- Sep 06 Fri 2013 12:45
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Samsung clocks in with Gear smartwatch
Nearly 70 years after Dick Tracy began wearing a two-way wrist radio in the funny pages, the technology that once seemed impossibly futuristic will be widely available by Christmas.自存倉Samsung on Wednesday introduced a digital watch for the holiday season that will let users check messages with a glance at their wrists and have conversations secret agent-style.So-called smartwatches have been around for several years. But so far, they have failed to attract much consumer interest. That may change with the Samsung Galaxy Gear, which offers the company a chance to pull off the same feat as Apple did with the iPad — popularize a type of device that has lingered mostly unnoticed on store shelves.The Gear must be linked wirelessly with a smartphone to perform its full range of functions. It acts as an extension to the phone by discreetly alerting users to incoming messages and calls on its screen, which measures 1.63 inches diagonally.“With Gear, you’re able to make calls and receive calls without ever taking your phone out of your pocket,” Pranav Mistry, a member of Samsung’s design team, told reporters at the launch in Berlin ahead of the annual IFA consumer electronics show.Sony and Qualcomm also introduced smartwatches on Wednesday. Apple Inc is expected to release its own smartwatch, though it’s not clear yet when.With smartphones and tablets now ubiquitous, electronic companies are trying to create a new category of products that put advanced computing technology into everyday objects such as wristwatches and glasses.Research firm Gartner projects that迷你倉新蒲崗wearable smart electronics will be a US$10 billion industry by 2016.For starters, the Gear will work with sporting and fitness apps such as RunKeeper, which tracks runs and other workouts. Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi believes it ought to do more, such as monitor a user’s pulse and other health information. Other sensors, she said, could also authenticate a user’s identity when making payments or detect locations. “The watch is smart, but not as smart as it could be,” Milanesi said. “It doesn’t look like Samsung pushed the envelope as much as I hope Apple will. Right now, it looks like (Gear) will just provide you with an extra screen that is more convenient to look at than to have to take out a larger device. I don’t think that’s what consumers want.”The Gear goes on sale in the United States and Japan next month. The rest of the world will get it sooner, on September 25, with prices starting at US$299.Mistry demonstrated the calling function on the Gear by holding it up to his ear and talking into a microphone hidden in the watch. The watch then relays the call to a smartphone over a built-in Bluetooth connection. The strap, which comes in six colors, holds a basic camera that can be used to shoot photos and video. When linked to a smartphone or tablet, the Gear lets people check emails and Facebook from their wrists.Samsung said replies are possible through voice dictation.Unlike normal watches that can tick away for years on end, Samsung only promises a full day’s use out of the Gear before it has to be charged. 迷你倉出租
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 12:24
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Mainland phone makers play smart to stay in game
High-performance devices at competitive prices key to winning market share from foreign rivalsIt is a busy season for smartphone makers on the mainland.文件倉Xiaomi Technology, one of the most successful home-grown makers, launched its third-generation mobile phone in Beijing yesterday, three days after Meizu, another player, unveiled its latest model for the market.They will compete against global giants including Samsung Electronics, Apple and Sony, which are also set to launch new products this month.Lei Jun, the chief executive of Xiaomi, said the new Android-based model was “the fastest-working smartphone” available, thanks to the high-performance central and graphic processing units provided by US technology firms Qualcomm and Nvidia.“Xiaomi’s smartphone has covered almost all the top technologies in the world,” Lei said, adding it would be available from the middle of next month.Over the past 10 months, he said, the firm had sold 9.2 million second-generation Xiaomi phones.At the product launch存倉yesterday was Hugo Barra, a former vice-president of Google’s Android division, who joined Xiaomi last week. Barra is expected to help the three-year-old, privately held Xiaomi achieve its plan to expand overseas.Xiaomi also launched a 47-inch smart television. Users can connect it with smartphones, computers and tablets using Bluetooth technology and download apps, play games and watch online movies on it.Also yesterday, Samsung debuted its Galaxy Note 3 smartphone in Germany, while Apple plans to launch a new iPhone, and Sony its Xperia Z1, later this month.Against these foreign brands, mainland firms such as Xiaomi and Meizu have won market share, thanks to their strategy of selling high-performance products at a competitive price.The new Xiaomi smartphone is priced at 1,999 yuan (HK$2,533) for the 16G version and 2,499 yuan for the 64G. The Xiaomi smartTV will be sold for 2,999 yuan each.The mainland smartphone market was led by Samsung and Lenovo, data from Canalys shows. Xiaomi ranked sixth.迷你倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:12
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Mayo Clinic Physician Answers Call to Army Service
FORT KNOX, Ky.存倉, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the late '60s, when thousands of American troops were fighting in Vietnam, Dr. Walter Franz, now a family doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a colonel in the Army Reserve, was beginning to pursue his college education which he hoped would lead to a degree in medicine.(Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130904/DC73969)Grateful for having had the opportunity to finish his education while so many of his friends were serving their country, the thought of joining the Army often crossed Franz's mind during the '80s, but the timing was just never right.But when Gulf War I, -- code named "Desert Storm"-- started in January 1991, Franz, then 38-years old, picked up the phone and called a recruiter."I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to finish my education during the '70s, so now it was my turn to pay back my country," said Franz. "It was purely God and country. It was an all-volunteer force serving, this war had a real purpose and it sounded like there was going to be a great need for doctors. It was my time to serve, so I joined."Since Desert Storm lasted only a month, Franz never made it to the Gulf, but later in the 90's was deployed to Germany to serve as backup medical personnel for the Balkans conflict, was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2008 and 2009 serving as a battalion surgeon and public health team leader. During that time he was also appointed commander of the 945(th) Forward Surgical Team (FST) in Minnesota."Serving my country has been tremendously rewarding," said Franz. "It's just a good feeling to serve, to迷你倉take care of Soldiers, their families and civilians and to train and teach medics. I don't need to be thanked or get awards; knowing I've helped those serving our country and being able to do humanitarian work is enough."As a family doctor at the Mayo Clinic, Franz gained permission to use the clinic's multi-disciplinary simulation training center to train Army Reserve members of his FST team on nights and weekends. He was also instrumental in helping form a partnership between the Mayo Clinic and Army Reserve Medical Command that now allows for medical personnel from Army Reserve Combat Support Hospital (CSH) teams to train at the clinic."I've often been asked by some who are thinking about joining the Reserve, 'If Army doctors are not just Rambo with a stethoscope.' I tell them Army doctors are caregivers just like they are in the civilian world. You learn some different skills and practice in a different environment, but aside from that, it's not a whole lot different being in uniform. It's good to step up and join, serve your country and take care of Soldiers. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner."Franz is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in November.For more information on an Army Medicine career, visit .healthcare.goarmy.com/v490 or call 1-888-710-2769.This press release was written by Fonda Bock.CONTACT: Randy LescaultAdvertising and Public Affairs ChiefU.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigaderandall.j.lescault.civ@mail.mil 502-626-0801Photo: photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130904/DC73969AP PhotoExpress Network: ADD PRN#PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comU.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade自存倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:12
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Portland Officer Paul Meyer, paralyzed on duty in November, returns to part-time work in Police Bureau's armory
Source: The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.迷你倉新蒲崗Sept. 04--Portland police Officer Paul Meyer has returned to work in the Police Bureau's armory on a part-time, limited basis, 9 1/2 months after he was paralyzed from the waist down when a tree struck him during police ATV training.The bureau welcomed Meyer back to work on Tuesday, followed by a surprise luncheon."It's an honor to welcome Paul back to work," Police Chief Mike Reese said Wednesday, in a prepared statement. "Paul's tremendous skills and knowledge are an asset to the Police Bureau, and I'm excited to have Paul back and to see him finish his career as a Portland Police officer."Meyer was paralyzed from the belly button down Nov. 19 after a tree fell on him during a police ATV training exercise. A 110-foot tree had snapped, striking Meyer in the head and upper back as he was doing ATV training drills on a remote part of Hayden Island. The officers were readying to break for lunch, riding on a trail toward their cars when the tree suddenly split.Meyer, 43, had been wearing his own helmet. It cracked from the blow. Firefighters had to rescue Meyer on an ATV because of the trail's remoteness. He underwent four hours of surgery. He had sustained several crushed thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in his mid and lower back, and fractured cervical vertebrae.Meyer, a 20-year bureau veteran who was a lead instructor on special weapons and an active member of the tactical squad, is now confined to a wheelchair.In the bureau's armory, he'll be working four hours a day to start, four days a week. His job will include repairing firearms, researching best police training pr迷你倉出租ctices and police equipment, writing training plans and special orders and classroom instruction on use of force topics, said Sgt. Pete Simpson."Essentially, everything he was doing before except those specific things that would require the use of his legs," Simpson said.Paul's wife, Mary Meyer, credited her husband's doctors, therapists and faith for helping in his recovery."After facing overwhelming challenges, Paul's incredible progress can be attributed to the exceptional care he has received from his many doctors and therapists and from his faith in God," said Mary Meyer. "It can also be attributed to the immense support from family, friends and the Portland Police Bureau. Paul truly has a spirit that will not be broken. There was never a moment that Paul did not think about returning to work. Not many people can honestly say they love their job, but Paul truly does."Mary and Paul, along with their two sons, Russell and Matthew, say they have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from police bureau members."We will never forget that an officer was outside Paul's hospital room for 51 days. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day," said Mary Meyer. "It gave us such a sense of relief and gave Paul the reassurance that there was always a familiar face available at any time, day or night. Life will never be as it was, but we are confident that with everyone's support, Paul will continue to amaze us with his speed of recovery."--Maxine Bernstein.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at .oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:11
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Lack of higher paying work is forcing older Canadians to take on part-time jobs: CIBC
Teens being displaced driving jobless rate to record levelsTORONTO, Sept.儲存 5, 2013 /CNW/ - The jobless rate among students 15-18 years old looking for part-time work has climbed past 20 per cent - the highest on record - as older Canadians are increasingly being forced to take on part-time jobs, finds a new report from CIBC World Markets Inc.The report notes that there has been a stunning 22 per cent drop in employment in the 15-18 age group since 2007, far outstripping the four per cent drop in their population over that period."While Canada's unemployment rate is well off its recession highs, the quality of new jobs has left much to be desired," says Avery Shenfeld, Chief Economist at CIBC. "Manufacturing has been steadily shrinking its share of the workforce, and of late, governments are also paring back. CIBC's job quality index has captured that trend decline. The lack of higher paying work has forced parents into taking the kind of employment previously reserved for teenage students."Mr. Shenfeld notes that the most significant employers of young Canadians has traditionally been in the retail and food service sectors. However, recently food counter and kitchen help employment has plunged among those under 19, but soared for other age groups, including a huge climb for those 25 and over. It's been much the same for lower level retail sales and cashier positions."Young adults, displaced older workers, or immigrants whose education and skills are not always fully rewarded in the job market have been pushed into low-wage work during what has been a fairly lacklustre economic recovery," adds Mr. Shenfeld. "The real story is that the job market has not been strong enough to generate higher quality employment for older workers."With average weekl新蒲崗迷你倉 wages up by only 1.7 per cent in the last 12 months he notes there has been no material lift to spending power in Canada. The country needs a better job mix, along with productivity growth in existing jobs before we'll see a significant increase in wages, which will free up part-time work for students."For that, we need faster global growth to propel the export-oriented industries that typically generate higher quality positions," says Mr. Shenfeld. "Struggling emerging market countries are part of why that isn't yet happening but we're keeping a closer eye on the U.S. budget debate, which far more than Fed tapering, will set Canada's fate in 2014."Mr. Shenfeld believes a lack of part-time employment for students can have far-reaching consequences for the economy. "Some might dismiss the absence of student jobs as no big deal. True, there's less foregone income than in the loss of full-time adult positions."But student jobs are not just about being able to splurge for designer jeans. For lower income, single parent households, those extra dollars can be material, and are a source of savings for higher education."The complete CIBC World Markets report is available at: research.cibcwm.com/economic_public/download/eisep13.pdf.CIBC's wholesale banking business provides a range of integrated credit and capital markets products, and investment banking to clients in key financial markets in North America and around the world. We provide innovative capital solutions and advisory expertise across a wide range of industries as well as top-ranked research for our corporate, government and institutional clients.CIBC World MarketsCONTACT: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, External Communications and MediaRelations, 416-784-6699, or caroline.vanhasselt@cibc.com.mini storage
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:11
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Property market a house divided
Outcome of sales of a luxury and a mass market site suggests the sector is polarisedThe polarisation of Hong Kong’s housing market is deepening, with a luxury site sold at the low end of market expectations, and a plot designated for mass-market flats fetching a higher price than expected.迷你倉價錢Contractor Chun Wo Development beat major developers to secure the luxury development site – which could yield 323,308 sq ft in gross floor area – in Kau To Shan, Sha Tin, for HK$2.71 billion, according to the Lands Department. The price represents an average land cost of HK$8,382 per square foot.The winning bid was at the low end of market expectations of between HK$2.68 billion and HK$3.01 billion.However, Sun Hung Kai Properties, the largest developer in terms of market value, snapped up a smaller site in Yuen Long for HK$751 million, said the department.The result exceeded the market forecast of between HK$530 million and HK$695 million.The price tag represents an accommodation value of HK$3,243 p迷你倉r square foot.Vincent Cheung Kiu-cho, a director at Cushman & Wakefield, said the sales outcomes indicated that mass residential sites were becoming more popular as sales were dominated by genuine homebuyers.“Most developers hope to achieve a faster cash flow, so they can reinvest in the market,” Cheung said.The fact that the luxury site went to Chun Wo suggested that major developers were taking a cautious view of the high-end sector, he added.“The result at the luxury site shows that the major players are more conservative. Land prices will decline faster after small to medium-sized developers’ capital has dried up, and fewer competitors participate in land sales.”Cheung expects that the winning developer of the luxury site will need to offer units for HK$18,000 per square foot of saleable area to make a reasonable profit. That figure would be HK$7,000 per square foot for the Yuen Long site.SHKP deputy managing director Victor Lui said the total investment would be about HK$2 billion.儲存
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:11
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Jury acquits Jupiter man accused in 2007 death of impaled teen
Source: The Palm Beach Post, Fla.迷你倉出租Sept. 05--WEST PALM BEACH -- The breeze that Patrick "P.J." Melehan felt on his face outside the Palm Beach County courthouse Wednesday carried his first taste of freedom in six years.He'd spent those years behind bars in the death of an 18-year-old found impaled on a steel rod. Now he was free from what was once a pair of convictions and a 25-year prison sentence in a case his lawyers said highlighted the scary outcome of poor police work, lying witnesses and a blinded prosecution.It took a reversal of his convictions on appeal, two weeks of testimony in his new trial, and just two hours of deliberations Wednesday from a new jury in his case, but a pair of not guilty verdicts cleared Melehan in the 2007 death of Carlos Lopez of Jupiter.Circuit Judge Richard Oftedal ordered him released immediately, and in less than 10 minutes, the now 25-year-old went from having a 25-year prison sentence looming over his head to standing outside of the courthouse, taking in the first breaths of freedom he's had since he was 19.He had no plans, he said, standing near an outdoor rotunda next to his attorney Marc Shiner. There was nothing really in particular he'd thought of doing if he got out."I just thought about being outside like this, feeling the breeze," he said, adding that that moment was the first time he'd felt such a breeze in six years. "I can't explain how I'm feeling right now."Though Melehan's family had cried with joy in the courtroom at the verdicts, the pained expressions on the faces of Lopez's mother and his relatives showed exactly how they were feeling.They left the courthouse without comment, as did prosecutors Barbara Burns and Lindsay Warner.Burns had prosecuted Melehan the first time, when he was facing second-degree murder charges for what happened to Lopez after the teens fought outside Melehan's Jupiter home. Though investigators found Lopez in his pick-up with a steel rod run clear through his skull, no one ever saw Melehan with a rod and none of the witnesses could explain what happened.Still, a jury in 2009 convicted Melehan of manslaughter and burglary with battery, for punching Lopez inside his pickup. An appeals court threw out those convictions, along with Melehan's 25-year sentence, after they found that former presiding Judge Lucy Chernow Brown should have granted a mistrial in two instances during the first trial.Had Melehan been convicted this time, the case could have been reversed on appeal again, as Shiner and fellow defense attorney Heidi Perlet asked Oftedal to declare a mistrial after Burns brought up to jurors during Melehan's testimony that he declined to talk to investigators after he was arrested.Criminal defendants have a right to remain silent when they're arrested, and references like the one Burns made have previously led judges to declare m迷你倉strials and appeals courts to throw out other convictions. In this case, Melehan's acquittal rendered the issue moot.Shiner and Perlet spent two weeks convincing the jury that Melehan was wrongfully accused. It was Lopez, they said, who had a history of violence and came to the Jupiter home Melehan shared with friends looking for a fight.Melehan said Lopez had pulled a knife on one of his friends weeks earlier, and he had been riding through the neighborhood ever since spewing threats.On t he night of the incident, other teens at Melehan's house said Lopez had a gun. And Melehan said Lopez pulled a gun on him when he approached Lopez's pickup to get him to leave.Melehan, who testified in his defense, said he reached into the truck and punched Lopez in self-defense to keep him from shooting him.Lopez's car eventually spun out of control and he was found impaled on the rod immediately afterwards.Two jurors in Melehan's case reached by phone Wednesday expressed sorrow for Lopez's family, but said there simply wasn't sufficient evidence to prove that Melehan had committed either of the crimes with which he was charged.Juror George Grabowski said the group all agreed that Melehan acted in self defense when he punched Lopez inside his pick-up truck, so the burglary with battery charge was out. And there was no evidence connecting Melehan to the rod, Grabowski said. No witnesses. No fingerprints. No DNA. Nothing."What it gets down to is that this was a couple of 18, 19 year old kids who got in a fight six years ago," Grabowski said, saying there was never a split among jurors on whether or not Melehan was guilty. "We looked at all the evidence closely, and in the end I think what we all should take away from this is a reminder to be more kind to our neighbors, and to our fellow man."Shiner, who in his closing arguments to jurors expressed outrage that Melehan had been incarcerated for so long on such little evidence, had a hard time containing his joy as he walked out with his client.As reporters peppered the newly freed man with questions, Shiner patted Melehan on the back and asked a question of his own."Do you believe in the system now?" Shiner asked him.Melehan was slow to answer, but spoke up as a smile started to cross his face."Somewhat," he said with a shrug and a nod. "Somewhat."Staff researcher Niels Heimeriks contributed to this story.THE VERDICTA jury acquitted Patrick "P.J." Melehan of manslaughter and burglary with battery charges in the 2007 death of Carlos Lopez, 18, who was mysteriously impaled by a steel rod.Melehan, now 25, had served 6 years of a 25-year sentence for his 2009 jury conviction on the same charges.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at .palmbeachpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:10
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Mainers' acceptance of gay marriage up, according to new poll
Source: Bangor Daily News, MaineSept.self storage 03--BELFAST, Maine -- A new poll indicates that Mainers' acceptance of same-sex marriage has increased significantly since the November vote, but an opponent cautions against making too much of numbers from Raleigh, N.C.-based Public Policy Polling.In November, with just 47 percent of voters opposing the referendum to legalize gay marriage, the law was passed at the polls. The Public Policy Polling poll -- released in late August -- shows that opposition to gay marriage has declined to 38 percent since then."That may be because most voters don't think gay marriage being legal has been a big deal," the Public Policy Polling pollsters posited. "Only 20 percent say it's had a negative impact on their lives, with 18 percent saying it's been positive and 62 percent that there hasn't been any impact at all."According to Fordham University and national pollster Nate Silver, Public Policy Polling has a tendency to favor Democrats, but the organization was one of the most accurate pollsters in the 2012 election cycle.David Farmer, who served as communications director for Mainers United For Marriage, said Tuesday that the figures are right in line with his expectations."As Maine people have had an opportunity to see the law firsthand and to see how it really impacts them and their families and neighbors, acceptance is growing," he said. "All the dire consequences opponents of freedom to marry predicted just haven't come true. What you do have are loving, committed couples who have had the opportunity to get married."But Carroll Conley Jr., executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, said that his experiences are showing him otherwise. He said it is impossible to know if the people polled this summer by Public Policy Polling are the same people who came out to the polls in November to vote. He also said that in the weeks leading up to the vote, both sides of th迷你倉 issue were able to make their case over the airwaves and through the media. Since that vote, however, the narrative has mostly been about same-sex couples getting married."There's been nothing but promotion of the idea of redefinition of marriage," Conley said.He has received emails from people who are worried that their strongly-held beliefs against gay marriage, religious or otherwise, will be disregarded because of the new law. Conley said this week he heard from two people in occupations he hadn't previously considered to be impacted by the law -- a certified public accountant and another that is "so rare" he declined to share it. Neither person wants to do work for same-sex couples but may be forced to under the new law, he said."What are we going to do when we're told we don't have a choice in participating?" Conley asked. "If this could be a live and let live situation, if some people want to be happy and accept gay marriage, fine. Say some adoption agencies want to [accept it] and Catholic Charities doesn't want to accept it. I think that's what most Americans have in their minds."But that's not what's likely to be the case, Conley said, citing the decision made last week by the New Mexico Supreme Court that a photographer's choice not to shoot a same-sex commitment ceremony amounted to illegal discrimination."The other side has made this a fairness issue. Americans want to be fair," Conley said, adding that it's clear to him there will be consequences to the law that will not please everyone. "The citizens of Maine spoke. That is the law. Whether or not they know those consequences, we are going to make them known. But we're committed to doing that in an effective and respectful manner."Reuters contributed to this report.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) Visit the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at .bangordailynews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:10
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Hunt for quality workers drives freelancing surge
Source: Financial Mail on Sunday, LondonSept.迷你倉新蒲崗 01--Debate over moves towards flexible labour markets, including the controversy over zero-hour contracts, has largely been linked to larger companies. But small firms are also increasingly turning to flexible working in the form of freelancers.Websites specialising in linking these workers to potential employers are reporting a surge in activity, with more workers registering as available and a sharp rise in the number of firms looking for staff.The website Freelancer has seen a 41 per cent rise in the number of workers registering on its site since January and a 134 per cent jump in spending from UK businesses on freelance workers.Rival site Elance has seen a 51 per cent increase in its use by employers in the past year. Computer skills have traditionally been the most common field where firms turn to freelancers and Elance's global online employment report last week showed IT and computer programming is still the biggest draw for its services, accounting for 35 per cent of all offers of work in the past year.But demand from employers has gone up sharply in other fields. The report showed an 87 per cent rise in the number of freelance sales and marketing jobs and a similar increase in administration.In a sign of economic recovery, there was a 173 per cent rise in freelance engineering and manufacturing jobs.Barnaby Lashbrooke, chief executive of Time Etc, a virtual personal assistant business, said working on computers at home was still the area where freelance staff were playing the biggest role.'It is forecast that the online work industry will be worth $5 billion (pounds sterling 3.3 billion) by 2018,' said Lashbrooke. 'Currently it is $2 billion. It is easy to find people, and freelance workers have got all the tools they need on their laptop or smartphone.'Lashbrooke said the change was not simply due t迷你倉出租 people struggling to find full-time work, but was technology-driven as firms outsource work to freelancers for specific expertise when it is needed.He is restructuring his own team to be mostly freelance instead of full-time and his business manages the hiring of freelancers on behalf of companies ? from Google and Skype to smaller firms.Lashbrooke said: 'It is tough running a business and it makes sense to have key people as staff but outsource other roles to freelancers, who will strive to produce results and have a huge incentive to do a good job.'Unless you are lucky it is hard to find a full-time person who will be that diligent. Freelancers do in a way that has not been seen in full-time staff for too long.'But he adds that work auction websites offering poor pay for freelancers and leading to low-quality results for firms risk giving proper freelancing a bad name.Lashbrooke says: 'With bidding sites there will always be a squeeze on pay, because British freelancers may be set against freelancers in, say, India. But with our site we guarantee a minimum rate of pay. We manage the entire process.'Kjetil Olsen, vice-president of Elance, says British firms are increasingly picking British freelancers over foreign counterparts. He says: 'UK freelancers are becoming more popular among British firms. UK freelancers are now at number four behind India, the US and Pakistan. Last year they were around eighth.'He adds: 'We have seen a 45 per cent fall in firms citing cost savings as the key driver for using freelancers. Quality is more important.'The website Freelancer says small firms pick workers based on reviews. It is also seeing firms source marketing experts in countries they plan to export to.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Daily Mail (London, ) Visit the Daily Mail (London, ) at .dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:10
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Inland Empire congregations observe Rosh Hashana
Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Calif.迷你倉新蒲崗Sept. 04--RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Inland Empire Jewish leaders and teachers are helping prepare their faithful for the beginning of the High Holy Days -- Rosh Hoshana -- the start of the new year in Judaism.The period, which begins tonight, is a time for Jews to reflect on the past year and to recall any misdeeds or wrongs they may have committed against God and others.Rosh Hashana typically takes place during September or October, according to the Jewish lunar calendar. Prior to Rosh Hashana, there is a month of preparation called Elul, which anticipates both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The holiest day of Judaism, Yom Kippur takes place 10 days after the start of Jewish New Year.According to Jewish leaders, the High Holy Days is a period that requires hard "work" of introspection and seeking out forgiveness on the part of the faithful, to make amends with those they've wronged, and with God.The faithful believe that God opens "The Book of Life" on Rosh Hashana, upon which the names of the righteous are inscribed and a happy new year is granted to them. The book is closed, according to belief, on Yom Kippur, until the next new year."It's said if you've hurt somebody's feelings or you did something wrong to somebody, the prayers of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are not enough," said Rabbi Sholom Harlig, director of Chabad of the Inland Empire in Rancho Cucamonga. "You have to ask that person to forgive you, and then you can ask God to forgive you."Claremont resident Arava Talve, a Jewish educator and currently the B'nai Mitzvah coordinator at Temple Sinai in Palm Desert, agrees."It's a time of thinking, 'In what ways can I redeem myself and do better the next year?'" said Talve. "It's really about redeeming yourself. We spend the month in deep thought and introspection, evaluate our actions of the past year, so when we get to the head of the year, when we get to Rosh Hoshana, it can truly mean something."Janice Yellon,迷你倉出租teacher of Judaism, and a lay leader at the Congregation Etz Hadar in Redlands, echoing her counterparts in the Inland Empire, said Rosh Hashana is a time to address ones spiritual relationship with their associates, friends and family, and with God."I think that we all need sometimes to be able to have a chance to feel like we start anew, and when people come to the holidays, it's a time to let go of some of the past issues, make new goals and make new excitement about moving forward and to feel refreshed spiritually."A subject of reflection for many in Judaism in the United States has been the conflict in Syria, which shares a border with Israel. The potential for the conflict to spill over into Israel is on the minds of Jews in the Inland Empire.Harlig, Talve and Yellon said they and their congregations pray regularly for world peace.Rabbi Douglas Kohn, of Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, spent some time in Israel this past summer, and was able to look upon Syria and Lebanon from the Golan Heights."There was Lebanon and there was Syria and I was talking to a lieutenant in the Israeli Defence Forces and we were keenly aware that just 20 kilometers away was the border and that it could erupt because of the Syrian civil war," Kohn said."I worry about my family and friends in Israel and I worry about it erupting in a very unstable world clearly at a time when were praying for a new year and the book of life for everybody," Kohn said.Kohn said the prayers said by his congregation during the High Holy Days aren't just for themselves or the Jewish people, but for everybody."It's universal," Kohn said. "We're not praying for just ourselves. We are truly committed to the overall, so my prayers are for everybody. I would hope my congregation feels the same way."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, Calif.) Visit the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, Calif.) at .dailybulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉
- Sep 06 Fri 2013 02:08
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Patheon reports fiscal 2013 third quarter results
Top-line growth at 30.存倉4 percent; Banner integration complementing business linesTORONTO, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Patheon Inc. , a leading provider of contract development and commercial manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry, with recently acquired proprietary products, announced today fiscal 2013 third quarter results.Third Quarter Fiscal 2013 Financial Highlights-- Revenues in the quarter increased to $265.7 million from $203.7 million in the same period last year, an increase of $62.0 million or 30.4 percent. Revenue resulting from the Banner acquisition was $66.4 million in the quarter.-- Gross profit in the quarter improved to $71.1 million from $55.5 million in the same period last year, an increase of $15.6 million or 28.1 percent.-- Adjusted EBITDA increased in the quarter to $41.0 million from $36.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of $4.6 million.-- Income from continuing operations in the quarter was $4.3 million compared to income from continuing operations of $15.5 million in the same period last year. This decrease was due to higher repositioning and interest expenses, as well as higher selling, general and administrative expenses, research and development expenses and other charges associated with the Banner acquisition, partially offset by higher gross profit."This was another successful quarter for Patheon, and we are pleased with the ongoing performance of our business. The integration of Banner is complete, and our transformation initiatives continue to yield results as we implement operational excellence activities across our global network," stated Jim Mullen, Chief Executive Officer. "Overall, revenue flow across quarters has been more balanced this year, and we are encouraged by this continuing trend. We continue to drive additional margin from the business with our year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA margin of 13 percent compared to 9.5 percent in the prior period. We believe that Patheon remains on track to achieve anticipated revenues in excess of $1 billion this fiscal year."Fiscal 2013 Third Quarter and Nine Month Period Ended July 31, 2013, Operating Results from Continuing OperationsRevenues for the third quarter increased $62.0 million, or 30.4 percent, to $265.7 million, from $203.7 million in the same period last year driven by $66.4 million of additional revenues resulting from the Banner acquisition. Commercial manufacturing (CMO) revenues for the third quarter increased $59.5 million, or 35.4 percent, to $227.8 million, from $168.3 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the additional revenues resulting from the Banner acquisition. Pharmaceutical Development Services (PDS) revenues for the third quarter increased $2.5 million, or 7.1 percent, to $37.9 million, from $35.4 million in the same period last year.Revenues for the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 increased $194.0 million, or 36.0 percent, to $733.1 million, from $539.1 million in the same period last year, driven by growth in existing business and $144.2 million of additional revenues resulting from the Banner acquisition.CMO revenues for the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 increased $189.3 million, or 43.2 percent, to $627.4 million, from $438.1 million in the same period last year, primarily due to additional revenues resulting from the Banner acquisition. PDS revenues for the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 increased $4.7 million, or 4.7 percent, to $105.7 million, from $101.0 million in the same period last year.Gross profit for the third quarter improved by $15.6 million to $71.1 million, from $55.5 million in the same period last year, primarily due to an increase in volumes from the Banner acquisition. Patheon standalone margins improved primarily as a result of favorable foreign exchange rates.Gross profit for the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 increased $66.6 million to $170.5 million, from $103.9 million for the same period last year. The increase in gross profit margin was driven by higher volumes and savings from operational excellence initiatives, partially offset by $5.0 million in increased costs of goods sold related to the fair value mark-up of Banner's inventory from the acquisition, $5.0 million in higher inventory write-offs and $3.1 million in product returns from a packaging site attributed to Banner operations.Income from continuing operations for the third quarter was $4.3 million, or 3.1 cents per share for basic and 3.0 cents per share for diluted, compared to income from continuing operations of $15.5 million, or 12.0 cents per share, both basic and diluted, in the same period last year.Loss from continuing operations for the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 was $46.9 million, or (33.7) cents per share, both basic and diluted, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $83.3 million, or (64.3) cents per share, both basic and diluted, in the same period last year.Adjusted EBITDA increased in the quarter to $41.0 million from $36.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of $4.6 million. Higher volumes and the results of operational excellence programs contributed to the increase. The Adjusted EBITDA margin for the third quarter was 15.4 percent compared to 17.9 percent in the same period last year.2013 OutlookThe company anticipates revenues for the combined enterprise to be in excess of $1 billion for fiscal 2013.Conference CallPatheon will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Interested parties are invited to access the conference call, via telephone, in listen-only mode, toll free at 1-888-231-8191 (U.S., including Puerto Rico) and 1-647-427-7450 (Canada and International). Listeners are encouraged to dial in five to 15 minutes in advance to avoid delays. The webcast and slides will be available for viewing during the call by accessing Patheon's website at ir.patheon.com/events.cfm.A telephone replay of the conference call will be available between Thursday, September 5, 2013 and Thursday, September 12, 2013, by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (toll-free) or 1-403-451-9481, and by entering identification number 29239924, followed by the number key. The webcast and slides will be archived at ir.patheon.com/events.cfm.About PatheonPatheon Inc. is a leading provider of contract development and commercial manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry for a full array of solid and sterile dosage forms. Through the company's recent acquisition of Banner Pharmacaps - a market leader in soft gelatin capsule technology - Patheon now also includes a proprietary products and technology business.Patheon provides the highest quality products and services to approximately 300 of the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The company's integrated network consists of 17 locations, including 13 commercial contract manufacturing facilities and 8 development centers across North America and Europe. Patheon enables customer products to be launched with confidence anywhere in the world. For more information, visit .patheon.com.Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresCommencing in fiscal 2013, we revised our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude stock-based compensation expense, consulting costs related to our operational initiatives, purchase accounting adjustments, and acquisition-related litigation expenses. We believe that excluding these items from Adjusted EBITDA better reflects our underlying performance. Based on the revisions to the definition of Adjusted EBITDA, we have recast the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months periods ended July 31, 2012 to be consistent with the current period presentation. Our Adjusted EBITDA is now income (loss) from continuing operations before repositioning expenses, interest expense, foreign exchange losses reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss), refinancing expenses, acquisition and integration costs (including certain product returns and inventory write-offs recorded in gross profit), gains and losses on sale of capital assets, income taxes, asset impairment charges, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, consulting costs related to our operational initiatives, purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related litigation expenses and other income and expenses. Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues. Since Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that does not have a standardized meaning, it may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Readers are cautioned that Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income (loss) determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP as an indicator of performance. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management as an internal measure of profitability. We have included Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that this measure is used by certain investors to assess our financial performance before non-cash charges and certain costs that we do not believe are reflective of our underlying business. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the closest U.S. GAAP measure is included with the financial statements in this press release.------------------------------Caution Concerning Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements which reflect our expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects and opportunities. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "forecasts", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current assumptions based upon information currently available to us and based upon what we believe to be reasonable assumptions, we cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Our current material assumptions include assumptions related to our operational excellence initiatives and transformation activities, customer volumes, regulatory compliance, foreign exchange rates, employee severance costs associated with termination, and projected integration savings related to the Banner acquisition. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve significant known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to international operations and foreign currency fluctuations; customer demand for our services; regulatory matters affecting manufacturing and pharmaceutical development services; impacts of acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, including our ability to achieve our intended objectives with respect to such transactions and integrate businesses that we may acquire; implementation of our operational excellence initiatives and transformation activities; our ability to effectively迷你倉 transfer business between facilities; the global economic environment; our exposure to complex production issues; our substantial financial leverage; interest rate risks; potential environmental, health and safety liabilities; credit and customer concentration; competition; rapid technological change; product liability claims; intellectual property; the fact that we have a majority shareholder that can exercise significant influence over our company; supply arrangements; pension plans; derivative financial instruments; and our dependence upon key management, scientific and technical personnel. For additional information regarding risks and uncertainties that could affect our business, please see Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2012 and our subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators. Although we have attempted to identify important risks and factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors and risks that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.Patheon Inc.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(unaudited)As of July 31, As of October 31, 2013 2012(in millions of U.S. dollars) $ $AssetsCurrentCash and cash equivalents 40.9 39.4Accounts receivable 181.7 161.7Inventories 144.3 82.3Income taxes receivable 21.0 0.4Prepaid expenses and other 21.7 11.9Deferred tax assets - short-term 6.6 4.3Total current assets 416.2 300.0Capital assets 492.2 416.4Intangible assets 70.6 --Deferred financing costs 21.0 4.9Goodwill 45.3 3.5Investments 8.5 6.3Other long-term assets 17.3 11.8Total assets 1,071.1 742.9Liabilities and shareholders' equityCurrentShort-term borrowings 5.2 2.4Accounts payable and accrued 205.7 186.2 liabilitiesIncome taxes payable 2.2 5.7Deferred revenues - short-term 14.8 13.9Deferred tax liabilities - 0.3 -- short-termCurrent portion of long-term 6.8 -- debtTotal current liabilities 235.0 208.2Long-term debt 598.4 310.7Deferred revenues 21.8 28.9Deferred tax liabilities 57.4 23.0Other long-term liabilities 44.6 47.8Total liabilities 957.2 618.6Shareholders' equityRestricted voting shares 610.5 572.5Contributed surplus 15.9 16.5Accumulated deficit (525.5) (478.6)Accumulated other comprehensive 13.0 13.9 incomeTotal shareholders' equity 113.9 124.3Total liabilities and 1,071.1 742.9 shareholders' equityPatheon Inc.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(unaudited)Three months ended July Nine months ended July 31, 31,2013 2012 2013 2012(in millions of $ $ $ $ U.S. dollars, except per share information)Revenues 265.7 203.7 733.1 539.1Cost of goods 194.6 148.2 562.6 435.2 soldGross profit 71.1 55.5 170.5 103.9Selling, general 44.8 29.9 121.6 99.0 and administrative expensesResearch and 2.8 -- 7.4 -- developmentRepositioning 4.5 0.1 11.0 6.9 expensesAcquisition and 1.2 -- 9.3 -- integration costsImpairment 1.2 -- 11.3 57.9 chargeGain on sale of -- -- (1.6) -- capital assetsOperating income 16.6 25.5 11.5 (59.9) (loss)Interest 12.6 6.8 35.0 19.8 expense, netForeign exchange -- 0.4 1.5 0.6 loss, netRefinancing -- -- 29.2 -- expensesOther income, (1.2) (0.5) (1.8) (0.6) netIncome (loss) 5.2 18.8 (52.4) (79.7) from continuing operations before income taxesProvision for 0.9 3.3 (5.5) 3.6 (benefit from) income taxesIncome (loss) 4.3 15.5 (46.9) (83.3) from continuing operationsLoss from -- -- -- (0.2) discontinued operationsNet income 4.3 15.5 (46.9) (83.5) (loss) attributable to restricted voting shareholdersBasic income (loss) per shareFrom $0.031 $0.120 ($0.337) ($0.643) continuing operationsFrom -- -- -- ($0.002) discontinued operationsNet income $0.031 $0.120 ($0.337) ($0.645) (loss) per share, basicDiluted income (loss) per shareFrom $0.030 $0.120 ($0.337) ($0.643) continuing operationsFrom -- -- -- ($0.002) discontinued operationsNet income $0.030 $0.120 ($0.337) ($0.645) (loss) per share, dilutedWeighted-average number of shares outstanding (in thousands)Basic 140,640 129,639 139,232 129,639Diluted 145,694 129,692 139,232 129,639Patheon Inc.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(unaudited)Nine months ended July 31,2013 2012(in millions of U.S. dollars) $ $Operating activitiesLoss from continuing operations (46.9) (83.3)Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to cash (used in) provided by operating activitiesDepreciation and amortization 35.6 30.8Impairment charge 11.3 57.9Foreign exchange loss on debt 0.4 --Other non-cash interest 8.2 0.9Change in other long-term assets and (10.7) (1.7) liabilitiesDeferred income taxes 0.9 (0.3)Amortization of deferred revenues (13.5) (7.6)Gain on sale of capital assets (1.6) --Stock-based compensation expense 2.4 2.5Other (1.7) (0.8)(15.6) (1.6)Net change in non-cash working capital (22.3) (9.9) balances related to continuing operationsIncrease in deferred revenues 12.3 18.7Cash (used in) provided by operating (25.6) 7.2 activities of continuing operationsCash used in operating activities of (0.1) (0.4) discontinued operationsCash (used in) provided by operating (25.7) 6.8 activitiesInvesting activitiesAdditions to capital assets (34.2) (32.9)Proceeds on sale of capital assets 6.6 0.1Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (256.1) --Cash used in investing activities of (283.7) (32.8) continuing operationsCash provided by investing activities of -- 0.1 discontinued operationsCash used in investing activities (283.7) (32.7)Financing activitiesDecrease in short-term borrowings -- (1.3)Proceeds from long-term borrowings 633.8 35.5Increase in deferred financing costs (22.7) --Repayment of debt, net of penalty payment (337.8) (3.9)Share issuance costs (0.8) --Proceeds on issuance of restricted voting 35.8 -- sharesCash provided by financing activities 308.3 30.3Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and 2.6 (2.4) cash equivalentsNet increase in cash and cash equivalents 1.5 2.0 during the periodCash and cash equivalents, beginning of 39.4 33.4 periodCash and cash equivalents, end of period 40.9 35.4ADJUSTED EBITDA BRIDGE(unaudited)Three months ended July Nine months ended 31, July 31,2013 2012 2013 2012$ $ $ $Total Adjusted 41.0 36.4 95.2 51.0 EBITDADepreciation and (12.4) (9.3) (35.6) (30.8) amortizationRepositioning (4.5) (0.1) (11.0) (6.9) expensesAcquisition and (1.2) -- (15.4) -- integration costsInterest expense, (12.6) (6.8) (35.0) (19.8) netImpairment charge (1.2) -- (11.3) (57.9)Gain on sale of -- -- 1.6 -- capital assets(Provision for) (0.9) (3.3) 5.5 (3.6) benefit from income taxesRefinancing -- -- (29.2) -- expensesOperational (0.4) (1.0) (2.3) (13.3) initiatives related consulting costsAcquisition-related (4.0) -- (4.0) -- litigation expensesStock-based (0.7) (0.7) (2.4) (2.5) compensation expensePurchase accounting -- -- (5.0) -- adjustmentsOther 1.2 0.3 2.0 0.5Income (loss) from 4.3 15.5 (46.9) (83.3) continuing operationsPatheon Inc.CONTACT: Patheon Inc.Tel: (919) 226-3200Email: investorrelations@patheon.com自存倉
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No quick end to Milwaukee's residency rule court case
Source: Milwaukee Journal SentinelSept.儲存倉 04--If city workers, particularly police officers and firefighters, were counting on a quick resolution to the Milwaukee Police Association's lawsuit against the city over its residency ordinance, they are going to be disappointed.During a status conference Wednesday, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Paul Van Grunsven, who is hearing the case, set out a schedule for legal pleadings and filings that will not result in a court hearing until Jan. 27.The police union wants a court order forcing the city to abide by a new state law that ends residency rules for all local units of government. The city, in turn, has said it wants to keep its 75-year-old residency rule in place.The city argues that the ordinance, which is not being applied under a temporary restraining order, is a lawful exercise of Milwaukee's home rule constitutional authority. The city also argues that its residency law is a matter of local affairs and government.But the MPA says the city is circumventing the law, which was first proposed by Gov. Scott Walker.Van Grunsven did make one decision Wednesday. A迷你倉價錢 expected, he granted a motion by the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association Local 215 to intervene in the case. Van Grunsven acknowledged that the case carried a high amount of interest in the community."Everyone wants to know what the court is going to do," Van Grunsven said.With a court decision months away, and a possible appeal beyond that, the unions and the city are operating under a temporary restraining order. While the case is pending, the city has said it won't discipline an employee who leaves the city.During the status conference, Van Grunsven asked and received assurances from the lawyers that no one party would try to move the case to Federal Court. There had been some suggestions early in the filing of the suit that the case might be filed there.Van Grunsven also told lawyers that the state Department of Justice has decided not to intervene in the case. However, if the case goes to appeal, the state agency might get involved.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Visit the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at .jsonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉