre a duty to use BSP data solely for settlement purposes and not for “commercial” products such as PaxIS. Lastly, the judge determined that Sabre could not claim confidential rights to the airline ticketing data.
In a statement released by Sabre Holdings, company officials said, “We are naturally disappointed with the decision in this case. We respectfully disagree with the Court’s conclusion and are currently assessing our legal options.”


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Sail the oceans using iPhone apps.
Paul Oliva, Special to The Chronicle Friday, December 4, 2009
When award-winning tech entrepreneur and Santa Cruz sailor Philippe Kahn sails a grueling ocean race, his navigation bag holds something unexpected: an iPhone.
A growing number of mobile applications, or „apps,“ are helping to keep boaters informed, on course and entertained.
Plus, they’re often free or low cost, making a $25 gift card go a long way.
For the uninitiated, a mobile app is software that downloads just like a ring tone to a Web-enabled phone or other device.
Kahn’s iPhone 3GS, packed in a watertight OtterBox case, runs an app his company developed called MotionX-GPS. A thousand miles from California, racing his boat, Pegasus, in this year’s Transpac to Honolulu, Kahn used MotionX to navigate, record his course and upload his positions to a Google map, Facebook and Twitter with comments, photos and video. Incidentally, Pegasus set a world double-handed record in that race.
Palm and mobile Windows devices have some apps, but Apple’s iTunes store has the most.
There’s an impressive array of navigation apps there, in addition to full GPS navigation such as MotionX-GPS ($2.99). For instance, Navionics offers $9.99 interactive marine charts with navigation and a database of tide, current and marine services. Wondering how long it takes to tack toward Alcatraz? SailTimer ($13.99) calculates the answer. Anchor Alarm ($9.99) says your boat is drifting, Ship Finder ($4.99) gives details of that ship about to run you over (California not yet available), and StarPilot is a celestial almanac ($29.99) that could be used with a 99-cent Sextant app.


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Hands Across the Water
Integrated Book Technologies Inc. (IBT Global), a leading U.S. digital book manufacturer, is partnering with Biddles Ltd., one of Great Britain's top book manufacturers. The companies hope pairing their organizations will provide multinational marketing advantages.
The cost of manufacturing and shipping short-run books overseas is around $2.50 per unit, decimating a title's earning potential. And the costs of managing unsold overseas copies make expenses even more onerous, says Mark Tracten, director of American operations for Crown House Publishing Ltd., in the U.K.
Tracten was IBT Global's first customer, when he owned and operated publishing company Brunner/Mazel Inc., in the U.K., a decade ago. Tracten uses digital publishing to speed time to market of new titles.
He believes the IBT/Biddles partnership will further accelerate the global distribution of digitally published works. "Time wise, [digital] saves us three or four weeks," Tracten says. "If you're a medium or small publisher, the cost savings can be significant."
The savings increase as the number of titles and the size of print runs go down, Tracten says. That's because many components of freight-forwarder invoices have minimum changes. When those components are spread over fewer copies, margins crumble.
Digitally printing on multiple continents changes these economics. For example, a publisher with a 1,000 unit run can manufacture 600 copies in Europe, and 400 in the United States. Instead of heavy transatlantic freight charges, IBT/Biddles will charge a small premium for splitting the run.
Instead of printing on U.S. presses, packing books, preparing export paperwork, shipping, then waiting weeks for books to arrive, IBT/Biddles can simply upload content.
A U.S. book can be sent to the U.K. digital presses in minutes. The U.K. plant then prints and distributes the title, using the papers, bindings, and covers best suited to the target market.
But this type of leading-edge service requires greatly expanded printing capacities. That's the motivation behind the IBT/Biddles partnership, says John Paeglow, president of IBT Global, in Troy, N.Y. "It's hard to gauge order volume, even a week ahead," he says.
That makes responsiveness dependent on capacity. Pairing with Biddles triples the volume IBT Global could produce previously, Paeglow says.
Products for North and South American distribution will be manufactured at IBT Global's Troy plant. Titles targeted for the continent will be produced at Biddles' King's Lynn, U.K. facility.
The agreement with IBT is Biddles' first entry into the U.S. market, says Mick Read, Biddles' managing director. Read says the partnership brings together "the most technologically advanced digital printing capabilities on each side of the Atlantic."
That's important, Read says, because the greatest need for digital printing are medium-sized publishers with fairly large quantities, and a presence on one of the two continents.
IBT's Paeglow agrees, and says the long-term goal of the partnership is to jointly develop a global digital printing network. The company plans to use the "distribute and print" model to produce books in the Far East as well.
- Jeff Angus


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Google may announce Android-Chrome OS hybrid software at Oct. 4 event
According to some recent reports and rumors, tech biggie Google may announce its Android-Chrome OS merger at the company's product launch event scheduled to be held on October 4.
Though the forthcoming event is expected to mark the unveiling of Google's two new handsets - likely to be called Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones - as well as the Google W-Fi router, among other hardware, recent reports have hinted that the spotlight at the event will probably be on software, not hardware.
It is being widely speculated that the merged Android/Chrome OS software -- which is called 'Andromeda' internally at Google -- will seemingly be the biggest headline-grabbing announcement at the October 4 event.
Going by a 9to5Google report, the 'Andromeda' hybrid operating system is currently being tested by Google on the HTC-manufactured Nexus 9 tablet, with evidence found on the Android 7.0 Nougat AOSP. With the Andromeda software directly referenced in some of the lines of code on Nougat OS, an unidentified source has revealed that the early Andromeda builds are being tested by some users on the tablet.
In addition, rumor mills are abuzz about Google's expected announcement of the Android-Chrome OS merger at the October 4 event because Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer - SVP of Android, Chrome OS and Google Play Store - has said in a cryptic tweet: "We announced the 1st version of Android 8 years ago today. I have a feeling 8 years from now we'll be talking about Oct 4, 2016."
New Zealand News
- Tesla plans to open Superchargers to other automakers this year: Elon Musk
- 2022 Audi e-tron GT to hit US roads this summer, prices starting at $99,900
- South Korean EV battery manufacturers to invest $35 billion by 2030
- Chinese smart EV maker XPeng to join Hang Seng Composite Index
- New South Wales announces new policy to boost EV adoption
- TenneT adds more electric BMWs to study use of EVs to support power grids
- Italy’s ASPI announces plans to install cross-country ultra-fast EV charging network
- EV ownership costs significantly lower than conventional models: French Study
- Results of Tesla Model S Plaid fast charging study are quite amazing
- Garelli rolls out new electric scooter Ciclone E4 with more power


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The company is to raise up to $63.4mln through the sale of equity to a private investor, Professor Lugee Li, who is the chairman and majority stockholder of Shenzhen-listed EONTEC, a global manufacturing company.
Professor Li will join the board of Liquidmetal Technologies.
Tied into the cash injection is a cross-licensing agreement between the two companies.
Liquidmetal said EONTEC possesses a full set of mass production capabilities for zirconium based amorphous alloys, including material refining, tooling, and machining, surface treatment, as well as equipment and machine building capabilities for making large parts out of bulk metallic glass.
“EONTEC’s capabilities complement LQMT’s focus on production of high-performance parts, allowing LQMT to address a broad range of market opportunities from automotive, medical, and industrial customers. This partnership positions LQMT well to support design and production globally at a vastly increased pace,” said Professor Li.
Thomas Steipp, president and chief executive officer of Liquidmetal, said: “This investment and partnership recognizes the significant advancements in technological and commercial capabilities that Liquidmetal has forged over the last five years. Our brand and market positions in North America and Europe are without peer.
“This financing transaction and cross-licensing agreement provides us with the platform and resources necessary to establish a global market in Liquidmetal alloy solutions and to fast-track the market development of our core offerings. With this partnership, we will extend our capabilities to significantly larger parts, as well as offering substantially lower price points for some consumer markets. EONTEC and Liquidmetal each bring significant capabilities to this partnership, and we believe that result will be a much larger market that develops much more quickly,” Steipp added.
Shares in Liquidmetal rose by more than a quarter in the first hour of trading to 10.3 cents.


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Regenerative medicine industry leader QC Kinetix welcomes Heather Gerke to lead marketing efforts
CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2022 / QC Kinetix, a fast-growing regenerative medicine franchise that ranked No. 62 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list and offers a cutting-edge, non-surgical alternative to joint and pain relief, is thrilled to announce Heather Gerke as the company’s new Vice President of Marketing.
Gerke is the latest addition to an executive team that has rapidly expanded this year at the fast-growing health and wellness franchise brand. She will oversee the planning, development, and execution of QC Kinetix’s marketing and advertising initiatives as she focuses on building a comprehensive marketing plan and strategy that will build brand awareness and grow the franchisees’ business at a lower cost.
“I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity to help lead QC Kinetix’s marketing team and develop new strategies that will help owners be successful,” says Gerke. “The recent growth of this company is impressive. I’m thrilled to be a part of a brand with so much energy, growth, and determination.”
Gerke brings decades of marketing and franchising experience to the table. She is known for driving revenue through strategic brand partnerships and integrated media executions. Her background includes serving as a corporate marketing director, advertising director, a multi-unit franchisee developer, and even a franchisee in the health and wellness industry. The executive role at QC Kinetix takes full advantage of all of her past experiences. She can put herself in franchisees’ shoes to help them grow their businesses.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Heather onto our team,” says QC Kinetix CEO Scott Hoots. “Her leadership, organization, marketing, and franchising experience makes her a valuable resource for our brand. I look forward to working with her as she serves as our new Vice President of Marketing.”
The regenerative medicine industry is experiencing explosive growth globally. It is currently a $48.7 billion industry and is estimated to continue growing at a compound annual rate of 25% or more through 2025, according to Zion Market Research.
“I look forward to not only growing the brand in the United States but internationally as well. I believe in our treatments and how they can change lives. Everyone should have access to that,” says Gerke.
This addition to the leadership team marks not just the rapid growth of QC Kinetix but its commitment to offering franchisees a business opportunity built for success. The franchise is dedicated to delivering excellent care with state-of-the-art treatments that improve the quality of people’s lives.
For more information about QC Kinetix franchise opportunities, please visit https://qcfranchise.com/.
About QC Kinetix
QC Kinetix is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based franchise company leading the way in helping people maintain an active lifestyle using comprehensive regenerative medicine treatments to address musculoskeletal conditions and joint pain. QC Kinetix uses the body’s own healing properties through state-of-the-art natural biologic treatments as alternatives to invasive surgery and addictive pain medications. The healthcare franchise currently operates in more than 75 cities, with rapid growth underway throughout the United States. QC Kinetix clinics are dedicated to maximizing the body’s ability to help heal and repair itself from the inside out for vastly improved function and overall quality of life. For more information, visit www.qckinetix.com.
SOURCE: QC Kinetix
View source version on accesswire.com:


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Everything Everywhere (EE) is going to be expanding its LTE coverage of the U.K. in the coming months, and will end up covering 55 percent of the population by the time its done.
Between April and June EE plans to light up the LTE towers in 27 additional towns which include Aldershot, Ashford, Basildon, Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bracknell, Camberley, Colchester, Crawley, Farnborough, Guildford, Horsham, Huddersfield, Leatherhead, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Redhill, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Warrington, Wigan and Woking. These join the existing cities and towns and will bring the total to 65 locations around the U.K. It will also bring the total percentage of the population covered by the service up to 55.
While Three announced this week that it would be offering unlimited LTE data on the cheap later in the year, EE has a pretty large head start in the market. Additionally O2 and Vodafone are fighting for their share of the available bandwidth with no announcement yet as to when those networks may become active.
The take away from all of this is that LTE will soon be in every corner of the U.K., and consumers should have options as to which carrier they use, but it isn't going to happen overnight.
EE TO SWITCH ON 4G FOR 27 FURTHER TOWNS BY JUNE 2013
EE, the UK's most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G will be switched on in a further 27 towns across the country by June 2013, expanding superfast coverage to more than 65 UK towns and cities in total.
The 4G rollout, which offers customers speeds up to five times faster than 3G, is proving a huge success with UK businesses, including Addison Lee, Foxtons, Gatwick Airport, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Kier, Microsoft, Morrisons, Sony Music, TNT Post and Urban Outfitters, who are already reaping the benefits of increased efficiencies and productivity both in and out of the office.
Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE, said:
"Our business customers want a 4G network that covers the markets in which they operate, and that is exactly what we are building for them – and at a phenomenal rate. We're set to cover more than half of the UK population by Summer, staying ahead of the schedule that we set for ourselves at launch, and continuing to demonstrate the amazing value of 4G mobile to many organisations with different challenges and different needs."
Between April and June, 4G will be launched in Aldershot, Ashford, Basildon, Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bracknell, Camberley, Colchester, Crawley, Farnborough, Guildford, Horsham, Huddersfield, Leatherhead, Maidstone, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxford, Redhill, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Stevenage, Tonbridge, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Warrington, Wigan and Woking.
The EE 4G network currently covers 45% of the UK population, and is forecast to increase to more than 55% by summer, as the network grows to cover more than 65 towns and cities as well as much of the suburban and rural areas that surround them. At the end of January, nine new 4G towns were switched on, and this week 4G coverage from EE, the UK's largest mobile operator, landed in Newbury – the 28th live 4G town.
For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk.
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Stocks were modestly lower as investors fretted about the impact of slower global growth on corporate revenues, offsetting earnings that beat expectations.
The Dow Jones industrial average slipped 28.53 points, or 0.21 percent, to 13,314.98. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was off 3.19 points, or 0.22 percent, to 1,430.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 3.81 points, or 0.13 percent, to 3,009.43.
** MONSTER BEVERAGE CORP, $47.40, down 11 pct (1423 ET)
The New York Times reported that five people may have died in recent years after drinking the company's popular Monster Energy high-caffeine drink according to incident reports recently released by the FDA. r.reuters.com/reh53t
Last Friday the company was sued by the family of a teenaged girl who died from a heart arrhythmia after drinking large cans of Monster Energy on two consecutive days.
** CATERPILLAR INC, $85.09, down 1.4 pct (1237 ET)
Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of tractors and excavators, slashed its 2012 forecast for the second time as it warned the global economy was slowing faster than it had expected.
** OVERSEAS SHIPHOLDING GROUP INC, $1.26, down 61 pct (1238 ET)
** DHT HOLDINGS INC, $5.39, down 4 pct (1238 ET)
** NORDIC AMERICAN TANKER LTD, $8.70, down 3 pct (1238 ET)
Debt-laden Overseas Shipholding, the world’s No. 2 independent tanker operator by fleet size, said it was evaluating options including filing for bankruptcy protection and may have to restate results for at least three years.
The disclosures sent other tanker stocks down too.
** FREEPORT-MCMORAN COPPER & GOLD INC, $40.50, down 1.6 pct (1239 ET)
The company said third-quarter profit fell sharply, missing Wall Street estimates, due in part to a big drop in gold production at its vast Grasberg mine in Indonesia.
** SUPERVALU INC, $2.88, up 31.5 pct (1306 ET)
Cerberus Capital Management is working on a takeover bid for the troubled supermarket operator and has held talks with lenders to line up financing, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
** ANCESTRY.COM INC, $31.46, up 8 pct (1239 ET)
U.S. genealogy website operator Ancestry.com agreed to be acquired by a group led by private equity firm Permira Advisors LLC in a $1.6 billion deal, four months after it put itself up for sale following the cancellation of a TV show based on its research.
** VF CORP, $161.03, down 4 pct (1239 ET)
The clothing company missed Wall Street’s third-quarter revenue expectations, and growth in its flagship The North Face brand slowed.
** VOLCANO CORP, $28.70, up 7 pct (1240 ET)
The medical device maker plans to report results from clinical studies of its intravascular ultrasound catheters and fractional flow reserve guide wires at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference in Miami between Oct. 22 and 26.
** NEXEN INC , $24.13, down 5 pct (1240 ET)
** ADVANTAGE OIL AND GAS LTD, $3.68, down 7 pct (1240 ET)
** TALISMAN ENERGY INC, $12.75, down 2.8 pct (1241 ET)
U.S.-listed shares of the Canadian oilsands producer, target of a $15.1 billion takeover bid from Chinese oil group CNOOC , fell on uncertainties after the Canadian government blocked the C$5.17 billion acquisition of Progress Energy Resources Corp by Malaysian state oil company Petronas on Friday.
There are fears now that the government might nix the CNOOC bid as well, as Canadians debate the prospect of more of the Alberta oil sands being controlled by a Chinese state-owned enterprise.
Shares of Talisman Energy were also down on the news.
** L & L ENERGY INC, $2.27, up 16.4 pct (1242 ET)
The Seattle-based coal company said it expects to finalize the acquisition of LuoZhou and LaShu mines in China’s HeZhang county. The mines, with about 34.2 million tons of combined coal reserves, can produce low-sulfur, high-BTU, anthracite coal.
** PETMED EXPRESS INC, $11.20, up 10.8 pct (1242 ET)
The pet pharmacy reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit as expenses fell. The company earned 20 cents per share. Analysts on average were expecting a profit of 17 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
** OPENTABLE INC $44.97, up 3 pct (1243 ET)
Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer’s team has shown interest in acquiring the restaurant reservation website as part of her technology-driven comeback plan, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing a source.
** MAGNUM HUNTER RESOURCES CORP, $4.06, down 6.6 pct (1244 ET)
The oil and gas explorer said it found an error in calculation that affected some items in financial statements in the 10-Q for its second quarter and the error resulted in the understatement of non-cash share-based compensation expense of about $3.8 million.
** KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV , $26.14, up 6.2 pct (1244 ET)
Philips Electronics, the Dutch electronics company’s third-quarter profit more than doubled, boosted by higher sales across its health, lighting and consumer divisions and cost cuts. It also said its plans to cut 1.1 billion euros in overheads are on track with savings in the third quarter of 306 million euros.
** ALEXANDER’S INC, $441.90, up 5.3 pct (1244 ET)
The real estate investment trust said it will sell Kings Plaza mall for $751 million to Macerich Co.
** PROSPECT GLOBAL RESOURCES INC, $3.49, up 21.1 pct (1245 ET)
A state-owned Chinese fertilizer company signed a 10-year potash supply agreement with the U.S. miner, guaranteeing China a steady flow of the crucial fertilizer and helping it partially sidestep multinational suppliers like Potash Corp.
** CASCADE CORP, $64.92, up 17.8 pct (1245 ET)
Japanese machinery maker Toyota Industries Corp agreed to buy Cascade Corp, a maker of parts for the lift trucks industry, for $728 million.
** EMERSON RADIO CORP, $1.68, down 21.4 pct (1245 ET)
Emerson Radio on Friday said Wal-Mart will stop buying two of its microwave oven products from spring 2013.
** LDK SOLAR CO LTD, $0.81, up 14.6 pct (1246 ET)
The Chinese solar power equipment maker sold a stake amounting to 19.9 percent of its outstanding shares to state-backed Heng Rui Xin Energy, providing the debt-laden company with some much-needed liquidity.
** PEABODY ENERGY CORP, $28.86, up 11.4 pct (1247 ET)
** ARCH COAL INC, $8.48, up 7.2 pct (1247 ET)
** CONSOL ENERGY, $36.38, up 3.3 pct (1247 ET)
** JAMES RIVER COAL HOLDINGS, $5.29, up 5.8 pct (1247 ET)
** ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES INC, $9.34, up 4.1 pct (1248 ET)
** WALTER ENERGY INC, $39.24, up 2.5 pct (1248 ET)
Coal miner Peabody’s profit raced past analysts’ estimates as cost cuts started to pay off and sales volumes in Australia climbed on a pick-up in demand from China.
The news also pushed up the stocks of its peers.
** MERITOR INC, $4.76, up 8.1 pct (1249 ET)
Barclays Capital raised its rating on the truck parts maker to “overweight” from “equal weight,” citing an overlooked litigation option which could result in Meritor receiving about a $200 million settlement from a lawsuit it filed against Eaton Corp in 2006. [ID: nWNAB007RV]
** AVID TECHNOLOGY INC, $6.95, down 14.9 pct (1249 ET)
The company, which makes editing and recording software for digital media, estimated third-quarter results to miss Wall Street’s expectations, hurt by “some transitional issues related to implementation of strategic actions”.
** ZIOPHARM ONCOLOGY INC, $4.71, up 8.2 pct (1249 ET)
A report on Forbes’ website alleged that the cancer drugmaker withheld crucial information from its investors, including a regulatory warning letter related to mid-stage trial data of its chemotherapy drug palifosfamide.
** SUPERNUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC, $13.16, up 1.5 pct (1250 ET)
The company’s experimental epilepsy drug Oxtellar XR won marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the second drug approval for the company since it went public in May.
** NIELSEN HOLDINGS NV $29.10, down 7.4 pct (1250 ET)
The TV ratings company reported third-quarter revenue below analysts’ estimates, hurt by lower customer spending for its Insights services.
** ADVANCE AUTO PARTS INC, $64.91, down 5.1 pct (1250 ET)
** AUTOZONE INC, $363.62, down 1.4 pct (1251 ET)
** AUTONATION INC, $47.45, down 2 pct (1252 ET)
Advance Auto Parts cut its full-year outlook for the second time this year and forecast third-quarter earnings below analysts’ expectations. The auto parts maker said a drop in spending on maintenance and failure parts, especially in colder weather markets, could constrain its performance for the rest of the year.
Shares of competitors Autozone and AutoNation also fell on the news.
** MANITOWOC CO INC, $14.43, down 5.4 pct (1252 ET)
Longbow Research downgraded the diversified industrial manufacturer’s stock to “neutral.”
** TEXAS INDUSTRIES, $43.78, up 2.1 pct (1253 ET)
Sterne Agee raised the construction materials supplier to “neutral” from “underperform” as end-market demand for the company’s products improves.
** SUNTRUST BANKS INC, $27.81, down 2.8 pct (1253 ET)
The bank’s third-quarter profit surged on the sale of its shares in Coca-Cola Co, but the lender forecast a weaker margin for the current quarter and said loan demand had slowed.
** EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP, $85.15, down 1.1 pct (1253 ET)
The company said U.S. health regulators widened the approved use of its Sapien artificial heart valve to include patients who are eligible for surgery but at high risk of serious surgical complications or death.
** CAI INTERNATIONAL, $21.53, up 3.8 pct (1254 ET)
Keefe Bruyette & Woods assumed coverage on the container leasing and management company’s stock with “outperform” rating.
** INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCE INC, $63.72, up 3.2 pct (1254 ET)
Stifel Nicolaus raised the flavors and fragrance supplier to “buy” from “hold.”
** BP PLC, $42.52, down 1.3 pct (1256 ET)
NK Rosneft’ OAO announced a two-part deal worth around $55 billion that gives British oil company BP a stake of 19.75 percent in the state-controlled Russian energy firm and two seats on the board, and offers an exit for the TNK-BP’s other shareholders AAR, as well.
** APPLE INC, $624.41, up 2.3 pct (1256 ET)
Apple is removing old versions of Oracle Corp’s Java software from Internet browsers on the computers of its customers when they install the latest update to its Mac operating system.
** CITIGROUP, $37.54, up 0.9 pct (1257 ET)
Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who has a stake in Citigroup, said on Monday the U.S. bank has great potential under new management following the departure of Vikram Pandit as chief executive.
** PFIZER INC, $25.52, down 0.9 pct (1258 ET)
The company said it would buy privately held NextWave Pharmaceuticals for $255 million, gaining access to the company’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug, the first once-daily liquid medicine approved to treat the condition in the United States.
** ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO, $28.13, down 1.3 pct (1258 ET)
The U.S. agriculture giant bid $2.8 billion for GrainCorp , sending shares in Australia’s last independent grains handler soaring, as markets bet on a higher offer price or rival bids being flushed out. (Compiled by Ranjita Ganesan in Bangalore)


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MEMS Industry Group (MIG) will gather the world's leading providers of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and sensors technology for its second annual MEMS Industry Group® Conference Asia in Shanghai, China on September 8-11, 2015.
Held in partnership with Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology (SIMIT) and Shanghai Industrial Technology Research (SITRI), this four-day event blends a two-day conference focused on the challenges and opportunities for MEMS and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT) with exclusive tours of top R&D labs and commercial companies.
"MEMS Industry Group Conference Asia merges real-world exploration with a conference and networking event to give attendees a rare inside view of MEMS/sensors innovation engines in China," said Karen Lightman, executive director, MEMS Industry Group. "From our tours of Nanopolis and SITRI Innovation Centers to interactive salon sessions with commercial industry and R&D -- as well as presentations from the world's most successful global suppliers of MEMS/sensors -- conference attendees will engage with startup companies, researchers and multinational companies to learn firsthand about MEMS/sensors in Asia. Attendees will also gain valuable insight into the skyrocketing importance of MEMS/sensors in the IoT."
Pre-conference Tour of Nanopolis
MIG will host a pre-conference tour of Nanopolis, called "the world's largest hub of nanotech innovation and commercialization," on September 8, 2015. Pre-conference attendees will visit Nanopolis-based MEMS and sensors companies: China Wafer Level CSP Co., Ltd. (WLCSP), the MEMS fab at MEMSRIGHT and SINANO laboratory (Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics).


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Mashable and HBO are teaming up to create an immersive experience based on HBO's new show Silicon Valley. Located in the Mashable House, the Silicon Valley Lounge draws inspiration from Hooli, a fictional Internet giant featured in the show. The lounge will feature a juice bar with fresh juice from Daily Greens, charging stations to juice your phone, nap pods and show paraphernalia. Silicon Valley is a satire of startup culture, by Mike Judge, creator of Beavis & Butt-Head and Office Space.
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Another year, another crop of upstart startups looking to use South by Southwest as a springboard to success. So what's different this year? Once again, if you go in expected to see the next Twitter, you'll probably leave disappointed. In fact, looking back over the past few years, SXSWi hasn't produced a hot new startup in a while. That doesn't stop dozens of new firms from attempting to make their mark on the event, which is now in its 20th year.
It can be hard to get the attention of the right people for your startup at SXSW, but one marketing stunt may make it a little easier. Life360, the communications app for families, is partnering with BMW to give as many as 10 founders the chance to pitch a well-known VC for 15 minutes, in the backseat of a BMW i3 during SXSW in Austin, Texas. The VCs include Christine Herron from Intel Capital and Ethan Kurzweil from Bessemer Ventures.
Marvel fans will soon be able to access 15,000 comic books via its Marvel Unlimited iOS and Android apps. The titles span Marvel's 75-year history and include everything from classics like Captain America to more recent titles such as the reboot of Guardians of the Galaxy. See also: 5 Facts You Didn't Know About Comic Books Marvel is offering the comics to customers for a one-time fee of $0.99, a reduced rate, to access the comics during March as a promotion for the company's activities at SXSW.
Mashable is returning to SXSW this year, equipped with everything from a wrecking ball to a larger-than-life Doge wall. See also: 38 SXSW 2014 Panels You Can't Miss So this week’s Mashable Snapchat Challenge is SXSW-themed. Send us snaps inspired by digital culture -- create doodles of your favorite memes, viral video stars and photo phenomenons. Can't stop listening to Miley? Draw a friend swinging on a wrecking ball.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and Facebook is taking that mantra to heart, partnering with some celebrities for the upcoming SXSW music and entertainment festival in Austin, Texas, next month. Facebook announced on Wednesday it will host a Facebook Live event during the festival with the stars and director of Universal's upcoming comedy Neighbors.
Mashable is bringing the Internet to life at our Mashable House during SXSWi 2014. From a gigantic wrecking ball to a one-of-a-kind photo opp with Grumpy Cat and Friskies, plus a larger than life Doge wall, there will be no shortage of selfie-inspiring moments at the Mashable House. Get your creative juices flowing by visiting our Mashable mobile art gallery, which will feature our community's best Snapchats, Instagrams and Vines.
When a conference takes place largely in a pool, surrounded by booze, piñatas and Settlers of Catan boards, can you even call it a conference anymore? For YxYY, nomenclature isn't important. After all, the event doesn't even have an agenda. The No. 1 rule of YxYY (pronounced "Yes and Yes Yes") is to attend the conference with no schedules or expectations whatsoever — and you'd better keep it that way.
The TV network Showtime wants to lend South by Southwest attendees a hand -- a hand filled with digital tarot cards. The cards, which will appear in the SXSW app, will help people map out the hottest events, parties, bars and restaurants to check out in Austin in March. Users will pick three tarot cards to get a "reading" of the top trending activities based on real-time data pulled from the SXSW schedule, Foursquare and Twitter.
It wouldn't quite be South by Southwest without an appearance from Snoop Dogg. This year, the 42-year-old veteran rapper will lend his star power to online travel rentals service Airbnb, which on Thursday announced it will partner with Snoop Dogg and other artists. Airbnb also launched a nationwide Instagram contest for fans who want to win a trip to meet and party with the featured musicians -- Snoop Dogg, Capital Cities and Allen Stone -- in Austin from March 11 to 15 at pop-up venue Airbnb Park.
South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) is a massive festival, bringing together the brighest minds in digital media, technology, journalism, health, film, space, business, gaming and more. With hundreds of sessions, parties and meetups spread across dozens of venues around Austin, it can be difficult to navigate. We've combed through the lineup for the 28th annual conference, and selected speakers, screenings, workshops and panel sessions that we think are most worth your time and effort.
Unlike previous years, Apple will have a big presence at the South By Southwest music extravaganza, bringing its popular iTunes Festival stateside for the first time. The five nights of concerts will be live-streamed in the iTunes Store and iTunes Festival app, similar to the way Apple has offered its 30-night London version of the event to non-attendees. Apple revealed the news Wednesday, a day after rival music service Spotify announced its SXSW slate.
It's that time of year again. South by Southwest is just around the corner and Mashable is gearing up for our biggest presence yet by bringing the Internet to life. You may think you know what we have in store, if you remember last year meeting Grumpy Cat at Mashable House, or celebrating with us at the epic MashBash. This year, Mashable House will be even larger and filled with exciting activities that bring the best of the online world offline.
Mashable had an amazing South by Southwest this year. Lines wrapped around the block for Mashable House and a diverse crowd from the interactive community partied together at MashBash. We loved interacting with the community in Austin, and reading what you had to say using the #MashSXSW hashtag on Twitter and Instagram. For those who missed it, Mashable House was an an easy escape from the Convention Center, which celebrated Internet culture.
AUSTIN -- In the 1997 superhero action movie Steel, Shaquille O'Neal played the armor-clad title character who along with his arsenal of weapons tries to obliterate criminals. But what if instead of fighting bad guys, Steel had to battle the modern-day Iron Man? Mashable asked Shaq to theoretically pit the heroes against each other in a fictitious epic showdown. "Iron Man has me because he has better technology," Shaq said at South by Southwest.
The Interactive portion of SXSW 2013 is now history, and it featuredproved to be a launching space for lots of new apps. The rollouts included new apps for making you smarter while you're at work, as well as a few fun additions. Here we get our hands on the best apps we found. A new photo app records video while you're snapping a shot, and lets you create a sharable clip -- complete with filters and music -- at the end of the day with all your pictures in video form.
SXSW 2013 was an opportunity for attendees to put their Vine skills to the test. We asked you to shoot your most memorable moments from Austin and share it with hashtag #MashSXSW. SEE ALSO: The Best Swag Bags From SXSW 2013 There were more than 200 vines that displayed the weird sights of Austin and the good times at SXSW. You showed us everything from a woman riding a mechanical bulldog to a group of enthusiastic aerobics performers.
An Australian startup called Sharetapes Rick Rolled its way to fame with a Vine that Mashable and NowThisNews deemed the best for any startup at South by Southwest this year. The Vine, below, tersely outlines the company's business model: NFC- and QR code-enabled physical cards that hold information like songs and videos.
By the time South by Southwest Interactive wrapped up earlier this week, it had reached worldwide party status. More than 1 million tweets in 19 languages flooded the Internet over the course of the five-day conference, representing 205 countries around the world. The U.S. generated a vast majority of the chatter (71%), with the UK and Canada a distant second and third (4.6% and 4.4%, respectively).
AUSTIN -- At its core, SXSW 2013 is all about creativity and pushing the boundaries of tech, music and film. There was evidence of this all over the show, but maybe nowhere more so than the Creator Tent, which was nestled right behind the huge convention center. Inside, we found researchers, DIYers, scientists, gadget freaks and children, either showcasing their own projects or getting some serious hands-on time with others.
Everybody loves some good swag, and SXSW is the perfect place to score some cool goodies. We called for our readers who attended SXSW 2013 to take a photo of their favorite swag and send it to us using the hashtag #MashSXSW.
AUSTIN -- Native advertising is the big buzzword of 2013, and it's seeking to redefine the way consumers interact with ads on the web. And though just about everyone in advertising and media is talking about native ads, the concept can be hard to define and understand. In fact, there was an entire panel devoted to defining the term and how it manifests on the web at the Native Advertising Summit last month, and there still was no resolution among panelists after 30 minutes of discussion.
Jerry Seinfeld would have loved SXSWi 2013: It’s a show about nothing. This is not to say it’s without substance. Like Seinfeld’s classic show, which wove together three or more threads that usually intersected in hilarious ways, SXSWi weaves together thousands of threads that are all interesting, but not necessarily thematically cohesive. While most regard SXSWi as the coolest of all trade shows, it’s not as different as people think.
AUSTIN -- Like a vampire drawn to blood, Ian Somerhalder couldn't keep away from Grumpy Cat at South by Southwest. The Vampire Diaries actor paused during his interview with Mashable to flirtatiously comment on the feline that stole the show at SXSW.
SXSW is traditionally a huge launching place for mobile apps. This year brought with it some significant updates from popular apps such as Path and Banjo, as well as a number of new apps. At this year’s show, we found an app that helps you find a date based on your Facebook friends, and another than helps you find the file you’re looking for, no matter where you might have saved it.


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Cyprus-based binary options technology provider O-SYSTEMS recently unveiled Osyspro, its latest product for binary options firms to help manage key stages of the customer lifecycle process including the conversion and retention phases, announced during the iFX Expo in Cyprus last week.
The Osyspro solution appears to have been made in response to the growing need that brokers have to continually find ways to reduce friction during the customer acquisition process, in order to steer key business drivers while making marketing efforts including campaigns more effective.
The new world of online trading, fintech and marketing – register now for the Finance Magnates Tel Aviv Conference, June 29th 2016.
Finance Magnates wrote about the firm’s two recent launches – a mobile solution in March, followed by a back office system in April – before its launch of Osyspro in May.
The company has been actively growing its efforts as a competing technology provider, in addition to launching the new products, including the opening of an office in Asia and participation in related industry events such at the IFX Expo in Hong Kong this past February.
Binary options focus
Mapping a firm’s broker management platform to existing and new customer journeys, both to and from ad campaigns to landing pages to all the following steps within a broker’s website or trading platform, can become increasingly complex over time.
For this reason choosing the right type of solution is just as important as mapping it correctly, as well as optimizing the tracking and implementing a metrics-based approach to building a multi-channel responsive system that will cater to all types of client needs – and not just a few categories.
Why Ethereum Needs Layer 2 Solutions More Than EverGo to article >>
One of the perceived values of the Osyspro solution was described as the ability for firms to lower their related operational costs, according to details of the product shared with Finance Magnates.
New firms onboarded
The firm already has 42 clients for its main solution which helps binary options brokers which follows the traditional model of binary options brokers, which some of the core technology they need to operate, and the company has another 3 new firms in advanced stages of development, according to people close to the company.
For its newly launched Osyspro solution, one firm has already been onboarded since the launch and three additional firms are in the pipeline, as explained to Finance Magnates.
It appears that the Osyspro solution aims to help brokers automate steps related to marketing and conversion and track their return-on-investment (ROI) metrics in order to gauge performance, by interacting with demo and live clients from within the trading platform.
In addition, Osyspro features the ability for brokers to create what the company describes as intelligent popups within the trading platform, as can be seen in the screenshot below:
Automating for conversion
Unlike traditional approaches to sales, the Osyspro module doesn’t require a client’s phone number as part of the demo registration field and which the company highlights as a selling point for brokers – as it takes a more digital approach via rules-based email triggers – compared to cold-calling or less passive approaches. The changes are fully compliant with current CySEC regulations.
The client retention tool appears to be rules-based where if certain conditions are met then an action is triggered to email the customer relevant information, or the trigger can notify the platform user to send their client a personalized email manually.


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US mega merchant Kroger Co. is considering expanding a ban on Visa credit cards imposed by one of its subsidiaries, in the latest signal that retailers are preparing a fresh battle over the $90 billion they pay in card interchange fees every year.
Shares of payment companies including Visa, American Express and Mastercard dropped on the news. Merchants have long looked for ways to cut such interchange fees, including by lobbying lawmakers for lower rates and through technology upgrades that avoid traditional card payments entirely.
The largest US supermarket chain, Kroger said its Foods Co. Supermarkets unit in California will stop accepting Visa cards at 21 stores and five fuel centres next month. Kroger spokesman Chris Hjelm said that the parent company might follow the lead.
“It’s pretty clear we need to move down this path, and if we have to expand that beyond Foods Co., we’re prepared to take that step,” Hjelm said. When the amount retailers pay in card interchange fees “gets out of alignment, as we believe it is now, we don’t believe we have a choice but to use whatever mechanism possible to get it back in alignment.”
Kroger’s announcement followed Walmart’s decision last week to abandon Synchrony Financial after the two couldn’t agree to economic terms. And Amazon.com’s foray into financial services has also been seen as a way the retailer could save $250 million.
Still, the world’s largest payments networks continue to benefit from a global shift away from cash to electronic payments. Visa shares have climbed 20% this year as Mastercard rose 31%.
The post Credit card interchange fees backlash grows as US heavy weigh expands Visa ban appeared first on Payments Cards & Mobile.


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Stefano Clini, Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia, added: “The illicit trade detracts billions of Ringgit in government revenue and from thousands of employees, distributors, retailers and investors who rely on legitimate beer sales as a source of income. As an industry, we believe any increase in excise duties and taxes will exacerbate the demand for contraband, which is particularly prevalent in East Malaysia. Contraband beer also poses health and safety risks to consumers with zero oversight and regulatory control on its brewing, distribution, pricing, and alcohol content, unlike legitimate and licensed products brewed to exacting quality standards with natural ingredients. We thank the Government for their ongoing efforts in combatting contraband hand-in-hand with the industry to the benefit of legitimate brewers and Malaysian businesses.”
The two brewers have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, following the suspension of brewing and distribution operations due to the six-week Movement Control Order (MCO) from 18 March and as a consequence reported significant decline in revenue for the first half of the 2020 financial year (1HFY20).
The wider impact to the industry was most keenly felt by the closure of F&B outlets since the MCO, where 11,000 businesses suspended operations leading to an estimated gross revenue loss of RM900 million while placing 110,000 jobs at risk. CMBB estimates that around 1,080 of these outlets are now permanently closed, impacting an estimated 10,700 jobs.
Apart from its recommendation for no further excise duty and tax increases, CMBB urges the Government to consider introducing support packages to help struggling operators of bars, and entertainment outlets who still remain closed since the beginning of MCO earlier this year. It is estimated that around 3,800 of these outlets will remain closed at least until 31 December 2020 with some 38,000 jobs at risk. CMBB will continue to support affected outlets through its ongoing engagement with Government with an aim to create more awareness of the issues faced by local businesses and explore ways they can be allowed to operate in full compliance of SOPs with the health and safety of people being the first priority.


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Amazon small business chief lifts veil on the online sales platform 28 February 2020, 6:29 am
Amazon says an estimated 1.6 million jobs have been created as a result of small- and medium-sized businesses selling on its platform.
Phone manufacturer for tech enthusiasts increases Bellevue footprint 28 February 2020, 12:53 pm
Since hiring its first Seattle employee in 2018, phone manufacturer OnePlus has grown to have about 40 employees in the region.
Boeing dangles signing bonuses up to $30,000 amid 'urgent need' for satellite engineers 28 February 2020, 10:39 pm
Boeing is offering signing bonuses up to $30,000 for experienced satellite engineers and procurement specialists, saying Friday needs the staff "to help build assets for the U.S. Air Force and its allies." The company posted a notice
Seattle bank recruits Wells Fargo execs to expand commercial business in Arizona 28 February 2020, 9:17 pm
The Wells Fargo execs were recruited by WaFd Bank to set up its first brick-and-mortar commercial banking office in southern Arizona. Bank executives spoke to the Business Journal about how the deal came together to snag the Wells Fargo ba
Amazon employees' drive-alone rate in Bellevue could get lower than Seattle. Here's how. 28 February 2020, 6:09 am
Fewer than 30 percent of Amazon's Seattle employees drive alone to work, and 50 percent either walk, bike or take public transit.
Sneak peek: Rover designs new HQ with dogs in mind (Photos) 28 February 2020, 9:58 pm
On any given day, Rover.com’s Seattle office houses 40 dogs. In November, the company behind the popular pet care app moved its headquarters to the top six floors of Morgan Stanley-owned 8th + Olive from an office at Fourth Avenue and Blanchar
Providence to spin out another tech health care company 28 February 2020, 10:23 pm
The digital innovations group at Providence has been working on this platform for years.
Opinion: Try a little pistanthrophobia to protect your business 28 February 2020, 10:47 pm
A bit of paranoia is not unhealthy in approaching the way you hire employees and contractors, writes William F. Abrams.
Amazon's Brian Huseman has a plan for how HQ2 can grow with the community 28 February 2020, 7:46 pm
One of the execs behind HQ2 has big plans for Amazon's regional growth.
Patti Payne's Cool Pads: Custom Yarrow Point estate lists for $6.7M 29 February 2020, 12:00 am
The story that goes with the Yarrow Point manse at 9240 NE 37th Place, Yarrow Point, is a romantic one. Art and Carolyn Whittlesey met 43 years ago in the living room of a house in Yarrow Point where Phi Delta Theta fraternity was holding an informal rush event.


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H&M closing and here's what it said about the future of its staff
International clothing brand H&M has refused to comment on what will happen to its Isle of Wight staff when its store closes next month.
The shop, in Newport's South Street, will shut on February 4.
The Isle of Wight County Press asked H&M to confirm how many people would be made redundant, but it declined to give any information.
Instead, the brand said: "During the last few years, we have seen a rapid change in customer behaviour that we cannot ignore."
"We continuously need to evaluate and develop our business to meet our customers’ needs and offer the best possible shopping experience, whether it’s online or in our physical stores," a spokesperson said.
"Our ambition is to continue investing in our customers, open new stores where we see opportunities and develop our digital channels.
"Sometimes decisions must be made to enable long-term growth. This means we sometimes need to close stores. This decision has been made for our Isle of Wight store."
The popular fashion brand has occupied a significant two-storey retail space in the Island's county town.
The shock decision to close was announced by an in-store sign directing customers to its website.
H&M has closed more than 50 stores in recent months and currently runs just under 200 in the UK.


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Bank Alfalah has partnered with Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited (PSMCL) to offer Finance Arrangement Program to their extensive customer base.
According to Bank Alfalah, the Finance Arrangement Program will cater to the evolving financial needs of mutual customers by delivering innovative solutions with value-added benefits. The collaboration has been designed to boost Bank Alfalah and PSMCL market standing and footprint by growing their respective shares in Pakistan’s Auto Finance industry.
Pak Suzuki believes that this is an ideal time for such initiatives in Pakistan as the interest rates are decreasing and the economic outlook looks promising. The company hopes that it will continue with this momentum. Pak Suzuki is confident to further grow its shares and explore more viable business avenues.
The MoU signing ceremony took place at Lahore in presence of senior officials from both organizations. Mr. Atif Bajwa – CEO and President, Bank Alfalah and Mr. Hirofumi Nagao – Managing Director PSMCL, signed the agreement.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Atif Bajwa said, “We are delighted to have strengthened our business ties with Pak Suzuki further through this significant partnership. Bank Alfalah and PSMCL, being key players in Pakistan’s financial and auto sectors respectively, have convergent customer facilitation goals which, we are confident, will be achieved through this major development. As we move further, we want to strengthen this partnership by helping PSMCL’s supply and distribution chains through another layer of financing options.


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08-13-2015, 12:47 PM #1
Business booms for collector of unwanted 'family heirlooms'
Dave (he didn't want his surname used) of genteel Islington, London UK, has created a business no-one seemed to know there was a demand for before.
He offers to collect the old printed porn collections of deceased people, when relatives are too embarrassed to dispose of them by themselves. He calls around in an unmarked van then resells the stashes at his store for collectors of 'bizarre and erotic images'.
The magazines, videos and posters are mostly from the 70s and 80s and 'very mild', Dave says, compared to today's Internet offerings.
http://www.france24.com/en/20150813-...3&dlvrit=65413We 'embraced' the missing Bob Harrod case as requested but 6 years on, are still waiting for further guidance
Flyers/FB/Case Overview&Media Links
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Big news on the Snapchat front.
A new update that has come through yesterday for the app which has introduced “Discover”.
What it boils down to is Snapchat introducing branded channels. A few people are heralding the apps end as the youth audience that it’s user base is made up of may see this as a move towards advertising on the famous app.
Some think that more relevant brands should have been included in this initial launch, such as UNILAD, Buzzfeed, etc.
Check out what Snapchat have to say about it here: http://blog.snapchat.com/post/109302961090/introducing-discover
Have you tried it out yet, what are your thoughts?


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Pietro Merlino has joined the Rome office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe as a partner and head of its antitrust and competition practice.
Merlino was based at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton for 19 years, where he advised on merger control, abuse of dominance, anticompetitive agreements, and distribution and licensing issues in Italy and the European Union. He has deep sector experience in life sciences, energy, transportation, and consumer goods.
“We are delighted to continue to strengthen our market-leading Italian regulatory platform with a brilliant practitioner like Pietro,” said Guido Testa, Co-Leader of Orrick’s Italian offices.
Full Content: Orrick


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Karsten Strauss, Forbes Staff
Journalist covering entrepreneurs, technology & business.
The rise of the Gameboy and its ilk may have been the first trumpet blast heralding the rise of mobile gaming, but that was over 20 years ago and the small console was in another category from the TV or computer-based games of the time. As technology surges forward and consumers gravitate toward richer, more immersive experiences, will the lines between mobile gaming and console/PC-based larger screen entertainment blur to non-existence? The gaming industry had better get ready, because if the latest products are any indication of how advanced and intense mobile gaming will become, that is the direction we’re heading.
Technology Creates As It Kills
Let’s address one glaring issue from the very start: no, it is not possible for a mobile gamer, staring into the tiny screen of a pocketsize console, to have the massive HD visual experience that a console or PC gamer can enjoy. As concerns over drive memory and processing power are wiped away through technological advances to a mobile console’s innards, that physical reality will remain.
That said, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been singing the praises of one of its latest projects: Google Project Glass, which, according to the company, provides a virtual reality experience via a head-mounted display as easy to put on as a pair of glasses. Wrap your head around that (or wrap that around your head): if they tiny screens that once encumbered the mobile gamers’ experience was replaced by a spectacle-mounted digital reality, what lies in the path of the
mobile gaming industry playing the dominant role in the world gaming industry, set to reach $70 billion by 2015? Other companies have developed headset virtual reality and you’d better bet that others will, and soon. With this technology in the spotlight and in intense development, all gaming platforms – and the way companies develop games for them – is going to have to change.
Mobile – Social Gaming Might Kill Itself
In the past several years, with the rise of Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and its pilot fish-companion, Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA), the power and lucrative aspects of social gaming have been made abundantly clear to businesses and investors alike. But the social gaming platform that Zynga seemed to mastermind is tired in the sense that the games offered on social networks or as mobile apps are now widely known to be merely somewhat entertaining portals to your personal data designed to harvest user info for later monetization.
To further veil that reality, the games are going to need a little bit more excitement and zazz (from a head-mounted virtual reality display, perhaps?) or at least be altered so that they stop asking users to recruit their friends. Zynga CEO, Marc Pincus is right to be focusing on content because the substance and style need a reboot. If mobile device games don’t get it, they’re going to lose user interest.
Where Are We Really Headed?
Chances are we’re going to see the console game platforms be melded with the mobile, or turn into a higher-end, ultra-rich gaming experience reserved for those truly obsessed with large scale, virtual reality. The X-Box , the Sony (Tokyo:SNE) PlayStations, the Wii and the like will still develop their platforms but the size will be more akin to their mobile offerings—the Nintendo DS (Osaka:NTDOY), the Playstation Vita, and others that can fit in a coat pocket.
Armed with a mobile gaming console, set of virtual reality glasses and maybe a mini hard drive for storing downloaded 25 GB games, a gamer will not need to be tied down to a television screen, a PC monitor or a cable-enabled WIFI system. Now, if we could only make it solar-powered…


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Illegal flyposters in Southport who could have damaged trees on Lord Street may face penalties, says Sefton Council.
Posters advertising private investigators to catch out 'cheaters' have cropped up across Southport's town centre - but according to the Council, no permission was sought and action could be taken against the company.
A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "These posters are illegal and could have also damaged the trees they are stapled to.
"Our Highways enforcement team will now remove the posters and contact the listed company with the view of taking appropriate action against them.
"Any organisation wishing to promote or advertise legally in the borough can find out more via the council website "
The posters, which read "partner cheating? Employ a private investigator. Privacy absolutely assured", cropped up across the town centre yesterday.


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Best Apple Pencil (1st gen) accessories iMore 2021 The Apple Pencil (first generation) is the one additional expense I recommend to anyone getting a 7th… Read More »Best Apple Pencil (1st gen) accessories 2021
App Clips, which were released in the fall of 2020, haven’t made their way into the physical world that much yet. However, Apple is now… Read More »Apple Stores launch App Clips for accessories and MagSafe iPhone displays
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are expected to arrive sometime in August, according to a new report, it will be the successor of the Galaxy Buds+.
The post Samsung Galaxy Buds2 price leaked? appeared first on Pocketnow.
On today’s Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the possible launch date of the Google Pixel 5a, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 leaks, and more.
The post Pocketnow Daily: Google Pixel 5a Leaks are WEIRD! Galaxy Z Flip 3 Design Leaks & more! (video) appeared fi…
You can find several Samsung devices on sale at Amazon, featuring the Samsung Galaxy S21, Apple Watch Series 6, and more on sale
The post Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Z Flip and more devices are on sale appeared first on Pocketnow.
The new AirPods and Macbook Pro devices might launch later this year, indicated by suppliers being under pressure to meet Apple’s strict requirements.
The post Next generation AirPods and Macbooks are coming later this year appeared first on Pocketnow.
Today’s best gaming deals come from Best Buy and Amazon, where you will find the Razer Basilisk Ultimate gaming mouse and more on sale
The post Razer Basilisk Ultimate Wireless gaming mouse is $90 off! appeared first on Pocketnow.
Listed below are twelve keyboard options that may help you make your iPad sessions more productive!
The post The Best iPad Keyboards appeared first on Pocketnow.
You might need a wider display to get things done more quickly and be more productive. Hence, here are the best MacBook Air monitors for you.
The post Best monitors for MacBook Air appeared first on Pocketnow.
Pocketnow Daily: Everything WRONG with Apple Going After Leakers, Galaxy Watch 4 LEAKED & more! (video)
On today’s Pocketnow Daily, we talk about Apple´s latest actions against leakers, Samsung Galaxy S21 FE rumors, and more.
The post Pocketnow Daily: Everything WRONG with Apple Going After Leakers, Galaxy Watch 4 LEAKED & more! (video) appeared fir…
Check out the latest case leaks that could confirm the new look of the upcoming Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro
The post Alleged Pixel 6 case confirms previously leaked design appeared first on Pocketnow.
Today’s best deals come from Amazon and Samsung.com, where we find several QLED smart TVs, the Galaxy S21, and more on sale
The post Samsung’s QLED Q80A Smart TVs, Sennheiser headphones and more are on sale today appeared first on Pocketnow.


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SOFIA (Bulgaria), January 24 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian diversified group Stara Planina Hold [BUL:SPH] said on Monday that its consolidated sales rose by 39.84% on the year in 2021, reaching 277.5 million levs ($160.9 million/141.9 million euro).
Stara Planina Hold expects consolidated sales of 26.4 million levs in January, up 26.76% year-on-year, the company said in a bourse filing.
In December 2021 alone, the group booked sales of 21.9 million levs.
As at 11:20 CET on Monday, shares in Stara Planina Hold traded 3.96% lower at 9.70 levs on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange.
Stara Planina Hold's investment portfolio includes companies from the sectors of machine engineering, electrical engineering, and perfumery and cosmetics.
(1 euro = 1.95583 levs)


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It's no fun to travel around Thanksgiving. It is, however, fun to anticipate and hop on any travel deals that result from the shopping rush around Black Friday (November 28) and Cyber Monday (December 1). We've gathered a few of the more promising deals upcoming later this week, and there's only more to be had. Show More Summary
Here are the accounts I follow for the latest trends, exclusive discount codes and insider information.
Bargain travel hunters, get ready to go crazy. Once again, we've compiled a master list of Black Friday and Cyber Monday hotel deals. And once again, this list is a beast. So much so, that we've had to break it up into different groups. Show More Summary
Apple announced last night its campaign to support World AIDS Day 2014 with a series of App Store promotions and plans to donate a portion of Apple Store sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to the Global Fund to support the fight against AIDS. Specifically for November 28th, or Black Friday, Apple shared that […]
So, you could go to Walmart or Target on Black Friday and risk getting trampled, as is tradition, or you could just sit at home and get the same deals without putting on pants. You don’t even have to wait until Cyber Monday anymore. Amazon is leading the charge when it comes to Black Friday online, but they’re by no means the only ones. Show More Summary
According to a June 2014 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the likely annual cost to the global economy from cybercrime could reach $575 Billion. It's a big number. Here are a five ways hackers will try toShow More Summary
Just in time for Cyber Monday, pastry chef Chris Teixeira of West Town Bakery (1916 W. Chicago Ave., 773-904-1414), who already makes gourmet interpretations of Cracker Jack, Butterfinger and Baby Ruth bars, is unveiling a new line of chocolates featuring Dark Matter coffee. Dark Matter (738 N....
Apple yesterday announced its plans to support (RED) and mark World Aids Day 2014 by donating a portion of global online and retail store sales collected on Black Friday (November 28) and Cyber Monday (December 1). Apple also is setting up a special...
The hoopla may be slowing down, but Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still very much around. Plenty of retailers still promote Black Friday deals, and many consumers are happy to participate. Are you one of them? Read more...
Apple will donate a portion of sales at Apple’s retail and online stores around the world on two of the biggest shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — as part of a campaign for World Aids Day, which takes place on December 1. Show More Summary
With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday season just around the corner, Google is helping out shoppers on the move, with enhanced search results for products on smartphones and tablets. Starting this week, mobile users searching for products on Google will see detailed information, specs, store availability and customer reviews. Show More Summary
Following the product (RED) takeover of the App Store earlier today, Apple has announced a broader involvement in the campaign leading up to World AIDS Day. On Black Friday, November 28, Apple will be giving out special product (RED) gift certificates in the U.S., a percentage of which will be donated to AIDS research. Show More Summary
Apple has just announced a significant campaign to support World AIDS Day 2014 as part of its long-running (RED) program. The company will donate to the Global Fund to fight AIDS based on proceeds from its new Apps for (RED) section on the App Store, as well as a portion of online and retail sales made on […]
Black Friday is past approaching and it would not be Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) without a Slick Deals roundup of all the gun, ammo and accessory deals to be had. Some sales have already been running and stock has already run out. Show More Summary
Over the next week investors will get a fresh look at economic growth last quarter. Also, Walmart is planning more than twice as many Cyber Monday deals this year than last year. Lauren Lyster reports on the day's top MoneyWatch headlines.
Walmart just released their 2014 Cyber Monday ad, with CNBC reporting that the popular retailer will offer more than 500 online deals this year, more than double the number of cyber deals it offered last year. The most popular itemsShow More Summary
Always seeking a place on the cutting edge, the Houston Rockets will not wait until after Thanksgiving to begin Christmas shopping. Black Friday? Cyber Monday? They’re as old and outdated as a box score. At first glance, the RocketsShow More Summary
Black Friday is no longer single day for the great deals and discount. Numerous online retailers are celebrating a week long Black Friday 2014 with special promotions and special discounts to kick off the holiday shopping season. Throughout the week … Continue reading ?
After already kicking off a huge pre-Black Friday sale and revealing its full Black Friday 2014 deals, Walmart on Friday announced details for its Cyber Monday 2014 sales event. The huge sale will include plenty of interesting tech deals, though not nearly as many as Walmart’s Black Friday doorbusters. Show More Summary
Shopping in the United States is elevated almost to a contact sport. Sales and discounts abound on a predictable schedule. Here in Canada, it’s true that we get Boxing Day on December 26th. However, in the States they also end up with “after Christmas” sales, and sales all the way up to Christmas. But the “real” deals [...]Show More Summary


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Optimism among Canadian exporters hits 10-year high
Canadian manufacturers and other companies are optimistic about international business opportunities in the next six months, according to a new Export Development Canada report.
The report is a summary of EDC’s Trade Confidence Index (TCI) survey, which measures a number of elements that together, give an indication of how Canadian exporters and investors are feeling about their business opportunities in the next six months.
“In spite of weak data and increasing concern about the U.S. economy, Canadian exporters still seem to be expecting improvement in the global trade arena,” said Peter Hall, the EDC’s chief economist. “There is also increased interest in doing business in new countries, a sign that market diversification is alive and well.”
Of all the elements of the survey, respondents’ expectations around international business opportunities increased the most over last fall’s report, with 45 per cent of respondents believing opportunities will improve, up from 33 per cent in the fall of 2014. The positive feelings about international business opportunities have reached the highest point in the last 10 years.
Respondents cited the low Canadian dollar and resurgence of the U.S. economy as the main reasons for their positive outlook.
On the down side, however, overall trade confidence was dampened by exporters’ cautious outlook on the domestic economy, which was mainly attributed to the downturn in the oil and gas sector and low Canadian dollar. Weaker results in this element of the survey caused the overall TCI score for Spring 2015 to fall slightly to 75.1, down from 75.8 last fall. Despite the drop, the TCI level remains above the historical average.
“The small drop in the Index is no cause for alarm,” Hall said. “The weaker overall result is totally due to softer domestic market expectations. In contrast, optimism about international business opportunities surged this spring.”


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|By Maureen O'Gara||
|September 30, 2008 05:00 PM EDT||
Canadian antitrust regulators have now gone the same path as the US Justice Department and reached out and hired an outside litigator, David Kent, a Toronto antitrust expert, to look into the Google-Yahoo deal.
The news comes from the Wall Street Journal, which got it from “lawyers close to the matter.”
The paper couldn’t get Canadian officials to comment.
The Journal thinks that the DOJ will decide whether it’s going to try to block the deal early in October.
The DOJ hired veteran litigator Sandy Litvack a few weeks ago to put a case together.
Meanwhile, Yahoo – which may be looking into its crystal ball and divining an antitrust rout – has hired Bain & Company to explore “ways to streamline our processes and bring new agility and efficiency to how we work as an organization” – which what’s left of the smart money reads as layoffs.
Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang told his folks in an e-mail that the company needs “more discipline…getting fit now will enable us to be more successful moving forward.”
Stanford Bernstein analyst Jeff Lindsay thinks a “few thousand” could be let go. He says advertisers have already stopped buying ads directly from Yahoo for some of its most prominent sites like Yahoo Financial and Yahoo has ~4,000 sales reps.
US advertising spending was also down 3.7% last quarter, the worst drop in seven years, according to Bloomberg. Spending on Internet display ads was up only 8% in the first half, down from 18% year-over-year.
- Source Claims SCO Will Sue Google
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- Linux Business Week Exclusive: Linux Kernel To Be Re-Written To Counter Microsoft FUD
- CSN Asks Judge To Unseal the SCO-IBM Court Record
- IBM's Got Its Head in the Clouds
- Noorda's Daughter Committed Suicide
- SCO vs IBM Latest: SCO To Request Unsealing of Most Documents, Claims O'Gara


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MONTREAL, June 30 /CNW Telbec/ - iPerceptions Inc. (TSX-V: IPE) today
announced the cancellation of the granting of an aggregate of 230,000 stock
options in favor of certain Directors of the Corporation previously announced
by the Corporation in a press release dated June 10th, 2009. Further to this
cancellation, the number of stock options granted by the Corporation on June
10th, 2009 in favor of Directors, Officers and members of the Advisory
Committee of the Corporation is now 2,825,000. However, terms and conditions
of these options, as announced on June 10th, 2009, remain unchanged.
iPerceptions is one of North America's leading web-focused Voice of
Customer analytics providers. Its webValidator Continuous Listening solution,
free website survey solution 4Q, and proprietary iPerceptions Satisfaction
Index (iPSI) turn thousands of data points into easy-to-understand strategic
and tactical decision support for website marketers. iPerceptions' clients
include such well-known brands as InterContinental Hotels, General Motors,
Dell, Hyundai, LG Electronics, Choice Hotels International, BMW and Monster
Worldwide. iPerceptions has offices in New York, Toronto, Montreal and London.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this press release.
For further information:
For further information: Media: Emily Brady, Brady Public Relations,
(415) 606-9350, email@example.com; Investor: Claude Guay, President and CEO,
iPerceptions Inc., (877) 796-3600, Fax: (866) 484-2600


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A Palm Beach man is accused of stealing a woman's identity, opening multiple credit cards in her name and spending more than $4,000, deputies said.
Damian Heaven, 37, was arrested Tuesday by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies said they received a call on May 5 from a Lake Worth woman who said she thought her identity had been stolen. She told them she had gotten a credit card she didn't apply for in the mail, and when she called the Barclay Bank to inquire about it, they told her an account had been opened in her name.
She checked her credit report and discovered two more credit cards that had been opened in her name that carried a cumulative balance of about $4,300. She told authorities she had not opened any of the cards.
Records showed the card was used at stores like Publix, Wal-Mart and Panera Bread in the West Palm Beach area, according to the arrest report. Deputies tracked down security footage of the man using the cards.
One of the purchases made was at a West Palm Beach Target. Deputies said the man purchased an iPad on April 30. Store records gave the serial number for the iPad, which matched an iPad pawned by Heaven at a pawn shop only 30 minutes away, deputies said.
Using security footage and information from the pawn shop, deputies said they were able to determine Heaven was the one who was using the credit cards. Deputies said he would purchase gift cards and electronics which he would later pawn as a means to hide the fact he was using a stolen card.
It's unclear how Heaven was able to access the woman's social security number, deputies said.
He is charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property, false ownership of property, obtaining goods by use of a false credit card, fraudulent use of a credit card, organized fraud and fraudulent use of personal ID information.
He is being held at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in lieu of $25,000 bail.
firstname.lastname@example.org, 561-243-6547 or Twitter @katejacobson


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Men are from Mars, women are from Venus, and so apparently each gender needs their own separate bag of crisps.
In a move that seems like it's from 1900 rather than 2018, bosses at Doritos have just revealed their plans for a new "lady friendly" version of the popular crisp, which are quieter to eat and less messy.
Food and drinks giant PepsiCo - who own Doritos - has claimed research has found women do not like to crunch loudly or lick their fingers when eating in front of others.
According to The Telegraph, the brand's global chief executive Indra Nooyi has stated that "Although women would love to crunch crisps loudly, lick their fingers and pour crumbs from the bag into their mouth afterwards, they prefer not to do this in public.
"You watch a lot of the young guys eat the chips, they love their Doritos, and they lick their fingers with great glee, and when they reach the bottom of the bag they pour the little broken pieces into their mouth, because they don’t want to lose that taste of the flavour, and the broken chips in the bottom.
"Women would love to do the same, but they don’t. They don’t like to crunch too loudly in public. And they don’t lick their fingers."
"It’s not a male and female as much as 'are there snacks for women that can be designed and packaged differently?' And yes, we are looking at it, and we’re getting ready to launch a bunch of them soon."
But rather than questioning why women don't like pouring leftover Dorito dust into their mouths, the company is instead trying to bridge the apparent gender divide by looking to launch a new "low crunch" crisp that will even come in special packs specifically designed to fit into women's handbags.
Naturally, people on Twitter are far from warming to the idea...
Well at least if we have to have smaller, soggier bags of Doritos, here's to hoping we get our own feminine flavours to go with. Raspberry and Prosecco or smoked salmon and cream cheese crisps anyone?


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The Illinois Department of Transportation says daytime lane restrictions will be encountered along Illinois 159/Plum Street, south of Governors’ Parkway, to accommodate the new Ironworks retail development in Edwardsville.
These lane restrictions will be in place from Nov. 6 to Dec. 31. These restrictions are required for turn lane and intersection improvements.
Restrictions may be encountered along the southbound and northbound lanes of Illinois Route 159/Plum Street.
Work is being completed by Keller Construction for the Ironworks Development.
The Ironworks project will consist of three new single-story buildings. Each will have multiple retail and restaurant tenants and outdoor amenities. Construction began on two buildings in June. The third will be developed as part of a second phase at a later date.
Sugarfire Barbecue will open in early 2019. Global Brew is relocating to Ironworks from downtown Edwardsville, and St. Louis-based Strange Donuts will also open a location there.
Traffic control devices will be utilized to assist motorists during these restrictions
Traffic control devices will be utilized to assist motorists during these restrictions. IDOT asks that motorists be patient, reduce speed, obey all warning signs and use additional caution when traveling near this work zone.
Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at http://stl-traffic.org.
For IDOT District 8 updates on Twitter, follow us at http://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict8.


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Streaming giant Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) stock price has fallen by 40 per cent in the past 2 weeks and the stock is down more than 60% for the year to date. The streaming company’s shares fell 35.1 per cent at the close of trading on Wednesday, April 20 following the release of disappointing Netflix’s first-quarter earnings results. Meanwhile, the company recorded $7.9 billion in total revenue in the first quarter, up 9.8% from a year earlier. For the second quarter, Netflix said it expects revenue of just over $ 8 billion.
Netflix Subscribers slide for the first time in a decade
Netflix’s customer base fell by 200,000 subscribers during the January-March period and the company ended March with 221.6 million worldwide subscribers. Netflix projected it will lose 2 million more subscribers in the second quarter. Netflix said the suspension of its service in Russia resulted in losing 700,000 users in Europe. In March, Netflix suspended its service and future projects and acquisitions in Russia.
On the other hand, Netflix estimated that more than 30 million U.S. and Canadian households are using shared passwords and an additional 100 million households are doing so globally. “Our relatively high household penetration—when including the large number of households sharing accounts—combined with competition, is creating revenue growth headwinds,” Netflix said.
$NFLX short-term and long-term technical outlook
Technically, the overall movement remained bearish throughout the last couple of weeks. In the short term, the daily chart shows that the $NFLX has been moving sideways in the past 4 days as its volume has dried up. On the downside, the key support remains near the 52-week low of $185, and a further breakout below this area could lead the pair towards the next support level of $150/30. On the upper side, the first immediate resistance around is $230 and then $250.
In the long-term, it is too early to tell the stock will regain strong upside momentum from the current level after we witnessed more than a 35% drop in a single day. So, I will recommend to wait for the stock to regain strong bullish momentum because both fundamental factors and technical indicators not showing any signs of a reversal at this point in time.
Trading is risky and your entire investment may be at risk. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.


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Hello Games has been hard at work to give us the latest update to No Man’s Sky. Titled No Man’s Sky Next, Next will finally give players the option to play No Man’s Sky with their friends. Up to 3 players can join you or be joined by random travelers while
Go into the deepest parts of the ocean with Subnautica, now making its way onto the PS4 later this year. Panic Button who partnered with Unknown Worlds will be bringing players to the unknown with its exploration and wonder. In Subnautica you’ll find yourself stranded on a unknown planet that
Bandai Namco announced today that Code Vein will be delayed until 2019 from the previously announced date of September 28th. Eric Hartness, Vice President of Marketing for BANDAI NAMCO had this to say about the recent delay: “CODE VEIN has received an enormous amount of positive feedback from eager fans who
Bandai Namco has released some new info focusing on a new character called Zeke Pennywort and new Aragami and battle customization options called “Burst Plugin” and “Installing Skills” “Zeke Pennywort Zeke lived through a rough childhood so he has defiant tendencies though he cares deeply for others and is a
Capcom and Square Enix are teaming up to bring you this epic crossover of massive proportions. You will be able to take on Final Fantasy’s Behemoth with fellow monster hunters! This epic battle will become available as a free update this Summer. Check out the crossover trailer above.
Check out the latest screens and character art from Devil May Cry 5 from Capcom. Devil May Cry 5 will be available in Early 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Check out Bioware’s latest trailer for the highly anticipated Anthem which will release on February 22, 2019 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Bioware has stated that Anthem will be a online only game, which would make it very similar to the likes of Destiny or other MMO titles. Players
Bandai Namco has officially confirmed the release date of Code Vein. Code Vein will be releasing on September 28th on Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC. A new trailer has also been released for Code Vein check out the action packed trailer above.
Square Enix have opened up the flood gates and finally we are getting some Kingdom Hearts III footage! Check out Sora, Goofy, and Donald in this new footage spanning a bit over 15 mins. We will have some more info on Kingdom Hearts later in the day, so check out
Inti Creates has announced a new tale in the Bloodstained series Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon. This coming in before the actual main release of BloodStained: Ritual of the Night, Tthis one is going back to it’s predecessors and will be in 8-Bit. You play as Zangetsu a demon slayer
Check out the new trailer for Rockstar Games highly anticipated Red Dead Redemption II. The trailer shows off the story with some interesting bits on what gameplay may look like. Check it out above and Red Dead Redemption II is scheduled to launch October 26th on both Playstation 4 and
We all knew a new Tomb Raider would be coming but when, will rest assure Square Enix has officially unveiled the next tile in the Tomb Raider series called Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Shadow of The Tomb Raider picks up after Rise of the Tomb Raider, this time Lara Croft


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Apple Australia has increased revenues by 35% during the past 12 months to a record $4.875 billion. They have also paid out $122M in dividends but are struggling to keep up with the global performance of Apple by only reporting a $95.4 million profit.Apple Australia, who is extremely secretive about the performance of their Australian operation, is not saying which executives or entities received a share of the $122 million in dividends, nor will they break out sales of their products. They are also refusing to say whether the dividends were paid to Apple Australia executives or repatriated back to the USA.
Apple said that a major contributor to growth was the iPad 2 and the launch of a white iPhone.
Last week Apple Inc. reported global revenues for the quarter of $46.33 billion and a record quarterly net profit of $13.06 billion.
This amounted to a 29% profit. Apple Australia has only managed a 19% return.
Apple said that gross margins globally were 44.7 percent and that International sales accounted for 58% of the quarter’s revenues.
In 2010 Apple Australia had revenues of $3.52 billion Vs $4.875 billion for 2011.
A net gain of $59M was made due to the strength of the Australian dollar.
Wages and salaries increased from $52M to $80M during the past financial year.
Midway through 2011 two new directors were added to the Apple Australia board. Among them was Elizabeth Rafael and a US lawyer Gene Levoff.
Elizabeth Rafael is a former marketing manager and board member at Apple, Spain. It is not known what role she has taken up at Apple Australia if any other than a director.
The other directors of Apple Australia are Australians Anthony King CEO and Paul Whittingham Finance Director.
During the year Apple Australia spent $210 million dollars on marketing Vs $148 million in 2010.
During the past 12 months Apple Australia has significantly increased sales of goods via their own store operates which included the opening of several new stores as well as via mass retailers like JB Hi Fi and Big W.
Retailers who sell Apple goods claim that Apple Australia has increased sales of their notebooks and Mac computers “significantly” during 2011 while sales of iPads and Smartphones have been “exceptional”.
A JB Hi Fi store manager said early in January that demand for Apple products had been so “big” that several stores had run out of stock.
One Apple manager said “We could have sold a lot more Apple products over the past year if we had better supply. As soon as some goods came in we sold out of them”.
Globally Apple sold 37.04 million iPhones in the last quarter, representing 128 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 15.43 million iPads during the quarter, a 111 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 5.2 million Macs during the quarter, a 26 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 15.4 million iPods, a 21 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.
“We’re thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Apple’s momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline.”


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Massive Bitcoin FOMO like 2017 bull run. Cryptocurrency news. India to ban Crypto and Bitcoin again? Great DeFI exchange buy opportunity. IDEX 2.0 . Huge USA corporations buying massive bitcoin. US Dollar hyper inflation. Ethereum classic hack + other bitcoin and cryptocurrency news. Price analysis and the best bitcoin, altcoin, DeFI and cryptocurrency market insight on YouTube!
For more update about Cryptocurrency News – Subscribe on YouTube: Kyle Chasse Crypto OG – YouTube
Also, you can Follow on Twitter: Kyle Chassé / Master Disruptor (@kyle_chasse) on Twitter
I have to install SQL Server 2017 – CU21 on Distributed availibility group (DAG) environment. Could you please share the steps to install CU21 on all 4 DB servers.


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Amazon to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45B
Amazon announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire American media company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for $8.45 billion.
The US e-commerce firm wants to benefit from MGM’s filmmaking expertise and catalog of 4,000 films and 17,000 television shows, including James Bond, Fargo and Vikings, to support its movie and television division, it said in a statement.
As the video streaming business has become more competitive during the coronavirus pandemic because of lockdowns, Amazon is trying to challenge Netflix and compete with Disney, while it aims to get more subscribers through richer libraries and new content.
“The real financial value behind this deal is the treasure trove of IP in the deep catalog that we plan to reimagine and develop together with MGM’s talented team,” Senior Vice President of Prime Video and Amazon Studios Mike Hopkins said in the statement.
MGM Chairman Kevin Ulrich said: “The opportunity to align MGM’s storied history with Amazon is an inspiring combination.”
Founded in 1924, MGM is one of the oldest film studios in Hollywood, mostly involved in the production and distribution of feature films and television programs.
The deal marks Amazon’s second-largest acquisition in company history after its $13.7 billion purchase of American supermarket chain Whole Foods in 2017.


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A recent increase in market value of electric car manufacturer Tesla Inc has effectively propelled the company CEO Elon Musk to the position of the second-wealthiest person in the world.
As Tesla closed trading on Wednesday with a 2.8 percent gain, raising its total value to $717 billion, Bloomberg points out that Musk's net worth reached $181.1 billion, which is only about $3 billion shy of the fortune owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who has held the top spot in the magazine's Billionaire Index since October 2017.
The magazine also points out that Musk's fortune "soared by more than $150 billion" during the last year "in possibly the fastest bout of wealth creation in history", and suggests that he might be poised to surpass Jeff Bezos' net worth and thus become the richest man in the world.
According to AFP, Tesla exhibited the aforementioned gains as it joined S&P 500, "establishing the company as one of the world's most valuable businesses", with industry analysts remaining optimistic about Tesla's sales prospects despite the fact that the cars produced by this manufacturer "remain out of reach for many buyers".
With the price for Tesla's electric cars in the US market starting at $37,990, Musk had already expressed his desire to field a $25,000 model in "three years-ish", adding, "it is absolutely critical that we make cars that people can actually afford".