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pinstock / Getty ImagesThe week ending on Friday, November 13, 2020, was riddled with surprises. The election being contested and the surging COVID-19 cases hardly seemed to matter to the financial markets. The earnings-reporting season has more or less come to a close, but the major companies have tended to look better after earnings than was expected heading into the season. And news of a 90%-plus success rate in a COVID-19 vaccine program has created a lot of excitement that the economy can return to normal in 2021.
24/7 Wall St. has been looking beyond the election noise, beyond the choppy economic reports and even beyond the rapid rise of coronavirus cases. There is a lot of faith that has to be held to take that view at the current time, but that is what professionals are supposed to try to get right.
Our daily coverage of analyst upgrades and downgrades ends up with a tally of hundreds of analyst calls evaluated each week. Some are stocks to buy and others are stocks to sell. Investors should never just blindly follow an analyst call as the sole reason to buy or sell a stock. That said, what happens when you see a slew of analysts jump on stocks or when they keep following a trend?
The week of October 13 brought a focus on five of 30 Dow Jones industrial average stocks. Some excitement finally may be headed to some, and the upside for others may now continue. Again, that’s assuming the analysts are right. Analysts are sometimes just like the rest of the investing community in that their timing is off or they just simply misread the situation.
Here are five Dow stocks that received handy upgrades, based on catalysts, which investors might want to pay close attention to. Consensus analyst prices and estimates are from Refinitiv.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) had been down 1.7% at $38.67 ahead of Thursday’s earnings report, but its shares traded up almost 7% at $41.30 late on Friday. While Cisco did beat earnings and managed to keep guidance firm, the big side of the news is that it was talking up the tech spending environment. Cisco had a $46.93 consensus target price ahead of its report.
While the firm noted that weakness persists, security was deemed to be a bright spot, and the firm also pointed out that Cisco’s orders trends had stabilized and the backlog was strong. The firm’s Buy rating also talked up Cisco’s upcoming product cycles driving growth and cited a very reasonable valuation when many tech valuations are sky high. Credit Suisse maintained its Neutral rating on Cisco, but the firm still boosted its target to $41 from $36.
Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) was raised to Buy from Accumulate with a $315 target price (versus a $277.75 prior close) at Gordon Haskett on October 12. Home Depot had a $303.87 consensus price target at the time. Before thinking this was just a positive sector call, note that it was not. Lowe’s Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) was downgraded to Accumulate from Buy at Gordon Haskett. One issue driving the report was that Home Depot shares had fallen from about $284 last Friday down to about $270 on Monday.
The coronavirus has kept people at home, and that has driven the home improvement space into a euphoric business of late. The coronavirus vaccine might curb that, but a vaccine and the impact is still months away from keeping people from getting sick. What happens if another lockdown, which has been reported as a possibility, comes about? More projects to do at home, and Home Depot is absolutely an essential business.
ALSO READ: 5 Contrarian Energy MLPs Under $10 With Massive Dividends and Potential Upside
Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) was started with an Outperform rating and a $145 price target at RBC Capital Markets on October 12. The stock has closed at $127.66 ahead of that call, but after Thursday’s selling pressure, Nike was back above $128 late on Friday.
RBC’s call specified that Nike is the best-in-class in the athleisure category as a global athletic play. The firm expects that Nike will see a faster recovery from all of the COVID-19 disruptions. Its consensus target is right in line at $145.08.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) saw an unusual wave of analyst calls this past week. What is unusual is that Walmart is set to report earnings on November 17, and many analysts prefer to react to earnings rather than jumping into the fire ahead of time. Walmart has been a COVID-19 winner, but the retail giant has warned that it noticed some slowing trends after the government did not pass a second stimulus bill in August.
Walmart was at $145.77 a share the prior Friday, and it fell to $143.54 on Monday when news of the vaccine was out. Interestingly enough, the short-lived sell-off was looking for a fourth day in a row of gains, if the 40-cent gain to $148.63 held on Friday. Deutsche Bank raised its target price to $163 from $144, KeyBanc Capital Markets raised its target to $155 from $150 and Jefferies raised its target to $170 from $165. Walmart trades very close to its $148.92 consensus target price.
Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) was down almost 1.7% at $135.52 ahead of its earnings report, but its stock traded up as much as 5% afterward, and it was still holding gains of about 1.9% at $138.15 late on Friday. Disney managed to beat expectations, with a narrower loss and slightly less of a hit to revenues.
Unfortunately, every aspect of its old business has been clobbered by the COVID-19 impact. That should say “except for its Disney+” streaming operations. Disney now has more than 73 million paying subscribers, it has plenty of room to raise prices down the road, and it can use that platform to release direct to the consumer if it wants to while still charging ticket prices.
Multiple analysts came out with higher price targets as the worst seems to be behind it, even if Disneyland remains shut. Morgan Stanley reiterated Disney as Overweight and raised its target to $160 from $135 ahead of the earnings report. Afterward, RBC Capital Markets upgraded it to Outperform with a $170 target price on Friday. And also on Friday, BofA Securities reiterated its Buy rating and raised its price objective to $166 from $146. Credit Suisse maintained its Outperform rating with the same $146 target price.
ALSO READ: 5 Stocks Set to Score From MSCI Index Rebalancing
Again, one analyst call alone should never be a reason to chase stocks up or to bail out when the market is close to its highs. There were just many convictions behind some of the calls, and catalysts driving analyst calls tend to be more useful than routine housekeeping, where price targets are upgraded or lowered just because of an underlying stock price move.


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With online safety concerns still top of mind for parents, Disney Channel and Common Sense Media have launched a campaign within the live-action, digital-based series Dog With A Blog.
Disney Channel will air a special episode of Dog With A Blog, which has a second screen built into its narrative, on August 11 that delivers information to kids and parents about online safety. Following the episode’s premiere, a PSA featuring the cast of Dog With A Blog will highlight tips for teens and for parents for smart digital media usage.
In the particular episode “My Parents Posted What?!,” social media novices Ellen and Bennett discover that 14-year-old Avery has secretly created a Buddy Bop account after they forbid her from joining the popular social media site. To teach her a lesson, her parents post silly pictures of themselves on her homepage, but their plan soon backfires.
The campaign comes on the heels of the newly revised US COPPA laws, which have been expanded to provide parents with greater control over the personal information that websites and online services collect from kids under 13.

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It’s official, Verizon is now offering Samsung’s Galaxy A51 5G in its fastest variant. For clarity, that’s the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, for Ultra-Wideband. And, as its name implies, it’s the only device in its series to get access to Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network. While not the most widely available, that’s presently the fastest network in the US. And that’s not by a small margin.
What sets this device apart from its counterparts is its ability to access networks that deliver up to 494.7Mbps. The handset will also work with Verizon’s low-band network when that begins rolling out nationwide later this year.
So what else does Galaxy A51 5G bring to the table?
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G and the Verizon UW variant were announced in the US as of early August. That leaves very little for Verizon to reveal about its own variant.
Verizon specifically highlights its quad-camera array, led by a 48-megapixel primary snapper. A 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, 5-megapixel dedicated macro lens, and 5-megapixel depth sensor back that up. Around the other side of the handset, Samsung built the 6.5-inch Galaxy A51 5G UW around a capable display. The company includes a panel rated at an FHD+ resolution with an Infinity-branded punch-hole for the selfie camera.
It’s also built on Samsung’s top-tier Super AMOLED platform for richer colors and deeper blacks.
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW offers up Android 10-based OneUI via a Snapdragon 765G processor. That’s coupled with ample RAM and 128GB storage. The latter spec is expandable up to 1TB via microSD.
For power, there’s a 4,500mAh capacity battery under the hood too. And that’s fast-charging enabled, just in case the capacity isn’t quite enough.
How much will you pay for this phone at Verizon?
In terms of pricing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G was initially launched at $499.99 but the Verizon UW version will be more expensive. After all, it has a very different experience on offer in terms of networking. The carrier notes that the price is $549.99, making it the least expensive 5G phone it offers.
For a limited time, those who sign up for a new select Unlimited plan can get the new Samsung mid-ranger for $15 a month for 24 months. So that’s going to be the best option to buy. For others who want to pay through a 24-month plan via Verizon Device Payment, the phone will cost $22.92 per month.


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Thai auto parts maker opens plant in Kentucky
Thailand has enjoyed considerable success in attracting investment to the Kingdom from global auto manufacturers, including the Big Three American carmakers, but last week a Thai auto company turned the tables and invested in manufacturing in the United States.
Thai Summit America Corporation, a major auto parts manufacturer, broke ground on a $110 million plant in the “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky that is expected to become operational in early 2017. The company, which supplies stamped and welded parts to automakers, said it hopes to create 216 full-time jobs for Americans at the new facility.
Often referred to as “the Detroit of Southeast Asia,” Thailand has thousands of companies that manufacture parts and other components for vehicles, and that has deepened the industrial base of the sector and expanded the Thai role in auto manufacturing. Now, some of those companies are looking abroad for opportunities.
“The first day that they (Thai Summit officials) came in, we knew that they were somebody special,” said Kim Huston, president of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency, the county where the new plant is located.
“We knew it was company that we wanted to be a part of this community. They were very gracious. They were very warm and they immediately felt like family to us,” Huston said.
The groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, Thailand’s Ambassador to the United States Pisan Manawapat and Woody Iddhibhakdibongse, vice president of Thai Summit America Corporation.
“Manufacturing jobs are a critical component of the success of any state and of any community and Thai Summit, I think, is on the beginning of what will be a long and great partnership,” Governor Bevin said.
The plant is the second for Thai Summit in the United States. The company also operates a facility in Michigan that manufactures stamped automotive metal panels and modules for Nissan Altima and Lincoln Towncars. It also makes major exterior parts and structural welded assemblies. In addition, the company serves appliance, medical, and alternative energy original equipment manufacturers with tool and die manufacture, from design to refurbishment.
Thai Summit is expanding its international reach with manufacturing facilities in China, Indonesia, India,Japan Malaysia and Viet Nam.
Iddihibhakdibongse said that Thai Summit had considered choosing Tennessee and Indiana for the location of the plant, but Kentucky ultimately won the company over. He praised the people of Bardstown, the municipality where the facility is being built, for their friendliness.
“We will be a good citizen for our city,” he said.
Bardstown is also known as the Bourbon Capital of the World.


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Netflix and YouTube now make up 50 percent of all fixed U.S. web traffic, according to the latest report from Sandvine, while peer-to-peer sharing in the form of torrent downloads has dropped sharply to just 10 percent. The Internet traffic report, which the research firm publishes twice per year, covers over 250 service provides in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
Breaking down the numbers, we see Netflix holding on to about a third of all received online data while YouTube falls just below 20 percent. Meanwhile, Amazon and Hulu, which are fiercely competing in the streaming video market as well, are both struggling to keep up with just over a single percentage point each. Sandvine CEO Dave Caputo also notes that file sharing has dropped off drastically from the 60 percent share of web traffic it claimed 11 years ago, pointing to 2009 as the beginning of a new trend favoring streaming content over downloading it to watch later.
Sandvine also analyzed mobile usage, finding that YouTube still dominates video streaming in that arena. Facebook has also seen a surge in mobile traffic, though it’s unclear if that’s because the social network is seeing more use or simply eating up more data. Netflix meanwhile claims about 5 percent of the mobile market, falling just behind music streaming service Pandora Radio.


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Online food network Tastemade raises $10 million
The online food network Tastemade has raised $10 million in Series B funding from Raine Ventures and Redpoint Ventures, an infusion of cash that will help the digital media company expand its reach and develop new technology.
Tastemade is the brainchild of former Demand Media executives Larry Fitzgibbon, Steven Kydd and Jose Perez, who sought to create an online version of Food Network. The founders identified YouTube as a platform to attract a global audience of foodies.
With initial backing from YouTube and Redpoint, Tastemade built a studio in Santa Monica and launched a channel featuring succinct and stylish three-minute video cooking recipes, personality-driven cooking shows like SortedFood, in which a group of four “mates” from London talk about cooking, and travelogues such as the Perennial Plate, which produces short films that combine eating and sightseeing.
Meanwhile Tastemade has assembled a network of about 100 channels dedicated to food and lifestyle programming, which now reaches about 12 million monthly viewers from around the world, Fitzgibbon said.
Tastemade also launched an iPhone app for users to create one-minute videos of their favorite restaurants and food “destinations,” and share these experiences on Facebook, Twitter and through email and text messages.
The new funding round is from Redpoint and Raine Ventures, an investment arm of the Raine Group, a firm created in partnership with William Morris Endeavor talent agency, which advises and invests in companies at the intersection of technology and media. It will provide for continued growth.
“Going forward, the areas that we see as the biggest opportunity to invest in is our network,” said Fitzgibbon. “We’ll continue to invest in that area, as well as in technology.”
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Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), shares the work the association is doing to support thousands of independent retail businesses.
Andrew Goodacre - CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association
Andrew Goodacre is the CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira)
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- Progress on the Register of Overseas Entities 27 April 2022
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The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked Microsoft's
The Global X Video Games & Esports ETF
The CMA said Wednesday in its decision that the deal poses competition concerns in the cloud gaming market, as Microsoft could make Activision's games exclusive to its cloud gaming platform Xbox Game Pass, cutting off distribution to other companies in the emerging industry.
"Allowing Microsoft to take such a strong position in the cloud gaming market just as it begins to grow rapidly would risk undermining the innovation that is crucial to the development of these opportunities," the CMA said in a press release.
The regulator noted that Microsoft already has a strong advantage in the market as it owns the leading PC operating system Windows which most PC games are developed with, as well as its dominant Xbox platform and a portfolio of industry leading games outside of the titles it would acquire under the deal. The regulator said the tech giant already accounts for an estimated 60-70% of global cloud game services.
"If Microsoft were to buy Activision, that position would only become stronger, reducing competition in cloud gaming, and affecting how the market develops. The evidence available to the CMA showed that Microsoft would find it commercially beneficial to make Activision's games exclusive to its own cloud gaming service, making it harder for other platforms to compete," the CMA said.
Microsoft has already offer the CMA remedies in an attempt to resolve the regulator's antitrust concerns, including giving the regulator the power to govern what games Microsoft must make available on multiple platforms and under what conditions over a ten-year period. However, the CMA was still concerned about Microsoft's potential market dominance even with these proposed concessions.
"Given the remedy applies only to a defined set of Activision games, which can be streamed only in a defined set of cloud gaming services, provided they are purchased in a defined set of online stores, there are significant risks of disagreement and conflict between Microsoft and cloud gaming service providers, particularly over a ten-year period in a rapidly changing market," the CMA said.
The two companies have since stated that they plan to appeal the CMA's decision.
"We have already signed contracts to make Activision Blizzard's popular games available on 150 million more devices, and we remain committed to reinforcing these agreements through regulatory remedies. We're especially disappointed that after lengthy deliberations, this decision appears to reflect a flawed understanding of this market and the way the relevant cloud technology actually works," the companies said in an issued joint statement, outlining the reasons behind the planned appeal.


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QAD Appoints INFOMAN As RP Distributor
Philippine IT Update, 10-Channels & Alliances- March 31, 2005 - April 14, 2005
QAD Inc., a leading provider of enterprise applications for manufacturers has partnered with Information Managers, Inc. (INFOMAN) in a bid to further expand its foothold of the local manufacturing market.
At a press briefing held at the New World Hotel, Ong Chee Hian, QAD Asia regional sales director, said he expects INFOMAN, under the stewardship of former Oracle Philippines country manager Bernard Yu, to further expand its market in the Philippines by bringing in new customers.
"We are very pleased to be partnering with a leading software solutions provider in the Philippines in the delivery of QAD's MFG / PRO ERP and supply chain solutions to local and mid-market companies, "Ong Chee Hian said. "A local representative with the ability to cover the local market, deliver cost competitiveness, and ease customers' concern on issues such as local support is important to our initiative in every country we venture into where we do not have an office."
Yu, country manager of INFOMAN, for his part is confident he will be able to meet the challenge posed by Ong Chee Hian. He said that compared to the 1980s, the local manufacturing market at present offers bigger opportunities especially in the food and beverages areas. "Today, there are a number of manufacturing firms that were not there in the 80s", he said.
According to Yu, Infoman is but a "right partner" for QAD since the former is also a distributor of Progress, the database on which QAD MFG / PRO is developed on.
Contact: Martin Loperz
Fax: (632) 843-2755


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Oatly today announces a partnership with Deutsche Bahn (DB), one of the largest railway companies in Europe, to offer Oatly soft serve for the first time in all 16 DB lounges across Germany.
Oatly and Deutsche Bahn initially collaborated in 2022 by making Oatly Barista Edition the first-ever plant-based milk to be served on all Deutsche Bahn ICE and Intercity trains. Since then, the national rail company of Germany, which serves on average just under 2 billion passengers per year, has gone on to provide further plant-based options including a vegan currywurst option as well as a chilli sin carne with the LikeMeat product Like Hack.
Oatly Soft Serve, which launched in the US in 2021, is available at New York City’s iconic ice cream chain 16 Handles. In Amsterdam, Oatly currently operates a soft serve popup exclusively for the product, which is open til the end of this month, while over in the UK, the ice cream recently launched into well-known stores and restaurants including vegan fast food chain Neat Burger.
“We’re thrilled to build on our successful national partnership with Deutsche Bahn to launch Oatly soft serve in their lounges across Germany,” says Isabel Groß, Head of OOH & New Business DACH at Oatly. “Food service opportunities like this are critical to our mission to driving a more sustainable food by offering uncompromising plant-based products wherever you typically find dairy. So whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant or just enjoy delicious soft serve, Oatly soft serve is the perfect treat for everyone traveling on Deutsche Bahn this summer.”
Oatly soft serve will be available in DB Lounges in Berlin (DB Lounge and DB Premium Lounge), Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt/Main Airport, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne, Leipzig, Mannheim, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart.plant-based oatly ice cream milk cream burger


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May 27, 2009 (08:05 AM EDT)
Mobile Browser Skyfire Hits 1.0
Read the Original Article at InformationWeek
Startup Skyfire has completed the release version of its mobile browser, which the company said brings a desktop browsing experience to smartphone users.
Skyfire also has multiple social networking features built in, and users can integrate their Facebook updates or Twitter messages into the start page. This home page also can be customized with RSS feeds from various sites.
The 1.0 version is available now as a free download for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices, and the company said it's rapidly working on a version for BlackBerry.
Along with on-deck browsers like mobile Safari, Skyfire is facing an increasingly crowded market. Opera is the leader of third-party mobile browsers, as Opera Mini and Opera Mobile have more than 20 million users around the world. Mozilla also is looking to capitalize on the growth of mobile Internet usage, and its Fennec browser is inching closer to completion.


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M-commerce search queries increase
26 July 2011 - 09:44 by Paul Tissington
A real spike in the number of people using their mobile phones to search for products and shop online has been detected by the British Retail Consortium.
In the last three months, the number of UK consumers picking up their handsets when they want to get details about an item they are thinking about buying, increased by 216 per cent, based on the figures delivered by search giant Google.
The total number of searches relating to retail made across all platforms during the same period increased by just 27 per cent, which shows how significant the role of m-commerce is becoming in 2011.
The good news for high street retailers is that consumers using mobiles and computers to research a product and then heading to bricks and mortar outlets to buy it, has increased by 14 per cent.
Of course e-commerce only organisations are actually experiencing a greater rate of conversion, with 21 per cent more people searching for and then buying goods via safe shopping online than during the same period last year.
It was Apple's tablet computer the iPad 2 that topped the charts for retail-based searches in the UK, while the as yet unannounced iPhone 5 was another top query made to search engines by consumers.
The BRC's Stephen Robertson, said that m-commerce searches made via smartphones were the standout feature of the most recent figures, indicating how habits are changing as more people pick up high end handsets and tablets, rather than relying on laptops and desktops for research.
Thirty-six per cent of all online shopping sales made in the UK over the past quarter were based in London, which indicates that residents of the capital are more heavily invested in e-commerce than anywhere else in the entire country.


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Marketers have long had a fascination with robots. But recently marketers have been most excited about the growing ability of robots to provide customer service.
Financial benefits are behind the development industry’s push for a continuous rapid population growth. But our poorly planned cities are ill-prepared and already struggling.
Despite the doubters, China has the means and commitment to spur inclusive growth for all.


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etail analysts expect Americans to spend $1.5 billion online on Cyber Monday, the biggest internet shopping day of the year. A record number of shoppers hit stores over the long Thanksgiving weekend, which kicks off the holiday shopping season. Still, sales at stores were down by 1.8 percent. Sales online, however, shot up by 28 percent on Black Friday, exceeding $1 billion for the first time. The projections for Cyber Monday amount to a 20 percent jump over the Monday after Thanksgiving last year. "Online has been around 9 percent of total holiday sales, but it could breach 10 percent for the first time this season," said Scot Wingo, chief executive of ChannelAdvisor, which helps merchants sell more on Amazon, eBay, and other websites.
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Looks like Flipkart’s won the ecommerce throne fair and square this time! That is if you are going by total number of sales. The marketplace managed total sales of 15.5 million during its 5 day festive sale campaign compared to Amazon’s 15 million festive sales this year.
The etailer’s CEO, Binny Bansal said, “It’s been a very important event for us, it puts us back in a very clear leadership position.”
Flipkart’s sales growth and festive season success are a result of improvements introduced to a couple of key areas. These include consumer experience, marketing and advanced technology for efficient handling of increased traffic on desktop website, mobile website and application.
“Our focus was on mobile, lifestyle and large appliances, and that is what we believe customers want to buy during this time. You can run sale on hing, churan, besan and bournvita anytime,” mentioned Bansal, taking a stab at its competitor which maintains an established groceries category.
Best sellers on the platform included mobile phones from brands Motorola, Xiaomi and iPhone. UV televisions also received good response on the marketplace.
The Indian ecommerce giant did a number of other things differently too.
Last week, IOS informed you about 70% cut in Flipkart’s marketplace investments. Forecast analyst at Forrester Research, Satish Meena claimed Flipkart can raise a fresh round of funding now as a result of its good performance.
He said, “This is the best Flipkart could have done as we are not going to see a similar buying behaviour by consumers for next 8-12 months. Since Flipkart has performed well, they can raise their new round of funding for a long fight.”
Taking down its biggest competitor during the largest sales period in the country clearly extinguishes any doubts about Flipkart’s determination and capacity to succeed.
There’s also the fact that Flipkart sellers are still receiving Big Billion Day orders after the 6th of October. The etailer sent sellers an email asking them to be on the lookout for orders in the upcoming tab. The following email was sent to alert sellers:
Flipkart email to online sellers
According to the spokesperson of seller lobby group AIOVA, “Flipkart is not releasing all orders. They have taken orders but have kept them pending. These orders will be gradually released.”
The exact revenues earned by online marketplaces are yet to be determined. The fact that product returns are common after big online sales could come back to hurt etailers. For now, Flipkart’s sales revenue is estimated to be at Rs.3,000 crore, claim sources. But despite this fact, Flipkart is definitely celebrating its victory.


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People can now buy gaming memberships, paintings, pizza, and many other items in exchange of Bitcoins. But it has been a wonderful eventuality when a real estate owner listed his property for sale only in exchange of Bitcoins. This virtual currency will be used for buying a large, beautiful and exotic condo that too with an ocean view.
Making this wild imagination coming true, BitPremier, the Bitcoin luxury marketplace, has recently listed an Ocean View condo for sale located in Grand Bahama Island. The fully furnished 550-square-feet condo can now be purchased in exchange of almost 5,623.147 BTC (the equivalent of $550,000).
“There’s a lot of wealthy bitcoin owners who have nowhere to spend them,” BitPremier founder and CEO Alan Silbert says in one of his interviews, “In general, we want to elevate the purchasing power of bitcoin and give the bitcoin community something they don’t have right now. It’s an amazing concept and opportunity, and it’s going to evolve many times over from here.”
This step has been speculated to bring much wider acceptance of Bitcoins in the market. The digital currency has lately been under heavy criticism when the rates dramatically dropped in the mid of the April. Despite many rumors of being “a dead currency”, Bitcoin now has retained to its normal position and proved all the conjured allegations false.
Now, with a major online seller supporting Bitcoins in its million dollar deals and promising hint from PayPal to add it in payment structure, this virtual currency has now found its place among the business ventures around the world.
It is not only the exotic Ocean View condo, BitPremier has also listed for sale in exchange of bitcoins some other properties such as Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium for sale at about 19,917 BTC (equivalent to $1,947,500), along with other items such as Limited Edition Signed Print Serigraph of LeRoy Neiman “Basketball Superstars” 1977 and an Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual Watch with combining worth of $34,650.
For more news, visit http://www.forexminute.com


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Byline: Taylor Hill
CATALINA ISLAND — Boaters looking for an island-style Thanksgiving celebration have plenty of options when they cruise to Catalina, with both Avalon Harbor and Two Harbors hosting dinner events to be thankful for.
For those heading to the West End, Harbor Reef Restaurant at Two Harbors has been hosting its annual Thanksgiving celebration for more than 30 years, and it has become an island tradition for many boaters.
Every year, guests get the option to have a plated turkey dinner and traditional holiday side dishes, or to purchase a whole turkey carved tableside by one of the restaurant’s chefs and served with traditional sides. Both options come with pumpkin pie for dessert.
The Harbor Reef Restaurant typically serves about 300 guests every year for Thanksgiving, said Two Harbors events coordinator Leslie Boutillier.
“The convenience and quality of the meal makes this an annual event for some families,” Boutillier said.
Thanksgiving dinner at the Harbor Reef Restaurant is scheduled for Nov. 22, and reservations are required.
Cost for the plated dinner option is $26 per person for adults and $14 for children 12 and younger. For the whole turkey option, the price is $18 per pound, with traditional sides included. For reservations or more information, call (310) 510-4215.
In Avalon, boaters have a variety of menu options to choose from — including traditional Thanksgiving dinners and menus with a Catalina-style twist.
At El Galleon restaurant, patrons will have two Thanksgiving-theme dinner options to choose from. The first option is an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner featuring turkey and ham options served with traditional fixings. The second option is a “Catalina-style” Thanksgiving dinner featuring a local half-lobster with cornbread-shrimp stuffing, in addition to a serving of old-fashioned roast turkey and traditional fixings.
The special dinner menu will be served from noon to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, with late-night dessert and karaoke to follow from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $24.95 for the traditional turkey dinner and $44.95 for the Catalina-style meal. For reservations, call (310) 510-1188.
Those searching for a twist on the traditional Thanksgiving feast can head to Mi Casita Mexican restaurant for a special “Family Thanksgiving from Mexico” menu, featuring whole roasted turkey with poblano mole sauce, served with rice, corn tamales and sweet potato slices.
The special dinner menu includes a choice of albondigas soup or salad, and flour or corn tortillas, along with dessert. The cost is $21.95 for adults and $10.95 for children 10 and younger. Dinner will be served from noon to 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. For reservations, call (310) 510-1772.
Antonio’s Cabaret Restaurant will also be offering an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Normal breakfast, lunch and dinner menus will be available, as well.
The cost is $21.95 for adults and $11.95 for children 12 and younger. Reservations are not required.
Also in Avalon, Ristorante Villa Portotfino will feature a special holiday menu with options including a traditional turkey dinner, linguine alla Portofino, cioppino, salmone al pomodoro e basilico, prime rib or carre d’agnello al rosemarino.
All entrees include soup or salad and a slice of pumpkin pie or pecan pie. A children’s menu will also be served.
The holiday menu will be served from 2 to 7 p.m., and reservations are recommended. For more information, visit ristorantevillaportofino.com.


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The expensive iPhone you just bought is only meant to last you a few years, says Apple.
Earlier this week, Apple said that it expects users to replace their iPhone every three years.
Apple revealed the information in a Q&A section about its environmental efforts in a post on Apple.com and coincided with the launch of a new campaign called Apps for Earth which is in partnership with WWF.
According to Apple the lifespan of an iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch is just three years, while a Mac and Apple TV should be replaced every four years.
Apple says the estimates on the lifespan of its devices apply to the first owner only and does not apply to recycled or reconditioned devices.
“Years of use, which are based on first owners, are assumed to be four years for OS X and tvOS devices and three years for iOS and watchOS devices,” Apple said.
Apple has previously been accused of building devices that designed to slow down after a certain period of time in order to prompt customers to purchase the latest model of iPhone or iPad.
While this has never been proven and is something that Apple would always deny, a study in 2014 by economics student Laura Trucco found that Google searches for the term “iPhone slow” increased whenever Apple announced the release of a new iPhone.
In March, Apple announced the launch of the 4 inch iPhone SE, which is the same size of the iPhone 5S but according to Apple contains much of the same specs and technology of the its flagship iPhone 6S.
Earlier this month, some network operators reduced the price of the three year old iPhone 5S in Thailand to just 5,900 Baht in an attempt to shift the last remaining stock ahead of the release of the iPhone SE, which is expected to be available in Thailand by the end of May.


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The Path to a Safer Tomorrow: Replacing Everyday Chemicals with Safer Alternatives
Dr. Barbara Hales is leading a team of researchers, primarily from McGill University, who are evaluating the health impact of chemicals that leach out from cosmetics, plastics, electronics and foam to enter our food and drinking water; the ultimate goal is to prevent exposures and identify safe replacements. This research project involves an international multidisciplinary team of experts from three universities [McGill University, Université INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique), and University of Pretoria], the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, government agencies, and partnering policy-makers.
Chemicals are part of our daily lives. They leach out of consumer products, such as cars, toys, clothes, furniture foam, draperies, cosmetics, TVs, and computers. They are used to retard the spread of flames (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), to make plastics malleable (phthalates), and to package our foods (bisphenol A). We detect these chemicals in house dust, in a wide range of the foods in our local grocery stores, and in drinking water. Even when found in small concentrations, some of these chemicals exert important biological effects by disrupting the body’s own hormones, acting as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs).
Many proven EDCs, such as flame retardants, plasticizers and food packaging materials, have been subjected to regulations to protect consumers. An unforeseen consequence of this has been the emergence of alternative chemicals that pose their own set of risks. There is often little information on the extent to which we are exposed to these replacements or on their health impacts. Dr. Barbara Hales and her team are investigating the extent to which our food, drinking water and breast milk contain the chemicals that have emerged as replacements for flame retardants, phthalates and bisphenol A. Next, they will determine if these new alternatives are safer than the substances that they have replaced and if any adverse effects can be prevented by altering food preparation procedures and water purification strategies.
The ultimate goal that is being pursued by Dr. Hales’ team is to learn more about the impact of substance exposure on our health and to create new legal standards and policies that protect the public from the adverse effects of environmental chemicals.
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photo by: Emma Delk
Moving up from their humble beginnings of mowing lawns and using a pickup truck to transport supplies, Blackstone Landscaping and Construction has opened the doors at their new Wheeling location.
At the ribbon cutting on Thursday, owner Alex Huff said the business has “doubled or tripled in size” each year since its start in 2018. He believes the key to their success has been the reputation the company has cultivated, not only among customers but also employees.
Sales Representative Seth Gribble explained that Blackstone Landscaping and Construction is unique in the landscaping business as they do not contract workers but instead hire them full-time as part of their company. With 10 employees currently, Huff added that they are “definitely the highest paying” landscaping company in the area.
“We don’t bring in any outside help, it’s all local guys,” explained Huff. “I think it’s very important that the money we make in the community stays in the community to help beautify Wheeling further.”
Gribble added that by hiring full-time employees instead of having them work on a contract basis, their landscaping services are “entirely in-house.”
“We provide a turn-key service with the main focus being on pools right now, but we also do a lot of other small jobs too,” explained Gribble.
These other jobs include patio work and building retaining walls, along with off-site preparation for new warehouses.
“We have so much work it’s often hard for the business to catch up with the production that goes on daily,” said Huff. “Keeping up with everything is definitely something we struggle with, but this new location will definitely help ease that burden.”
The partnership between Huff and Gribble created the company, as they had the idea for the business while they were roommates at West Virginia University. Now running a rapidly growing business at only 25, Huff is happy he left college to begin Blackstone Landscaping and Construction.
With Blackstone Landscaping and Construction expanding its services and customer base in such a short period, Huff said the pace of business can often be “a lot to take in,” but he still has aspirations to take the business “far beyond where it is now.”


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At CES 2017, Microsoft revealed the new platform to enable automobile manufacturers to deliver an advanced navigation. Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform helps provide a whole suite of cloud-based services to automakers in enhancing the driving experience.
The Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform is integrated with Azure, Cortana, Office 365, Power BI, and Skype. The platform has four modern forces, connected, autonomous, shared and electric cars. The software challenge is integrating the complex cloud technology required to deliver the next-generation driving experiences.
Microsoft announced the set of services built on the Microsoft Azure cloud. Azure is designed to empower auto manufacturers to deliver connected driving experiences. Microsoft Azure has a unified cloud and access to the vehicle's sensor and usage information.
The Microsoft cloud will help organize huge lifting by ingesting huge volumes of sensor and usage data from the connected vehicles. Azure is helping the automakers apply the data in power ways, including virtual assistants, business applications, and customer insights.
According to the Microsoft EVP for Business Development Peggy Johnson, the Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform is not an in-car operating system, but it is an agile platform that starts with the cloud as the system's foundation. The platform can also automatically give driving directions, predictive maintenance, remote monitoring and assets tracking solutions.
It seems that auto manufacturers embrace Microsoft's technology, like Volvo to integrate Skype for Business in the Volvo's 90 Series cars. The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced the partnership with Microsoft as the next power generation. The Microsoft's platform will be built for Nissan to offer shortcuts to driving destinations and even engage an auto-parking feature.
Microsoft is making a great alliance with BMW to run the BMW Connected. BMW Connected is the automaker's personal mobility assistant to develop a scalable platform based on Microsoft Azure technologies. This helps the automaker delivers the intelligent personal assistance for drivers. Azure Compute and Storage will handle the heavy lifting in storing and processing the data.


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Apple will release only 5G-enabled iPhones from 2022 and plans to launch a reformed version of its low-cost handset, the iPhone SE, which will be compatible with the next-generation network to attract more budget customers, according to Japanese newspaper Nikkei.
The Cupertino-based company will stop manufacturing any new 4G models and the budget 5G iPhone SE is set to hit the market as early as the first half of next year, the newspaper reported.
Compared with its peers, Apple was late to enter the 5G race. It launched its first 5G-enabled series, the iPhone 12, only in October last year. Meanwhile, competitors Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo introduced 5G smartphones in 2019.
The upcoming budget iPhone SE will be powered by Apple’s own A15 processor – the same chip that will be used in this year’s iPhones – and its 5G connectivity will be enabled by Qualcomm’s X60 modem chip, Nikkei reported.
The new iPhone SE will come with a 11.9-centimetre LCD screen. Apple used only OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens – offering improved image quality, better contrast and higher brightness – in its first 5G range, the iPhone 12 series.
Global smartphone manufacturers are trying to snag more market share through budget models as the pandemic dampens discretionary spending.
An improved cheaper offering may also help Apple to compete in the mid-range smartphone segment. It faces tough competition from rivals including Samsung and Huawei, which are equally aggressive in widening their customer base through pocket-friendly 5G handsets.
Apple launched the first iPhone SE for $400 in 2016. The cheaper iPhone posted strong sales in emerging markets such as China and India, with the company selling nearly 30 million units in 2016. But it stopped manufacturing the phone in September 2018.
Its second version was launched in April last year at nearly $420.
In comparison, the iPhone 12 Mini – the most affordable of last year’s premium iPhone range – was priced at $699. But it failed to attract many customers and Apple slashed production orders for the first half of this year.
The iPhone Mini will be replaced by a new version of the 17cm iPhone Pro Max next year, Nikkei said.
“It is pretty much decided that there won’t be a Mini next year and there will be a relatively cost-effective version of the largest iPhone Pro Max instead. However, the designs for the detailed specifications for the ... new models next year are not yet locked in,” the newspaper reported.
Apple’s net profit more than doubled in the company’s fiscal 2021 second quarter, which ended on March 27, as earnings across all categories of products reported double-digit growth. Its net profit surged 110 per cent annually to more than $23.6 billion.
Sales of iPhones climbed more than 65 per cent to $47.9bn in the quarter from the prior year period.
Apple, which shipped nearly 206 million iPhones last year, is expected to deliver 231 million devices this year and 240 million next year, according to investment bank Haitong International Securities.
“We don’t see revolutionary changes for Apple’s iPhones next year. But with more models … better product planning and specifications for next year, we do expect Apple’s iPhone shipment could at least be in line with the global smartphone phone market recovery,” Jeff Pu, an analyst at the Hong Kong-based investment bank, told Nikkei.
Smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 1.38bn units this year, up 7.7 per cent over 2020, according to International Data Corporation. This trend is expected to continue into 2022, when year-on-year growth will be 3.8 per cent and shipments will total 1.43bn.


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Unknown Facts About Marijuana Made Known
South Africa has awarded 28 cannabis licenses. Depending in your state and the type of cannabis business that you’re beginning, the preliminary startup prices can simply get into six-determine territory. One cannabis professional estimated it costs $250,000 to open a regulated dispensary, in accordance with Bloomberg. Most cannabis startups struggle with making use of and obtaining the appropriate licenses to legally open and operate their marijuanna businesses. While the cannabis industry has been legalized in a lot of countries, corporations are now betting that an identical shift will happen within the market for psychedelics. While the marijuana trade is often associated with hurdles for enterprise owners, there are literally some easy duties for marijuana startups as nicely. Ancillary companies related to the cannabis trade provide services or products that support different cannabis companies. In short, cannabis companies pay taxes on gross revenue-not gross revenue much less deductible expenses. We focus on bringing within the harvest… You might need to attend a yr or so to even apply. Thompson-Hera on Saturday bested her Olympic gold-medal successful time in the one hundred with the fastest time on this planet this yr. MADRID — More than 100 people had been arrested when police in Spain busted an unlawful drug ring this summer, Europol said Wednesday.
Richardson finished final in a field of 9 runners within the one hundred meters and withdrew from the 200 meters at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon. Under such a plan, states equivalent to Oregon and New York could potentially enter into an agreement where Oregon exports cannabis to New York. Kathy Hochul’s efforts to fast-track the growth and sale of recreational marijuana throughout New York – saying, “Bring the joints! States are adopting extra relaxed guidelines for the sale and use of cannabis merchandise. These Gummies assist to relieve pain like joint pain, knee ache, shoulders pain, back ache, and so on. After consuming these Gummies the bones will grow to be extra versatile. While this may sound like an excellent downside to have, it poses plenty of safety dangers and forces businesses to take further precautions with guards, safety trucks, and the way they transport money. The California Supreme Court ruled the incarcerated aren’t entitled to carry cannabis on them while within the custody of a state prison. “We assume it clear that legal guidelines barring possession of cannabis in prison relate to drug use.
An appellate court panel ruled in 2019 that incarcerated people could carry up to 1 ounce, or 28 grams, of cannabis in prison as long as they didn’t consume it. The justices will hear an attraction brought by Christian-primarily based non-profit services typically known as “crisis pregnancy centers” of a lower court ruling that upheld the Democratic-backed 2015 California regulation. Unruh believes giant-scale cultivators will flock to states with low cost energy, looser labor and environmental standards, lower taxes and fees, and good outside rising circumstances. Those funds might be used to pay back rent owed to landlords from tenants who faced economic hardship throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Cannabis has an important position within the wellness business as it minimizes the impact of various conditions. There are tons of great on-line providers you should use to legally register your enterprise entity with the state. Starting any enterprise is tough, however beginning a cannabis enterprise is even harder. Even VCs and buyers are hesitant to mortgage cash to a cannabis business because there’s a lot threat concerned. Briefly, you want capital to start a cannabis business. Kratom use was extra prevalent among individuals who use other drugs, including cannabis, stimulants, and cocaine, and was significantly common among those that misuse prescription opioids, with 10.Three percent of people with opioid use disorder reporting kratom use.
In comparison with different industries, marijuana businesses face stricter tips with licensing, taxes, compliance, and so way more. The large question for small businesses in these siloed markets is what happens when these arduous borders suddenly disappear. Everyone wish to know precisely, how long to wait to go a drug tests because there are several forms of drug assessments, here are some basic tips. That’s why I like to recommend utilizing a consultancy service like Canna Advisors. The consultants at Canna Advisors are business leaders in this class. But this process is much much less demanding should you seek help from cannabis consultants and advisors. Canna Advisors will walk you through the licensing process in your particular state. “But when the whoppers weren’t cooking, you would smell them,” he said. But bureaucrats created so much pink tape that companies within the industry can’t afford to keep up with the expensive laws without the state’s assist. But in a head-scratcher of a postscript, he added: “This shouldn’t be only helpful for the tenants, but helpful for landlords” and appeared to confuse the deliberate extension with the state’s federally funded, $2.6 billion rent-relief program.


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Apple Could Be Forced to Include a Charger with Every iPhone Sold in Brazil
Apple will be required to include a power adapter with every iPhone sold in São Paulo, Brazil, the state's consumer protection agency has declared.
The public agency Procon-SP contacted Apple in October and asked the company to explain why it was no longer providing charging accessories with its new iPhones.
Apple responded by touting the environmental benefits of no longer including a power adapter with iPhones, noting that many users already have spare chargers, plus the move reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of rare-earth elements.
However, in a press release on Wednesday, the Procon-SP said that a power adapter was an "essential part" for the use of the product, and selling the iPhone without it is against the Brazilian Consumer Defense Code.
Moreover, the agency said that Apple had not sufficiently demonstrated evidence of the environmental benefits of removing the charger from the box, and failed to make it clear in marketing materials that one is no longer included. Apple's conduct will now be reviewed by the agency's supervisory board and this may result in a fine.
Although the decision is exclusive to the state of São Paulo, Brazil's federal government is also said to be looking at forcing Apple to sell the iPhones with the power adapter included in the box nationwide.
Apple faced a similar situation in France this year, where it is required to include EarPods in the box of every iPhone due to legal obligations.
The inclusion of earphones there is due to national legislation that requires all smartphones to include a "handsfree kit" to protect children under 14 from the potential risk of electromagnetic radio waves.
As was rumored before Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 12, all four models ship without EarPods or a power adapter in the box in other countries around the world. In addition, the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE no longer include these accessories either.


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Crypto Exchange Luno to Cut 35% of Its Workforce Due to Crypto Market “Turbulence”
London-based cryptocurrency exchange Luno announced on Wednesday that it will lay off 35% of its workforce citing turbulent markets, which have hit the entire cryptocurrency sector.
“2022 has been an incredibly challenging year for the technology sector in general and the cryptocurrency market in particular,” said Marcus Swanepoel, chief executive officer of Luno. “Unfortunately, Luno has not been immune to this turbulence, which has impacted our overall growth and revenue numbers.”
Luno is the latest in a string of cryptocurrency companies facing layoffs during what was dubbed the “cryptocurrency winter” by investors and traders after bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency markets fell 60% since January 2022 as of January 2023. This has wiped more than a trillion dollars of worth off the markets in the past year, leading to the high-profile bankruptcy of cryptocurrency hedge fund Three Arrows Capital Ltd. and, more recently, cryptocurrency exchange FTX Trading Ltd.
“While we have anticipated a recession and planned proactively with a business and financing model that may be resilient to some of these factors,” Swanepoel added, “the scale and speed of everything that is happening, and all at the at the same time it has put significant effort on our original plan.
According to Luno’s LinkedIn profile, the company employs around 960 people, meaning the layoffs will affect around 336 people. The firm has offices worldwide in Singapore, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lagos and Sydney. Swanepoel explained that the layoffs will affect employees across all of its markets.
Luno is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, a cryptocurrency conglomerate involved in the FTX crash. More recently, another DCG subsidiary, cryptocurrency lender Genesis, filed for bankruptcy, owing creditors at least $3.4 billion. Genesis also announced layoffs of 30% of its staff earlier this month.
Swanepoel said the layoffs would have no impact on customers or operations and that the practice would be necessary to “substantially reduce” the company’s “cost base” in the future given current markets.
Other cryptocurrency firms that have been hit with layoffs amid continued bear markets and industry turmoil include cryptocurrency banking platform Silvergate Capital Corp., which laid off 40% of its workforce earlier this month and l cryptocurrency exchange Huobi has cut its staff by 20%. Other cryptocurrency companies that have laid off workers include cryptocurrency exchange Kraken which cuts its staff by 30%, Coinbase Inc. which cuts its staff by 18%, Crypto.com by 30% and Bitmex by 30%.


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Not So Soft Drink: Brewers Add Booze to Root Beer
Looking to extend craft beer craze, makers of Sam Adams, Miller push into ‘hard soda’ drinks
By Tripp Mickle
Aug. 14, 2015
Root beer, which soared in popularity as a pre-Prohibition temperance drink, is leaving its roots behind.
An alcoholic version called Not Your Father’s Root Beer has become one of the fastest-growing products in U.S. beer aisles. Boston Beer Co. , the maker of Samuel Adams, said last week its new Coney Island Hard Root Beer will be available nationwide by mid-August. MillerCoors LLC, the nation’s second-largest brewer by volume, is planning to launch soda-inspired beverages early next year.
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV, the nation’s largest brewer, is watching the trend closely. Its innovation team is “plugged into trends around sweet beers and products, working closely with consumer focus groups to understand and respond to these emerging interests and passion points,” said Val Toothman, vice president of Innovations.
Not Your Father’s Root Beer, which was first introduced late last year, made its creator, Small Town Brewery, the sixth best-selling craft brewer for the four weeks ended July 12, snagging 3.3% of the craft dollar sales at retail, according to retail tracking service IRI. It accounted for $8.1 million of the $245.8 million in craft sales during the period.
The brand’s success has created a new category in the alcoholic beverage industry. Some call it hard soda. Others call it flavored beer. An owner of Not Your Father’s Root Beer, who also is an owner of Pabst Brewing Co., is pushing the term “gruit ale,” which was used to describe spice- and herb-flavored beers made centuries ago before the widespread use of hops in beer making. The category has the potential to expand beyond root beer to alcoholic ginger ale, strawberry rhubarb and French toast stout.
The root-beer blitz highlights the beer industry’s effort to appeal to adults under age 35, many of whom prefer sweeter beers. These young drinkers have been at the forefront of consumer migration to liquor from beer, which has cost the beer industry about 10% of its share of the more than $200 billion alcohol market since 1999, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
“There’s a tidal wave shift in consumer consumption patterns,” said Eugene Kashper, chief executive of Pabst Brewing Co. and a co-owner of Not Your Father’s Root Beer. “Younger people are looking for something lighter and sweeter. The beer segment long-term doesn’t seem like it will be dominated by traditional, hoppy beers.”
The push comes as public health advocates have raised concerns about cocktail-style brews, arguing they appeal to underage drinkers because they taste more like a sweet soda than a bitter beer.
Charles Hires first popularized root beer when he introduced it at the 1876 U.S. Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. It grew in popularity during the temperance movement as an alternative to alcoholic beer.
Tim Kovac, a home brewer who founded Small Town Brewery in Wauconda, Ill., decided to put the alcohol back into root beer. He worked over a three-year span to develop Not Your Father’s Root Beer, which is 5.9% alcohol by volume, slightly more than the 4.2% of a Bud Light.
Pabst Brewing signed a distribution deal for the brand earlier this year, giving Pabst’s owners including Mr. Kashper and TSG Consumer Partners an option to buy a stake in the business. They exercised that option in June after monthly sales increased to more than $4 million from $722,467 in April, according to IRI. A six-pack of the root beer sells for about $11.
Mr. Kashper declined to disclose the ingredients beyond what is on the label, which lists “vanilla extract, other natural and artificial flavors and caramel color.” The lack of clarity about what’s in the drink hasn’t kept consumers away. Bars from Grey Lodge Public House in Philadelphia to craft-beer stores like Mix It Up in Virginia Beach, Va., have made it the central ingredient at root-beer-float parties, blending together the classic combination of ice cream with Not Your Father’s Root Beer for anywhere from 50 to 100 adults.
“Almost everyone who tried a root-beer float bought a six-pack or case,” said Coleman Ferguson, a co-owner of Mix It Up. He said the brand has benefited from its scarcity. It became so popular that the store sold out of its June supply and created a waiting list of 400 people. It requested 1,000 cases in July from its local distributor but received only 100 cases. “Now, it’s sold out again,” Mr. Ferguson said.
Alex Voytilla, a 24-year-old part-time mover in Virginia Beach, said he’s bought five cases over the past two months. He is a craft-beer fan but he likes to drink it in the evenings. “It’s refreshing right after you come home from a long day of work,” he said.
The success of Not Your Father’s Root Beer led Boston Beer Co. to accelerate the launch of its own root beer. The company’s Innovation arm, Alchemy & Science, had been working on a root beer since 2013 and tasted close to 15 root beers as it developed its recipe. Coney Island Hard Root Beer first hit shelves in the Northeast last month.
“We’re optimistic not only will it stick but it will open a category the consumer is excited about,” said Alan Newman, who heads Alchemy & Science. “What we care about is bringing people into the craft-beer category, and if this does that, god bless.”
There already are signs in some markets that the root-beer blitz could be slowing. Mike Scotese, owner of Philadelphia’s Grey Lodge Public House, said he was buying six cases a week in May of Not Your Father’s Root Beer but that dropped to a case a week in July. Last week, he didn’t even place an order.
“It may have peaked,” Mr. Scotese said.
But Mr. Kashper isn’t worried. He plans to bring Not Your Father’s Root Beer to 10 more states including Tennessee and Missouri by early September.


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Kornit Digital and sustainable fashion brand YesAnd have teamed up with Fashinnovation, a platform designed to foster innovation in the fashion industry, to unveil a new direct-to-garment (DTG) printing collaboration.
The YesAnd and Fashinnovation collection launched earlier this month at the Fashinnovation Worldwide Talks event, where Kornit CEO Ronen Samuel served as a keynote speaker with a presentation titled ‘Fashion is On-Demand Production for a Sustainable Future’.
YesAnd will be collaborating with Kornit Digital to produce digital, on demand printed certified organic blank merchandise. The graphic designs can be created by celebrities, influencers or musicians.
The aim of the collaboration is to minimise waste, water, chemical use, and energy, “while celebrating climate action, manufacturing efficiencies, and sustainable innovation”.
Marci Zaroff, founder and CEO of YesAnd, said: “We are elated to be driving fashion forward with two incredible partners who share my passion and commitment to creativity, connection, community, collaboration, and consciousness.
“Through the lens of design, and from agriculture to popular culture, we must embrace the intersection of regeneration, circularity, and technology. The time is now.”
Kornit’s Samuel added: “This strategic collaboration is an excellent opportunity to showcase the power of on-demand, digital production – and how it can unleash new levels of creativity for designers to fulfil their ultimate visions.
“It’s also a reflection of the seamless way we are more effectively connecting designers direct to the consumer.
“It is now finally possible to flip the script on supply and demand – not selling what’s already been produced, but producing what has been sold. We are very excited about the possibilities this collaboration will bring.”
In May, at the Israeli garment and textiles printer manufacturer’s London Kornit Fashion Week, the business had outlined its plans to transform the fashion industry’s supply chain and dramatically reduce waste by enabling printers to target local markets.


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Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc (OTCMKTS:AITX) is a worldwide player in artificial intelligence powered security and productivity products space and yesterday, the stock was back in focus against among investors following a key announcement.
On Wednesday, the company announced that its fully owned subsidiary company Robotic Assistance Devices Inc shipped its one hundredth ROSA device. That is a major milestone for the company and also for its subsidiary company. Hence, it was perhaps not a surprise that the Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions was in play as well and ended the day with gains of as much as 6%.
In this context, it is important to point out that over the past months, its fully owned subsidiary company Robotic Assistance Devices has made considerable progress and shipped many of its products to a series of clients. More often than not, the news of fresh orders has led to a rally in the stock as well.
Steve Reinharz, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Robotic Assistance Devices, stated that the decision to move the production to the city of Detroit proved to be a positive. He stated that the production team at the company will now be able to meet the rising demand for the ROSA devices.


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One of the busiest weekends of shopping is right around the corner and Offers.com vice president, Howard Schaffer says, “Memorial Day is one of the best chances of the year for consumers to find the lowest prices on items such as mattresses, appliances and outdoor furniture. Starting on Thursday, stores such as Sears, Kmart and Lowe’s will post their lowest Memorial Day deals so consumers can take advantage of the long shopping holiday weekend.”
Offers.com has amassed a slew of Memorial Day deals, whic they are updating continually. Visit the Memorial Day Savings Center to see the latest bargains, including 50% off Sears Patio Furniture, 69% off Sealy Mattresses, Extra 20% off Appliances + Extra $35 off $300, and travel deals such as 40% off Expedia’s Summer Sale.
For more last-minute Memorial Day travel ideas, you can find information in Offers.com’s latest blog post.


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With just 60 days until Pinot Noir NZ 2017, an all-star line-up of Kiwi chefs has been announced to put food on the table alongside world class New Zealand wines.
Al Brown, Graham Brown and Josh Emett will join Pinot Noir NZ’s culinary director, Wellington food legend Ruth Pretty MNZM, in delivering a three-day exposé on the local food scene.
Al Brown – the restaurateur behind Auckland eateries Depot and Federal Delicatessen, as well as the Montreal-style bagel factories Best Ugly Bagels, is guest chef on day one.
Graham Brown, guest chef for day two, is a huge food talent and one of the country’s top culinary ambassadors, having cooked for royalty and celebrities across the globe.
Guest chef on day three, Josh Emett, worked for Gordon Ramsay for more than 10 years, and has judged Masterchef New Zealand since its start in 2011. He has a number of restaurants around the country; Rātā in Queenstown, Ostro in Britomart, Auckland, and Madam Woo in Queenstown and Hamilton.
“An important part of this Pinot celebration has always been what happens after 5pm,” says Pinot Noir NZ Chair Ben Glover. “We’re really excited to be bringing some of New Zealand’s culinary innovators to our table, to deliver the gastronomic spark for Pinot Noir 2017. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the very best in New Zealand wine and food to our guests from around the world.”
The event, which takes over the Wellington waterfront from 31st January to 2nd February next year has fast become one of the best Pinot Noir events on the planet.
Registrations for Pinot Noir NZ 2017 have been unprecedented, with tickets nearly sold out. They can be booked via the website www.pinotnz.co.nz


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Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd, publishers of Hindustan, is set to launch the much awaited Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) edition of the Hindi daily on December 16, 2010. With this launch, Hindustan will have a total eight editions in the state. Nagendra, who has been associated with the group for nearly 24 years, will be taking care of the Gorakhpur edition.
Newspaper players in Jharkhand know very well what it takes to survive in a highly competitive market. With Dainik Bhaskar entering the market, existing players have gone on overdrive, and this time, the print war has moved beyond price cuts. exchange4media analyses the print scene in the state.
The exchange4media group, in association with Dainik Jagran, organised the Pitch Marketing Academy workshop on August 21, 2010. The workshop was the first in the series of workshops on cutting edge marketing trends and dealt with ‘Marketing through Partnerships and Alliances’. Future Value Retail Ltd’s Sadashiv Nayak and Kingfisher Airlines’ Ravikant Sabnavis shared their views on partnerships and drew analogies with marriages and loyalty.
CityPlus, the community weekly from Jagran Prakashan Ltd, publishers of Dainik Jagran, has launched its Hyderabad edition. It is the 21st edition of CityPlus and the first in Hyderabad. The weekly will be gradually venturing into other parts of the city as it has done in other cities where it is present.


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Hundreds of alumni from the C. T. Bauer College of Business gathered on campus last week for what felt like a family reunion — the Bauer College Alumni Association themed its annual meeting this year “#BauerFamily.”
Award-winning research from a Bauer College professor is examining how luxury brands like Louis Vuitton can grow their business and customer base with mass market extensions.
One of the country’s leading brokers recently awarded the Program for Financial Literacy at the University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business with a $50,000 grant and recognition as a leader in educating young professionals for the industry.
Although family-friendly policies are generally viewed favorably in corporate America, the rhetoric often doesn’t match the reality.
C. T. Bauer College of Business Dean Latha Ramchand stopped by Bauer Business Focus to discuss the college’s Working Families Initiative, which seeks to engage industry leaders in a conversation on how to promote diversity in the workplace.
Today, the C. T. Bauer College of Business launched a redesigned bauer.uh.edu homepage.


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The countdown begins for compliance with GMO food labeling rule
Four years after thundering in Congress over the labeling of foods made with GMO ingredients, the deadline for compliance with USDA labeling regulations is in sight — the end of 2021 — despite complaints that the rule is full of loopholes that exempt many foods.
Under the rule, food manufacturers have four options for labeling GMO ingredients, ranging from saying it on the package to a fingernail-sized QR code, so consumers may find it difficult to identify. identify a GMO food. The labels will say bioengineering, rather than the more commonly used GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM, which could also dilute their impact. And disclosure is discretionary for some GMO ingredients, primarily corn and soybean oils from biotech plants.
Congress passed the labeling law in the summer of 2016, after months of struggle, as part of a legislative deal that called for mandatory disclosure of GMOs nationwide in exchange for a preemption on GMOs. state labeling laws. president obama signed the bill on July 29. After two years of drafting rules, the USDA released the GMO regulations end of 2018. The implementation timeline began a year ago, with small food processors being covered last Friday. Compliance becomes mandatory after December 31.
Although the deadline is approaching, the form of compliance is still unclear. “Nobody knows the answer to that question,” said Greg Jaffe, who tracks biotechnology for consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest.
According to the Environmental Working Group, up to one in six foods containing GMOs may be exempt from labeling due to USDA shortcomings. Highly refined sugars and oils from corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets have been exempted because they do not contain detectable amounts of genetic material, but food companies can disclose them if they wish. Soybean oil is widely used in packaged foods, from salad dressing to baked goods, for example.
GMO labels appear on some products. Below the ingredient list of many Campbell’s soups is the following sentence: “The corn, soy, sugar and canola ingredients in this product are derived from genetically modified crops.” Post Raisin Bran is “partially produced by genetic engineering,” according to the ingredient list on its label. Candy maker Mars uses the same wording as Post.
Ahold Delhaize USA, owner of supermarket chains such as Food Lion and Giant Food, announced last July that it would require clear “Bioengineered Food” labels on its private label products, reported Supermarket News.
But a stroll through grocery store aisles will find few GMO labels, at least at this point, on breakfast cereals, many of which are sugary; on pancake syrups, many of which are made with corn syrup; or crackers, chips and cookies, which use sweeteners and cooking oils.
Although GMO labeling has been actively supported by some consumer and environmental groups, other issues have quickly taken priority. The Trump administration has proposed deep cuts to SNAP and proposed rollbacks to water and air protections.
The GMO labeling law applies to grocery products. Foods sold by restaurants, food trucks, delis, or served by airlines are not required to carry bioengineered food labels, even if the items are produced with GMOs. Meat, poultry and egg products are not covered by the labeling law.
The USDA Home Page for Bioengineered Foods Regulation is available here.


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Main Filter plant search ends in Lincolnton
One expanding company didn’t need a site-selection company to find a building in Lincoln County for its next facility.
Officials at Main Filter USA Inc. searched the Internet for existing buildings in the Carolinas and eliminated all but three before it began visits to those locations, says Barry Matherly, executive director of Lincoln Economic Development Association.
Main Filter will initially bring 20 employees to the plant and spend $2 million on upfits. The company expects to reach 100 workers during the next five years.
The Canadian company is buying the former Doug Herbert Performance Parts building in Lincolnton.
While Main Filter did much of its own leg work, Lincoln Economic Development Association helped work out details of the deal, Matherly says. “They still need us in the end,” he says.
Lincoln Economic Development helped the company secure permits for work at the facility along with helping to get quotes for services ranging from employment needs to lawn care.
Local and state incentives are pending for the company. The value of those incentives wasn’t immediately disclosed.
Tom Anderson, chairman of the development association, says Main Filter will help Lincoln County “continue the diversification of our business and industry base.”
Steve Turmaine, owner and president of Main Filter, contacted the development association just last month during his search.
Now the company expects to be in production at its new facility by year end.
Main Filter, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, makes hydraulic filters and air filters for the industrial market.
The 80,000-square-foot Herbert building was vacated when the company relocated to Concord.
Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert owns the company. The company had been in Lincolnton since 1991.
Ken Elkins covers manufacturing, international business and economic development for the Charlotte Business Journal.
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Deutsche Bank Wealth Management's global chief investment officer predicted the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates twice in the next 12 months, but chances of a four-time...US Economyread more
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Andrew Gillan of Janus Henderson Investors says he likes markets in the Philippines and Indonesia, and explains why it's difficult to invest in Vietnam despite its...Investingread more
Netflix can sustain its lofty valuation only if global subscriber growth can support increasing content spending and debt.Technologyread more
Germany online bank N26 said it raised a huge $170 million in additional funding, valuing the six-year-old fintech start-up at $3.5 billion.Technologyread more
Stocks in Asia traded lower on Thursday afternoon. Australia's jobs data showed the net number of jobs created was far below expectations.Asia Marketsread more
The House voted to table a resolution to start impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump introduced by Rep. Al Green.Politicsread more
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Check out the companies making headlines after the bell:
American Outdoor Brands shares skyrocketed 20 percent in the extended session after a first-quarter earnings beat. The Smith & Wesson parent company earned 21 cents per share for the quarter, up 9 cents from Wall Street's expectations of 12 cents per share. It also beat estimates on sales, reporting $138.8 million in revenues versus the $134.5 million expected by analysts.
The company also issued a strong earnings forecast of 11 to 15 cents per share for its second quarter, beating Wall Street's estimates of 8 cents per share.
Lululemon's stock rose more than 7 percent during after-hours trading following the release of strong quarterly results. The athletic apparel retailer earned 71 cents per share, 22 cents higher than Wall Street estimates of 49 cents per share. It also reported revenues of $724 million versus analysts' estimates of $668 million.
Additionally, the Vancouver-based company beat estimates for comparable sales, reporting an increase of 20 percent versus analysts' estimates of 9.6 percent.
Ulta Beauty shares dropped more than 4 percent in the extended session after issuing weak guidance and missing analysts' estimates for comps. Wall Street expected the company to report comparable sales to increase by 6.9 percent, but Ulta reported an increase of only 6.5 percent.
The beauty chain earned $2.46 per share, beating Wall Street estimates of $2.41. Its revenues of $1.49 billion for the quarter were in line with analysts' expectations.
Ambarella's stock plunged more than 14 percent during after-hours trading after issuing weak revenue guidance for the next quarter. The semiconductor designer said it expects sales to reach $55.5 million to $58.5 million, while Wall Street expected a forecast of $73.4 million in sales.


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SDCC: New "Star Trek" Series Gets Full Title, First Teaser Released
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Robert Venditti explains the importance of John Stewart, Sinestro and Ethan Van Sciver to his continuing long form Green Lantern saga.
The entire Valiant Universe will be in attendance this July as Robert Venditti & Rafa Sandoval send Aric of Dacia down the aisle in "X-O Manowar" #38.
Robert Venditti and Rafa Sandoval will craft the tale uniting Aric of Dacia with Saana of Loam, which arrives in stores in July.
The big anniversary will be commemorated with new material from Jeff Lemire, Butch Guice, Rafa Sandoval and more.
Peter Stanchek Toyo Harada takes center stage in CBR's exclusive first look at Glen Fabry's covers for Valiant's "Harbinger: Omegas" miniseries.
Josh Dysart discusses the final issue of Valiant's "Harbinger," capping the "Death of a Renegade" arc, and dealing with the aftermath in "Harbinger: Omegas."
Writer Will Pfeifer returns to comics with a fast-paced, forward-looking take on "Red Hood And The Outlaws" as S.H.A.D.E. and Lobo lie ahead.
The milestone issue of "X-Men Legacy" by Simon Spurrier, Mike Carey & Christos Gage is appropriately "about what it means to leave a legacy."
Check out a preview of Matt Kindt & Rafa Sandoval's "Suicide Squad" #27, a "Forever Evil" tie-in on sale January 15.
DC Comics' January solicitations reveal "Gothtopia," a new Bat-book based story starting in John Layman & Jason Fabok's "Detective Comics" #27 story.
DC Comics has released a preview of "Catwoman" #21 by Ann Nocenti and Rafa Sandoval, featuring a cover by Terry & Rachel Dodson. The war between Catwoman and The Penguin ignites June 26.
Courtesy of DC Comics, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Catwoman" #15 by Ann Nocenti, Rafa Sandoval and Jordi Tarragona. Catwoman gets her claws on Eclipso's Black Diamond December 19.
Writer Ann Nocenti speaks to THE BAT SIGNAL about the first issues of her "Catwoman" run, how she's tying Selina into "Death Of The Family" and what's next for DC's favorite thief.
Courtesy of DC Comics, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Catwoman" #14, a "Death of the Family" tie-in by Ann Nocenti & Rafa Sandoval. The Joker toys with Catwoman November 21.
CBR spoke with "X-Men: Legacy" writer Christos Gage about his plans for the series' lead character, Rogue, including a battle with the Phoenix Five and a trip to a bizarre alien world.
Marvel has provided CBR with exclusive previews of Christos Gage and Rafa Sandoval's "X-Men Legacy" #267 and Jonathan Hickman, Sam Humphries and Luke Ross' "Ultimate Comics Ultimates" #11!
Doug Zawisza gives "X-Men Legacy" #266 4 stars calling the "AvX" tie-in "a good story exploring the effect Captain America and Cyclops fighting in Utopia has on the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning."
CBR News spoke with "X-Men: Legacy" writer Christos Gage about his plans including a battle with Exodus, an encounter with two former Dark X-Men, and an "Avengers Vs. X-Men" tie-in.
Marvel has released a first look at Jim Cheung's cover for "Avengers vs. X-Men" #4, Mark Brooks' cover for "X-Men Legacy" #266 and Greg Land's cover for "Uncanny X-Men" #12, hitting stores in May.
Marvel has released an early look at "Ultimate Comics Hawkeye" #4, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Rafa Sandoval. The issue, with a Kaare Andrews cover, hits stores November 23.
Marvel Comics has released an image from "Ultimate Comics Hawkeye" #3 set under the quote "Why is everyone looking at Hulk?"
Chad Nevett gives Jonathan Hickman's "Ultimate Comics Hawkeye" #1 3 stars, saying the writer's collaboration with Rafa Sandoval is entertaining, though the story itself is somewhat lean.
Marvel has provided CBR with an exclusive look at art from the Jonathan Hickman scripted "Ultimate Comics Hawkeye, " "Ultimate Comics Ultimates" & more!
Editor Mark Paniccia spoke with CBR News about the new titles that are part of Marvel's "Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn" initiative while sharing an exclusive look at "Ultimate Fallout" #2 and "Ultimate Comics Hawkeye."
Jonathan Hickman is back on hand for more news of the future of Marvel's Ultimate Universe – namely a solo mini for Ultimate Hawkeye which ties into the future of the Ultimates, X-Men and features guest stars including Hulk and Jean Grey.
Courtesy of Marvel Comics, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Ultimate Comics Mystery" #4 by Brian Michale Bendis and Rafa Sandoval. Answers are revealed on Wednesday, October 27.
Marvel has released an advance look at "Ultimate Comics Mystery" by Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval with a cover by J. Scott Campbell. The mystery continues to unfold September 22.
Marvel has released an advance preview for "Ultimate Comics Mystery" #1, the first issue of the second chapter in creators Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval's Ultimate Comics trilogy. The series debuts July 28.
We spoke with Brian Michael Bendis about his and Rafa Sandoval's "Ultimate Mystery," a four issue miniseries that forces the defenders of the Ultimate Universe to uncover the identity of a dangerous adversary.
Courtesy of Marvel, CBR presents an exclusive preview of "Ultimate Comics Enemy" #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval. The issue hits stores next Wednesday, April 14.
"Ultimate Comics Enemy" is in stores this week, kicking off a trilogy that will introduce a powerful new villain to the Ultimate Universe. CBR spoke with Brian Michael Bendis about the project. Updated with exclusive art!


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Facebook pauses Giphy integration worldwide after UK launches antitrust investigation
Facebook paused the integration of animated search engine Giphy into its services after United Kingdom regulators opened an antirust investigation into the recent acquisition, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Friday it was looking into whether Facebook’s move “may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”
The regulators submitted an official enforcement order on Tuesday.
Australian regulators also opened an antitrust investigation into the deal earlier this week.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it is looking into whether the deal may give Facebook data that strengthens its market power or harms online messaging rivals — many of which use Giphy.
Facebook’s roughly $400 million acquisition of Giphy has raised antitrust concerns in the U.S. as well.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said at the time that “Facebook wants Giphy so it can collect even more data on us.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) called on the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the deal.
Sarah Miller, director of the American Economic Liberties Project, called the deal “just the latest example of the Federal Trade Commission standing by while Facebook and Google centralize control over online communications.”
The FTC is currently investigating several large tech companies, including Facebook.
It also evaluating past mergers in the industry that did not trigger regulatory review at the time.
A spokesperson for Facebook told The Hill Friday that the company is “prepared to show regulators that this acquisition is positive for consumers, developers, and content creators alike.”


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SINGAPORE — Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Pte. Ltd. President and CEO Chia Song Hwee credited much of the firm's revenue growth in the third quarter to a ramp in 90-nm production at its new 300-mm fab, but admitted continuation of the plant’s strong output was by no means guaranteed.
In a conference call on the firm's third quarter results Oct. 21, Chia said 90-nm revenues at Chartered's 300-mm fab, which began commercial shipments in June, increased by over $70 million sequentially, marking the "first time in our history that we've been able to achieve such a ramp in any of our new fabs."
The 300-mm plant is called Fab 7. The company's revenues climbed 49.5 percent in the third quarter to $290.1 million, though it posted a net loss of $34.5 million.
Much of this growth came from the consumer sector — particularly the development of chips for Microsoft's next-generation Xbox game console. Chartered is "sparing no effort" in reaching the break-even point on the Fab 7 facility, with plans to introduce new products and services to its clients by the end of the year, Chia added.
"We are concurrently working on multiple products and hope to get these into production as soon as possible," he said. "The initial product ramp that we have [for] the consumer game console business has the possibility of adjustment on the wafer rate going into the first quarter [of 2006].”
The new offerings Chartered will concentrate on include network processors, which have already moved into small-volume production, and baseband, which will start shipping in the first or second quarter of 2006.
The firm should also start producing processors for Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) in the later part of the second quarter of 2006, Chia added.
But he said the company did not have "firm visibility" from the end customer on its game console chip production, making a continuation of the initial ramp "very much dependent on the sell-through."
"On paper we plan to get to 15,000 [300-mm wafers per month] by the middle or third quarter of 2006, but all this will depend on demand," he said. "If the demand continues to be strong we could go up to 18,000 or 19,000 by the end of 2006."
Chartered is already running equipment utilization "to the fullest" at the Fab 7 plant, Chia added.
Analysts said the company's results were a pleasant surprise, and that Fab 7 would likely continue to drive future performance. "Results were better than we expected," said Dharmo Soejanto, an electronics industry analyst at Kim Eng Securities. "Seems to indicate that Fab 7 is ramping up quite nicely."
"We expect the company to dip into the red in the first quarter of 2006 as demand drops with the seasonal slowdown, but this should be offset by profit in the second half as new customers such as AMD come in," Soejanto added. "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this should translate into a full-year profit in [financial year] 2006 for Chartered."


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The legislation that regulates cosmetic and personal care products in the US only includes the prohibition of 11 substances and control over cosmetic dyes, while European legislation controls more than 1,300 substances. This lack of regulatory control at the federal level has been revealed by consumer associations in several states, including the state of California, who demand greater security when buying these types of products.
In this line, on March 18th, a proposal to amend California’s cosmetic products legislation, the AB 495 Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, was published to prohibit a series of substances considered carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction or endocrine disruptors. Among the banned substances there are 17 different types of substances, including asbestos, lead, formaldehyde and preservatives releasing formaldehyde, mercury and some phthalates.
When this proposal is approved, the marketing in California of cosmetics containing any of the aforementioned substances will be prohibited. California will thus become the first US state with this type of regulation, opening the door to possible federal regulation in the future, in line with the growing consumer demand for a more controlled and safe cosmetics.


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Everything about Apple’s Reality Pro AR/VR
At the highly anticipated WWDC23 developer conference scheduled for June 5 at 10 am PT, Apple is expected to unveil its first augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) headset, marking a significant step into a new era of immersive technology. Numerous reports, including those from reliable sources such as Mark Gurman and Morgan Stanley, have provided insights into the features, design, performance, and release timeline of Apple’s groundbreaking headset.
According to Mark Gurman’s report, Apple’s AR/VR headset is currently being considered under three potential names: Reality Pro, Reality One, and XR Pro. Gurman suggests that XR Pro may be eliminated as a candidate due to potential confusion with the iPhone XR. Therefore, Apple will likely choose between Reality Pro and Reality One.
The headset itself is crafted using a combination of ultra-premium glass, carbon fiber, fiber, and aluminum. Resembling a pair of high-tech ski goggles, the device features a curved front with an external screen and introduces a new magnetic charger. Notably, the headset does not support the use of regular glasses but provides a clip-on accessory for users who require vision correction.
Apple’s AR/VR headset is equipped with a powerful M2 chip, ensuring impressive performance for AR and VR experiences. It boasts 16GB of RAM, further enhancing its processing capabilities. Reports suggest that the device will require an external battery pack, resembling an enlarged version of the MagSafe Battery Pack, to sustain extended usage periods.
Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring, in a report cited by MacRumors, projects that Apple’s AR/VR headset will be unveiled at the WWDC23 conference. However, mass production is anticipated to commence in October 2023, with the headset set to hit the market before the December holiday season.
Woodring’s supply chain sources indicate that Apple aims to have an initial stock quantity of 300,000 to 500,000 units for this year’s launch. With an estimated starting price of around $3,000, Apple’s first headset is expected to operate at a “close to break-even” point initially, resulting in relatively modest profits at the beginning of its market journey.
Apple’s impending entry into the AR/VR headset market is generating significant excitement, with the WWDC23 developer conference poised to showcase the company’s foray into this transformative technology. With reports from sources such as Mark Gurman and Morgan Stanley providing detailed insights into the headset’s design, performance, and release timeline, expectations are running high for Apple’s “Reality Pro” or “Reality One” AR/VR headset, representing a remarkable leap forward in immersive computing.


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February 28, 2013
The UMI X2 budget smartphone to arrive in India with a 5-inch 1080p display
The world’s becoming a costlier place to live in but the prices of gizmos are somehow dropping rapidly. Following the Micromax Canvas HD, the UMI X2 smartphone joins the affordable smartphone league. The Chinese company has offered a phone that is set to marvel us in specifications and prowess. Witha 5-inch 1080p display, this ‘phablet‘ will be arriving in India, the homeland of Micromax to raise direct competition. It will also offer dual-SIM boot support, a 1.2GHz MTK6589 quad-core processor, PowerVR SGX544 graphics, 32GB expandable internal storage, 2GB RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, a 3-megapixel front facing camera, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean platform (with a 4.2 upgrade in prospect) and a 2,500 mAh battery.
The UMI X2 will come to india at Rs. 14,000 ($260). It is expected to arrive around the middle of March in India.