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GLOBAL – The Global Residue Testing Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.02% in the forecast period of 2022-2029 as per an analysis by Data Bridge Market Research.
Residue testing is frequently used to make sure that product quality meets safety and market access requirements on both the national and international levels.
There are numerous methods for identifying pollutants, including pesticides, food allergies, toxins, heavy metals, and others.
They can be found frequently in processed foods, grains, dairy products, meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and other products.
The rise in chemical contamination breakouts in the food processing sector will be a key factor boosting the market’s growth rate for residue testing, says the report.
The rise in allergic reactions among consumers will fuel the market’s expansion rate by driving up demand for residue testing.
The expansion of the industry is also significantly influenced by the advancement of technology and rising customer interest in high-quality foods.
Additionally, the implementation of stringent food safety standards and the worldwide organic revolution are the main factors enhancing market growth.
According to the report, rapid urbanization, an active lifestyle that will further change consumer eating habits, and rising disposable income levels in both developing and developed nations will all have an impact on the growth rate of residue.
Additionally, the growing consumer demand for food safety and the commerce of food products internationally will offer favorable chances for the expansion of the residue testing industry.
The future growth rate of the residue testing market will also be boosted by rising government investments in technological development and rising demand from emerging regions, as reported by Newswires.
High cost of testing to hamper market growth
Conversely, the market’s expansion will be hampered by the high cost of testing and the lack of infrastructure and resources for food control in developing nations.
It will also face difficulties due to a lack of standardization and improper sample collection standards.
The report also notes that the lack of awareness among food manufacturers regarding safety rules will act as a restraint and further hinder the market’s growth rate.
In terms of market share and revenue, Europe currently dominates the residue testing market, and this dominance is expected to grow throughout the forecast period, according to Data Bridge, thanks to the presence of major key players and strict regulations associated with food safety in this region.
On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience the greatest growth rate during the forecast period because of the region’s expanding food sector and rising demand for food free of any kind of contamination.


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Valve is working on a SteamVR support for Linux and will soon bring it to macOS. The company demonstrated SteamVR integration with Linux using the Vulkan graphics API.
Recently, Valve developer Joe Ludwig confirmed that the company will soon publicly release the virtual reality experience for macOS. At?least beta version will be released in the next few months.
In his Philosophy of VR, Ludwig said that Valve believes that virtual reality should not have any restriction. It should be independent of hardware and software. He also talked about the importance of openVR and how it could be self innovative.
?Open platforms are designed in such a way that components can come from multiple companies that implement things in different ways. They employ open standards and sometimes open source to enable these components to work together effectively,? Ludwig said.
Moreover, he also talked about a new pressure sensitive controller along with a?handful of other hardware. Valve?s new controller can observe the pressure applied by a hand to pick and drop object in virtual reality.
Meanwhile, the biggest virtual reality platform other than smartphones is Microsoft?s Windows. All major VR platforms including HTC Vive and Oculus Rift supports Windows platform. This would be the first hardware and software combination that will have support for Linux and macOS.
Obstacles in SteamVR, macOS and Linux integration
However according to Slash Gear, it won?t be easy to create a virtual reality program for macOS. Valve has to modify Vulkan or OpenGL to make SteamVR work on macOS. Current PC-based VR uses Microsoft?s DirectX framework that is limited to Windows and Xbox. Moreover, developers have to create a switch as well.
Meanwhile, even if Valve actually launches SteamVR support for Linux and macOS, application support for these platforms will be limited. However, Valve?s initiative could inspire app developers to create versions of their titles to run on other platforms.
Keep reading TheBitBag articles for more updates on upcoming gadgets and technologies!

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At the HP Summit last night, CEO Léo Apotheker announced that the TouchPad would be launched in June, a beta version of webOS running on a browser will be available on a PC by the end of the year and HP could ship a Windows-based tablet in the future if it gets “the right version of Windows to do that."
The summit was Apotheker’s first since taking over from Mark Hurd as CEO four and a half months ago and “In that time I have been rolling up my sleeves and digging into the business,” Apotheker said. He spoke about “the way forward for HP” which includes an emphasis on connectivity and software. "The world is connected, people to people. People want information where and when they need it. We intend to be the platform for the cloud and connectivity."
Last week we reported that Apotheker predicted that webOS would be on 100 million PCs by next year and at the summit he expanded on how that would happen. “There will be a beta version for webOS running on a browser on PCs available at the end of the year and you'll see us putting webOS on that technology on PCs, on Windows PCs I should add, starting from that point onwards and we hope to read 100 million devices a year. We'll put the same technology on our printers, we'll put them on PCs, we'll put them on TouchPads, we'll put them on smartphones, so you'll see this become a very massive, very broad platform.” We don’t yet know what browsers this will work with or whether HP will have a separate proprietary browser just for webOS.
Speaking about HP bringing out a Windows-based tablet, Apotheker said: “webOS technology is seamless when it comes to working with Windows, we just need the right version of Windows to do that." Before that happens however, he said the TouchPad, which was announced last month, will be launched in June. He made no mention of where it would be launching at that time, shipping dates or pricing.
If you want to see the entire presentation, check out the video above or for the slides from the presentation, click the source link below. Let us know if you think that webOS running on PCs in the manner Apotheker talks about and if you think that June could be a little late for the TouchPad’s launch?
Source: HP (.pdf)


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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) continues to maintain its strong lead among smartphone OEM vendors in the US. According to the latest data from comScore for the three months ending August 2014, Apple successfully fended of competition from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (KRX:005935), LG Electronics Inc. (KRX:066570) and HTC Corp (TPE:2498) and is ranked as the top smartphone OEM manufacturer with a market share of 42%. Over the next few months, data from the new iPhone 6 models will be included and will present a clear picture of their impact on the U.S smartphone landscape.
Samsung’s market share has also risen steadily during the three months ending August 2014, largely due to its new flagship model, the Galaxy S5. Interestingly, Apple is still in a commanding position, gaining in the US, a year after the release of the iPhone 5S and 5C models. The top smartphone operating system, meanwhile, continued to be Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) owned Android OS, with a market share of 52%, compared with iOS market share of 42%.
Apple and Samsung Making Big Gains While Others Falter
The number of smartphone users in the U.S stood at 174 million, with mobile penetration growing by 3% since May 2014. Apple is in a commanding position with a market share of 42% during August 2014. Already the iPhone 6 has broken several records including the highest opening weekend sales of 10 million units, and largest number of online preorders. Apple has been incredibly successful in driving back fierce competition from Samsung and Motorola’s low-budget models. The figures are a clear measure of the iPhone’s popularity among consumers and mobile operators alike in the US.
Samsung’s and LG both received incremental gains in market share at 1.1% and 0.2%, repsectively. The results will come as a huge relief to Samsung which is facing a tough year as mobile division profits have been on a consistent decline over the past few quarters. In the US, Chinese smartphone vendors such as Xiaomi have had little or no impact, allowing Samsung to stay afloat. The biggest losers over the past few months have been Motorola and HTC whose market shares have declined by 0.9% and 0.6% respectively.
Android vs iOS Battle Set To Heat Up
The market share of the various smartphone operating systems has remained flat over the past three months ending August 2014. The market share of Android OS has dropped by 0.1% point to 52%, while that of Apple iOS has risen by 0.1% point to 42%. The next few months will see an interesting battle between the newly released iOS 8 operating system and Android L OS which is due to be released in October 2014. It will be interesting to see if the new version of iOS can have a significant impact on Android’s market share.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) owned Windows Phone OS also grew by 0.1% to 3.5% during the three months ending August 2014. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) OS market share also remained flat 2.3% and is likely to have hit rock bottom. Both operating systems will continue to face several challenges as the iOS vs Android battle intensify over the next few months.
Facebook Is The Top Smartphone App
Facebook was the most popular smartphone app with a market reach of 72.4%, followed by YouTube with 54.9%. The other top five apps were Google Play (51.25, Google search (42.7%) and Google Maps (46.2%). Facebook messenger became the 6th most popular apps jumping from the number 10 position, after Facebook disabled the messaging feature on its main app to transition users towards Facebook messenger.
The iPhone 6 is Likely To Transform The Market
Except Samsung, all other Android OEMs have struggled to match Apple between May and August 2014, despite introducing their new and best smartphones. The smashing success of the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 plus could make things even harder for other brands over the next few months. Apple’s 5.5 phablet device is likely to attract more users who previously prefered other brands such as Samsung and HTC for their larger screen sizes. Al this means that Apple is likely to be in an even stronger place during the all-important holiday season in the U.S where smartphone sales are usually at an all time high. Since the iPhone 5S is still the best-selling device in the world, there is no reason to doubt Apple’s iPhone 6 will take the company to even greater heights.


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On the 100th anniversary of his birth, Google Japan has a new Doodle dedicated to Japanese artist Taro Okamoto:
Replacing Google's "l" is one of Okamoto's most famous works, The Tower of the Sun, which was designed for the 1970 Osaka Expo and is located in Expo Commemoration Park in Osaka, Japan.
Early Bird Rates have been extended!
June 12-14, 2013: Join industry experts at SES Toronto for a crash course in the latest strategies in Online Marketing and Advertising.
Save $300 when you register by Thursday, May 23.


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Construction on a long-planned commercial and retail building in Downtown Jersey City is scheduled to get underway this spring, the developers of the site said.
The Arts & Powerhouse Building at 124 Bay St. in the Powerhouse Arts District, being developed by Kushner and KABR Group, will include 112,630 square feet of loft style office space, a 10,000-square-foot rooftop deck, $250,000 dedicated to the display of works by local artists and more than 33,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.
The developers released new renderings of the building, a former warehouse that was built in 1914 and purchased in 2016. They also announced that Tacombi, the popular New York taco chain, has signed on as a tenant, joining Chinese hot pot eatery Haidilao.
“We are proud to partner with KABR Group in this exciting redevelopment of an historic Jersey City building,” said Nicole Kushner Meyer, principal of Kushner Companies. “In addition to bringing creative class office space to the Powerhouse Arts District, we look forward to infusing the work of local artists throughout the project.”


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FM radio is a piece of dated technology that cellphone manufacturers still offer on most smartphones, but with the Apple iPhone, this is not the case. Now FCC chairman has urged Apple to enable FM radio on its iPhones but the device maker has a different perspective to offer.
The Power of a Low-Key Technology
FM radio is a factor of hardware of the chipset that resides on any device. With the help of FM radio, it is easier for emergency services to broadcast messages in public interest. But with Apple enjoying the majority of stake in the mobile market in the US, FCC has asked the device maker to enable the feature on the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 8.
FCC chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement “In recent years, I have repeatedly called on the wireless industry to activate the FM chips that are already installed in almost all smartphones sold in the United States. And I’ve specifically pointed out the public safety benefits of doing so. In fact, in my first public speech, after I became Chairman, I observed that ‘[y]ou could make a case for activating chips on public safety grounds alone.’
“Apple is the one major phone manufacturer that has resisted doing so. But I hope the company will reconsider its position, given the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. That’s why I am asking Apple to activate the FM chips that are in its iPhones”, Pai added.
Why Apple Cannot Have FM
Enabling FM radio on any smartphone is simple since the hardware is already there and since the headset works as the antenna, there is no major design change also required for the device. But for Apple, both things are a major challenge.
Firstly, Apple has no FM chip integrated on the devices that makes enabling this feature impossible. Secondly, even if there was that FM receiver the missing headphone jack would have created a big problem.
Apple has acknowledged the fact and released the following statement to iMore “Apple cares deeply about the safety of our users, especially during times of crisis and that’s why we have engineered modern safety solutions into our products,” Apple told iMore. “Users can dial emergency services and access Medical ID card information directly from the Lock Screen, and we enable government emergency notifications, ranging from Weather Advisories to AMBER alerts. iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models do not have FM radio chips in them nor do they have antennas designed to support FM signals, so it is not possible to enable FM reception in these products.”
Well rest assured there will be no FM radio for the current set of devices at least, but looking at the pressure the device maker is going through its likely that the upcoming devices might give us a taste of that analog radio.


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Apple reduced the price of all iPhone models in China
The editorial Board of the China National Business Daily was told that the official Resellers of the iPhone in China yesterday received the news about the price drop on the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, XR, XS, and XS Max.
It had reduced the price of iPhone XR — now it’s sold at a discount in 450 yuan (around 4 500 rubles). The most affordable of Apple smartphones in 2018 in China can be purchased for 5250 yuan (about 52 000), while other models fell by 400 yuan (about 4 000).
This message appeared several hours later, after the Nikkei has announced that Apple in the next three months will reduce the smartphone production by another 10%.
“Today (January 9) evening, the reporter was informed that the suppliers Huaqiang North received information about the price adjustment on the iPhone XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS iPhone XS Max”.
“Last year, Apple released a new iPhone XR, which can now be bought for 450 yuan cheaper.”
The decline in prices is quite rare for Apple, especially considering the fact that in Russia, prices have risen over the past six months twice (after the October presentation and after the increase in VAT). The last time the price of iPhone has been revised, was recorded in 2007 when Apple reduced the cost of the gadget for $ 200 just a few months after the release of the device.
Perhaps the Corporation will reduce prices in other countries in the near future, as sales of the devices failed to meet expectations of company management.
However, to purchase any Apple gadget with a good discount, you can in our store, without waiting for the official reduction in the price of cupertinos.
MDlavka — our store for your favorite readers. Technology Apple for the most pleasant prices are waiting for you every day from 10:00 to 21:00. Readers Macdigger.ru discount.


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Chinese battery giant CATL has announced a new generation of batteries for electric cars.The batteries are called Qilin - they feature an increased energy density that will provide electric cars equipped with them with an increased range.Mass production of the new batteries will start in 2023.Image source: catl.comThe CATL Qilin batteries will offer consumers the world's highest capacity utilization rate - it will be 72%; by comparison, the company's 2019 batteries had a capacity of 50%.The energy density of batteries of the new generation will be 255 Wh/kg.The manufacturer has not yet reported whether there have been orders for the new generation of batteries from automakers.Today, CATL supplies batteries for brands such as Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW and Nio.In the first quarter, the Chinese giant reported a 24% loss of net income - problems have arisen due to a sharp rise in raw material prices.In May, CATL reported that the results of the second quarter are expected to increase profits, as prices for products had to increase.In the first four months, the total capacity of batteries sold by the company amounted to 41.5 GWh, which is more than twice as high as that of its nearest competitor, LG Energy Solution.Earlier it became known that CATL is currently studying the possibility of building two plants to produce batteries for electric cars in the United States.
Samsung SDI seeks partner to build battery plant in Europe
Samsung SDI's decision last month to build a $2.5 billion traction battery plant in the United States with automaker Stellantis may not be the last of its kind.Korean media reports that formal head of Samsung Lee Jae-yong (Lee Jae-yong) during his visit to Europe may find a partner among the automakers to organize the local production of traction batteries for electric cars.Image source: Samsung SDINot for sure, as explained by Business Korea, this partner will be Stellantis, because the issue will be discussed during the visit of Samsung Electronics vice-president to Germany, where the position of the auto industry is traditionally strong.The European subdivision Samsung SDI already has enterprises in Hungary and Austria, while the new site will have to be developed jointly with one of the interested carmakers.The program of Samsung's European visit also includes visits to the headquarters of Siemens and Infineon Technologies.The Korean conglomerate has a long-standing relationship with the former, and the latter could reportedly be an asset Samsung would like to buy.Lee Jae-yong will also visit the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain and France.In the first of these countries, he is interested in talks with ASML on the supply of lithographic equipment, and in the second, he will talk to the authorities of the united Europe about the possibility of Samsung receiving subsidies if it builds new plants in the region.
From 2024, NIO will start producing its own 800-volt traction batteries
Many electric car manufacturers see organizing their own production of traction batteries as a way to achieve better cost control, Chinese company NIO is among them.Starting in the second half of 2024, it expects to produce 800-volt traction batteries, which will be used in new brand electric cars starting at $30,000.Image source: NIOIn the future, as Reuters explains, citing comments from NIO chairman William Li, the company will combine the use of both third-party batteries and its own.In the second quarter of this year, NIO had to raise its costs for purchasing batteries manufactured by CATL as the latter raised its selling prices.NIO has 400 employees working on the development of its next-generation batteries.The switch to 800 volts can speed up charging the traction battery and somewhat reduce the cost of the wiring used in an electric vehicle, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk said during a recent speech that the leading electric-car manufacturer believes it makes sense to switch to the 800 volt standard only for fairly large vehicles like the Cybertruck pickup and Semi truck.Korean carmakers Apparently, for NIO the choice of this standard is more dictated by the desire to achieve savings and improve usability for car owners.NIO expects to deliver 23,000 to 25,000 electric vehicles in the second quarter, slightly less than the results of the first quarter, as the two-month lockdown in Shanghai undermined the company's ability to produce electric vehicles in the required quantity.
Samsung SDI has decided to make its new batteries the same size as the Tesla 4680
The traction battery market has already passed the stage of development when it was possible to endlessly experiment with the cell sizes used.Samsung SDI first wanted to increase the diameter of its cylindrical lithium batteries to 40 mm, but now Korean sources say that the reference point is the diameter of similar cells from Tesla, which reaches 46 mm.Image source: Samsung SDI If you consider that the cylinder height was originally supposed to be 80 mm, then Samsung SDI can achieve full unification in size with the cylindrical cells 4680, which begin producing Tesla and its close partner, Panasonic.However, LG Energy Solution is also experimenting with the creation of such batteries, so all three third-party manufacturers could eventually become suppliers of cells like 4680 to the Tesla assembly line.According to Business Korea, Samsung SDI now produces cylindrical lithium batteries in two sizes: 2170 and 1865, where the first two digits define the diameter of the cylinder and the second two define its height in millimeters.Work on the standardization of the third size is coming to an end, and Samsung SDI is inclined to choose the diameter of 46 mm as a basis.What will be the height of the cylinder, has not yet been decided, but for the purpose of unification, it will probably reach 80 mm, inherent in the products of Tesla, Panasonic and LG Energy Solution.According to SNE Research, now the cylindrical batteries account for 19% of the traction battery market, but by 2030 they will reach 26%.The alternatives are either prismatic hard-shell batteries or packaged soft-shell batteries.Samsung SDI is going to ramp up production of cylindrical-shaped batteries at its facilities in South Korea and Malaysia.
BMW and Ford will get Solid Power solid-state battery samples for electric cars by the end of the year
In 2017, German automaker BMW invested in the capital of a young company called Solid Power, which aims to develop and mass produce solid-state electrolyte batteries that can be used in electric cars.Ford Motor later joined the investors, and now by the end of the year both automakers could have the first samples of Solid Power batteries for further testing.Image source: Solid PowerThis will become possible, according to a press release, with the launch of a pilot Solid Power solid electrolyte battery production line in Colorado.This line will be able to produce 300 battery cells per week, with an annual production capacity of 15,000 units.This should be enough to supply key customers with enough batteries for qualification tests.BMW and Ford will start receiving samples of Solid Power cells later this year.Solid Power partners also include Hyundai, Samsung and SK On.The latter two will certainly be able to set up mass production of corresponding batteries if necessary - all the more so as the developers point to the possibility of using existing technological equipment.The cells developed by Solid Power contain 50% more silicon in the anode, increasing the density of energy storage and increasing the range of the electric car without changing mass.The absence of liquid electrolyte in the cell increases operational safety and allows the battery to be charged faster.Solid Power cells can be used to create batteries with a capacity of 60 to 100A‧h.The cost of the new batteries should be lower than that of traditional batteries, which will also contribute to the growth of their popularity.
GM expects to reduce the cost of traction batteries for electric cars by 60%
It is generally believed that this year, for the first time in the history of mass production of lithium batteries, their cost will stop decreasing, and this will have a negative effect on the rate of expansion of electric cars.Experts explain that this effect will not be long-term, and for the foreseeable future, savings in mass production of electric cars will allow to override the impact of rising prices for traction batteries.Source image: GMS Beginning this year, as explained by Barron's, the cost of the most popular metals used to produce traction batteries has increased by 50%, which itself has caused an increase in prices of electric cars on average by $ 1500 per unit.Tesla raised its product prices even more dramatically, counting on further cost increases throughout the year.Tim Grewe, General Motors' director of electrification, refers to the existence of the so-called Wright curve, which describes the tendency for production costs to fall every time output doubles.GM Corporation of America aims to reduce the cost of producing traction batteries by 60% by the end of 2026 or 2027.In a couple of years, it is possible to reduce the cost of production by 30%, but to do this, it will be necessary to double the production of batteries.The effect will be achieved not only due to economic dependencies, but also as a result of introducing a new composition of cathodes and electrolyte.Local companies in the U.S.and suppliers of raw materials close to them will be counted on to develop production.Taken together, all this will reduce the cost of electric cars by $5000 or $6000 by the end of the forecast period, more than offsetting the possible impact of rising raw material prices.In addition, the cost of electric cars could equal the cost of cars with internal combustion engines, and this would serve as a tipping point in the transition of consumers to electric power.At least theoretically, this is what the future scenario for the industry looks like.
A lawsuit has been filed against Samsung that could negatively affect the entire Android smartphone industry
K.Mirza LLC, which is essentially a patent troll with licenses from major companies and scientific organizations, has filed a lawsuit against Samsung, accusing the South Korean smartphone maker of using a feature that allows algorithms to predict the remaining battery life of a gadget.The process could have an impact on the entire Android smartphone industry.Image source: SamsungThe lawsuit was filed on May 20 - indicating that this widely used feature in Android smartphones is actually developed by the Dutch research institute Nederlandse Organisatie voor Togepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoe (TNO).According to the statement K.Mirza, the feature provides \"a comprehensive mechanism for real-time prediction of the remaining battery life of a mobile device like a smartphone.\"The company emphasizes that the prediction is based on algorithms that analyze user behavior.Estimating the remaining battery life based on an analysis of user behavior is more accurate than predictions based on tests conducted during the development of devices.The lawsuit mentions Samsung's use of the technology with \"earlier versions of the Android OS.It is likely that a different algorithm is used with newer versions of the OS, so the latest Android devices are probably not affected by the problem.That said, Samsung is not the only company using a similar technology - similar mechanisms are used in Xiaomi smartphones and Google Pixel series models.It is possible that the lawsuit against Samsung is only a trial balloon, and, if successful, some claims may be made against other smartphone manufacturers.
In April, BYD managed to break into second place in the ranking of the largest lithium battery suppliers
Chinese company BYD developed in parallel with Tesla, but started producing electric cars after it mastered mass production of lithium batteries.The shutdown of Tesla's assembly line in Shanghai allowed BYD to become the world's second largest producer of traction batteries in April.The first place is still occupied by CATL with 33.7% of the market.Image source: BYDThe statistics of SNE Research presented by Business Korea traditionally focuses on the business dynamics of Korean battery manufacturers, considering the period from January to April of this year inclusive.Korean manufacturers have made significant progress in the annual comparison, but Chinese CATL still surpassed them, increasing the volume of supply by 114.1% and securing a little more than a third of the world market.BYD is in third place with a 224.5% increase in supply volume and has almost doubled its market share to 12.1%.LG Energy Solution managed to increase battery sales by 19.1% in the first four months of this year, but its share has dropped from 22.9% to 14.1%, although it is still in second place in the world ranking compared to its Chinese competitors.Korean SK On was awarded only the fifth place, although its sales increased by 141.3%, and market share grew from 5.3% to 7%.Samsung SDI is on the sixth place with a sales increase of 26.9%, but its share for the year decreased from 5.8% to 4.0%.Total for the first four months of this year was released by manufacturers of traction batteries with a total capacity of 122.9 GWh.This represents an increase of 83.4% over the same period last year.Shipments have grown steadily since the third quarter of 2020.Japanese manufacturers, including Panasonic, have also reduced their market share this year amid the progress of Chinese and Korean competitors.
AMD to unveil Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards tonight
AMD will unveil Radeon RX 7000 graphics cards on the latest RDNA 3 architecture graphics processors tonight. The start of the presentation,...


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As a player in the sportswear industry, Under Armour Inc. puts a premium value on teamwork. The maker of athletic performance apparel, footwear and accessories has grown at 20 percent year-over-year and was founded in 1996 by former University of Maryland football player Kevin Plank. The company’s unique fabrics and designs are made to make all athletes better.
Its lightweight HeatGear fabrication wicks perspiration from the body, helping athletes keep cool and dry during the hot months. ColdGear helps keep the body warm during the winter months without the bulk of heavy layers. Using unique apparel technology, Under Armour’s footwear, apparel and accessories become an integral part of the workout and not a hindrance to it. In a way, it’s how the company itself strives to operate.
Breaking Down Barriers
Instead of divisions operating as separate entities, Under Armour’s goal is to work as a cohesive unit where each department knows how it fits into the company’s larger picture. Within the supply chain, Chief Supply Chain Officer Jim Hardy says Under Armour has broken down barriers and put in lines of communication.
“The first order of business when I joined the Under Armour team was to integrate our supply chain,” Hardy says. “It had siloes in it and was broken up in a way that different functions reported to different leaders. Now it’s consolidated into one leader and we are able to drive more integration into the supply chain. We made improvements to operate as one team with a common scorecard and common metrics. Now we’re at the point where we’re setting priority strategies to drive the supply chain to higher levels for performance and efficiency.”
Under Armour’s supply chain, which is housed in Baltimore, including two distribution centers – one in Baltimore and another in Rialto, Calif. – began holding monthly accountability meetings. The conversations have resulted in each team member gaining a complete picture of how Under Armour’s supply chain works. Instead of seeing a portion of the supply chain, teammates can now see how their actions affect or are affected by another portion of the supply chain. It’s also given the team the ability to apply metrics and begin tracking performance against a set scorecard.
“We are beginning to understand the implications of one metric in an area like planning and how that metric plays out in terms of efficiency and effectiveness downstream to sourcing,” says Hardy, who has been with the company for 16 months. “We’re finding touch points where we can pinpoint key metrics that can predict success downstream in the supply chain. We are now able to anticipate business needs and as a result we can see problems faster and sooner allowing us time to react.”
The company has people and processes in place to support these metrics and it’s also investing in technology that aligns with its new business model. Under Armour implemented Logility software to organize its planning system. The company has gone live with the software to support downstream functions such as manufacturing scheduling. In September the company will go live with Logility software to support upstream planning functions such as demand forecasts.
The company is also looking to up its game in the metrics field. Hardy says the company is beginning to benefit from its first set of metrics and now it’s looking at tier 2 metrics that will allow the company to “be more predictive and give us more headlights as we look into the future.”
Supply Chain of Events
The new measures aren’t just good for Under Armour, but for its strategic partners, as well. The changes in Under Armour’s supply chain allows the company to give 12- to 18-month forecasts to third-party manufacturers who handle all of Under Armour’s production. About 70 percent of its production is sourced from strategic long-term partners. The company meets with these partners once a month to go over scorecards, discuss performance and talk about Under Armour’s market performance and projected sales.
Hardy says meeting face-to-face allows Under Armour and its partners to develop a shared strategy. As the company shares its growth projections with key suppliers, those suppliers can prepare for the future and invest in additional capacity if needed. The communication creates a trickle-down effect that has helped Under Armour lower replenishment lead times by 30 percent.
“It’s allowing us to see past the constraints of third-party manufacturing much sooner,” he says. “It’s allowing us to give forecasts and look forward to start planning capacity and demand changes. We are a 20 percent growth company so it’s important for us to give suppliers visibility into the growth we anticipate. And it’s allowing us to start making some very educated commitments on things like fabric much earlier, which allows our supply chain to be more nimble.
“We can go to mills and produce fabric in advance, which allows our cut-and-sew manufacturers to be faster because they don’t have to wait on fabric,” Hardy continues. “It takes time out of the lead time so we can go to market faster.”
Which is a good thing, because as Hardy explains, the market is hungry for new products. The Under Armour brand was born out of innovation. It took the idea of a simple t-shirt and designed a product to wick sweat away from the body, support muscles and keep athletes cool and dry. Now 17 years later, Under Armour has an array of athletic apparel. Alter Ego, one of its recently launched lines, features Under Armour compression t-shirts and football gloves with a superhero spin. Hardy says the Superman-, Batman-, Iron Man- and Spider-man-inspired gear has been a hit.
“The biggest trend we’re seeing is that consumers are really responding to innovation and to new ideas and concepts so we’re finding that when we come out with new things, the demand is there for those products,” Hardy says. “We took our base layer, which is a core product and we launched Alter Ego. It’s leveraging the popularity of these Marvel and DC comic characters and integrating it into our core item. We are seeing sales go up dramatically.”
The company’s newest focus is to drive that innovation into new markets. Under Armour’s revenue stands at 94 percent North American sales and 6 percent global sales. Under Armour aims to double global sales by 2016. Hardy explains the company is working with SAP to design an enterprise resource planning roadmap to grow in new markets.
“We’re using a SAP product called Business One that will allow us to conduct business much faster,” Hardy says. “We are now in the process of blueprinting and getting the playbook set up for IT implementation to go live later this year. As a growth company, our goal is for our international sales to one day surpass our North American sales.”


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Well over 1,000 Afghani citizens were killed by landmines and improvised explosive devices in 2014, according to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor in Geneva – to say nothing of those injured or permanently maimed by stepping on the hidden explosives. Despite the fact that over 18 million unexploded devices have been retrieved from Afghanistan since 1989, the country – and many others – are still full of mines, and locating and removing them is a dangerous, time-consuming task. The Hassanis, however, may have come up with a way to make that task easier, faster, and safer.
In 2011, Massoud graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven with his final project, an object he called a mine kafon, from the Dari word “kafondan,” meaning “something that explodes.” The giant ball, which resembled a dandelion puffball, began as an art project, but it evolved, with help from Massoud’s brother, into an actual mine-clearing device that rolled around minefields, pushed by the wind, triggering mines with its plastic stalks.
The invention won approval from several prominent anti-landmine organizations, and now, with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the brothers and their research and development company, Hassani Design BV, formed in 2013, have created the Mine Kafon Drone. The 10-pound, 3D printed drone is, according to the Hassanis, capable of clearing land mines up to 20 times faster than existing technologies.
The drone works in a three-step process: First, it flies over the designated area to be cleared, scanning it with an aerial 3D mapping system and marking dangerous areas with GPS way points. Next, it travels over the field again, this time hovering at about four cm above the ground. A robotic metal-detecting arm detects the presence of mines and geotags them on the operator’s system to create a precise map of the mines’ locations. Finally, the robotic arm is equipped with pincers that carry small detonating devices, which the drone places on the detected mines. The mines are then detonated from a safe distance, using a timer.
The next step is a pilot study to demonstrate the drone’s capabilities to governments, non-governmental organizations and the UN, as well as to field test the drone in different locations and weather conditions. Following that, the Hassanis hope to begin batch production and have initiated a Kickstarter campaign to raise €70,000 ($77,464) by August 31. The four-day-old campaign has already raised over $20,000.
Pledge rewards range from a bracelet with the Mine Kafon logo (€12, or $13) to a three-day drone workshop (€7,000 or $7,746). Rewards for contribution amounts in between include a 3D printed/laser cut Mine Kafon Miniature, field mapping sponsorships, a beautiful lamp created by Hassani Design, and the Mine Kafon drone, open for developers, itself.
“With the Mine Kafon Drone we can save thousands of lives,” state the Hassanis on their Kickstarter site. “Civilians will have access to agriculture, water resources, education, and the freedom to play outdoor sports. A billion people currently cannot move freely for fear of mines. Can you imagine that we could liberate these people in all affected countries with the Mine Kafon Drone?”
The biggest reward, of course, is the thought of a landmine-free world. It may be hard to envision, but the Hassanis think that the Mine Kafon can make it possible in as little as a decade. What do you think? Discuss further over in the 3D Printed Drone Detects Landmines forum over at 3DPB.com.
Watch the Kickstarter video below:
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Although both the i Vision Dee and Vision Neue Klasse concepts have been sedans, the first next-generation electric vehicle on the all-new dedicated platform is actually going to be a crossover. To be more specific, the replacement for today’s CLAR-based iX3 will reportedly be the first NE-based model to enter series production. If a new report is to be believed, BMW is less than two years away from pressing the start button on NE production.
According to a well-known insider from the Bimmer Post forums, the second-generation iX3 is scheduled to enter production in July 2025 at BMW’s new Debrecen Plant in Hungary. Carrying the “NA5” internal codename, the zero-emission crossover will initially go on sale in Europe, with availability in other markets rumored to have been pushed back to spring 2026. Initial versions are expected to be: 40, 40 xDrive, 50 xDrive, M60 xDrive. Later in the life cycle, an iX3 M (“ZA5”) could join the lineup.
As seen on the Vision Neue Klasse, the new iX3 is going to have a massive head-up display as wide as the dashboard. According to the same source, the “Panoramic Vision” terminology used for the concept will make way for a “Panoramic Stage” interface. It’s also getting the next-generation iDrive with a large center screen, and an illuminated grille (Iconic Glow), and according to the same insider, the electric crossover will have multifunction massaging seats.
A multitude of M goodies are planned, including packages, trims, seats, and steering wheel. The self-driving technology is expected to be Level 2 certified, at least based on what is (unofficially) known for now.
As far as the i3 sedan is concerned, the model codenamed “NA0” is going to be built in Germany from November 2026, together with an i3 wagon known within BMW’s buildings as the “NA1.” Many of the models listed by the insider are believed to also hit the assembly line in Mexico at the San Louis Potosi factory but with at least a one-year delay.
Note: The attached images show the Neue Klasse-based iX3 teased by BMW during the world premiere of the Vision Neue Klasse concept.
Source: Bimmer Post


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BIRGUNJ, Sept 19: The Indian customs office at Kolkata port has given 84.33% subsidy for Nepali cargo duty insurance. The office has a provision to charge the importers duty insurance equal to the risk on revenue while importing goods via India.
BIRGUNJ, Aug 27: When the dry port came into operation at Sirsiya of Birgunj in the Fiscal Year 2004/05 only 85 rakes with full cargoes entered Nepal in a year. The import rate of bulk cargo and bag cargo was zero. After one and a half decades of its operation, over 100 rakes enter Nepal every month.
BIRGUNJ, Aug 4: Birgunj Dry Port, the only dry port of Nepal that connects Kolkata, Haldiya and Visakhapatnam ports of India through rail-line, resumed operation on Saturday after remaining shut for two days.
BIRGUNJ, July 8: International shipping companies have started entering Nepal promising different facilities for Nepali traders, as the number of containers entering the country has reached around 100,000 annually.
BIRGUNJ, June 11: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a minister-level notice to 22 district administration offices including those in Bara and Parsa districts, against stopping vehicles transporting raw materials for production units.
BIRGUNJ, May 25: Revenue collection by Birgunj Customs Office has seen a shortfall by 13% against the target till mid-May. The office, which generates the largest volume of revenue among all customs offices of the country, mobilized only Rs 120 billion out of the targeted Rs 139 billion, according to records at the office.
BIRGUNJ, May 7: Two Indian citizens have reportedly evaded a total of Rs 180 million in taxes in two separate incidents here. One of the culprits is being searched for by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to recover the taxes while the other has been handed down a fine of Rs 20 million and one year jail in absentia by the District Court Parsa.


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Mozilla is the company behind the second most popular web browser in the world – Firefox.
This company has just made a revelation that many will be surprised to hear.
Mozilla has acknowledged that it no longer needs money from Google in order to keep standing on its own feet. According to the non-profit organization, it is set to make even more revenue from the new search deals it has struck in the recent past, CNet reveals.
Mozilla and Google have been working hand in hand in a deal that saw the former earn handsomely for allowing the latter to run as the default search engine in its browser. This contract came to an end in 2014 and during this final year, the deal with the search engine giant earned Mozilla a massive $330 million in terms of revenue. This and more insights into Mozilla’s annual report can be found here.
If you have been using Mozilla Firefox web browser, you may have noticed some changes since the beginning of this year. The company has turned to other search engine service providers such as Yahoo, Yandex and Baidu; all of which are available to users in the U.S., Russia and China, respectively. Those living in Europe can still access Firefox with Google as the default search engine, however, Denelle Dixon-Thayer, who is the chief of business and legal officer at Mozilla, said that the company does not in any way benefit from this arrangement.
To even further bolster Denelle’s words, CFO Jim Cook said that he is confident 2015 will be better than previous years.
“We really look forward to releasing our results next year” Cook said. “2015 will show our constant track record of very strong financial results”.
Mozilla is one of the few entities that are dedicated to offer users with a web experience that is open source and extremely unbiased. Google has a trend of tweaking search results such that they favor its own products, something that Mozilla has freed itself from my going a separate way with the search engine giant. In short, the results the users will get from Firefox will be unbiased and in favor of all web search providers, which will only get better due to free competition among these search providers.
Mozilla still struggling in the mobile world
Mozilla has been working on different ways of growing its revenue, but there are still lots of challenges the company is facing, especially in the mobile world. Many tech companies such as Google and Apple are excelling in the mobile world, but Mozilla’s attempts have been almost futile all the time.
There is a mobile version of the web browser available to both the Android and iOS users, but it has yet to gain significant traffic on smartphones. The non-profit also owns an operating system known as Firefox OS, which came in back in 2013. However, it hasn’t lived up to its dreams of entering and dominating the developing markets with low-end smartphones. The company also came in with another attempt to bring its services to TVs, but things did not work out well either.
The latest attempt involves giving the Android users an opportunity to download and install the Firefox OS on their devices such that one can choose booting from either Android or Firefox OS using the same device. However, it is yet to be known whether this move will bear any significant fruits.


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ATLANTA (AP) — Uber could owe tens of millions of dollars to Georgia if the state is successful in a legal battle.
The Georgia Department of Revenue has billed Uber $22.1 million for sales taxes and other charges that it maintains are owed by the company.
Ride-hailing services do not pay sales taxes in Georgia. But the department says they should under Georgia law, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
San Francisco-based Uber disputes Georgia’s interpretation of the law. The company has appealed the bill to the Georgia Tax Tribunal, a special court that handles such disputes.
The stakes are high for the companies, their customers and their competitors, the Atlanta newspaper reported.
Sales tax rates are, on average, around 7 percent across Georgia and nearly 9 percent in Atlanta. Those taxes would be added to fares for passengers, the company said.
“Sales tax does not apply to ride-sharing apps in Georgia, and a reversal would force consumers in the state to pay the highest tax in the country on ride-sharing,” Uber spokeswoman Evangeline George said.
The competing taxi industry maintains that companies such as Uber and Lyft should pay sales taxes, just like taxi companies do.
“Exemptions to that only create an unfair business advantage,” said John Boit, spokesman for the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association, a national trade group.
The issue of whether ride-sharing companies are obligated to pay state and local taxes has been long disputed.
In court documents, Uber says it is not a transportation company — it’s a technology company that provides an app that independent drivers use to connect with passengers. Uber says it provides no taxable service, and that the Georgia Department of Revenue has overstepped its authority in attempting to collect sales taxes from the company.
Last February, the department demanded Uber pay $22.1 million in taxes, penalties and interest owed from July 2012 through June 2015.
Ultimately, the dispute could end up in Fulton County Superior Court.
Nationwide, states have taken different approaches to taxing ride-hailing services. Most levy no tax. Georgia’s neighbors Alabama and South Carolina impose 1 percent ride fees.
“The Georgia Legislature has repeatedly rejected efforts to place a sales tax on ride-sharing apps, recognizing the impact it would have on residents and visitors who count on Uber for affordable rides,” George said. “We hope to continue our conversations with the Legislature about a reasonable fee structure that makes sense for riders and drivers, while making clear that Georgia is receptive to new technologies.”


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PITTSBURGH, Feb. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United Steelworkers (USW) announced a new trade case has been filed against China tire imports – this time to seek relief from millions of dumped and subsidized truck and bus tires flooding into the U.S. market that threaten family-supportive American jobs.
USW International President Leo W. Gerard said: "Once again we are taking action to stop the unfair trade practices of China from damaging our members' good jobs and the U.S. manufacturing base. In a period of strong demand, American industry has seen all the growth in demand go offshore, with China being the biggest problem.
"The inability for American industry and workers to participate meaningfully in the growth of domestic demand during the last four years is symptomatic of the problems we continue to face. Chinese dumping and subsidization totally distort the U.S. market in tires and in many other manufactured products.
"We need prompt action by the Administration to prevent further harm to the domestic tire industry, just as we have been pursuing relief for our members in sectors threatened by illegal imports of steel, paper, aluminum and others."
The USW represents 6,000 workers at five facilities in the U.S. that account for more than two thirds of domestic capacity for truck and bus tires. The tire production facilities are operated by Bridgestone-Firestone, Goodyear and Sumitomo, located in LaVergne and Warren County, TN; Buffalo, NY; Danville, VA; and Topeka, KS.
According to the petition, imports from China have grown from 6.3 million truck and bus tires in 2012 to 8.4 million tires in 2014 -- an increase of 33 percent. The first 11 months of 2015 saw a further increase of seven percent. Customs value of imports in 2014 was $1.2 billion. Imports from China were more than 60 percent of total import quantities during 2013-2015 that will be reviewed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).
American truck and bus tire producer shipments declined by 7.8 percent, despite an overall demand for those tires expanding during the 2012-2015 period, while China has captured an increased share of apparent consumption from 29.6 percent that rose to 36.4 percent 2012-2014. China is likely to have increased market share again in 2015 at the expense of domestic producers and workers.
The USW-represented facilities saw shipment reductions in 2015 with further cutbacks implemented in 2016. The USW petition reviews public data indicating massive price underselling of domestic product by Chinese tire imports with underselling margins of 57-62 percent for the 2012-2014 period.
The anti-dumping petition alleges significant dumping margins of 19.78 percent, with certain customs districts having alleged margins as high as 58.2 percent.
The countervailing duty petition alleges 39 programs provide subsidies. Many of the same programs have been found to be countervailable in other cases on tires or other products from China.
The USW filed the anti-dumping and countervailing duty petitions Jan. 29 on imports of truck and bus tires with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the ITC. A copy of the USW petition can be viewed HERE.
A preliminary injury determination for the truck and bus tires trade case has been scheduled by the ITC on Mar. 11.
A separate trade case against passenger vehicle and light truck tire imports from China was filed by the USW in 2014 and is now covered by duty orders on imports.
The USW represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service and public sectors. For more information: http://www.usw.org/.
SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)


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Got a Beats Pill XL Bluetooth speaker? Apple wants it back: The company launched a worldwide recall program Wednesday in response to a fire safety risk. Apparently, a few of the speakers have been overheating, leading to reports of burned fingers and damaged desks.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission registered a total of eight complaints about overheating Beats Pill XL speakers. Apple is reacting to these with a recall of around 233,000 speakers, and is offering consumers an Apple store credit, or electronic payment, of $325.
Apple inherited the Beats Pill product line of Bluetooth speakers as part of its $3 billion acquisition of Beats Electronics last year, and has since been selling the products in its stores as well as through its website. However, at the time of writing, the Beats Pill XL speaker was listed as “currently unavailable” on Apple.com.


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When doctors and nurses are faced with a shortage of medically necessary drugs, they are forced to make challenging decisions about how to ration whatever they have left.
FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb is looking to identify ways that the U.S. regulatory agency can help prevent and predict these shortages. In a statement this week, Gottlieb revealed that he’s even considering working with Congress to expand the FDA’s existing authority to require pharmaceutical manufacturers to conduct shortage risk assessments.
Most drug shortages are due to disruptions in the supply chain, the FDA chief noted, not product discontinuation. Beyond manufacturing and quality issues, a shortage of raw materials sourced from one supplier can affect production for multiple drugmakers if they all depend on the same supplier.
Gottlieb said drug shortages can also come about thanks to decisions relating to a company’s bottom line.
“Manufacturers often make production decisions based on business considerations, such as a product’s profitability, manufacturing costs, distribution quotas and patent life. We know that business decisions at any point along the drug supply chain can lead to shortages. Historically, many drugs in short supply have been low-profit generic medications, for which the investment needed to ensure continued production can be less than that for higher profit products,” he explained.
To help mitigate and prevent drug shortages, Gottlieb called on manufacturers to notify the FDA as soon as they experience any disruption that is likely to impact their supply of a given drug. While this is already required under the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012, Gottlieb said that often manufacturers “abruptly discontinue, limit, or delay production under circumstances outside those for which they are specifically required to provide advance notice to the agency.”
“There are other times when companies notify the FDA of potential supply disruptions, but don’t provide enough details to allow us to make the fullest use of our resources to address the shortage. We need to know as much as possible about these shortages,” he added.
Gottlieb also said that the agency will accelerate inspections of production facilities if a new facility is needed to remedy a shortage. The FDA plans to speed up its review process for new or generic drug applications that are designed to serve as an alternative therapy for a product that is in short supply.
To curtail the potential impact of drug shortages, manufacturers need to be better prepared, according to Gottlieb.
“Shortages are an inevitable consequence of an imperfect system. With better planning, we can minimize shortages throughout the supply chain. But, in the near term, we won’t be able to fully eliminate the possibility that new shortages will arise. Meaningfully impacting the structures and market challenges that can give rise to shortages will require more coordination among public and private stakeholders,” he said.


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50 Schools in Estonia Get a Free New MakerBot 3D Printer to Instruct a New Generation of High-Tech Citizens
Chances are, if you’ve even heard of Estonia, then you probably know very little about it. Over its long and storied history, Estonia has been invaded and occupied by Denmark, Sweden, Germany, and, until about 30 years ago, the Soviet Union. With that type of history, you may think that Estonia is a struggling nation, but in reality it is probably one of the most technologically advanced governments in the global community. Even with a population of only 1.3 million people, Estonia is a model of how a government fully integrated with the internet can make its citizens’ lives easier.
The Estonian government began providing their citizens with a cutting edge national identification card containing a chip with a 2048-bit public key encryption that they can use to access their bank account, as a national health card, vote online and digitally sign documents. They can also use it to start businesses online, pay their taxes and use a platform to instantly verify business and money transactions. They also offer a revolutionary e-Residency program that allows global businesses the option of basing their business in Estonia so they can also have access to their state of the art internet infrastructure. This northeastern European nation uses the internet in ways that the United States can’t even imagine, and it is turning their population into one of the most tech-savvy in the world.
The nation is also heavily focusing on high-tech STEAM education to help their next generation continue to embrace technology as a way to enhance their population’s lives. In fact, that is actually the mission of Eesti 2.0, an Estonian nonprofit organization that introduces school-aged kids to technology. In an effort to encourage the development of 3D education, Eesti 2.0 has now given 50 Estonian schools brand new MakerBot Replicator Fifth Generation desktop 3D printers.
The Estonian schools include elementary, middle, and high school-aged students, and they have already begun to use their printers for a wide variety of projects and educational lessons. Math classes are using their MakerBot to 3D print geometric shapes, biology classes are 3D printing life-sized body parts and organs, art classes are 3D printing vases and landscapes and their engineering classes are 3D printing parts and components for robotics projects. One class even started a student-run business that manufactures and sells parts to help keep iPhone chargers from breaking.
“There is a special sparkle in their eyes. They’re so excited that they do 3D modeling at home, and then come to school to print out their designs,” a teacher from the Kristiine Secondary School in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, told MakerBot.
According to the teachers, their students are using the MakerBots almost every day, and these are helping to keep them engaged and motivated, even when they go home for the day. In the near future, the participating schools are hoping to launch nationwide 3D printing competitions, develop a way to exhibit successful 3D printing projects, and find ways to help other schools get access to their own MakerBot 3D printers.
MakerBot has now sold more than 100,000 MakerBot’s sold all over the world, so they launched their #MakerMilestone giveaway. To enter for a chance for a free MakerBot, all that you need to do is share your own maker milestone on social media. Post a 3D design, 3D print or other 3D printing project on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and include #MakerMilestones and @MakerBot in your post. MakerBot is also celebrating by offering a $400 price cut on new MakerBot Replicator Fifth Generation 3D printers, which are now $2,499. Discuss in the Estonian Schools Receive MakerBots forum over at 3DPB.com.
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Which tries made the cut this week?
Casual or serious, there are some ways to raise the bar on your excersize activities.
Brace yourself for a new experience from the master of horror himself.
The Springboks have evolved their gameplan throughout the Rugby Championship, shedding some new light on the future and answering some questions that...
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Executive producer Peter Garcin, one of the developers behind Rugby 15, gives some new details on the highly-anticipated release.
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Japanese carmakers targeting China
After sales slumped due to a territorial dispute, motoring giants get back on road to expansion
Japanese carmakers Toyota and Honda, recovering from a consumer backlash in China, will continue to expand in the world's largest car market as their local venture partner said the worst is over.
Toyota will introduce 20 new models on the mainland in the next three years, senior managing officer Hiroji Onishi said at the Guangzhou car show on Thursday. Honda is guaranteeing buyers against damage due to anti-Japan sentiment, while Nissan said it is targeting expansion in smaller Chinese cities with its Venucia brand.
They are taking part in their first major car show since large-scale, anti-Japan protests broke out in September over a territorial dispute that led to some cars being smashed and dealerships torched. The most difficult period has passed and people are calmer, said Zeng Qinghong, general manager of Guangzhou Automobile Group, which operates joint ventures with both Toyota and Honda.
"In 2013 Japanese brands will go all out to regain any lost ground encountered in the fourth quarter of this year," Namrita Chow, a Shanghai-based analyst at industry researcher IHS Automotive, said. "This will mean new model launches, discounts and good service packages as well as an increased line-up of models on offer to consumers in China."
Japanese carmakers reported a plunge in China deliveries in September and October, as Chinese consumers shunned their cars after diplomatic tensions escalated over the group of disputed islands known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China.
Toyota showed 46 models at this year's show in Guangzhou, expanding its exhibition space by 12.5 per cent from last year. Honda, Japan's third-biggest carmaker, displayed 23 models at the show, including the Fit hybrid compact, with plans to begin local production of hybrid models in China from 2014, according to the Tokyo-based company.
Showroom traffic at Nissan dealerships have recovered to last year's levels while orders are at 80 per cent, said Hideki Kimata, senior vice-president at the carmaker's Chinese joint venture, Dongfeng Motor. Nissan's commitment to China has not changed and the carmaker wants to assure consumers that the brand is "safe and secure", he said.


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LONDON: More than 111 years after the sinking of the Titanic ship, memorabilia from the luxury liner were auctioned off for tens of thousands of pounds on Saturday, including a menu for first-class diners, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
The menu caused a particular stir; it is said to be the only surviving menu from April 11, 1912. It features oysters as well as “tournados of beef a la Victoria,“ lamb and mallard duck.
The menu shows signs of water damage – yet an anonymous bidder at the Henry Aldridge & Son auction house paid £66,000 (US$81,000) for the artefact.
A first-class blanket, which was presumably carried by a survivor in the lifeboat and had been estimated at £70,000 to £100,000, went for £76,000.
The Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage to New York from Southampton in the south of England on April 10, 1912 with more than 2,200 people on board.
After just a few days, the luxury liner, which was considered unsinkable, struck an iceberg – and sank, killing more than 1,500 people. – Bernama, dpa


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Porsche is tipped to unveil its second-generation Panamera sedan at the 2016 Paris Auto Show taking place in late September. However our spy shots already reveal most of the exterior and today we have a look at the interior thanks to a leaked shot.
Australia’s HSV is gearing up for a future without a V-8-powered Commodore. Today it announced its last models powered by a naturally-aspirated V-8.
Fiat heir Lapo Elkann has a penchant for eccentric car exteriors. One of his most famous is a military-pattern Ferrari [NYSE:RACE] 458 Italia. The car recently went under the hammer at a charity auction.
You'll find all of these stories and more in today's car news, right here at Motor Authority.
2017 Porsche Panamera interior leaked
HSV special edition models celebrate end of naturally-aspirated V-8s
Fiat heir donates custom camouflage Ferrari 458 Italia
2013-2014 Ford F-150 recalled to fix brake fluid leak: 271,000 trucks affected
2018 BMW 5-Series GT spy shots
Secret Tesla software updates simulate new Autopilot abilities on customer cars
2016 Lincoln MKX scores Top Safety Pick+ in IIHS crash test
Bentley Mulsanne convertible tipped to arrive as exclusive coachbuilt special
These engineers uncovered the VW diesel emission scandal


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The Branford first selectman and a few others are pushing the Costco project for Exit 56. It’s a bad idea for a lot of reasons. For example, the Costco development plan includes a free-standing, 14,800 square-foot drugstore to be located across from the Chowder Pot restaurant. Presumably the Costco would contain another pharmacy, as well. With six retail pharmacies currently thriving, Branford doesn’t need two more huge drugstores. The trend in retail today is to buy online, including many of the goods sold at drugstores. Medications are increasingly being bought via mail order. This land should be developed for a project with a future, rather than for a building that could very well end up as a dollar store in the end.
— Kate Galambos


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In a concerted effort to enhance international relations and foster cultural exchanges, the Indian online visa is pleased to announce expanded visa access for citizens of Chile, the United States of America, Albania, and Bolivia. This strategic initiative aims to simplify the visa application process, encouraging citizens from these countries to explore the diverse cultural tapestry, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes that India has to offer.
Citizens of Chile, the United States, Albania, and Bolivia can now benefit from a streamlined and user-friendly visa application process. The online application system, available on the official Indian e-Visa website, provides a convenient platform for individuals to apply for various visa categories, including tourist, business, medical, and conference visas.
India, known for its rich heritage and vibrant cultural traditions, eagerly welcomes citizens from Chile, the United States, Albania, and Bolivia to embark on a journey of discovery. The expanded visa access is a testament to India’s commitment to fostering global connections and providing an open invitation to explore its diverse landscapes, historical marvels, and immersive cultural experiences.
In 2015, the Indian government implemented revisions to its visa process, expanding online travel authorization to a total of 169 nations, including Chile. This adjustment facilitates a simplified application process for Chilean citizens seeking an electronic visa to visit India. Those traveling to India are required to possess a visa and a valid passport for identification upon entry. Since 2014, the Government of India has provided an online application platform for Indian visas to Chilean citizens. This India e-Visa initiative enables a quicker and more convenient submission of travel authorization applications. Chilean citizens can choose from three types of India e-Visa: e-Tourist Visa for tourism purposes, e-Business Visa for business-related visits, and e-Medical Visa for medical treatment. The application process, including document submission and fee payment, can be efficiently completed online, eliminating the need for an appointment with the Indian Embassy and ensuring a faster and more convenient experience for Chilean applicants. Before filling out the visa form, applicants should ensure compliance with the specific Indian visa requirements for Chilean citizens.
United States of America passport holders have a Visa Not Required for 108 countries, a Visa on Arrival for 19 countries, visa requirement for 16 countries. This includes India which requires US Citizens to hold a visa for India (Indian Visa Online). Freedom of travel to 31 countries. India provides an electronic Visa facility to US citizens. US citizens can stay in India for up to 180 days for Tourism, 90 days for Business visits, and 60 days on India Medical Visa. India attracts tourists from all countries. Since 2001, when India’s rank in tourism was 51st in the world, the global rank of India has come to 25th in the World. Tourist arrivals in India have grown from 2.5 million in 2001 to 19 million in 2019. India’s earnings from tourists have grown from 3.8 Billion USD to 28 Billion USD in the same period. These earnings were from India Tourist Visas, India Business Visas, and India Medical Visa visitors.
Navigating the diverse and vibrant landscape of India requires adherence to specific Indian Visa Requirements. As travelers plan their journeys, meticulous attention to these prerequisites ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience in the country. The Government of India, in its commitment to facilitating international travel, has outlined clear guidelines for obtaining an Indian Visa. The process, streamlined through the Indian e-Visa platform, caters to various travel purposes, including tourism, business, and medical visits. Prospective visitors are encouraged to explore the official website to familiarize themselves with the essential documentation and procedures. By adhering to the Indian Visa Requirements, individuals embark on a journey marked by cultural richness, historical wonders, and the warm hospitality that defines the Indian experience.
India’s burgeoning tourism industry is not only experiencing rapid growth but is also adapting to cater to the diverse forms of tourism practiced worldwide. As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, India attracts visitors from various corners of the globe, including Albanians who organize trips annually. Since 2014, Indian Visa for Albanian Citizens has been available through an online application form provided by the Government of India. This electronic document functions similarly to a traditional paper visa, granting entry to the country without requiring a visit to the embassy. Strengthening the friendly relations between Albania and India, the Indian government revamped its visa process in 2015, extending online travel authorization to 169 countries, including Albania. Albanian citizens can conveniently apply for three types of India e-Visa: e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, or e-Medical Visa. The online application process for these visas, accessible from home via computer or smartphone, marks a significant advancement in travel convenience for Albanians.
For any Bolivian citizen desiring to visit India, obtaining visa approval is a crucial initial step. The option of applying for an e-Visa, commonly known as an Indian e-Visa, is available for citizens of 169 countries, including Bolivia. Functioning as an official document, the India e-Visa enables Bolivian citizens to enter the country for tourism, business, and medical purposes. Since 2014, the Indian Visa for Bolivian Citizens has been accessible through an electronic application. Opting for an e-Visa for India, an internet-based electronic document, facilitates easy and convenient entry into the country. Notably, the India Tourist visa is valid for one year from the date of issue, allowing a maximum stay of 90 days per entry after arrival. The E-Business Visa, valid for 365 days, offers multiple entry options, while the Electronic Medical Visa, designed for medical treatment, permits three entries with a maximum stay of 60 days. The online application process has significantly streamlined and expedited the visa application steps for Bolivian citizens, allowing them to acquire travel documents conveniently from their homes or any location.
Company Name: INDIAN EVISA Official Government Immigration Visa Application Online
Contact Person: Mary Windham Caitlin
Email: Send Email


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Vegan burger pop-up Earthie’s Drive Thru will open April 22 (Earth Day) in San Francisco. Co-founders Lacie Smith and Kyle Underseth created the event to introduce people to the “burger of the future.” “For the pop-up, we’re cooking up a 100-percent plant-based burger that uses the Impossible [Burger] for the patty,” Smith told VegNews. “The best part is the burger is dressed in our homemade sauce—a creamy, savory, smoky sauce that brings the whole burger together.” In addition to vegan burgers, the pop-up will serve homemade sodas and kombuchas and hand-cut fries that are crispy on the outside but with a mashed-potato consistency on the inside. Earthie’s will also plant one tree for each burger it sells. Smith and Underseth intentionally planned the pop-up for Earth Day to help customers make the connection between dietary choices and environmental issues. “We think food should be easy on the planet and humane in every way,” Underseth said. “We want to encourage people to have an Earth Day-mindset everyday, and making great plant-based comfort food is our way of doing that.”
Wedding bells! You’re going to fall in love with VeganWeddings.com — a new website from the editors of VegNews.


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All the news from Computex 2014, the largest IT tradeshow in Asia.
The world's largest social network has stopped showing results from the search engine.
Experts say the reported heist of 1.2 billion account credentials is legit, but caution that for most people there's little they can do -- or should be worried about.
After almost two years playing second fiddle, the South Korean electronics giant reclaimed the top spot as the world's largest UHD TV panel vendor.
From sweating through P90X in the morning to snoozing through a full night of sleep, we put the Microsoft Band through its paces for a full month to see how it held up.
Asus has revealed a prototype 32-inch curved monitor with WQHD resolution at Computex 2014.
The art of retail arbitrage -- buying products from brick-and mortar stores and selling them online for a higher price -- is alive and well.
The company's IPO hit a record $25 billion after it initially touched $21.8 billion. The jump was due to underwriters exercising an option to sell another 48 million shares.
The video game made by the team behind Halo is off to a strong start -- but questions still remain.
Samsung holds 12 percent of the Chinese smartphone market, according to Canalys, behind Xiaomi's 14 percent share.
The young Chinese company has quickly gained market share and now takes its place in the top 5 as the "star performer" in the second quarter, according to Strategy Analytics.


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Lee Gardens is synonymous to Hong Kong’s retail success. Leading brands and upcoming fashion houses have addresses in this retail hub.
But mall operators are not immune to the online retail revolution. Many see online retailers taking away business and opportunities.
But Hysan Development Company Ltd sees these retailers as part of an opportunity. It calls it the New Retail Revolution and aims to redefine the mall shopping experience. It will offer seamless experience online, offline and in the mall.
"The 'New Retail Revolution' concept refers to an innovative retail model that connects the online presence, offline retail experience and logistics service," said Ricky Lui, chief operating officer at Hysan Development Company.
“In this respect, mall operations are no longer simply offline businesses. As a landlord and mall operator, Hysan strives to stay at the front of this New Retail trend. We're taking a consumer-oriented approach, making use of advanced technology to develop an integrated shopping experience that combines product, member, marketing and transaction services,” he added.
Part of the goal is to revamp the Lee Gardens Area's image as a shopping destination for all shoppers.
“With a goal to realize 'innovation, integration and automation', not only will this new and exciting omnichannel retail experience accelerate the digital transformation of the Lee Gardens Area in Causeway Bay, but it will also maintain the Lee Gardens Area's unparalleled status as the Heartbeat of Hong Kong," Lui said.
New Retail Revolution involves six new digital transformation initiatives. They include smart community, co-marketing, consumer experience, retail technology and big data, omnichannel communication and third-party collaboration.
“Hysan is at the vanguard of global technology trends. We are particularly focusing on six aspects, namely community, merchants, consumers, technology and big data, communications, and partnerships,” said Tiffany Lam, marketing and customer experience director at Hysan Development Company.
The six initiatives include:


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According to new figures from eMarketer, advertisers will spend worldwide $592.43 billion in 2015, which is an increase of 6.0% over 2014.
Currently, the top five spenders in each advertising category—total paid media, digital and mobile—are the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK.
While the UK lags Japan and Germany in total media spending, its digital ad market outpaces both, with digital and mobile ads representing significantly higher shares of overall advertising than its two predecessors in the overall market. Otherwise, the rankings are consistent across all media markets.
The US remains the dominant advertising market worldwide spending $189.06 billion on ads in 2015, an amount that represents 31.9% of the global ad market. That figure is also higher than the aggregated total for China, Japan, Germany and the UK. Through 2018, the US will essentially maintain that share, dipping to only 31.1%, and will continue to account for more in total media ad spending than the rest of the top five combined, eMarketer revealed.
Mobile advertising is the key driver of growth around the world, and advertisers will spend $64.25 billion worldwide on mobile in 2015, an increase of nearly 60% over 2014. That figure will reach $158.55 billion by 2018, when mobile ads will account for 22.3% of all advertising spending worldwide.
eMarketer’s latest figures for worldwide mobile ad spending are higher than previous forecasts, due to faster-than-expected growth in China’s mobile ad market. According to new data, marketers will spend $6.39 billion on mobile ads in China in 2014, up 600.0% from just $913 million last year; this total will increase another 90.0% to $12.14 billion in 2015. And it is expected that China will surpass both the UK and Japan to become the second-largest mobile ad market in the world.
Without doubt, China dominates the digital ad market, but actually it is Indonesia that sees the most impressive growth, eMarketer said. In fact, digital advertising spend in Asia-Pacific is expected to rise 30.3% to total $46.59 billion this year, according to eMarketer’s latest estimates of digital ad spending worldwide.
Just like in 2012 and 2013, the region will boast the second-biggest share of digital ad spending worldwide, trailing only North America, at 31.8% vs. 37.3%. This trend will continue through 2016, though Asia-Pacific will gain share during that period at the expense of North America. In 2017, Asia-Pacific will pass North America in total digital ad spending share worldwide, at 36.9% vs. 35.7%.
With investments in online and mobile advertising, totalling $23.70 billion this year, China will maintain the largest share of the region’s digital ad market, at 50.9%—a trend that will continue through 2018. Japan and Australia will rank second and third, with respective digital ad spending totals of $9.07 billion and $4.52 billion this year, eMarketer estimates.
As mentioned, in Asia-Pacific, Indonesia will be the leading country for digital ad spending growth by a long shot, at a whopping 98.0% this year. Indonesia sits at the bottom when it comes to digital ad spending, as brands there still heavily invest in traditional media like TV and print. However, as internet and smartphone adoption continue to grow rapidly, marketers will continue to switch ad spend to digital channels. Over the course of the forecast period, eMarketer expects the country to surpass India and South Korea in digital ad dollars by 2016 and 2018, respectively.
China will also see impressive digital ad spending growth of 45.0% this year, which will be mainly driven by phenomenal gains in the country’s mobile ad market. According to eMarketer’s latest estimates, marketers will spend $6.39 billion on mobile ads in China in 2014, up 600.0% from just $913.0 million last year.


text: The government called for calm last night in the face of a plan by angry wholesalers to stage a slow-drive protest against the smuggling of vegetables from the mainland. About 100 trucks are expected to take part in the protest this afternoon, driving slowly from Cheung Sha Wan Vegetable Wholesale Market to the government headquarters in Central to call public attention to the problem of vegetable smuggling. A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau called on the protesters not to obstruct traffic. The spokesman said the bureau had been in constant contact with mainland authorities over vegetable smuggling. He said the bureau would be happy to receive and act on any information about vegetables imported with faked certificates should traders have evidence. Earlier in the day, the government led a media tour to examine the inspection of vegetables at the Man Kam To border control point. So Siu-wah, divisional commander of the Customs and Exercise Department, said the sources of vegetables on the 28,000 delivery trucks inspected last year were found to differ from that stated in their documents. He said the department inspected 30 to 40 of the approximately 270 vehicles importing vegetables to the city every day. And '99.9 per cent' of the 37,000 inspected samples of imported vegetables met the food safety standards, the spokesman said. Chiu Chung-wai, superintendent of import and export with the Centre for Food Safety, would not say which government departments should be responsible for confirming the details written on labels for authorised imported vegetables. 'The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine at the mainland is responsible for inspecting the imported vegetables [to ensure they] are all from the authorised farms and verifying the details listed on the labels,' Mr Chiu said. In April 2007, a labelling system was introduced to ensure the imported vegetables came from authorised farms, but vegetable wholesalers say the labels can be obtained easily by unauthorised farms. Imported Vegetable Wholesale Merchants Association president Yuen Cheung said the slow-drive protest would proceed today. The association said the government had failed to tackle the root cause of vegetable smuggling. 'The problem is smugglers can easily buy real labels from authorised farms on the mainland, so the existing labelling system would not be able to trace back the disqualified vegetables,' Mr Yuen said. Meanwhile, Wang Jun , head of the Shenzhen Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, denied any evidence had been found that mainland chickens had been hidden among vegetable shipments to Hong Kong. From October 1 to December 31 last year, the office had inspected 281 vegetable trucks and had found no sign of chickens, he said.


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It's the end of an era...that most people probably thought was already over.
AOL is planning to shut down its Instant Messenger product for good on December 15, the company announced Friday.
Most people who were born in the 90's or late 80's remember AIM as the way they first chatted with friends online and likely stressed over how to create the perfect "away message." It was a tough task after all, putting a simple 'brb' just wouldn't cut it.
You also could know who your friends really were based on whether or not they were on your buddy list.
As we moved into the 2000's, AIM seemed to fade away as more people turned to texting, Twitter and Facebook to get their fix of emojis and internet slang. Lol.
But instant messenger has stuck around...until now. And they've decided its G2G.
"AIM tapped into new digital technologies and ignited a cultural shift, but the way in which we communicate with each other has profoundly changed," Michael Albers, VP of Communications Product at OATH, said in a statement.
And while AIM is going away, AOL says it's excited to continue "building the next generation of iconic brands and life-changing products for users around the world."
So, TTYL instant messenger, as you head off to join Myspace, Palm Pilots and floppy disks in the list of tech fads we'll never forget.


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Toradora! Manga Licensed
Seven Seas grabs the manga series
By Chris Beveridge
July 18, 2010
© Seven Seas Entertainment
Seven Seas Entertainment has announced this weekend that they have three new manga series to announce. Rather than go with the normal route, and owing to not having a panel at Comic-Con this year, they're announcing them via Twitter in the form of hints and anagrams. The first one is supposedly very easy, and it is, but I suspect the other two will be figured out quickly as well knowing how manga and anime fans are about these things from past experience.
The Toradora! manga series is only at two volumes at this point as it's had a slightly interesting publishing history in Japan. It's an adaptation based off of the light novels that started back in fall of 2007 via Dengeki Comic Gao!. That manga ended in early 2008 but ended up starting up again over at Dengeki Daioh in May of 2008, just a few short months later.


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BASF Spies Opening in Rice Goal
Jombang. German chemicals giant BASF has introduced its latest fungicide product in Jombang, East Java, as it seeks to tap Indonesia’s bid to become self-sufficient in rice production.
The company launched Seltima, its latest fungicide product to control rice blast fungus, one of the most destructive types of blights to the crop that can reduce yields by up to 50 percent.
“We hope we can reach a big market share through this product,” Leon van Mullekom, BASF’s business area manager for Southeast Asia, said on Tuesday.
“Indonesia is the first country [to get the new product], then we will introduce it to Vietnam, Central America and India.”
Indonesia is an important market for BASF for its line of agricultural and other chemical products, van Mullekom said.
The country contributed 8 to 9 percent of BASF’s 500 million euro ($530 million) crop protection business in Asia Pacific last year.
In Indonesia, BASF competes with other multinational companies, including Bayer, Syngenta, Monsanto, Dow and DuPont to provide pesticides and other chemicals for the agricultural sector.
BASF booked 420 million euros from chemical sales in 2014 from Indonesia, with agricultural protection products contributing to 10 to 15 percent of sales.
The company says it is looking forward to the government’s bid to boost domestic production of rice to meet demand from the country’s population of around 250 million people, amid challenges such as shortage of arable land and rising numbers of chemical-resistant disease and pests.
Indonesia, which produces 5.1 metric tons of rice per hectare per year, is the fourth-most-productive rice grower in the world behind Japan and China, at 6.7 tons per hectare per year, and Vietnam (5.6), according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
Indonesia produced 70.83 million tons of unhusked rice last year, down 450,000 tons from the year before, mostly due to a decrease in farmland in Java, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
Total harvested area shrank by 0.3 percent to 13.7 million hectares in 2014 from the year before.
Blight and pests have been blamed for the drop in productivity.
Lagimin, a farmer with half a hectare of rice paddies in Bojonegoro, about an hour’s drive from Jombang, the site of the BASF plant, says he usually harvests twice a year, producing around six to seven tons of unhusked rice each time that he sells for Rp 50 million ($3,800). But in the past two years, he says, he has barely been able to cover his costs.
“Planthoppers have damaged my crops and I can only get Rp 15 million from what I harvest,” he said.
Despite the drop in yields in the past year, the government is targeting an increase in the rice harvest this year of 5 to 10 percent.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman says the target is in line with the government’s plan to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production this year, by producing at least 73.4 million tons of milled rice.
The Agriculture Ministry estimated earlier this week that domestic rice production between January and April — which typically accounts for three-fifths of the country’s total annual yield — was 32.9 million tons of unhusked rice, up 4.1 percent from the same period last year.
Source: The Jakarta Globe