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One of every five beauty purchases online is made via the Amazon marketplace, according to a new report.
Office Depot will make available to business customers for whom it does printing a system by which the offline world is linked to the online through a code-reader scanning device.
Office Depot will make available to its small-business customers for whom it does printing a system by which the offline world becomes linked to the online world through a small code-reader scanning device. Office Depot announced today that it will make the Digital:Convergence printed codes available in its print centers for customers to incorporate into catalogs, product manuals and business cards.
With the Digital:Convergence system, a retailer can print unique scannable codes, which Digital:Convergence calls cues, into marketing material. The cues contain a URL for the particular product. A consumer who has received a special scanning device-called a :CueCat--that is linked to the consumer`s computer, scans the code. The :CueCat downloads the information from the scan into the computer, launches the computer’s Internet connection, and directs the browser to the specific web site. Digital:Convergence also is making available a portable scanner that will store up to 300 URLs.
Digital:Convergence launched its product last September with Radio Shack, which featured the cues in its catalogs. Since then, Digital:Convergence has distributed 3 million free code readers; recipients of 1.45 million of the readers have activated them. Digital:Convergence says the arrangement with Radio Shack has driven traffic not only to RadioShack.com but also to the stores. Cues also appear in ads in magazines and newspapers.
Digital:Convergence also just reached an agreement with NBC for an audio version of the cue to appear in NBC programs. Consumers whose PCs are connected to their TVs through a special cable available free at Radio Shack stores will receive a URL from the audio cue. The audio cues also can be transmitted through a home’s wiring from TV to PC when the two devices are not close to each other. Consumers pay for the connections to make that possible.


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This year’s New York Comic Con is more than just visiting your favourite booths ranging from comics to movies. Adding to the roster is Uniqlo, as the Japanese retailer teams up with the event’s producer ReedPop to release an exclusive capsule of three UT graphic T-shirts. The T-shirts, which are designed by artists Jason Polan and James Jarvis, will be available exclusively on-site at the Uniqlo NYCC booth in October.
“Uniqlo has collaborated with Jason Polan and James Jarvis on previous UT collections, and we wanted to translate their unique designs and our love of art and pop culture to New York Comic Con in a special way through our apparel,” said Marisol Tamaro, Head of Marketing at Uniqlo USA.
The capsule also includes an additional collaboration with the popular Japanese manga series, One Piece. The aforementioned T-shirt will be sold in stores and online. The New York Comic Con will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre from October 5 to October 8.

domain: news


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Maruti Suzuki have launched the much talked about Next Generation Ertiga at an introductory price tag of Rs 7.44 – 10.90 lakhs (ex-showroom) India. Bookings for Maruti Ertiga had already begun at an initial amount of Rs 11,000 across all dealerships in the country. The 2018 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is very different from the out
BMW India has launched the highly anticipated M2 competition in India at an aggressive price point of Rs 79.90 lakhs (ex-showroom). The Introduction of BMW M2 Competition to the market means that this would be the stepping stone for M range in BMW India’s performance cars portfolio. Competing against the likes of Porsche 718 Cayman
Classis Legends Priivate Limited today announced the arrival of Jawa Motorcycles in India. The Jawa range for that matter comprises of Jawa, Jawa 42 and Jawa Perak. As anticipated earlier, the model name Jawa 300 Classic Roadster was given a ditch to promote the actual heritage that bring us back to the iconic Jawa nameplate.
Royal Enfield today announced the launch of much-awaited Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 in India. Thus price of Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is Rs 2.50 lakhs while Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 comes at a cost of Rs 2.65 lakhs (ex-showroom) for their standard variants. Retro in the outlook, Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and
With just a week left for much awaited MPV launch, Maruti Suzuki today revealed that they have opened bookings for the Ertiga. New Maruti Ertiga can now be booked with an initial amount of Rs 11,000 across all Maruti Suzuki dealerships in the country. Set to launch on the 21st of November 2018, next generation


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As investors drove the stock price for his company Berkshire Hathaway to a record level, Warren Buffett’s net worth reached $100 billion on Wednesday.
Berkshire Hathaway trimmed its stake in Apple by about 6%, selling 57.16 million shares, during the fourth quarter of 2020, according to a 13-F securities filing.
Buffett’s net worth, as measured by Forbes magazine, comes almost entirely from owning about one-sixth of Berkshire, a roughly $600 billion company.
Berkshire’s stock price has surged higher in March, with its Class A shares surpassing $400,000 on Wednesday.
That came after the Omaha, Nebraska-based company on Feb. 27 said fourth-quarter operating results improved despite the coronavirus pandemic, while gains in Apple Inc and other stocks fueled a $35.8 billion overall profit.
Forbes said Buffett ranks fifth on its list of the world’s richest people, after Amazon.com’s Jeff Bezos, Tesla’s Elon Musk, LVMH Moet Hennessy’s Bernard Arnault and his family, and the philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
MacDailyNews Note: Berkshire Hathaway currently holds some $120 billion in Apple shares, its biggest single stock holding. No wonder Warren Buffett’s net worth has skyrocketed!


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Last month, Chinese technology company Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) was added to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) provisional watchlist, the latest development in a longstanding clash between the U.S. and China around audit oversight of foreign companies. The purview of the SEC and other regulatory bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is commonly understood. But a much lesser-known, new rule from the Department of Commerce (Commerce), “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain” (ICTS Rule), has quietly opened up a second arena of investigation into foreign companies and potentially U.S. companies with commercial relationships abroad.
The ICTS Rule signals the Biden Administration’s intent to significantly ramp up scrutiny of foreign commercial activity in a number of ways. First, it is highly notable that the rule itself is predicated on a Trump Executive Order (EO 13873), which President Biden not only allowed to stand, but doubled down upon by issuing an EO of his own (EO 14034), directing Commerce to refine the existing rule whilst revoking several other Trump EOs in the same breath.
Second, the rule differs from existing regimes such as CFIUS’s in its broad reach – opening up individual commercial activities, rather than investments, for review. Its expansive definition of “Transaction” encompasses any activity “dealing in, or [using]” ICTS products or services, even as passive as “data transmission, software updates … or the platforming or data hosting of applications for consumer download.” While a transaction must be deemed “under the influence” of foreign adversaries (specifically China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela) to be reviewed, the rule’s parameters cover a vast array of sectors. A single category, Critical Infrastructure, alone includes the use of ICTS by industries such as chemicals and agriculture, per Presidential Policy Directive 21.
Third, Commerce appears to be taking a more aggressive stance on the rule – the agency released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) last fall, proposing a set of amendments claiming to narrow the scope of the rule. The NPRM’s language, however, appears to expand the rule’s parameters instead, particularly through its treatment of “connected software applications” (“apps”) and additional risk criteria in Section 7.103(c).
For instance, Commerce posits changing the term “end-point devices” to “end-to-end technology”. This is a small but impactful distinction, as “end-to-end” implies services are provided in a vacuum, without integration of other technology. As many products rely on a stack of technology or various hardware components to create, distribute, or enable usage of a final offering, this suggests the entire supply chain for the XaaS could come under review, with some measure of fault up and down the stack including, presumably, cloud service providers, or mobile operating system owners.
In another example, the NPRM asks whether “ownership, control or management” would be understood by industry to mean “both continuous control … and sporadic control and management.” As software is not typically static but requires updates and patches or other ongoing services which may be provided by a third party, “sporadic control” not only widens the ICTS Rule’s domain but could have the opposite intended effect of securing ICTS, perhaps by disincentivizing ongoing security practices, or in the case of telecom providers, hampering operations by preventing the use of critical backhaul networks which can be shared or leased.
Commerce also ponders whether audits should be limited to “source code examination” or expand to “monitoring of logs or other data”. Creating a precedent whereby companies offer up source code or provide access to data collected by the app to a third-party auditor may not only present a new host of data protection issues, but prompt reciprocal review requirements from other nations as a condition for operation, potentially compromising IP.
Though the rule appears to target primarily Chinese companies - its only officially confirmed use has been to subpoena five Chinese firms last spring and reportedly investigate two Chinese tech companies this year –, major U.S. players have obvious cause for concern given the outsized role, and complex nature, of American technology companies in the global marketplace.
Between the expansive language in the NPRM and utter silence from Commence on any kind of licensing or pre-clearance process that would provide certainty and reduce regulatory overhang (the contours of a process were floated under an ANPRM last spring but has seen no progress), it is clear that U.S. firms are being put on notice. It is also significant that Commerce is not leaning on existing, globally accepted standards that might reduce compliance burdens, including those originating even from Commerce itself, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Secure Software Development and Cybersecurity frameworks.
Taken altogether the clear signal to the U.S., and indeed the wider Westerntech sector is that global decoupling is a key priority for this Administration. American technology companies would do well to review their supply chain and commercial relationships with foreign entities.


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Extension Media and Sperling Media Launch Semiconductor Manufacturing & Design
SAN FRANCISCO, CA–(Marketwire – February 14, 2011) – A new online publication and portal, Semiconductor Manufacturing & Design (SemiMD.com), will launch on February 15 to an initial database of more than 330,000 engineering professionals and executives on five continents. The publication will provide unbiased, critical insight into the challenging chip manufacturing issues of this decade, delivered by the industry’s top writers, editors and market researchers in both English and Chinese languages.
Semiconductor Manufacturing & Design will feature daily updates, regular newsletters and blogs from editors David Lammers, Ed Korczynski, Katherine Derbyshire, Ed Sperling, John Blyler and Ann Mutschler on topics ranging from lithography, yield, materials, packaging, 3D stacking, process variation, equipment and the economics of developing and manufacturing semiconductors. “Litho Guru” Chris Mack and research houses Semico and IHS iSuppli are on board to provide the latest technology and business updates. The site also will feature roundtable discussions and videos, as well as a platform for readers’ questions and comments on technology issues.
Semiconductor Manufacturing & Design is based on a successful publishing model developed jointly by Sperling Media Group and Extension Media, which utilizes sponsorships instead of advertising and replaces product pitches and press releases with user-focused issues. Current sponsors include SEMI, Soitec, Applied Materials, GlobalFoundries and Mentor Graphics. Readers can examine a preview of Semiconductor Manufacturing & Design at www.SemiMD.com — which will formally launch on the 15th.
“This is a great opportunity for us to provide unbiased, timely and very useful information that can help professionals understand what’s changing in their world, allowing them to plan better and ultimately to make better-informed business and technology decisions,” said Ed Sperling, editorial director of the new venture. “It’s also a tremendous opportunity for us to create a community of experts that can trade information across an increasingly complex ecosystem.”
“This new site fills a critical need for expert editorial that can dive deeper into manufacturing and design technology,” said David Lammers, editor in chief of the new publication. “We’re very excited about this opportunity to cover one of the most interesting and dynamic industries in the world — the genesis of all electronic innovation.”
About Sperling Media Group LLC
Sperling Media Group LLC (SMG) was formed to provide a free flow of unbiased information about technology and business issues in highly targeted markets where complexity is at its peak and real insight is essential. SMG’s model is to provide readers with exactly the kind of information they want, in the format and frequency of their choice, and to create a community where ideas can be exchanged freely without an endless barrage of product pitches and marketing.
For more information about the Sperling Media Group, contact Ed Sperling directly at: firstname.lastname@example.org
About Extension Media LLC
Extension Media LLC is a well-known publisher in the electronics market, including Chip Design Magazine, Embedded Intel® Solutions and a host of targeted horizontal and vertical catalogs and online resources for electronics. Extension Media is a production and content-sharing partner with Sperling Media Group, each of which leverages relevant links from the other to provide engineers and technology-oriented businesses with the most complete information available to do their jobs. John Blyler, editorial director of Extension Media, collaborates closely with Ed Sperling on all aspects of the partnership.


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Dunkin' launches a social media costume contest that is sure to amp up the donut-loving business' presence on social channels. To participate, users are prompted to post pictures of Dunkin'-inspired outfits on Instagram and use the #DunkinDressUpContest tag. The company partnered with influencer Aww Sam who offers outfit inspiration on her blog with pictures and a how-to video. For one, this engages consumers directly, requiring them to be creative within the scope of Dunkin'. Secondly, the campaign promotes creativity and shearable posts which is always a win in the digital age.
The social media costume contest will run until November 1st. The initative will grant participants with the weekly opportunity of winning $100 USD gift cards. The grand prize is set to be$1,000 USD with an additional year of free coffee.


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For those waiting for a hip, 1950s vintage antique store to arrive in Old Town
, your time has come.
The popular Lambs' Gate Antiques
of Grand Ledge has expanded with a new 1,200 square-foot storefront in
Old Town at 1219 Turner St., across from the Creole Gallery. It’s a bit
smaller than the Grand Ledge store but won’t lose any of its
uniqueness, according to the shop's manager,
“It’s going to be pretty funky,” says Lamb.
Lambs' Gate differs from most antique stores because the items are
“mixed together” and not set up in booths, and offers something for
everyone, she says. Though the store will tend toward the mid-century
vintage era, it does carry a full range of antiques.
Its sales are an even fifty-fifty among men and women, which Lamb says
her mother-in-law, Lambs' Gate owner, takes great pride in.
Lamb says the choice to move to Old Town was simple: It is an up-and-coming area and a part of town she already frequents.
“I love this part of Lansing,” she says.
Lambs' Gate had a soft opening on May 22 and normal business hours are
tentatively scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Source: Ashley Lamb
Writer: Andy Balaskovitz


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The Kingdom has pipped other tourism hotspots such as Galway and Cork to be crowned the most popular home holiday destination, a spending report shows.
The hotel spend data shows that Irish holidaymakers chose Co Kerry in their droves during the months of June, July and August for their trip away, beating last year's winner, Cork, in the process.
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STORY CONTINUES BELOW
The AIB 'spend trend', which compiles data from AIB debit and credit card spending, provided the insight into our domestic travel habits.
John Brennan, head of SME banking at AIB, said since hospitality reopened a few months ago, 'we have seen a steady increase in spending by consumers across hotels, pubs and restaurants'.
'Kerry was the place where the most consumers were spending money on hotels - pipping Galway and Cork to become Ireland's top holiday destination this year,' he added.
Overall, in August there were card 55million transactions logged. While spending in hotels was down 1% in August compared to July, spending in restaurants and pubs was up 4%.
The massive splurge on hotels in Kerry was largely driven by people from Cork, Dublin and Limerick. However, those from Kerry did not stay there for their holidays, with many flocking to neighbouring Co. Cork.
People from Waterford chose Cork as their top destination while Galwegians spent most of their money on hotels in Dublin.
In August, people from Mayo spent the most for hotels in Dublin, as the county played Dublin in Croke Park in the All- Ireland semi-final.


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With the recovery of the national economy, the intensive launch of new cars, and the halving of purchase tax and other policy support, China’s auto market is showing strong vitality. Recently, data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed that in the first three quarters of this year, the auto market continued to rise and maintained a relatively high growth rate, which was the best level in the same period in the past three years, and played a positive role in stabilizing the economic market. Sales of new energy vehicles are on the rise. According to the statistics of the Automobile Dealers Association, the retail sales of new energy passenger vehicles in the first three quarters was 3.87 million, a year-on-year increase of 113.2%.
The relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said that under the continuous effect of the policies of stabilizing the economy and promoting consumption, it is expected that the production and sales of automobiles will continue to maintain rapid growth in the fourth quarter of this year, and new energy vehicles and automobile exports will continue to develop well. achieve the goal of steady growth.
Graphics: Wang Lianxiang


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All In Resimercial
The SDVoE Alliance has announced its 2021 board of directors made up of pro AV experts from the six steering member companies — Black Box, Christie, IDK Corporation, NETGEAR, Semtech and ZeeVee — plus Grandbeing who won this year’s election to represent the contributing member companies. Justin Kennington retains his role as president of the SDVoE Alliance. Heading into […]
Robert Archer · December 15, 2020
MDU service provider RealPage brings Google Nest thermostats to its property management partners worldwide.
Jason Knott · December 10, 2020
Nureva Inc., has announced its HDL300 and Dual HDL300 audio conferencing systems are now certified for Barco ClickShare Conference, a wireless presentation and conferencing solution. Together, they bring intuitive, platform-agnostic collaboration into any hybrid meeting or classroom environment. Users can wirelessly connect to the AV equipment in the room by plugging a Barco ClickShare Conferencing Button into their laptop […]
Robert Archer · December 08, 2020
Unified communications (UC) systems have been popular products in the commercial industry for several years. Now with WFH a permanent part of workforce these products are now integrating into residential environments.
Robert Archer · December 03, 2020
The National Systems Contractors Association will support Ignite, PASS K-12 and other industry initiatives while celebrating the Education Foundation’s 20th anniversary.
CE Pro Editors · December 02, 2020
Bolstering its portfolio of AV-over-IP products, Crestron has just introduced its DM-NVX-E760 Encoder. Crestron states that its latest AV-over-IP product is a solution that enables the integration of HDBaseT devices or the expansion of an existing room system’s AV distribution capabilities. The DM-NVX-E760 Encoder supports Crestron’s DigitalMedia technology platform, including DM matrix switchers, all-in-one DMPS […]
Robert Archer · December 02, 2020
As part of its Project Connected Home over IP initiative, the Zigbee Alliance plans to launch a new connectivity standard targeted at the resimercial and commercial markets.
CE Pro Editors · November 18, 2020
RTI will distribute 70 SKUs of Blustream video distribution products throughout U.S. for resimercial applications.
Jason Knott · November 18, 2020
To aid integrators with smart home sales, education and demonstration, Savant now offers virtual tours of its New York City facility and breadth of technologies.
Arlen Schweiger · October 29, 2020
Aided by myriad interfaces, integrator Adelaide Home Control deploys RTI for reliably controlling AV, security and other technology in Thomas Foods’ offices and luxury apartments.
CE Pro Editors · October 29, 2020


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Starting on Friday, April 8, Apple TV+ began streaming Friday Night Baseball, a doubleheader that will be available for free to anyone with internet access in one of the countries where the service will be available. You don’t need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to watch any of these games in the schedule that has been released. Here’s how to watch Friday Night Baseball, whether you have Apple TV+ or not.
April 8: Updated with information about broadcast quality.
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: How to watch for free
Apple has announced that the first 12 weeks of the season will be free, so you don’t need an Apple TV+ subscription. Apple has not announced the schedule beyond June 24, nor whether future games will require a subscription.
On Mac, iPhone, and iPad: Friday Night Baseball will be available through the TV app. Click on the Originals tab and then scroll down to Major League Baseball.
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On Apple TV 4K and HD: Go to the Sports tab and scroll down to Major League Baseball. From there, you can see the schedule and add games to your Up Next queue.
On the web: Apple TV+ is available through a browser at tv.apple.com. If Friday Night Baseball isn’t appearing in the marquee spot at the top of the page, scroll down and look for the Major League Baseball section.
On a smart TV or set-top box: Many smart TVs and set-top boxes come with the Apple TV app installed. If not, you can search for it through the App Store on your device (Amazon, Google, Roku, etc.). If you can’t find the Apple TV app, check your device for a software update.
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: This week’s games
Friday, May 6 Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox 7 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners 9:30 p.m. ET
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: Remaining schedule
Apple has posted the first 12 weeks of the Friday Night Baseball schedule, covering April 8 to June 24. Start times for the first game are at 6:30, 7, or 8 p.m. ET, while the second game starts at 8, 9:30, or 10 p.m. ET. It seems as though the two games will air on separate streams, so the length of the first game will not affect the start time of the second game. These are the upcoming games on the schedule:
Friday, May 13 San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves 7 p.m. ET
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks 9:30 p.m. ET
Friday, May 20 St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates 6:30 p.m. ET
Texas Rangers at Houston Astros 8 p.m. ET
Friday, May 27 Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox 7 p.m. ET
Toronto Blue Jays at Los Angeles Angels 9:30 p.m. ET
Friday, June 3 Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees 7 p.m. ET
Atlanta Braves at Colorado Rockies 8:30 p.m. ET
Friday, June 10 Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins 8 p.m. ET
New York Mets at Los Angeles Angels 9:30 p.m. ET
Friday, June 17 Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros 8 p.m. ET
Cleveland Guardians at Los Angeles Dodgers 10 p.m. ET
Friday, June 24 Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals 8 p.m. ET
Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks 9:30 p.m. ET
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: Where to watch
Friday Night Baseball is available in the following countries/territories:
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: Streaming quality
While games will not be shown in 4K, Apple has announced that game broadcasts will employ “state-of-the-art cameras, including high-speed Phantoms, the high-resolution Megalodon, and more throughout the season to present vivid, live-action shots.” Additionally, audio will be presented in 5.1 with spatial audio enabled. “Friday Night Baseball” will also use “new on-screen graphics that include innovative new probabilities-based forecasts of different situational outcomes, plus highlights and live look-ins from around the league integrated right into the broadcast,” according to Apple.
Apple TV+ Friday Night Baseball: Expanded coverage
Apple announced that the games will include pre- and post-game coverage hosted by Lauren Gardner with a rotating group of analysts and former players, including Carlos Peña, Cliff Floyd, and Yonder Alonso. Broadcast teams for each game will be announced on a weekly basis.
The broadcast teams are all MLB Network personalities, and Apple is relying on the MLB Network for its telecast production. In a press release, Apple stated that the production will involve high-speed Phantom and high-resolution Megalodon cameras, immersive sound in 5.1 with spatial audio enabled, new on-screen graphics that include probabilities-based forecasts, and highlights and live look-ins from around the league integrated right into the broadcast.
Apple also announced that games will display on-screen callouts about batters’ walk-up songs from Apple Music, Siri-based baseball trivia, and more.
Apple will also offer shows with more baseball coverage. On Thursdays, “Countdown to First Pitch” previews the week’s upcoming games. Every morning, “MLB Daily Recap” will show highlights from the previous night. Every weeknight, “MLB Big Inning,” will feature highlights and coverage of the games in progress. In the U.S. and Canada, viewers can watch a livestream of highlights, analysis, classic games and shows, and more, in addition to on-demand programming. However, access to this content will require an Apple TV+ subscription.
MLB in Apple News and Apple Music
Apple News currently has an MLB Opening Day preview curated by Apple News editors. On Fridays, Apple News will have curated highlights and stories from around MLB, and you can get personalized MLB highlights in the News app.
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TRON Arcade Wants to Break Open the Gaming Industry for Blockchain
Blockchain platform TRON announced today its plans to establish a $100 million fund known as “TRON Arcade.” The fund is the fast-rising network’s newest effort to drive higher adoption of its platform and to finally unlock the gaming sector, which is worth billions, for blockchain technology. Unlike the first-movers in the blockchain gaming arena, TRON’s gaming endeavor is being launched from a platform that already counts on an established community along with a robust technological infrastructure.
Blockchain’s technology, while revolutionary, has been unable to break free of the shackles its technical constraints placed on it TRON recently surpassed 1.3 million transactions per second, breaking Ethereum’s record. The company pledged $5 million to support gaming projects built directly on its platform, offering a real incentive to start working full-time on blockchain gaming innovation. Should TRON prove its model works as intended, it could very well present a more accessible on-ramp for greater mainstream blockchain adoption and eventually drive longer-term sustainability.


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Car Park Marking for EV Charging Bays
With over 13,000 electric vehicle (EV) public charging points now available to car owners in the UK, it’s no surprise we’ve also seen an increase from retail outlets requesting new EV parking bays in their car parks.
As one of the country’s leading car park marking contractors, the Roadgrip Car Parks crew have been busy marking these new bays throughout the UK and, with the rise in electric car charging points having grown by five times since 2011, this is only set to continue at a pace.
As you can see in the photo taken from a recent job in Battersea, the EV bays stand out clearly, having been applied by hand using long-lasting, fade-resistant line marking paint.
We are also seeing an increase in retail outlets and business parks using brand colours and designs throughout car parks to strengthen their identity amongst visitors.
If you’re looking for a dependable markings contractor or you’d like to find out more about our car park marking, painting, waterproofing, resurfacing and design services, please contact the Roadgrip Car Parks team on the form below or take a look at other projects.


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Facebook complain about EU regulators' investigations
So far, regulators in multiple EU countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, have investigated the company.
Facebook's Vice-President of Public Policy, Richard Allan, issued a statement via the social media platform suggesting the simplest way to resolve the issue is for national regulators to work together.
This is the EU's ultimate plan - they're working toward a Digital Single Market, where all European countries would share the same set of data protections rules.
But this could be some time off and Facebook's experience again brings into question whether 28 countries will really be able to agree on the same policy.
Allan says "cracks have begun appearing" in EU-wide laws, with separate countries "revisiting basic questions" about how Facebook's services work.
Having to comply with 28 separate and changing sets of rules is tough enough for an internet giant like Facebook - let alone new start-ups just trying to break into the market.
Their main argument is that national regulation could make it impossible for all but the biggest internet companies to provide their services throughout Europe and would fragment the market.
According to Allan, national regulators "undermine the EU model" and are "potentially damaging the development of Europe's economy".
Digital tracking debate
Facebook use "digital tracking"; placing cookies on users computers to track visited sites.
When back on Facebook, the user will then see advertisements that relate to what they'd viewed outside of the site.
This is why people often notice ads show up in their Facebook feed for clothes or other items they've looked at while browsing. It's one of the ways Facebook earns their keep, and partly why the site is free to use.
Earlier this month, when accused by Belgian researchers of secretly installing tracking cookies on users computers, Facebook denied the practices breach the EU privacy law.
There are plenty of ways to control privacy settings on Facebook but opting out of digital tracking involves using an external site.
Facebook recommend the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance opt out, available here.
With over 100 websites signed up to the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance, once tracking is turned off via the website, most sites will permanently stop this digital tracking.
But tracking by some sites, Facebook included, has a way of unexpectedly turning back on - so it's best to routinely check these opt out settings to be sure.
The other option is to stop using the social network altogether - although arguably this doesn't prevent tracking either; according to the Belgian researchers, Facebook can track people who've visited the site in the past, even if they've not signed up.
Allan maintains this is unintentional though, saying it's caused by a bug Facebook are working to fix.
Data protection reform
Facebook's motives aside, there's little argument against some regulation when personal information is at stake.
But at the same time, the European Commission are well aware of the problems caused by a fragmented regulatory market.
In fact EU data protection reform is high on the Commission's agenda and an important part of the Digital Single Market.
Back in January, the Commission's Vice-President, Andrus Ansip said EU citizens and businesses are "waiting for the modernisation of data protection rules to catch up with the digital age".
It's been long discussed, with a full review agreed over a year ago, however TechUK say the Commission's reform could finally be in place by the end of this year.
But TechUK aren't hopeful EU data protection reform will provide the answer to everyone's problems; they're "far from confident" it'll make it easier for consumers to manage their personal data.
And they're unsure it'll provide "greater legal certainty" to businesses planning new innovations.
On May 6, Ansip is due to announce a "detailed strategy" for creating a Digital Single Market, so consumers and businesses alike will hopefully have a clearer idea of plans then.


text: By Shira Lazar CBS News May 21, 2010, 11:22 PM Pac Man 30th Anniversary: Meet the Gurus Behind Insert Coin This close up view of a monitor shows the electronic video game Pac-Man in 1983. AP Share Tweet Reddit Flipboard Email Watch CBS News Videos Online NEW YORK (CBS) The front page of Google celebrated the 30th anniversary of the legendary Pac-Man video game today with its very own Pac-Man game embedded in the Google logo. The game had office mongers and gamers glued to the homepage. This isn't the first time Google has created a fun themed logo that has everyone buzzing. They also recently teamed up with Sesame Street for their 40th anniversary. I spoke to the brains behind these themes: Marchin Wichary, Senior User Experience Designer and Ryan Germick, Google Doodler. They told me about why they decided to give homage to Pac-Man for 48 hours and what it takes to be a Google doodler. © 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Share Tweet Reddit Flipboard Email Shira Lazar On Twitter» Shira Lazar is the Host and Executive Producer of CBSNews.com's new weekly live interactive show and 24/7 news hub, "What's Trending".


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NEWPORT, Ore. - Police are trained to respond to all kinds of emergencies, but this is a new one.
One police department in Oregon posted a reminder on their Facebook page, asking the public to not call for an emergency if they run out of toilet paper due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"It’s hard to believe that we even have to post this," police in Newport, Oregon wrote. "Do not call 9-1-1 just because you ran out of toilet paper. You will survive without our assistance."
Shelves of toilet paper emptied at a Publix in Tampa, Florida.
The post then pointed out the different methods used throughout history before suggesting other items that could be used in lieu of "your favorite soft, ultra plush two-ply citrus scented tissue."
Among their suggestions: grocery store receipts, newspaper, cloth rags, magazine pages, cotton balls and even leaves.
"Be resourceful. Be patient. There is a TP shortage. This too shall pass. Just don’t call 9-1-1. We cannot bring you toilet paper," the post concluded.
This story was reported from Tampa, Fla.


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With Capcom coming back in a big way with Street Fighter V, it was only a matter of time until SNK returned to the stage. The company has just announced that it will be releasing King of Fighters XIV for the PlayStation 4!
This game eschews the cell-shaded art style of the previous title for a more conventional 3D look. This takes away from some of the flair that the series is known for, but I guess as long as the game plays well (and the online component works!) that fans of the series will be pleased.
The game is set to be released in 2016.


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It’s been roughly 22 years since the death of Christopher Wallace, better know as the “Notorious B.I.G.” or “Biggie Smalls” was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. Now a few days before the 22nd anniversary of his death in 1997, his son CJ is launching a new cannabis brand to honor his father.
The brand’s first launch, Frank White, will be available starting April in limited-edition top-shelf flower, pre-rolls, vapes, gummies, apparel, pens, pencils, journals, sketch pads, and content, all with the intent on inspiring creativity. The name is one of CJ’s dad’s aliases.
“Ultimately I feel like he’d be really proud especially of how much positivity we are driving to normalize cannabis and finally reverse the stigma around it.”
Products will be sold on the company’s website, which is launching today, as well as pop-up stores and select retail locations.


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Life in Austin can feel like it’s moving at a breakneck pace. The changes that have come to town are exciting, but sometimes it’s good to look back and remember what we’re leaving behind. This year, we’ve seen many beloved Austin restaurants and bars close their doors—even some of our previous Best New Restaurants! Some have closed to focus on new projects or reimagine old concepts, while some just simply aren’t able to afford to stay open in an increasingly expensive Austin. Here are a few of our favorite bars and restaurants that are no longer.
The East Sixth restaurant closed on June 23 after new owners bought the space. The restaurant and bar had treated locals to an open and bright dining experience centered around classic American cuisine.
The Mexican seafood restaurant famous for its three-hour happy hour shuttered in May after a rent increase. Austinites will be sure to miss Alcomar’s cheap sangria, margaritas, and fish tacos.
The brainchild of Chef Philip Speer closed on May 20 for unknown reasons. It’s speculated that Bonhomie’s time was cut short because Speer is working on another restaurant on Fifth Street. We can only hope that this new project lives up to the standard set by the French-American bistro, which was beloved for it’s laid back style and sophisticated menu.
My Name Is Joe
Yet another Speer project to shutter was his charity-focused food truck. My Name is Joe served breakfast, lunch, and coffee, and donated to charities focusing on recovery from addiction. The truck also employed people in the service industry recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. While it’s sad to see the food truck go, Speer is still committed to fighting addiction, and will continue to help those in recovery find work at other restaurants.
New India brought west coast Indian cuisine to Austin until it shuttered on June 17. The venue served Austin a unique style of Indian cuisine that focused on Malvani curries and seafood.
Tapas restaurant Bullfight abruptly announced on June 5 via Facebook that it was closing at the end of that day. Fans of the restaurant’s high-class dining experience were surprised but the team said that they’re taking time to rework the concept of the venue and plan to open up a new restaurant in the coming months.
South Austin mourned the loss of cocktail bar Backbeat on June 10. We’re not sure why management decided to close, but we do know that the space will reopen in the fall as Tiki Tatsu-Ya, a tiki bar from the founders of Ramen Tatsu-Ya.
Revelers enjoying a night out downtown can no longer stop on Lavaca street for craft beer at Ginger Man. The bar had been a mainstay of the downtown area for more than two decades, but closed its doors on May 27. Fans of Ginger Man can visit its new location in East Austin’s Plaza Saltillo.
West Sixth Street feels a little empty after Rattle Inn, the huge two-story bar and music venue, suddenly closed in April. There was no explanation given and no plans for a remodel or move, so partiers can only hope that a new owner will realize the potential of the venue.
Hoeks Death Metal Pizza
Another downtown staple shut its doors in June. Hoeks Death Metal Pizza, which brought pizza and metal music to Sixth Street, closed after 25 years. Although there aren’t any plans for a reopening, Hoeks insists that it will be back, some way, somehow.
Searsucker burst onto the Austin culinary scene in 2013 to much hype. Top Chef contestant Brian Malarkey opened the New American restaurant as one of two expansions to the original San Diego location, and sold a majority stake to the Hakkasan Group in 2013. The group abruptly shuttered the restaurant this month.


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Fifty-eight percent of smartphone users use their phones in stores to check prices and then buy online.
A survey by rewards company Parago found that 58% of smartphone owners use their phones in stores to check prices, then buy later from an online retailer -- usually Amazon.
Cost is the key motivator, says Parago. But getting quotes from large e-tailers is just one of the ways you can use your mobile to land a deal.
Smart (phone) strategies
Get a match. Using results from the free comparison-shopping app RedLaser as a bargaining tool, ask for a reduced price.
Should the store balk (and you're feeling guilty about going online), request a deal sweetener, suggests frugal-living expert Erin Huffstetler -- a free accessory for your purchase, for example.
Log in to the same store. Promotional apps from big retailers such as CVS and Target offer personalized in-store discounts, says Michelle Madhok, founder of the deal-hunting site shefinds.com.
One neat trick she likes to try: If a chain sells a product on its website for less, buy it online -- and get it shipped to the store free.
Look beyond price. Stores can offer customer-service perks you can't get for goods purchased online, such as free maintenance for a bike, software setups for a new tech tool, or a promise of ongoing help.
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Sears CEO Edward Lampert has offered to purchase the company’s real estate holdings, its appliance-parts business, home services offerings and the Kenmore appliances brand, The New York Times reports.
The purchase would be made through ESL Investments, a hedge fund Lampert manages. Lampert outlined the proposal in a letter to Sears’ board of directors. The Times reports that Lampert’s offer could help the company pay down debts as its sales and revenue tumble.
“We continue to see the value in Sears and its underlying assets and believe strongly that with an appropriate runway, Sears will be able to complete its transformation,” Lampert says in the letter.
Lampert offered to pay Sears $500 million for the company’s appliance parts and its home services offerings, but did not place a price on purchasing the Kenmore brand or the price for the company’s existing real estate.
The Times reports that Sears has been trying to find an acceptable buyer for these assets for almost two years, but had not been able to do so.
Lampert’s proposal requires the approval of Sears’ board of directors, and Lampert has recused himself from any discussion of the deal, according to the report from the Times.


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Women on the Blockchain: Moving Beyond “Blockchain Bros”
This blog post is coauthored by Rebecca Hughes, a research associate with the Women and Foreign Policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Blockchain expert Amber Baldet, the cofounder and CEO of Clovyr, recently joined Adjunct Senior Fellow Catherine Powell for a roundtable on “Women Revolutionizing Blockchain: Cryptocurrencies for Change.” Clovyr helps traditional businesses utlize blockchain-based technologies. During the discussion, Powell and Baldet explored gender dimensions of blockchain and cryptocurrencies—in particular they discussed opportunities for women as users and barriers to women’s participation as innovators.
Though blockchain has been declared the “next big thing,” the technologies that underlie it are not new. But the way they are being used is revolutionary. Blockchain is a digital ledger – distributed over a network of computers – that enables parties to interact without the need for a central authority to validate those transactions. Blockchain is unique in that it not only facilitates the transmission of data around a network, but also enables the transmission of value, such as through its application as cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are digital assets, secured through encryption, and registered on a public blockchain. Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency, catapulted blockchain into the public eye circa 2010.
Cryptocurrencies for Change
Cryptocurrencies have the potential to radically alter how financial systems are structured, which would have significant effects on women worldwide. Specifically, cryptocurrency could provide women with financial tools to start businesses, purchase property, and save money. This could be particularly important in countries and communities where women face legal and social restrictions to financial inclusion.
Despite an additional 1.2 billion people joining financial institutions over the past seven years, women are still less likely than men to own bank accounts. According to the World Bank, 56 percent of all unbanked adults are women. Bank accounts enable owners to transfer and save money, build financial resilience, and invest in business and educational opportunities. But for many people the cost of opening an account is prohibitive—according to the 2017 Global Findex database, about 25 percent of unbanked adults cite cost as a reason they do not have an account.
Cryptocurrencies could make financial systems and institutions less costly and more efficient and inclusive. While traditional monetary and electronic payment systems depend on intermediaries—such as central banks and private financial institutions—to validate transactions, cryptocurrencies “cut out the middle man.” Instead, users transfer digital money to one another through blockchain-enabled protocols. Without the need for intermediaries or the infrastructure required to support them, blockchain supporters hope that the adoption of cryptocurrencies will reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and expand opportunities for women and other unbanked populations to participate in financial systems.
Cryptocurrencies could also increase women’s participation in financial systems by increasing transparency and trust. The overwhelming bulk of the world’s unbanked adults—most of whom are women—live in developing countries where distrust is commonly cited as a reason for not having a bank account. However, with cryptocurrencies, transactions are recorded in a public digital ledger and validated by all participants, instead of by a potentially untrusted central authority. At the same time, participants benefit from a degree of privacy, since only individuals who are parties to the chain of transactions have access to the series of exchanges. This privacy can assist women to participate in financial transactions, free from interference from those who might otherwise restrict their participation.
Drawing on Shoshana Zuboff’s notion of “surveillance capitalism,” Baldet also spoke about the potential value of blockchain more broadly as a vehicle or providing more privacy in sharing data and other valuable information. Of course, an outstanding concern is how to enable such social benefits, without also facilitating illegal transactions, such as trafficking and money laundering.
But will cryptocurrencies live up to their potential to advance equality and opportunity? As one of us has explored before, advocates for blockchain technologies – who note that it could facilitate social good – are nevertheless troubled by the lack of diversity in the blockchain community. Blockchain conferences and panels consistently fail to include women as speakers. During one conference, organizers held a networking event in a strip club that they had rented out. This culture caters to an emerging class of “blockchain bros” and an environment that many women find hostile and disappointing. According to some studies, women account for only 4 to 6 percent of blockchain investors. And women aren’t the only ones being left out—the blockchain community mirrors the tech world in that people of color are also vastly underrepresented.
What Does the Future Hold?
Some have hailed the arrival of blockchain as a panacea, which will solve everything from the healthcare system to supply chain transparency. Blockchain certainly holds the potential to provide a form of leapfrog technology for women in developing countries. For example, Facebook claims that Libra, the cryptocurrency it is developing, will assist in “banking the poor” and extending financial services to those in remote areas, and beyond the reach of traditional banking services.
But in reality, blockchain is just like any other new technology—its applications will only be as diverse and innovative as its creators. Unless blockchain developers address the diversity problem, these promising new technologies risk benefiting only a select few, and entrenching, rather than upending, inequality.


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Huawei has an event slated for April 6th, but it looks like one piece of that announcement has showed up a couple weeks ahead of schedule. The device, internally known as the Venus, looks like it’ll be a less-featured version of the Huawei P9, falling in line with Huawei’s “Lite” lineup of phones.
Instead of being a totally stripped down version this year, the P9 Lite is rumored to have the same 5.2-inch, 1080p screen with 3 GB of RAM, just like the normal P9. The key differences will be a slower CPU and using something other than metal for the body of the device. The dual-camera setup that we’ve heard about on the P9 also isn’t going to be here. Gotta save money somewhere in the build list.
It’s already been tipped that Huawei is planning on launching several different models of the P9 this year, and this wraps up just one of them. We’ll know for sure exactly how many phones they’ll add to the lineup early next month.
source: Venture Beat


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Update as of November 11:-
According to a data mine report, Decidueye may be added to the Pokemon Unite Roster on November 19, 2021. Decidueye will feature three stages of evolution – Rowlet at Level 1, Dartrix at Level 5, and finally, Decidueye at Level 7. Its role will be of a Ranged Attacker, according to the data mine report. You can take a look at the Twitter thread by Sobble’s Unite Datamine revealing all this information:
Unite License: Decidueye [1/2]
🪙 10000 Coins
Release Date: 11/19/2021 pic.twitter.com/rFLyObc95Q
— 🔍 Sobble's Unite Datamine 🔍 (@sobbleunitedtm) November 10, 2021
Note: The above is not official information – the developers have not yet confirmed any of the above.
The original article from November 9 follows:-
The Pokemon Unite team never fails to keep their fans excited! We just received the update for the second season of Pokemon Unite’s battle pass – a lot of new content for fans. However, the team wasn’t yet done surprising us. So, what are we anticipating this time? It’s a new Pokemon, guys! And, the hints are strongly pointing at the popular seventh-generation Pokemon – Decidueye. Read this article to know more about the upcoming member of Pokemon Unite’s Roster and possible release dates.
Pokemon Unite’s Second battle pass kicked in on November 8, 2021, and includes a host of new and exciting rewards. The all-new battle pass – titled Sun, Sun, Sunshine – offers 90 levels with exciting rewards waiting for players at each level. Sun, Sun, Sunshine is heavily colorful and is based on a bright, sunny day theme. There are two options: the basic battle pass and the premium battle pass. The premium battle pass will not only increase your battle pass level by 10 but will also unlock an extra set of rewards (exclusive to the premium battle pass) which you can receive as you level up. This includes premium Holowear like such as Sunshine Style: Venusaur and Adept Style: Charizard, as well as chic Trainer fashion. Sounds exciting, right?
Pokemon Unite Decidueye Release Date: When will it be available?
Right when fans were planning enthusiastically on getting the all-new battle pass of Pokemon Unite, the team also announced the arrival of a new Pokemon. However, there was no mention of any release date. We are expecting the release of new Pokemons during the Christmas update. So, will we see the release of Decidueye during Christmas? We cannot confirm the same, but there’s definitely a possibility. Here’s the official tweet by Pokemon Unite:
— Pokémon UNITE (@PokemonUnite) November 9, 2021
Diehard fans of Pokemon took no time to piece the puzzle together – it’s the fan-favorite archer, Decidueye! Decidueye is a Grass or Ghost-type Pokemon and was first introduced in the seventh generation of Pokemon games, Pokemon Sun and Moon. It is a skilled archer, capable of firing arrow quills from its wings bearing utmost accuracy and precision. Decidueye is also capable of skillful camouflaging and hence, can launch a secret attack on its enemies.
In Pokemon Unite, the extremely popular owl-archer could assume the role of an Attacker, Supporter, Speedster, or even an All-rounder. Although the Pokemon Unite team didn’t reveal the Pokemon directly, it could be easily guessed from the picture posted on the official Twitter account. As you can see from the official tweet above, no other information regarding the same was revealed. Fans are extremely excited about Decidueye joining the Pokemon Unite roster. However, they eagerly want to know the release date of Decidueye. As of now, we don’t have any official information regarding exact release dates. We will update this article when we receive further details regarding the same. Stay tuned to Androidgram!


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Transcend, an optimization specialist with its U.S. headquarters in Piscataway, raised $10 million in its Series A financing round, it announced this week.
The financing was led by Nyca Capital, a fintech venture capital firm, and included an undisclosed custodian bank.
“From the outset of our Series A funding, we were primarily looking to find partners that would complement our business,” CEO Bimal Kadikar said in a prepared statement. “It would have been relatively easy to have raised more money, as almost all of the 10 or so venture capital firms we spoke to came back and said they wanted to invest in the business, but there wasn’t enough room in this round.”
Transcend said it has more than doubled its client base in the past two years.


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OUR world is about to change dramatically, and if we don’t respond it could throw “societies into free fall”.
This is the alarming prediction from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO, which has published a book identifying seven megatrends they believe will change the world and have devastating impacts if people are not prepared to change with them.
Stefan Hajkowicz, the principal scientist working on strategy and foresight at the CSIRO, has written a book Global Megatrends: Seven Patterns of Change Shaping Our Future identifying trends that have the potential to disrupt society as we know it.
It defines a megatrend as a “profound trajectory of social, economic, environmental or technological change” that will occur over the coming decades. At first the change is gradual but it will eventually express itself with “explosive impact”.
Mr Hajkowicz told news.com.au that when people were feeling comfortable, they found it hard to change.
“I think there is evidence and information signals on things ... but we just sit tight and hope it will all go away,” he said. “But we can’t just wait for bad things to happen.”
In his book Mr Hajkowicz uses the decline of film company Kodak to illustrate the dangers in reacting too slowly to change. In 1976 Kodak reportedly captured 90 per cent of film sales and 85 per cent of camera sales in the US, but it failed to correctly forecast how digitisation would transform the industry.
In the end it tried to adapt, purchasing a website for people to share their digital photos and print them out but this failed. This once great company filed for bankruptcy in 2011.
Meanwhile Facebook saw the potential: “People didn’t want to print the photos. They wanted to interact with other people and build friendship networks in the virtual world.”
The revenue would come from advertising, not printing the photos.
“When the megatrends do express themselves it will be too late to act. Emerging successfully from a moment of free fall depends on reading early signals before they become strong, and taking proactive actions,” Mr Hajkowicz said in his book.
Businesses and governments are increasingly realising the importance of reading trends and adapting early, as well as the dangers of failing to act.
“The rise of a digital world was a megatrend that ... Eastman Kodak missed.
“Fijifilm on the other hand, foresaw and responded ... it saw its print film revenue drop from 60 per cent to virtually nothing but it found other sources.”
Mr Hajkowicz argues that when a megatrend expresses itself it will do so with “explosive force and throw companies, individuals and societies into free fall”.
“If we can read megatrends we can alter our destiny.”
1. MORE FROM LESS
As the population increases and more countries experience economic growth, this will put more pressure on humans to reduce waste and share limited resources including food, water, energy and minerals.
By the year 2050, food production will need to increase by 70 per cent in order to meet demand, according to forecasts from the Food and Agricultural Organization, based on assumptions about population growth, changing diets and agricultural systems.
In addition to rising food demand, diets are changing. People in developing countries are, on average, increasing meat consumption at the rate of 5 per cent per year with expectations of future growth.
High and volatile food prices can lead to riots, social unrest and geopolitical instability. When food is scarce, people panic and a fear factor sets in. This can permeate society and subsequently lead to instability.
Mr Hajkowicz said that the world was already experiencing higher and more volatile food prices.
“In 2008 and 2011 global food prices surged to levels higher than those experienced for the past 30 years,” the book notes. It is unclear why food prices shot up so dramatically.
But income growth, biofuel production, climate variability, trade distortions, rising oil prices and urbanisation are factors considered likely to push up food prices into the future.
Oil prices are of particular concern because the liquid is an essential requirement for farming, it’s an essential ingredient for fertilisers, it powers tractors and machinery, is used to transport food from farms to customers, and there are few known substitutes for it.
Analysis of commodity price data over the past 40 years found that a 10 per cent rise in the oil price translated to 1.8 per cent increase in food prices, the book notes.
The world also loses 12 million hectares of productive agricultural land each year to land degradation resulting from human activities such as overcultivation and deforestation.
But the world does not have a problem with food scarcity, Mr Hajkowicz argues, with one-third of the food created today wasted and never eaten.
“As a general rule the world has enough, food, water, energy and minerals to meet the needs of current and future forecast populations,” the book says.
But billions of people are going hungry around the world because the human race has not done a very good job of managing natural resources sustainably or of distributing the wealth they create.
“The world doesn’t have a problem of food scarcity. But it does have problem about food distribution.”
The good news is that the world does have vast energy resources. A recent study found the total non-renewable energy resources (coal, uranium, natural gas and oil combined) will last the world another 574 years.
Mr Hajkowicz believes there will be a transition to new energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro because traditional sources will become more expensive. But he said the question was whether it would be a gradual transitions or an abrupt and painful one.
He also forecasts a future where property rights increasingly emerge for the world’s river systems and the supply of water.
Innovation could be the game changer. When innovation is combined with wise management of natural resources humanity can prevail, Mr Hajkowicz notes.
“Conversely, if managed poorly, food, water, energy and mineral insecurity could trigger armed conflict, famine, economic collapse, social unrest and poverty.”
2. GOING, GOING ... GONE?
This megatrend captures the unprecedented challenges facing the world’s biodiversity.
The coming decades are make-or-break years for many endangered plants, animals and ecosystems. The good news is that human beings are doing more than ever to protect vulnerable species and habitats.
3. THE SILK HIGHWAY
Change is being driven by the ongoing and rapid growth of emerging economies in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
As the more than one billion people in the Asian region shift from being poor to the middle-income class, this will see more spending on services.
Enormous new markets will be created but the wave of competition will also prove challenging, requiring western economies to innovate and therefore boost productivity.
The question is what can the world sell to China and the other rapidly growing emerging economies?
Overall, China is more likely to be a supplier, rather than a consumer of high-end research and development goods, as well as technical, scientific and engineering skills.
Where the Mr Hajkowicz does see potential is in Australia providing China with certain types of food.
China’s food demand is being driven predominantly by income growth, which means people will be able to afford to buy different types of food. Things like tropical fruit, wheat, wine, dairy products, chicken or pork have potential in the Chinese market.
As Mr Hajkowicz notes, China’s transition to a services sector economy will dampen demand for Australia’s minerals but not for food: “To the contrary: people working in the services sector still need to eat, and as their incomes rise, are likely to eat more food and be more selective with a preference for boutique goods and high-protein foods”.
Another area where there is potential is financial investment.
There is an increased likelihood of investment funds flowing into stable and wealthy western countries. There has already been an increase in interest from Chinese people buying Australian property.
“If governments can find a way to capture the benefit of capital inflows while protecting Australian homebuyers then the new wave of investment could present a huge opportunity.”
4. FOREVER YOUNG
Another trend reshaping lifestyle patterns is the world’s ageing demographic, increased life expectancy, the rise of chronic illness and the increased infectious disease risk in a more mobile world. This has implications for retirement and the productivity of the labour force. There will be relatively fewer people in the workforce, having to support more people in retirement.
Staying healthy for a longer life, will require major innovations in healthcare and labour market models.
Mr Hajkowicz said he thought health, along with education, would be big job creators in the future, more so than other parts of the economy.
5. VIRTUALLY HERE
There are signs that digital technology is growing and the exponential growth of computing power combined with deeper immersion of social and economic systems into the virtual world, has the potential to change business models and lifestyles.
Perhaps one of the most impacted industries is the retail sector including fashion shops and other stores that sell goods and services directly to customers.
But while online purchases are increasing, they aren’t capturing all the new growth. The area that shows the most growth is the “bricks and click’s” model of retail, where a physical store and a virtual presence cleverly combine.
More goods will be sold online. But people will increasingly visit physical shops for advice, services, experiences and interaction with other people. Mr Hajkowicz believes it’s unlikely that city CBDs will be deserted. They could become even more important in a digital world with virtual shops and virtual offices.
The growth of the virtual world will also likely see the continued rise of the freelancer who can sell their services to global markets from any location. It could also see offices become more enjoyable places to be as employers realise employees will only come in if they like being there.
Many jobs in mining, defence, aviation, logistics, administration and transportation will be replaced with robotics.
But the internet will bring people closer together and will make things happen by making new linkages.
According to recent research that looked at the Facebook network, there are no longer “six degrees of separation” between people on Earth. It is now possible to connect to every other person in the world by no more than four acquaintances.
6. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
As people’s incomes rise, there will be a shift away from the focus on the essentials of life, with many now craving experiences instead of material goods.
By 2060, the world will contain people who are about 4.4 times wealthier than they are today.
“When you’ve got enough stuff, you want something else,” the book notes.
The shift towards the “experience economy” is already happening. Successful manufacturers know that it’s not just the product that’s important anymore but the broader feel-good factor that surrounds the product.
“Apple is one company that has recognised that consumers want more than a gadget. They wanted a product that was simple, visually appealing and made them feel good.”
“The power company doesn’t sell electricity; it sells warmth and light. The carpet company doesn’t just sell floor coverings; it sells softness, sound insulation and cleaner air. The cafe doesn’t just sell coffee, milk and sugar; it sells ambience, aroma and a moral feel-good factor.”
The rise in discretionary expenditure combined with the online world where you can get just about any service or product delivered any time of the day, may also see more people craving experiences involving social interaction and emotional depth.
The shift towards the “experience economy” could take place alongside a “counter-gadget” trend where people could become so exhausted with advanced technology that they turn increasingly towards authentic experiences such as having a conversation with a friend over a cup of tea.
“I think that as digital technology advances into every part of our lives, we become not only digitally immersed but digitally overwhelmed,” Mr Hajkowicz said. “We want that ability to unplug.”
He said there would always be room for human interaction.
“We are social beings and even if they invent a coffee machine that makes coffee better than a human ... I think people will still visit cafes because they like the fact that the barista smiles at them ... or they still want to meet their friends.
“I think it’s important to remember in this digital world, as companies more online, you don’t want to get rid of all your front line staff, this actually gets more important.
7. THE INNOVATION IMPERATIVE
The CSIRO has identified four key areas of technology development that have the potential to change the way we live, work and play. This includes regenerative medicine, the development of better batteries, robots that can do people’s jobs, and transforming data into useful knowledge and power.
The rise of regenerative medicine could keep human beings living for hundreds of years, advanced batteries could revolutionise the way we power our cities, our cars, our planes and the whole economy, and the rise of autonomous systems capable of replicating human tasks may reshape labour markets. Meanwhile the rise of the information era points to a world where human innovation makes just about anything possible.


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Samsung Display has released a new website to help everyone find out if their products feature Samsung OLED technology. The website is called OLED Finder and includes devices made by Samsung Electronics and other brands like Asus, Oppo, Xiaomi, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus, and Meizu.
OLED Finder is in the beta stages, and for now, its search engine is limited to 700 smartphone models from eight different smartphone brands. However, Samsung Display says it wants to expand the capabilities of the new OLED Finder website to also help users identify if laptops and tablets are equipped with OLED panels made by Samsung.
You can visit OLED Finder directly or scan the QR code below to access the website, but keep in mind that it is in the beta stages, so you may encounter minor issues. As of this writing, searching for devices by “Other” brands doesn’t seem to work. So if you’re trying to find out if an iPhone has a Samsung Display OLED, you might be unable to as of now. But we’re sure Samsung will work out these kinks and improve the Finder in time.
Samsung Display says that 70% of smartphones that use OLED panels are using Samsung technologies. The company is the largest OLED supplier in the world, boasting a 70% market share, but it is not the only OLED panel manufacturer. So the purpose of the OLED Finder website is “to provide more accurate information to consumers that are looking for superior Samsung OLED products.”
It’s a clever idea. OLED Finder can be a very useful tool for prospective smartphone buyers. And the website will be even more useful once tablets and laptops get added. Samsung didn’t reveal when exactly that will happen, but with OLED laptops now becoming more popular and more Android OEMs gaining a bit more interest in tablets, these OLED Finder extended capabilities will be welcome


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According to the Postal Service, greater use of electronic communication continues to drive customers away from using First-Class Mail®. Instead of buying stamps, many customers pay bills online, send ‘e-invitations’ to friends and family, and simply press “Send” when they want to communicate. These shifting customer habits will continue to speed the migration away from traditional First-Class Mail. According to the Postal Service, First-Class Mail has dropped 25 percent and single-piece First-Class Mail – letters bearing postal stamps – has declined 36 percent in the past 5 years.
Aristotle’s tried and true rhetorical method might just be a successful formula for advertising, too. Tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; and then tell them what you told them.
With advertising it seems, hitting people more than once – and via the same medium –yields the...Read More


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According to news on January 31, Lu Weibing, vice president of Xiaomi Group, stated on Weibo that the K40 “has too many product points and it is painful to choose.”
According to previous revelations, the new Redmi K40 will adopt a completely different design from the previous generation. The front will use a center-punched straight screen, and the aperture and frame width are well controlled, making the machine’s frontal visual impact Extremely strong.
On the back of the fuselage, the machine will continue the big eye matrix four-camera module similar to the previous K30S.
In other respects, Redmi K40 supports 120Hz refresh rate, and the aperture and frame width are well controlled. The camera opening is only about 2.8mm. It will be equipped with the Snapdragon 888 processor and will provide the latest Qualcomm flagship Snapdragon 870 processing. Version.
It is reported that the new Redmi K40 series will be expected to meet you on February 25, and will continue to adhere to the Redmi brand’s positioning of the ultimate price-performance ratio. The starting price of products equipped with Snapdragon 888 is only 2,999 yuan (USD $428) .


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By Kylene Scott
The phone rings and the caller asks, "How do I price my hay?" Or "What is my alfalfa worth?" These are common questions for a U.S. Department of Agriculture market news reporter.
The USDA Agriculture Marketing Service market reporters gather prices of hay sold and create reports that many agricultural publications include. High Plains Journal and Midwest Ag Journal compile reports from across the United States and print them every week on page 8-C.
USDA market reporters make phone calls and canvass their designated areas in order to get accurate prices representative of hay sold in their respective states.
Kansas Department of Agriculture Market News Reporter Steve Hessman said he makes a lot of calls to those actively involved in the hay market to include the prices that are best representative of the hay sold in Kansas.
"Some are producers, some are buyers, some are brokers," he said. "I call about 60 to 70 feedlots the beginning of every month and get their prices and visit with them on the markets."
He does chat with those in the dairy segment as well, but often finds it difficult because of their busy schedules. He also gets prices and information from smaller farmers and ranchers.
"This isn't just the big farmers that we talk to," he said. "We talk to all sizes but we do need to talk to people weekly that are active in the hay market so they have a good feel for the market."
Most importantly, Hessman stressed, reporters only quote actual sales.
"We don't report bids or asking prices and that's one thing that when I visit with people on the phone, I'm able to discuss those (prices) but we can't print them," Hessman said. "In a time like right now, when the market's moving and jumping really, it is hard to keep up."
The time lag does make it difficult for some and the report seems as though it is trailing the market. It's the nature of the beast, he said.
"The numbers that are in the report are the most current information that we have, and we usually have somewhat of a range because not everyone is going to be selling at the exact same price," Hessman said. "We do the best we can to get the quality of hay (in the report)."
Including the quality of hay helps buyers distinguish why the hay is priced as it is.
"Especially on (hay) like dairy hay it's a little easier because you have RFVs (relative feed values) or proteins--those things to go by," he said. "So you can call it supreme, premium, good, fair, whatever grade it might be and that helps."
There's not much of a method to his madness, but the reporter tries to keep things consistent.
"No, we don't use a formula, but we do try to keep that range as narrow as we can so that information is as exact as we can get it," Hessman said. "If it's outside the range we're quoting, we make every effort we can to confirm that by talking to the buyer and the seller to make sure before we print it."
Hessman pushes to have the most current, accurate and reliable information as they possibly can when reporting the hay market in Kansas. Recently, he has been getting calls about pricing Sudan.
"They're just now beginning to bale and trade Sudan, so we've got to get some actual sales before we can report it in the paper," Hessman said. "This morning I talked to some people that have Sudan, and they've been offered a price for their Sudan, but they haven't sold it yet, so we can't print it yet."
He can share the pricing information over the phone with people who call but can't print it in the reports until it has been sold. Hessman said prices are varying for Sudan, mostly because of the variety. The brown mid-rib Sudan is more digestible, so it's going to trade at a higher price than regular Sudan. Hay cut from Conservation Reserve Program grasslands also varies widely in price too.
"CRP grass can vary considerably from old junky stuff that's got a lot of old, dead past years' growth in it versus something that's hayed last year and hayed again this year," Hessman said. "You need to know as many details as you can get to help determine how to classify or what to call that hay."
Hessman said there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when pricing hay.
"First of all it's supply and demand. Like this year we're really short on about every kind of hay. Demand has been really good," he said.
Sellers and buyers both need to know what kind and quality of hay they need during a particular time of year.
"Grinders are bidding prices high enough to purchase dairy hay, which is a higher quality hay, because of the low milk price dairies haven't been very aggressive trying to buy hay." Hessman said.
He said if buyers are trying to compare hay types, for example, find ones that are comparable in feed value--like wheat hay and oat hay.
"They're both similar in feed value, but oat hay is generally going to be worth a little more simply for the fact that wheat beards that can cause eye problems in cattle or horses," Hessman said.
Wheat hay generally has to be ground, processed or fed on the ground so those beards aren't getting in their eyes. Oat hay can have a little sweeter smell but people like oat hay for horses. They like it for small calves to start them versus wheat hay.
"They'll use wheat hay if they have to, but it's not a No. 1," he said. "That's why oat hay will generally bring a little more than wheat hay."
As far as protein goes, farmers and ranchers need to be cognizant of the end market for that particular type of hay. Hessman provided an example with grinding hay.
"Protein is not real important on the alfalfa that goes in the bunk at the feedlot," he said. "They are only getting about two pounds of hay a day, but it's very important to a dairyman, so that's why we test and follow the quality a lot more on dairy hay because it needs to be high-quality hay."
Protein levels in alfalfa do not have to be that high simply because feeders are not buying it for that reason.
"They consider that when they are balancing their ration, but it's not the No. 1 criteria like it is in a dairy ration," Hessman said. "So, all those factors have to be taken into account."
Another example he said is with prairie hay or bluestem versus brome grass. Brome has more protein than bluestem, but bluestem is a very neutral hay that doesn't upset the stomach.
"If you can keep the calf eating, his rumen will stay healthy," Hessman said. "You are not buying it for the protein, when you are starting new calves."
Dairies like to feed bluestem to cows or heifers that are getting ready to calve to help prevent milk fever.
"It's a low potassium hay (bluestem) and that helps keep the calcium-potassium balance in check on this animal before she has her calf," Hessman said. "It's not for the feed value; it's to keep the potassium level down so she doesn't have milk fever. That's kind of a luxury feed when they're doing it for that reason. When prairie hay prices get really high they don't have that luxury and don't use it as much."
Marketing of hay is different from other commodities mostly because it is traded based on supply and demand. For some farmers and ranchers that is a deciding factor for them to be in the hay business.
"A lot of producers are in the hay business because they don't have to mess with the board of trade. They like that freedom to market their own hay," Hessman said. "And some people don't like to grow hay for that reason. They can't take hay to the elevator and sell it any day they want to. They've actually got to be involved in marketing it."
Hay reports can be found on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website, www.ams.usda.gov, under the Market News section.
Kylene Scott can be reached by phone at 620-227-1804 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Friday 13th spells end for London Lite
LONDON - The London Lite will publish its final issue next Friday, 13 November, owner Associated Newspapers has confirmed.
London Lite: closing next week
Associated announced a consultation on the newspaper's future on October 27, putting 36 jobs at risk. It said at the time it was entering a consultation but did not give a specific time frame.
Steve Auckland, managing director of Associated Newspapers Free Division, admitted at the time the company was "concerned about the commercial viability" of the newspaper.
Today, Auckland said: "Following a lengthy consultation with London Lite staff, we've together decided to produce our last issue on Friday 13 November."
Its closure will cap a tumultuous period in the London press sector. In September, News International closed thelondonpaper. Meanwhile, last month, the London Evening Standard went free of charge and upped its daily distribution to 600,000 copies.
The London Lite launched in August 2006, primarily as a spoiler to News International's thelondonpaper and to protect sales of Associated's then sister paid-for newspaper, the Evening Standard.
Associated retains a 24.9% stake in the Standard, which was taken over by Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev in January.
This article was first published on mediaweek.co.uk
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Manitoulin Transport has opened a new terminal in the Rural Municipality of Corman Park, Saskatchewan. The new facility will enable significantly more shipping capacity and provide Saskatchewan businesses with improved connections across Canada and the rest of the world.
The 16 dock level-door terminal sits on an 8.4 acre property strategically located to service Corman Park, Saskatoon and the surrounding areas. It is equipped to handle the full spectrum of shipping requirements for the region’s oil and gas, forestry, mining, and agriculture industries.
An open house was held on January 22nd to showcase the new terminal to Manitoulin customers, local dignitaries and the media. “This terminal benefits local businesses by providing easier access to distant markets they may not otherwise be able to reach,” said Don Goodwill, president, Manitoulin Transport, who attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Now they have a reliable full-service transportation partner right on their doorstep that can help them drive success at home, and on a global scale.”
Also in attendance was Judy Harwood, Reeve, Rural Municipality of Corman Park. “Saskatchewan is booming and local businesses must have service partners they can count on to help them optimize every opportunity for growth,” she said. “Getting shipments from A to B quickly and reliably is an essential part of doing business. As such, we are thrilled to welcome a company of the calibre of Manitoulin into our community. We believe the services Manitoulin provides will help take our businesses to the next level of competitiveness that they so deserve.”
“This is the latest of several significant investments we’ve made recently to benefit our customers,” said Gord Smith, chief executive officer, Manitoulin Group of Companies.
Manitoulin Transport’s existing terminal operations in Saskatoon will be moved to the new facility, with incumbent employees transferring to the new premises.


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Client Alert: Is the TCPA Still Fertile Ground for Class Actions?
April 15, 2021
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) was enacted by Congress in 1991 with the aim of curtailing the then growing number of telephone marketing calls, which, consumers at the time complained, came primarily at dinner time on their home phones, a technology which to many today seems ancient.
In more recent years, consumers have been deluged with incessant text messages and calls on their smart phones. Predictably a flood of class action lawsuits brought pursuant to the TCPA crested in recent years. However, a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court may have curtailed that flood by opining on the applicable definition of “autodialer.” Otterbourg’s Erik Weinick discusses the TCPA and the Supreme Court’s decision in Facebook, Inc. v. Duguid et al., in a new article found here.


text: coondoggie writes: "A kite the size of a football field will provide most of the power for a German heavy freight ship set to launch in December. The Beluga shipping company that owns the 460-foot Beluga said it expects the kites to decrease fuel consumption by up to 50% in optimal cases as well as a cutback of the emission of greenhouse gases on sea by 10 to 20%. Interestingly, the ship will be hauling windmills from Esbjerg, Denmark to Houston, Texas. The company that makes the kite for the German transport, SkySails, has made kites for large yachts but is targeting commercial ships with new, larger kites. And it has the ambitious goal of equipping 1,500 ships with kites by 2015. http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/22225"


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Kering to Reorganize Luxury Unit as Division Head Leaves CompanyAndrew Roberts
Kering SA said it will reorganize its luxury division after its managing director stepped down, while reporting a 1.2 percent gain in first-quarter sales as revenue at its Gucci business slowed.
Revenue rose to 2.4 billion euros ($3.32 billion), Paris-based Kering said late yesterday. Analysts predicted 2.37 billion euros. Luxury sales advanced 6.3 percent, excluding acquisitions and currency fluctuations, topping the 6.2 percent median estimate.
Alexis Babeau, managing director of Kering’s luxury unit since 2011, will leave “to take his career in a new direction,” while the company seeks to increase focus on individual brands, which are growing faster than Gucci. Starting next month, his role will be split into two, with Marco Bizzarri overseeing couture and leather-goods brands, excluding Gucci, and former LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA executive Albert Bensoussan heading watches and jewelry.
“We look with favor at the organizational change,” Mario Ortelli, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein in London, said via e-mail.
Direct sales of Bottega Veneta handbags, Saint Laurent dresses and other luxury goods surged 13 percent in the quarter, led by demand in mature markets. Gucci, Kering’s biggest brand, also reported improved sales in its own stores, though on a comparable basis the revenue increase of 0.3 percent trailed analysts’ estimates of 0.5 percent as its policy of adding more expensive products and tightening distribution weighed on growth.
Gucci’s “somewhat subdued” growth leaves investors “with unresolved doubts on the future trajectory of the brand,” Luca Solca, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas in London, said via e-mail. Investors will have to wait for the second half of 2014 “to see more sanguine growth.”
Kering’s shares rose 1.4 percent to 153.4 euros at the close of trading today in Paris. The shares have fallen 0.2 percent this year, giving the maker of Balenciaga shoes and Volcom boardshorts a market value of 19.4 billion euros.
Kering is “confident” it will improve its operating performance in 2014, Chief Executive Officer Francois-Henri Pinault said in the statement.
Bizzarri will continue to lead handbag maker Bottega Veneta until a replacement is found, while Gucci CEO Patrizio di Marco will report directly to Pinault. Pinault will remain chairman of the Saint Laurent brand, which is “at a pivotal moment,” Kering also said.
The changes won’t affect Kering’s strategy, which is focused on organic growth, group Managing Director Jean-Francois Palus said on a conference call. Kering won’t acquire more sporting and lifestyle brands until it has turned round Puma SE, Pinault said in an April 10 interview.
Gucci is introducing more expensive products and upgrading stores as it seeks to win back customers, who are switching to brands they perceive to be more exclusive. Quarterly sales in Gucci’s own stores gained 6 percent with “excellent” growth in Japan, Kering said. Sales are “still negative” in mainland China, though trends are “improving,” Kering Chief Financial Officer Jean-Marc Duplaix said on a conference call.
Comparable quarterly revenue rose fastest at Saint Laurent, increasing 27 percent, exceeding analysts’ estimates for 18 percent growth. Ready-to-wear and leather-goods growth at the brand was “outstanding,” Kering said.
LVMH, the French owner of Gucci competitor Louis Vuitton, this month reported a 9 percent gain in first-quarter fashion and leather-goods revenue, its fastest growth in two years. Burberry Group Plc, the U.K.’s largest luxury-goods maker, also reported rising sales growth.
Comparable sales at Kering’s sporting-goods maker Puma fell 0.4 percent, less than analysts estimated. The company is encouraged by the reception of Puma’s new products and is confident in its ability to turn round the maker of evoPower soccer boots, Duplaix said.


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Bega on Thursday ended months of speculation about a potential bid for the dairy processor, offering Warrnambool shareholders 1.2 Bega shares and $2 cash for every share they own. It represents a total value of $5.78 for each Warrnambool share and a premium of 28 per cent to the pre-bid closing price.
While the offer was viewed as attractive by analysts it was not viewed as a knockout blow, with the strategic nature of the business potentially igniting interest from Asian buyers or Canada’s
“Warrnambool assets have longevity and are scarce," Perpetual portfolio manager
RBS Morgans analyst
But Ms Moore said a third party could spoil Bega’s plans.
“Demand is rising and these are strategic assets," Ms Moore said. “I wouldn’t rule out a third party coming in. Warrnambool has a sizeable export business, which offshore players would be interested in. But there are two Australian companies with blocking stakes, which could make things difficult."
“We understand the business well. We have similar histories, products and markets. It’s about putting the businesses together to get the benefits of size, opportunities in procurement and integration to save on costs," he said.
Speculation has been rife about a potential takeover after Bega emerged as a white knight for Warrnambool as it defended a hostile takeover from Murray Goulburn in 2010.
Speculation intensified earlier this year when Murray Goulburn upped its stake to 16.3 per cent while Mr Irvin stepped down from the Warrnambool board.
Murray Goulburn launched a $180 million takeover bid for Warrnambool in 2010 and has been buying shares this year. Murray Goulburn is a logical buyer, but its $2 billion milk contract with
Murray Goulburn managing director
Bega already owns 18 per cent of the Warrnambool register, having crept up again according to a substantial filing on Thursday. Bega’s advisor, Kidder Williams, has been snapping up Warrnambool shares over the past six weeks, staying under the 1 per cent reporting threshold.
While the bid is solid, sources suggested Bega’s synergy estimates were half-baked.
The combined businesses would operate over seven sites, produce 353,000 tonnes of dairy products, generate revenue of $1.5 billion and process around 1.6 billion litres of milk.
While the offer is viewed as attractive by analysts, Australian companies have a history of losing out in agricultural acquisitions to more aggressive offshore players with deeper balance sheets. The merged entity would likely attract even greater interest.
“It’s a full-ish price, and looks like a good deal. A bigger player in dairy is pretty attractive from an international stand point," Mr Parkin said.
Ms Moore said that it had always been a case of “when" rather than “if" Warrnambool would be taken out.
“Warrnambool is clearly in play and you can’t rule out another bid from somewhere else. In the absence of a higher offer, today’s offer from Bega Cheese is very attractive for Warrnambool shareholders," Ms Moore said.
On Ms Moore’s numbers, the offer equates to a fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2014 EV/EBITDA multiple of 9.4 times and 8.5 times respectively. The average EV/EBITDA multiple of the recent dairy transactions has been 11.3x historic earnings and 8.7x forecast earnings.
Last month, Bega smashed analyst earnings forecasts to break the $1 billion revenue barrier and post a full-year net profit of $25.4 million despite tough operating conditions in the dairy sector.
With Bega’s stock up more than 90 per cent in the past 12 months, the company is using its scrip at a strong price in the Warrnambool deal.
By contrast, Warrnambool’s earnigns result was lacklustre and showed little of Bega’s resilience in the face of weak global dairy prices and a strong Australian dollar.
Warrnambool has appointed Minter Ellison and CIMB Corporate Finance to advise on the offer.
The Australian Financial Review


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a Letter with a personal autograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin sold at auction in Russia for 340 thousand rubles.
a Letter written September 12, 2001, was addressed to the Soviet journalist Valentin Zorin, the americanist. In a letter to the head of state thanks Zorin for the gift — the book “Unknown about known”.
At the same auction was sold five sheets of notes of a film Director and screenwriter Andrei Tarkovsky at prices ranging from 160 to 650 thousand rubles. And materials associated with the film “the Mirror” – autographs of the Director and photos — sold for 2 million rubles.
One of the items was a baseball cap of the group “Leningrad” autographed Sergei Shnurov – it’s sold over 4.2 thousand rubles.