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UPDATE [11/11/21]: Financial Filings indicate Elon Musk is offloading more than 930,000 Tesla shares (NASDAQ: TSLA) valued at over US$1.1 billion / AU$1.5 billion, which was apparently set in motion prior to his headline-making Twitter poll. As CNBC explains, the memelord CEO liquidated part of his holdings to satisfy tax obligations related to exercising his stock options.
Original Article – Elon Musk Will Sell $34 Billion Of Tesla Stock (At The Request Of Twitter)
By now, you will have probably heard about Elon Musk asking his 62.7 million Twitter followers whether or not to sell 10% of his Tesla stock (NASDAQ: TSLA). The results? 58% voted in favour of selling while 42% voted against.
It’s the exact kind of online shenanigans you’d expect from Elon Musk, who has been known to manipulate crypto markets with less than 280 characters. The Tesla CEO has since followed up by stating he’d “abide by the results of this poll, whichever way it goes”; and not too long after another tweet he fired off pledging to liquidate US$8.1 billion of his Tesla stock for the purpose of solving world hunger… provided the WFP could actually provide open source accounting (as well as prove that his contribution would even achieve just that).
While the participation aspect of Elon Musk’s latest Twitter circus was certainly entertaining, a report from CNBC suggests that he would have pulled the trigger on this move regardless of social media’s involvement, due in great part to a looming tax bill worth in excess of US$15 billion (AU$20.23 billion).
Back in 2012, Musk was awarded shares as part of a compensation plan. As “Lorde Edge” would tell you himself, he doesn’t draw a salary or cash bonus from Tesla, with the vast majority of his wealth coming solely from stock awards and the gains realised in his Tesla holdings. The 2012 award was for 22.8 million options at a strike price of $8.43 per share. With Tesla shares closing at US$1,222 (AU$1,650) on Friday, his gain on the shares totals would have been just shy of US$28 billion (AU$37.8 billion).
Tesla has also made it clear that Elon Musk has used his shares as collateral when taking out loans, and with the sales, the world’s most prolific C-suite shitposter might decide he wants to repay some of those obligations. In their third-quarter Securities and Exchange Commission 10-Q filing this year, Tesla stated:
“If the price of our common stock were to decline substantially, Mr Musk may be forced by one or more of the banking institutions to sell shares of Tesla common stock to satisfy his loan obligations if he could not do so through other means. Any such sales could cause the price of our common stock to decline further.”
With the options set to expire in August of next year, Elon Musk needs to pay the income tax on the gain if he wants to exercise them. Since the options are taxed either as an employee benefit or compensation, they’ll be taxed at top ordinary-income levels (i.e. 37% plus the 3.8% net investment tax). On top of this, he’s expected to pay the 13.3% top tax rate as a California tax resident. All up, the state and federal tax rates will be 54.1%, bringing the combined tax bill on his options would be US$15 billion (AU$23.3 billion) at its current price.
Elon Musk hasn’t confirmed the exact figure of the tax bill, although he did follow up about his Tesla stock on Twitter saying: “Note, I do not take a cash salary or bonus from anywhere. I only have stock, thus the only way for me to pay taxes personally is to sell stock.” CEOs like Musk are only provided limited windows in which to sell their stock, meaning he’ll likely want to stagger his sales over at least two quarters. During his appearance at the Code Conference back in September, he stated:
“I have a bunch of options that are expiring early next year, so… a huge block of options will sell in Q4 — because I have to or they’ll expire.”
Then again, Elon Musk could also borrow more against his Tesla shares, which now totals over US$250 billion (AU$337 billion). As of yet, he has already pledged 92 million shares to lenders for cash borrowing. When asked at the Code Conference about borrowing against such volatile shares, he said, “Stocks don’t always go up, they also go down.”
Tesla’s 2012 pay package is still racking up options for its CEO. Tesla’s board of directors granted Elon Musk an unprecedented “CEO Performance Award” in March 2018, which was comprised of 101.3 million stock options (adjusted for the 5-for-1 stock split in 2020) in 12 milestone-based tranches.
To summarise, it’s pretty surreal to think that the richest man in the world – currently worth US$318.4 billion (AU$430.1 billion) – would let the Twitter masses dictate what he does with his Tesla stock or his taxes. But are we even surprised? No… not really.


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Case lodged against Ramdev's Patanjali products
- HSBC Indian list just doubled to 1195 names. Balance: Rs 25420 cr
- Manjhi expelled, Nitish stakes claim to form govt in Bihar
- Hanging of Afzal Guru was 'wrong' & 'badly' handled, says Shashi Tharoor
- Have given it my all, not nervous about result: Kiran Bedi
- Japanese girl allegedly raped by tourist guide in Jaipur
A case has been lodged in a local court against Ramdev's Patanajali Ayurved Ltd for allegedly selling five of its products without proper licence.
District food safety and standards department approached the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate yesterday, after charges of wrong labelling or misbranding of the five products were corroborated by tests conducted at the state laboratory at Rudrapur, said R S Rawat, district food safety officer.
Samples were collected from Ramdev's Divya Yog Mandir establishment during raids on August 16 and sent for investigation to the lab where five of the products failed labelling tests, he said.
The products which failed label condition tests are Arogya Besan, Arogya Kachchi Ghani Tel, Namak, Kali Mirch Powder and Pineapple Jam.

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Generic drug shortage a danger: pharmacists
Many generic products have been in short supply for months, pharmacists say, and by the end of this year about 100 drugs are expected to disappear from pharmacy shelves.
The shortage started at the end of 2009, said Diane Lamarre, president of Quebec's Order of Pharmacists, when 43 generic drugs became inaccessible in Quebec, leaving pharmacists and doctors scrambling.
Previously, Lamarre said, she and her fellow pharmacists were used to some generic medication being unavailable for a few days, but never the long droughts they are experiencing now.
Pharmacists have to get creative to find replacements for the missing generic drugs, she said.
"But for some patients, it's difficult to find an alternative and the alternative may not be as effective as the missing one," Lamarre said.
Dr. Shek Fung, who works with geriatric patients at St. Mary's Hospital, said pharmacies are calling more often to ask whether doctors can prescribe alternatives because the generic drugs are not available.
"It's a real concern [for older patients] — they don't like changing their medication and it's happening more and more," Fung said.
Reasons for shortage questioned
The shortage is in the raw materials, made almost exclusively in India and China.
However, Quebec's pharmacists speculate that the generic drug companies are abandoning older, cheaper drugs in favour of more profitable products.
Quebec's new drug policy will not help the situation, Lamarre said.
The province announced in June it plans to slash generic drug costs, with savings projected at $164 million a year. The announcement followed Ontario's decision to cut generic drug costs by 25 per cent, effective July 1.
"We are not sure the policy is responsible but we can assume that at least for manufacturers, it's more interesting to produce expensive drugs and most of these are old drugs that work well," Lamarre said.
Provincial governments across Canada need to come up with a national strategy to guarantee access for essential drugs, Lamarre said.
The Quebec government is still negotiating with pharmaceutical companies and does not have a projected date for its generic drug policy to come into effect.


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Apple's unveiling of the iPhone 7 didn't happen at its big event Wednesday in San Francisco. Instead, it happened on Twitter.
The tech giant tweeted a photo of a black smartphone along with the words, "New cameras. Water resistant. Stereo speakers. Longer battery life. This is 7." The tweet was then promptly taken down and Apple's entire Twitter account was temporarily shuttered.
Apple is expected to release the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus on Wednesday with an enhanced camera, more storage capacity and improved water resistance. The biggest change Apple has been rumored to make to the smartphones is the removal of the headphone jack, prompting people to use wireless earbuds. But that addition did not make the Twitter headline, for what it's worth.
Check out all of today's Apple news.


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11 June 2019 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal
The year started promisingly for vegans with high street pastry shop Greggs introducing a veggie sausage roll and sandwich chain Subway releasing a veggie sub.
A record number of 250,000 people also signed up for Veganuary - an annual campaign that encourages people to try a vegan diet for the month of January.
Now with numerous reports citing plant-based eating as one of the key ways to help to reduce climate change, veganism's popularity only looks set to rise.
Hospitality operators and caterers have been upping their vegan game as demand from consumers - and by extension the workers they serve - puts a premium on offering plant-based food.
Some are already ahead of the curve - Lexington Catering launched its vegetarian and vegan 'Grains & Greens' range years ago. Vacherin also introduced a range of vegetarian and vegan dishes in 2018 "to satisfy customer trends and lower our carbon emissions".
We want to know if a vegan or plant-based offering is becoming important to your catering provision? Are contract caterers finding it a challenge or too costly to keep up with demands to add a vegan selection to their menus? In what ways exactly?
So this month we ask: Is the market asking for greater vegan offerings?
Please click here to enter the survey.


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Security firm McAfee on Monday issued another apology to the "small percentage of McAfee's consumer customers who [have] an inoperable or severely impaired PC as the result of a faulty file released earlier this month," but is offering more than just lip service this time around.
"For impacted home or home office customers who have incurred costs to repair PCs as a result of the security update issue, McAfee will reimburse reasonable expenses, such as a visit to a local tech support specialist. Details of this program, including steps to submit a reimbursement request, will be posted on the McAfee Web site within a few days, so please check back," McAfee said.
In addition, those same users are eligible for a free two-year extension of their current McAfee subscription. You'll find the extension within the "My Account" section of the McAfee website within the next 30 days, the security firm said.


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The good news for health insurance startups continues. One day after Oscar Insurance announced $145 million in funding, two startups that aim to help consumers and small businesses find and administer health plans also announced investments.
Gravie's services guide consumers through the process of purchasing health plans online. It offers products from more than 350 insurers. The company also focuses on small and medium-sized businesses that drop insurance coverage and send employees to the individual market, the article said.
Gravie CEO Abir Sen told the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal the funding will help scale the business and add sales staff in Minnesota, Chicago, Indiana, Florida and Texas.
Meanwhile, San Francisco-based SimplyInsured raised $1.75 million in seed funding, according to TechCrunch. Like online travel booking sites, SimplyInsured helps consumers search among health plans and compare them based on prices and other factors, co-founder Vivek Shah told TechCrunch. The company also handles the paperwork associated with group health insurance.
Shah told TechCrunch that SimplyInsured pulls in roughly $1 million in sales per month for insurance networks such as Kaiser Permanente and Anthem Blue Cross. The seed funding will help the firm hire engineers to work on its recently launched Virtual Broker tool, Shah said. The tool draws comparison to what's offered by Zenefits, a Utah-based health insurance startup that takes on a broker role.
Entrepreneurs continue to shake up the insurance business, FierceHealthPayer previously reported, and their technology-driven, consumer-centric approach to the insurance process has caught the attention of big-name payers such as Humana and UnitedHealth.
Oscar raises $145M in funding, now worth $1.5B
Startups, big data to break stigma of 'one-size-fits all' health plans
Zenefits splashes into health insurance business, takes on broker role
Small businesses continue to drop coverage for employees
In twist on medical-loss ratio, insurers back health startups
Tech entrepreneurs shake up insurance biz


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Virgin Gallactic, Virgle? It is considered the world's first commercial spaceship, designed to be carried aloft by an exotic jet before firing its rocket engine to climb beyond the Earth's atmosphere.
Virgin Galactic on Monday took the cloak off SpaceShipTwo, which had been under secret development for two years in the Mojave Desert. The company plans to sell suborbital space rides for $200,000 a ticket, offering passengers 2 1/2-hour flights that include about five minutes of weightlessness.
Blaring music and a laser show heralded the rollout of SpaceShipTwo as it glided down a runway mated to its mothership and came to a stop before a throng of wannabe astronauts, dignitaries and VIPs who shivered in the desert cold for the splashy unveil.
"Isn't this the sexist spaceship ever?" said British billionaire and Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson, who partnered with famed aviation designer Burt Rutan on the venture.
read more on Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_space_tourism


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DACHSER Chem-Logistics | Chemicals in safe hands
The chemical industry is one of the most successful and competitive industries, supplying virtually all other sectors with crucial intermediate and end products as well as solutions. The prerequisites for this are high production standards, a comprehensive infrastructure, and a customized logistics with a clear focus on reliability, quality, and safety.
The women fighting the coronavirus
Right at the beginning of the corona pandemic, a distribution company based in northern Spain aligned itself with the new market requirements: in 2020, Pharmediq enlisted DACHSER’s help to transport more than 100 million masks and other protective equipment to locations in Spain and other European countries.
Seamless transport solution for Printed Circuit Boards shipping from Asia to Europe
DACHSER is providing a one-stop solution for printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer CML. Holistic network and integrated systems are the backbone for the supply chain optimization.
DACHSER Shanghai is recognized as CEIV Pharma Certified by IATA
DACHSER received the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) certification from IATA for its Shanghai organization including its PVG airport branch in March 2021. This marks the finalization of a project of extensive preparation, complex procedures and detailed auditing, despite additional challenges caused by the global pandemic.
Customer confidence strengthened: DACHSER is satisfied with the year´s results
DACHSER can look back on a successful 2020, which was characterized by the loyalty and climate of mutual trust between the logistics provider, its customers, and its transport partners. DACHSER’s consolidated net revenue totaled EUR 5.61 billion, a slight decrease of 0.9 percent compared to the previous year.
DACHSER Morocco opens new warehouse in Tanger Med
Situated 14 kilometers from the shores of Europe, the Tanger Med port complex is the Mediterranean’s leading container port and a crucial component of Morocco’s ability to compete logistically. In response to growing demand among its customers, DACHSER Morocco has opened a new warehouse in this dynamic area.
A solid footing worldwide
Homes without any wood-based products from Austrian manufacturer Kaindl/Kronospan are few and far between. Achieving such widespread distribution poses quite the logistical challenge.
DACHSER organizes its first charter flight from Hong Kong to Porto
In response to an urgent request by a customer in Portugal, DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics organized a full air charter out of Hong Kong in a swift manner at the middle of the Chinese New Year, and successful carried out the entire transport process including last mile delivery in Porto via its own DACHSER European Logistics network.
Always on guard
At DACHSER, protecting data and systems is a top priority. Christian von Rützen, Department Head IT Strategy Implementation at DACHSER, explains the current and future challenges facing information security. He and his international IT security team have several areas of responsibility, including managing information security at DACHSER.
Striking a balance between stability and change
In January, a new generation took the helm at DACHSER.
DACHSER offers sea freight LCL expedited service from China to the USA
In response to the current ports congestions in the US West Coast resulting long dwell times and unreliable shipping schedules, DACHSER launches LCL expedited service connecting China to the US with sharp cut on dwell time.
The new DACHSER magazine is here!
The baton has been passed: the next generation of DACHSER management, led by CEO Burkhard Eling, officially took the helm on January 1 of this year. In the latest issue of the DACHSER magazine, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on this transition at the top.
DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics reorganizes regional management
DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics (ASL) has reorganized the management of its business units in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Americas regions.
A crane for Southeast Asia
DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics aided efforts to repair a crane in Indonesia by organizing the tour of a steel jib from Düsseldorf to Jakarta. Measuring 23 meters in length and 3.6 meters in width, the jib spent most of its 55-day trip on board a ship.
“Hydrogen will make ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers possible in the future”
In the push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years, alternatives to diesel are in demand, especially in the transport and logistics sector. In addition to battery electric vehicles, which are already on the road today for city-center deliveries, trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells (H2 trucks) could be an option for zero-emissions transportation over longer distances. A feasibility study conducted by Kempten University of Applied Sciences on behalf of DACHSER has now come to the conclusion, based on simulations, that the use of H2 trucks in DACHSER’s groupage logistics network is in principle possible. An interview with Prof. Werner E. Mehr from Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Andre Kranke, Department Head Trends and Technology Research at DACHSER.
Air freight Import Gateway to Europe
The DACHSER European Import Gateway at Frankfurt Airport is the consolidated entry point, connecting major import trade lanes from China, Southeast Asia, the USA and Latin America to Europe.


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As far as social networks go, Twitter is the most instantaneous when it comes to real-time information. It’s a wave of concise content that is constantly streaming. Around 6,000 tweets on average are tweeted every second. From a business standpoint, Twitter is a place where brands can promote new products, build awareness and offer customer support.
Promoted Tweets along with Promoted Trends have been a primary method for businesses to target specific users and locations on Twitter. But now, a new advertising initiative may be making its way onto Twitter feeds!
Twitter is currently testing a “Buy Now” button with a select number of users in the U.S. The Twitter “Buy Now” button allows mobile users to easily purchase an item within a tweet. Once a user taps on the “Buy Now” button, it will take them to a product information page within the Twitter framework. From here, payment and shipping details are securely stored and the user confirms their purchase. For businesses with a retail or e-commerce platform set up, this feature could tremendously increase their online sales. Burberry and Home Depot are two U.S brands that have already tested out the new feature.
So when will you start to see the “Buy Now” button on your Twitter Feed? Twitter is aiming to launch the button to the general public in early 2015.


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Over the past years, Honda has been seen secretly testing out their new Civic Type R. Speculations arose regarding the power unit due to the fact that most car manufacturers are now more inclined towards the electrification of their flagship models. And with Honda already making their NSX hybrid nearly a decade ago, it made many people question whether the new Type R will receive the same fate.
But fans can rejoice as Honda has made the 2023 Civic Type R, the most powerful Type-R Honda to date, making it quite possibly the most desirable car to come out this year. Also, rather fittingly, the new sixth-generation Civic Type R celebrates the 50 years of the Honda Civic. But hold on, before you get all excited and giddy, there are some facts and figures to be discussed about.
The new Civic Type R is first and foremost a hatchback like it’s FK8R predecessor. So, Malaysians, your 11th Gen Civic sedan couldn’t be converted into a hatch. Unless you’d like something like a Civic ‘Type R Longtail’, sure, by all means go ahead. That being said, the new Civic Type R looks rather different as compared to it’s sedan counterpart.
So, let’s start with some proper facts. The Civic Type R still retains a front wheel-drive (FWD) layout, an internal combustion engine without any electric assistance and also a six-speed manual gearbox because god forbids a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) on a Civic Type R. So, the recipe remains the same just like how enthusiasts enjoy them.
In terms of figures, Honda has chucked the same 2.0-litre turbocharged K20C VTEC engine that fans have been enjoying. However, they have said that this improved configuration produces ‘more’ horsepower than the 316hp and 400Nm of torque that the FK8R used to generate. But exactly how much horsepower has Honda managed to squeeze out is yet to be announced for now.
Even the weight of the new Civic Type R has yet to be told. But it being new and without a hybrid system, it is safe to assume that the new car will definitely give the FK8R a run for its money. Even before the launch, the new Civic Type R has been beating FWD production-car lap records around Suzuka quite recently.
The Premium Civic Type R
The new car even has something Honda calls a LogR, a data logger that displays real-time information on the car’s dynamics and behavior which of course, includes a stopwatch.
The infotainment system is now a large iPad-like display stuck on the dashboard. Even the gauges are digital and with the flick of the ‘R+’ switch, you get yourself a horizontal cluster reminiscent of the one from the S2000. And of course, Honda has stuck the numbered Type R plaque on the dashboard instead of the shifter.
In terms of chassis, Honda claims that the body is “lightweight and highly rigid” due to the “enhanced suspension and steering performance”. We believe this was achieved by downsizing the wheels from the previous FK8R. In which is now a 19-inch wheel compared to the previous 20-inch wheel, but with the 19-inch running on Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S helps too.
Maturity Comes With Age
Overall, I would say the new Civic Type R has grown up and is now much more mature. I’ve always loathed how the FK8R looks. I’ve never been a fan and have always thought it looks good only in black because I can’t stand how the fake vents fill the gap between panels. But the new car however, seems rather lovely.
Gone are those fake vents, the overfenders and the rather odd rear end. But hello to smooth lines, a gorgeous rear wing and subtle styling everywhere. Not to mention, apart from the iconic Championship White, the car now also comes in Rallye Red, Racing Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl.
Prices have yet to be announced but we expect a RM300,000 mark. But with something like the GR Corolla and Golf R now in the same field, the hot hatch market is definitely something interesting for aftermarket tuners to dip their hands in.Written by | Danial Malek Images by | Honda


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If you've been on social media at all this evening then you may have heard some news about a certain Taylor Swift releasing new music. (FINALLY!) That's right, after almost two years of silence, Tay is finally releasing a new album. Basically it went like this: During her Yahoo live stream this evening she revealed the new album's title (1989, out in stores Oct. 27), told us it would be her first "official pop album" and her "favorite album I've ever made." Yep, she's really setting our expectations way up there.
Catwalk by TIGI hopes so. The haircare brand teamed up with designer Mara Hoffman to create the "hottest hair accessory of the season," which also happens to be a gift with the purchase of any two Catwalk by TIGI products. Made with candy-colored pom-poms and a metal-covered hairband, the piece was apparently inspired by fashion's infatuation with exotic embellishments and nomadic patterns, and an original iteration of the accessory was featured during Hoffman's eclectic Miami 2014 swimwear runway show
Here's what you probably already know about yogurt: yogurt contains good-for-you calcium and probiotics and Greek yogurt packs an extra punch because it contains more protein. Then from there, the yogurt section has kind of turned into a giant free for all. What about Icelandic yogurt!? Is all flavored yogurt a no-no? All valid questions, especially since the yogurt market doesn't seem to be slowing down. We asked Self's contributing nutritionist Willow Jarosh to weigh in on the the latest yogurts to hit the dairy aisle (and hosted a little in-office tasting) to give you the scoop on which ones are worth it!
We all had a good LOL after historical drama Downton Abbey released a promo pic with a very 21st century gaffe, right? Well, it looks like the iTV/PBS show is getting the last laugh.
Normally, it's Jessica Alba who gets fangirled. But last night, when Jessica Alba threw out the first pitch at the LA Dodgers game, the Sin City actress and August cover girl tried to channel 13-year-old phenom and Little League pitcher Mo'Ne Davis when she took to the mound. Inspired by Davis's history-making shutout in the Little League World Series on Friday, Alba posted a video to Instagram, chronicling her still impressive pitch and revealing her ambition to emulate the barely teen-aged baseball talent.
As if we needed any more evidence of her superiority, Serena Williams won her 62nd singles title yesterday at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, Ohio—the only major American tournament she hadn’t yet conquered. And, get this—she won it in 62 minutes. Her 62nd title in 62 minutes. I mean, really—she could have made this win any more perfect?
We're stoked to share our favorite story of the week from our friends at Food52!
Put time into dinner now, and you can make it last forever—or at least the whole week. Welcome to Halfway to Dinner, where we show you how to stretch your staples—or your seasonal produce—every which way.
If any artist has got bombshell streetwear on lock these days, it's Rita Ora. The British singer has made the sporty, urban look her signature look (well, besides those red lips) — and, this week she's dropping her long-awaited collab with Adidas.
It has just been announced that tennis star Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the 2014 U.S. Open, which kicks off next Monday, citing a wrist injury and leaving rival athlete Roger Federer to secure the No. 2 seed—and benefit his chances of winning greatly.
If you don't like heavy meats like steak or chicken, then opt for a topping like eggs—full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids—to anchor a salad. We like this bistro salad because the ingredients are flavorful and rich, but batches can be made small or large—depending on the size of the group you're feeding. Crispy bacon, a soft-boiled egg, homemade rye croutons, raw red onions, blanched peas and a little grated cheddar pair well with frisée leaves. Topped with the light, refreshing cider-mustard vinaigrette, the mix is an instant crowd pleaser.


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Home Tags Concerts
Iconic tourist attraction on Spain’s Costa Blanca offers guided tours in English to boost visitor numbers
ONE of Alicante's biggest tourist attractions, Santa Barbara castle, has made a good start in a new bid to double visitor numbers. New free guided...
Non-profit group Redetejas has sparked a revolution by transforming rooftops across Andalucia


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Microsoft has announced a new version of its Office productivity software, described as its "most ambitious" release to date, to be made available to the public next year.
Office has long been Microsoft's biggest money-spinner, bringing in more than $15billion a year, and its presence on over a billion machines worldwide, including around 90 per cent of business PCs, makes it the world's most popular productivity suite.
The biggest development on Office 2013 is that, for the first time, the major Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook will be optimised for touch-screen devices, such as the new Microsoft Surface tablet, which is due for release later this year.
Office 2013 will also incorporate Skype and Yammer, both of which have been acquired by Microsoft in recent months.
As he announced the new software at an event in San francisco, Microsoft's Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said that Office 2013 is "a new generation that brings you some of the same boldness and beauty that we've shown you in Windows 8 and Windows Phone".
Making the Office software optimised for touch-screen devices is one of the boldest moves yet from Microsoft. It is clear that, with the release of their Surface tablet, and touch-ready software and operating systems also in the pipeline, Microsoft are making a solid attempt to claw some of the tablet marketshare back from Apple and the iPad. And, with the immense popularity of Office, it certainly stands a very good chance amongst business users at least.


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FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP — A Starbucks could be in Frenchtown Township by next year.
Township Supervisor James McDevitt said the coffee franchise bought property on the southeast corner of N. Telegraph and Mall Rds., sending a preliminary site plan for approval to the township.
After the site plan is approved, the property would need to be rezoned. The land is zoned for light manufacturing and would need to be rezoned to C2 or C3 commercial, Mr. McDevitt said.
Starbucks also would have to buy an easement from Cafaro Co., the Youngstown, Ohiobased Mall of Monroe developer, which own a strip of land along Mall Rd., he said.
Mr. McDevitt said the eraliest a Starbucks could be built would be in six months.
“ We would welcome anything to the township that creates jobs and revenue,” Mr. McDevitt said of the possible development.


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Since the first appearance of the Batman character on television in the 1960s, car enthusiasts have had only one thing in mind when it comes to the morally complicated crusader: the Batmobile.
While the original 1960s series gave us what remains the most iconic model of the Batmobile, every new movie since then has had its own variation. These highly modified variants have become collector's items.
And since a new chapter in the series is currently in preparation for a big-screen release, why not take a look at the Batman’s next car? This past June, an image of it appeared on director Matt Reeves' Twitter account, but now, thanks to the trailer, we have a fuller idea of what it will look like on the screen.
From what we can see, the next Batmobile looks like a mid-engine model, but with a retro muscle-car look. In fact, based on the images we've been able to see, the car could well be a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda with a Ford V10 Triton engine in the rear. While the car is still black, the red lighting that can be seen is a nod to the first Batmobile, the (highly modified) Lincoln Futura concept from the 1960s.


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Scarlet string Trio played at the Old Midleton Distillery for the Taoiseach Enda Kenny for the unveiling of the new €100 million Midleton facility.
The launch coincided with the 20th anniversary of its Jameson Experience visitor attraction and the group’s move to take 100% ownership of Pernod Ricard Korea Imperial, with the likely purchase of the 30% share held by Korean company HiteJinro.
Mr Kenny said: “This investment by Irish Distillers is the result of an exceptional performance by Jameson in the worldwide marketplace. Today
marks a significant day in the future of Irish whiskey production, and the entire food and drinks export industry, as well as for the local economy here in Cork.”
Davy Stockbrokers this week claimed global sales would exceed the Midleton distillery’s predictions for 2012. In the year to the end of Jun 2011, 3.4m cases of Jameson were sold.
In fact a few days before this I was enjoying a sip from a lovely bottle of their fine whisky…


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STOCKTON market continues to thrive despite others stalling elsewhere in the country.
In a parliamentary report on the future of traditional retail markets, MPs said local authorities must work pro-actively with traders to ensure markets fulfil their potential.
The call was aimed at the likes of Darlington market which has seen trade shrink over the past decade.
Stockton Council however, said the town’s historic market, known as the “Queen of the North” is showing no signs of decline.
Quite the opposite, said markets manager, Colin Watson.
“I have been involved with that market for 25 years and some of the traders on today’s market were there when I started,” he said.
“It’s the biggest in the North-east. The main markets on Wednesday and Saturday are full to capacity. We have 100 traders on a Wednesday and Saturday, occupying up to 160 spaces and each week we receive inquiries from people wanting a space.”
Stockton market traces its history back to 1310 when Bishop Beck of Durham granted a charter for a Wednesday market.
Two years ago the market was refurbished, boasting a fresh layout with branded canopies.
Town centre manager, James Glancey said: “The market is important for a number of reasons; in particular the economic benefits it brings. On a market day footfall for retailers increases between 300 and 400%.
“It also encourages enterprise and entrepreneurship among traders, creates jobs and there’s also the community aspect as well, the social value.”
Traders told the Gazette they were happy with the running of the market.
Mark Pinkney, 42, from Stockton, who runs a DVD stall, said: “I work here three times a week and this is the best market in the North-east. Rents elsewhere are too high.”
Fred Johnson, 56, from York, who runs CK Buggies, said: “Stockton’s the best market. I know in the summer there’s a waiting list for spaces.”


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In recent weeks, we've been hearing from no shortage of well-informed sources that more than a few production glitches could threaten the supply of new 6th generation iPhones as Apple reportedly plans to unveil the device to consumers next month at a media event in California.
On Friday, new insight entered the headlines as The Wall Street Journal managed to gain additional knowledge about the purportedly tense environment surrounding the Apple manufacturing and supply chain today.
Based on the details we know, LCD maker Sharp is quickly falling behind on its mass production of displays for the new iPhone. This alleged reality is making anxious market watchers and industry analysts think that supply shortages could be severe in the early days of the iPhone launch.
People familiar with the situation said that Sharp had planned to start shipping iPhone screens to Apple by the end of August, but mass production has been delayed partly because of manufacturing difficulties. It remains unclear when the company can start shipping the panels, one of the people said.


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By Andy Young
Diageo has reported a return to sales growth, but the drinks giant's profits have once again been hit by exchange rate volatility.
In the 12 months to June 30, 2016, the company's like-for-like sales were up 2.8 per cent on the previous year. That increase reverses a two-year trend where growth has been largely flat. However the company's reported sales were down three per cent to $10.5bn and pre-tax profit fell by 2.6 per cent to $2.86bn.
Ivan Menezes, chief executive of Diageo, said: "This is a good set of results delivering what we set out to achieve this time last year and demonstrating our momentum.
"This better performance reflects the work we have done to strengthen our big brands through marketing and innovation, as well as expanding our distribution reach. Our six global brands and our US spirits business are all back in growth and we have seen a significant improvement in the performance of our scotch and beer portfolios. The delivery of volume growth; organic margin expansion; increased free cash flow; and the disposal of £1bn in non-core assets, comes from an everyday focus on efficiency in each aspect of our business. We have also made significant progress this year in our aim to improve the role of alcohol in society, partner with our communities and reduce our environmental impact.
"These results position us well to deliver a stronger performance in F17. We are confident of achieving our objective of mid-single digit top line growth, and in the three years ending F19 delivering 100bps of organic operating margin improvement."
In Australia the company reported net sales increase of two per cent with growth in Scotch, vodka, liqueurs and gin "offsetting the decline in the ready-to-drink business".
In addition the company reported: "In rum, strong growth of Captain Morgan both in ready to drink and spirits categories, offset the decline in Bundaberg. Reserve brands were up 7% largely driven by Johnnie Walker, as consumers continue to premiumise within the spirits category."
Diageo also reported growth in the US at three per cent, with Smirnoff and Captain Morgan performing well, while emerging markets once again proved a problem area with sales in Nigeria and Brazil down 15 per cent and nine per cent respectively.
The company also commented on the impact of the recent Brexit vote in the UK saying: "Following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, Diageo is working closely with government and industry bodies to ensure its views are reflected in the transition process. Diageo welcomes the formation of a specialist international trade department, as it is important for Diageo that the UK continues to benefit from open access to the EU as well as favourable international trade agreements."


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(Bloomberg) — Time with Santa Claus doesn’t come cheap this year after Harrods limited visits to its Swarovski crystal-encrusted Christmas grotto to families who have spent thousands of pounds in the London department store.
Families had to spend at least 2,000 pounds ($2,500) in order to be eligible for 10 minutes with Santa under the Harrods Rewards membership plan, the Guardian reported on Friday. The 20-pound-per-child tickets for visits starting Nov. 15 have sold out.
KINGDOM OF CHRISTMAS | It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at #Harrods. Visit us from Thursday 7th November to see our festive transformation, including our world-famous windows for the season. pic.twitter.com/RkeckaWJy9
— Harrods (@Harrods) November 5, 2019
“Unfortunately, we simply cannot meet the demand for places,” a spokeswoman for Harrods told The Guardian.
The Knightsbridge store also bowed to pressure from some customers and offered the chance to win one of free 160 tickets to the Grotto. The complimentary slots make up for less than 4% of places.
The 170-year-old store, which is owned by the state of Qatar, will collect at least 84,800 pounds from the Christmas grotto.


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A new Cisco security report reveals 99 percent of all mobile malware is "encountered" by Android devices. In fact, it argues that Google's mobile software was a cesspool of mobile malware last year, as it also experienced 91 percent of Web exploits targeting Java as well, with a 71 percent encounter rate with all forms of Web-delivered malware; iPhone users, on the other hand, experienced a 14 percent encounter rate. Despite Google improving its mobile software in some pretty substantial ways—new features, better optimization, UI tweaks—targeted malware against the OS actually went up quite a bit year-over-year.
Cisco's annual report was, naturally, shared by Apple's Senior Vice President of Marketing, Phil Schiller, in an attempt to highlight an issue that has stuck with Android since day one. Android has been victim to all kinds of security concerns beginning in the early days, mostly through apps making it onto Google Play. And even despite Eric's Schmidt's insistence that Android is "more secure" than iOS, the evidence would suggest otherwise.
In its report, Cisco notes that mobile malware is a logical and emerging "area of exploration" for developers, finding that Android users are most at risk. "Many encounters involve phishing, likejacking, or other social engineering ruses, or forcible redirects to websites other than expected," Cisco said in its report. Android users are clearly more at risk, according to Cisco, but so long as you remain diligent and be mindful of what sites you visit and what you download, you're unlikely to fall victim to any mobile malware.
Cisco has a few charts breaking down the many different "malware families" found in 2013; SMSSend apparently accounted for 98 percent of all Android malware. You can check out Cisco full report regarding malware trends—not just in mobile—at the source link below.
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For the first time since 2012, Nintendo has surpassed previous Q1 sales and profits, managing a positive income for the first three months of the 2015/2016 fiscal year. Where a 1 million yen loss was expected, Nintendo has instead managed an operating income of $9.3 million (1.1 billion yen), with $729 million (90 billion yen) attributed to hardware and software sales.
A large part of this success is thanks to Splatoon, which has sold 1.62 million copies since its May 28 release. The unconventional shooter was an instant hit thanks to a strong marketing campaign, demonstrations at various conventions, and continued support through DLC and updates, helping the Wii U’s sales to reach the 10 million mark. While that’s only a tenth of the Wii’s overall lifetime sales, it is no less an accomplishment for a struggling system that now sits in the shadow of the looming NX.
The first fiscal quarter for most video game companies is usually a dry one in terms of sales. Therefore, it will largely fall to Nintendo’s upcoming releases to help them achieve the $4.6 billion in sales and $404 million in operating income they’re aiming for by the end of the fiscal year in March 2016. Super Mario Maker, releasing on September 11, 2015, is already generating lots of positive buzz thanks to a spectacular showing at the Nintendo World Championships. Another Mario game, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash will be releasing later this year along with Yoshi’s Woolly World, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and Star Fox: Zero. Alongside these releases will be continued Amiibo waves.
The Wii U isn’t alone. The Nintendo 3DS and 2DS continue to sell strongly, having moved five times as many units as the Wii U so far. The older models will soon gain Amiibo functionality thanks to the upcoming NFC Reader/Writer accessory, allowing everyone to play Amiibo-centric games such as Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, as well as games like Super Smash Bros. for 3DS that support Amiibo. Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash and The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes will be added to the handheld’s solid library this fiscal year, and eventual games like Fire Emblem: Fates will further bolster sales.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of each console’s sales, including the Wii. The sales are nothing to boast about overall, but for a company that has struggled for four years, it’s a positive step forward.
- Hardware Sales (Q1) — 470,000 units
- Hardware Sales (life to date) — 10.01 million units
- Hardware Sales Projection (2015 to 2016) — 3.4 million units
- Hardware Sales (Q1) — 1.01 million units
- Hardware Sales (life to date) — 53.07 million units
- Hardware Sales Projection (2015 to 2016) — 7.6 million units
- Hardware Sales (Q1) — 40,000 units
- Hardware Sales (life to date) — 101.56 million units
- Hardware Sales Projection (2014 to 2015) — 100,000 units


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Disney plans midnight 'Star Wars' event to unveil 'Last Jedi' toys
By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co and major retailers will release the galaxy's newest "Star Wars" toys at a Sept. 1 midnight event ahead of the holiday debut of the next film in the saga, "The Last Jedi," company executives told Reuters.
The marketing push called "Force Friday II" is a sequel to an event Disney used to build buzz for merchandise tied to the 2015 movie "The Force Awakens."
Star Wars products were a big contributor to the financial success of the series reboot. BB-8 droids, lightsabers and other playthings made "Star Wars" the U.S. toy industry's top-selling property for 2015 and 2016, with $1.5 billion in sales over the two years, research firm NPD said.
Hasbro Inc cited "Star Wars" sales when it reported its biggest quarterly revenue rise in nearly five years for the December 2015 quarter. Mattel Inc also posted a surprise rise in sales for the same period with help from "Star Wars"-based Hot Wheels toys. And at Disney, licensing income from "Force Awakens" merchandise drove record quarterly operating income in the consumer products unit.
Force Friday II will begin just after midnight on Sept 1. Lego, Hasbro and others will release the first toys, apparel, books and other products tied to "The Last Jedi," both online and in stores around the globe at retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Target Corp , Toys R Us Inc (IPO-TOYS.N: Quote), Kohls Corp, Amazon.com Inc and Disney Stores.
Disney will incorporate new technology to its "Last Jedi" products like it did with the popular BB-8 droid, said James Pitaro, chairman of Disney consumer products and interactive media. New products will feature returning characters such as Rey and Finn, plus new ones, and will span a broad range of categories for male and female fans, he said.
"One of our top priorities is to expand the audience," Pitaro said.
Disney bought "Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm in 2012. Continued...


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Yep, especially considering that the lockdown and inflation are supposed to diminish sales, imagine if they were not!Incredible really.
Yep, especially considering that the lockdown and inflation are supposed to diminish sales, imagine if they were not!
It was just a joke about how eveything was supposed to explain about xbox being down and that it would reflect on sony too™Units sold are actually going up vs PS4 at same point in time, and it has a price bump on its record whereas PS4 had a price cut.
According to Sony
FY15 PS4 40.0 m (march 31, 2016)
FY22 PS5 38.3 m (march 31, 2023)
TOKYO, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Japan's Sony Group Corp (6758.T) on Thursday edged up its annual profit forecast, helped by a strong showing for its videogame division, and raised PlayStation 5 game console sales target by one million units to 19 million for the business year to March.
The electronics and entertainment giant also said its
chief financial officer, Hiroki Totoki, would become president and chief operating officer from April 1, while retaining his current role.
Not sure if trolling or just an uninformed kidLOL
Xbox series has shipped more than 40m units.
Not sure if trolling or just an uninformed kid
YEP, MS is making their numbers look bad to gain favorable with regulators.
In fact, it's clear that MS won against Sony.
SMH so he is some kind of lunaticThe real numbers will be revealed soon:
Any day now.


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Be patient, Moss Bros urges
HOPES of a turnaround at newly-restructured Moss Bros have failed to materialise. The High Street gents' outfitters said its results were 'not yet satisfactory' and that it needed more time to revive its fortunes.
Pre-tax losses for the six months to July 28 were £3.9m, compared with a £16.2m loss last time when figures included £12m restructuring costs. Turnover fell from £71.6m to £68.6m.
Moss, which announced its first full-year loss in 25 years last April, urged shareholders to be patient. Keith Hamill, chairman, said: 'The task that we are undertaking is a substantial one and we are confident that the current disruption will lead to longer-term benefits and increased shareholder value, once the business settles down.'
The restructuring plan has seen Moss Bros bracket its stores behind three separate high street fascias.
Premium, which includes Cecil Gee and the franchised Hugo Boss and Canali stores, has seen like-for-like sales rise 11% during the period and now represents around a third of all business.
A new mid-market contemporary brand known as Code has been launched to take in the Savoy Taylors Guild, Suit Company and Blazer stores. Sales have been growing but Moss admitted the cost of developing the brand and clearing old product lines had been substantial.
Moss has been selected as the fascia for the mid to upper market classic division, with 58 stores including the Moss Bros flagship store in London's Convent Garden. The company said a number of stores within the grouping had performed well but that their overall performance remained unacceptable.
Mr Hamill added that it was still not certain that the company would be able to improve on its operating performance of last year. But he said the group would still have enough cash to operate satisfactorily and to implement its restructuring strategy.
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Soon after Amazon AMZN expanded its Whole Foods delivery service to New York City, the e-commerce giant made another grand announcement: Amazon Prime members can now order from Whole Foods and pick the groceries up from a store within an hour, all without getting out of their car.
Amazon's new curbside pickup service is another one of its many attempts at making people's lives more convenient. This new service will have members of Amazon Prime utilize the Prime Now application. Once they order on the app, they can go to a designated parking spot at the store they are picking up the groceries from, and someone will come to them while they are waiting in the car.
The service is starting in Sacramento, California and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Just like how the Whole Foods delivery service has been continuing to expand since the beginning of this year, this in-car pickup service is planned to roll out in more cities later in the year.
Amazon has been successfully expanding its business to various retail sectors-clothes, books, media, toys, etc. In fact, it has been often so successful that once-popular retail stores such as Toys R Us or Borders went out of business because of Amazon.
The main difference between the traditional retail stores and Amazon is the convenience in getting the product. With its famous Prime service, Amazon provides free delivery within just a few days for its products, maximizing the concept of consumer convenience.
Consumers' desire for convenience is essentially why e-commerce platforms such as Amazon are getting more and more popular. In the last few years, before its acquisition of Whole Foods, Amazon launched its own online grocery business, called AmazonFresh. However, the domination of the grocery sector wasn't as easy as that of media or books-perhaps because of doubt that their produce won't be as "fresh" as Amazon claims they will be. After all, for books, toys, and other products, freshness isn't a big issue, unlike groceries. With Whole Foods in the picture though, it gives more credentials.
Whole Foods is known to be the healthy, organic grocery store for rich people. With Whole Foods at its back, Amazon can attract its higher-income prime members. Whole Foods is located in hundreds of upper-income location that will be valuable for Amazon as a distribution center. So not only is the acquisition about food delivery, but also about Amazon's control of these neighborhoods that will enable it to become the next Walmart WMT .
With such immense possibilities within Whole Foods, Amazon is definitely doing all it can to make the most out of it. Ever since the acquisition, it has been implementing many ways in its business model to support the grocery business. Amazon has a lot of discount opportunities for Prime members, especially during Prime Day, and it is expanding its delivery service to the door. Now, it is launching its in-car pickup service.
Such endeavors with Whole Foods are not just about food delivery. By making Whole Foods as its key prime battleground, it is trying to build dominance over certain types of consumers in certain areas. It is also trying to become master of all-including the grocery industry.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


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KASUR: The pharmaceutical industry, among other industries, is facing a host of issues due to the lockdown, including a halt in supply of chemicals called Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) from China, Europe and India, closure of allied industry, shortage of labour and a drastic rise in the rate of dollar.
Over a dozen pharmaceutical units in Kasur had been shut down, while scores of others were locked in other parts of the country for want of APIs. Resultantly, shortage of medicines and surgical drugs has started looming over the local market, while whole salers and retailers were allegedly creating artificial shortage.
The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) north zone claimed that the lockdown had forced a significant number of manufacturing units in Lahore, Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to close down and apprehended that the entire industry was likely to come to a halt if the situation persisted.
According to Dr Muhammad Shahzad, the owner of a manufacturing unit, the country could face hardships in fighting diseases other than Covid-19 due to a shortage of drugs and high prices.
He said 95 per cent of the industry was based on imports. “We depend on China, India, Europe and Canada for APIs,” he added.
He further said that these countries themselves were a victim of the pandemic, adding that airports, ports and borders of these countries had been closed for any kind of transport.
PPMA Chairman Dr Muhammad Uzair Nagra said although the pharmaceutical industry had an inventory to last 30 to 60 days, medicines such as Azithromycin, used by some doctors to treat Covid-19 patients, were short in the market for the last few days. He warned that the situation could worsen.
An official of the health department, requesting anonymity, said that all public health facilities, including district and tehsil head-quarters, basic health units and rural health centres, had a stock of only two months, as the fiscal year ended in June -stock will end and tenders would be invited for new supply.
Wholesalers and retailers said that the allied industry manufacturing bottles, cartons, wrappers, had been closed after the lockdown. They said that the situation was affecting the pharmaceutical industry as the supply of medicines was not possible without these items.
They also said that imposition of a lockdown in letter and spirit had not only rendered scores of labourers jobless, but also landed the industry in hot waters due to shortage of manpower.
Retailer Sharafat Ali said thatsurgical items and clinical gadgets that were mostly imported from China were not available in the market due to closure of borders.
He added that at least three units of infusion (drip) had been closed for want of raw material.
PPMA Chairman Mr Nagra said that the industry was already under pressure due to the rising US dollar rate and the gas and electricity price hike, but the current situation had brought the industry on the verge of a standstill.
He also said that the manufacturers stood by the government to serve the masses. “The government ought to take rapid and serious steps for the survival of the industry that was heading towards a collapse,” he added.
-Courtesy by DAWN


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Ryan Demaray, managing director of SMB EMEA, SAP Concur explains how organisations can provide complete visibility over travel operations.
The pandemic caused a standstill for travel worldwide, resulting in global emissions declining and highlighting society’s impact on the environment for both consumers and companies.
Though major changes to the lockdown rules are now in effect across the UK, travel restrictions, including the traffic light system are still being implemented.
However, the government continues to ease the rules around travel, giving business travellers the opportunity to continue their operations to maintain and nurture worldwide relationships.
As it’s harder for business travellers to grow these relationships over video calls, organisations are now considering their travel options again. After the previous 18 months, sustainability should be high on the agenda for corporations and travel decision-makers should be looking to implement a responsible approach to travel for their staff.
According to SAP Concur’s Corporate Travel Sustainability Index, 66% of employees want to travel more sustainably but many are unsure how to incorporate this.
It’s clear that when restarting travel, companies will have a lot to consider when it comes to environmental impact and will need to create sustainable plans and alternatives.
Provide more choice to encourage informed decisions
The drastic shift in climate consciousness now gives organisations the perfect opportunity to consider different modes of travel and provide complete visibility for their workforce over travel operations. In order to adapt quickly to climate issues, businesses need to educate and raise awareness around the current environment to encourage employees to make more informed decisions.
Awareness is essential for staff and will help to influence their business journeys, encouraging them to adopt cleaner modes of transport. This will help employees to choose the more sustainable option which can be as simple as choosing a rail ticket over hiring a private car or even better, choosing a virtual meeting over a face-to-face meeting. To support this, organisations can share information on sustainable hotels and fuel-efficient travel options as well as implementing useful initiatives to support these choices.
Invest in the right technology
Now that hybrid working is the new norm for many SMBs, some businesses may struggle to have complete visibility of their employee’s actions.
A digital environment will ensure that a sustainable approach has an immediate impact and is adopted faster. Adopting the right technology can give employers insight into their worker’s data, which they can store and measure. This can then be used to monitor the business’ total carbon footprints, showing the carbon emissions for certain travel routes. Having access to this information can encourage better decisions for employees when they plan their journeys.
As well as this, companies can carry out rewarding initiatives to reduce carbon emissions while supporting employees to choose greener travel partners and green hotels. This also gives employees full visibility and flexibility, allowing them to improve their sustainable movements.
Consider the sustainable future
The travel industry continues to adapt and the demand for sustainability will continue to grow to meet national and global matters that are impacting us all.
With this in mind, corporate sustainability will continue to be raised until business leaders, decision-makers and staff are able to provide flexible, green and safe travel options.
Eventually, this will lead to organisations making more informed decisions about meetings, leading to less fewer business trips as companies consider whether they are necessary for maintaining relationships and whether alternative options such as virtual calls should be held instead. The pandemic has already shown companies new methods for maintaining relationships that does not involve face to face meetings.
Despite these considerations potentially leading to less travel, some businesses might still not see a green approach as necessary. That’s why providing full visibility is useful for both businesses and employees. By updating employees about the environmental impact of transport will encourage them to choose the cleaner options. Investing in technology to accommodate sustainable preferences will be a useful solution for quick adoption and help to support those who want to make greener choices.
By Ryan Demaray, managing director of SMB EMEA, SAP Concur


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Spice Corp Ltd., a leading Indian telecommunications company, showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the world's cheapest handset, dubbed the "People's Phone". This new device comes without a display and it's clearly targeted for those who only want to make phone calls and do not care for other features.
The People's Phone is "just a phone", similar to a landline phone in functionality but having the advantage of being mobile and using GMS networks. The device will retail for a price of less than 20 USD (about 12 Euro) and its producer hopes to sell millions of units in India (plus other Asian markets) after its launching, planned for March 2008. The handset will also come with low calling rates, making it perfect for new low-budget mobile subscribers that come from small towns and rural areas.
Another affordable device presented by Spice is the Braille Phone, which looks exactly like the People's Phone but it's specially created for users who suffer from severe visual impairment. The handset's keys have braille numbers on them instead of "painted" numbers, enabling blind persons to make phone calls with ease. The Braille Phone comes for the same price of less than $20.
Besides the two basic phones, Spice also presented the Movie Phone, being the first mobile phone that can play movies on a disc. It also offers music capabilities and, of course, it comes at a higher price.
With more than 200 million mobile subscribers in 2007, India is one of the largest mobile markets in the world. Moreover, its mobile users number will grow quickly in the next years, making the 1.1 billion population country one of the most important for any mobile manufacturer. As in any emerging market, affordable handsets have the highest demand, since most of the people will not spend too much money on unessential technology.
Spice tries to take advantage of this fact with the People's Phone, and I believe it will be successful in its attempt. Make and receive calls, then put the phone back in your pocket - this is all users need after all.


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Foodborne pathogens are the silent interlopers in our food supply, making their presence known through a litany of deleterious symptoms after consumption. In addition to the havoc they impose on digestive systems—and overall health and well-being—they can take a staggering economic toll.
Food can be contaminated at nearly any step in the process
Research from the >University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute indicates that the “five leading bugs—Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Toxoplasma gondii, and norovirus—result in $12.7 billion in annual economic loss, with the Top 10 pathogen-food combinations responsible for more than $8 billion.” 1
Food can be contaminated at nearly any step in the process, from production, processing, distribution, and preparation. While consumers bear some responsibility in preparing and cooking food safely, the food industry is responsible for producing safe food.
Nancy Donley, board member and spokesperson for the STOP Foodborne Illness organization refers to the “new” Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), passed into law in early 2011, as helping to create a culture shift within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “This act enables the FDA to be more prevention-focused instead of reactionary. It requires food companies to have food safety plans,” she said. In effect, the law gave the FDA more recall power and more inspection authority. According to the Department of Health & Human Services, it is the “most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years.”2
By emphasizing prevention, the focal point shifts to food manufacturers and producers, their processes and safety plans. “Some food manufacturers have embraced the law, stating ‘we want regulations.’ At the same time, the act has language in it that exempts small businesses,” Donley said, which leaves a gap in the level of oversight consumers can expect overall.
“At STOP Foodborne Illness, we believe that all companies have to play by the same rules, because pathogens do not discriminate,” said Donley.
Technologies to keep food safer
Like any type of business, food manufacturers want processes and tools that keep their production efficient. According to Donley, “the FSMA does not require additional testing or more equipment; instead it formalizes food safety practices and makes them more consistent.”
Yet, time-saving technologies do boost efficiency, and in some cases, consistency. One of the more acute components of food safety is maintaining proper temperature, whether in freezing or heating. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is used in the food industry to earmark potential safety hazards to reduce threats to food safety. “The biggest problem with HACCP is recognizing the need for food safety in terms of time and temperature,” stated Alan Mellinger, Business Unit Manager for Comark Instruments.
“We currently have tailored products such as pocket digital thermometers that measure down to 1.5 millimeters, with a sensor in the tip that offers a fast response,” said Mellinger. “A probe is used for thawed or cooked food and also for packaged food sitting on a pallet.” Yet, temperature checks are not necessarily consistent. “At times, these checks are run at the end of the day and documented after the fact,” he added.
To add more convenience, and perhaps instill greater consistency, data loggers or remote wireless technology is available to monitor freezers and coolers. “A series of alarms is sent to mobile phones to alert food processors of any significant changes in temperature. The general trend is toward wireless technology for monitoring temperatures 24/7,” said Mellinger. “The electronic technology is becoming more cost-effective. More importantly, recent codes have stated that food thermometers need to be digital, which are more precise. The dial thermometers are not precision instruments.”
In addition to sustaining proper temperature, technologies to detect contaminants in food are advancing by becoming simpler, more robust, and offering time-saving functionality. According to recent reports from BBC News, Cardiff University has created a Bioluminescent Assay in Real-Time (BART) that quickly tests for bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E.coli), Salmonella, and Listeria. Rather than sending samples to a lab, food is “placed inside BART and the bacteria triggers luciferase, which is found in fireflies, to produce light.”3 As the samples are tested for the DNA of these bacteria, the luciferase is triggered when the bacteria are present.
Invented by Professor Jim Murray, Cardiff University, and Dr. Laurence Tisi, Lumora Ltd., the device allows for convenient microbiological testing and simplifies the process. “Portable versions of the device mean that it’s now possible to test farm animals in the food chain.” 4
Time-saving technologies for food manufacturing and testing are also available, including FTIR, FTNIR, and Raman technology. “Our portfolio of spectroscopy tools provides quick and easy solutions to test for raw material ingredient identification (RMID). In addition, our Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) delivers the ability to rapidly detect biological or chemical agents, including insecticides and fungal by-products,” said Dan Quinn, Environmental & Food Safety Business Development Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Some applications now take minutes rather than days, speeding up the analysis significantly.”
Already on the market is the Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive benchtop mass spectrometer which reveals “in a few simple steps potential organic adulterants and the ability to screen for more than 1,000 targeted pesticides, as well as detecting unknown contaminants such as antibiotics and fungal toxins such as mycotoxins,” said Quinn. “With food substances transferred around the globe, this technology allows us to look for unknown contaminants and suggests what may be in a food sample. The instrument uses high-resolution accurate mass (HR/AM) Orbitrap™ technology and software that suggests a molecular identity. Unlike previous mass spectrometers, it can identify, quantify, and confirm, all on a single LC/MS platform. For food laboratories and large commercial food manufacturers, it offers results that are rugged, reliable, and reproducible.”
Food producers and manufacturers may also look to the new iCAP-Q ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer) as an option for detecting metals and mineral deposits at lower levels of detection. “The dramatically different iCAP-Q is very sensitive and detects these elements quickly,” said Quinn.
“Never 100%—but better”
A recent global study by Underwriters Laboratories found that “with new government regulations and heightened consumer awareness of food safety, 92% of food manufacturers agree product safety is becoming more important.”5
Mellinger believes that human error in food preparation can be remedied and improve overall food safety. “The issue is consistency and following the systems and processes established. Those who develop the instruments used in food safety can continue to make products easy to use and supply easy-to-follow instructions,” he said.
Equally important are technologies that speed up the process for testing adulterants in food, yet are ever-more sensitive in detection. As food substances are imported and exported around the world, the need for robust, reliable instruments to identify contaminants is paramount.
For consumers’ part, staying educated and alert to food product recalls and alerts, issued on foodsafety.gov will help. Also, says Donley, avoid misconceptions. “Consumers assume that higher quality such as a better cut of beef is safer, but this is not necessarily true,” she said. “Another big misconception is that food grown locally or designated as ‘organic’ is safer. Organically grown means it does not use pesticides but [this label] does not cover pathogens.”
Bottom line? “We’re never going to have a 100% safe food supply. But it can be safer than what it is. We want food handlers to use caution and understand that a lack of food safety can be a vehicle for painful illness and death,” said Donley.


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As the Departments of Commerce and Defense continue to snipe at each other over the reach and scope of export controls, Congress may take matters into its own hands. The Democratic House of Representatives recently passed the Export Enhancement Act, part of an omnibus trade bill, which calls for a 40% reduction over the next three years in the list of items, mostly high-tech equipment, that requires export licenses from the Commerce Department. The bill also instructs the Commerce Department to use more liberal criteria in determining whether a controlled product is openly available from other foreign suppliers, thereby eliminating the need for manufacturers to obtain a U.S. export license.
The House proposal was authored by Washington congressman Donald Bonker, chairman of the House Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade. It now faces opposition in the Republican Senate, where the Administration hopes to block any action. The Commerce Department argues, somewhat benignly, that improvements in the export licensing process already under way make legislation premature. The Defense Department takes a more aggressive posture. "The Export Debasement Act is what I would call it," says Stephen D. Bryen, deputy undersecretary of Defense. "We call it the Gorbachev Relief Bill around here. It would totally destroy the enforcement system and just make a horrible mess of things. . . . It would definitely mean that there would be a tremendous leakage to the Russians. It's very irresponsible. We think it's a terrible thing."
Bonker says he has heard it all before. "Those are rhetorical charges that cannot be supported. . . . There are zealots within the Department of Defense who have little sensitivity to our growing trade deficit and to our competitive position in world economies. There is an almost pathological commitment to restrict the export of technology whether or not it's militarily significant."


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KANSAS CITY — Even against a backdrop in which clean label remains a dominant product development trend, interest in working to bring functional products bringing specific benefits to mainstream categories remains high. Monster Beverage Corp., Corona, Calif., for example, is looking to extend the reach of its energy product portfolio into the carbonated soft drink (C.S.D.) and bottled water categories.
This past June, Monster Beverage announced the planned launch of two brands called Mutant and Hydro. Mutant will be marketed as a C.S.D. and is intended to compete with PepsiCo’s Mtn Dew brand. Hydro will be marketed as a bottled water energy drink.
In an August conference call with securities analysts, Rodney Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer of Monster Beverage, said Mutant is scheduled to launch in September. Hydro, an “energized bottled water,” according to the company, is scheduled to debut during the fourth quarter.
The Mutant product will feature 115 mg of caffeine per 20-oz container, which is slightly higher than other products in the category. Hydro is formulated with 120 mg of caffeine per 500-ml can.
“The process positioning for Hydro is it’s an energy drink,” Mr. Sacks said when discussing the new product this past June. “It’s just a different form of energy drink.”
The mainstreaming of functional products also may be seen in the sports nutrition category. Products originally designed for athletes and sports enthusiasts have been updated to appeal to a wider audience.
CytoSport, Inc., a business unit of Hormel Foods Corp., manufactures and markets its Muscle Milk brand that originally was formulated to help athletes recover and rebuild muscle, according to the company. In July, CytoSport introduced Muscle Milk Coffee House, a ready-to-drink beverage that combines protein and caffeine in a product that comes in three flavors: vanilla latte, café latte and mocha latte.
The new products are available in 11-oz aseptic four-packs and contain 20 grams of protein, 120 mg of caffeine and are gluten- and sugar-free.
“This new innovation highlights our commitment to providing protein solutions for everybody,” said Greg N. Longstreet, president and c.e.o. of CytoSport, Inc. “Coffee House complements a variety of lifestyles and offers a great-tasting, on-the-go solution for protein throughout the day.”
During the Institute of Food Technologists annual meeting and food exposition, held July 16-19 in Chicago, probiotic manufacturer and marketer Ganeden, Cleveland, highlighted the variety of products on the market featuring probiotics and promoting digestive health.
“Thanks to the natural resilience that allows GanedenBC30 to survive most manufacturing processes, shelf life and gastric transit, there are endless opportunities to add it to almost any product, and companies are taking full advantage of that,” said Mike Bush, president of Ganeden.
Products featuring the digestive health ingredients include meal replacement shakes from Nutrisystem, a line of cookies from the snack maker Lesser Evil, and a line of ice cream from Brio.
This past May, the International Food Information Council Foundation published its 2016 Food and Health Survey. One segment of the survey looked at food ingredients and, specifically, which health benefits consumers are most interested in getting in foods. Ranked No. 1 by consumers was “weight loss/weight management” followed by increased energy and cardiovascular health.
What stands out is a number of brands that are owned by large companies and that once focused on weight management have shifted away from the market segment. The Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich., for example, is repositioning its Special K brand away from weight management to “inner strength,” according to the company.
“We discussed how the shift in weight management trends has had a negative impact on Special K, and how that more than anything else has pulled down our sales over the past few years,” said Deanie Elsner, president of U.S. Snacks, for Kellogg, during an Aug. 4 conference call to discuss the company’s second-quarter financial results. “So taking a page from the cereal playbook, we are overhauling Special K’s snacks portfolio to drive consumer relevance and reconsideration.
“We have done a lot of work over the last year, renovating some of the Special K s.k.u.s (stock-keeping units), and launching on-trend foods like Special K Nourish Chewy Nut Bars. And we are seeing positive results. Our Nourish bars are 80% incremental to the Special K bars line. And importantly, their velocities in Q2 were three times greater than the rest of the Special K bar portfolio. So when we get the food right, this brand can grow.”
Kellogg is not the only company shifting away from weight management. In July 2015, Nestle USA, Solon, Ohio, “rebooted” the company’s Lean Cuisine line and shifted the focus away from diet to more chef-inspired, ethnic dishes that offer consumers a variety of attributes.


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XP arrives this Friday
Windows XP could be ready in its final version by Friday and on that day it will be shipped to PC manufacturers who will begin to pre-install it on the machines they will send to the stores.The news that would mean a substantial advance compared to the release forecasts set in mid-September, transpires directly from the headquarters in Redmond. The top manager of the company, Steve Ballmer, in fact, during an event held in Brazil, explicitly mentioned at the end of this week as the likely date of sending the Golden Master version to the OEMs. Numerous PC manufacturers confirm, claiming that they are expecting the delivery of the Golden Master version for Friday.In recent days, numerous sources have claimed that all of Microsoft's efforts in the last few weeks have been aimed precisely at speeding up the finishing work on XP fearing that the Justice Department might decide to ask for a block on the broadcast. XP in fact at the center of numerous controversies by consumer associations and groups of citizens who ask that it not be placed on the market before the final pronouncement by the district court that is about to re-examine the remedies to be applied to prevent Microsoft to illegally exercise its monopoly once again.XP, defined as the most significant upgrade of Os in Redmond since the presentation of Win95, will be marketed in shops starting from 25 October. The hope of PC manufacturers that system demands, much higher than those of Win98, can stimulate sales of new hardware.


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Recalled Peanut Butter
Thursday, February 15th 2007, 8:01 am
News On 6
ConAgra Foods is recalling certain jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter after it was linked to a salmonella outbreak nationwide,including in Oklahoma.
Nearly 300 people in 39 states have become sick after eating the peanut butter including at least three in Oklahoma and one each in Carter, Rogers, Pawnee, Choctaw, Alfalfa, Grady, Canadian and Kay counties.
State health officials say those made sick range from 1- to 80-years old.
No deaths are reported.
Lids of jars with a product code beginning "2111" can be returned to ConAgra for a refund.
Health inspectors are contacting childcare centers, school systems, nursing homes, senior nutrition centers and grocery distributors to make sure they are aware of the problem.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control believe this is the first time a salmonella outbreak came from peanut butter.
Symptoms of salmonella can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.
To get a refund, consumers should send lids and their names and addresses to ConAgra Foods, P.O. Box 3768, Omaha, NE 68103. Consumers with questions or concerns may call the 24-hour toll-free hotline at 866-344-6970 or log on to www.conagrafoods.com.
And for more information on Salmonella and this outbreak, check out www.cdc.gov.


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AUSTIN, Texas — Texas dealership Sail & Ski Center has created an owner’s club for those who have purchased products form the company.
As a part of the club, members will be invited to various events throughout the summer. Events will include Dine-A-Rounds at lakeside restaurants, boat maintenance clinics, customer appreciation days and poker runs.
Sail & Ski Center has three locations: Austin, San Antonio and Lakeway.
- Can’t get enough boating news? Subscribe to our blog’s RSS feed, follow us on Twitter or look for “Boating Industry” on Facebook and LinkedIn.
- For more of the latest news, click here.


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Sure, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) didn't introduce a new product at the World Wide Developers Conference last week.
But the tech giant did something much more important than just roll out some new "gadget." Apple unveiled a strategy that puts the company into two new businesses and positions it for years of potential new growth.
Here’s why Apple stock – which has zoomed back up near its 52-week highs – is headed even higher...
Apple Stock (Nasdaq: AAPL)
Apple Stock Split Opens the Door for These 7 Stocks to Follow
The Apple stock split, given the company’s outsized influence, could well inspire a fresh wave of stock splits after years of drought.
Once common, stock splits have become increasing rare over the past decade or so, as companies began to view a lofty stock price as a mark of prestige.
But the Apple stock split, along with other high-profile stock splits this year from MasterCard and Google, seems to be signaling a shift in corporate attitudes.And at this point, there’s no shortage of high-priced stocks ripe for a split...
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Takes Aim at Rivals at WWDC
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) did not unveil any sexy new hardware at its annual developer's conference today (Monday), but what was discussed tells us a lot about the company's long-term strategy.
It appears that as Apple CEO Tim Cook has watched rival hardware makers using Google's Android copy the iPhone and iPad, he has realized that trying to stay ahead of the competition by dreaming up more new features that will be quickly copied is not the answer.That's why the features revealed at WWDC focused on the one advantage Apple knows its rivals can’t easily copy…
- AAPL, BRCM, HCT Among Top Stocks to Watch Now Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is among the top stocks to watch now, with its developer conference action this week. Here's what is important for investors to keep an eye on...
The Apple Stock Split: What Investors Need to Know (AAPL)
Now that the Apple stock split (Nasdaq: AAPL) has arrived - today is the record date - investors need to know exactly what's happening and how it will affect them.
Since the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech giant announced the 7-for-1 stock split on April 23, AAPL stock has gone up 18.5% to $630 a share.Here’s why the company did it and how the split will affect investors...
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Pulls Trigger on $3 Billion Beats Deal
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) finally announced today (Wednesday) after the markets closed that it was buying Beats Electronics for $3 billion, a deal that has been simmering in the rumor mill for three weeks.
The deal itself was no surprise, but tech pundits have driven themselves mad over the past few weeks trying to figure out why Apple CEO Tim Cook made the deal.Sure enough, Cook did talk about the deal. Here’s what he had to say…
Why You Need to Be Bullish on Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL)
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) just announced a 7-for-1 stock split that will drop the price of Apple shares from about $600 all the way down to about $86.
Academics often dismiss stock splits as "book-keeping" maneuvers with little impact, but retail investors usually get pretty stoked about them.
This time around it's the investor who has the right take on this.Here’s how this AAPL stock split can give your investment portfolio a nice jolt.
Why Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Stock Hit $600 – And Will Go Higher in 2014
Powered by an earnings beat and a string of shareholder-friendly moves, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) stock breached $600 on Monday for the first time since November of 2012, and now looks like it will challenge its all-time high by year's end.
The stock got to this point with the help of a strong dividend, a stock buyback program, and a big earnings beat. But there is so much more to come.Here are the catalysts that will keep pushing AAPL stock higher for the rest of the year…
What the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Bond Deal Is Really Telling Us
Apple Inc. sold about $12 billion worth of bonds Tuesday, almost exactly one year after it conducted a monster $17 billion bond sale.
But that's a lot of debt to take on when you have $150 billion of cash and marketable securities on your balance sheet and free cash flow of about $40 billion per year.
So why do it?As odd as it may seem, it's actually all the government's fault...
Can Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) Stock Avoid the Microsoft Syndrome?
Although Apple Inc. stock is up about 8% on the strength of an earnings beat and several shareholder-friendly announcements, the real question is whether the tech giant can keep the stock moving higher.
But Apple today could easily turn into the next Microsoft Corp. in the last decade - a company making mountains of money with a stock that stayed flat.These similarities between Apple now and Microsoft then should be keeping Apple CEO Tim Cook up at night...
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) Earnings Beat Takes Everyone By Surprise
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) pleasantly surprised Wall Street by comfortably beating expectations when it reported earnings for its March quarter after the market close today (Wednesday).
The tech giant also threw existing holders of Apple stock several goodies, including an expansion of the stock buyback program and an 8% increase in the dividend.
But while the stellar earnings report will push Apple stock higher in the short term,it will take more than that to sustain a push back to $600 and beyond...
Why It's Not Too Late to Buy Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) Stock
While many investors were bailing on Apple Inc. last summer, Money Morning Capital Wave Strategist Shah Gilani was recommending it.
Gilani, a retired hedge-fund manager who runs the Capital Wave Forecast and Short Side Fortunes advisory services here at Money Map Press, often makes counter-intuitive picks; the same day he made his call on Apple, he recommended Microsoft Corp.In this Q&A with Money Morning Executive Editor William Patalon III, Gilani explains what he likes so much about Apple...
- Apple TV (Nasdaq: AAPL) Will Be Huge in 2014 – But Not Because of Comcast Apple TV will indeed make a splash this year, but all this business with Comcast is a red herring. In fact, there are two big changes Apple can make to its $99 set-top box that will go a long way toward turning it from a "hobby" to a major source of revenue...
- How Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) Will Dominate the Wearable Tech Wars Apple has quietly been putting together a strategy that will allow it to gain the upper hand in a wearable tech market expected to explode over the next few years. That strategy revolves around the one thing that will drive the most people to buy and use wearable tech devices...


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New Civic Type R TCR announced
On December 12, 2022, local time, Honda Performance Development (Honda Performance Development: HPD), the motorsports division of Honda North America, announced the new Civic Type R TCR as a vehicle to participate in motorsports in 2023. did.
The new Civic Type R TCR is a touring car race (TCR ) is a dedicated race car for the category. It will debut at the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in 2023.
The new Civic Type R debuts!Aiming for ultimate pure sports performance
New exterior with improved downforce
The new Civic Type R TCR unveiled by HPD features a new exterior and aero package with improved downforce, a new chassis for enhanced driver safety, and upgraded brakes and transmission.
The engine to be installed is the K20C type 2.0-liter in-line 4-cylinder turbo engine, which is the same type as the new Civic Type R on the market, and has been tuned for racing.
Other features, such as an advanced multi-channel driver display, make it possible to provide the driver with more information in real time.
“New generation NSX” appeared with the design of the first NSX motif?
Official debut in April 2023
HPD will start accepting orders for the new Civic Type R TCR for North America from February 1, 2023.
The official debut will be in April 2023, and the price will be announced at a later date.
See all images of the new Honda Civic Type R TCR


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Apple, the giant tech firm, has officially purchased an automation tool called Workflow for an unrevealed sum on Wednesday, March 22. The tool will allow users to automate tasks, functions and various functions by combining them together with different apps.
Apple purchases Workflow
Workflow is the simpler thing that iOS has as customization options one can get on a full-fledged desktop PC or Mac and presently Apple has bought it.
Apple has chosen to keep Workflow up on its Apple App Store and has planned to make it freely available, removing its $2.99 price tag that was present earlier.
“The Workflow app was chosen for an Apple Design Award in 2015 due to its excellent use of iOS accessibility features, specifically an outstanding implementation for VoiceOver with labeled items, thoughtful hints and drag/drop features. It will make the app quite usable and beneficial for visually challenged people or those with low-vision,” Apple reported to TechCrunch.
What is Workflow app?
Workflow which was launched in 2014, is almost similar to famous automation app IFTTT, which allows users cook up “recipes” that automatically activate certain tasks when specific criteria are not met. For instance, users can select a recipe that’ll set their Android wallpaper to NASA’s photo of the day, record texts on Google Sheets, or upload Instagram photos to Twitter automatically.
Workflow has received an Apple Design Award in 2015, with Dean Hudson, Apple’s Accessibility engineer, appreciating the easy accessibility of the app, as TechCrunch reports.
Why Apple’s Workflow acquisition is crucial?
One can only think about how Apple will leverage Workflow into various services, like the voice-enabled virtual assistant, Siri, which needs a push to stand out among all the virtual assistant available in the market.
How exactly it will integrate Apple and Workflow is still one big question which is not yet answered. Workflow is easily available on the App Store, now for free.


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In its latest crop projection for the 2022-23 season, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) has further reduced India’s cotton crop size to 330.50 lakh bales (each of 170 kg), down by 9.25 lakh bales from the earlier projection released in December. 2022.
The latest crop projections released in January 2023 stating crop size at 330.50 lakh bales indicates the crop to be higher by 23.45 lakh bales as against 307.05 lakh bales recorded in the previous year.
Also read: Wheat sowing up 1.4% as acreage increases in most states
The CAI has projected a decline in cotton crops to the tune of two lakh bales each in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Haryana may see a dip of 1.5 lakh bales, while Telangana will see a decline of 1 lakh bales. Rajasthan and Punjab may witness a dip of 0.5 lakh bales and 0.75 lakh bales. For Gujarat, CAI crop projections indicate an upward revision of 0.5 lakh bales.
Gujarat will be the largest grower with an estimated output of 94 lakh bales of cotton crops, which was 76.30 lakh bales last year. This is followed by Maharashtra at 82.5 lakh bales, up from 75 lakh bales recorded last year. Telangana is estimated to be the third largest grower with 44 lakh bales, up from 35.4 lakh bales last year.
Based on the revised lower crop size, the total cotton supply for the year is projected at 374.39 lakh bales, including 12 lakh bales of imports and the opening stock of 31.89 lakh bales.
At the Crop Committee meeting of CAI held on Friday, January 13, 2023, the cotton consumption for the year is retained at 300 lakh bales, including mill consumption of 280 lakh bales, small-scale industries’ consumption at 15 lakh bales and non- mill consumption of 5 lakh bales.
The CAI has estimated exports of 30 lakh bales during the year, leaving the closing stock at the end of the season in September 2023 at 44.39 lakh bales.
The members of the Crop Committee discussed the latest update on the cotton imports, exports and total arrivals till December 2022. As per CAI data, about 4.25 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at Indian Ports so far. On the exports front, about 2 lakh bales are estimated to have been shipped till December 2022, while total arrivals between October and December is estimated at 80.13 lakh bales.
Also read: Regenerative farming can help cut input costs, improve soil health: WayCool project
According to CAI records, total stock at the end of December 2022 is estimated at 49.27 lakh bales that include 35 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining 14.27 lakh bales with the CCI, Maharashtra Federation and others including MNCs, traders, ginners, MCX, etc.


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Dell recently started selling Linux laptops and desktops. I can’t understand why it took a better of four months to upgrade to the latest Ubuntu 8.04 release also known as Hardy Heron. Ubuntu 8.04 was released back in April 2008 by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu. Dell is now making the latest release available on several systems: two laptops, the XPS M1330N and the Inspiron 1525N notebooks, and a desktop sytem, the Inspiron 530N. That’s a good four months later. I’m not privy why it took so much time to upgrade to 8.04. Were there issues? I guess we could expect Dell to be always behind after each Ubuntu release. Four months seems like eternity. The next Ubuntu release 8.10 will be in October 2008.
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