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The jury is in on the Desktop Metal infringement case against 3D printer manufacturer Markforged Inc. Reuters reported that a federal jury found that Markforged did not infringe on two of Desktop Metal’s patents for its own metal 3D printing technology. The decision was made on Friday, July 27.
Most people in the 3D printing industry will be aware of the lawsuit filed by Desktop Metal against Markforged, a specialist in carbon fiber 3D printing. The suit, which was first made public in March 2018, accused Markforged of integrating technologies patented by Desktop Metal into its Metal X 3D printer. Introduced in early 2017, the Metal X machine could be seen as a direct competitor with Desktop Metal’s own metal 3D printers in terms of affordability.
With the jury ruling that Markforged did not, in fact, infringe on any of Desktop Metal’s intellectual property, the competition for affordable metal 3D printing systems has been stepped up.
The lawsuit that rocked AM
On March 20th, 2018, Desktop Metal announced it was suing Markforged for patent infringement through a lawsuit filed with the Massachusetts U.S. District Court. Specifically, the metal AM company claimed that Markforged had utilized two of its patented technologies—relating to its seminal separable supports and interface layer technique.
At the time, Desktop Metal also alleged that Matiu Parangi, who worked for the company as a print operator during the prototype stages for its own metal 3D printing technology, had unlawfully shared information about the technology to his brother, the Director of Technology & Creative at Markforged.
Things did not look very promising for Markforged, as Desktop Metal showed that Parangi had downloaded documents from Desktop Metal’s files which were unrelated to his own job there.
Notably, the two companies have ties beyond the Parangi brothers, as Desktop Metal founder and CEO Ric Fulop acted as board member to Markforged as well as an early investor in the Massachusetts-based company.
“Metal 3D printing is an exciting, quickly growing and rapidly evolving industry, and as a pioneer in the space, Desktop Metal welcomes healthy and vibrant competition,” said Fulop at the time of the lawsuit. “When that competition infringes on our technology, however, we have a duty to respond. We believe Markforged products clearly utilise technology patented by Desktop Metal and we will do what is necessary to protect our IP and our company.”
Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take long for Markforged to address the infringement lawsuit. Within a week, Markforged founder and CEO Greg Mark offered the following statement:
“I founded Markforged in my kitchen six years ago. I dreamt of giving every engineer the ability to 3D print real, functional, mechanical parts. We invented something that had never existed before—a continuous carbon fiber 3D printer. Our Metal X product is an extension of that platform.
“We’ve come a long way. We now have the most advanced technology platform in 3D printing, and I’m incredibly proud of what our team of engineers have accomplished.
“On Monday, a competitor filed a lawsuit against us, including various far-fetched allegations. Markforged categorically denies these allegations and we will be formally responding shortly in our own court filing.
“Markforged is a thriving business with a dedicated team of passionate people, and we’re going to continue to execute and deliver amazing products to our customers.”
Court reaches a decision
As of writing, neither company has commented on the jury’s recent decision to rule in favour of Markforged, though we will be keeping a close eye on the situation. Presumably, Markforged will be able to continue to market and sell its own Metal X 3D printing system without any punitive charges.


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Convenience, security drive mobile payments
Much skepticism greeted the new mobile-payment system Apple Pay when it was first introduced in September of last year. After all, asked the critics, all the digital wallets tried by other companies have yet to take off, so why would Apple’s solution fare any differently?
Some of the advantages of digital payments linked to your smartphone include better security because the merchant is never shown your payment information, improved convenience and the less obvious ability to actually locate a smartphone if it is lost or stolen. Ever try finding a “lost” credit card?
Apple has raised the awareness of mobile payments in a way that no other company has yet to do. One might argue that because Apple is one of the most recognizable and admired brands on the planet, its new products reset expectations for what is possible across broad segments. Some industry analysts predict that Apple will act as the catalyst to make widespread adoption a reality.
The early signs show they may be right.
In the very first month of operation, Apple Pay grabbed 1 percent of the market and this in the face of a limited number of consumers who had the required iPhone 6 models that support the service. Nearly 90 percent of credit card issuing banks have or will shortly sign on to support Apple Pay, and even organizations like New York City’s government are considering adding it for paying parking tickets.
In the U.S. today, basically anyone who wants a smartphone has one. This means that the foundation on which consumers will build mobile spending habits is well-established.
While not all consumers and certainly not all devices are ready for digital payments now, the constant upgrade cycles for smartphones means that within a few short years, everyone will have the capability. Apple Pay will not be the only solution — and may not be the leader either — but the signs are strong that in a few years, this method of payment will be what consumers come to expect merchants to accept.
And maybe then we will get a break from having our credit cards replaced each year.
CHRISTIAN GURNEY is CEO of Torsion Mobile, a D.M. website design and development agency.

domain: news


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The Brunch-Mani-Shopping Trifecta Lands in Noe Valley This Weekend
It's not everyday that shopping, manis, and brunch assemble in one spot for the perfect Sunday storm, but it's happening this weekend. Olga Kholodenko, founder and designer for OKOhandbags, is hosting a shopping and "light brunch" event at Voila in Noe Valley (1431 Castro Street) on Sunday, March 12, from 11am–4pm. Yes, those are ambitious brunch hours, but if there's anything San Francisco has trained you for, it's all-day brunching.
OKOhandbags is a local brand that specializes in handmade leather handbags and accessories. Kholodenko says she'll be presenting her new line of bags this weekend, and accepting pre-orders in custom colors. Current styles on her website run between $80 for a pouch to $500 for a satchel.
Go to shop, stay for mani. Happy Sunday, indeed.


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Off late, Facebook has incorporated a number of features, in order to bring back its lost reputation. The social media giant has updated its advertising policy, which prohibits ads for weapn accessories reaching users under the age of 18 years. As was reported by the top media houses, the updated policy of Facebook will come into effect from June 21 onwards.
However, company officials maintained that they were in talks with those companies, which were affected by the latest policy. Earlier this year, YouTube too shunned the links, which promote weapon accessories, from its platform.


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ABB is opening a distribution center for its Installation Products Division in the Lehigh Valley, PA, creating more than 100 jobs. Located within 80 miles of New York City and Philadelphia, the nearly 350,000 sq-ft regional distribution center will supply a wide range of electrical products to thousands of contractors, distributors and industrial customers throughout the Northeast United States.
“The United States is ABB’s largest single growth market, and the company has invested over $14 billion in the U.S. since 2010. Regionalizing our global supply chain in the Lehigh Valley community reduces our carbon footprint by bringing us closer to our customers to continue to meet their needs for safe, smart and sustainable electrification solutions,” said Matthias Heilmann, president, ABB Installation Products Division, in the press release. “This investment adds to over $100 million in Installation Products expansions and improvements we’ve made in the U.S. over the past few years to drive capacity and innovation.”
Expected to be fully operational in Jan. 2023, the facility located near Allentown on nearly 10 acres in the Carson 33 park area of Palmer Township, PA, and will stock more than 5,000 electrical medium-voltage, industrial and consumer market high-demand products such as Ty- Rap cable ties, Color-Keyed lugs, Steel City commercial boxes and fittings, and Elastimold cable accessories. Creating this regional distribution center will help boost ABB’s inventory availability and decrease delivery times to customers in more than a dozen states by up to 50% percent. This new facility adds to the existing Installation Products U.S. distribution footprint in Phoenix, and Byhalia, MS, and will help increase direct delivery routes from its distribution center in Mississippi.


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Letter from the Stamper Brothers (Sep. 02)
Dear Game Fans,
There has been much speculation in the recent past concerning the future direction of Rare Ltd.
Throughout Rare's history, many exciting things have taken place, and the last few months have been no exception. We are sure that some of you are aware that there have been a number of rumours concerning Rare's future course within the industry.
Historically, Rare and its personnel have been working within the games industry since our first game release in 1979 and over this period of time we have produced games across 20+ different console, computer, handheld and arcade formats.
Rare's future plans are to continue exactly as it has done in the past, with the concentration of our efforts on maximising the potential of a single hardware platform. As per the announcement at X02 in Seville, Rare's new focus of attention will be the Xbox format.
We would like to thank all of the loyal game fans that have been great Rare supporters on previous formats over the years, and would like to extend a welcome to them to view the latest Rare games on the Xbox as they become available.
We at Rare are excited to be working on the Xbox with its tremendous performance and potential for wonderful games. Going forward we hope to display some of these very exciting titles, and also hope that you share our passion for games!
Thank you again for your support!
Tim & Chris Stamper


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The ACT FOODTECH organization, which aids food-tech entrepreneurships to expand their company's international reach and the COPIA Fund for Agricultural and Food Technologies, an agri-food tech investor, teamed together to create the initiative, with the support of Strauss, Tnuva, Amazon AWS, Mondelez, and other companies.
“The percentage of women entrepreneurs in the Israeli ecosystem is only 8%. The food-tech industry is growing significantly with a sharp increase in investments in Israel and around the world, so this is the opportunity for women to enter the field,” Carmit Oron, ACT FoodTech CEO said of the initiative.
Six finalists, who were given marketing and strategy counseling, will present their startups in the competition and the winner will receive a $200,000 investment from COPIA.
“We see a high representation of brilliant women in academia, especially in the field of food and agriculture, so there is also a real opportunity for innovation and business," Oron added.
Here is a rundown of the six finalist agri-food tech companies:
1. Maolac uses bioinformatics to identify and replicate proteins found in breastmilk for powdered blends.
“Imagine a world where your food is enriched with mullet protein that contributes to coping and immunity protection, improved vision, prevents bone thinning, treats skin problems and a variety of other uses; that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Maolac's head, Maya, said.
She explained that the company's products can help improve "quality of life in terms of lifestyle and longevity."
2. Biotipac's technology guarantees a longer natural shelf-life for food and agricultural products by introducing a food substrate for "good bacteria," similar to a probiotic. These bacteria spread in the place of "food spoilers," and in this manner, can act as a non-chemical preservative.
3. IncrediBowl boasts edible cups and bowls produced from organic, raw materials and leftovers of the food industry.
4. Yo-egg is an artificially produced chicken egg clone, with the same taste, texture and nutritional value as a real egg. It's the only such lab-produced egg in the world, as its development is quite challenging.
5. Fermata's artificial intelligence system monitors greenhouse plants for disease and other issues, to reduce the waste of diseased food and offer quality pesticide and chemical free produce.
6. BugEra is a Beersheba biotechnology company that genetically engineers strains of the black soldier fly, which break down organic manure into biodiesel for sustainable solutions in energy, agriculture and food industries.
Hamutal Gozlan will direct competition efforts.


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The global entertainment industry is witnessing a significant shift as Kuaikan Comics, a Chinese manhua app, disrupts the longstanding hegemony of Japanese manga. With rapid growth and innovative strategies, this platform is redefining content consumption in the digital age.
Kuaikan's founder, Anni Chen, launched the platform in 2014 amid financial challenges, leveraging modest resources to meet soaring ambitions. The platform's distinctive approach, offering mini-animations and live streaming, directly addresses the preferences of a smartphone-centric audience—affectionately termed the "lazy generation" for their inclination towards easily accessible content.
The app's unique content delivery methods have broadened its appeal, seamlessly merging graphic stories with interactive technology. These features enrich the user experience, fostering greater engagement between content creators and their audience, thereby cultivating a robust community.
Investor confidence in Kuaikan Comics is evident from the $200 million raised in funding during 2021, enabling the company to pursue international growth and invest in social support for its authors, including healthcare benefits—a move that is likely to draw and retain creative talents.
China's colossal potential audience and burgeoning pool of creative talents pose a formidable challenge to the Japanese manga industry. The accelerated advancement in AI image generation technology may further enhance the quality and appeal of Chinese webtoons.
Commentaries from within the industry, including Japanese author Tatsuya Asano, acknowledge the rising competition. Asano notes the impressive improvement in Chinese webtoons, suggesting the possibility that key future digital-era hits might originate outside of Japan.
In summary, the ascendance of Chinese comics signifies a tectonic shift within the entertainment industry. Innovative content dissemination, coupled with solid financial backing and a commitment to author welfare, positions China to make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Engage with this discussion by sharing the findings with colleagues. Exchange views on comic art's impact on culture and the mechanisms driving the industry's evolution.
Source: Yahoo! News Japan


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WASHINGTON – The economy grew at a 2.5 per cent pace in the final quarter of last year, healthier than first thought but still largely caught up in a spell of sluggishness.
The new reading on gross domestic product, released by the Commerce Department on Thursday, was an improvement from the prior estimate of a 2.2 per cent growth rate for the October-to-December period. However, it marked the third quarter in a row where the economy's growth clocked in at a lethargic 2 per cent or better, reflecting the drag of the crumbling housing market on overall business growth.
Many economists expect the GDP will remain mediocre, hovering at around the 2 per cent pace in the current January-to-March quarter. Gross domestic product measures the value of all goods and services produced within the United States.
Economists were expecting the fourth-quarter GDP figure to be unchanged from the previous 2.2 per cent pace.
The small upgrade to fourth-quarter GDP mostly stemmed from businesses investing more to build up their inventories of unsold goods, especially automobiles, than the government previously estimated a month ago.
The 2.5 per cent growth rate at the end of the fourth quarter capped a year that started off strong and then hit a hard patch as the strain of the housing slump took its toll, mostly on spending and investment by businesses. Resilient consumers spent modestly, helping the economy to move ahead.
In the fourth quarter alone, investment in home building was slashed by 19.8 per cent, on an annualized basis, the most in 15 years.
The new GDP figures come amid growing anxiety about spiking delinquencies and foreclosures for homeowners with blemished credit histories, the severity of the housing slump and weakness in business investment. Those things have raised questions about the country's economic health and contributed to turbulence in the stock market.


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Given the technology and strategic leadership contest between US and China, it is likely that trade confrontation of the two countries may continue
Since the beginning of the year, the US-China trade dispute has intensified, beginning with countervailing duties on stainless steel flanges from China (and India) to safeguard duties on the washing machine and solar cells aimed at China. The US move to apply tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to protect its domestic industry resulted in China issuing an intent to impose duties on agricultural goods worth $3 billion imported from the US. Following the publication of the US Trade Representative (USTR) report of its investigation of China, the Trump administration decided to impose 25% tariff on over 1,300 products coming from China, as per the list announced on April 3. These items account for $46 billion of US imports from China.
The next day, China announced a list of 106 US products that would be subject to the same tariff rate, impacting almost $50 billion worth of Chinese imports from the US. If, after due process, all these tariffs are instituted, they would price higher about 15% of bilateral goods trade. April witnessed further trade measures from the two countries directed at each other. The US banned its companies from selling components to Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer ZTE for seven years, citing violations of sanctions against Iran. Anti-dumping deposits were imposed on US exports of sorghum to China, its major market by far for the product. The US then threatened tariffs on another $100 billion imports from China.
Such steps have significant implications for global trade. The US is the world’s largest importer of goods at $2.2 trillion and the second largest exporter with $1.4 trillion, while China ranks top in exports with $2.1 trillion and second in imports at $1.4 trillion as of 2016. Merchandise worth $637 billion was exchanged between the two countries in 2017, with two-way flows including services exceeding $711 billion. Volatility resulting from uncertainty about the implementation of threatened tariff measures has hit markets.
The USTR report, on which the recent round of tariff hikes is based, was initiated in August 2017 under Section 301 of the US Trade Act following long-standing complaints from US companies about being pressurised to share technology with China in return for market access. The findings imply that the Chinese government deploys unfair, opaque and unwritten ways to compel American enterprises to open up their proprietary technologies. The report also alleges that China supports and incentivises acquisitions of and investments in US technology firms to gain intellectual property.
One key claim of the report is that the Chinese government indulges in ‘unauthorised intrusions’ into US commercial computer networks and cyber theft of intellectual property belonging to US enterprises. The USTR claims are refuted by China. The US-China ‘trade war’ is thus a tussle for technology leadership and strategic dominance. Chinese investments in US technology firms, too, have been on the US radar. The rapid progress made by China in so-called ‘Industry 4.0’ technologies is causing concern in the US. Given this technology contest, it is likely that trade confrontation of the two countries may continue.
India’s trade with the US, China
For India, the US is its largest export market and second largest source of imports with total trade in goods at $66 billion (April-February 2017-18), as per official data. China remains by far India’s largest import partner with close to $70 billion of goods purchased from the country in the first 11 months of the fiscal year. However, Indian exports to China were less than $12 billion.
If the tariff barriers imposed by the US and China play out as announced, global trade could contract, impacting India’s recent upturn in exports. A possibility could be that the US and China would consider third producers, including India, for their import necessities. Reportedly, India has offered to sell soybean and sugar to China during the Strategic Economic Dialogue held in Beijing in April.
India’s exports of tariff-impacted products
Machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment account for $34.2 billion of the 1,300 affected US imports from China. Looking at US import items from China valued at over $500 million, it is found that India’s exports to the US of these items (at four-digit level) in 2016 were very limited (see table below).
Only four of the 15 items aggregated more than $100,000 and none came in over $300,000 value.
It is, therefore, unlikely that US demand of these products from India would pick up considerably in the short term.
Regarding Chinese imports from the US on which retaliatory tariffs are proposed, the top category is transportation goods at $27.6 billion, followed by vegetable products ($13.7 billion) and plastics and rubber ($3.5 billion).
For all but two of the items for which imported value is over $500 million (at six-digit HS Code), India’s exports to China are nil or negligible (Table 2 below). The only exceptions are cotton and vehicle parts.
Thus, India would probably not be considered by China as a potential replacement source for its US imports of these goods.
Implications for India
The above analysis shows that India would not see much positive trade diversion coming its way from the ongoing US-China trade spat. For one, with about 15% of bilateral trade slated to suffer from higher tariffs, the first and second round spillover impact on world trade from lower bilateral trade would be inimical to Indian exports.
Second, the high-value imported goods on which tariffs are proposed by both countries are not significant in India’s export profile for the two partners. In some cases, such as electrical equipment and machinery, India lacks manufacturing capacity. In others, as for example, soybeans, China’s import barriers for Indian products have prevented India from accessing its market.
Three, given the current US stance, there is a risk of further trade barriers on US imports from India. India has been placed on the Priority Watch List in the USTR Special 301 Report for intellectual property rights (IPR) implementation. Its foreign exchange policies are also under US watch. H1B visa regulations have been made tougher, and fewer Indians are applying for them. US has also voiced concerns about high tariffs in India for certain US products.
The US has further announced a review of the general system of preferences (GSP) which permits imports of certain goods from India at zero tariffs, impacting $5.6 billion of India’s exports to the US of key labour-intensive products such as textiles and gems and jewellery. These are part of the overall US protectionist trade sentiments and policies, which could escalate, depending on domestic reaction and global retaliation.
On the Chinese side, there has been a reluctance to address India’s trade concerns, including for agricultural products. At the meeting of trade ministers in March, there were no significant outcomes. Hopefully, the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China would take up trade issues.
There is some potential for positive diversion to India on the investment side. China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US has dropped considerably in 2017 over the previous year. With Chinese firms taking positions in India’s technology sector, there is a possibility for higher inflows from that direction.
US investments in India fell between 2015-16 and 2016-17 and stayed muted in the April-December 2017-18 period at a cumulative total of $22 billion from April 2000 to December 2017. Its outward FDI was $299 billion in 2016 alone.
Strong efforts would be required to attract the US and Chinese FDI to India.
With technology development and intellectual property rights (IPR) as issues of contention, India will need to be watchful regarding its own position in the evolving Industry 4.0 technologies. India compares well with China in terms of English language proficiency and cultural connect, raising less anxiety about data security and IPR loss.
As long as India adheres to a strong IPR regime and continues to encourage non-resident patent applications, it would stand out as a reliable technology partner for the future. However, China’s focused and accelerated approach towards the target of technology dominance should incite deeper strategic thinking in Indian policy circles to avoid India being marginalised in the technology leadership competition between the US and China.
The US-China trade disputes are part of two larger developments. The first is the general context of strategic geopolitical tensions exhibited within an economic and technological expression. Second is the waning gains that overseas enterprises perceive in a Chinese economy where the trade-off between market access and IPR loss is yielding lower margins.
It is unclear which direction the trade tensions could take in coming months. On the one hand, there is the possibility of de-escalation of trade measures and counter-measures, which would require a period of intensive negotiations between the two sides. On the other, the increased clamour from different constituencies (primarily in the US) could lead to further rounds of offensive policies.
For India’s policymakers, the fact that the items of interest to the world’s largest traders figure insignificantly in its export basket with these markets flags the country’s continued low penetration of world markets.
The Indian government would need to ensure a strategic approach to the many dimensions of the export endeavour in this evolving trade scenario and accelerate export competitiveness in mission mode to reinstate its efficacy as a growth driver for the country. It must also continue to take measures to encourage its R&D engagement and boost technology industries.


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Can you mandate vaccines in the workplace? The government’s encouraging everyone to get the jab, but what can and can’t business owners do to help?
These free government grants for small businesses and startups are your first port of call in getting off to a flying start.
A LaunchVic report into Victorian startups reveals them to be of significant benefit to employment within the local business ecosystem.
New business support from both Federal and State governments across the country has been announced. Here’s how to find out if your business is eligible.
Further business support is on the way for impacted businesses as the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to disrupt NSW, Victoria and SA.
As the NSW lockdown continues, business support payments, grants and payroll tax deferrals are being offered as a way to ‘ease the burden’.
Thinking of getting your Export Marketing Development Grant application in this year? Here are some important things for you to be aware of this time round.
Four local Government areas within New South Wales will be required to shut their doors for a week as the nation’s most populous city goes into lockdown.


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New MS-RT Ford Ranger goes lower and meaner in ‘ultimate street truck’ bid
The second-generation MS-RT Range model offers 'street truck' sophistication, according to Ford
While MS-RT is best known for its rally-inspired upgrades to the Ford Transit Custom - the latest of which has just been revealed - it's been tasked with giving the Ford Ranger a visual makeover, too. MS-RT's first attempt at modifying the Ranger was based on the previous generation model, which received bigger wheelarches and plusher interior trim, and now it's turned its attention to the current award-winning Ranger pick-up truck.
With so many variants of the Ranger now offered, MS-RT has had to be careful where it positions its version. Too restrained, and it could pass for the regular truck, too wild, and it could steal thunder from the Ranger Raptor performance pick-up. So MS-RT has gone down the path of the "ultimate street truck", according to Ford.
“If Ranger Raptor is the ultimate off-road truck, then the Ranger MS-RT is the ultimate street truck,” says Hans Schep, general manager of the Ford Pro commercial vehicle division. “It’s a departure from what we usually see in this segment in Europe, but with more car-like driving dynamics and the towing and carrying capacity unchanged, we believe it will offer a compelling new option for pick-up customers.”
To achieve this, the MS-RT Ranger features a unique suspension set-up that's been lowered by 40mm over the standard truck, while firmer dampers are added up front and the rear settings have been retuned. However, while the suspension has been redesigned, the MS-RT Ranger is still able to carry a one-tonne payload and haul a 3,500kg trailer. Under the bonnet is the 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel as seen in higher-spec versions of the Ranger, which is connected to a 10-speed automatic gearbox and intelligent four-wheel drive.
Visually, the MS-RT Ranger is differentiated from the rest of the line-up by flared body-coloured wheelarches - rather than the plastic-clad arches of a Raptor - and these add 82mm to the truck's overall width. The front and rear tracks have been widened by 40mm, too, while 21-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with 275/45 section tyres are the biggest that have ever been fitted to the Ranger.
There's a new honeycomb grille up front and a deep front bumper with built-in splitter, while new side skirts enhance the low-slung look of the MS-RT Ranger. At the back, there's a lip spoiler on the tailgate and a matching lip added to the trailing edge of the roof, while the back bumper has a diffuser design added to it.
Inside, there's blue stitching that is a common MS-RT theme, while the new sports seats are trimmed in fake leather and suede upholstery. There's a sports steering wheel, while standard kit will be generous, including two-zone climate control, adaptive cruise, front and rear parking sensors and a 12-inch infotainment screen with Sync 4 and online services.
The new Ford MS-RT Ranger is available to order from the Ford Pro commercial vehicle network, with deliveries expected to begin in the summer.
Click here for our list of the best pick-up trucks...


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French tyre maker Michelin has announced a CAD$300 million investment into its Canadian operations to accelerate sustainable mobility and the installation of new technologies and equipment in Michelin’s three Nova Scotia production facilities. This includes manufacturing tyres for the growing electric vehicle (EV) segment; larger rim size tyres for passenger and light truck vehicles; as well as improved fuel efficiency for commercial trucks. In addition, the electrification of key parts of the manufacturing process will reduce carbon emissions at the plants.
“Michelin is committed to developing the mobility of goods and people and doing so in a cleaner and more sustainable way,” said Alexis Garcin, President/CEO of Michelin North America, Inc. “With these investments, we will do exactly that: continue to add capacity in the most strategic segments of the tyre market to support the transition to electric vehicles and to energy efficient freight transportation, while further reducing the environmental footprint of our products and our plants.”
A key part of the multi-year plan is the CAD$140 million expansion of Michelin’s Bridgewater plant, which will add more than 70 new positions.
“We’re excited to continue to enhance and grow our operations in Canada,” said Andrew Mutch, president of Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. “We have a wonderful history of manufacturing tires here for more than 50 years, and I’m thrilled we can strengthen the competitiveness of our factories for our current and future workforce.”
This is the latest investment in recent years to help Michelin better serve its customers. In 2020, the company announced a US$$175 million investment in its South Carolina production facilities.


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Ready to move on up to Windows 10? Here are all the steps you need for success.
With looming lawsuits and the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, disabled people ask whether Uber can do more to ensure they're not refused rides from drivers.
Stan Lee, creator of superheroes, gets a worthy tribute as a posable action figure complete with interchangeable head and hands.
Retro "Star Trek" action figures get a new twist with a glittering classic transporter effect that makes it look like their legs are dissolving.
Re-create your favorite sleuthing moments from "Sherlock" with Funko's Vinyl Pop figures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, as well as their friends and enemies.
A newly-granted patent describes a way to move text and other items on the screen of a mobile device by tapping the side of the device rather than using your big fingers.
Storied firm says it has more women venture capitalists than others in the industry, vows to improve.
Jeff Bakalar shows off the latest high-end figurines by Hot Toys available from Sideshow Collectibles. These hyper-realistic toys include Iron Man, Spider-Man and Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight.
Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl, Harley Quinn and more will soon be available as a new line of action figures and comics targeted at girls.
We spoke to Ubuntu's mobile boss, Cristian Parrino, to find out how the operating system is different from Android, Firefox and Tizen.


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On March 16, 2018, Health Canada announced that high-level disinfectant and sterilant solutions intended for use on medical devices will now be classified as medical devices.By Bureau Veritas Technical Services 1 minute read
Among other products, this change will impact contact lens disinfectants that do not meet the antimicrobial agent definition in the Canada Food and Drug Regulations (“a drug that is capable of destroying pathogenic micro-organisms…”). As per the notice, high-level disinfectant and sterilant solutions for use on medical devices will fall under the definition of a Class II medical device. However, Health Canada intends to amend the Medical Device Regulations to reclassify these products as Class III medical devices.
There will be an 18 month transition period from when the notice was issued for manufacturers to obtain a medical device licence from Health Canada. Products that are currently marketed as drugs will need to receive a Quality Management System (QMS) certificate, update device labels to be in compliance with the Medical Device Regulations, submit the applicable medical device licence application and pay the fee, as well as demonstrate the safety and effectiveness compliance of the product. Until September 16, 2019, the affected products may remain on the market without a medical device licence.
Click to view the Notice:
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As K5 development progresses, new releases bring new technology to Klever users. Klever Chain Testnet, Scan, Charge, Unstoppable Domains, and more are now available in Android and iOS stores.
K5 Android Beta Release:
- Klever Chain Testnet functionality
K5 iOS Testflight Beta Release:
- Unstoppable Domains
- In-app notifications
Let’s take a look at those newly added functions:
Klever Chain Testnet functionality:
The team of engineers and blockchain experts at K5 have integrated KleverChain Testnet into our new flagship wallet.
The KleverChain testnet is still in its infancy, so it is very important for our community to get their hands on this technological innovation in order to test the start of Klever’s own blockchain evolution.
K5 makes scanning or charging crypto accounts easy:
Once you’ve opened your K5 wallet and navigated to the “Balance” menu at the bottom of your screen, select the coin you would like to either scan or charge.
With the charge feature, users can easily bill someone for a service, product, or merchandise purchase, among others.
By selecting the scan function, you’ll activate your phone camera which allows you to scan another user’s account and allows you to comfortably transact in a safe manner.
The seamless user experience offered by K5 provides its users with a fast crypto wallet experience that rivals all others.
More to come, stay tuned!


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Rosrybolovstvo expects lower retail prices for salmon caviar sales due to large stocks of products in warehouses. Volumes collected in 2018 are one and a half times more than in 2017, Vasily Sokolov, deputy department head, told reporters on Wednesday during a working visit to Simferopol.
“Now about 25 thousand tons of red caviar [in warehouses], part went for export, but not in huge quantities <…> This is the result of 2018, which is one and a half times more than in the previous year  year <…> There will be a decrease prices to Putin, because it is necessary to sell off those stocks that are, therefore, we continue to expect a decrease in prices. It is there, but the decrease in prices among manufacturers and retail is a big difference, in retail they [reduced] about 15-20%, and among manufacturers one and a half or two times, ”he said.
According to the results of 2018, the production of red caviar in Russia increased by 1.7 times as compared with the previous year and amounted to 22.2 thousand tons. Production of black caviar increased by 7% last year and amounted to 32 tons. Total fish production in 2018 remained at the level of the previous year and amounted to 4.2 million tons.
Source: Maritime News of Russia


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New Delhi: The roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST) from 1 July on the back of information technology systems that will reduce human discretion and chances of corruption will face its first test in August, when millions of invoices filed by businesses and traders will be matched to ensure there is no “tax on tax” on transactions in a seamless market of 1.3 billion people.
Central and state governments, businesses and traders are racing against time to meet the 1 July-deadline despite calls from banks, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the West Bengal government for more time.
Federal indirect tax body, the GST Council chaired by finance minister Arun Jaitley, with members from state finance ministers and Union territories with legislature, on Saturday decided to stick to the July deadline and completed the fitting of commodities and services into various tax slabs.
Businesses have to upload invoices of their supplies made in July along with their returns by 10 August. The IT platform maintained by GST Network, the company that manages invoices, will process it and will allow the supplier and the recipient to reconcile their returns—a huge task which, if went wrong, could result in litigation. The supplier then has to file taxes collected from the recipient on those transactions by 20 August, on which credit will be given to the recipient.
“There, sure, will be teething problems in an enormous tax regime change such as this,” an official of the GST Council said on condition of anonymity, adding that August will be a crucial month.
West Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra said on Saturday after the Council meeting that GST roll-out from 1 July will have “serious problems” and that there was no harm in delaying implementation by a month. So far, 21 states and two Union territories with legislatures have passed state GST laws. Eight more states have to pass respective state GST Bills.
The weakest link in the indirect tax system is small traders—the last point of sale. In the case of a large section of small traders, compliance of state-level value-added tax (VAT) at present is low, explained the official. VAT compliance comes down once goods move from a town serviced by a large dealer to a village or a remote area of small merchants. This experience is likely to continue for some time even after the transition to GST, under which any trader with above Rs20 lakh annual turnover—or roughly Rs5,500 sales per day—has to file returns and pay taxes. What adds to the compliance challenge among them is lack of awareness and lack of access to Internet.
Another member of the Council, who also requested anonymity, explained that businesses and traders, even if they do not claim tax credits, have the obligation to file returns and pay taxes, violation of which would warrant penal action.
Confederation of All India Traders, a traders’ body with more than 60 million members, said on Sunday that 60% of the 57 million small businesses in the country are yet to adopt technology needed for become part of the GST system, which it called a “gigantic task.”
For a smooth roll-out of GST, the remaining states have to pass respective state laws by 15 June, giving a fortnight for businesses to prepare, said Muralidharan, senior director, Deloitte in India. “Small businesses will need more help from the government than the others in making the transition to GST. Besides, an assurance from the government that there will be no penal action on procedural infraction in the first year of implementation will go a long way in addressing concerns of the tax payers,” said Muralidharan.
News agency PTI reported on Sunday that Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) has informed the parliamentary standing committee on finance chaired by M. Veerappa Moily that banks are not yet geared up for implementation of the new indirect tax regime.
Sahi Ali, a paint supplier from a Maoist- affected area in West Bengal said during a visit to the capital in April that getting e-billing system and gearing up for digital infrastructure seemed to be a cause of worry. “Most of the places face internet connectivity issues and the fear of Maoist attack is a major obstacle faced by the traders in our region,” he said.
Experts said businesses and traders had voiced similar concerns when states shifted to VAT from sales tax in April, 2005.


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TalkTalk Has Been Criticised Over Its Handling Of Cyber-Attack
"We all need to be more vigilant," TalkTalk's CEO Dido Harding said.
TalkTalk faced continued criticism on Saturday as customers reported money missing from their accounts following this week's cyber-attacks.
On customer, Hilary Foster told the BBC she was missing £600 from her account. "I'm still very angry [about] the fact that my details are potentially out there somewhere on the internet and I'm going to have to keep checking my bank statements now for a long time," she said. Sarah Laird, the BBC said, told them her parents had lost £9,000.
While it was unconfirmed whether the losses could be attributed to this week's cyber-attack, several customers whose information had been leaked confirmed they were indeed TalkTalk customers when contacted by BuzzFeed News, and many more have reported receiving suspicious phone-calls since the attack.
Another customer, John Walter told The Telegraph that he had been contacted by someone claiming to be from TalkTalk and having his account details. "My partner gave them remote access to our laptop before realising it was a scam, and pulling the plug," he said. "But a virus had already been put on the computer and it's going to cost time and money to sort out."
Speaking on Sky News on Saturday afternoon, TalkTalk CEO Dido Harding encouraged customers to be "suspicious". She insisted that: "we will never call you out of the blue and ask you to give us this information."
"We all need to be more vigilant," Harding added.
In a statement on Saturday, TalkTalk tried to reassure customers that hackers would not have been able to access credit card details as the attack hit its website rather than core systems.
This cyber attack was on our website not our core systems.
We can confirm that we do not store complete credit card details on the website; any credit card details that may have been accessed had a series of numbers hidden and therefore are not usable for financial transactions eg 012345xxxxxx 6789.
TalkTalk My Account passwords have not been accessed.
We now expect the amount of financial information that may have been accessed to be materially lower than initially believed and would on its own not enable a criminal to take money from your account.
The Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit criminal investigation continues.
But many felt not enough had been done to prevent the attack, the third of its kind on the phone and broadband provider this year.
On Friday Harding said she did not know how much of the company's data was encrypted.
Senior staff at the company had allegedly ignored warnings that its online security was lacking, The Times reported. A security consultant told the newspaper that he had been "fobbed off" by TalkTalk when he suggested that more of its online information should be encrypted.
Following the attack, British business leaders urged the government to do more to fight cybercrime. "The risks need to be reviewed regularly by the board of directors, who must ensure they know where the potential threats are coming from and are prepared in case the worst happens," Oliver Parry, the Institute of Directors' senior corporate governance advisor said.
As many customers wanted to terminate their accounts, TalkTalk said cases would be treated on an "individual basis," ThisIsMoney reported.
"We are not going to be able to make a decision on a compensation today. The police are still carrying out their investigation to establish what has happened and the extent of information accessed," a TalkTalk spokesperson said.
Harding said that "waiving standard terms & conditions is not something sensible I can do today."
As news of the incident broke on Thursday, a hacker who said they were in "Soviet Russia" published what they claimed was customer information to an online forum. "Prepare, secure your websites, secure your borders, secure your country, but jihad from us is coming," they said in an accompanying statement.
When BuzzFeed News contacted a selection of people on the list, they confirmed that they were TalkTalk customers.
The Metropolitan police said the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made yet.


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As is the case with most IPOs, investors who have managed to purchase shares of Groupon (NASDAQ:GRPN) in the pre-IPO market have hit the jackpot, as the stock soared more than 40% at the opening. The problem, however, is that pre-IPO prices are usually reserved for the select few institutional investors who have access to underwriters. This means that the retail investor can get into the game only at the after-market prices. But on which side of the market? Long on short?
Most followers of the stock believe that investors should get on the short side of the market, as the success of the IPO seems to be part of the social media craze rather than a reflection of the company’s fundamentals. Specifically, the company doesn’t have a sustainable business model. It relies heavily on agreements with local merchants willing to offer their products at a deep discount; and on consumers spreading the buzz about the deal over the Internet. The company further faces stiff competition from the Internet gorillas like Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) that have the database and the network infrastructure to come up with similar offers. The company also faces competition from smaller web-based companies like Open Table (NASDAQ:OPEN) that have been enjoying a “first-mover advantage,” and yet they aren’t doing terribly well.
Going short, however, this early isn’t a good idea. But there is a better trade idea investors may want to consider: Short web-based companies with shaky fundamentals like Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Open Table that had a big run up going into the IPO.
Click to enlarge
Disclosure: I am short NFLX.


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All 47 existing Kwik Chek locations will be rebranded to TXB over the next three years.
Convenience store chain Kwik Check is rebranding as Texas Born (TXB).
The retailer said that two brand-new TXB stores are already under construction in Georgetown and Bee Cave, Texas, with a third location in Cottonwood Shores, Texas, soon to follow.
In addition, two existing Kwik Chek locations in Lake Buchanan and Three Rivers, Texas, are also undergoing the rebrand, with plans to reopen with the new branding by mid-2021.
All 47 existing Kwik Chek locations will be rebranded to TXB over the next three years, with several stores beginning their rebrand by the end of 2020.
Kwik Chek’s rebrand involves no change in leadership. Kwik Chek CEO Kevin Smartt said the new branding is designed to emphasize Kwik Chek’s Texan roots and values.
“After 18 years, we really felt like it was time to examine our company, our values and the things that drive us, and we came up with a re-brand that is truly in line with who we are,” said Smartt. “We value hospitality, authenticity and integrity. This company was born and raised in the great state of Texas, and quite simply, there’s nothing that could capture our message and our roots better than the TXB brand.”
TXB branding has already begun to show up in Kwik Chek stores including TXB menu boards (print and digital) and cappuccino machines. TXB fountain cups will also replace Kwik Chek branding soon. By the end of November, all new promotional signage will be TXB branded. In addition, all stores currently have two sizes of TXB bottled water available for purchase and TXB jerky will be available by the end of the year.
This isn’t the only recent rebranding effort in the convenience store space. Casey’s General Store has unveiled a new visual identity that, according to the retailer, signals the brand’s future as well its small-town roots. Casey’s says it has launched a brand update along with new experiences and services for consumers, including a loyalty program, digital expansion and curbside pickup.


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Halo Infinite Tenrai Event: How to Get Yoroi Samurai Armor
The Yoroi Samurai Armor is finally coming to Halo Infinite on 22nd Nov 2021 after being teased by 343 Industries earlier this month. The new Tenrai armor is reminiscent of the Hayabusa Powered Assault Armor (HPAA) from previous instalments of Halo and it looks quite different from the standard Spartan suits we have in-game. Players will be able to unlock the new armor set from the Fractures: Tenrai event which will be available to all players for a limited time.
How to complete the Halo Infinite Tenrai Event
The Halo Infinite Tenrai event will go live on 22nd Nov 2021 and it will include a limited-time Event pass for all players. This pass will be available to you even if you do not purchase the seasonal battle pass and once you complete all of the required challenges, you will unlock the Tenrai armor.
The challenges will be randomized and involve completing matches, securing kills, using specific weapons and more. It is Halo’s 20th anniversary month and 343 Industries is offering the event pass to celebrate the launch of Halo Infinite and the franchise’s anniversary.
There will be a unique playlist specifically for the event and players can complete the pass to unlock additional Samurai-themed rewards. Cosmetics other than the armor set have not been revealed yet but they are likely to include player icons, gun skins and more.
Completing quests during the Halo Infinite Tenrai event will allow players to earn XP towards the premium battle pass as well. The first anniversary celebrations weekend is coming to an end and players will need to claim the rewards by logging into the game before the Tenrai event.
Do I need to purchase the Tenrai Event Pass?
The event is completely free and players will not be required to get the premium pass to obtain the Tenrai event’s rewards.
When will the Tenrai Event take place?
The event is slated to kick off on 22nd November at 5 PM GMT. It is unknown how long the event will go on for but considering the previous anniversary event lasted only for a week, players may not have too long to obtain the rewards.


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The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced that it will investigate the recent frequent power outages experienced by consumers across the country.
It is, therefore, calling on consumers facing increased power outages to report to the utility service provider for redress.
In a statement issued and signed by its Executive Secretary Mami Dufie Ofori, the PURC acknowledged that the outages have been on the increase in the past few weeks.
It noted: “The poor service was compounded by the total system collapse that occurred in the transmission network resulting in a nationwide blackout on Sunday, 7 March 2021.”
The statement continued: “While acknowledging the press release from GRIDCo, ECG, and NEDCo on these incidences, the PURC wishes to assure consumers that it is investigating the issue and will take appropriate regulatory action against any utility in the power value chain found noncompliant with regulatory standards and benchmarks”.
It added: “The Commission invites affected consumers to submit their complaints to the utility service provider in the first instance and if not resolved forward them to the PURC offices in their respective areas for investigation and redress.”
Some parts of the country, especially the capital, Accra, have been experiencing frequent power outages in recent times.


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Unlike in 2008, the global recession is not resulting in much easing of rhodium demand as the drive to reduce NOx emissions in Europe and China is leading to a sharp increase in loadings, which is helping to offset the drop in auto sales. Car sales in China, the largest auto market and where the tightest standards are being promulgated, have rebounded faster than expected since the Covid-19-induced slump at the start of the year. Demand is expected to slip by 14% (-47 koz) this year, but with supply impacted more than demand, the rhodium market deficit is expected to widen.
Rhodium reached a record high price of $14,750/oz last week, marking its third major price rally in recent history. Shown in the chart below, key upward movements occurred in 1990 and 2008, where the price peaked at $9,655oz and $11,890/oz respectively. In 1990, the commissioning of a new refinery in South Africa drove the rhodium price up as industrial users began stockpiling the metal. In 2008, South Africa experienced widespread rolling blackouts and miners were forced to temporarily cease production, causing rhodium supply to fall -5% (-34 koz) year-on-year. However, in the same year, the financial crash led to a contraction in demand which reduced the rhodium market deficit significantly.
The rhodium price started 2020 with a sharp increase, supported by strong consumer demand and tight physical availability. The impact of Covid-19 on the precious metals market saw an extreme sell-off in March but the price has recently rallied to higher highs as demand, particularly in China, has rebounded faster than metal supply. The impact of mine closures (owing to Covid-19) on metal supply was magnified by the temporary closure of Anglo American Platinum’s ACP earlier in the year, which is likely to have to led to a build-up of more than 30 koz rhodium in green matte. The build-up of stock is expected to be processed over the next 18 months, with the likelihood that it will be processed sooner rather than later. However, it will be a slow process before the metal is released from the refinery. The cumulative effect of mine closures and the ACP shutdown will still see South Africa’s rhodium supply contract by an estimated ~20% in 2020.
History has shown that rapid price gains are unsustainable, but is this time different? Rhodium is integral to removing harmful NOx emissions in autocatalysts, but supply is not expected to keep up with demand (unless mothballed mines in South Africa restart); moving forward, the rhodium market is expected only to tighten further. With no effort to balance the ratio of supply to demand, high prices will be sustained.


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Mobile Minutes: Android Wear watches; Apple raises funds; Uber bookings; Oracle acquires Maxymiser
Google just made its smartwatch faces actually useful
Among watchmakers, a complication refers to any mechanism on a watch that does something other than tell time. They’re essentially analog apps that live on the watch face: chronographs, date displays, moon phases, and the like.
Read more on Wired
Apple raises $1.6 billion in record corporate bond deal
Apple Inc. raised A$2.25 billion ($1.6 billion) with a debut Australian debt sale that’s the largest bond deal ever Down Under by a non-financial company. The iPhone maker sold A$1.15 billion of seven-year notes at a yield of 110 basis points more than swap rates and A$1.1 billion of four-year securities at a 65 basis point spread.
Read more on Bloomberg
Uber seen reaching $10.8 billion in bookings in 2015: fundraising presentation
Uber Technologies Inc’s global bookings are projected to rise nearly threefold to $10.84 billion this year and reach $26.12 billion the next, according to a recent presentation for potential investors seen by Reuters.
Read more on Reuters
Oracle to acquire mobile-marketing startup Maxymiser
Oracle Corp. is acquiring Maxymiser Ltd., a maker of cloud-based software for mobile marketing.
Read more on The Wall Street Journal


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Last year, BMW of Spain introduced to the market their own interpretation of an M4 CS. The model was specific to the Spanish market and not a product of the M division. The M4 CS – as we currently know it – is a more civilized version of the exclusive BMW M4 GTS thanks to its versatility and rear seats incorporating compounds similar to BMW M4 Coupe.
In addition to an increase in power – which BMW says it has 450 horsepower – exclusive 20-inch wheels, adaptive M chassis and carbon-ceramic brakes, the new BMW M4 CS incorporates a rear spoiler, similar to the one seen on the M4 GTS, a carbon fiber front splitter and air curtains, a rear diffuser, blacked out kidney grills and side mirrors. Inside, there is a new seats design which offers better grip as well.
But according to BMW M boss Frank Van Meel, the M4 CS developed by the M division will be a totally different car.
“The Spanish M4 CS was a market-specific configuration, not a product of the M GmbH,” Van Meel told Bimmertoday. “The vehicle [M4 CS] also looked great and bore the name CS, but this has nothing to do with the future CS models. The fact that we have secured the rights to the name has already been known some time ago – and we will speak of this in the near future.”
The future BMW M4 CS will be a model sitting between the current M4 Coupe Facelift and the M4 GTS, with some design cues imported from the high-end road legal racing car. It will also incorporate some carbon fiber parts, along with a few goodies specific to the CS model. BMW won’t elaborate on the subject, but we will likely see the M4 CS being presented before April 2017.


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20-Jan-2010 - Ranbaxy Laboratories has strengthened its vaccine and biologics manufacturing capabilities by acquiring India-based Biovel Lifesciences.
13-Jan-2010 - Pall says its acquisition of MicroReactor Technologies (MRT) broadens its offering in the $1bn (€689m) a year global biopharmaceutical process development market.
11-Jan-2010 - Production has begun at the US API plant German chemicals firm Evonik Industries recently bought from drugmaker Eli Lilly.
07-Jan-2010 - Daiichi-Sankyo subsidiary Luitpold Pharmaceuticals has acquired PharmaForce, giving it a 40,000 sq ft cGMP compliant sterile manufacturing facility and a 20,000 sq ft API production plant.
05-Jan-2010 - Ranbaxy Laboratories has sold its Chinese JV, Ranbaxy Guangzhou China Limited (RGCL), as part of a new approach to the country’s rapidly expanding drug market.
05-Jan-2010 - The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has given partial approval for Amcor’s takeover of Alcan after announcing it would now limit its review to Alcan’s Medical Flexible operations.
05-Jan-2010 - Ownership of FrieslandCampina Domo’s pharmaceutical lactose business will be transferred to DMV-Fonterra Excipients, the 50/50 JV set up by Domo owner Royal FrieslandCampina and partner Fonterra.
04-Jan-2010 - Novartis intends to acquire the remaining 75 per cent of Alcon for $39.3bn (€27.3bn), adding to the shares it bought in April 2008 and giving the big pharma control of...
21-Dec-2009 - US drug major Merck & Co will buy into the UK's contract biologics manufacturing sector with the acquisition of Tees Valley-based Avecia Biologics.
21-Dec-2009 - Hospira will pay India’s Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals approximately $400m (€278m) for its generic injectables business.
17-Dec-2009 - Swedish CDMO Recipharm will buy privately-owned group Cobra Biomanufacturing to build its presence in the expanding biologics sector.
15-Dec-2009 - Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has warned shareholders about “Sun’s conduct at Caraco” in its latest effort to block the Indian firm’s takeover bid.
15-Dec-2009 - Amcor’s takeover of Alcan has been cleared by the European Commission after the Australian company agreed to sell off two pharmaceutical and food packaging plants in Spain.
11-Dec-2009 - Amcor has unveiled its proposed management shake up in preparation for the $2.025bn takeover of Alcan – three days before the European Commission is due to deliver its verdict on...
07-Dec-2009 - Watson Pharmaceuticals gained US rights to market a generic version of Lipitor (atorvastatin) in 2011 with the acquisition of non-branded drugmaker Arrow Group late last week.
03-Dec-2009 - Australia’s Sterling Products plans to buy a 4,310 sqm pharmaceutical manufacturing plant from a Canadian drugmaker that has fallen victim to the global economic crisis.
26-Nov-2009 - US drugmaker Merck & Co is to close a New Jersey warehouse owned by recent acquisition Schering-Plough, cutting 80 jobs.
24-Nov-2009 - Millipore has acquired the remaining 60 per cent of its Indian joint venture (JV) to drive growth in the country which it views, along with the other BRICS nations, as...
17-Nov-2009 - US biotech Emergent BioSolutions has bought a manufacturing facility from Maryland’s MdBio Foundation is a bid to expand its production infrastructure.
10-Nov-2009 - Pfizer will close six R&D facilities in the US and the UK, reducing its global capacity by over a third following completion of its acquisition of Wyeth.
05-Nov-2009 - US R&D facilities in Rahway and Kenilworth, New Jersey will remain operational as they are vital to the to the newly formed Merck Schering-Plough group, according to CEO Richard Clark....
02-Nov-2009 - Lonza cuts 2009 earning guidance and may reduce its workforce under “Project Bond” cost cutting plan after a Q3 characterized by an “accumulation of unexpected events”
22-Oct-2009 - IMS Health has confirmed it is “exploring strategic alternatives” after speculation this week suggested that the market analysis group had received a number of takeover bids.
20-Oct-2009 - Swiss healthcare services giant Lonza has withdrawn its offer for Canadian CMO Patheon, citing value considerations, rejection of the bid by JLL and the availability of alternatives.
20-Oct-2009 - CNS focused drugmaker H Lundbeck says its acquisition of French CMO Elaiapharm represents a cheaper option than third-party manufacturing.


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ZIM has reported a “sharp improvement” in its Q1 results, despite an 8% decrease in its carried volumes for the first quarter.
The Israeli box line’s first quarter profit was $12m, compared to a $62m loss in Q1 2014.
ZIM has focused its operations and withdrawn from trades outside of that focus, including Asia-North Europe. Consequently volumes carried were down 8% compared to Q1 2014 to 560,000 TEU.
An average freight rate of $1251 per TEU represents a 3% improvement over the previous year’s $1213 per TEU.
Speaking on the result, ZIM President and CEO, Rafi Danieli said, “The continuing improvement of our business results stems directly from the comprehensive initiatives the company advances, implementation of the business plan which focuses on opening new lines in profitable trade areas and seizing business opportunities, as well as improves operational efficiency, enhancing customer relations and the sharp reduction in fuel prices.
“At the same time we see the continued stagnation of the global economy and the volatile fuel prices, and we are taking steps to face these challenges.”
ZIM completed a $1.4bn restructuring during the summer of 2014, including a renegotiation of its charter contracts that reduced charter payments by 46%.
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.


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To the skies! DJI launches Zenmuse X5 and X5R 4K Micro Four Thirds aerial cameras
Drone maker DJI has announced a pair of Micro Four Thirds aerial cameras including a model that can shoot lossless 4K Raw footage. The Zenmuse X5 and X5R are built around 16MP Four Thirds sensors and are compatible with a handful of small, wide Micro Four Thirds lenses and can be flown on the company's Inspire 1 drones.
Both cameras feature integrated 3-axis gimbals to produce smooth, stabilized video and stills capture. Focus and aperture can be controlled remotely.
The X5R includes a 512GB SSD that allows it to shoot CinemaDNG Raw footage at an average bitrate of 1.7Gbps. It also includes a D-Log mode to maximize grading flexibility in post production. The X5R and X5 boast an ISO range of 100-25,600.
At launch, the cameras support the use of DJI's 15mm F1.7 ASPH lens, Panasonic's remarkably similar-looking 15mm F1.7 ASPH, the Olympus 12mm F2.0 and 17mm F1.8.
The Zenmuse X5 with DJI Inspire 1 and DJI MFT 15mm F1.7 ASPH lens will sell for $4,499/€4,999 starting the end of September. The Zenmuse X5R will cost $7,999/€8,799 and will be available from Q4.
DJI Announces New Micro Four Thirds Aerial Cameras Designed for Professionals
Zenmuse X5 and X5R cameras bring unprecedented quality and ease-of-use to aerial imaging
Las Vegas, September 10, 2015 – DJI, the world leader in creative aerial imaging technology, today announced two new cameras for its industry-leading DJI Inspire 1 professional aerial camera platform.
The new Zenmuse X5 represents the world’s first commercially-available micro four thirds (M4/3) camera designed specifically for aerial use. With a large sensor, aerial image makers will be able to capture up to 13 stops of dynamic range, making it easy to capture high-resolution 16 megapixel photos or 4k, 24fps and 30fps videos in complex lighting environments.
Zenmuse X5 users will have even more options for capturing images in the sky through additional supported lenses and full wireless aperture and focus control. At the time of launch, the Zenmuse X5 will support 4 interchangeable lenses, including the DJI MFT 15mm f/1.7 ASPH lens, Panasonic Lumix 15mm G Leica DG Summilux f/1.7 ASPH lens, Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12mm f/2.0 lens, and Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens. While the Zenmuse X5 is in flight, pilots can adjust both focus and aperture via the DJI GO app or through DJI’s previously-announced Follow Focus system.
The camera’s lightweight 340 gram (0.75 pound) body integrates with DJI’s signature 3-axis Zenmuse gimbal technology, creating effortlessly smooth video and stabilized long-exposure photos (up to 8 seconds).
“The professional applications of the Zenmuse X5 are almost endless,” said Eric Cheng, DJI’s Director of Aerial Imaging. “In addition to shooting professional-quality photos and 4K video, the new camera can be used to create high-quality aerial maps and 3D models, and can also help industrial teams get even more detail from their aerial imaging pursuits, for example, in utility inspection using a drone.”
DJI also announced the Zenmuse X5R camera, which shares the same sensor and lens compatibility with the X5, but records video both to an onboard microSD card as well as to a removable 512GB solid state disk (SSD) on the gimbal’s top plate. The Zenmuse X5R records CinemaDNG (RAW) video to the SSD, and opens up lossless 4k video recording in a groundbreaking, compact form factor with video bitrates averaging 1.7Gbps (with a maximum of 2.4Gbps).
The Zenmuse X5R also offers a brand-new D-LOG mode that offers a broader array of color correction options in post production.
To support the management of Zenmuse X5R Cinema DNG files, DJI will release software to edit and convert RAW camera footage. CineLight, which will be available when the Zenmuse X5R camera is released later this year, simplifies users’ workflows by offering offline proxy editing before converting the CinemaDNG files to ProRes.
“In order to achieve the quality of video produced by Zenmuse X5 and X5R, pilots used to have to spend many thousands of dollars for large, complicated aerial equipment,” said Frank Wang, DJI CEO and Founder. “Now, pilots can simply mount the Zenmuse X5 series cameras to their Inspire 1, put on their props, get up in the air, and have full control of their shot while in flight. This saves valuable time on film sets and makes high quality imaging for industrial applications smaller, lighter and easier to manage.”
By mounting a small, easy-to-install bracket, the Zenmuse X5 series cameras are fully compatible with existing DJI Inspire 1 platforms as an interchangeable option for the Inspire 1’s standard Zenmuse X3 camera.
The Zenmuse X5 is available for pre-order at store.dji.com for $4,499 (€4,999), including a DJI Inspire 1 and DJI’s MFT 15mm F1.7 ASPH lens, and will begin shipping before the end of September. The Zenmuse X5R will be available in Q4 2015 for $7,999 (€8,799). Both can be purchased as stand alone cameras with, or without lens. More information can be found at dji.com.
Both units are available to view at DJI’s booths at IBC in Amsterdam and Interdrone in Las Vegas this week.
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Instagram is currently testing a major change to the app's profile layout: replacing the 3-photo across grid with a 4-photo grid... and some users are NOT taking the news well.
A report by USSRPhoto is shedding some light on the return of the famed Zenit camera brand. It seems the full-frame mirrorless camera they're working on will be made in part by Leica using components from the Leica SL.
According to a reliable Korean report, Samsung is developing a smartphone sensor that's capable of super slow motion. Translation: Samsung's next batch of Galaxy smartphones may be able to shoot 1,000fps.
This simple photograph of a seahorse and Q-tip has taken the internet by storm. We spoke to photographer Justin Hofman about how it was captured, and what it means to him.
After a massive leak last week, Profoto has officially debuted the Profoto A1: the company's first on-camera flash system that they're calling "the world's smallest studio flash."
"When the first hyperfocal distance charts were designed, someone decided that an acceptably sharp background contained some blur — enough to notice in a medium-sized print [...] After that point, nearly every other hyperfocal chart followed suit."
The Canon EOS Rebel SL2 (also known as the EOS 200D) is the company's impressively compact entry-level DSLR. Packing a 24MP APS-C sensor, DIGIC 7 processor and Dual Pixel AF, it promises a lot of bang for the buck. And while not mind-blowing, it handles most tasks very well.
Correct these four common composition mistakes and your photos will be more balanced, tell a better story, and lead your viewer's eye where you want it to go.
The rugged, compact 360° action camera Kodak unveiled at Photokina in 2016, the Kodak PixPro Orbit 360, is finally available in the United States.
iOS 11 launches tomorrow, and it'll save all of your pictures in a new high efficiency image format called HEIC. Fortunately, there's now a converter that will let you turn those photos back into JPEGs.
Photo protection company ImageRights recently released a new service that lets non-subscribers take advantage of their streamlined copyright registration system that checks for errors and fills out all the required forms for you.
What's the difference between a $200 circular polarizing filter and a $100 circular polarizing filter? Roger Cicala at Lens Rentals put six different filters through a few tests to find out.
A flurry of leaks reveal that GoPro's upcoming Hero6 will shoot 4K at 60fps, 1080p at 240fps, will cost $500, and is scheduled for announcement/release on September 28th.
Before he became the iconic director whose name we've all heard, a teenage Stanley Kubrick struck up a business relationship with New York’s Look magazine. No surprise: he was an incredibly talented photographer.
WD's new G-Technology G-Drive mobile SSD R-Series is a portable solid state option for photographers who want the reliability of an SSD in a rugged water and dust-resistant package.
Fast, stabilized and affordable is an appealing combination when it comes to lenses. With its latest 24-70mm F2.8, Tamron aims to upgrade autofocus speed and stabilization. We've got a full gallery from this updated full-frame zoom.
Photographer Clay Cook tells the story of his most ambitious photographic dream and career goal coming true: photographing A-list actress Jennifer Lawrence.
In an interview with a Chinese website, Nikon Japan's Director of Development dropped a bombshell, saying that a Nikon mirrorless camera "must be full-frame."
Here's a side-by-side spec comparison of two flagship devices with particular attention to the things that really matter – at least to people who prioritize photography features.
A month and a half after revealing the finalists of the 2017 EyeEm Awards, the photo sharing community and licensing marketplace has finally revealed the winners.
Photographer Josselin Cornou tells the breathtaking story behind two beautiful photos captured while snorkeling with humpback whales in Tonga.
The Sony RX10 IV is a fixed lens camera with a 1"-type sensor and 24-600mm equivalent lens that can shoot 4K video or stills at 24 fps, but that's not what we think is interesting about it. The addition of phase detection autofocus is pivotal to all those features.
The announcement date is set! Google will reveal their next generation Pixel phones—their response to Apple's shiny new iPhone X—on October 4th. Let the smartphone camera wars begin.
Sony just debuted three palm-style 4K camcorders that steal a bit of speedy phase detect autofocus technology from the company's RX10 IV. In fact, they kind of improve on it.
Earlier today, NASA's Cassini spacecraft plunged into Saturn's atmosphere, ending a 20 year long mission. Here are 21 of our favorite photographs captured by this incredible machine and its makers.
Fans of film photography should keep an eye out for the widespread theatrical release of Kodachrome, a movie staring Jason Sudeikis about the final days of the iconic film stock.
Photographer Manny Ortiz breaks down the pros and cons of shooting natural light vs off-camera flash, and explains why he chooses to shoot one, the other, or both in any given situation.
A leaked product page and a bunch of leaked photos shows Profoto is preparing to release its first ever speedlight: the Profoto A1 Air TTL
The Yashica camera brand disappeared in 2003, but a new teaser video and website hint at a comeback. Excited?
Western Digital just debuted a new, higher capacity WD Gold internal hard drive. The new drive offers 12TB of storage and class-leading reliability to the tune of a 550TB/year workload rating.


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Over 18,700 enterprises have registered in the first quarter of this year, compared with 16,500 from the same period last year, according to a report issued by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
However, many firms still face difficulties as a result of the economic downturn. Nearly 10 per cent of enterprises have suspended production and gone into liquidation in the first quarter of this year.
Of that number, nearly 4.5 per cent failed after attempting new business ventures and 4.7 per cent were integrated into other enterprises.
According to the VCCI, the high liquidation rate in Vietnam is ordinary and understandable since 25 to 30 per cent of companies and enterprises in developed countries also encounter problems within the first three years of existence.
Many measures have been proposed to solve the problems and help enterprises, including reducing taxes and interest rates.


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Arcade Claw Machine Angers Twitter After Using Live Puppies for Prizes
Many netizens are calling out an arcade claw machine for using real live puppies after a video of it has gone viral online.
It is unclear where the viral video was shot, but according to the Mirror, it is believed to have been taken somewhere in China. Elisa Allen, the director of the animal rights group PETA, has described the arcade game as a “matter of life and death.”
“Animals aren’t disposable toys, and PETA urges Chinese authorities to look into this video as a matter of urgency – if the dogs are real, it’s not a harmless arcade game but rather a matter of life and death,” she told Mirror. “They can easily be hurt by being repeatedly dropped, and some have been left to endure a painful death from dehydration or starvation.”
But this isn’t the only instance a claw arcade machine has incorporated a living animal into its game. Allen continued to note that there had been other cases such as similar machines containing turtles, lobsters, and even crabs that Alibaba set up back in 2017. Another claw machine also caused outrage that same year after it used live cats for prizes.
“That is so cruel! And what if that thing poke out one or both of their eyes?????” one Twitter user said, as reported by LADbible.
“That is horrible. Poor things must be terrified,” one user said.
“Can we just stop producing humans already?” another social media user wrote.
Many people might not know this, but despite our large and loyal following which we are immensely grateful for, NextShark is still a small bootstrapped startup that runs on no outside funding or loans.
Everything you see today is built on the backs of warriors who have sacrificed opportunities to help give Asians all over the world a bigger voice.
However, we still face many trials and tribulations in our industry, from figuring out the most sustainable business model for independent media companies to facing the current COVID-19 pandemic decimating advertising revenues across the board.
We hope you consider making a contribution so we can continue to provide you with quality content that informs, educates and inspires the Asian community.
Even a $1 contribution goes a long way. Thank you for everyone’s support. We love you all and can’t appreciate you guys enough.


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Michelle Laboratories Limited has introduced two new pharmaceutical products to the market. These products are Cardiovascular drugs. i.e. My-Oprin & Cikaretic.
The product manager of the company disclosed this at a round table discussion on the cause and cure for ravaging cardiovascular diseases in our society; saying the move was aimed at ensuring a cost-effective and available medicine to patients. According to him, the company spends a lot of money on research and development before coming up with these products.


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PHOTO COURTESY OF DIANA SHORES
Autumn Bowden shows off the corset-style back of the dress she wore to Stigler High School’s prom March 31.
High school’s big night is beginning to look a lot like Hollywood’s biggest night, as girls tend to wear dresses a little more risque and provocative to proms all across the country.
Teenage girls in some areas seem to be wearing revealing trends they see on the Academy Awards’ red carpet or on the hit show “Dancing with the Stars,” which has caused some area schools to take note and enact dress codes for prom.
Jerry Valentine, principal at Alma High School, said they have had a prom dress code for several years now.
“We had a girl show up for prom that really reminded me of ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’” Valentine said. “That’s why we had the dress code. We’re just trying to communicate with the student what the expectation is.”
Included in Alma’s prom dress code are that dresses must be in “good taste” and may be backless, “but no lower than the waist.”
“Dresses should be no shorter than finger tip length or have a slit up the side no higher than finger tip length,” the written dress code for AHS states. “If a dress is a two-piece, it must cover the midriff. No low-cut dresses. Dresses shall have no cutouts allowed which show the stomach, etc.”
The Alma prom dress code addresses the boys as well; they are required to wear a coat, tie and long pants, with no shorts allowed.
Since enacting the prom dress code, Valentine said there have been no major issues with prom attire.
“It’s a big night for the kids,” he said of the Alma prom, slated for April 21. “We’re excited to see them get all dressed up.”
Other area schools, like Greenwood, Pocola and Muldrow, also have dress codes for their prom activities.
David Rhodes, principal at Muldrow High School, said each junior and senior are sent a copy of the code and the parents must sign it, indicating that they understand. The dress code includes dresses no shorter than a dollar bill-width above the knee, dresses must have straps and no bare midriffs are allowed.
“We’ve gotten more and more conservative,” Rhodes said, noting that the Muldrow prom is set for April 28.
National retailers have taken notice of the dress codes. While retail chain David’s Bridal reports roughly 35 percent of prom dress sales so far this year have come from its “Sexy” category, some customers have asked certain David’s Bridal locations to carry “more covered” styles, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Kim Collins, chief merchandising officer for retail website, PromGirl.com, said the company keeps dress codes in mind when placing orders for dresses.
“We are careful when purchasing the cutouts that it’s not overly cut out,” Collins said in the WSJ report, adding that a handful of dresses have been returned in recent years because they broke school rules.
For as many schools contacted that said they had a dress code for prom, there were just as many who indicated they did not have an official prom dress code at this time.
“We’ve talked each year about having a dress code; but, fortunately, we have not had any issues with inappropriate wear at prom to this date,” said Becky Guthrie, Van Buren high school principal. Guthrie said they communicate to students that promwear should be in good taste and appropriate for the May 5 event.
Hackett High School relies on the judgement of Principal Neal Perrin or Katie Buehrer, junior sponsor. If a student has a question as to whether a dress is appropriate or not, they can bring it in for Perrin or Buehrer to look at and determine whether it’s allowed or not at prom, slated for April 28.
Wayne Haver, Southside High School principal, said there is no official dress code for SHS’s prom, slated for May 19.
Haver said there have not been very many times when a dress was called into question; it’s the boys’ attire that is more often the issue.
“We have more trouble with the guy’s dressing down,” Haver said, adding that no blue jeans are allowed. “It is a formal.”
Northside High School does not have a detailed dress code; however, students are reminded the event is a formal gala and formal attire is discussed along with expectations.
Sallisaw also does not have a formal prom dress code, according to Ernie Martens, principal.
“We haven’t had a problem with that in the past,” Martens said, adding that Sallisaw High School’s prom is set for tonight.
“Our kids love to dress up and put their best foot forward,” Martens added. “The girls are pretty modest about their dresses. It’s never been a big problem for us.”
At some area schools, however, modesty is sometimes in question.
Virginia Oliver, junior class sponsor at Pocola High School, said before the school enacted its prom dress code, dresses were either too short or too revealing at the cleavage or the back.
“Most girls will bring me a picture of their dress if there’s a question,” Oliver said, adding that Pocola’s prom is slated for April 21. “We always have double-sided tape available there where something won’t fly open.”
Like other schools, Pocola’s prom dress code states that “dresses should be appropriate and not too revealing,” with special attention paid to the areas of the cleavage, open sides and lower back. “Dresses may be backless as long as they are not cut below the navel,” the dress code states. “Dresses may not have a slit that exceeds mid-thigh. (This is fingertip length.)”
Oliver said the PHS dress code is not meant to inhibit a student’s style — they just want students to make good choices so that everyone is safe and comfortable.
“This dress code does not limit your ability to show your style and uniqueness,” the PHS prom dress code states.
Oliver said she’s not so sure that girls are looking at the Hollywood fashions for inspiration; she feels like they just want the boys’ attention.
“They just want to, pardon my French, look sexy,” Oliver said. “They want to appeal to the boys. I don’t really think that’s what the boys want to see.”
Parenting expert and Huffington Post contributor Erika Katz has put together her top safety tips for prom night:
• Get the phone numbers of the child’s prom date and at least five friends so you can reach someone. Inform your child you expect them to answer their cell phones and texts should you call them.
• Give kids a curfew. There is nothing students can do after 2 a.m. that they can’t do before 2 a.m. It’s not a trust issue; it’s a safety issue.
• Remind children that everyone has a camera. With cameras hidden everywhere, it is important prom goers realize not to behave in public in a way that might cause them shame if it ended up on Youtube or Facebook.
• Colleges can take away what they have offered. A college acceptance can be revoked for illegal behavior and for getting expelled from high school. Prom night is not Vegas. What happens on prom night could jeopardize their future.
Source: Erika Katz


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A Colorado meatpacker is recalling more than 132,000 pounds of ground beef after an E. coli outbreak killed one person and sickened 17 others,
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the beef was produced and packaged at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan on June 21 and shipped to retailers nationwide.
The products include 3-, 10- and 20-pound (1.3-, 4.5- and 9-kilogram) packages of ground beef under the Our Certified, Excel, Sterling Silver, Certified and Fire River Farms brands with July 11 use or freeze by dates.
Click here for the detailed list of products involved.
Most people infected with E. coli develop diarrhea and vomiting. More severe infections can lead to kidney failure.


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A Tampa-based burger chain fairly new to the scene has made the 2013 list of Top 100 Movers & Shakers among fast casual restaurants.
Burger 21 placed 22nd for its notable, non-beef selections in the "better burger'' field, from black bean to Ahi tuna and chicken parmesan burgers. Founded in 2010 by the owners of the Melting Pot, Burger 21 has seven locations in the Tampa Bay area, Orlando and Voorhees, N.J., and 17 in development in six states. The menu has 21 burgers, hot dogs, salads, hand-dipped milkshakes and sundaes.
First on the Top 100 list was Fazoli's, an Italian restaurant founded in 1988 in Lexington, Ky. It has 217 locations in 26 states but, surprisingly, only one in Florida, in Pensacola.
FastCasual.com puts out the list — now in its eighth year — to recognize fast casual brands leading the industry in growth and innovation. Fort Lauderdale-based Pizza Fusion, which has locations in downtown Tampa and Westchase, got a shoutout for having a 75-percent organic menu.
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Another local fast-casual favorite, Little Greek Restaurant is celebrating its nine-year anniversary by offering $6.99 chicken or gyro pita combos with french fries and a drink through Saturday. The chain has nine locations in the Tampa Bay area and another opening later this month in New Tampa at 19022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
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A few observations about the new Wawa stores popping up all over the place: The gas prices are low, and they don't charge a few pennies more per gallon when you pay with a nonstore credit card, like most convenience stores. While you're pumping gas, orders are called over the loud speaker: "Number 339, your toasted meatball hoagie is ready.'' "Number 345, your barbecue chicken quesadilla is ready.'' Depending on your hunger level, it's a pretty enticing way to lure you into the store.
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It's been almost a year since the Green Iguana closed its Dale Mabry location near Raymond James Stadium. Kuhn Honda demolished the site and posted a sign announcing a future car dealership but, so far, only weeds have taken over the property.
A company owned by Kuhn bought the site at 2522 N Dale Mabry Highway in June 2012 for $6.7 million, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website. Kuhn officials haven't returned calls about their plans. Kuhn also has a Honda and Volkswagen dealership at 3900 W Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.
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Ikea in Tampa is having a Midsummer Smorgasbord on Friday to celebrate the Swedish summer holiday. This isn't your typical all-you-can-eat buffet with pastries, build-your-omelets and peeled shrimp. We're talking herring, poached salmon, hard boiled eggs, meatballs with lingonberries, Swedish cheeses and dill potatoes.
I find it amusingly ironic that the Swedish retailer puts on a party marking the longest day of the year, given it can take shoppers almost a day to walk through the store. I just hope putting together a plate of Swedish delicacies is easier than putting together one of Ikea's desks.
Tickets are $12.99 for adults and $4.99 for children 12 and younger. Ikea Family members pay $9.99 and $2.49. Seating times are 4 and 6 p.m. Space is limited, and customers are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at the store, 1103 N 22nd St., Tampa.
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Overwhelmed with the beer choices at World of Beer? Try its new private label beer brewed exclusively for the bar called C'est la Vie!
Translation from French: "Such is life."
The Tampa-based chain of craft beer pubs partnered with the award-winning Bavik Brewery in Belgium. Marc Sawyer, director of brewery and distributor relations for World of Beer Franchising, said they wanted a beer that fit the World of Beer brand.
"It's a very approachable beer, yet has enough unique qualities to really stand out,'' he said.
It seems the name reflects the bar's pull-up-a-stool, try-a-new-beer attitude. It's available at all World of Beer locations throughout June.
Susan Thurston can be reached at [email protected] or (813) 225-3110.


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In case you weren’t watching the Grammy’s last night, like millions of conservatives across the nation, one dress literally sent liberals over the edge on the Red Carpet. Singer Joy Villa shocked the assorted the liberals both on the carpet and in the crowd when she showed up at the event wearing a dress that make her political feelings known to all, and they were not happy about it.
Ms. Villa stopped and posed for photos wearing a sexy, skin-tight blue satin dress, with the words “Make America Great Again” emblazoned down the front, and our Presidents name in huge letters around the hemline of the dress. But while liberals were busy going off the rails, they missed the biggest story about the dress’ creator and designer. Andre Soriano, the man who designed the dress has a story almost as special as the body hugging dress he designed for Joy Villa.
Andre Soriano is living the American Dream, he immigrated from the Philippines to the United States when he was just 16 years old to find a better life and pursue his dreams of working in the fashion industry. Andre now owns his own highly successful business named Andre Soriano which is located in California.
Mr. Soriano says he got the idea for Joy’s dress when he was watching coverage of the Women’s March in Washington D.C. He says that when he heard the remarks made by the hag, Madonna, including how she wanted to “blow up the White House,” he was livid. Andre says the statements made him furious.
That was when he called Ms. Villa and told her he wanted to scrap his original designs for her dress and start again. He told her he wanted to design a dress that would “unite the country,” in the wake of all the hate coming from the left.
Since Joy Villa is a not-so-shy supporter of President Trump, she was immediately all for the idea. But perhaps the biggest secret the surprise Grammy’s dress is hiding is that it is actually made from a huge Trump flag. Andre said “We only have one President and that is President Trump. It’s NOT Hillary.”
He went on to tell a reporter from Gateway Pundit, the dress was his way of being like a famous civil rights icon. The Pro-Trump Grammy’s dress is designed to make a statement, “Just like Rosa Parks, we are going to stand up for our rights as Americans,” noting that “the dress was designed in love, it is all about love.”
Andre says he proudly voted for President Trump because “I love America and I believe in America.” Even though Andre is an Immigrant, he has made it abundantly clear to everyone he talks to that he is a huge supporter of building the wall. He says he is all for people coming here to build a better life, just like he did. But they have to do it legally. Andre is also a huge supporter of the United States Constitution and believes that people that come here need to support it and not try to change it. If they don’t like what it says, they should feel free to go somewhere else.