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In his latest used games report at Mainichi.jp, Trader's Shunichi Kobayashi says that while the third Professor Layton game appears to be selling well (damn straight -- it was last week's number one game!), people aren't selling their copies back.
I feel the need to add here that anyone who does sell a Layton game back is part of the problem.
For recent PSP releases like Higurashi Daybreak Portable, Musou Orochi, Kenka Bancho 3, the store was able to sell used copies immediately after they got them in.
Over the week of 11/25 to 12/1, Gundam VS Gundam (PSP) was the top selling used title at the shop. Below it were Valkyrie Profile (DS), Castlevania Ubawareta Kokuin (DS), Quiz Magic Academy DS (DS), Super Robot Taisen Z (PS2), Way of the Samurai 3 (PS3), Chrono Trigger (DS) and Last Remnant (Xbox 360), in that order.
Regarding Gundam VS Gundam, Kobayashi says that the lack of a campaign mode may be what's making people sell the game back so much. The used copies sell in massive amounts, though, in part because of a price drop given to the game by the shop.
Valkyrie Profile sell-backs have also been on the rise, prompting the shop to drop its price as well.
For this week's new releases, Kobayashi says that 428 has seen a sudden burst in popularity. However, shipments for the game are low. He expects copies to be hard to find following second shipments on the 9th.
As a side note, I am currently debating changing the name of this series to something involving the word "recycle." Here in Japan, when you sell used product back to a store, it's called "recycling" the product. This naming applies to games too, so you'll see big signs at shops asking you to recycle your games.


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The 32,300-square-foot facility in Val-d’Oise will provide fulfillment solutions for European brands that want to sell directly to Chinese consumers without having an established entity in the country.
More from WWD
The warehouse will house merchandise from France, Germany, the U.K., Italy and Spain, among other European countries. A wide range of products, including apparel, beauty and fine jewelry goods from “over 100 respected brands” will fill the space, according to JD.com.
As the company’s first self-operated cross-border e-commerce fashion warehouse in Europe, the facility reflects JD.com’s plan to expand its cross-border e-commerce business.
“Our strategy focuses on expanding our supply chain to the very locations where brands are based,” said Louis Zhang, general manager of luxury and fashion at JD Worldwide.
Zhang said being close to brands’ headquarters can not only “meaningfully reduce fulfillment costs for local sellers,” but also offer faster delivery, competitive pricing and customer services.
“This innovative approach is designed to unlock new possibilities for more small and medium-sized enterprises and specialty brands from Europe, providing them with an entry point into China’s vibrant and dynamic fashion market,” added Zhang.
Shoppers can now access JD.com’s Paris warehouse offerings via a direct link on its website and app.
JD.com’s logistics branch began accelerating its warehouse network in 2020. JD Worldwide’s logistic network spans more than 1,600 warehouses, including nearly 90 bonded, direct mail and overseas warehouses in Japan, South Korea and Europe.
The warehouse opening points to heated competition in the cross-border retail for Chinese e-commerce players, including JD.com and Tmall.
Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics arm that has plans to seek a recent initial public offering, has set a target of establishing one to two warehousing and distribution centers every year in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia, the company said in a recent statement.
To compete with the likes of Temu and Shein, Cainiao and AliExpress recently launched a global five-day delivery express service, allowing products to be shipped from China to consumers all over the world in five days.
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Baja Fresh played the role of Third Street’s only Mexican food restaurant for less than a year before the company was forced to close due to economic downturn. Now, the owners of Burgers & Brew and Crepeville are going to bring Mexican flavors to Third Street once again.
El Toro Bravo will feature a menu with creative Mexican cuisine, said co-owner Derar Zawaydeh.
“We are shooting for something that is not typical, but has Mexican flare,” he said.
El Toro Bravo is set to open early in June, said Zawaydeh.
“We wanted to fill what we felt was a hole in good Mexican food in Davis,” Zawaydeh said. “And especially in downtown — and on Third Street.”
Davis needs a new Mexican restaurant, according to Larissa Epstein, a senior animal biology major at UC Davis.
“What Davis has in California fusion and Chinese we lack in a really good Mexican food. I hope [El Toro Bravo] knocks me out of the water,” Epstein said.
Unlike Burgers & Brew and Crepeville, which both had predecessors in Sacramento, El Toro Bravo is the first of its kind. However, the Mexican restaurant will feature a style similar to that of the other members of the Third Street clan.
There will be counter service during the day and full service during the evening, said Zawaydeh. El Toro Bravo will also put a creative twist on the Mexican classics, he added. Zawaydeh will be working with a chef knowledgeable in Mexican food to create a menu.
“Although I can’t release specific menu items yet, I can tell you that they will be quality, fresh, creative and affordable dishes just like our other restaurants,” Zawaydeh said.
Keeping the prices reasonable and the food high-quality and fresh are two of Zawaydeh’s main concerns in planning El Toro Bravo. Those are the most important aspects to running a business in a college town, he added.
“We love the students,” Zawaydeh said. “They are a major part of our business and we care about creating something that works for them.”
El Toro Bravo will be Davis’ eighth Mexican restaurant.
There are plenty of tasty Mexican options according to Danielle Nisan, a junior animal biology major.
“I really love Guadalajara’s and I will continue going there despite the addition of a new Mexican restaurant,” Nisan said.
SARA ISLAS can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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MARKET PULSE-Apple, Dell, Sarepta, Broadcom, Transition Therapeutics
July 24 (Reuters) - Some U.S. stocks to watch on Wednesday:
WALL ST SET TO OPEN HIGHER ON APPLE, EURO ZONE STRENGTH
Wall Street was set for a higher open as Apple was expected to boost tech shares after reporting stronger-than-expected results and positive euro-zone economic data boosted market sentiment.
S&P 500 futures rose 4.9 points, Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 35 points and Nasdaq 100 futures added 28.5 points.
** APPLE INC, Tuesday close $418.99, up 4.6 pct premarket
A sharp drop in Apple's China revenue in April-June underscores the challenges it faces in its second-largest market as the technology gap with cheaper local rivals narrows and as Samsung Electronics keeps up a steady stream of new models across all price ranges. Continued...


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department of justice
The Imperfect Myth of the Female Poisoner
There's a popular idea in our culture that poison belongs to the female killer. In the 1945 Sherlock Holmes movie, Pursuit to Algiers, Holmes considers...
HP Spying Scandal Ends With a Whimper
The HP boardroom spying scandal once transfixed the national media. It sparked Congressional hearings and lawsuits, and it changed the law. But it ended on...
Suppose Justice Settles With Apple and Publishers. Then What?
It's no real surprise to read reports that Apple and five of the Big Six trade publishers are close to a settlement agreement with the...
AT&T Temporarily Withdraws FCC Application for T-Mobile Merger
AT&T has temporarily withdrawn its application with the FCC to acquire T-Mobile, and will instead focus on getting approval from the Justice Department for the...
Sprint Urges DoJ and FCC to Ban AT&T Takeover of T-Mobile
It almost goes without saying that Sprint has probably been opposed to AT&T’s recent proposed purchase of rival cell phone carrier T-Mobile. Now it’s official....
Justice Department Shifts Scrutiny to Apple’s Music Store
The Department of Justice is reportedly looking into Apple’s bullying ways in the digital music market, where its iTunes music store accounts for 70 percent...
Sept. 28, 1998: Internet Explorer Leaves Netscape in Its Wake
A report from the International Data Corporation shows that Microsoft's Internet Explorer has passed Netscape Navigator in browser share for the first time.
Antitrust Probe to Review Hiring Practices at Apple, Google, Yahoo: Report
The Department of Justice is investigating whether some of the largest tech firms in the world violated antitrust laws by coordinating their strategies for hiring...


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Talc is a mineral that is commonly utilized in personal care items ranging from baby powder to beauty products. It is a desirable component due to its soft texture and capacity to absorb moisture. Recently published research and legal challenges, however, have raised worries about the possible health consequences of talc usage.
In this article, we will discuss the dangers of toxic talc and explore the importance of being informed about the products we use daily.
Talc, Cancer, and Legal Battles
Numerous studies have suggested a possible link between talc use and ovarian cancer. Talc particles, when used in the genital area, can travel to the ovaries and cause inflammation, leading to the development of cancer cells. According to a post by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), published scientific research dating back to the 1960s suggests a probable link between the use of talc-containing powders in the vaginal area and the prevalence of ovarian cancer.
Several lawsuits against talc manufacturers have been filed. Johnson & Johnson, a well-known manufacturer, has been heavily involved in the legal battles related to talc and ovarian cancer. According to TorHoerman Law, the company has been the subject of numerous lawsuits where individuals allege that their use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products played a role in their ovarian cancer diagnosis.
In a recent Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit update, it has been reported that the company has proposed a significant settlement amount of $8.9 billion to settle all current and future lawsuits. However, as of the current writing, the approval for this proposed settlement is still pending.
Contamination With Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally and is linked to talc. According to the American Cancer Society, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) defines all types of asbestos as carcinogenic to humans.
During the mining process, talc deposits can become contaminated with asbestos, causing a serious health concern. Asbestos-contaminated talc can cause lung disorders such as lung cancer and mesothelioma if inhaled or consumed.
To address this concern, regulatory authorities have put testing processes in place to assure the safety of talc products. To reduce their exposure, customers should be aware of the possible hazards and look for asbestos-free certificates or talc-free alternatives.
Talc in Baby Powder
Baby powder has long been a staple in many households for keeping infants dry and preventing diaper rash. However, the presence of talc in some baby powders has raised concerns.
As noted in an article by Drugwatch.com, inhalation of talc particles by babies can lead to respiratory problems, including lung irritation and difficulty breathing. Parents and caregivers should consider opting for talc-free alternatives, such as cornstarch-based powders, which can provide similar benefits without the potential health hazards of talc.
It is important to note that not all baby powders contain talc, and many manufacturers have switched to talc-free formulations in response to safety concerns. Reading product labels and choosing talc-free options can help ensure the well-being of infants and young children.
Alternatives to Talc
Given the potential risks associated with talc, many individuals are seeking safer alternatives. Some companies have started producing talc-free powders using ingredients like cornstarch or arrowroot powder. These alternatives provide similar benefits without the potential health hazards of talc.
In addition to cornstarch and arrowroot powder, other natural alternatives like rice starch, tapioca starch, or baking soda can be used as substitutes for talc. These options can help individuals reduce their exposure to talc and minimize any associated risks.
The Need for Stricter Regulation
The controversy surrounding talc highlights the need for stricter regulations in the personal care product industry. Clear guidelines and regular testing for the presence of contaminants, such as asbestos, are essential to ensure consumer safety. Consumers should also be proactive in educating themselves about product ingredients and making informed choices.
To address these concerns, regulatory authorities should enforce more rigorous testing standards for talc-based products. This includes regular screening for asbestos contamination and the establishment of acceptable limits to minimize consumer exposure. Stricter regulations would provide consumers with greater confidence in the safety of the products they use and help prevent potential health risks associated with toxic talc.
The dangers of poisonous talc have been highlighted by scientific investigations and legal fights. The suspected relationship between talc and ovarian cancer, as well as talc contaminated with asbestos, raises questions regarding the safety of talc-containing personal care items.
Johnson & Johnson’s proposed compensation of nearly $9 billion underscores the seriousness of the problem. Consumers must be well-informed and take proactive steps to reduce their exposure to talc by choosing talc-free alternatives. To assure the safety of personal care goods and safeguard customers from the possible health concerns presented by toxic talc, more regulations and studies are required.


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Nikon releases new measuring microscopes with more functionality and usability
The Nikon MM-series of industrial measuring microscopes has been periodically upgraded since the early 1950s, but not to such an…Read Article
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Electric scooters seem to be multiplying like rabbits these days. One unique entry is the Sway, a scooter that has three wheels but still leans in the turns like a Yamaha Niken. The only problem is that Sway Motorsports has been promising production for years, and we're still waiting for it to happen.
Fans of Shark Tank may remember a funky little tilting scooter that appeared in 2015 during season six. That was the Sway. It's designed to be simple enough for anyone to ride, even non-motorcyclists. Sway Motorsports claims that it's so simple that founder Joe Wilcox’s mother, who is five-foot-two and was 60 years old at the time, had no trouble riding an early prototype.
Very little about the Sway has changed since that prototype was unveiled way back in 2012. It features a 4.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, similar to what Tesla uses, powering a six-kilowatt electric motor. This can propel the Sway to a top speed of 55 miles per hour and a maximum range of about 40 miles. It features a specially designed steering mechanism that allows the scooter to lean through the turns as though it had two wheels, like the Yamaha Niken. The design is actually quite similar to the Tilting Motor Works kit that can convert a Honda Goldwing or certain Harley-Davidsons into leaning three-wheelers.
One of the Sway's huge benefits is that in California, where Sway Motorsports is located, you can legally ride a Sway with nothing more than a standard driver's license. You can also legally lane split in California. This could be huge for city dwellers, who could take advantage of the Sway's maneuverability in traffic without having to get a motorcycle license. It's a win-win situation.
The Shark Tank exposure resulted in more than $1 million worth of pre-orders for the scooter. Sway Motorsports entered into a partnership with Govecs, a major German electric scooter manufacturer, to put the Sway into production. Unfortunately, three years later, we're still waiting for it. Heavy had reported that the first Sways were expected to be ready in July 2016. Then Powersports Finance reported last year that production was expected to begin in the fall, and a faster prototype would be available in 2018. Here we are in late 2018, and we haven't seen either of these.
The Sway still looks like a great idea, but the competitors are catching up. Yamaha's TriTown concept, which is quite similar to the Sway, will be on display at CES in January. A healthy established company like Yamaha has a much better chance of putting such a scooter into production than a small company that has been struggling to find funding for years. You can still order a Sway for $9,999 on its website, but as great as it looks, I wouldn't be so quick to plunk my money down until I see some production bikes.
Sources: Sway Motorsports, New Atlas, Heavy, Powersports Finance


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Toys Made with Recycled Plastics Expose Children to High Levels of Toxic Chemicals
Scientists and civil society experts say published findings should influence design of new global Plastics Treaty
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When plastics from electronic waste are recycled, toxic chemicals in the plastics transfer to the new products made with the recycled material. A new study looking at effects from children’s toys made from recycled e-waste plastics published in the journal Environment International found that children can be exposed to highly toxic chemicals from recycled plastic products, above proposed safety standards. The findings, using testing on human cells, show that typical mouthing behaviors of young children who play with recycled plastic toys could significantly contribute to their daily intake of highly toxic dioxin-like compounds and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. Dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals known and are known to be harmful to children’s health, including by hampering neurological development and thyroid hormone function.
The study found toxic substances, including chemicals that have been banned globally, in toys and other products made with recycled e-waste plastics (called black plastics) purchased from 26 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The findings are crucial for the design of the new Plastics Treaty which will be discussed at the third International Negotiations Committee meeting in Nairobi scheduled for next week. Recycling of plastics and toxic chemicals in recycled plastic products are one of the crucial elements to be discussed at the upcoming meeting.
Plastics are made with toxic chemicals and the study today and numerous previous studies demonstrate that these chemicals make plastics a material that is incompatible with circular economy principles.
The study, “Global survey of dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in consumer products and toys” assessed levels of several chemicals, including highly toxic, brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) in recycled plastic toys and other products. PBDD/Fs occur as impurities following the use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are chemicals often added to plastics in electronics to confer flame resistance. Alarmingly, the study found that the average level of PBDD/Fs found in 24 toys exceeded proposed EU safety standards for a tolerable daily intake of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, given young children’s typical mouthing behaviors.
The study also assessed products for levels of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical known to impact thyroid hormone functioning and linked to cancer and reproductive harm. High levels of TBBPA were found in most of the black plastic consumer products and toys, indicating that the products could expose children to this toxic chemical.
“Our study simulates the real impact of products from plastic recycled from e-waste on human cells by analyzing hormone disrupting toxic activities. We were shocked to find that children could be exposed to significant amounts of highly toxic chemicals from recycled plastic toys,” said Dr. Peter Behnisch from the Amsterdam laboratory BioDetection Systems, one of the lead authors of the study.
The study also found that the level of PBDD/Fs in toys and other products were above proposed levels for similar chemicals in toxic wastes. Based on chemical analyses, 15 out of 24 toys, and 16 out of 24 consumer products showed higher levels than the proposed standard for chlorinated dioxins in toxic waste under the Basel Convention. Based on tests showing dioxin-like levels by cellular activity, 16 out of the 24 toys, and 13 out of the 24 other products analyzed contained higher levels than the proposed limit for toxic waste. The levels of PBDD/Fs found in some toys and other products were similar to levels found in certain hazardous wastes, including highly toxic waste incineration ash.[UH1] [CM2]
The findings also highlight the need for addressing chemicals in plastics in the new global Plastics Treaty and avoiding a Treaty focused only on the volume of plastic waste generated.
”We collected children's toys, kitchen utensils and products for women to determine first, the extent of contamination by toxics regulated by international treaties, and second, whether the treaties are strict enough to protect human health in African and other developing countries. Unfortunately, our results show that the international treaties are not doing enough to protect our health,” said Semia Gharbi, Chairperson of the Association de l’Education Environnementale pour les Futures Générations (AEEFG) in Tunisia and a co-author of the study. “The current situation allows plastics to poison the circular economy.”
The study recommends “Improving chemical monitoring of plastics for recycling to avoid recycling contaminated plastics into new toxic products.”
“The current limits sets for control of toxic halogenated compounds in plastics allow toys and other consumer products to be made with toxic flame retardants (accompanied by dioxins and endocrine disrupting chemicals as by-products). Based on our study, we are calling for stricter limits and better control of all toxic chemicals in recycled plastics that reflect the latest scientific findings,” said Jindrich Petrlik, program director of Arnika – Toxics and Waste Programme and IPEN expert on dioxins and waste and one of the co-authors of the study.


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For the past six years, Twitter users have relied on TwitPic to host photos and videos. But after September 25th, they will have to look elsewhere, as the service will shut down indefinitely.
...of Microsoft's tough decisions, Xbox insights, and BlackBerry's Android beauty
Microsoft challenges you to a game of Bing Pong
Exclusive images of the new phone with a 10,000mAh battery
ISOs of Windows 10 Insider Preview build 10162 are now available
All the latest news on Windows 10
Trouble upgrading to new Windows 10 builds? Here are 5 possible fixes
The release of the new Twitter apps for iOS and Android also removes support for uploading pictures to a third party service, forcing users to access Twitter's own Photobucket service.
TwitPic founder Noah Everett launches a Twitter competitor, called Heello, just a day after Twitter's self-hosted picture service officially launches.
Following many weeks of speculation, all indications are that Twitter is finally set to announce the launch of its own photo sharing service, taking on competing services that have seen a surge in usage since...


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Apple's Craig Bolton breaks down new WatchOS fitness features during the tech company's Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California.
15 months ago the price of one ounce of fine gold was $1,790 per ounce and since then, it has increased in value 3.51% to
The Nigerian blockchain and crypto advocacy group, the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association in Nigeria (SIBAN) recently announced the introduction of a code of conduct
Los Estados Unidos. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEGUNDO) has launched a game-show campaign to help investors make informed decisions “in a playful way.” One of the


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Airthings, renowned for their top-selling indoor air quality and radon monitors, has announced an expanion of their consumer product line with two groundbreaking additions: Airthings Renew and Wave Enhance. The innovations were introduced on the first day of CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
Airthings Renew: A smart air purifier for healthier homes
The Airthings Renew stands out as the more high-spec device. This is a smart air purifier, meticulously designed in Scandinavia.
The device boasts a sleek, matte gray exterior complemented by a front cover crafted from “audio-grade” woven textile. Airthings has designed this unit with versatility in mind, enabling it to seamlessly integrate into various spaces. Its unique design allows for multiple placement options: it can stand upright, lay flat, or be mounted on a wall, adapting effortlessly to different room layouts and user preferences.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Renew boasts a 4-stage HEPA-13 filter, effectively removing 99.97% of airborne particles. Its high-performance carbon filter also eliminates gases and odors, ensuring a fresher indoor environment.
Remarkably, Renew can purify the air in a standard bedroom within just 10 minutes, covering areas up to 525 sq ft. It features three operational modes, including a Silent mode for minimal noise disruption, an Auto mode for energy-efficient air quality adjustments, and a Boost mode for rapid air purification.
Wave Enhance: Tailored for bedrooms and home offices
Complementing the Renew is the Wave Enhance, a compact air quality monitor designed for bedrooms and home offices. It features an array of sensors to measure CO2 levels, VOCs, temperature, humidity, air pressure, ambient noise, and light. The Wave Enhance’s unique “Sleep Disruptors” report, accessible via the Airthings app, helps users understand how air quality impacts their sleep and overall well-being.
The importance of indoor air quality: A statistical perspective
Indoor air quality is a critical aspect of our health and well-being. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. That’s particularly worrying as we spend up to 90% of our times indoors!
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Studies have shown that poor indoor air quality can lead to a variety of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and even cognitive impairment. For instance, a Harvard study found that improved air quality leads to a 61% increase in cognitive function test scores. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that reducing particulate matter in the air can lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases.
Eco-friendly and user-centric design
In line with environmental sustainability, Airthings has made significant strides in reducing plastic use and carbon footprint in their products. The Renew utilizes 50% recycled plastic and features almost entirely recyclable or compostable packaging. Similarly, the Wave Enhance uses 70% less plastic than previous models, significantly reducing its manufacturing carbon footprint.
Availability and pricing
The Airthings Renew is available for pre-order now at $399 USD, while the Wave Enhance will retail for $149 USD, with availability expected in mid-2024. These devices blend functionality with user-centric design, reflecting a thoughtful approach to air quality improvement. Renew, with its efficient filtration system, and Wave Enhance, with its detailed air quality monitoring, cater to the growing awareness of indoor environmental health.
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‘No salt crisis during Eid-ul-Adha’
The excess demand for salt, for the preservation of rawhides during the upcoming Eid has been estimated at one lakh tonnes
Industries Secretary Mohammad Abdul Halim has assured tanners of no salt crisis during the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.
“At present, there are 18 lakh tonnes of salt in stock against the annual demand of 14 lakh tonnes,” he said while addressing a press conference at the Tannery Estate in Savar on Wednesday.
The excess demand for salt, for the preservation of rawhides during the upcoming Eid has been estimated at one lakh tonnes.
The tannery industry needs another one lakh tonnes for the rest of the year.
About 1.70 lakh animals will be slaughtered during the Eid-ul Azha, the industries secretary said, citing the data collected by Fisheries and Livestock Ministry.
Rawhide traders said it requires 8-10 kilogram of salt for preserving each cow rawhide, 10-12 kg for each buffalo rawhide and 1-2kg for rawhides of goat and sheep.
The industries secretary hoped that work on the Savar tannery estate will be completed by 2020.
“Once the tannery village goes into operation, it will bring a great opportunity for the country,” Abdul Halim said adding: “We hope our leather and leather goods exports will reach $5 billion by 2021.”
In the last fiscal year 2018-19, the export volume of leather and leather goods was only $1.2 billion.
In reply to a question, he said the government has planned to establish another backward linkage industry for leather and leather goods, having a research and training institute.
BUET Prof Md Delwar Hossain and President of Bangladesh Tanners’ Association (BAT) Shahin Ahmed were, among others, present at the event.


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Pricol ties up with BMS PowerSafe to manufacture battery management system for EVs
As part of the international licensing agreement with BMS PowerSafe, an arm of the Startec Energy Group, the French firm will develop software and provide its BMS platform as an end-to-end solution in consultation with Pricol, the company said in a statement.
New Delhi: Automotive technology firm Pricol Ltd on Thursday said it has entered into an exclusive partnership with France's BMS PowerSafe to manufacture Battery Management System (BMS) for electric vehicles across all segments in the Indian market. As part of the international licensing agreement with BMS PowerSafe, an arm of the Startec Energy Group, the French firm will develop software and provide its BMS platform as an end-to-end solution in consultation with Pricol, the company said in a statement.
"As part of our EV specific growth strategy, we constantly evaluate business opportunities in the market to provide the best solution to OEMs. One of the areas we zoned in was the BMS as it plays a vital role in any EV vehicle and complements well with our Driver Information System class of products in terms of integrations," Pricol Ltd Managing Director Vikram Mohan said.
He further said, "In BMS PowerSafe, we have found an ideal partner who brings best-in-class solutions for battery management system with proven technology that can be customised suitably as per OEM requirements."
According to BMS PowerSafe CEO Thomas Debuisser, the Indian automotive industry is poised for exponential growth in electrification in the years to come.
Through the partnership with Pricol, the company would bring its over 20 years of experience as a pure player in BMS and offer an end-to-end solution with the highest level of safety features, Debuisser added. PTI RKL SHW SHW
This is the first time two of the country's largest corporate houses will be vying directly against each other for an asset. A consortium of Power Finance Corp. and REC Ltd, both state-owned, will also be participating in the bidding process, the people said.


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Have you ever wanted to put your feet up and lean back to enjoy a movie like Transformers or Godzilla while seeing one on the biggest possible screen? While that is already a reality in some cities, AMC is hoping to expand that experience across the country.
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., the second-largest theater chain in the country, is hoping to bring reclining, La-Z-Boy-style seats at 1,800 theaters, which would actually mean less seats in the theaters. According to The Wall Street Journal, the renovations would cost $350,000 to $500,000 for each theater and some of that cost may go to the landlords. Overall, the project will include spending $600 million over five years.
This may sound like a bizarre proposal for Hollywood, since it would mean less seats in theaters. But previous renovations have yielded success. Attendance at renovated AMC locations spiked 80 percent, even though some theaters included as little as 70 seats. AMC Chief Executive Gerry Lopez says that the idea is to emphasize quality of the theater-going experience over the quantity - or size of the audience.
Of course, this plan comes as the movies are facing another, 1950s-style challenge with Netflix and other streaming services becoming cheaper and more common ways to see movies. Like the studios and theater owners that preceded them in history, today’s executives are trying similar techniques. Movies stayed alive back then, so they have to hope it will work again.
This is the first big renovation push for AMC since China’s Wanda Group bought the company in May 2012. The company also recently went public in December.
image of Michael Bay courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com


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Dropping your smartphone when taking a selfie could soon be in the “no problem” basket
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 raises the bar for protection against drops higher than ever, surviving 1.6-meter drops onto rough surfaces up to 80% of the time. Plus, even though it’s their toughest cover glass yet, it still delivers the optical clarity, damage resistance, and touch sensitivity Gorilla® Glass is famous for.
They launched their next generation of Gorilla Glass – the material used in more than 70% of smartphone screens, including on Samsung and Apple devices.
According to a recent global study*, over 85% of smartphone owners have dropped their phones at least once per year and 55% have dropped their phones three times or more. Additionally, more than 60% of smartphone owners reported dropping their devices between shoulder and waist height.
“With each successive generation of Corning Gorilla Glass, we have taken cover glass technology to new levels. Gorilla Glass 5 is no exception, extending Corning’s advantage in drop performance over competitive glasses,” said John Bayne, vice president and general manager, Corning Gorilla Glass. “With many real-world drops occurring from between waist and shoulder height, we knew improving drop performance would be an important and necessary advancement.”
Saving on repairs
Shattered or cracked screens are the number one cause of smartphone repairs and customer complaints globally.
The new glass was tested on rough surfaces – a demo for journalists showed dummy phones being dropped from a height of 1.6 meters onto a sheet of sandpaper.
Some of the phones tested survived over 20 hard drops in the lab! This is giving you and me a lot more second chances. I sure have dropped my phone many times, and will probably drop it in future too. Typically, most phone drops are from between waist and shoulder height.
As well as drops, the company said it was twice at good at resisting scratches and other damage compared to what’s currently on the market.
Device manufacturers are expected to unveil products with the new glass within the next few months.
Corning Glass has a vast interest in this product for obvious reasons. The company demonstrated the drop test to reporters at its lab in Palo Alto, California recently.
However, the company warned it had no control over eventual smartphone designs, meaning some models could be slightly weaker depending on the manufacture and design of the device. Corning’s statistics were based instead on controlled lab conditions. Testing outside the lab was not permitted.
Corning’s work in specialist glass dates back to 1879, when it produced the glass used in the iconic Edison lightbulb. By 2016, more than 4.5 billion devices use Gorilla Glass, which is created using a technique known as fusion forming. It involves placing the raw materials – sand and “other inorganic material” – into a melting pot.
Mobile phones sure has come a long way, and if you are after a business solution for your mobile fleet, give Key Technologies a call.


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Aiming to strengthen cooperation between customs, governmental entities, businesses, institutional organizations, and the international private sector, the Tenth World BASC Congress convened trade security experts from over 15 countries in Lima. The Congress, titled "X World BASC Congress: Resilience in International Trade," facilitated dialogue on the importance of bolstering international trade through the adoption of globally recognized good practices and security procedures to foster trust in the supply chain.
Co-organized by the World BASC Organization and the BASC Peru Chapter as members of the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC), the critical event attracted more than 300 participants, including 100 foreign entrepreneurs and expert moderators from over 15 countries. Attendees included distinguished representatives from the World Customs Organization (WCO), customs officials from the U.S., Guatemala, Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, foreign trade entities, BASC companies, and the U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Mrs. Lisa Kenna.
Isaura Delgado, President of the Board of Directors of BASC Peru, emphasized the necessity of prioritizing security in all logistical aspects and supply chains to address new challenges facing the country, enabling the smooth operation of international trade and markets, ultimately benefiting consumers and citizens. She also noted that global trade of goods has recovered more rapidly than GDP and the World Trade Organization (WTO) projects that global economic production will increase by 5.3% this year, followed by a 10.8% growth in world trade in goods, fostering economic recovery.
César Venegas, General Manager of BASC Peru, highlighted the importance of encouraging ongoing cooperation between the public and private sectors to implement coherent and effective policies benefiting the population. "When the public and private sectors work together, great things are achieved."
As part of the commitments made during the International Congress, agreements to facilitate trade, including security in the logistics chain, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), Customs & Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT), International BASC Standards, and Standards V.6-2022, risk management, and others, will be implemented.
To remain globally aligned, the BASC standard was updated to version 6, fostering collaboration among countries with BASC presence and enhancing relationships with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and various customs authorities, including those from the U.S., Panama, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.
The meeting enabled the exchange of ideas and the promotion of a high-quality and profitable managerial tool for security and logistics processes in international business. The next World BASC Congress will be held in Miami, USA, in 2024.
The X World BASC Congress featured notable international representatives, such as Mr. Ian Saunders, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere of the U.S. Department of Commerce; Mr. Robert Pérez, Former Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection of the U.S. (CBP); Ms. AnnMarie Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP; Mr. Ricardo Treviño, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization (WCO); Mr. Jaime King, Chair of the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) of the WCO; Mr. Alfonso Rojas, President of the Regional Private Sector Group (GRSP); and Mr. Luis Sandoval, Manager of Customs Operators and User Services of the National Customs.


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Due to COVID-19, there has been an increase in communication via real-time communication. An increase in Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other video services have taken over the way we meet for business and personal purposes, but we’ve also seen the rise in live social communication. In the last year, we’ve seen the growth of the audio-only app Clubhouse which allows users to have audio conferences with anyone around the world. This has sparked Twitter responding with their own version called Spaces and it looks like Instagram are following suit with their own innovations.
At the start of March Instagram rolled out an update to their Live streaming giving users the ability to go Live on Instagram with up to three people. Previously, consumers could go live with only one other person in a stream, but now Instagram is letting users “double up” on their live broadcast.
Instagram believe that doubling up on Live will open up more creative opportunities. Users may be able to: start a talk show, host jam sessions, co-create with other creators and much more. (Source Instagram). Like Spaces, Instagram is creating opportunity within the platform for creators to monetise. Instagram recently announced that Live viewers could purchase badges for their favourite creators. Viewers can buy badges for the hosts and use interactive features like Shopping and Live Fundraisers.
Instagram are combining the visual aspect of their platform and the increase of video conferences, with the structure of Clubhouse and Spaces where users can tune into an ongoing conversation. Where this differs is that the hosting is automatically better moderated with only up to 4 people able to speak. Instagram also instituted some safety measures for the new feature, such as preventing any users blocked by any guests from joining the live, as well as banning guests that have been banned from live access from joining Live Rooms (Source Metro). During live broadcasts, the hosts can also report and block comments and use comment filters to maintain a safer experience for all viewers (Source Tech Crunch).
An advantage Instagram and Twitter have over Clubhouse is that the users are already on the platform. Brands and users can promote upcoming live chats on their feeds and stories prior to the Live Rooms, they can garner the interest of their audience beforehand. Clubhouse does allow users to add reminders, however, the user feed and community isn’t as sophisticated as the Instagram or Twitter feeds as of yet.
Live Rooms could be a great way for brands to engage in live conversations with other industry influencers, roll out new product features and host industry-related discussions. Like with Clubhouse and Spaces, this is a chance for brands/companies to host conversations with different influencers. With the seemingly better community moderation, this would be safer to host live conversations without the risk of rogue users creating a bad PR moment for the brand. Unlike Clubhouse, brands won’t need to have a set moderator to remove user’s speaking abilities in the conversations, especially with users who are blocked. The new feature looks like it could be a benefit to all genres on Instagram, but it will be up to the brands to navigate safely and successfully in this feature.


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Over a dozen BPIA member companies attended the 2017 Potato Expo in San Francisco, California. This event is the premiere conference and trade show for the potato industry. Many representatives from BPIA member companies stopped by and visited at the BPIA booth. Several BPIA member companies participated along with BPIA in interviews with various media outlets from across the country and around the world. During these interviews, members talked about the exciting growth of the biological products industry and the many new biological and biostimulant products that are becoming available specifically for potato growers. View here and listen here.
Attendees at Potato Expo 2017 came to the trade show seeking strategic ideas and solutions to their growing challenges. More than 180 exhibitors participated, from pest management companies to equipment makers and packagers. More than 2,000 growers, suppliers, and distributors attended the largest conference and trade show held specifically for the potato industry in North America. Potato Expo 2017 offered educational programming covering the top issues facing the potato industry, provided networking opportunities with key decision makers, and showcased the latest products and services for potato production, storage, distribution, potato health, and pest management.


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Sony says its 11-inch diagonal OLED TV can result in reduced power consumption of up to 40% per panel square inch compared to conventional 20-inch LCD panels.
The wait for larger display panels is likely to be years.
Sony has its 11-inch XEL-1 OLED TV. Samsung and Panasonic are reportedly working on energy-efficient OLED displays. And according to research firm DisplaySearch, the market for the more energy-efficient OLED displays will grow 167-percent in the next eight years, far more than hot technologies such as LCD TVs, mini-note PCs and digital picture frames.
Eight years may be the magic number. The Japanese government recently said it will support Sony, Sharp Corp., Matsushita and other domestic companies in joint development of OLED displays, with the plan to develop a 40-inch OLED display—sometime after 2015.


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New York lawmakers should wait until next year before taking up a broad privacy bill that would require companies to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before processing their data for ad targeting, the Association of National Advertisers urged Wednesday. "The bill was introduced in the New York Senate just two weeks ago,” Dan Jaffe, ANA executive vice president for government relations, and Christopher Oswald, ANA senior vice president for government relations, wrote Wednesday to state lawmakers. “As a result, it has not received the benefit of careful and rigorous consideration by lawmakers, which is necessary to develop a workable privacy law that will significantly impact New York businesses and consumers alike.” The proposed New York Privacy Act (SB 6701), introduced by state Senator Kevin Thomas, would also give consumers the right to access, correct and delete data about themselves.
The U.S. Postal Service reported initial fourth-quarter service delivery performance data that showed continued improvement from the third quarter across all First-Class, Marketing and Periodical mail categories.
Fourth quarter service performance for July 1 through July 9 included:
*First-Class Mail: Delivered 90.6 percent of First-Class Mail on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of more than 3 percentage points from the third quarter.
*Marketing Mail: Delivered 91.6 percent of Marketing Mail on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with third quarter performance.
*Periodicals: Delivered 84.7 percent of Periodicals on time against the USPS service standard, an improvement of more than 5 percentage points from the third quarter.
Delivering for America, the Postal Service’s 10-year plan for financial sustainability and service excellence seeks to meet or exceed its goal of 95 percent on time service performance against delivery standards across all mail and shipping product classes as all elements of the plan are implemented.
The Postal Service’s recent service delivery improvements have been, in part, the result of a strategic shift to more ground deliveries, decreasing the agency’s reliance on the limited cargo capacities of third-party air carriers.
The Postal Service is preparing for the higher delivery demands of the 2021 holiday peak season through increased hiring of delivery and plant personnel, the leasing of millions of additional square feet of sortation facilities, and the installation of new processing equipment to accommodate higher volumes and customers’ evolving mail and package delivery needs.
The Postal Service also said it anticipates a slight decline in service performance for the period of July 10 to July 17, reflecting the seasonal effects associated with periods following the Independence Day federal holiday. Service performance is expected to remain above third quarter levels.


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New York, NY —
Novantas Inc., a leading financial services advisory and technology solutions firm, is pleased to announce that Edward (Eddie) Niestat has joined the Company as a Managing Director in the New York Office. Niestat will help create a Payments Center of Excellence at Novantas, while building out and leading the Payments Business Unit.
Over the past 30 years, Niestat has successfully led strategy and data analytics initiatives in both retail and wholesale payments for financial institutions across North America and Europe. Prior to Novantas, Niestat held positions as the global head of the Financial Services practice for PA Consulting Group, and head of the retail banking practice of Argus Information & Advisory Services.
“Payments is an essential part of the banking infrastructure, and we’re thrilled to leverage Eddie’s expertise to expand and strengthen our offerings,” said Dave Kaytes, Co-CEO of Novantas. “The Center of Excellence allows us to offer leading edge support to our clients as they think about the end-to-end needs of customers in the digital world.”
“Bank customers no longer think of their relationships in product silos of checking account, debit card, and so forth – they just think of their bank as a place they can put money into and take money out of. Financial institutions are therefore organizing around a single holistic banking space and we need to reciprocate with integrated solutions,” added Niestat. “I am excited to build on the analytical strength and sterling reputation of Novantas to deliver those solutions to the industry.”
Niestat holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, a JD from Northwestern School of Law, and a BA in Biology from Princeton University.
Novantas is the industry leader in analytic advisory services and technology solutions for banks. We create superior value for our clients through deep and insightful analysis of the information that drives the financial services industry — across pricing, product development, treasury and risk management, distribution, marketing, and sales management. For more information visit www.novantas.com.
Marketing Communications Manager


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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Since we are all wearing face coverings right now to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there's no better time to experiment with your eye makeup. (After all, that's all people are seeing these days.) Celebrities have been among the beauty lovers coming up with some bold eye looks to wear during these times, like Hilary Duff, who has become a fan of wearing holographic eye makeup with her mask. And now, another former Disney star, Vanessa Hudgens, is trying out a vibrant eye makeup trend.
Hudgens, who has spent a lot of the pandemic wearing her hair in its natural curly texture, is now exploring new eye-makeup looks, and the one that she posted on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, September 16, is our absolute favorite.
The actor showed off a neon lime-green eyeliner moment while she posed for a selfie with her puppy. In the next slide of her stories, she couldn't resist commenting on the look, saying, "This eyeliner, she fire." Although Hudgens didn't spill the tea on what exact product she's wearing, we love that Hudgens is experimenting with this eye look because not a lot of people will wear such a bright hue as summer is fading away and fall is trickling in.
If you're looking to hop on the neon train like Hudgens, check out some of our favorite neon eyeliners to try out now and all year round.
Now, all you need is the adorable puppy and a pitch-black manicure, and you've got the full look.
Read more stories about masks and makeup:
Now, see Skai Jackson's 10-minute makeup routine in action:


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This is not the first time an eBay seller manages to accidentally expose their naked body on photos of the items they're selling, but it is the first time the photo is stolen and goes viral on the internet.
Aimi Jones, 21, uploaded a photo of the yellow mustard dress she was selling on eBay Saturday morning not knowing she appeared in the mirror's reflection in her bra and no panties, The Sun reported.
"It's so embarrassing. It is such a dizzy, stupid thing to do and now the whole world's seen me in the nude," Jones told The Sun. "I put it on eBay last Saturday morning and realized straight away so ended the sale. But what I didn't realize was that people could steal it on the site."
The photo went viral even after Jones removed the post and is now all over the internet.
Since then, Jones re-listed the item on eBay, this time posing next to it fully dressed. Due to the original photo, the item has earned a lot more money than she ever imagined. The 'ASOS yellow skater dress' is still up for bidding at the site, the latest offer was for £100,500.


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Diamond Bus Tops Sandwell’s Top 50 Companies List
In July 2017 Diamond Bus Ltd, was listed as the number one fastest growing business in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Councils “Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies Index”.
The report is produced as part of the 'Think Sandwell' initiative, which supports businesses and promotes boosting the economy across the Sandwell borough. In the report, Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Steve Eling, said "While our country faces economic and political uncertainty, it is more important than ever to celebrate business which are bucking the downward trend.”
Diamond Bus topped the list this year with a growth rate of 43.8% over the previous year. The growth has been achieved through restructuring the business over the past 20 months. In November 2015 Rotala Plc, relocated its group Head Office and Diamond Bus West Midlands operations to our existing operational depot in Tividale within the Sandwell Borough. The savings that the company has achieved through this consolidation resulted in the growth seen in the report.
Growth in turnover has enabled the business to invest in new technology and better ways of working and Diamond Bus has achieved big advances on this front too.
Simon Dunn, CEO of Rotala Plc said “We have made considerable investments in 2017 – for example, in new ticket machines which are GPS-enabled and will allow us to monitor our services more proactively as well provide improved services to passengers, including real-time information and bus tracking via a mobile app.”
“We have recently become the first operator in the West Midlands area to introduce the facility for contactless payment across the whole of our fleet. This enables passengers to purchase tickets using contactless bank cards, making life easier for them and our drivers."
Simon added "We intend to continue to grow and expand our service provision across the Black Country and wider Midlands area and during April 2017, the business based at Tividale grew by around 20%.”


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On May 26, Litecoin's official website received information on the increase in transactions within the blockchainBlockchain
is a continuous and sequential block chain of information (digital linked list). When building a blockchain, copies of related blocks are simultaneously stored on multiple computers.Details network of up to 27,000 transfers in one day. In comparison with the previous figures of 20,000 transactions, this indicates an increase in the popularity of cryptocurrency.
Litecoin: increase in the number of transactions
On the official website of Litecoin reported an increase in transactions within the blockchain. The number of transfers of cryptocurrency increased by 7,000 transactions per day. Compared to past performance in 20,000 translations and today in 27,000 translations. The report states that since the beginning of 2019, many indicators of the Litecoin chain have begun to level off, indicating a potential minimal support and internal interest of users to the network.
By May 2019, the increase in user remittances increased to 1.6 billion US dollars. The maximum transactionTransaction
– is a financial term that means a logically meaningful operation that can only be carried out completely. Details level was recorded on May 16th. At the same time, such large transactions as LTC transfer for amounts over 7.5 thousand dollars at a time were noticed. According to the publication, such large transactions indicate that the network is still mainly used by wealthy individuals to avoid traditional fees for money transfer or as a speculative asset in which to invest.
Interesting in the section: Advantages of Monacoin
The report also says that the number of users with active addresses has grown to 80,000 people.
"Active addresses have also increased and reached a peak of more than 80 thousand. However, this does not necessarily indicate a greater number of network participants, since anyone can issue a large number of addresses, as is customary on exchanges that manage deposits and withdrawals. However, it is more significant that the number of daily transactions increased from 20 to 27 thousand." – Litecoin.
Available about the complicated: Litecoin cryptocurrency is still popular. Litecoin payments have increased, and with them the amount of money transferred. The crypto-spring also touched "digital silver". The growth of popularity can be a signal for the rapid increase in the price of a coin.
27,000 transactions on the Litecoin network: an increase in popularity. Recall that we have already written that the WhatsApp messenger now supports payments in Litecoin.
Editor: Pereyidenko Ihor


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Kerry Stokes' Seven Group can't stop buying shares in building materials company Boral.
A 2.2 per cent stake in Boral – or 26.7 million shares – crossed the market at midday on Friday at $3.70 a pop through UBS' equities desk, according to Bloomberg data.
The trade was followed by another UBS-managed block that afternoon of 7.8 million shares, again at $3.70.
In total, 2.8 per cent of Boral crossed the market via UBS – or $128 million worth of shares – and fingers were pointing at Seven as the buyer.
The Ryan Stokes-led company has been steadily building a position in the embattled building materials company since March this year and always with the help of UBS.
If it was the buyer, that would take Seven's holding to somewhere around 15 per cent and it would have to lodge a substantial shareholder notice by COB Tuesday. When Seven last lodged a substantial shareholder notice at the end of June, it was sitting on 149.4 million shares, or 12.19 per cent of the company.
It is understood Seven is keen to keep buying up stock and get as close to 19.9 per cent as it can.
It's a logical investment for Seven, given one of the key thematics it's been backing is an east coast infrastructure boom. Seven expects that governments will boost infrastructure spending to stimulate the economy and Boral stands to make a lot of money from that scenario, if it plays out.
The building of the stake comes at an interesting time for Boral, which has a new chief executive officer and is awaiting the results of a strategic review into its operational performance, market position and the earnings potential of its portfolio of businesses.
Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting outside the company to undertake a global break-up of the business to return value to shareholders. New CEO Zlatko Todorcevski has said he would have likely made up his mind about whether to sell Boral's underperforming North American business by October.
Todorcevski has taken the helm of a company that has issued six profit downgrades in the past two or so years and was hit by an accounting scandal in its United States windows business at the end of last year.
Its shares are trading down 31 per cent in the past 12 months and closed at $3.71 on Monday.
Street Talk revealed Seven had been buying up Boral shares earlier this year, which was confirmed to the market when Seven lodged a substantial shareholder notice on June 2.
The notice unveiled that Seven had been building a stake in the building materials company for the preceding two and a half months.
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Quadrant Private Equity has dangled a $1 billion carrot in front of investment bankers.
The two private equity bigwigs and strategic giant that squared off for biscuit company Arnott's are back battling it out in another Australian auction.
Stockbroker Ord Minnett's head of research Nick McGarrigle has resigned and is heading to Barrenjoey Capital Partners.
Asian healthcare company Luye Group is mulling spinning off part of its Australian business into a new company that would trade on the ASX.
Bell Potter's equities desk was in the market with a $69 million block of ASX-listed Frontier Digital shares on Tuesday night, being sold by Catcha Group.
- Matthew Drummond, Lauren Sams, Philippa Coates and Julie-anne Sprague
- Sally Patten


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Everything we know is based on the proposed rule, said Judy Bunch. However, FDA has provided hints to what changes we should expect. Bunch, a former FDA employee and senior regulatory affairs consultant at QA Consulting, spoke to attendees at the MD&M East 2013 conferences on what to expect.
1. The UDI final rule is due this week, Bunch told attendees, but FDA told her it would NOT come out this week. We will see it sometime in June, however.
2. Bunch said FDA planned to release a user guide back in May. The agency missed that deadline as well, but hopes to have the guide released at the same time the final rule is released.
3. FDA has hinted that it will refine and streamline convenience kit rules to make it easier to label such kits. Likewise, there might be some changes in implantable requirements for direct part marking (Bunch did not specify what those changes might be, however).
4. Another hint from FDA is that retail products (over the counter devices) will not be exempt as they were in the proposed rule. However, multiples of packaged single use devices (e.g., bandages) will not require individual labeling.
5. FDA is expected to clarify its shipping containers. It does not intend to include pallets in the UDI rule. However, Bunch suggests that manufacturers might want to have a system for pallets, anyway.
Other key UDI ideas:
For FDA, UDI is center of the universe for device information, but it might be more useful to think of UDIs as the foundation for all other processes, including supply-chain management, electronic health data systems, at the point of use, reporting, for recalls, in the Sentinel system (as per FDASIA), for approval/clearance, and finally for patient safety.
Bunch also provided some suggestions and requirements to think about for implementing UDIs, as follows:
- Plan to include UDI in adverse event reporting.
- Plan for expansion.
- Don’t expect any shortcuts.


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A packaging trend that has been on the rise is bulk single serve packaging. With consumers constantly on the go, they prefer these easily accessible cartons of single serve snacks.
Proof positive that Americans are on the go in a big way: the continued demand for single-serve products sold in multipacks or larger bulk formats.
This packaging format reflects the dueling trends of on-the-go eating, convenience and value. With the Nielsen organization reporting that 91% of consumers saying they snack at least once a day, it's no wonder that people want a good-size stash of grab-and-go goodies at the ready in their home pantries.
Packaging companies increasingly have responded to such wants and needs...
Read more from the source: bakingbusiness.com


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The European Commission (EC) has announced that it has filed a formal antitrust complaint against Google for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the online advertising market. The complaint, which follows a two-year investigation, accuses Google of restricting access to user data for advertising purposes on websites and apps, while reserving such data for its own use.
Elsewhere, the Commission also alleges that Google has imposed contractual restrictions on third-party websites and apps that prevent them from using rival online advertising services. According to the Commission, these practices harm competition and innovation in the online advertising industry, which is worth more than 200 billion euros per year in the EU.
The Commission’s executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager, who is in charge of competition policy, said: “We are concerned that Google has made it harder for rival online advertising services to compete in the so-called ad tech stack. A level playing field is of the essence for everyone in the supply chain. Fair competition is important — both for advertisers to reach consumers on publishers’ sites and for publishers to sell their space to advertisers, to generate revenues and funding for content. We will also be looking at Google’s policies on user tracking to make sure they are in line with fair competition.”
Google has rejected the allegations, saying that it offers users more choice and control over their data, and that it faces strong competition from other players in the online advertising market.
The company said in a statement: “Thousands of European businesses use our advertising products to reach new customers and fund their websites every single day. They choose them because they’re competitive and effective. We will continue to engage constructively with the European Commission to answer their questions and demonstrate the benefits of our products to European businesses and consumers.”
Google’s Consistent Problems with EU Regulators
If the Commission finds that Google has violated EU antitrust rules, it could impose a fine of up to 10% of its annual global turnover, which amounted to 147 billion euros in 2020. It could also order Google to stop its anti-competitive practices and restore effective competition in the market.
This is not the first time that Google has faced antitrust scrutiny from the EU. The company has already been fined a total of 8.25 billion euros by the Commission. Google has often been at the center of action from the European Commission (EC). Last September, the company was forced to pay €4.1 Billion for restricting Android OEMs and networks to boost its own services.
In 2019, Google was hit with a $1.69 billion fine by the bloc for blocking competition growth to promote its own AdSense platform. The company was forced to pay $2.7 billion for breaching competition laws around its shopping search results. In 2018, Google was fined $5 billion by regulators in Europe. The Commission says the fine regards three restrictions Google placed on Android device OEMs.
Google is not the only one to face regulatory sanctions. Facebook has fallen foul of lawmakers before, including in 2018 when the company changed its privacy principles to avoid an investigation by regulators. In April, Microsoft separated its Teams solution from the Office productivity suite to appease the EC and avoid regulatory action.


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Amazon has added more than 60 new brands to the its Dash Button one-touch automated ordering program, with the new additions including Bai, Cheez-It, Folgers, Fresh Kitty, Meow Mix, Milk Bone, PoopBags, Pop-Tarts, Powerade, ZonePerfect and others.
Amazon Prime members can purchase Dash Buttons for $4.99, but with the first order through the button, they receive a $4.99 credit to their Amazon account. There are now more than 200 different Dash Buttons available, and Amazon claims sales through the buttons have increased by five times over the last year.
Amazon also recently expanded Dash internationally, launching in Austria, Germany, and the U.K. this past summer. Dash Buttons for a majority of brands sold out abroad in a single day.
Trust us, somebody out there is saying right now, "The day when the Amazon Dash Button program became relevant to me is the day it started offering PoopBags." Hopefully that person actually has a dog.
It has been hard to figure out Dash's real success thus far. The program seemed to start slow, and while Amazon just threw out the number about sales increasing five times, that's just coming from Amazon, and it's kind of hard to pin down what that growth multiple actually means in real numbers. Earlier this year, Amazon said that orders surged 75% in the first quarter, but such high percentages are expected when still in the early stages.
However, Amazon is doing all the things it needs to do to make Dash successful. One key to this program's growth — and one of the biggest keys to Amazon's entire corporate success story — is volume. Adding more products and more brands to give customers more choice, which Amazon has been doing fairly regularly since launching Dash in 2015, represents one of the cornerstones of growth for any department store-style retailer.
Other keys to success historically for Amazon — affordable pricing and easy ordering and delivery — also loom large. The Dash program has a modest extra fee that is basically refundable, and most of the items available are the sort of cheap convenience products that require frequent re-ordering. Also, the concept of streamlined ordering enabled by a one-touch button and Prime delivery represents the reason this program exists, and makes it a nice fit into Amazon's overall capabilities.
There is probably still going to be some trial and error with different products being placed in the Dash program. It will be interesting to see what lights up Dash Buttons — Cheez-Its and Powerade, or Milk Bones and PoopBags? As they get more products to choose from, customers will vote with their index fingers (or, we guess, whichever finger is free to push the button.) At least, that's what Amazon is hoping.


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November 29th, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a technique to incorporate 2-D materials into thin and flexible supercapacitor nanostructures that rapidly provide sufficient power and remain stable after countless charging cycles.
November 22nd, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
A few weeks ago, a popular Australian online fashion retailer called Showpo posted a video on its Facebook page that seemed to debut a magically color-changing dress—but is such a dress really possible?
November 16th, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a neodymium-loaded magnetic ink that can be used to print batteries, circuits, and other devices that, if broken or damaged, can self-heal themselves in a matter of milliseconds.
November 15th, 2016 | by Stephanie Liverani
Researchers at Rice University recently found that 2-D semiconducting molybdenum diselenide's tensile strength is more brittle than expected, due to the material's inherent flaws—as small as one missing atom can crack the material under strain.
November 15th, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
Researchers at Lehigh University report that in addition to gallium nitride’s checklist of other useful properties, the material has a wear rate that approaches that of diamonds—which could open the material’s foray into even more diverse applications.
November 9th, 2016 | by Stephanie Liverani
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory say they’ve 3-D-printed permanent magnets that can outperform bonded magnets made using traditional techniques while conserving critical rare materials in the process.
November 8th, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
With the swirling debacle surrounding Samsung’s exploding lithium-ions and NASA’s accidently self-destructing robot, consumer interest in battery safety has seldom been higher—which is why ceramic materials are getting their spot in the battery technology limelight.
November 4th, 2016 | by Stephanie Liverani
Researchers from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., used scraps steel and brass to create what they say is the world’s first steel-brass battery that can store energy at levels comparable to lead-acid batteries.
November 2nd, 2016 | by Stephanie Liverani
Researchers at the Universities of Sussex and Bristol in the U.K. have developed a new technology that effectively turns tiny, multi-colored spheres into real-life pixels that can form into floating displays, according to a University of Sussex press release.
November 1st, 2016 | by April Gocha, PhD
A team of scientists at MIT and Stanford has developed rovables—small on-body robots that can function as mobile and autonomous wearables.


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Tuesday, December 11, 2012
24/7 Wall St., which seems somewhat like a legitimate news source, I guess, has a survey of the nine mass-market beers that have suffered the largest decline in sales since 2006 and it turns out that times have been tough for the Michelob brand, which takes up the top two spots in the list:
American consumers have abandoned Michelob — a lager brewed since 1896 — at a faster rate than any other beer. From 2006 to 2011, sales declined from 500,000 barrels to 140,000, with a 20% drop between 2010 and 2011 alone. No other beer on this list sold less than Michelob. The next-lowest selling beer, Amstel Light, still sold 200,000 barrels more than Michelob last year. The brand has not always struggled. According to Beer Marketer’s INSIGHTS’ Eric Shepard, “the superpremium category — basically between Budweiser and the imports — Michelob pretty much had that to itself for many years.”
So, how long will it take for Michelob to become the new PBR, sold as a hipster discount staple at a dollar or two a bottle? A year or so? A few months? On the other hand, can anyone actually recall what Michelob tastes like? Maybe that could be part of the problem.


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Mack Trucks Begins Production of LR Electric
The LR Electric model becomes the company’s first fully electric Class 8 vehicle.
Mack Trucks’ first fully electric Class 8 vehicle, the Mack LR Electric, has entered serial production at Mack’s Lehigh Valley Operations facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania. Mack announced the launch of the LR Electric in 2018 and delivered its first demonstration truck to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in September 2020 to undergo real-world testing. Having passed its evaluation cycle, the LR Electric is now greenlit for production and delivery to customers.
“Mack has long been a leader in the refuse segment, and we couldn’t be more pleased to now be producing Mack LR Electric vehicles to help our customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “Customer response to the LR Electric has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to putting more into fleet operations now that we are in production.” DSNY recently announced plans to purchase seven of the electric trucks.
The LR Electric is powered by four lithium-ion batteries and can be charged via a 150-kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system. The NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) batteries provide power to a pair of AC motors with a combined peak output of 400 kW (536 hp) and a continuous output of 334 kW (448 hp). Power is transferred via a 2-speed Mack Powershift gearbox. The batteries also provide continuous power for all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V electric circuits. A three-mode regenerative braking system enables energy recapture from the truck’s frequent stops.
The LR Electric has a GVWR of 66,000 lbs. and a stated range of 70 miles (113 km), with a charge time of 90 minutes at a rate of 150 kW. The company also claims that the LR Electric’s energy consumption can be as low as 0.3 kWh/ton-mile.
The LR Electric may be upfitted in several body configurations from numerous manufacturers based on customer needs. It shares many of the same interior appointments with the diesel-powered LR model, including driver/passenger side driving configurations, as well as seating choices and door options. There is one unique deviation from the diesel LRs: All LR Electrics receive a copper-colored Bulldog hood ornament as a nod to the electric model’s unique drivetrain.
Mack also announced that the LR Electric comes standard with the Mack Ultra Service Agreement, which offers customers a tailored uptime package designed specifically to meet the unique needs of a battery-electric vehicle. It is also supported by Mack GuardDog Connect, Mack’s integrated telematics solution. The system monitors the LR Electric’s batteries for health and performance.
All LR Electrics will be assembled at Mack’s facility in Macungie, Pa., alongside the company’s ICE offerings. Mack currently has two dealers, located in California and Idaho, that are certified to sell the LR Electric. Additional dealerships are in the process of updating their infrastructure to meet the requirements to sell the company’s electrified trucks.


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"Holland Travel Book" Release Exhibition
This event has ended.
Traveling writer unit "auk" took a three-week trip to Holland and created a one-of-a-kind guidebook. Celebrating the launch of the book, this exhibition showcases and sells cute items and used books that "auk" members found in antique stores and accessory shops during their stay in Holland.
From October 10th (Sat) through 12th (Mon), Holland Cafe will be open also.
From 2009-10-10 To 2009-10-16 at 17:00


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Britain's Black Friday likely to be record-breaking online affair
SPENDING on Britain's Black Friday discount shopping day is forecast to break last year's record takings, though it is expected to be predominantly an online affair this year.
Last year marked a change in the nature of the event imported from the US. It generated record
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Some users, hiding behind pseudonyms, made an apparent attempt to sell the pictures or to trade them with fellow hackers for others.
Security Hole Tech news site The Next Web reported what it said was evidence that hackers had found a weakness in Apple's "Find my iPhone" service, an app that tracks lost or stolen handsets.
Apple has patched the alleged hole, the report said, but not before news of it spread in the hacker community, perhaps allowing unscrupulous strangers to access private online data.
But other reports suggested that the pictures could have been collated from multiple sources, perhaps not including iCloud at all, and may have been gathered over several years.
News site Deadspin said it had been contacted in early August by a source claiming he had been offered the pictures for sale.
The scale of the hack, and the targeting of women in the public eye, quickly revived the debate on social media about privacy concerns and about misogyny on the Internet.
The scandal also posed a public relations challenge to tech companies, who have been marketing online storage like iCloud, DropBox or GoogleDrive as a safe haven for users' private data.


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Mumbai, 03 September, 2021:Mahindra Finance, part of the Mahindra group, and one of India’s leading non-banking finance company focused on rural and semi-urban sector expects loan disbursement to be high this year compared to previous years. The company anticipates volumes to pick up for auto loans, tractors, pre-owned vehicles.Mahindra Finance sees disbursements on growth trajectory while NPAs [non-performing assets] to have a declining trajectory.
Ramesh Iyer, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Finance said:“Even during this pandemic, we didn’t see too many cancellations, but dealerships were closed. With the opening-up in June, we did see volumes pick up and it continued in July. Normally, July and August are not great months for vehicle purchase as people wait for the festival season. There could also be pent-up demand from the first quarter of the current financial year. We hope that there is no severe third wave and with a good monsoon, one could expect both September and October to do well, especially as infrastructure work gathers pace. With both of that happening, it could be a good buoyant story from a rural perspective”.
During the month of July 2021, the Mahindra Finance saw macro sentiments turning positive with normalcy returning. The disbursement during the month at ~ Rs. 2,400 Crore, more than doubled over a smaller base of July 2020. The collection efficiency further improved to ~95%, up from ~90% in June 2021. The company expect the trend to be holding up, the sentiments are seen pretty positive, people are back on the streets performing their activity in most parts, we are witnessing bounce back of collections very clearly.
Ramesh Iyer, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Financesaid “From our point of view, it’s important to capture three areas for further growth. We have created a very strong SME [small and medium-sized enterprises] vertical, where we are working with a large Mahindra ecosystem, and other OEM [original equipment manufacturer] ecosystem, where we will support suppliers for their capex or working capital requirements. We have chosen three industries to work with — auto, agriculture and engineering — where we think there is a lot of play for SME players”
Mahindra Financein the vehicle segment sees, pre-owned vehicles to be a good growth segment. As infrastructure opens up, tractor volumes are expected to pick up. Many OEMs in cars are also reaching out to rural markets with their launches and that can become a natural synergy for the company to gain volume. Mahindra Financeexpect the leasing business in the next three years will become a prominent play. The company have set up a digital finco for small-ticket consumer durable and personal loans. While the company have done some loans, going forward one can expect to see a lot of aggression in this business.