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A day after a state of disaster was declared and hours into Victoria’s strict stage four lockdown, the state has reported 429 new coronavirus cases and 13 deaths.
This represents a significant fall — down 242 from Sunday’s 627 cases — and well below Thursday's record 723. However, it could be attributed to a traditional fall in reported cases over weekend.
Premier Daniel Andrews is due to speak on the latest figures and to outline further announcements on employment rules later today.
Melbourne businesses will learn more detail about their restrictions under the stage-four coronavirus lockdown.
Premier Daniel Andrews has flagged further announcements, including the closure of some workplaces in certain industries.
But he has assured Victorians supermarkets, grocery stores and bottle shops will remain open in a bid to discourage a fresh wave of panic buying.
While acknowledging the drastic moves were necessary, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce said they would undoubtedly mean the end for many businesses.
The Victoria Tourism Industry Council said the restrictions would further devastate the state’s ailing tourism and event industry.
Supermarkets have introduced product restrictions and hours in line with Melbourne’s new lockdown curfew.
Woolworths also had more than 240 warehouse workers walk off the job because of virus concerns despite the company saying it has cleaned the site.
Five million Melburnians woke up on Monday after their first night under a citywide, coronavirus-enforced curfew that will last the next six weeks.
The premier on Sunday announced a suite of tough new COVID-19 regulations designed to limit movement in Melbourne, while foreshadowing more to come for workplaces.
Under stage four rules to run until at least September 13, metropolitan Melbourne is under a nightly 8pm-5am curfew that started on Sunday night.
The rare health-related restriction was prompted by the state recording 671 new cases on Sunday — it’s second-highest daily total — and seven further deaths.
Melbourne residents will also only be allowed to exercise for an hour a day and can’t travel more than 5km from home for shopping or exercise.
Only one person per household can shop for groceries each day, while recreational sports such as tennis and golf have been banned altogether.
With a state of disaster declared, police have additional powers to fine anyone caught breaking curfew or outside a 5km radius of their home without reasonable excuse.
Meanwhile, regional Victoria has moved to stage three restrictions, with restaurants, cafes, bars and gyms to shut from midnight on Wednesday.
Mitchell Shire, north of Melbourne, has been reclassified as a regional municipality, meaning it will remain under stage three rules.


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Water bills set to rise 15%
BRITAIN'S householders are set to face a 15% rise in their water bills, thanks to European Union officials. The UK water companies are having to invest billions of pounds to meet EU regulations.
The water regulator, Ofwat, will impose a new round of price increases on Friday that will increase average charges by 8.5%. This will pump up a typical bill from £249 to £270 for the year 2005-2006.
The biggest increase, of 14.9%, is being levied on customers of Thames Water. The higher bills are despite the prospect of summer restrictions for millions of consumers. Thames is among the companies that have warned that hosepipe and sprinkler bans are likely because of the third driest winter for 120 years.
Most of the increase is attritbuted to EU requirements for companies to invest in cleaning up beaches and drinking water and improving the processing of sewage.
Millions of people, however, are literally pouring money down the drain by not installing a water meter, it was claimed today. Installing a meter could lead to savings of around £125 for 14.5m water customers, a report from uSwitch.com claims. Only one in four of the 26m households in the UK are on a water meter, uSwitch said. But many could save money by paying just for what they use.
Alan Tattersall, director of home services at uSwitch.com, said: 'People don't register that there are huge savings to be made by installing a water meter and unlike energy, you can't simply switch your supplier to a cheaper one.
'Water bills are worked out using the rateable value of the house - a rather antiquated combination of the type, location and value of the property. In many cases, it can be much cheaper to switch to a water meter and pay only for what you use, as with gas and electricity.'
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domain: news


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The Sound Of Panic
July 27, 2011: Despite one well publicized failure, the sonic cannon (or LRAD, for Long Range Acoustic Device) is increasingly popular for security conscious merchant ships travelling in the Indian Ocean (between western India and Africa). This vast area has become the hunting grounds for Somali pirates (using seagoing fishing boats or small cargo ships as mother ships.) The pirate vessels have two or more speed boats in tow, and these are turned loose, with half a dozen of more armed pirates each, when a likely target is spotted. Attacking at dusk or dawn, the speedboats can often get close enough, without being spotted, for the pirates to board.
Full article here: http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/20110727.aspx
LRAD Conquers The Naval World
October 5, 2011:
The Indian Navy has joined its Western counterparts in equipping its ships, off the Somali coast, with sonic cannon (or LRAD, for Long Range Acoustic Device). LRAD is basically a focused beam of sound. Originally, it was designed to emit a very loud sound. Anyone whose head was touched by this beam, heard a painfully loud sound. Anyone standing next to them heard nothing. But those hit by the beam promptly fled, or fell to the ground in pain. Permanent hearing loss is possible if the beam is kept on a person for several seconds, but given the effect the sound usually has on people (they move, quickly), that is unlikely to happen. LRAD works. And on a speedboat, you have nowhere to run. The LRAD operator targets the guy operating the outboard engine, and anyone else who tries to keep the speedboat headed for the target.
Full Article here:
"We are expecting the arrival of our first Parametric HSS-3000 speakers this summer."
February 21, 2011: As Somali pirates move farther from the coast (using stolen fishing vessels as mother ships), most shipping in the Indian Ocean is at risk of attack. In response, more ships are putting armed guards on board, even though this practice risks running into laws barring firearms on merchant ships entering their ports or territorial waters. Recently, the ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), a trade organization representing 80 percent of all shipping companies, urged its members to put armed guards on ships moving through pirate infested waters. This now includes most of the Indian Ocean between India and Africa. There are problems with this, beyond gun restrictions. Some countries forbid ships flying their flag from carrying armed guards.
None of this has stopped several private security companies from offering armed guards for ships. The security companies operate from countries that allow them (sometimes after payment of bribes) to have military grade weapons. The security teams sometimes travel unarmed to a port where they can pick up their weapons, and board the ship they are guarding. That works because some shipping companies are carrying rifles and machine-guns on board, but keeping them hidden from port and cargo inspectors. Large merchant ships have lots of places to hide things like a dozen rifles and pistols and a few thousands rounds of ammo. Other security companies will send out a small ship with the armed men on board, and transfer them to the merchant ship in international waters. In short, no one wants to talk openly about how this security business operates. But there's a growing demand, and no shortage of security companies willing to fill the need. This makes lawyers for shipping companies nervous, because of the risk of innocent fishermen getting shot if they approach a guarded ship way that makes the merchant crew nervous. One thing leads to another and someone who isn't a pirate gets shot. Lawsuits follow, and the shipping company has another pirate-related problem. But the shipping companies have reached the point where they would rather handle these lawsuits than more ransom negotiations with pirates.
From the MIT Technology Review.
Looks like promising technology.
"Quantum-dots displays would consume a fifth to a tenth of the power of LCDs, says Samsung research Tae Ho Kim. They promise to be brighter and longer-lasting than OLEDs. What's more, they could be manufactured for less than half of what it costs to make LCD or OLED screens. "
Quantum-dots displays would consume a fifth to a tenth of the power of LCDs, says Samsung research Tae Ho Kim. They promise to be brighter and longer-lasting than OLEDs. What's more, they could be manufactured for less than half of what it costs to make LCD or OLED screens.
Dude - I TOLD you to sell more than once! Imagine if you did - you would be worry-free right now, and more importantly, we wouldn't have to read any more of your hand-wringing posts.


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You can look up the price of any currency.
In a few seconds, you can see what your dollars would be worth in pounds, pesos, or yen.
But what about Bitcoin?
Can you find out its price? And perhaps more importantly, what’s the real VALUE of Bitcoin? Is it worth the hype, or is the current valuation overblown?
In this article, you’ll learn the price of Bitcoin, what the experts are saying about its future, and what you can expect from the digital currency in the years to come.
Let’s jump in!
Let’s start things off with the question we started with. What’s a Bitcoin worth?
Right now, a Bitcoin is worth this much in US dollars:
If you’re looking for a simple answer, that’s the number you’re looking for. Of course, the number changes from day to day.
Tomorrow’s price will be different than yesterday’s price, but overall you can expect the valuation to stay roughly the same.
While Bitcoin has had problems with price fluctuation in the past, it currently only has about 2% volatility today. That’s roughly the same as the Mexican peso.
In short, the price of Bitcoin isn’t going to fluctuate wildly every minute, as it did when it just started.
It’s also worth noting that Bitcoin is looking to have a more and more stable future, rapidly taking over other mainstream financial institutions in market cap.
Market cap is short for market capitalization, or the total amount of money a company’s shares are valued at. In the case of Bitcoin, it represents the total value of all Bitcoins.
Let’s look at one of the more established companies in the financial industry: American Express. Currently, the market cap of American Express hovers around $81 billion.
But it’s no secret that the internet has changed the way we deal with money. Newer companies have started to gain prevalence. How do they stack up?
Let’s look at the biggest player in the new market of internet finances: PayPal. Currently, the PayPal market cap is 80.67 billion, just shy of that of American Express.
(In fact, the two have been trading places over the last few weeks.)
Clearly, those market caps are huge. But even PayPal and American Express are still lagging behind Bitcoin.
Instead of a mere $80 billion market cap, Bitcoin’s market cap is teetering on $94 billion at the time of this writing.
If we look at the numbers, it’s clear that Bitcoin is moving up with the established players in the financial market.
But of course, Bitcoin isn’t just looking to become the next PayPal. It’s designed as a currency. So let’s be fair and compare it to other currencies.
Under the harsh scrutiny of international money, how does Bitcoin hold up?
Over the course of 2016, Bitcoin was the currency that increased the most over the USD.
At the time of this writing, the final numbers for 2017 aren’t in yet, but it’s looking like Bitcoin will continue that trend by the time 2018 rolls around.
It’s quickly growing in usefulness around the world as more and more people start to use Bitcoin as a currency.
In fact, one of the biggest potential uses for Bitcoin is international money transfers, since you can move money across borders without fees or fines.
This means that the increasingly global economy is a good thing for Bitcoin, as more users internationally increases its value.
But to tell the truth, Bitcoin’s price doesn’t tell the whole story. To understand the real facts behind the number, we need to dive a little deeper.
If you’re wondering how much a single Bitcoin is worth, you might be discouraged by the result.
A single Bitcoin costs thousands of dollars, but you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend!
But the truth is that you don’t have to buy an entire Bitcoin. In fact, most of today’s investors in Bitcoin aren’t purchasing them one at a time.
Instead, you can buy fractions of a Bitcoin. Just like you can divide a dollar up into cents or purchase part of a stock, you can also divide up a Bitcoin.
In fact, Bitcoins are far more divisible than dollars. Rather than just divided into 100 cent pieces, Bitcoins are divided into 100 million pieces, known as Satoshis.
(Satoshi Nakamoto was the creator of the original Bitcoin concept and software, and the smallest denomination of Bitcoins is named likewise.)
No matter how much you want to buy, there is a decimal quantity of Bitcoins you can purchase for the money you have available to invest.
But should you even invest? Let’s look at what the experts have to say.
To start with, you should know that most of the people talking about Bitcoin have invested in Bitcoin itself or in Bitcoin-related products and services.
And when you’ve invested in Bitcoin, you have a motivation to get people interested in the currency. Many experts touting Bitcoin have something to earn by giving it a high valuation.
But it also shows that they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is. It’s helpful to see that these investors are willing to stake their own dollars on Bitcoin’s success.
The first person to look to is John McAfee, the creator the software that still bears his name. He’s moved on from security software and into Bitcoin investment and management.
In July 2017, McAfee stated on Twitter that he fully expects Bitcoin to reach a $500,000 valuation per coin in three years.
Another respectable expert in the space is Jeremy Liew, the first investor in Snapchat who is currently focused on Bitcoin.
He worked with the CEO and founder of Blockchain, a large Bitcoin company, to analyze Bitcoin’s future. Using multiple factors, they predicted a $500,000 valuation by 2030.
But as I mentioned earlier, both McAfee and Liew have something to gain with a positive Bitcoin projection.
Are there financial experts who aren’t deeply in involved in Bitcoin pointing to it having a positive future?
The answer is yes. Let’s take a look at recent statements by two major players in the financial industry–the CEOs of Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Neither has come out with a precise number, but they’ve both said some pretty positive things about Bitcoin.
Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman has indicated some support of the currency, calling it “more than just a fad.”
Meanwhile, the CEO of Goldman Sachs compared Bitcoin to the introduction of paper money.
When viewed in this light, it looks like Bitcoin has a bright future.
Even experts who don’t have a stake in Bitcoin’s future seem to be saying positive things, or at least remaining neutral.
This indicates that Bitcoin has strong potential for continual growth in the years to come.
But let’s not stop with the expert projections. Let’s take a hard look at how Bitcoin stacks up when compared with the market factors that will influence its price in years to come.
Let’s spend a moment and examine the changes that control Bitcoin’s price. Of course, there are plenty of factors, and they’re constantly changing.
But if we have a general sense for where the price is going, we can predict what to expect from Bitcoin in the coming years or decades.
First off, Bitcoin is largely influenced by the big authorities in the financial space. Those are primarily banks and investment firms.
As we mentioned earlier, many of the most influential players in finance seem open to Bitcoin, or at least ready to see what will happen with the currency.
This is a good sign, as it shows more mainstream acceptance. People were unsure about PayPal when it first arrived, but has gradually taken its place as a new standard.
Bitcoin seems to be following the same trajectory, which is encouraging.
The second place to look is how widely accepted Bitcoin is becoming. Since it’s designed as a currency, the number of people accepting it works as a virtuous cycle.
That is, the more retailers and websites accept Bitcoin, the more people will use it. And the more people that use it, the more stores will want to accept it.
But other retailers are catching on. Overstock.com accepts Bitcoin payments for all orders, and is clearly visible on the checkout page.
A handful of Subway franchises have started to accept Bitcoin as well. In short, this trend is moving steadily upwards to reach more and more consumers.
There’s a third factor that will influence the price of Bitcoin in coming years, and it’s perhaps the hardest to predict: regulatory bodies.
Ultimately, the governments across the world have the right to limit or even ban the use of Bitcoin, and some have already done so.
No matter what banks think, or which retailers accept the currency, the government has the final word.
So when we look at the primary players in the western Bitcoin space, what do we see? By and large, most western nations are fine with Bitcoin.
In the United States, Bitcoin is legal, though not regarded by the Internal Revenue Service as currency. Instead, it’s taxable as a property like most other things you can buy.
This bodes well for Bitcoin use in the west. With the government seeing Bitcoin as a form of tax revenue, it’s unlikely that it will suddenly ban the currency.
But in the end, the future is best predicted by looking at the past. How has Bitcoin fared over the years?
The truth is, quite well.
Let’s dive deep into how much Bitcoin is being used. In the early days, Bitcoin struggled to get off the ground.
While it was present on underground markets and websites selling drugs and other illegal goods, it didn’t gain mainstream acceptance.
The first use of Bitcoin for a “real” transaction was when it was used to buy two pizzas in 2010. It cost 10,000 Bitcoins–worth about $57 million in October 2017.
But despite its difficult beginnings, Bitcoin has taken off since 2010. It’s gaining more and more acceptance, as we saw earlier.
When you look at the numbers of its growth, the results are truly staggering. Almost every month, Bitcoin transactions are increasing. Every few years, the growth is exponential.
For proof, one need only examine this chart of Bitcoin transactions per month. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each section represents 10x the section before it.
In other words, Bitcoin usage grew ten times from 2009 to 2011, another ten times from 2011 to 2012, again from 2012 to 2013, and again from 2013 to 2017.
It shows no sign of stopping. That’s why there are some exciting conclusions about its projected growth when compared with other investments.
Of course, nobody can accurately predict the future price of Bitcoin. But many have tried, and their results are incredible.
If we look at the overall trend of the price of Bitcoin when compared to the US dollar, the valuation is on a steady trend upwards.
In fact, it shows a significant lift in price that bodes well for investors everywhere.
The results are even more staggering when you compare it to other investment opportunities. After all, money you put into Bitcoin is money you can’t invest elsewhere.
So is it worth it to put your money into Bitcoin?
When compared with the forecast for the S&P 500, Bitcoin shines. The S&P is expected to take a dip at the beginning of the year, rising back up a little bit above its current price.
Not too bad, and the S&P 500 is a safe investment that involves little risk. But the returns in the short-term aren’t expected to be too great.
(Long-term, it’s impossible to predict with any accuracy. It’ll be far riskier to predict, but could have higher or lower gains.)
When we look at the projections for NASDAQ, we see roughly the same forecast. A slight dip at the beginning of the year, and a rise a bit above current levels.
Both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ are established investments that are likely to show steady returns. Of course, things happen and stocks can crash.
But the forecasts show a modest return, which can be a good outlook for investors. When compared to Bitcoin’s short-term projections, however, they pale in comparison.
Now let’s see how Bitcoin stacks up against some very popular stocks, had you invested in them five years ago.
Let’s start with the poster child of internet company stocks: Google.
If you had invested $1,000 in Google stock (now Alphabet, Inc.) back in 2012, what would you have five years later?
Around $2,968, based on the most recent stock price. That’s almost a 3x gain! Not too disappointing, and certainly nothing to be complain about.
What if you had the foresight back in 2012 to invest in another technology company that was set to change the face of purchasing online–perhaps forever?
If you have invested in Amazon stock back then and waited for five years, your investment would have quadrupled.
A $1,000 investment would have turned into $4,154. That’s a huge return that any investor would be thrilled with.
But since we’re being hypothetical, what would have happened if you had instead invested that $1,000 in 2012 in Bitcoin?
The results speak for themselves in the chart of Bitcoin’s growth since 2012.
Specifically, your paltry $1,000 would have grown by over 50,000%, giving you an insane $513,552.
If you had invested two thousand dollars instead of one thousand, you would be a millionaire now.
The past doesn’t lie. Bitcoin’s meteoric rise has made it a major player in the world of finance, and there is legitimate money to be made from investing early.
The trend has continued since then. A number of potential events could take place with Bitcoin, pushing the market cap closer to that of gold.
With just a few percentage points closer to gold, a single Bitcoin could be worth as much as $800,000.
As Bitcoin becomes more appreciated across international markets and in established industries and businesses, the market cap will continue to grow.
If you’re wondering how much a Bitcoin is worth, look no further.
The current price of Bitcoins changes hour to hour, just like other currencies. As it grows in acceptance, it’s becoming more and more stable and only changes about 2% today.
If you don’t want to buy an entire Bitcoin, you don’t need to worry. There are fractions of Bitcoins, down to one-hundred-millionth, known as a Satoshi.
Just like you’d exchange a certain number of dollars for whatever the equivalent is in yen or euros, you can invest in Bitcoin with any quantity of money.
The future of Bitcoin is looking up, and the factors that influence the Bitcoin price are growing less significant as it becomes more mainstream.
If past records are any indication, Bitcoin is projected to continue to grow in the coming months and years. Compared to other stocks, it’s an incredible deal at its current price.
While nothing is certain, Bitcoin has a promising future ahead of it, and it’s best to start investing sooner rather than later.


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People are cutting the cord at an alarming rate -- alarming if you're the president of a cable company, that is. For everyone else, the fact that you can now pick and choose between a bunch of different streaming TV services, rather than just paying the traditional $60 a month to whichever cable company is in your area, is fantastic.
Most of the big names are offering streaming services these days. Playstation Vue, AT&T DirecTV Now, YouTube TV and Hulu Live TV have exploded over the last year, and they're not bad options. But after trying sports-first streaming service Fubo for the last few months, I think it's the only streaming service anyone is going to need.
Trending right now:


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Ryanair offers return flight to Paris for £50
RYANAIR announced yesterday the introduction of a £50 return fare from Dublin to Paris and Brussels. Ryanair begins service to the two cities in two weeks' time. It is also to introduce a scheduled service between Dublin and Stockholm.
Ryanair's chief executive, Mr Michael O'Leary, claimed yesterday the new low fares proved Ryanair was passing on to its customers the savings being made, by cutting commission to travel agents. Last week, the Competition Authority ruled Ryanair could cut the commission from 9 per cent to 7.7 per cent despite the objections of the Irish Travel Agents' Association (ITAA).
Mr O'Leary said an ITAA delegation had requested Ryanair to increase its fares in March by £5 across the board. Ryanair refused. "Our customers want lower fares," Mr O'Leary said.
Aer Lingus is monitoring the effect on its business of Ryanair's cut in agents' commission. Some 70 per cent of Aer Lingus's passenger revenue comes from travel agents and it cannot afford to alienate the trade. Aer Lingus sources said it might be two months before it could clearly identify whether there was a competitive advantage or not in following Ryanair's lead.
Ryanair will fly to Beauvais outside Paris. Aer Lingus says passengers want to fly into Paris's main airport, Charles de Gaulle, which it serves. But Aer Lingus now" faces competition there too from another Irish airline, Cityjet. The latter announced it is to begin service between Dublin and Charles, de Gaulle on May 1st. Cityjet fares will start at £99 plus tax.


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Technology company Continental and system supplier aft automotive are setting up a joint venture to manufacture couplings made of highperformance plastics for the for the future of mobility.... Read more
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Osram’s new UV light cleans the air in cars
Kia motors accelerates business transformation to become a leading EV brand
Ferrari Portofino M
Hyundai to roll out brand new CRETA model this year in the Middle East and Africa markets
Renault trucks t x-port, the new used truck for Africa and the Middle-East
© 2017 Morjan Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.


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06 November 2018
Visiongain has launched a new pharma report: Pharma Wholesale and Distribution Market Forecasts 2018-2028: Branded Drugs, Generic Drugs, US, China, Japan, Germany, France, Brazil, Italy, Spain, UK, India, Russia, RoW.
The pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution market is influenced by the play of a variety of factors; it has both strengths and weaknesses and faces both opportunities and threats. The market will be driven by an overall increased demand for pharmaceuticals owing to the growing ageing population of developed countries and the increasing access to healthcare of the expanding middle class in the emerging economies.
The lead analyst of the report commented "Disease prevalence is expected to increase in all pharmaceutical markets, increasing sales of prescription drugs worldwide. Distributing increased volumes of drugs will benefit wholesalers through increased revenues. The increased sales volume will be particularly noticeable in emerging markets, such as China, India and Brazil. There, increased wealth of the population and further urbanisation will lead to changes in disease patterns, as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, already two of the leading causes of death in developed markets, become more prominent. Wholesalers involved in specialty distribution, such as for cancer treatments, will benefit from those trends."
Leading companies featured in the report include Alfresa Holdings, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Medipal, PHOENIX Group, Shanghai Pharma, SINOPHARM, Suzuken, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Notes for Editors
If you are interested in a more detailed overview of this report, please send an e-mail to email@example.com or call her on +44 (0) 207 336 6100
Visiongain is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent media companies in Europe. Based in London, UK, Visiongain produces a host of business-to-business reports cusing on the automotive, aviation, chemicals, cyber, defence, energy, food & drink, materials, packaging, pharmaceutical and utilities sectors.
Visiongain publishes reports produced by analysts who are qualified experts in their field. Visiongain has firmly established itself as the first port of call for the business professional who needs independent, high-quality, original material to rely and depend on.
In recent years, the IVD market has experienced increased consolidation among industry participants, with significant merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, especially among larger companies as they diversify and manoeuvre for stronger positions.
14 May 2019
Expected increases in the level of healthcare coverage will allow greater proportion of the population to be able to afford medical care, which is still mostly paid for out-of-pocket by patients, as a greater amount of people have health insurance to cover their medical expenses.
09 May 2019
The major drivers supporting the growth of the mRNA Vaccines and Therapeutics Market are rising adoption of personalized medicine for effective treatment, advantages offered by mRNA-based products, and rising funding by pharmaceutical companies and government organizations.
07 May 2019
The cancer treating drugs market will continue to grow over the next ten years.


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Hardware prices have risen 10%–15% in the last year
According to a report from TechRadar, hardware prices have risen 10.0%–15.0% this year, and software prices have risen around 20.0%. A shortage of memory and SSD (solid state drive) components have driven prices higher. A report from SimmTester.com states, “The average contract price of PC DRAM modules rose by nearly 40% sequentially in the first quarter to US$24 and then by more than 10% sequentially in the second quarter to US$27.”
In addition, the fall in the British pound due to the Brexit has driven prices higher. TechRadar stated that the ASP (average selling price) for personal computers and laptops rose 30.0% YoY (year-over-year) to approximately 480 British pounds in July and August 2017 in the United Kingdom. Apple (AAPL), HP (HPQ), Dell, and Microsoft (MSFT) have all experienced a rise in ASP since the Brexit vote.
Leverage relationships with suppliers
During HP’s fiscal 3Q16 earnings call last year, management said the company will increase its inventories in fiscal 4Q16. It had already forecast a supply shortage and subsequent price increases for its components. HP has leveraged its relationship with suppliers and a strong balance sheet to buy additional inventory in fiscal 4Q17.
According to CFO (chief financial officer) Cathie Lesjak, this strategy was successful since it gave HP a competitive advantage as well as a more stable outlook. HP will try to replicate this strategy although at a slower rate since it expects component prices to rise in fiscal 4Q17.


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Fire Emblem’s Ike Returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS
Fire Emblem fans have long had the chance ego play as their favorite characters since Super Smash Bros. Melee, with characters like Marth, Roy, and Ike gracing the screen for multiple installments.
As revealed by Nintendo today in the latest screenshots, Fire Emblem‘s heavy hitter Ike will be returning to the battlefield in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS as its latest character. Previously, Ike debuted in Super Smash Bros. Brawl on Wii, and this time in his returning role his appearance (and presumably play-style) will be based on the most recent entry in the series, Fire Emblem: Awakening.
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS releases in Summer 2014, while Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will release later this year in Winter – in the meantime, check out Ike’s return in these new screenshots:


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The U.S. Justice Department is preparing an antitrust lawsuit to block software maker Adobe’s $20 billion bid for cloud-based designer platform Figma, Bloomberg News report said.
Adobe and Figma are in different product areas, with Figma focusing on interactive designs, Adobe said.
“We are engaged in constructive and cooperative discussions with regulators in the US, UK and EU among others. We continue to expect to close the transaction in 2023,” Adobe said in a news statement.
Adobe, which makes Photoshop, said in September it would buy Figma, with investors concerned about the hefty price tag.


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The company that owns clothing retailer Zara has said it will make its collections from 100 percent sustainable fabrics by 2025.
Inditex, which owns Zara, added that its other brands including Zara Home, Massimo Dutti and Pull&Bear will also use sustainable fabrics, according to The Guardian.
The Spanish company made the announcement during a Tuesday shareholder meeting.
The company also announced other sustainability goals. According to The Guardian, the company will try to ensure that 80 percent of the energy used in its headquarters, factories and stores come from renewable sources and will ensure its facilities don't make landfill waste by 2025.
By 2023 it plans to use 100 percent sustainable viscose.
"We need to be a force for change, not only in the company but in the whole sector," said Inditex CEO Pablo Isla, the British newspaper reported. “We are the ones establishing these targets: the strength and impulse for change is coming from the commercial team, the people who are working with our suppliers, the people working with fabrics. It is something that’s happening inside our company.”
Inditex did not immediately reply to The Hill's request for comment.
According to Forbes, Inditex is the third largest apparel company in the world, bringing in $31 billion in sales in 2018.


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Retailers, restaurants offer deals as more of us pinch penniess
from USA Today
America has become a nation of penny pinchers. The economic meltdown was the 500-pound catalyst, but even amid signs the economy is picking up, many of us still are pinching away. It's a trend that analysts say reflects a seismic — and perhaps lasting — change in our spending habits, and retailers are responding.
7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063


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Airwallex, a Hong Kong and Australia-based financial technology platform for modern businesses growing beyond borders, announced that it recently closed $100 million in its Series E extension (“Series E2”) with the same US$5.5 billion valuation. Airwallex’s total funding increased to more than US$900 million to propel the company’s global growth trajectory.
The round was from existing investors Square Peg, Salesforce Ventures, Sequoia Capital China, Lone Pine Capital, Hermitage Capital, 1835i Ventures, and Tencent. HostPlus, an Australian industry superannuation fund and a leading North American pension fund, also participated in this round.
“The valuation underscores investors’ confidence in Airwallex’s core business value and fundamentals, and we are fortunate to have the continued support of our existing investors and the confidence of new investors as we pursue our vision to become the global economic infrastructure for modern businesses,” said Jack Zhang, Co-founder, and CEO of Airwallex. “The market environment remains challenging in the foreseeable future, and while we remain well capitalized, this additional runway allows us to continue our growth plans, and product expansion, and hire some of the best talents in the world. By strengthening the breadth of our global reach and product offering, we can better empower our customers to unlock new market opportunities.”
The Melbourne-founded company accelerated its international expansion in 2021, successfully extending its reach across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific, serving three of the largest e-commerce markets in the world: China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Today, tens of thousands of modern businesses leverage Airwallex’s global payments and banking platform to process payments and move money efficiently worldwide.
Company: Airwallex Pty Ltd
Round: Series E2
Funding Month: October 2022
Lead Investors: Square Peg, Salesforce Ventures, Sequoia Capital China, Lone Pine Capital, Hermitage Capital, 1835i Ventures, and Tencent
Additional Investors: HostPlus
Company Website: https://www.airwallex.com/
Software Category: Fintech platform
About the Company: Founded by Jack Zhang and Max Li, together with friends from the University of Melbourne, Lucy Liu and Xijing Dai. Airwallex is a financial technology platform for modern businesses growing beyond borders. Its technology empowers businesses of all sizes to accept payments, move money globally, and simplify their financial operations in one platform. Established in 2015 in Melbourne, its purpose is to connect entrepreneurs, business builders, makers, and creators with opportunities in every corner of the world. Today, Airwallex has a global footprint across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.


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Singapore vending machines now dispense salmon, crab and even cacti! Vending machines are having a moment in Singapore. It’s not just Wagyu beef and salmon. Machines offer bread, curry puffs, freshly cooked pizza, freshly squeezed orange juice and even cooked chilli crab. You know what that vending machine will smell like after a power outage?
A home for sale in South Lake Tahoe, California has more than the usual staged rooms. The three-bedroom duplex is listed on Zillow, and looks pretty ordinary from the outside, but photos of the inside have buyers buzzing, as there are more than a dozen mannequins decked out in ball gowns and wigs posed around the rooms. The online listing reads in part, “With a little love, this duplex has great income property potential.” (It should also say, “and offers great spots to hide the body.” (Mirror.co.uk)
A Minnesota company, called HercLéon, has created a line of self-cleaning underwear that can be worn for weeks without smelling. The underwear is made from HercFiber, which destroys bacteria and stays clean without needing a wash. The company says their HercFiber is made from a blend of bamboo, eucalyptus, copper and beechwood. The underwear goes back to smelling fresh after it is aired out. And by that they don’t mean, you can air it out, by not wearing pants. (Oddity Central)


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Another manufacturer has introduced a box for the FreeviewPlus product.
Australians have even more choice in accessing FreeviewPlus with the arrival of the second set-top box certified for FreeviewPlus which is available now in stores across the country.
Compact and easy to set up, the new TEAC HBBTS1 set-top box comes with built-in internet connectivity and can also record free-to-air programs to a USB drive, so that viewers never have to miss a thing.
Liz Ross, CEO of Freeview, said: “Having another widely available set-top box in store is a huge boon for Australian consumers who can use it to access FreeviewPlus on their existing TVs at a competitive price point.
“The award-winning FreeviewPlus service gives viewers a world of choice completely free of any subscription charges.”
FreeviewPlus uses hybrid TV technology, which seamlessly combines broadband and broadcast TV, delivering the Freeview networks’ catch-up services all in one place – on the TV. Access to catch-up and other services is easy, with viewers simply using the coloured buttons on the remote control.
Daniel Seow, Director of TEAC Australia said: “A lot of time and care working with the Freeview team has gone into ensuring a quality user experience from our FreeviewPlus set-top box. We’re proud of this new addition to our popular AV range and believe this new set-top box will further enhance the home entertainment experience for all Australians and their families.”
Source: Access PR media release


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Three quarters of Australia's exports go to Asia, with nearly a third to China alone. Australia's economic embrace of Asia continues apace with the signing of Free Trade Agreements with Japan, Korea and, after the G20 in Brisbane late last year, with China. Earlier this month Trade Minister Andrew Robb led a strong mission of 450 business representatives to India and he is hopeful that an India/Australia FTA can be signed by the end of 2015.
The Renzi government in Italy has also placed business relations with Asia high on its economic priority list, along with major domestic reforms designed to "unblock Italy", reduce red tape and improve the timeliness of its approval and legal processes. Soon after he became Prime Minister Renzi visited China and Vietnam to boost trade and encourage investment in Italy's infrastructure. As we move towards a Free Trade Agreement with the EU, Australia could be an ideal "bridge" to Asia for Italian businesses.


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The recent launch of the new iPhone 12 has created a surge in demand, and counterfeit iPhones are flooding the market as a result.
Technology giant Apple introduced the latest products to hit the market — the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini — to a very excited community of fans on October 13, 2020. The phones were released concurrently with the more expensive iPhones 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
This much anticipated step follows warnings issued by security experts who caution Apple enthusiasts to keep a sharp eye out for an increase in iPhone-related phishing scams following the big release.
Cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky has exposed around a hundred suspicious websites. Hackers already are focusing their crosshairs on unsuspecting consumers willing to part with thousands of dollars for the latest gadgets.
Most of these websites prompt users to submit their Apple ID numbers and passwords, which allows scammers to gain access to their private information. This information is then recorded and used directly or sold to third parties.
Increase in iPhone Scam Websites
In addition to cloned websites that feature the latest iPhone 12 releases, Kaspersky identified other scam sites that claim to help users locate lost or stolen phones, restore access to accounts and offer Apple support services.
The number of fake websites increased significantly in September in advance of Apple’s big release. According to Kaspersky analyst Tatyana Sidorina, “This resurgence of scammers’ interest in Apple services shows that they would happily benefit from anything that attracts users’ attention.”
MyChargeBack, therefore, cautions its readers to exercise extreme caution and only source iPhone products from reputable outlets.
Another popular iPhone scam includes text messages that advise individuals that they have been selected to receive a free iPhone 12. The scam text messages appear as if they were intended for another person and that it was sent in error.
A link to a special “Apple 2020 Testing Program” redirects recipients to an official-looking website that offers a free iPhone 12 in exchange for answering a quick survey. Once the user has answered the questionnaire, he is directed to a website where credit card details can be submitted to cover minor delivery costs for the phone.
As one can suspect, the personal information, including the victim’s name, card number and PIN, has just been shared with a professional criminal.
How to Avoid an iPhone Scam
These days, iPhone scams and phishing scams are more common than one would expect. It is vital to understand the threats and stay one step ahead.
First, it’s very uncommon for tech giants to offer free devices to individuals outside of the company to test their devices and software. If you receive a random text message with an incredible offer from a big tech firm, recognize that it’s probably too good to be true and walk away.
Second, a random text message from an unknown sender who knows your name and/or number but cannot explain why or how you were selected to receive it should be cause for concern and immediately prompt you to delete the message.
Third, take note of the link sent by the scammer, which will be very different from that of the original website. The sender uses the link “http://apple.co.uk/2020promo,” which only works in the text. It is a dead link, however, if you try to copy and paste it into your web browser.
Lastly, use common sense. Wealthy tech giants that offer free devices but require shipping costs should be all you need to know to recognize that it’s a scam. Send the message straight to the trash.
How to Check if My iPhone is Fake?
The authoritative way how to check if your iPhone is fake is to take it to an Apple Store or a licensed iPhone dealer or authorized reseller. If you are the victim of an Apple iPhone scam, report it to [email protected]. In addition, if you are seeking to recover your funds, you can contact MyChargeBack. We are an American financial services firm specializing in complex, card-not-present dispute resolution. Working with over 800 banks worldwide, we have assisted clients on every continent recover millions of dollars in assets that they thought they lost for good.


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Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani Wednesday described his phone company as the world’s largest start-up, entailing an initial investment of Rs.1.5 trillion ($22.5 billion). The figure is far higher than the around Rs.85,000 crore RIL, in April last year, said it was investing in Reliance Jio Infocomm.
By Mobis Philipose
Vodafone investors have been recommending an exit from India.
Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (R-Jio) has started testing its mobile wallet service Jio Money Merchant meant for professional service providers such as small and large businessmen, traders, tutors and shopkeepers. The service, which is available for downloads on Android phones (not available on iOS devices yet) from the company’s app… Read more »
The launch of high-speed 4G data services is set to become the next high-stakes battleground for telecom companies, and media buyers are expecting operators such as Bharti Airtel Ltd, Vodafone India Ltd and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (R-Jio) to spend millions of dollars on advertising over the next few months… Read more »


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Ed Corn said at one time he was “related to half of Fallbrook,” and it’s easy to see this friendly man’s extended family network is still healthy in number here. That’s why Ed and his wife, Chris, decided to open Fallbrook Mattress on Jan. 24, because he wants to continue his involvement with the community.
After his family moved to the area in 1946, Ed said, “We really had a good life. Growing up in Fallbrook, I have a special feel for this town.”
The Corns also own five Ashley Furniture Home Stores in California. Ed said now that his son runs the Ashley business, “What the heck, I thought since we do so well with mattresses, we’ll find a little spot we can put a store in Fallbrook.”
“I thought if we open a store here, we can keep the tax dollars in Fallbrook,” he added. While he and Chris moved to Temecula 20 years ago, it’s obvious where his heart is.
The business is a good addition to Fallbrook. Purchasing a new mattress is an important task and investment, one that can result in a significant positive impact on the quality of one’s rest.
Ed said, “You spend one-third of your life on your mattress. Do you deserve a good night’s sleep?” While mattress warranties have grown in length over the years, he said on the average people replace their mattress every 10 to 12 years.
It’s easy to see Fallbrook Mattress has the perfect fit for anyone, since the Corns carry 33 models of mattresses, many of which are available in multiple comfort levels. All 33 models can be viewed and tested inside the store.
“We’ve got a good representation,” Ed confirmed. Between Sealy, Tempur-Pedic®, and Diamond brands, everything from the traditional innerspring to latex foam to gem memory foam, to the new state-of-the-art hybrid (half foam-half spring) is offered.
The hybrid has been very well received in the consumer market.
“Some customers want something different than the coil mattress, but don’t like the feeling of being embedded in a foam mattress; that’s where the new hybrid mixes are perfect,” explained Dawn Corn, Ed’s daughter, who works in the store regularly. “The hybrid can provide the perfect solution for many people.”
Rather than a limited selection, Ed said he felt it was important to offer a full range of prices and options in the Fallbrook store.
“For the budget-minded, we have queen sets that start at $299,” he said.
Those with special needs, like arthritis sufferers, or ladies who experience frequent hot flashes should definitely visit this store.
“We have ‘cool technology’ for the ladies who have hot flashes and we offer the specialty foam for arthritis sufferers,” explained Chris.
Many know that getting a good night’s sleep when one has chronic aches and pains can be a challenge. “We know how to help people deal with those problem pressure points while sleeping,” Ed said. Manager Bob Freeman is well-versed in finding solutions for customers’ various needs.
One of the most exciting discoveries in this new store is the amazingly affordable bases they sell to make a mattress adjustable.
“The prices on these have come way down,” Chris said. “When I’m in bed watching TV, I love my adjustable base. There’s no need to wait until your 80 to get an adjustable bed anymore!”
Fallbrook Mattress also sells customized mattresses for RVs, campers, and other specialty purposes.
“Our RV has a queen bed, but it is short size; we can do that for people,” said Chris.
Helping a customer select the right mattress in order to get the best night’s rest possible is clearly the goal at Fallbrook Mattress and they are happy to provide a wealth of information and guidance in the process.
“Our staff helps customers conduct a number of tests on various mattresses in the store; the old process of sitting on the edge of a mattress isn’t the way to do it,” said Chris. “Our staff is specially trained and very knowledgeable in helping someone make the best choice for their physical needs.”
But, Ed and Chris both said store employees do not put pressure on a customer to purchase.
“We don’t pressure people,” Ed said. “In all six of our stores, our policy is that if someone pressures a customer, they’re gone.”
“Our folks know when to back off; we don’t want people to ever feel uncomfortable,” Chris added.
In addition to mattresses, the store also offers 10 to 12 different types of pillows and advises customers on those as well.
Mattress and pillow protection choices are available as well.
“We offer discounts for seniors and the military as well as a delivery service, financing, and lay-away,” said Chris.
Visitors can expect to see some examples of Ashley furniture in the store as well as binders with all the items offered by the company.
“Fallbrook residents can also order their Ashley furniture through this store and keep the tax base in this town,” Chris said. “Our 50,000 square-foot Murrieta store has a full showroom of all products if they want to go browse.”
With good, old-fashioned customer service, it’s no surprise Fallbrook Mattress has already started getting a good number of word-of-mouth referrals.
“Customers come in all the time and say a family member or friend referred them,” Chris said.
Open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fallbrook Mattress is located next to the Mission Theatre at 205 N. Main Ave. Call (760) 723-0300 for more information.


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Sainsbury’s is to make £60m more in annual profits than predicted after enjoying better than expected food and drink sales over Christmas as shoppers bought more champagne than ever before.
The UK’s second biggest supermarket said grocery sales rose 0.8% in the six weeks to 8 January, excluding Boxing Day, when it chose to close this year, as more people dined at home as the Omicron wave of Covid-19 put a dampener on trips to restaurants and pubs.
Total sales slipped 2.4% over that period as the company said problems with the supply of technology, gaming kit and toys hit trading at the group’s Argos chain but Sainsbury’s said profit margins on non-food had improved as it had cut down on discounting. Online grocery sales were down 15% year on year but still almost double pre-pandemic levels.
Sainsbury’s said it now expected to make underlying profits of £720m for the year to 8 January, up from £660m, with profit expectations boosted by the better than hoped for grocery sales, improved profit margins on non-food and lower than feared bad debts at its banking arm.
Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “I am really pleased with how we delivered for customers this Christmas. More people ate at home and our significant investment in value, innovation and service led to market share growth.”
Sainsbury’s said it had seen its biggest ever sales of champagne, contributing to its best ever new year trade, while there was a surge in demand for last-minute online orders from Argos.
The late surge came at the end of a tricky quarter in which sales at established stores were down 4.5%. Sales at Argos were down 16% in the three months to 8 January and clothing down almost 3% but Sainsbury’s said this was partly the result of a reduction in unprofitable discounting. It said full-price clothing sales rose 38%.


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Iran will inaugurate a production line for a totally home-made self-shifting transmission. for the first time in the history of its car-making industry. in a show of defiance to US’ sanctions which intended to paralyze Tehran’s economic growth and industrial advancements.
Iran is to launch its first production line for automatic transmissions in September despite sanctions that seek to harm a largely home-grown car industry in the country.
It was announced on Saturday that managers from the Iran Khodro Company (IKCO). Iran’s giant car manufacturer. were at a powertrain plant in the northern city of Qazvin to supervise preparations for the launch of a production line for automatic gearboxes.
The Niroo Moharreke is planning to produce six-speed automatic gearboxes for the IKCO. said the reports. adding that production would reach 2.500 sets per day until March 2021.
IKCO Chief Farshad Moqimi said while visiting the plant that his company is planning to use automatic transmission in around half of its products in the near future.
Moqimi said that bringing production of automatic gearboxes in-house has always been a major part of IKCO’s development plans as the company has helped initiatives that seek to obtain the technology for manufacturing automatic transmission inside Iran.
Using home-made six-speed gearboxes by the IKCO would mean higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption is future products.
That would be a major blow to the US sanctions that have sought to stifle a booming automotive industry in Iran.
The sanctions. enacted since November 2018 and toughened last year. have made it difficult for Iranian carmakers and spare part manufacturers to engage in partnerships with foreign companies.
However. the IKCO and other carmakers have vowed they would weather the crisis by relying on domestic expertise.
Reports on Saturday said that the company. which has sprawling production sites to the West of the capital Tehran and other major cities. would introduce nine new models in the next Iranian calendar year beginning late March.
Two weeks ago. the IKCO unveiled the first edition of a home-grown electric car. while the industrial group is suffering from strict sanctions imposed by the US and abided by former European partners of the IKCO.
A report said that the Electric RANA. a sedan which bears the name of one of the recent models of IKCO. is equipped with a special engine that is designed by a subsidiary of the company.
The report said the car would rely on a 30-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a 220-kilometer trip. saying the battery. fitted underneath the body of the car. would add an extra 100 kilograms to the weight of the vehicle.
In October. Iran Khodro announced that it had manufactured a home-made engine named EC5 which could reduce fuel consumption in Peugeot 301 passenger cars.
Iran Khodro had produced 50 EC5 engines by then by using CVVT technology.
The volume of 301 car engine is 1.6 liters. its maximum power is 110 horsepower and its maximum torque is 150 Nm at 4.000 mph. The combined fuel consumption of the car is 7.1 liters per 100 km of travel.
The power and torque of the EC5 engine has increased by 4 to 7 percent compared with the TU5 engine.
The engine has come out of various high performance tests successful and it has been tested in different weather conditions.


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Microsoft is surging forward with its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI), formally announcing its latest chatbot, Zo. In a post outlining its commitment to AI, Microsoft introduced Zo as the next chapter in the evolution of its attempts to create a social chatbot.
Zo is built on the back of the same technology that powers Microsoft's other chatbots in China and Japan, Xiaoice and Rinna. Zo is meant to learn from her interactions with humans, and is able to respond to conversations with her own personality. In a nod to an awkward turn of events involving Microsoft's last attempt at a social chatbot, Tay, the company notes that Zo has guards in place to prevent exploitation.
While you can currently only strike up a conversation with Zo on Kik messenger, Microsoft says it has plans to bring the chatbot to Skype and Facebook Messenger as well. Still, if you use Kik, you can start a conversation up with Zo now. Otherwise, head to Zo.ai to request an invite to chat with the bot on Messenger when it's available.
For more on Microsoft's AI efforts, check out the company's newly launched AI news website dedicated to all of its work in the field.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Update 6: Microsoft wants all of TikTok, but Trump's order may interfere
The Financial Times reports that as part of negotiations, Microsoft is now inquiring whether it can buy all of TikTok, instead of just the business in the US., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This new plan would include India and Europe (and excluding China).
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Best Affordable Desk Chair for Kids in 2020
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Vice Ganda recently brought his unkabogable style to Amanpulo resort, where he and his beau Ion Perez celebrated their first Valentine's Day.
Uploaded one of his beach OOTDs, his caption read: "Ooooops!!! Wag mainggit just appreciate! [emojis]"
The Kapamilya comedian-host channeled his inner-Baywatch babe in Gucci's red logo-print swimsuit, which, according to lyst.com, is priced at US$490 or around PHP25,000.
But the highlight of Vice Ganda's look was his beach "bayong" from French fashion label Jacquemus.
It was hard to miss it because of its massive size.
Kapamilya actress Bela Padilla quipped, "Pakilabas nako sa bag please."
Vice Ganda's It's Showtime co-host Jugs Jugueta commented, "@praybeytbenjamin Ang laki naman ng bag mo!"
Meanwhile, celebrity stylist Liz Uy was curious: "Anu laman?"
Called Le Grand Baci, this frayed, straw tote bag debuted at the luxury brand's spring/summer "La Riviera" 2019 collection.
The bag is currently sold out on Farfetch.com, and costs US$790 or around PHP41,000.


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The Dallas-Fort Worth green community came out to celebrate North Texas’ green entrepreneurs when Green Source DFW hosted its 2012 Best Green Business awards this week. The reception was held Thursday, Nov. 13, at The People’s Last Stand in Dallas. About 50 people attended the event, which included drinks and hors d’oeuvres served by the Mockingbird Station bistro. Awards were presented by Green Source DFW Editor Phillip Shinoda
The voting is now underway for our Green Business Awards, and as the votes flow in we're going to be taking a closer look our nominees. Today, getting to know some of the great green food stores in DFW.
North Texas boasts a number of eco-friendly entrepreneurs with green thumbs. Their commitment to promoting organic gardening has earned them a loyal following among Green Source DFW’s readers. Here are the picks for the Best Green Garden Centers:
One way to make sure adults know all the ins and outs of sustainability is by teaching these lessons early in life.Case in point, that is exactly what is happening at the Dallas County Juvenile Department’s Youth Village where young boys ages 13 to 17 have the opportunity to take organic gardening classes while also tending to 12 raised garden beds that are planted with herbs and vegetables several times a year.


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There’s a buzz in the air when Potbelly leadership speaks about the brand. It starts with the food, says Larry Strain, chief development officer at Potbelly.
“We have a best-in-class product,” Strain says. “We have the most loyal customers in the segment, and that’s because once you have a Potbelly sandwich, you are destined to come back for more.”
Now the brand is aiming to get its food—sandwiches, soups, shakes, salads, and more—into the mouths of more people, and the enthusiasm is proving contagious: Potbelly recently signed three multi-unit agreements that will bring a total of 25 locations to the Tampa, Florida; Champaign, Illinois; and Orlando, Florida markets.
“There’s been a lot of hard work going on to expand our footprint and make the brand more accessible to Potbelly fans across the country,” Strain says. “It’s such an exciting time to be a part of Potbelly, because we’re selling exclusive multi-unit territories across the U.S. and really no market is off limits. We’re signing deals, and have received an overwhelming amount of inquiries that the team is working through right now—it’s because people are seeing the strong growth opportunity for Potbelly across highly sought after markets.”
This slideshow will take a closer look at why franchisees are going all-in with Potbelly.
Franchise Accelerated Growth Initiative
Earlier in 2022, Potbelly announced its Franchise Accelerated Growth Initiative. It was a comprehensive outline of a multi-pronged approach to growing the brand, via franchising, from just over 400 shops, to 2,000 shops, within the next 10 years.
The recent agreements inked by franchisee groups in Florida and Illinois are positive proof that the initiative is working.
“Our new Shop Development Area Agreements come at an eventful time for us at Potbelly,” Bob Wright, CEO of Potbelly, says. “They are consistent with our multi-unit franchise development strategy and in line with what we’re looking to accomplish with our previously announced Franchise Growth Acceleration Initiative. We are very excited to execute these development deals with such high-quality franchisees, and we look forward to sharing other deals as they are signed.”
Tech Stack Investment
Nearly all of Potbelly’s tech stack was recently upgraded. From a new mobile app and website, to improved online ordering, to a revamped Potbelly Perks loyalty program, the sandwich shop has invested big money into its digital transformation. The digital ordering and growing loyalty program are feeding off one another, too, Strain says.
“Our ability to market directly to our customers through the Potbelly Perks program has been a total gamechanger,” Strain says. “We’re offering special promotions, and offers exclusive to Perks members that help drive increased visit frequency and lift in revenue.”
The customer-facing tech stack isn’t the only place where Potbelly is undergoing massive digital transformation. Potbelly recently unveiled Potbelly Digital Kitchen, an in-house platform that signals the brand’s investment in creating a more efficient back of house. The brand partnered with experts to determine optimal labor deployment that would help the brand increase throughput, order accuracy, and food freshness.
For example, the tech overhaul will allow team members to execute line-busting tactics during the lunch rush, where orders are taken on tablets and populated on digital kitchen displays in real time.
“We do three dayparts really well, but our peak daypart is lunch,” Strain says. “It can get pretty busy behind the counter during the lunch rush. Potbelly Digital Kitchen is our way of reducing stress for associates during peak times without compromise to our exceptional customer service.
Franchisee Buy In
Strain has spent time with some of the largest quick-service brands in the industry—including Dunkin’, Starbucks, and McDonald’s—but he says the excitement surrounding Potbelly is something wholly unique. To exhibit that excitement, Strain shares a story about a recent experience he had speaking with a franchisee who runs a Potbelly at a large southern airport.
Strain asked the franchisee what got him interested in Potbelly, and the franchisee relayed that he had space reserved in the airport for a different fast-casual concept—he wasn’t looking for a different brand. He was in Chicago for work and had Potbelly for lunch. Blown away by the product, the customer service experience, and the buildout, he returned the next day and ordered one of everything on the menu. When he was finished sampling each menu item, he called the corporate offices to declare he was ready to franchise.
“It’s that type of entrepreneur—a seasoned franchisee—who is perfect for this brand,” Strain says. “When they taste the product and experience the customer service, and culture of the brand, it’s mind blowing for them. They get it instantly. They get what we have here and they want to be part of the system. And it’s a great time to buy in.”
For more on franchising with Potbelly, visit the company’s franchising website.


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Apple Design Team Shares Exclusive Look Inside Apple Park [PICS]
For the first time ever, Apple has opened the doors to its design studio at Apple Park in Cupertino, sharing an exclusive look into the working processes behind the company’s latest creations with Wallpaper.
Evans Hankey, Apple’s VP of industrial design, and Alan Dye, VP of human interface design, walked the publication through Apple’s past few years, calling it “a time of consistent growth” both in terms of products shipped and revenue earned.
“We got to where we were as a team because of our cultures and our processes. It was a challenge, not an automatic win,” said Hankey. “We care about making great products, but we’ve worked equally hard at making a great team and culture. A lot of that came from the beginning. Steve defined Apple by its design,” said Dye.
They also talked about how the team had to design, build, and implement a physical notification system for the Apple Watch. It was Duncan Kerr, a long-standing member of the Design Team, who suggested the idea of the ‘tap’.
“It’s such a lovely simple thing, but we had no idea how to bring that to life,” Hankey said. “Through a series of clunky prototypes and the work of haptics expert Camille Moussette, the ‘tap’ was refined and perfected.”
Check out some more photos below and hit up the source page to read the lengthy article in full.


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Proven Winners Offers Michael Carr Designs Pottery
Proven Winners recently announced it is entering the pottery market by adding the full line of Michael Carr Designs Pottery, including the new AquaPots line of luxury grade, self-watering containers, to its brand. Under this new partnership, all Michael Carr Designs Pottery will be branded as Michael Carr Designs by Proven Winners, and all AquaPots will be branded as AquaPots by Proven Winners.
Proven Winners will work with BFG Supply Co., the exclusive distributor of Michael Carr Designs Pottery, and Michael Carr Designs to manage consumer marketing efforts for the line.
Premium quality pottery is a natural extension of the Proven Winners brand. Michael Carr Designs is the leading line of exclusive, high-end garden pottery. It is sold at local independent garden centers across the U.S. and Canada.
AquaPots is a new concept in self-watering containers created by Jack Barnwell, an award-winning landscape architect from Mackinac Island, Michigan. He also co-owns C3 Gardens, a landscape design firm in southern Florida. Barnwell saw the need for gorgeous, commercial grade, self-watering containers for the variety of properties he services across the country. He worked with Michael Carr to develop this stylish yet practical solution for his clients.
“Given Jack’s reputation as a nationally renowned landscape designer and Proven Winners’ worldwide reputation for quality and innovation, this partnership is the right fit,” said Carr.
Proven Winners and Michael Carr Designs recently debuted AquaPots at Cultivate’19 and received a Retailers’ Choice Award for new products sponsored by AmericanHort and The Garden Center Group.


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Today Walmart has released their earnings report for Q3 which has topped Wall Street expectations. The pandemic has seen Walmart record a staggering 79% increase in there eCommerce sales.
With many states across the US still battling with the effects and impact of Coronavirus, many shoppers are swapping browsing the aisles, for browsing the website and having groceries delivered to their door.
“We’re convinced that most of the behavior change will persist beyond the pandemic and that our combination of strong stores and emerging digital capabilities will be a winning formula,”
“Customers will want to be served in a variety of ways and we’re positioned to save them money, provide the variety of product choices they’re looking for, and deliver the experience they choose in the moment.” – Doug McMillon, President & CEO, Walmart
Walmart Q3 Numbers
In the third quarter, Walmart reported a net income to $5.14 billion, or $1.80 per share, from $3.29 billion, or $1.15 a share, just a year earlier.
Excluding items, Walmart earned $1.34 per share. Analysts were expecting Walmart would earn $1.18 per share, according to Refinitiv.
Total revenue grew by 5.2% to $134.7 billion from $128.0 billion a year earlier, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations which were set at $132.2 billion.
Walmart’s same-store sales in the U.S. grew by 6.4%, higher than the increase of 3.9% projected by StreetAccount survey.
Walmart subsidiary, Sam’s Club, also had a strong quarter. The membership warehouse club’s same-store sales increased about 11%, excluding fuel, and its eCommerce sales jumped 41%.
The retailer’s international business grew, but at a slower rate than the US business. Net sales in the third quarter were $29.6 billion, an increase of 1.3%. Excluding changes in currency rates, net sales would have been $30.6 billion, or an increase of 5%.
Should eBay Be Worried?
Throughout this year we have reported on the continued growth of Walmart and how they had replaced eBay in the number 2 spot for eCommerce market share.
Whilst eBay also announced favourable results for their Q3 there has still been very little news or development from them throughout 2020.
After the news around the stalking scandal that broke earlier this year which has not been good for eBay’s reputation due to the number of high level executives involved, not much has come out of eBay since.
With Walmart enjoying a surge in popularity and more importantly sales, and eBay appearing to flounder throughout 2020, it begs the question how will the landscape of eCommerce continue to change into 2021?
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HURRY! Book by May 9th, 2013 to save 50% on the recommended retail price for select bike and Segway tours in Berlin. This exclusive offer applies to all scheduled departure times and dates through November 30th, 2013. Please note that this offer is available for new transactions only and cannot be applied to any existing booking.
Category: Departure Lounge
March 21, 2013
One of the few remaining sections of the Berlin Wall is under threat from developers who plan to tear it down to make room for luxury riverfront condos
February 9, 2012
Gerhard Richter, widely regarded as the greatest living artist in Germany, turns 80 this year. Berlin is marking this major milestone with the huge retrospective, “Gerhard Richter Panorama”, which runs from February 12 to May 13.
October 6, 2011
Since 2005, Berlin’s Festival of Lights has offered residents and visitors alike something to look forward to on lengthening autumn nights. Starting October 12, dozens of the city’s buildings are awash in dazzling multicolored illuminations.


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Mobile ad-network SeventyNine owned by the Smile Vun Group has been sold for an undisclosed amount to European printing and publishing firm Gruner + Jahr’s Indian firm Networkplay.
Seventynine co-founders Chirag and Deven Dharamdasani will continue to lead the business post the buyout, the company said in a statement.
The ad network launched in April 2012 by Smile Vun Group (a joint venture between Harish Bahl’s Smile Group and Manish Vij’s Vun Network) says that it served nearly 700 million ad requests within 3 months of operations.
In June, Manish Vij, who sold his earlier e-commerce venture Letsbuy to Flipkart was looking to raise $10 million to fund SeventyNine and Tyroo (another group company).
Last month, the Smile vun Group floated a new company called PrecisionMatch to provide data analytics and management services to digital marketeers and commited an investment of $ 2 million to the new venture.
Seventynine is G+J’s second digital acquisition in India after Networkplay, which was acquired by G+J earlier this year. Networkplay was incubated in 2008 by digital advertising agency Webchutney and funded by Capital18, the venture capital arm of the Network18 group.
Seventynine’s immediate focus would be technology, product and expansion in South East Asia and Middle East, the company said. The € 2.29 billion G+J entered India in July 2011 through the acquisition of a majority stake in MaXposure Media Group.


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RBNZ Ups OCR 50bps To 1.5%; More Hikes To Come
- Published on
- 13 Apr 2022, 12:53 PM
By Sophia Rodrigues
(Sydney, April 13, 2022)—The Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised the official cash rate by 50 basis points to 1.5%, becoming the first developed-country central bank to deliver a larger hike in the current global tightening cycle.
In a statement Wednesday, the RBNZ described the move as “monetary tightening brought forward” and said that taking the OCR to a more neutral stance sooner will reduce the risk of rising inflation expectations.
The tone of the statement was hawkish and indicated more hikes in larger increments are likely as keeping longer-term inflation expectations anchored remains the RBNZ’s top priority in line with its recently revised least regrets approach.
“The Committee will remain focused on ensuring that current high consumer price inflation does not become embedded into longer-term inflation expectations,” the RBNZ said.
The RBNZ said the economy continues to remain strong, supported by sound balance sheets, continued, fiscal support and strong export earnings.
While global economic uncertainty and inflation are dampening consumer confidence, the more pressing concern for the RBNZ was capacity pressures. “Employment is above its maximum sustainable level and labour shortages are impacting many businesses,” the RBNZ said.


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(Representative image) The phone makers did not comply with tax related provisions Photograph:( Reuters )
On December 21, the Income Tax department carried out raids on select foreign-controlled mobile communication and mobile handset manufacturing companies
Two Chinese smartphone makers operating in India may be fined Rs 10 billion (US $134 million approx.) for violating a tax law relating to non-disclosures of transactions with associated enterprises.
On December 21, the Income Tax department had carried out search and seizure operations across India after receiving a tip-off on select foreign-controlled mobile communication and mobile handset manufacturing companies and their associated persons.
Several premises in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan and Delhi NCR were covered.
“The search revealed that two major companies have made remittance in the nature of royalty, to and on behalf of its group companies located abroad, which aggregates to over Rs 5,500 crore. The claim of such expenses does not seem to be appropriate in light of the facts and evidence gathered during the search,” the I-T department said in a statement without naming the Chinese mobile manufacturers, but media reports confirmed the names Xiaomi and Oppo.
“It is gathered that both these companies had not complied with the regulatory mandate prescribed under the Income-tax Act, 1961 for disclosure of transactions with associated enterprises. Such lapse makes them liable for penal action under the Income-tax Act, 1961, the quantum of which could be in the range of more than Rs 1,000 crore (US $ 134 million approx.),” the CBDT statement added.
The tax sleuths also found that one of the companies utilised the services of another entity located in India but did not comply with the provisions of tax deduction at source introduced since April 1, 2020, and the quantum of liability of TDS on this account could be around Rs 3 billion (US $42 million).
(With inputs from agencies)


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Chicago, Ill. – August 24, 2020 – Tyson Foods, Inc. and McDonald’s partnered today to donate 1 million pounds of protein to hunger relief agencies across the country.
The donated food, which is equivalent to four million meals, will be distributed to Chicagoland hunger relief agencies, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank* and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Donations will also be distributed across Tyson Foods network of Community Pantry Partners in Tyson communities in Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Missouri.
“No one in our community should ever have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Julie Yurko, President and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “This donation will provide our neighbors with much-needed access to nutritious protein to help keep them and their families healthy and nourished. We thank Tyson Foods and McDonald’s for their continued commitment to help us solve hunger for our neighbors in need.”
To date, McDonald’s has donated $19.02 million in food, equating to more than 12.3 million total pounds, to over 130 organizations that feed U.S. families. McDonald’s restaurants also served more than 12 million free Thank You Meals, valued at more than $63 million. This included more than 700,000 hot meals a day to nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, hospital maintenance staff and more.
“We’re proud to support and feed our communities, especially in these uncertain times,” said Marion Gross, McDonald’s U.S. Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America. “This food donation will provide in-demand protein to local food banks, as they continue to help our neighbors and communities struggling with food insecurity.”
In mid-March, Tyson announced that the company had donated more than 4 million pounds of food, equivalent to 16 million meals, to team members, Feeding America food banks, community pantries near its operations and other hunger relief agencies. As of mid-August, that number increased to 104 million meals, or 26 million pounds of food, including millions of pounds donated directly to hourly team members as they continue the inspiring work of keeping our country fed.
“Partnering with McDonald’s and hunger relief agencies is important to us raising awareness about food insecurity in communities all around the U.S.,” said Greg Lancelot, vice president, sales, Tyson Foods McDonald’s Business Unit. “Northern Illinois Food Bank distributed more than 80 million meals across the suburbs of Chicago and Northern Illinois last year and the Food Depository’s network of programs provides more than 170,000 meals each day. We’re honored to support those extraordinary efforts.”
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp®, and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 141,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Media Contact: Derek Burleson, Tyson Foods, 479-290-6466
McDonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 38,000 locations in nearly 120 countries. Approximately 93% of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business men and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
Media Contact: firstname.lastname@example.org


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During Nintendo’s big indie event, where the company revealed that 60 indie games are coming to the Switch this year, it was confirmed that one of the most anticipated indie titles of 2017, SteamWorld Dig 2, will be coming to the Switch this Summer.
Developed by Swedish studio Image and Form, SteamWorld Dig 2 is a sequel to the 2013 indie hit, which also saw released on the Wii U and 3Ds.
You can check out the first gameplay trailer below.
With all these indie games coming to the Switch, have any caught your attention? Let us know in the comments section which indie games (if any) you are planning to get on the Switch!


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Ah, microtransactions. Acceptable when the game is free, less so when it’s full price. For a long time the general consensus around microtransactions has been very negative, with gamers unafraid to voice their opinions on the matter. When a big title soon to be released reportedly was going to have microtransactions integrated, many fans would become outraged at the statement (*cough* Star Wars: Battlefront 2).
Interestingly, the gaming scene has flipped: where before the integration of microtransactions in a game was big news, now the lack of them seems to be generating headlines. And in today’s news: Doom Eternal will not have any microtransactions.
Release the balloons! Fire the confetti cannons! A new AAA title won’t have any microtransactions! (Hey, that rhymed!) In all seriousness though, this will be a big relief to some players when skins were revealed to be a part of the latest addition to the Doom franchise. Generally titles that include microtransactions have a specific spot reserved for them in gamers hell. Luckily this hell won’t get it’s sticky demon fingers anywhere close to the nasty little micro-goblins.
As mentioned above, there are cosmetic items within the game but you’ll have to earn the necessary XP to unlock them. They’ll have no impact on the game whatsoever apart from just looking cool. In a response to a fan on Facebook, Hugo Martin, the game’s creative director, said that “Doom Eternal is a $60 game, not a free-to-play game or a mobile game--we are giving you a complete experience with no store just like you'd expect”. Just like we’d expect huh? Sounds like the outcries from gamers all across the world have finally been heard. Will microtransactions be out for good?! Probably not for a while… but we can at least dream.
“Unlocking skins with XP is part of the experience if you care about that stuff, or you can completely ignore it and it and it will have no impact on your experience at all, and it's all free," he continued. "Nothing you can unlock in Eternal with XP has anything to do with player abilities or content that would impact your game in any way.”
So that’s good at least. It looks like the hardcore fans are going to be pleased that there’s no pay-to-win barriers or extra features hidden behind paywalls. With more and more game companies integrating microtransactions, sacrificing quality for financial gain, it’s nice to see a big company actively avoid that. It will no doubt gain some attraction among the gaming community.
I, for one, am happy that my $60 game will have everything I need to enjoy the full experience along with everyone else. Though I am sad there’s no all-pink Doom Guy skin.


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The executive committee of the Volkswagen Group’s supervisory board will meet on Tuesday to discuss the future of Herbert’s CEO Diesse. This was announced by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, according to which it is not clear whether a final decision will be made at the meeting.
According to Reuters sources, Diess is likely to maintain its position. Volkswagen declined to comment.
The meeting will be attended by, among others, Daniela Cavall, the head of the race council, and representatives of the families that hold a majority stake in the company, namely Hans Michel Piëch and Wolfgang Porsche. The Executive Committee is expected to reach a decision before 9 December, when the Supervisory Board is to discuss a five-year expenditure plan.
Tensions between Diess and union representatives have increased in recent weeks over his driving style and electric drive strategy. In October, Diess warned that if this transformation was not well managed, up to 30,000 jobs could be lost.
Tesla’s competition and the pace of reforms necessary to prevent the American carmaker from gaining too much of an advantage over Volkswagen in the production of electric cars also contributed to the tension between the management and the race board.
Volkswagen employed around 665,000 people worldwide last year. The Škoda Auto carmaker from Mladá Boleslav also belongs to the group.


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Apple is to equip US store staff with a new version of its EasyPay mPOS solution that replaces the existing iPod devices with an iPhone 5S, encased in a Verifone shell, that offers support for both EMV “chip and pin” cards and contactless payments, Forbes reports.
- Federal Reserve calls for industry input on payments security
- Bell ID’s TSP to help Japan Apple Pay integration
- G&D to deliver prepaid wristbands for concerts and events
- Apple Pay transactions up 500% year on year, CEO reports
- EMVCo adds biometrics to 3-D Secure


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Whether your gifts come during Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Día de Los Reyes, everyone knows it’s holiday wish-list time. The automakers know this too – you can’t turn on the tv without seeing lots of shiny new cars festooned with giant red bows. Due to the strong national fuel efficiency/emissions standards for cars and trucks we helped enact several years ago – the cars in holiday showrooms are some of the cleanest, most efficient models ever produced. The existing standards save consumers millions at the pump, cut global warming pollution by 470 million metric tons – the equivalent of shutting down 136 typical coal plants for an entire year, and would reduce oil use by over 2.4 million barrels a day by 2030.
December 19, 2018 3:57 PM EDT
August 2, 2018 10:28 AM EDT
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation released their long-awaited revisions to federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards. To no one’s surprise, their preferred alternative is to essentially eliminate the standards—a predetermined outcome that the administration is now trying to defend with bogus analysis. The current standards were created in collaboration with California and the entire automotive industry and have directly made new cars and trucks cleaner and cheaper to drive. EPA and California Air Resources Board scientists spent years studying the standards, as was required, and concluded last year they are technologically feasible and cost-effective.
June 21, 2018 4:00 PM EDT
April 4, 2018 10:51 AM EDT
Keeping the fuel standards strong is the best way to help grow jobs and support our economy. Investing in technology advancement in the auto industry and saving consumers money on fuel – both outcomes of clean car standards – help to create jobs and make our economy stronger. Read more >
August 6, 2015 9:20 AM EDT
The web is abuzz right now over the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, and rightly so—this is one of the President’s key items under his Climate Action Plan. But did you know that the EPA recently proposed another major climate regulation? In June, the EPA and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) proposed a major new phase of regulations that will reduce fuel consumption and global warming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Read more >


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Most insects are covered with a thin layer of hydrocarbon molecules as a waterproofing barrier.
A new device offers a much more detailed picture of cellular communication.
Scientists have revealed that sugars on a specific mucus protein can induce eosinophil death and help combat asthma.
When 2 milliliters of blood are run through the chip, the tumor cells stick to the nanowires like Velcro.
Diabetes treatments have saved many lives, but in older patients with multiple medical conditions, aggressively controlling blood sugar with insulin and sulfonylurea drugs, could lead to over-treatment and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), according to new research by Yale School of Medicine researchers.
The nose, of course, knows nothing. The information we gather from the basic odor-detection task performed by molecular receptors in the nose needs to be processed in the brain’s olfactory bulb and olfactory cortex in order for us to make sense of an odor and glean what we need to know to take action.
A team of researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) sheds new light on the underlying pathology of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare but devastating disease that causes muscle weakness and paralysis and is the leading genetic cause of infant deaths. The newly obtained insights may prove valuable as scientists currently work to define optimal treatment strategies for patients.
Bisphenol A, known as BPA, is produced in massive quantities around the world for use in consumer products, including household plastics. In response to public concerns, many manufacturers have replaced BPA with a chemical called bisphenol S (BPS), which is often labeled as "BPA-free" and presumed to be safer.
DNA sequences were once thought to be identical from cell to cell, but it’s increasingly understood that mutations can arise during brain development that affect only certain groups of brain cells.
For the first time, the genome of a mammal longer-lived than man has been sequenced: the bowhead whale, who lives 200-plus years, and gets far less cancer given its size.
Advion Inc. introduced an affordable, high-performance liquid chromatography system to complement its line of expression compact mass spectrometers (CMS).
In the coming year, while consumers will be treated to a dizzying array of augmented reality, wearables, and low-cost 3-D printers, computer researchers will be tackling the underlying technology issues that make such cutting-edge consumer electronics products possible.
Thermo Fisher Scientific unveiled a new high performance liquid chromatography system designed from the ground up to provide new levels of performance, productivity and usability when used as a standalone system or with the latest mass spectrometers.
In the race to find a safe and effective weight loss drug, much attention has focused on the chemical processes that store and use energy.


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By Larry Kim
LoboStudioHamburg / Pixabay
If you haven’t heard, Facebook announced that it’s working to integrate three major chat platforms — Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp — in order to allow cross-communication for users.
This is a huge development.
Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, making this power move possible.
The new infrastructure would keep the three applications distinct while simultaneously allowing users to chat with each other, regardless of their platform.
The project is under development and has at least another year until the infrastructures are integrated.
Today, here are eight things you should know about the Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp Integration and what it means for users, marketers and businesses.
1. Users gain a windfall of convenience through the integration
When looking at all of the people who use these apps, Facebook realized that the process could be streamlined, making life more user-friendly.
After announcing the new messenger concept, the company told The New York Timesthat they are striving to “build the best messaging experiences we can; and people want messaging to be fast, simple, reliable and private.”
“We’re working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks,” said Facebook.
2. The integration’s a massive opportunity for businesses to reach a bigger and more diverse audience
Along with the three chat applications’ collective 2.6 billion users, there is another group that will reap the benefits from this app integration: businesses.
Think how much more effective it will be for businesses to reach out to customers on three diverse chat applications from one chat marketing platform.
With this new update, you will be able to reach a larger, worldwide demographic and spend more time connecting with both new and returning customers.
Soon, not only will you connect with the 16-24 year old demographic that dominate both Instagram and WhatsApp, but you’ll be able to reach the increasing number of 25 and older users that thrive on Facebook as well.
And there is no more need to worry about how to connect global markets, with WhatsApp’s largest user bases falling in Asia, South America and Europe.
3. Facebook expects major revenue from the integration
The integration opens up substantially more revenue through new business services like new space for advertising inventory for Facebook.
This is something the company needs, as they’ve voiced concern over saturated ad space in recent years.
Let’s not forget that ad revenue is critical to the company’s survival as well — in a previous quarter, they pulled in $6.2 billion in ad revenue alone.
Sources also hinted at the possibility of exclusive features that users can pay for.
By creating more space for innovation, Facebook brings in bigger profits and more business.
4. Chatbots are about to explode in marketing
Chat marketing is the biggest opportunity for marketers of the next few years.
Chat marketing automation checks off a number of the most user-centric, growth-critical trends in digital marketing, namely: artificial intelligence, automation, personalization and interactivity.
A conversational interface coupled with artificial intelligence crushes a business’s conversion obstacles and enables instant customer service.
Already love …read more
Read more here:: B2CMarketingInsider


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Bitcoin Price When First Launched. The fund debuted as one of the most heavily traded etfs in market history, attracting more than $1 billion in assets in the first few days. 1 investing in cryptocurrencies and other initial coin offerings (“icos”) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation.
Btc price tumbles as china central. When bitcoin started out there wasn’t really a price for it since no one was willing to buy it. In february 2011, bitcoin's price crossed the $1 threshold.
Riveredge Llc, A Crypto Business Based In Seychelles Launches Metax, A New Exchange Powered By The Binance Cloud.
Bitcoin reached a six month high on tuesday morning reaching $62,944 according to coinmarketcap's price index. 2010 is the year in which the famous purchase of two dominos pizzas for 10,000 btc took place. Bitcoin price historically dropped to ~ $14,000, but later that day it reaches $16,250 15 december 2017 $17,900 bitcoin price reached $17,900 22 december 2017 $13,800 bitcoin price loses one third of its value in 24 hours, dropping below $14,000.
In February 2011, Bitcoin's Price Crossed The $1 Threshold.
A multitude of factors has contributed to the rise in prices, adding volatility and risks. Here at trading education, we take a look at the bitcoin price history from 2009 to 2016. The cryptocurrency is set to slash its $64,000 record after a bitcoin futures etf was.
For More On How To Buy Your First Bitcoin, Check Out Our Free Special Report Here.
The first bitcoins were issued in january 2009 at a value of $0.00. This puts the first recorded price at which bitcoin exchanged hands at $0.00099/btc. Bitcoin's price never topped $1 in 2010!
Btc Price Tumbles As China Central.
Since early january bitcoin had been stuck trading between a relatively narrow price window of between $34,000 and $44,000, so it’s a big. Bitcoin is down 1.30% in the last 24 hours. Leader in cryptocurrency, bitcoin, ethereum, xrp, blockchain, defi, digital finance and web 3.0 news with analysis, video and live price updates.
The First Known Bitcoin Commercial Transaction Occurred On May 22, 2010, When Programmer Laszlo Hanyecz Traded 10,000 Bitcoins For Two Pizzas.
The fund debuted as one of the most heavily traded etfs in market history, attracting more than $1 billion in assets in the first few days. Launching ahead of the game on friday, it will. How much was 1 bitcoin worth in 2010?