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Magic Leap unveils its augmented reality headset | Florida-based firm Magic Leap has released details of its augmented reality/mixed reality headset, the Magic Leap One: Creator Edition. Comprising goggles that include digital Lightfield technology, a mini-computer called a Lightpack and a hand-held controller, the device enables users to "actively create with the comp... | http://www.cartoonbrew.com/vr/magic-leap-shows-unveils-2-billion-augmented-reality-headset-155476.html | 2018-01-02 10:44:25.070000 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Magic Leap unveiled today what $2 billion dollars of Silicon Valley investment will get you: an augmented reality/mixed reality (ar/mr) product called “Magic Leap One: Creator Edition.”
There are three components to the Magic Leap hardware:
The goggles, called Lightwear, which combine “... |
Regus IWG holds takeover talks with Onex Corporation, Brookfield Asset Management | Flexible office space provider Regus – now part of IWG – has said it is in talks with Canadian companies Brookfield Asset Management and Onex Corporation over a potential £2.5bn ($3.4bn) cash buyout of the company. IWG shares rose by more than 27% after the news broke. IWG had a turbulent 2017 in the face of competitio... | http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-5215899/Office-rental-pioneer-makes-600m-sells-empire.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 | 2018-01-02 10:40:39.757000 | British tycoon Mark Dixon is in line for a £600million payday after Canadian funds made an approach to buy his global office empire.
The 58-year-old built IWG, formerly called Regus, from nothing into a £1.8billion business but is on the verge of selling it.
IWG says joint takeover talks are under way with Onex Corpo... |
Top-tier insurers could attempt to partner with Amazon | With Amazon set on entering the insurance market, top-tier companies may seek to enter partnerships with the online marketplace. Amazon has recently been recruiting staff for an insurance division, declaring it's launching a new business line. The company already offers extended warranty services for goods under its Am... | https://www.dig-in.com/opinion/is-amazon-the-next-insurtech | 2018-01-02 10:29:54.420000 | The insurance industry was ready for Amazon to make an insurance distribution channel available to its customers: Liberty Mutual, Safeco, Farmers, Allstate, Nationwide and Grange Insurance are among the insurers leveraging the retail giant's Alexa voice assistant. Few believe this move will obviate the need for indepen... |
Water salinity test could boost production from older wells | A new analytical model for brownfield oil reservoirs uses the salinity of injected water to improve the understanding of fluid movements in the operation, said researchers from the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Charting the salinity of production water could help optimise water injection, promoting the most efficient... | https://www.spe.org/en/jpt/jpt-article-detail/?art=3710 | 2018-01-02 10:26:36.900000 | A look at recent first‑quarter results reminds us that there is no such thing as a constant trend in our industry. Continual recalibration of companies’ activities aim to obtain positive financial results in the traditional oil and gas business while devoting efforts in a practical way to both mitigate climate change i... |
Regus Flexible space rivals jostle to dominate South Florida | Flexible office space providers WeWork and Regus are battling each other and smaller rivals for control of the still-growing South Florida marketplace. WeWork was set to open locations in Coral Gables and Miami by the end of 2017, focusing on attracting enterprise business clients. Regus already oversees five locations... | https://therealdeal.com/miami/issues_articles/wework-wars/#new_tab | 2018-01-02 10:16:44.933000 | South Florida increasingly pays for office space as a one-stop service business, with companies forsaking a traditional lease in favor of a modern mix of open-seating areas and private offices with perks, including free coffee, that aim to promote collaboration and innovation among tenants. But as co-working behemoth W... |
US advisers back active funds to outperform in 2018 | Roughly 71% of 300 surveyed registered investment advisers in the US believe active strategies, rather than passive, will be the top performers in 2018, according to a study by InvestmentNews. Despite passive funds having outperformed their active counterparts on successive market gains, many advisers believe the curre... | http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20171228/FREE/171229937/rias-hedge-market-risk-with-actively-managed-funds | 2018-01-02 09:58:26.643000 | As the stock market closes in on a solid 22% gain for the year, marking a near-300% gain from the 2009 low point, a growing chorus of financial advisers are citing actively managed strategies as a reasonable hedge at this point in the market cycle.
An InvestmentNews survey of more than 300 registered investment advise... |
Lack of EV charging network damages UK growth of autonomous cars
| Insufficient charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) is hampering the UK's move to autonomous cars, AXA UK & Ireland Group CEO Amanda Blanc has warned. The nation has 14,000 chargers for about 125,000 plug-in EVs. Blanc called for more rapid charging bays outside London and the south-east. She also said the... | https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/dec/31/lack-of-charging-bays-is-the-main-obstacle-to-self-driving-car-rise-says-axa | 2018-01-02 09:57:20.213000 | A shortage of charging points and strain on energy supplies are now the main stumbling blocks to the rise of driverless electric cars, according to the UK boss of insurer Axa.
Amanda Blanc said a lack of rapid charging bays and pressure on the National Grid have overtaken questions about accident liability as the bigg... |
TalkTalk Openreach ultrafast broadband rollout behind schedule | UK telecoms company Openreach is behind schedule in bringing its G.fast broadband network to a million homes by the end of March, according to ispreview.co.uk. Openreach said it had covered 390,000 UK premises, but the slow progress could see further delays to the final Early Market Deployment phase. TalkTalk is curren... | https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/12/openreachs-g-fast-ultrafast-broadband-pilot-covers-390000-uk-premises.html | 2018-01-02 09:56:49.847000 | Thursday, Dec 28th, 2017 (2:22 pm) - Score 27,867
Openreach (BT) has announced that their new 330Mbps capable hybrid fibre G.fast broadband network is “now available” to thousands of people in Bath, Glasgow and Edinburgh, although none of the major ISPs have launched public packages and the final EMD phase still hasn’... |
Redrow Final push to sell Yorkshire estate homes | UK housebuilder Redrow is offering to pay up to £8,000 ($10,846) towards the cost of homes on its Devonshire Gardens development in Harrogate. The company said it will pay the sales taxes to sell the last dozen one- to five-bedroom properties on the Yorkshire estate. Patsy Aicken, sales director for Redrow Homes in Yo... | https://www.easier.com/137719-last-chance-to-buy-at-devonshire-gardens-harrogate.html | 2018-01-02 09:54:26.907000 | ‘Last chance’ to buy at Devonshire Gardens, Harrogate
Home buyers wishing to take root in Redrow’s Devonshire Gardens, Harrogate, can still have their pick from a choice of homes.
There are only six houses and six apartments available to purchase before Redrow Homes takes a short break at the popular Claro Road devel... |
Seven IM warns against 'fashionable' ETFs | Increasingly specialised smart-beta exchange-traded funds (ETF) focusing on specific sectors could sink "without a trace", warned Peter Sleep of Seven Investment Management, noting the same happened to shipbuilding and coal-mining focused products, reported David Thorpe in FT Adviser.
| https://www.ftadviser.com/investments/2017/12/28/festive-seven-im-warns-against-fashionable-etfs/ | 2018-01-02 09:53:19.590000 | Many of the niche smart beta ETFs that have come to market risk "sinking without a trace" according to an investment manager at Seven Investment Management.
Peter Sleep said equity ETFs are becoming increasingly specialised – to the extent you can now buy ETFs playing themes such as robotics, ageing and millennials.
... |
CBOE files with SEC for six bitcoin ETFs | CBOE Global Markets has applied to list six bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The move comes following the exchange's launch of futures contracts focused on the cryptocurrency. The ETFs are managed by First Trust Advisors, REX ETFs and GraniteShares. Bitcoin dropped... | https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/22/cboe-files-to-list-6-bitcoin-etfs.html | 2018-01-02 09:38:47.543000 | A computer screen at the Cboe Global Markets exchange (previously referred to as CBOE Holdings, Inc.) shows Bitcoin cash and futures prices on December 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
Cboe Global Markets has applied with the SEC to list six bitcoin-related exchange-traded funds as the company bets further on the emergi... |
Blockchain-derived platform cuts back-office costs for banks | Banks may no longer need to set aside billions of dollars in capital as they wait for collateral to be settled, thanks to a blockchain-inspired back-office platform introduced by Citi and CME Clearing. The companies partnered with Baton Systems to develop the system, which offers real-time updates on ledger collateral ... | https://www.thetradenews.com/Post-trade/Citi-and-CME-Clearing-use-blockchain-to-reduce-back-office-costs/ | 2018-01-02 09:35:41.490000 | Citi and CME Clearing have teamed up with Baton Systems to implement a blockchain-inspired platform as the firms look to reduce costs of back-office functions.
The platform allows banks to view their collateral in their ledgers in real-time and send cash or securities to clearing houses with one-click.
Citi and CME C... |
Root approved to offer policies in Arkansas, Mississippi | Ohio-based firm Root Insurance has been granted a licence to sell insurance products in the US state of Arkansas. The insurtech, which uses telematics data gathered from a smartphone app to offer personalised car insurance, recently also secured a licence to sell car insurance in Mississippi, and has a presence in nine... | https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2017/12/28/475484.htm | 2018-01-02 09:11:36.337000 | Columbus, Ohio-based insurtech company, Root Insurance, has received authorization to sell property/casualty (excluding workers’ compensation) products in Arkansas.
Root is a private passenger auto insurance company that began operations in June 2016. Root is wholly owned by IBOD Inc. and is currently licensed in 18 s... |
Root approved to offer policies in Arkansas, Mississippi | Ohio-based firm Root Insurance has been granted a licence to sell insurance products in the US state of Arkansas. The insurtech, which uses telematics data gathered from a smartphone app to offer personalised car insurance, recently also secured a licence to sell car insurance in Mississippi, and has a presence in nine... | https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2017/12/126499-root-insurance-now-approved-sell-auto-insurance-mississippi/ | 2018-01-02 09:11:36.337000 | This week, insurance company Root Insurance announced it is now able to offer its services to drivers in Mississippi. The company stated:
“That’s right Mississippi, we’ve arrived, and we’re here to save you from paying too much for car insurance. Because if you’re a good driver in the Magnolia State, chances are prett... |
Increased number of Indian insurers expected to IPO in 2018 | Increasing numbers of Indian insurers are predicted to go public in 2018. Last year saw five insurance companies hold successful initial public offerings, including two state-run firms, which collectively raised INR450bn ($7bn). This year, however, is also expected to see some consolidation in the insurance sector, des... | http://www.thehindu.com/business/more-insurance-firms-may-hit-capital-markets-in-2018/article22334637.ece | 2018-01-02 09:10:31.607000 | December 30, 2017 08:37 pm | Updated 09:00 pm IST - New Delhi
More insurance companies are expected to hit the capital markets next year after successful IPOs of five insurers, including two state-owned companies, which collectively raked in about ₹45,000 crore.
Besides the spate of IPOs, 2018 will also witness some ... |
Emerson launches surface-sensor oil pipe temperature reader | US electrical company Emerson has extended the potential applications of its temperature-sensor system. The Rosemount X-well technology measures the surface temperature of pipes and uses an algorithm based on the conductive properties of the materials from which the pipe is made to work out the temperature inside. This... | https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/product-news/29122017/emerson-launches-temperature-measurement-platform/ | 2018-01-02 09:01:12.403000 | Emerson Automation Solutions has introduced a new platform for its RosemountTM X-wellTM Technology surface sensing temperature measurement solution. The technology with a Rosemount 3144P transmitter extends the company’s non-intrusive temperature sensing technology range for users in conventional wired I/O environments... |
Fluenta unveils extreme-temperature gas-flow gauges | Norwegian company Fluenta has launched two devices that can measure the flow of gas through a pipeline in extreme temperatures. The ultrasonic flow transducers can work on gas mixes of 100% methane or 100% carbon dioxide, something many other gauges are unable to do. The high-temperature transducer aimed at the chemica... | https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/product-news/29122017/fluenta-welcomes-new-ultrasonic-flow-transducers/ | 2018-01-02 07:50:00.220000 | Fluenta has launched a new range of ultrasonic flow transducers. Its two new transducers enable ultrasonic measurement of gas flow in highly challenging environments.
The high-temperature range transducer can accurately measure gas flow at up to 250°C, allowing the ultrasonic technology to be deployed in a range of fl... |
Global warming of 2C could render 25% of globe arid | Global temperature rises of 2C above pre-industrial levels could result in over 25% of the earth’s surface becoming considerably drier, increasing the risk of drought and wildfires and threatening agriculture and biodiversity, according to new research. Restricting global warming to less than 1.5C would save two-thirds... | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-017-0034-4 | 2018-01-02 00:00:00 | Aridity—the ratio of atmospheric water supply (precipitation; P) to demand (potential evapotranspiration; PET)—is projected to decrease (that is, areas will become drier) as a consequence of anthropogenic climate change, exacerbating land degradation and desertification1,2,3,4,5,6. However, the timing of significant ar... |
Global warming of 2C could render 25% of globe arid | Global temperature rises of 2C above pre-industrial levels could result in over 25% of the earth’s surface becoming considerably drier, increasing the risk of drought and wildfires and threatening agriculture and biodiversity, according to new research. Restricting global warming to less than 1.5C would save two-thirds... | https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/02/keep-global-warming-under-15c-or-quarter-of-planet-could-become-arid | 2018-01-02 00:00:00 | More than a quarter of the planet’s surface could become significantly drier if global temperatures rise 2C above pre-industrial levels, scientists predict.
The study, which is one of the most detailed assessments to date of future aridity, suggests that many regions could face an increased threat of drought and wildf... |
UK recycling plants see rubbish pile up due to Chinese ban | UK recycling plants are already experiencing a build up of rubbish as a result of a Chinese ban on imports of plastic waste. As we reported last month, the ban, which applies to 24 kinds of solid waste, came into effect on 1 January 2018. Two-thirds of the UK’s total plastic waste exports, or over 2.7 million tonnes, h... | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/02/rubbish-already-building-up-at-uk-recycling-plants-due-to-china-import-ban | 2018-01-02 00:00:00 | A ban on imports of millions of tonnes of plastic waste by the Chinese government is already causing a build up of rubbish at recycling plants around the UK and will bring chaos for councils in the weeks ahead, according to industry experts.
Simon Ellin, chief executive of the UK Recycling Association, said his member... |
Drones provide ‘Uber for blood’ in Rwanda | A drone delivery service, partnering Silicon Valley robotics firm Zipline with Rwanda’s health ministry, has delivered over 5,500 units of blood in the past year, reducing delivery times to remote regions from four hours to an average of 30 minutes. Zipline supplies blood to 12 regional hospitals, each of which serves ... | https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/jan/02/rwanda-scheme-saving-blood-drone | 2018-01-02 00:00:00 | An ingenious drone delivery service known as “Uber for blood” has slashed the delivery time of life-saving medicine to remote regions of Rwanda from four hours to an average of half an hour.
A partnership between Zipline, a Silicon Valley robotics company, and the country’s health ministry has delivered more than 5,50... |
Pret a Manger introduces 50p discount for reusable cups | Pret a Manger has doubled the discount it offers on hot drinks to customers with reusable cups to 50p. The sandwich chain, along with Costa and Starbucks, has been offering a discount of 25p to such customers since 2017. The move follows other waste reduction initiatives by the company, including abandoning the use of ... | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/02/pret-a-manger-doubles-discount-for-bringing-reusable-coffee-cups | 2018-01-02 00:00:00 | Customers who bring reusable cups to Pret a Manger will be given a 50p discount on hot drinks after the company introduced the measure and said it was hoping to change people’s habits and reduce waste.
The sandwich chain has been offering 25p discounts to customers using reusable cups since 2017, alongside Costa and S... |
Iran sees biggest protests since 2009 as economic hardships bite | Iran is seeing its largest protests since 2009. They began over economic grievances but have taken on a political dimension, resulting in more than a dozen deaths and hundreds of arrests. Police stations have been attacked and security forces are struggling to contain the uprisings. Iran is a major OPEC member and reg... | https://www.thequint.com/news/world/iran-protests-economy-regime-revolutionary-guard-protestors-killed | 2018-01-01 15:06:28.727000 | Tens of thousands of people have protested across the country since 28 December against the Islamic Republic's government and clerical elite.
Police in the centre of Tehran fired water cannons to try to disperse demonstrators, according to pictures on social media. Two protesters were reportedly killed in firing by Ir... |
Mushroom enzymes could reduce environmental impact of laundry | Environmentally friendly detergents using enzymes from items including mushrooms are being developed by Danish biotechnology firm, Novozymes. Enzyme detergents, for use in washing machines and dishwashers, work at lower temperatures, require less water and use less soap from palm oil and petrochemicals than traditional... | https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/business/energy-environment/climate-change-enzymes-laundry.html | 2018-01-01 00:00:00 | COPENHAGEN — A Danish biotechnology company is trying to fight climate change — one laundry load at a time. Its secret weapon: mushrooms like those in a dormant forest outside Copenhagen.
In the quest for a more environmentally friendly detergent, two scientists at the company, Novozymes, regularly trudge through the ... |
Tesco criticised for food waste after CEO’s pledge | Tesco has faced criticism in relation to edible food waste over the Christmas period. An employee at a branch of the supermarket in Devon claimed to have been told to throw away six cages of vegetables that were still in-date on Christmas Eve. Just two days earlier, Tesco CEO, Dave Lewis, had announced a commitment tha... | http://metro.co.uk/2017/12/28/tesco-worker-told-bin-cages-date-vegetables-given-charity-7188506/ | 2017-12-28 00:00:00 | The cages of in-date produce which were allegedly binned by a Tesco store in Devon (Picture: SWNS)
A Tesco worker was told to throw away six cages of in-date vegetables that could have been given to homeless charities or food banks.
The employee at the Exeter Vale Tesco Extra in Devon said they ‘could not believe the... |
Climate change could triple migration to Europe by 2100 | Annual migration to Europe could triple by the end of the century due to climate change, according to a study from New York’s Columbia University. The study’s author, Wolfram Schlenker, stated that even if efforts to curtail global warming succeeded, asylum applications could still rise by 25% by 2100. The research, wh... | https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/climate-change-may-drive-up-migration-to-europe-by-more-than-1m-a-year-before-2100-study-shows-a3727311.html | 2017-12-27 00:00:00 | T he devastating effects of climate change may drive up the number of migrants seeking asylum in Europe if current trends continue, a new study has shown.
By the end of the century the number of migrants attempting to settle in Europe annually will triple, based on current climate trends alone, according to the resear... |
Iberdrola awarded 295 MW of wind in Brazilian auction | Spanish utility Iberdrola has secured 295 MW of wind power capacity in a Brazilian auction, which saw more than 3,841 MW of clean power supply contracts awarded. The deal will see Iberdrola's subsidiary, Neoenergia, develop and bring online nine wind farms in the state of Paraiba by January 2022, increasing Neoenergia'... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/iberdrola-secures-295-mw-of-wind-in-brazilian-auction-595646/ | 2017-12-22 15:20:59.373000 | Through its subsidiary Neoenergia, Spanish utility Iberdrola (BME:IBE) has secured 295 MW of wind power capacity in the Brazilian auction this week.
Neoenergia will construct nine wind farms in the Santa Luzia area of the northeastern state of Paraiba and bring then online by January 2022. These projects will increase... |
Shell acquires UK's First Utility in retail power push | Shell has acquired the UK's largest independent energy provider, First Utility, for an undisclosed sum. The energy provider, which also supplies broadband services and smart home energy management, will continue to operate as an independent entity under Shell's "New Energies" division. First Utility CFO Darren Braham s... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/21/shell-snaps-up-british-energy-firm-first-utility/ | 2017-12-22 15:17:17.243000 | First Utility's energy monitoring software has helped it become a firm favorite among British households.
First Utility, which is the largest independent energy company in the U.K., has today been sold to Shell Petroleum Company for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition of First Utility by Shell means that the Dutch-Br... |
Insurers adopt satellite technology for data insights | Insurers are utilising satellite and sensor technology to levy data analytics for determining risk. Information mining could be the largest disruptor in the insurance industry, changing pricing, claims and payments. Among companies making use of the technology, QBE Insurance Group is using satellite readings to track a... | http://www.afr.com/business/insurance/insurance-companies/why-insurers-are-watching-you-from-space-20171220-h07u8i | 2017-12-22 14:56:24.833000 | "We have anecdotal examples where you are tracing port activity to better understand that risk. But we can now have [conversations] with the insured party that without this data we couldn't have. Honestly, it would be very hard to aggregate the data in any other way, other than to watch it from space."
Sensors everywh... |
Goldwind raises AUD700m for 530 MW Australian wind project | Goldwind Australia has secured nearly AUD700m ($548m) in financing for its 530 MW Stockyard Hill wind project in Victoria, led by the National Australia Bank and a consortium of international investment banks. Goldwind bought the Stockyard Hill project from Origin Energy for AUD110m and secured a power purchase agreeme... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/goldwind-secures-funds-for-530-mw-aussie-wind-project-595423/ | 2017-12-22 14:54:08.067000 | Goldwind Australia said today it has secured nearly AUD 700 million (USD 536m/EUR 451m) in financing its 530-MW Stockyard Hill wind project in Victoria, touted as the largest in the southern hemisphere.
The Australian unit of Chinese wind turbine maker Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Tech Co Ltd (HKG:2208) has obtained fu... |
New Mexico solar park to sell cheapest PV energy in US | A 3 MW solar power plant being built in New Mexico is to sell its power at less than $45/MWh, in what The Rocky Mountain Institute believes to be the lowest reported contract for distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in the US. The plant, which is owned by SoCore Energy, will sell power to non-profit rural electri... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/new-mexico-solar-park-to-sell-power-at-less-than-usd-45mwh-595266/ | 2017-12-22 14:52:41.267000 | Chicago-based SoCore Energy LLC is building a 3-MW, community-scale solar power plant in New Mexico that will be selling its output at a price below USD 45.00 (EUR 38.0) per MWh.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) believes that this is the lowest reported contract for distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in the ... |
Subsidy-free Dutch offshore wind project tender receives bids | The Dutch government has received an undisclosed number of bids for its unsubsidised offshore wind tender, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has announced. Applicants are currently being reviewed on the merits of timely construction, the quantity of energy generation and sound risk management. The eve... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/dutch-subsidy-free-offshore-wind-tender-attracts-bids-ministry-says-595592/ | 2017-12-22 14:51:41.567000 | The Dutch government's subsidy-free offshore wind tender for sites I and II of the Hollandse Kust Zuid zone has shown developers are ready to build the wind farm with a capacity of about 700 MW without government support.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy made the announcement on Thursday, the deadli... |
China to monitor PV efficiency to help guide regional investment | China's National Energy Administration is to set up a new photovoltaic (PV) monitoring system to help channel funding into regions that harness solar power most efficiently. Curtailment -- production of energy that can't be used -- has been a significant roadblock for the development of PV in China, with Bloomberg New ... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/19/china-to-tackle-curtailment-with-new-pv-monitoring-system/ | 2017-12-22 14:50:40.637000 | The system will look at curtailment risk and provide guidance to prospective developers based on criteria such as site conditions, regional subsidy levels and local government support.
The information will help to shape the establishment of the government’s yearly PV installation quotas, according to an online stateme... |
Israel mulls solar rooftop scheme to reach 2020 renewables target | A new scheme to promote rooftop solar-panel installations in Israel is hoped to bring online about 1.6 GW of new solar capacity and help the country reach its 10% renewable energy goal by 2020. The scheme would allow photovoltaic (PV) installations up to 15 KW to be eligible to access the net metering scheme or to appl... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/21/israel-to-reintroduce-fits-for-rooftop-pv-up-to-50-kw/ | 2017-12-22 14:49:31.010000 | The government of Israel is planning to launch a new scheme for rooftop PV installations soon, which is expected bring around 1.6 GW of new solar capacity online over the next three years.
According to information provided to pv magazine by Eitan Parnass, founder and director of Israel’s Green Energy Association, the ... |
Vattenfall to deliver 1.5 TWh of power to AkzoNobel | Sweden's Vattenfall will supply 1.5 TWh of electricity to Dutch paint and speciality chemicals firm, AkzoNobel, to help it meet its 2050 carbon target. The Swedish state-owned utility will supply power for AkzoNobel's chemical production sites in Delfzijl, Hengelo and Rotterdam. It will also manage energy use fluctuati... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/vattenfall-inks-renewable-power-supply-deal-with-akzo-nobel-595096/ | 2017-12-22 14:43:14.560000 | Swedish state-owned utility Vattenfall AB has signed a power supply deal with Akzo Nobel NV (AMS:AKZA) that will help the Dutch paints and speciality chemicals company meet its 2050 goal for carbon neutrality.
The contract calls for Vattenfall to supply 1.5 TWh of electricity for AkzoNobel’s chemical production facili... |
AMP Capital invests €245m in French power developer Neoen | Global investment manager AMP Capital has invested in the independent French power developer Neoen with mezzanine funding of €245m ($295m). Neoen, which is active in global solar markets including Australia and Argentina, will use the funding for a 1.6 GW portfolio of onshore wind and solar PV assets in France and Aust... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/19/amp-capital-invests-e245-million-for-re-development-in-neoen/ | 2017-12-22 14:42:23.360000 | Australia-based global investment manager, AMP Capital has provided French independent power producer Neoen with €245 million in mezzanine financing.
AMP Capital stressed that the financing was validated as a green bond, following due diligence by Vigeo Eiris, a global provider of environmental, social and governance ... |
China opens 2 km solar highway | China has opened a 2 km solar expressway, joining France and the Netherlands in testing the technology. The road is made up of an insulating layer on the bottom, photovoltaic panels in the middle and transparent concrete on top. The solar panels cover 5,875 sq metres and can generate 1 million kWh of power a year, enou... | https://qz.com/1166975/a-new-solar-highway-in-china-perfectly-captures-its-clean-energy-ambitions/ | 2017-12-22 14:34:26.323000 | The idea of solar roads has been dismissed by many as being impractical. But that didn’t stop China from opening one for testing today, joining the ranks of France, Holland, and other countries giving it a shot.
In Jinan, the capital of the northeastern Shandong province, traffic is now rolling over a stretch of expre... |
World's biggest solar panel maker posts $355m Q3 loss | China's Yingli Green Energy saw its net loss widen to CNY2.3bn ($352m) in Q3 2017, up from CNY335.4m in the same period in 2016. It also reported a 48% drop in quarterly photovoltaic (PV) module shipments to 597.7 MW. CEO Liansheng Miao said the decrease in shipments on the previous quarter was due to lower demand as Y... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/19/yingli-posts-355-million-net-loss-in-q3/ | 2017-12-22 13:40:03.693000 | Yingli Chairman and CEO Liansheng Miao attributed the fall in quarterly shipments to lower demand from the end of the first half, as the company tried to strike a balance between maintaining shipment volumes and ensuring that its operating cash flows remained sufficient. It expects to ship 700 MW to 800 MW of solar pan... |
US DOE approves $12m funding for solar technologies | The US Department of Energy (DOE) has authorised $12m in further funding for solar forecasting technologies. The money will be split between eight projects which aim to enhance forecasting technologies, advance variability management and improve grid reliability and resilience. Some $1.8m of the funding will go to the ... | https://www.renewablesnow.com/news/doe-grants-usd-12m-for-solar-forecasting-595241/ | 2017-12-22 13:39:21.877000 | The US Department of Energy (DOE) will extend USD 12 million (EUR 10.1m) to finance eight projects developing technologies that forecast solar generation levels, it announced on Tuesday.
The funds will be provided by the Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) that supports early-stage research an... |
Singapore achieves 21.5% efficiency from printed solar cell | The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has achieved a 21.5% average efficiency for its printed silicon solar cell technology. The bifacial MonoPoly technology can be used on both n-type and p-type wafers, and aims to offer similar efficiency levels to modern passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) con... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/20/seris-reaches-21-5-efficiency-for-fully-screen-printed-cell/ | 2017-12-22 13:38:11.157000 | SERIS has reached 21.5% average efficiency using its monoPoly silicon solar cell technology. The institute used a pilot scale production line, and commercially available Si wafers.
The technology developed by SERIS, named MonoPoly, is bifacial and can be applied to both n-type and p-type wafers. It aims to provide sim... |
EIB awards Oxford PV €15m to build perovskite solar plant | Oxford PV has secured €15m ($18m) from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to help take its perovskite solar cell technology into commercial production. Oxford PV Germany, a subsidiary of the UK-based developer, received the funding from InnovFin Energy Demonstration Projects, which supports European action on climate c... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/21/oxford-pv-receives-e15-million-financing-from-eib/ | 2017-12-22 13:36:28.587000 | Oxford PV has picked up financing in several rounds of investment over the past two years.
€15 million in funding has been awarded to Oxford PV Germany GmbH, a subsidiary of the U.K.-based perovskite solar cell developer. Funding is provided by EU nonprofit lender, EIB to support bringing perovskite on silicon tandem ... |
California can meet power needs without solar on farmland | California could meet all its energy needs without building photovoltaic (PV) panels on productive farmland, according to University of California researchers. The scientists examined four alternatives for deploying solar: built environments such as urban rooftops, building facades and walls; land too salty for crops; ... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/21/u-s-researchers-publish-model-for-alternatives-to-farmland-for-pv-deployment/ | 2017-12-22 13:32:33.187000 | Researchers from the University of California have looked at alternatives to installing solar on land that could otherwise be used for crops, and developed a model using California’s central valley as a case study.
The model evaluates four different alternative land types for PV deployments – urban rooftops, walls and... |
Hanergy partners with Chinese EV group for solar-run cars, homes | Hanergy is teaming up with a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) group to develop thin-film solar technology for cars and homes. Among other projects, Hanergy and BAIC BJEV -- the EV unit of Beijing Automotive Group -- will work together on home- and vehicle-integrated solar panels and charging units. Rooftop solar could pro... | https://www.pv-magazine.com/2017/12/22/hanergy-to-partner-with-beijing-ev-group/ | 2017-12-22 13:30:33.627000 | Thin film solar cells in panoramic glass roofs of Audi models: Audi and Alta Devices, a subsidiary of the Chinese solar-cell specialist, Hanergy, are working together on this development project. With this cooperation, the partners aim to generate solar energy to increase the range of electric vehicles.
At a conferenc... |
EIB and Yes Bank pledge $400m for Indian renewables | The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Yes Bank have teamed up to provide $400m in funding for Indian renewables. The EIB will provide a 15-year $200m loan as part of the co-financing initiative, with the remainder coming from Indian private sector financier Yes Bank, project promoters and other financial institutions.... | https://www.pv-tech.org/news/eib-and-yes-bank-to-provide-us400-million-in-financing-for-indian-renewable | 2017-12-22 13:05:11.193000 | The European Investment Bank (EIB) and India-based private sector financier Yes Bank are supporting Indian solar and wind projects with a new US$400 million co-financing initiative.
EIB will provide a 15-year US$200 million loan, with the remainder of the financing coming from Yes Bank, project promoters and other fin... |
CaliBurger to use facial recognition to take food orders | US fast food restaurant CaliBurger is trialling a new self-serve kiosk which uses AI and facial-recognition technology to allow customers to place orders, pay and log in to a rewards account. The facial recognition software will also enable customers to store their orders so that when they next visit, they can order th... | https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/21/caliburger-face-scan-ordering-kiosk/ | 2017-12-22 11:46:43.983000 | CaliBurger’s new kiosk uses facial recognition to take orders Finally, no more shaming when you ask for a diet Coke with your six burgers.
Cashier-less ordering kiosks are becoming more and more commonplace at fast food restaurants like Wendy's and McDonald's. But Golden State burger chain CaliBurger is taking that on... |
NYSE, ProShares seek SEC approval to list bitcoin futures ETFs | The New York Stock Exchange has sought Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval to list two bitcoin-linked exchange-traded funds managed by ProShares. The ETF provider has also filed a request with the SEC to launch the products, which give investors exposure to the cryptocurrency via futures contracts. The fu... | https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/20/nyse-files-to-list-bitcoin-etfs-bringing-cryptocurrency-a-step-closer-to-mainstream.html | 2017-12-21 17:02:41.233000 | As custodian for the funds, Brown Brothers Harriman would oversee investment assets and cash equivalents as well as prepare and make regulatory filings. Marc Chandler and Win Thin, two of the bank's foreign exchange strategists, are widely followed among currency brokers.
The funds would track either the Cboe or CME b... |
Robo-adviser for women Ellevest introduces tiered pricing system | Following a recent funding round, female-centric robo-adviser Ellevest has introduced a new pricing structure. The platform will now be split into three levels of service. The first, costing 25 bps, gives clients access to algorithmic portfolio creation and advice from human advisers via digital communications. For 50 ... | http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20171220/FREE/171229985/krawcheck-expands-ellevest-robo-to-three-service-levels-with-more | 2017-12-21 16:59:20.963000 | Sallie Krawcheck is using a recent infusion of venture capital to expand the offering of Ellevest, a digital-advice platform for women, to three service levels.
Investors can access the robo-adviser by itself for 25 basis points (formerly 50 basis points), which includes algorithmic portfolio construction, tax minimiz... |
JPMorgan to introduce low-cost robo-adviser in 2018 | JPMorgan Chase is planning to introduce a low-cost wealth management tool in 2018. The firm will allow a sub-section of clients to access the tool in March, with a full launch planned for the middle of the year. The platform, dubbed JPMorgan Digital Investing, will ask clients questions to determine their investment go... | http://www.altfi.com/article/3894_jpmorgan_chase_enters_the_robo_advice_game | 2017-12-21 16:58:16.727000 | JPMorgan Chase has announced it will be releasing a lower-cost digital wealth management tool this week, with plans to offer it to some clients in March with a wide release in mid-2018.
The goal is to offer “guidance and advice for a broad range of clients, whether you have a few thousand dollars, or more,” said Kelli... |
Aviva, Tencent partner in big-data lab for Chinese AI push | Aviva's Chinese affiliate is to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to focus marketing and improve customer experiences in a big-data project with technology giant Tencent. The two will open a lab to analyse the insurer's business data. It's all part of UK-based Aviva's investment programme in its global ... | http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201712/21/WS5a3b7f3ea31008cf16da2b49.html | 2017-12-21 16:04:31.733000 | Aviva-Cofco Life Insurance announced Thursday a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings in developing a big data lab. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Aviva-Cofco Life Insurance announced Thursday a strategic partnership with Tencent Holdings in developing a big data lab, as the latest commitment to leverage ... |
WeChat mobile payments arrive in United Kingdom | Chinese visitors to the UK can now use WeChat, China's "app for everything", to buy their souvenirs. WeChat Pay was made available for point-of-sale locations in the UK through a partnership with British fintech firm SafeCharge, beginning in November 2017. According to VisitBritain, Chinese tourists spent £513 million ... | http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-11/24/content_34925548.htm | 2017-12-21 15:29:58.487000 | Consumers use WeChat Pay at an exhibition in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo/for China Daily]
In the middle of London's Camden Market, a trader from China hands red-bean cakes to a group of tourists from Sweden, as tattooed locals dressed in black leather weave their way between food stalls cooking up dishes, includin... |
Toffee slices, dices insurance to crack Indian millennial market | India-based insurtech start-up Toffee is looking to crack the millennial market by selling micro-insurance, offering policies only when a customer requires them. For example, with only 6%-7% of Indians taking out comprehensive health insurance, Toffee offers coverage for specific diseases, such as Dengue fever, co-foun... | https://bankinnovation.net/2017/12/indian-startup-toffee-is-hoping-to-grab-millennials-with-micro-insurance/ | 2017-12-21 14:59:28.413000 | EXCLUSIVE— Less is more is not often a philosophy that’s applied to insurance, at least not in the United States.
When it comes to India things might be different. That’s why insurtech startup Toffee is offering consumers in the country more tailored, “bite-sized” products, rather than less flexible, more traditional ... |
Reinsurance M&A to pick up after catastrophe losses: Clyde & Co | Having all but evaporated in the past 18 months, mergers and acquisitions could make a comeback within the reinsurance space during 2018, according to Clyde & Co. After record catastrophe losses in 2017, several company balance sheets could be under pressure, potentially opening the door to more M&A. Equally, Clyde & C... | https://www.reinsurancene.ws/market-pressures-forecast-drive-ma-activity-2018-clyde-co/ | 2017-12-21 14:39:48.957000 | 2017’s record-level losses from natural catastrophes and other growing market pressures could act as a catalyst for M&A activity in the U.S. insurance industry next year, according to Clyde & Co.
Analysts said M&As had taken something of a back seat in the insurance industry over the last 18 months, but changing facto... |
Leading UK retailers selling real fur as fake | Major companies, including Amazon, Boohoo, Groupon and TK Maxx, sold products in the UK containing real animal fur that they advertised as synthetic, according to tests conducted by charity Humane Society International and Sky News. The investigation led campaigners to call for a ban on fur imports. Although fur farmin... | https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-retailers-selling-fur-faux-fox-rabbit-shoes-coat-amazon-groupon-boohoo-tk-maxx-a8121241.html | 2017-12-21 14:36:47.667000 | Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for... |
Leading UK retailers selling real fur as fake | Major companies, including Amazon, Boohoo, Groupon and TK Maxx, sold products in the UK containing real animal fur that they advertised as synthetic, according to tests conducted by charity Humane Society International and Sky News. The investigation led campaigners to call for a ban on fur imports. Although fur farmin... | http://www.hsi.org/world/united_kingdom/news/releases/2017/12/online-real-as-faux-122017.html | 2017-12-21 14:36:47.667000 | London—British consumers are being misled into buying real fur from fox, rabbit, chinchilla and mink, falsely advertised as fake fur, an investigation by Humane Society International UK and Sky News has revealed.
The investigation found trusted online retailers such as Boohoo, Amazon and Not On The High Street all sel... |
UK agency workers paid £400m less than peers | UK agency workers are collectively paid £400m ($534m) less than their permanent peers, according to research by charity the Resolution Foundation. Temporary admin staff experience an average pay gap of £990 annually. The average individual loss for the country’s 800,000 agency workers is £500 per year, up from £430 in ... | https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/dec/21/agency-staff-collectively-underpaid-by-400m-a-year-charity-claims | 2017-12-21 14:17:13.320000 | Agency workers are collectively underpaid by £400m a year compared to their full-time counterparts, with the pay gap costing temporary admin staff £990 a year on average, according to new research.
The Resolution Foundation said the loss of pay across all sectors took the average loss for each of the UK’s 800,000 agen... |
UK agency workers paid £400m less than peers | UK agency workers are collectively paid £400m ($534m) less than their permanent peers, according to research by charity the Resolution Foundation. Temporary admin staff experience an average pay gap of £990 annually. The average individual loss for the country’s 800,000 agency workers is £500 per year, up from £430 in ... | http://www.resolutionfoundation.org/media/blog/unwrapping-the-agency-worker-pay-penalty/ | 2017-12-21 14:17:13.320000 | Christmas is coming – and many of the presents we’re all busy buying are being picked and packed in warehouses, delivered by drivers, or sold to us in shops by staff who are not directly employed, but who work through an agency instead. So how has this part of the workforce fared over the course of 2017?
Perhaps unsur... |
Moet breaks trend for alcohol companies with Snapchat game | Champagne company Moët has launched a game on social media platform Snapchat, aimed at over 25s, despite wider industry concerns regarding Snapchat's age-filtering capabilities. Both Heineken and William Grant & Sons have previously cited difficulties in verifying recipient ages on Snapchat. Moët's marketing director, ... | https://digiday.com/marketing/moet-turns-snapchat-find-champagne-lovers-25/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digidaydis&utm_source=uk&utm_content=171221 | 2017-12-21 14:03:20.970000 | Alcohol brands like Heineken and William Grant & Sons have concerns about using Snapchat as a marketing platform because they don’t think the app’s age-filtering feature is effective. But that’s not a hurdle for Moët.
The luxury champagne company, which is more than 250 years old, is launching a Snapchat game this wee... |
PageFair and AppNexus help to make partners GDPR compliant | Digital advertising firms PageFair and AppNexus are addressing publishers and adtech firms' needs as implementation of the EU's General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) approaches. PageFair's Perimeter, a "regulatory firewall", will allow publishers to monetise websites without using users' personal data by blocking ... | http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/12/21/appnexus-and-pagefair-launch-services-help-the-industry-weather-the-gdpr-storm | 2017-12-21 14:01:13.917000 | As the deadline for compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) draws ever closer, publishers and adtech players are urged to ensure their supply chain partners meet requirements, with both PageFair and AppNexus recently launching offerings that look to enable this.
Earlier this week PageFair a... |
Ad buyers find Amazon client services hard to work with | Ad buyers looking to advertise on Amazon report their frustrations with Amazon's client services teams in increasing numbers. Agency sources have spoken of their experiences "stalking" Amazon for a year before making headway, and even then, one anonymous source has said that Amazon's service is so murkily structured th... | https://digiday.com/marketing/lost-translation-ad-buyers-struggle-navigate-amazons-client-services-teams/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digidaydis&utm_source=uk&utm_content=171221 | 2017-12-21 13:48:02.403000 | For the past year and a half, Theresa Moore, vp of platform partnerships at Pixability, has been trying to buy video ads on Amazon to no avail. A few months ago, Moore — who said trying to build a relationship with the e-commerce giant has been an “interesting journey” — thought she finally had an in.
Amazon’s user-ex... |
Antibiotic use concentrated in small number of UK dairy farms | High antibiotic use is concentrated in a small percentage of UK dairy farms, according to new research. The study, which investigated 358 farms, housing 7% of England’s dairy cows, found that although most farms surveyed used lower levels of antibiotics than UK livestock averages, 25% of farms were using 52% of the dru... | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/21/a-small-number-of-farms-are-responsible-for-the-majority-of-antibiotic-use | 2017-12-21 13:39:17.330000 | A small number of the UK’s dairy farms account for an outsized proportion of antibiotic use, according to new research, suggesting that closer scrutiny of antibiotic prescribing practices could help bring down their use.
A study published in the BMJ publication Vet Record found some farms were using “extremely high le... |
LG ventures into AI market with ThinQ | LG Electronics has launched a new brand for its work on artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The South Korean company will market all its future AI products and services under the ThinQ name, incorporating the new logo on products including those which use its other product brands Dios, Tromm and Whisen. LG establi... | http://www.theinvestor.co.kr/view.php?ud=20171221000662 | 2017-12-21 13:37:46.943000 | [ETNEWS] LG Electronics announced on Dec. 21 the launch of its global artificial intelligence brand ThinQ.
The Korean tech firm will use the ThinQ brand for all its future AI products and services. In addition a ThinQ Zone will be set up at the CES 2018, which will be held in January in Las Vegas to promote the bran... |
Saatchi & Saatchi, DNA and Mindshare make notable appointments | Michelle Kunken has been appointed executive creative director (ECD) at Saatchi & Saatchi New York, reporting to chief creative officer Javier Campopiano. Fast-growing agency DNA has promoted Chris Witherspoon to president and the newly created position of chief growth officer, while at GroupM's Mindshare, M K Machaiah... | http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/12/20/people-the-move-featuring-debenhams-the-guardian-dna-mindshare-and-more | 2017-12-21 12:49:51.507000 | This week has seen another wave of appointments and departures at brands, media owners and agencies. The Drum has rounded up the key moves from the EMEA, APAC and North America regions below.
Debenhams
Debenhams has created three new managing director roles as part of an internal restructure that has seen the busines... |
Blue Origin steps up rocket tests for space tourism | Privately funded aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services firm Blue Origins New Shepard launch system is approximately one year from launching a programme of manned spaceflights. The system has been used for a test flight with the company's Crew Capsule 2.0 to suborbital space. The company will be competing agai... | https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/20/blue-origin-manned-flight-2018/ | 2017-12-21 12:47:04.923000 | We might witness several new space vehicles blast off with a human crew onboard for the first time next year. One of them could be Blue Origin's New Shepard launch system. According to Jeff Ashby, the private space corporation's director of safety and mission assurance, Blue Origin is "about roughly a year out from hum... |
AI to add $957bn to India's GDP by 2035: Accenture | India's economy is predicted to reach $10tn by 2035, with artificial intelligence expected to make up $975bn of the gross domestic product, according to a report by Accenture. The US company said it had based its results on a study of India's universities and businesses from start-ups to large companies, as well as pol... | http://www.india.com/news/agencies/accenture-sees-ai-adding-a-whopping-957-bn-to-gdp-by-2035-2779512/ | 2017-12-21 12:46:11.710000 | Home
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Accenture sees AI adding a whopping $957 bn to GDP by 2035
Accenture sees AI adding a whopping $957 bn to GDP by 2035
Mumbai, Dec 21 (PTI) American tech major Accenture has said artificial intelligence (AI) alone will contribute a whopping USD 957 billion to the gross domestic product by 2035 wh... |
JPMorgan Chase encouraging mobile wallet use | From Q1 next year, users of JPMorgan's Chase Freedom wallet will be able to earn rewards when using Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay, in a move aimed at increasing adoption of its mobile wallet. The US mobile wallet market underperformed in 2017, and Chase Freedom struggled in particular, with just 6% of shoppers... | http://uk.businessinsider.com/chase-incentivizes-mobile-wallet-usage-2017-12?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=referral&r=US&IR=T | 2017-12-21 12:43:05.030000 | BI Intelligence
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Chase Freedom cardholders will be able to earn additional rewards by paying with Apple Pay, Android Pay, Chase Pay, and Samsung Pay in Q1 2018.
Each quarter, Chase announces ro... |
Glencore faces criminal complaint after Paradise Papers claims | Glencore faces investigation by the Swiss attorney general over whether its acquisition of a copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involved a failure to prevent illegal practices. Human rights group Public Eye lodged a criminal complaint following information revealed in the Paradise Papers, leaked earl... | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/21/paradise-papers-prompt-criminal-complaint-against-glencore | 2017-12-21 12:39:46.180000 | A watchdog group has filed a criminal complaint against the Anglo-Swiss commodities giant Glencore following revelations from the Paradise Papers.
Human rights campaigners in Switzerland have formally asked the country’s attorney general to investigate how the multinational obtained a copper mine in the Democratic Rep... |
Leaseholds to be banned on most new build homes in England | UK Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has unveiled a series of measures to tackle unfair practices in the leasehold sector, following an overwhelmingly positive public response to a recent government consultation. Javid said the new rules, covering England only, will include preventing the sale of new build leasehold ho... | https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-unfair-leasehold-practices--2 | 2017-12-21 12:38:22.337000 | Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has announced new measures to cut out unfair and abusive practices within the leasehold system, including a ban on leaseholds for almost all new build houses.
This comes as part of government action to deliver a fairer, more transparent system for homeowners to help fix the broken hou... |
Direct lending managers plan on lowering hurdle rates | Some managers of direct lending funds have been lowering hurdle rates for their products in recent fundraising rounds. The move effectively boosts overall fees, according to consultancy Bfinance. The consultancy added, however, many managers are yet to take the step, which would be unpopular with limited partners in th... | https://www.ipe.com/news/direct-lending-managers-move-to-boost-fees-by-lowering-hurdle-rates/10022370.article | 2017-12-21 12:08:29.067000 | Many asset managers selling direct lending investment vehicles have made moves to lower hurdle rates in the latest round of fundraising, which would effectively increase their overall fees, according to consultancy bfinance.
Niels Bodenheim, London-based senior director of private markets at bfinance, and Dharmy Rai, ... |
GM car owners can order and pay for items while driving | General Motors has launched Marketplace, the first automotive commerce platform that allows customers to make on-demand orders and reservations using their vehicle's dashboard. Drivers will be able to reserve tables for dinner, search for the nearest filling station and order food with Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Chevrole... | http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/dec/1205-marketplace.html | 2017-12-21 12:05:00.650000 | GM Lets Customers Order Their Morning Coffee With Their Car A simple tap on the dash can make the daily drive more productive for millions of customers
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DETROIT — Starting today, General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) is rolling out the automotive industry’s first commerce platform for on-demand reservations and purchases... |
Digital 3D printing company Carbon raises $200m in first round | 3D digital printing company Carbon has closed a $200m series D funding round, led by Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Sequoia Capital, Hydra Ventures and GE Ventures. Carbon offers the manufacturing industry hardware, software and "molecular science" support. The company is most famous for its 3... | https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/20/carbon-is-raising-200-million-to-bring-3d-printing-to-more-manufacturers/ | 2017-12-21 12:00:53.280000 | Missed the GamesBeat Summit excitement? Don't worry! Tune in now to catch all of the live and virtual sessions here.
Carbon, a digital 3D printing company for manufacturing industries, has announced the first closing in a $200 million series D round of funding from Baillie Gifford, Sequoia Capital, Fidelity Management... |
NASA sets 2069 date to reach neighbouring solar system | NASA has aims to send a space shuttle to adjacent star system Alpha Centauri by the year 2069, on the 100th anniversary of the moon landing. The star system, 24.9 trillion miles away from Earth, will be searched for signs of life, inspired by the discovery of an Earth-type planet orbiting the star Proxima Centauri last... | https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/nasa-plans-to-send-spacecraft-to-planet-in-another-solar-system-by-2069-a3724496.html | 2017-12-21 11:50:01.660000 | N ASA has announced plans for an interstellar mission to search for life outside our solar system.
The US space agency hopes to send a spacecraft to neighbouring star system Alpha Centauri by 2069, which is the 100th anniversary of the first moon landing.
The star system is 24.9 trillion miles away from Earth. It con... |
Bing should not be overlooked by advertisers: opinion | Digital marketers should consider Bing as an alternative to Google, given it is the second largest search engine and reaches one in three people undertaking searches, according to Paul Korber, Marin Software's head of customer success in the Asia-Pacific region. Bing Ads can be synchronised with Google AdWords and can ... | http://www.bandt.com.au/advertising/comes-search-engine-advertising-googles-rival-gaining-ground | 2017-12-21 11:10:29.737000 | With Christmas bells ringing, there are compelling reasons why digital marketers should turn their heads to search engines outside of Google, writes Paul Korber (pictured below), regional vice president of customer success for the Asia Pacific at Marin Software.
We know that once a brand becomes a verb, it’s well and ... |
Mars' porous rocks may be where its missing water is hiding | Results from scientific modelling carried out by Oxford University have shown that a significant proportion of Mars' water resources could be locked within rock structures. "The results revealed that the basalt rocks on Mars can hold approximately 25% more water than those on Earth, and as a result drew the water from ... | http://www.france24.com/en/20171220-thirsty-rocks-may-contain-missing-water-mars | 2017-12-21 10:58:00.747000 | Paris (AFP) –
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What happened to all the water that once sloshed in lakes and oceans on Mars? Much of it, researchers proposed Wednesday, may be locked up in stone.
Previous studies had concluded that the water was swept into space by powerful solar winds when the planet's magnetic field collapse... |
3.5 billion-year-old fossil indicates alien lifeforms on earth | Evidence that life existed on Earth much earlier than previously thought could indicate a greater likelihood of life on other planets. Scientists from the Universities of California and Wisconsin have published research claiming that microscopic fossils found in Western Australia show evidence of life 3.5 billion years... | https://www.cnet.com/news/oldest-fossils-alien-life-earth-universe-western-australia-schopf/ | 2017-12-21 10:58:00.747000 | The surface of planet Earth 3.5 billion years ago was probably quite unpleasant, to put it mildly. There were frequent volcanic eruptions, almost no oxygen and higher chances than today of getting bombarded by large asteroids. Yet somehow a diverse group of life forms was already alive and kicking here, despite such se... |
Canadian Uber drivers to pay less for insurance than taxi drivers | Uber drivers in Manitoba are set to pay significantly less for their insurance coverage than taxi drivers in the central Canadian province. According to proposals from Manitoba Public Insurance, Uber contractors can expect rates that are roughly a quarter of those paid by taxi drivers, who pay about CAD10,000 a year ($... | https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/uber-drivers-to-pay-much-less-than-taxis-for-insurance-1.3730250 | 2017-12-21 10:35:49.187000 | Uber drivers will pay a quarter of what taxi drivers do for insurance, according to rates proposed by Manitoba Public Insurance.
MPI has set proposed rates for ride sharing drivers, who work for companies like Uber and Lyft, at about $2,500 annually for drivers operating at all times of the day, every day of the week.... |
Insurtech Lemonade approved to operate in Arkansas | New York-based insurtech Lemonade has been granted permission to operate in Arkansas. The firm has been green-lighted to sell property, casualty and marine coverage in the state. Lemonade will initially be restricted to offering renters insurance in this market.
| https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2017/12/20/474918.htm | 2017-12-21 10:34:48.283000 | Insurtech company, Lemonade, has received a Certificate of Authority to do business in Arkansas.
Lemonade Insurance Co. has been approved to sell property, casualty and marine products in Arkansas with an initial limit to renters insurance. A New York-domiciled property/casualty insurance company offering renters and ... |
Indigo Ag, Maihoulang top 2017 agriculture tech finding deals | Last year saw some of the biggest funding deals in agtech, with Indigo Agriculture's record-breaking $203m Series D topping a list compiled by agfundernews.com. In second place was a $200m investment for vertical farmer Plenty, followed by Chinese outfit Maihoulang's Series A injection of $150m and Uptake's $117m Serie... | https://agfundernews.com/top-10-farm-tech-deals-of-2017.html | 2017-12-21 09:00:00 | It was an exciting year in farm technology involving a few high profile venture capital exits and some of the largest deals on record.
In fact, funding records for this category and the subcategories within were broken more than once during the course of the year.
Read about how we define Farm Technology here and the... |
The Social Security cost-of-living increase is a cruel fraud | Social Security was initiated in 1935, being signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to offer Americans an income after their retirement. However, this program has been greatly reduced. Despite a minor increase in Social Security payment due to launch in January 2018, the subsequent increases in Medicare Par... | http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-gapay-social-security-cost-of-living-shortfall-20171219-story.html | 2017-12-20 18:17:31.277000 | In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the great Social Security program. It was designed to give workers an income after retirement.
Today, it’s not so great. The tiny Social Security increase that will be bestowed on retirees and the elderly in January is a cruel fraud perpetrated by the government... |
SpaceX recovery vessel could reduce cost of each rocket by $5m | The cost of rocket missions by US company SpaceX could be reduced by around $5m if it is successful in plans to make more of the launch vehicle reusable and the firm has been developing technology that would enable it to recover the discarded payload fairing, a major part of the its rocket. An elaborate mechanism with ... | https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-fairing-grabber-claw-recovery-boat/ | 2017-12-20 18:00:08.607000 | By
A mysterious and massive piece of equipment was spotted by Redditor vshie early this morning aboard one of SpaceX’s fleet of leased ocean recovery vessels.
Captured aboard the recovery vessel Mr. Steven, the massive claw-like appendages are almost certainly linked to SpaceX’s payload fairing recovery efforts that ... |
Media transparency fallout helps smaller agencies win accounts | Smaller agencies approach the new year with increased momentum as the media transparency crisis envelops larger agencies and advertiser spend on independents increases. Research firm Comvergence tracked media billings from 21 markets over the first nine months of 2017 and found that $2.8bn had been assigned to independ... | https://digiday.com/marketing/independent-agencies-poised-win-larger-advertisers-amid-media-transparency-fallout/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=digidaydis&utm_source=uk&utm_content=171220 | 2017-12-20 17:57:36.760000 | When Capital One hired independent agency The7stars earlier this month, the advertiser’s brand director Katy Lomax hailed the agency’s “transparent approach” to media buying. Less than a week later, food-delivery company Deliveroo echoed that sentiment, calling the agency “compelling.” Both advertisers’ decisions to op... |
Musk tweets photos of Falcon Heavy rocket before its first launch | Pictures of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket being prepared for launch have been released by the company's founder, Elon Musk. The entrepreneur posted the photos on Twitter from the company's hangar at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The private space exploration company is planning to launch the reusable rocket ne... | https://www.space.com/39164-elon-musk-unveils-falcon-heavy-rocket-photos.html | 2017-12-20 17:53:24.747000 | See more
SpaceX founder Elon Musk unveiled a tantalizing first glimpse at his company's new megarocket — the Falcon Heavy — which is expected to launch on its maiden flight next month.
In an early morning Twitter post, Musk revealed several views of the new rocket under assembly inside SpaceX's hangar at Pad 39A of N... |
New chip could make quantum computing as ubiquitous as mobiles | University of South Wales (UNSW) researchers may have found a solution to making quantum computing as widespread as mobile phones. They've devised a silicon microprocessor chip that can be made using many standard industry parts but still carry out the vast amount of tasks of quantum computers that currently fill entir... | https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/quantum-computing-silicon-chip | 2017-12-20 17:20:17.267000 | One of the biggest stumbling blocks to the adoption of quantum computing on a grand scale may have just been overcome.
The onset of quantum computing on a scale of what we see today with smartphones could potentially usher in a new technological and scientific age, but getting there has proven extremely difficult.
Wh... |
Space is not a 'global commons', says Trump official | The Trump administration has reaffirmed the United States's view that outer space does not have the legal status of "global commons" or of being a public good. The head of the US National Space Council, Scott Pace, made the comment as he outlined the Trump administration's plans to incentivise private investment in spa... | https://qz.com/1159540/space-is-not-a-global-commons-top-trump-space-official-says/ | 2017-12-20 17:14:03.723000 | The US is now dedicated to “long-term exploration and utilization” of the moon, but in practice that goal will be shaped more by a scramble of private companies than any mission executed by NASA alone.
Last week, Donald Trump refocused the US space agency on returning astronauts to the moon. But without significant in... |
Solution Seeker's bespoke AI optimises oil and gas production | A Norwegian technology start-up has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of helping to optimise oil and gas production in real time. Solution Seeker created the bespoke system after it found existing machine-learning algorithms were unable to cope with the constantly changing dynamics of oil product... | http://www.scandoil.com/moxie-bm2/news/worlds-first-ai-for-oil-and-gas-production-optimis.shtml | 2017-12-20 17:04:27.757000 | Edit page New page Hide edit links
Solution Seeker has developed a hierarchical neural network model that significantly improves the predictive power for real time production optimisation (illustration: Solution Seeker)
Solution Seeker, a Norwegian tech start-up, has had a breakthrough in the technical development of... |
Moody's uses CompStak data to assess property deals risk | Rating giant Moody's has signed a data licensing agreement with, and invested in, New York-based firm CompStak. The deal enables Moody's to use CompStak's aggregated lease comparable data to help it assess commercial property risk and provide more accurate ratings for commercial mortgage-backed securities. The two comp... | https://propmodo.com/moodys-partners-real-estate-tech-company-better-assess-risk/ | 2017-12-20 16:44:13.307000 | Every decision in life can be boiled down to two criteria, risk and reward. They go hand in hand in determining the midpoint between expected gains and possible losses, an intersection that we all know as value. Due to an intrinsic value that comes from being a suitable location for humans to live and produce, real est... |
AI firm One Concern predicts natural disasters, secures $20m | Predictive AI firm One Concern has just closed a $20m funding round, backed by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Geodesic Capital and individuals including former CIA director David Petraeus. Following the announcement, a spokesperson for the company stated this will help "future proof the world". The company uses AI an... | https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/19/one-concern-raises-20-million-for-ai-that-predicts-the-impact-of-natural-disasters/ | 2017-12-20 16:42:57.823000 | Join top executives in San Francisco on July 11-12, to hear how leaders are integrating and optimizing AI investments for success. Learn More
One Concern today announced that it has closed a $20 million funding round to “future proof the world,” according to a company spokesperson. The funding will be used for researc... |
Publishers disappointed with financial return on viewable ads | Despite making accommodations to make ads more viewable, publishers are finding that the financial results may not be worth the appeal for advertisers. With advertisers demanding guaranteed viewings in exchange for large purchases, publishers expected higher value campaigns for better viewability. Instead, publishers a... | https://digiday.com/media/hitting-viewability-thresholds-pubs-underwhelmed-payoff/ | 2017-12-20 16:33:53.250000 | Publishers are bending to the will of advertisers to make their ads more viewable, but some publishers are finding the payoff isn’t as great as they anticipated.
Over the past year and a half, advertisers have continually pounded their fists, demanding that they’ll only buy ads that are guaranteed to be seen by a user... |
NASA to choose between final two for 2025 New Frontier mission | Nasa has revealed the two finalists for its New Frontiers competition. Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return aims to explore a comet previously studied by the Rosetta mission and return a sample to Earth by 2038. Dragonfly is a project to use a drone to explore the varied terrains of Saturn's biggest moon, Titan... | https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/19/science/nasa-new-frontiers-finalists.html?mtrref=news.url.google.com | 2017-12-20 16:26:57.507000 | Would you like NASA to fly a drone across Saturn’s largest moon, or to send a probe to collect samples from a duck-shaped comet?
From a dozen proposals to the agency’s New Frontiers competition — not unlike an interplanetary “Shark Tank” for a forthcoming robotic mission — NASA announced these two finalists on Wednesd... |
Facebook introduces facial recognition to stop online impersonation | Facebook is using the facial recognition technology that enables users to tag people in photos to prevent their images being used by someone else. The optional feature is a bid to curb impersonation on the social media site, and when activated, will see Facebook send notifications to users whose images have appeared on... | https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-facial-recognition-profile-photo-impersonation/ | 2017-12-20 16:17:40.443000 | That same facial-recognition software that simplifies the process of tagging Facebook photos will soon help make sure your photo isn’t being used as a stranger’s profile picture. On Tuesday, December 19, the company announced new (but optional) Facebook facial recognition tools, along with a handful of new options desi... |
Pathway for challenger banks could be improved: FinTech Australia | FinTech Australia has said that the regulatory pathway for "challenger banks" could be made easier with improvements, in response to proposed legislation from The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Under the legislation, ADIs would apply for a restricted license that allows them to take deposits up to $... | https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2017/12/126066-fintech-australia-regulatory-pathway-challenger-banks-just-ok-improved/ | 2017-12-20 15:31:05.273000 | FinTech Australia has provided a comment on the consultation paper published in August regarding authorising new entrants into the banking industry. The creation of digital challenger banks in Australia is a welcomed move but, according to FinTech Australia, needs some improvement.
The discussion paper proposes that n... |
Sony chip unit eyes robotics, self-driving cars for image sensors | Sony's chip division, buoyed by surging sales of its image sensors, is looking to incorporate the technology in self-driving cars and robotic applications. The division claims almost half the image sensor market and was the main driver behind parent Sony's estimated JPY630bn ($5.6bn) operating profit in the year to Mar... | http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/sony-aims-to-expand-image-sensor-use-in-robotics-self-driving-cars-4991199/ | 2017-12-20 15:29:36.910000 | The breakthrough, which involved reconfiguring the sensor layout and known as backside illumination, allowed Sony to grab nearly half of the market for image sensors. (Image Source: Reuters) The breakthrough, which involved reconfiguring the sensor layout and known as backside illumination, allowed Sony to grab nearly ... |
ISS receives barley shipment with a view to brewing beer in space | Astronauts on board the International Space Station will be growing barley seeds in the first step towards brewing beer in space. The project is a collaboration between beer manufacturer Budweiser and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, which aims to find out if barley will grow in a zero-gravity enviro... | http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a14457013/iss-astronauts-get-their-own-beer-brewing-supplies/?utm_medium=email&dm_i=25MP,5CRBY,QDQ64P,KPO8Y,1 | 2017-12-20 15:19:57.457000 | Every few months, the International Space Station gets a rocket full of supplies from the surface containing everything from food to replacement parts to complex scientific experiments. Last week, a rocket sent one of these payloads to the ISS as usual, although it contained something a little different: a bunch of bar... |
WeWork settles trademark dispute with Chinese equivalent URWork | Co-working companies WeWork and URWork have settled their trademark dispute, and withdrawn their London-based case. Chinese company URWork will only use that title in China, going under the name “You Ke Gong Chang” (优客工厂) in other locations to avoid confusion with WeWork. WeWork had filed the suit in the US in Septembe... | https://technode.com/2017/12/19/wework-urwork-settle-us-trademark-lawsuit/ | 2017-12-20 14:58:53.147000 | The trademark dispute between US co-working behemoth WeWork and its Chinese counterpart URWork in the US has been settled to the satisfaction of both parties. A similar case between the two parties in London has also been withdrawn.
It seems that English name of the Chinese co-working giant—”URwork”—will only appear i... |
Panda excrement recycled into tissues in China | Chinese paper company Jianwei Fengsheng is using panda droppings collected from a local conservation centre to make tissues and toilet paper. One box of tissues costs CNY43 ($6.50), more than 10 times the cost of regular tissue, the company claims the higher cost is due to 60 necessary sterilisation procedures - includ... | https://qz.com/1161370/panda-poop-is-being-turned-into-tissues-in-china/ | 2017-12-20 14:38:23.380000 | Pandas are undeniably adorable, but would you wipe your mouth with tissues made from their feces? A paper manufacturer in China is betting on it, and thinks you’ll pay extra for the privilege.
Jianwei Fengsheng, based in the southwestern province of Sichuan—a panda hotspot—is collecting panda waste from a nearby conse... |
HIVE announces first tranche of investment | HIVE Blockchain Technologies has closed its first tranche of up to CAD115m ($90m), in a round led by GMP Securities and Eventus Capital. The round of private placement also included Haywood Securities and PI Financial. The tranche involved the sale of over 15 million units, each comprising one common share and one shar... | https://www.hiveblockchain.com/news/hive-blockchain-closes-50-million-first-tranche-of-financing/ | 2017-12-20 14:32:36.857000 | Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States
Zug, Switzerland and Vancouver, Canada – HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (TSX.V:HIVE) (the “Company” or “HIVE”), the leading publicly listed blockchain infrastructure company, is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tra... |
Facebook launches new tools to prevent abuse and bullying | Facebook has created two new tools aimed at reducing bullying and abusive behaviour on the site. One feature monitors information such as IP addresses to prevent blocked users from simply creating new accounts. The second works in concert with Facebook Messenger and enables users to automatically ignore communications,... | https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-tries-to-cut-down-on-abuse-and-harassment/ | 2017-12-20 14:29:53.600000 | Facebook says it's trying to make sure you're safer when you use its services.
The social network on Tuesday unveiled new tools aimed at curbing abuse and bullying on its platform.
One tool is designed to make sure that when you block someone who's been harassing you, the person can't simply create a new account and ... |
Aker BP buys stake in oil recovery technology firm | Norwegian oil company Aker BP has bought a 17% stake in Fishbones, a company that has been developing unconventional stimulation technology that enhances production from tight oil reservoirs. Fishbones' method, which involves inserting 12 metre-long needles into the reservoir formation, was tested between 2008 and 2012... | https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/19122017/aker-bp-investing-in-technology-for-increased-recovery/ | 2017-12-20 14:12:58.587000 | Aker BP has invested in and acquired a 17% stake in the company Fishbones AS. Fishbones is an unconventional stimulation technology applied to increase the production rates in tight reservoirs.
The Fishbone concept was initially developed for a field trial at Valhall from 2008 to 2012, but was not put to use. The tech... |
YouTube improves vertical video playback for iOS devices | YouTube's latest iPhone update enables vertical videos to be viewed on iOS without black bars, the Google-owned company said on Twitter. The tweak applies to all formats of video, which will be automatically adjusted to fit iOS smartphones, bringing YouTube in line with Snapchat and Instagram.
| https://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-videos-on-your-iphone-will-no-longer-have-black-bars/ | 2017-12-20 14:00:57.800000 | Platforms like Snapchat and Instagram have made recording and watching vertical videos commonplace. But if you've ever played a vertical video on YouTube, two giant black bars filled most of your screen. YouTube's latest update for the iPhone changes that.
On Tuesday, in a Twitter post, the venerable site for internet... |
Ryanair investigated over pay by MPs | Ryanair, the low-cost Irish airline, is to be investigated by two UK parliamentary committees following allegations that staff have been underpaid and forced to pay for their own uniforms. The company’s boss, Michael O’Leary, has been contacted by the chairs of the work and pensions and business select committees, Fran... | https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/dec/20/ryanair-working-conditions-investigation-michael-o-leary | 2017-12-20 13:45:04.830000 | Ryanair will be investigated by two parliamentary committees after allegations about employee working conditions, including that the airline has been “trying to wriggle out” of paying its staff the national minimum wage.
Frank Field, who chairs the work and pensions committee, and Rachel Reeves, who chairs the busines... |
Lyft to use AR glasses to help the visually impaired hail taxis | Lyft is partnering with San Diego start-up Aira to make it easier for visually impaired people to use the ride-hailing service, with the help of smart glasses and an augmented reality app on the driver's dashboard. Aira users can get information on the location of designated pick-up spots, estimated time of pick-up and... | https://www.engadget.com/2017/12/19/lyft-augmented-reality-glasses/ | 2017-12-20 13:27:11.353000 | Lyft is making it easier for the visually impaired to take a ride AR glasses will deliver information from the dashboard to the rider.
Lyft is working with assistive community Aira to make catching a ride easier for the visually impaired. That means wearable smart glasses and an augmented reality implement for their d... |
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