Think Starting a Business in The US is Hard? Try Italy

If you think it’s hard to start a business here in the United States, you might just consider how hard people perceive it in other countries.  A whopping 96% of Italians say their government makes it hard to start a business. Greece, Spain and Portugal aren’t far behind — with 93%, 82% and 80% respectively saying their governments make it hard.



Think Starting a Business in The US is Hard? Try Italy

Tesla car doors can be hacked - Mar. 31, 2014

Hackers can unlock a high-tech Tesla car door by using the same run-of-the-mill techniques they use to crack open computers.

Tesla car doors can be hacked - Mar. 31, 2014

Caterpillar avoided $2.4 billion in taxes, report claims - Mar. 31, 2014

Caterpillar, the maker of industrial equipment, avoided or deferred $2.4 billion in U.S. taxes over a 13-year period by shifting profits to a Swiss affiliate, a Senate subcommittee majority report asserted Monday.

Caterpillar avoided $2.4 billion in taxes, report claims - Mar. 31, 2014

New GM recall affects 1.3 million cars - Mar. 31, 2014

General Motors issued a new recall Monday affecting 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S. for a sudden loss of power steering.

New GM recall affects 1.3 million cars - Mar. 31, 2014

Facebook execs get another big payday - Mar. 31, 2014

Facebook executives took home another big haul for their efforts in 2013, even though their pay packages weren't quite as lucrative as they were in 2012.

Facebook execs get another big payday - Mar. 31, 2014

FTC cracks down on telemarketing scam that frauded seniors out of millions - Mar. 31, 2014

Federal regulators have stopped a major telemarketing scheme that they say scammed tens of thousands of elderly consumers out of more than $20 million.

FTC cracks down on telemarketing scam that frauded seniors out of millions - Mar. 31, 2014

Judge dismisses Flight 370 legal action - Mar. 31, 2014

An effort to get more information about Malaysia Airlines andBoeing (BA, Fortune 500), the maker of the carrier's missing 777 jet, has been dismissed in an Illinois court.

Judge dismisses Flight 370 legal action - Mar. 31, 2014

Which baseball stadiums will charge you the most? - Mar. 31, 2014

Baseball season is now officially underway, and some fans are about to find out that a day at the ballpark just got a little more expensive.

Which baseball stadiums will charge you the most? - Mar. 31, 2014

University of Akron Uses Energy Savings to Fund Additional Campus Improvements

Johnson Controls Press Release:

University of Akron Uses Energy Savings to Fund Additional Campus Improvements

Johnson Controls to Deliver $58 Million in Operational and Energy Efficiency Savings

MILWAUKEE, March 31, 2014 – Johnson Controls, a global multi-industrial company with established core businesses in the automotive, building and energy storage industries, will help the University of Akron cut the energy consumed across campus and reinvest those savings into university upgrades. Initially, the university will save about 20 percent by 2016. Overall, the 15-year contract is projected to result in more than $58 million through streamlined operational and energy savings.

The program will allow the university to meet the state’s goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent in 2014.  This initiative will also put the university in a leadership position by using energy-saving technology and conservation.

“This project allows us to meet our goals to drastically reduce energy consumption across campus while addressing critical deferred maintenance needs,” said Ralph Morrone, director of engineering, energy and sustainability at the University of Akron. “Our partners worked closely with our top notch operations team to build a strong project that saves money while improving our academic environment -- all on a scale that we could not possibly design, implement, or manage with our current staffing levels.”

The program will reduce electrical, gas and water consumption and annually save the university about $4 million in energy and operational expenses.  Those savings will pay for the energy upgrades as well as other needed maintenance throughout the campus.

The program uses a guaranteed energy performance contract.  That means the upgrades will be paid for by the savings in energy and utility costs over the term of the contract.  The university will not pay upfront costs and Johnson Controls guarantees the contracted savings. The company has been engaged in more than 2,500 performance contracting projects with guaranteed savings of $7.5 billion.

“This is one of the largest upgrade programs of its kind,” said Dave Peters, regional vice president and general manager for Johnson Controls, Building Efficiency. “By using this type of financing the university can reduce its energy use, enhance the campus environment and shrink its carbon footprint – all while conserving financial resources.”

The project includes significant upgrades and optimization of specific laboratory environments, advanced analytics for monitoring energy and mechanical equipment and an expanded integrated demand response program.  In addition, there will be lighting, water and mechanical upgrades as well as improvements to building envelopes.

Johnson Controls’ building management system, Metasys®, will be combined with its Panoptix® cloud-based system to collect building data and offer improved visibility into building operations to optimize energy savings and building performance.

Johnson Controls partnered with the Brewer Garrett Company to develop and execute this project with the university. Both organizations worked closely with the University of Akron’s technical team to develop solutions. Student interns will help execute the project, giving them hands-on experience and training.

University of Akron has more than 27,000 students and offers in excess of 300 undergraduate and graduate programs.  Located in metropolitan Akron, the university has more than 80 buildings on 218 acres.  Since 2000, it has added 22 buildings, completed 18 major additions, acquisitions and renovations, and created 34 acres of green space.

Follow us at @JCI_BEnews

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/benews

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 170,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

Court blocks Ryan Seacrest's Typo case - Mar. 31, 2014

A federal judge has banned Ryan Seacrest's Frankenstein iPhone-and-BlackBerry device.

Court blocks Ryan Seacrest's Typo case - Mar. 31, 2014

Verizon Introduces Single Security Suite for All Devices - Mobile and Desktop

A new survey reveals 88% of consumers around the world own more than one Web-enabled device. And 62% of U.S. consumers own more than three devices, another concludes.



Verizon Introduces Single Security Suite for All Devices - Mobile and Desktop

Five questions for Mary Barra on GM's recall problems - Mar. 31, 2014

Mary Barra has spent much of her first three months as General Motors CEO apologizing for the company's failure to recall 2.6 million vehicles until after 13 deaths had occurred.

Five questions for Mary Barra on GM's recall problems - Mar. 31, 2014

Lufthansa cancels 3,800 flights as pilots strike - Mar. 31, 2014

German airline Lufthansa canceled about 3,800 flights scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because of a planned pilot strike.

Lufthansa cancels 3,800 flights as pilots strike - Mar. 31, 2014

World's First Transcatheter Valve, Medtronic Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Shows Positive Clinical Outcomes in Real-World Study

Medtronic News Release:

World's First Transcatheter Valve, Medtronic Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Shows Positive Clinical Outcomes in Real-World Study

Has Repaired Hearts of 6,000+ Patients; More Than Half Are Children MINNEAPOLIS and WASHINGTON - March 30, 2014 - Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced the one-year results of the Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (TPV) U.S. Post-Approval Study, which found that real-world use of the Melody TPV was associated with high procedural success, excellent valve function and few repeat procedures at the primary endpoint of six months. These results were sustained out to one year. The Melody TPV was the first transcatheter valve to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the first transcatheter valve available anywhere in the world. The therapy has treated more than 6,000 patients worldwide to date, more than half of whom are children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 63rd Annual Scientific Session, the study results demonstrated a procedural success rate of 98.0 percent and showed that nearly all patients were free from major stent fracture (99.0 percent), transcatheter pulmonary valve dysfunction (98.0 percent) and reintervention (100.0 percent) at six months. Following FDA approval in 2010 of the Melody TPV under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE), the device equivalent of regulations for "orphan" drugs, the post-approval study prospectively enrolled 120 patients at 10 U.S. sites not included in the U.S. Melody TPV Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) Clinical Trial. The patients had a mean age of 20 years (ranging from ages 5 to 45).  The post-approval study results confirm the positive findings of the original Melody TPV U.S. IDE Clinical Trial, reinforcing the device's ability to safely prolong the time between open-heart surgeries for patients with a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) caused by CHD. "The positive results garnered in this real-world setting mirror those seen in other studies of the Melody valve," said Aimee K. Armstrong, M.D., associate director, University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories. "The one-year results show strong performance of the valve, which is intended to delay the time until open-heart surgery is needed. Decreasing the number of open-heart surgeries that our patients need has a significant impact on their lives and quality of life." Adverse events seen in the post-approval study ranged from fever to arrhythmia; and endocarditis (n=3) to confined conduit tear (n=6), the latter of which were all resolved with the use of a covered stent. CHD is the most common birth defect in the United States; it affects an estimated 40,000 U.S. babies each year.1,2,3Approximately 20 percent of those infants have deformities that disrupt the blood flow from their RVOT to the pulmonary arteries.4A subset of these children will receive a connecting conduit early in life to improve that blood flow. If a patient's RVOT conduit fails later in life but is still of adequate size to address the patient's needs (i.e., the patient has not outgrown the conduit), then a Melody TPV may be implanted to help delay a surgical pulmonic valve replacement, which is a much more invasive procedure than transcatheter valve replacement. "Open-heart surgery can come with significant risks, not to mention pain and discomfort, so the quality of life for these children with CHD can be compromised given the number of surgeries they typically have to endure over their lifetime," said John Liddicoat, M.D., senior vice president, Medtronic, and president of the Medtronic Structural Heart Business. "The Melody TPV is making a big difference in the lives of these young patients, and we're committed to continuing to provide successful therapies for this underserved patient group." Following the late-breaking trial, a moderated poster, titled "Current Results of the MELODY Registry - an International Multicenter Registry of Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Implantation (TPVI)," also was presented today at the ACC Scientific Session by the German Heart Center, Berlin. The multicenter MELODY Registry represents the largest patient series after TPV implantation to date and further confirmed the safety of the Melody TPV in more than 1,000 CHD patients in real-world clinical practice. In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world. About Medtronic Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. -end- 1 Congenital heart disease. National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus. Accessed on February 26, 2014. Available at:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001114.htm. 2 Hoffman JL, Kaplan S. The incidence of congenital heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2002;39(12):1890-1900. 3 Reller MD, Strickland MJ, Riehle-Colarusso T, Mahle WT, Correa A. Prevalence of congenital heart defects in metropolitan Atlanta, 1998-2005. J Pediatrics. 2008;153:807-813. 4 McElhinney DB, Hennesen JT.  The Melody® valve and Ensemble® delivery system for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement.  Ann NY Acad Sci. 2013; 1291: 77-85.

Medtronic Global SYMPLICITY Registry Shows Strong Safety Profile of the Symplicity(TM) Renal Denervation System

Medtronic News Release:

Medtronic Global SYMPLICITY Registry Shows Strong Safety Profile of the Symplicity(TM) Renal Denervation System

Six-Month Analysis of First 1,000 Patients Enrolled in Real-World Patient Registry Presented at ACC.14 MINNEAPOLIS and WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 30, 2014 -Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), announced today further analysis of six-month follow-up data from the first 1,000 patients enrolled in the Global SYMPLICITY Registry, which continue to demonstrate the safety of the Symplicity(TM) renal denervation system. Presented today during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the 63rd Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the results of this observational, open-label study show that renal denervation with the Symplicity(TM) renal denervation system resulted in significant reductions in both office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure compared to baseline, with very low adverse event rates to six months. The Symplicity(TM) renal denervation system is available for investigational use only in the United States.  "The Global SYMPLICITY Registry provides further evidence confirming the well-established safety profile of renal denervation with the Symplicity system," said Michael Böhm, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany and Global SYMPLICITY Registry co-chair.  "Presented on the heels of SYMPLICITY HTN-3, this real-world experience provides a significant contribution to the discussion about the efficacy of renal denervation and offers additional perspective when considering the option of renal denervation in clinical practice for high-risk patients suffering from uncontrolled hypertension who may have limited treatment options." Yesterday, Medtronic announced the full results of the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 clinical trial, which were presented March 29, 2014 in late-breaking session at ACC and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine. SYMPLICITY HTN-3, the first and only blinded, randomized, sham controlled study of renal denervation for treatment-resistant hypertension, met its primary safety endpoint but did not meet its primary or powered secondary efficacy endpoints. The Global SYMPLICITY Registry is the largest and the first-of-its-kind to evaluate uncontrolled hypertension patients and the safety of renal denervation procedure with the Symplicity(TM) renal denervation system in a real-world setting. The primary goal of the registry is to confirm procedural safety with the Symplicity system and monitor the office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, as per standard of care at the enrolling centers. Of the 1,000 patients enrolled at the time of the analysis, six-month safety data were available for 913 patients. The data showed renal denervation with the Symplicity system was associated with adverse events in less than one percent of patients, with no cases of renal artery stenosis resulting from the procedure. Of all patients available for six-month follow-up, overall office systolic blood pressure reduction was 11.9 mm Hg (n=751), and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure reduction was 7.9 mm Hg (n=404). For patients with office blood pressure >= 160 mm Hg and ambulatory blood pressure >= 135 at baseline receiving greater >= 3 antihypertensive medication classes had a blood pressure reduction of 20.2 mm Hg at 6 months (n=244). The Global SYMPLICITY Registry will seek to enroll more than 5,000 patients in a minimum of 200 centers with planned follow-up to five years. The registry will also gather data for other co-morbid diseases often associated with hypertension and by elevated sympathetic drive, such as diabetes mellitus type 2, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular diseases and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers worldwide. ABOUT MEDTRONIC Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. - end - Symplicity is a trademark of Medtronic Inc. and is registered in one or more countries of the world.

Baxter Announces Plans to Create Two Separate Leading Global Healthcare Companies

Press releases

Baxter Announces Plans to Create Two Separate Leading Global Healthcare Companies  

Independent Companies Will Focus On Biopharmaceuticals
And Medical Products

Company Plans Tax-Free Distribution Of New Publicly Traded Stock In New Biopharmaceuticals Business

DEERFIELD, Ill., March 27, 2014 - Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) today announced plans to create two separate, independent global healthcare companies – one focused on developing and marketing innovative biopharmaceuticals and the other on life-saving medical products.  Both will be global leaders in their respective markets.

Baxter has positioned both businesses to be successful, profitable and sustainable independent companies, and this decision reflects further evolution of Baxter's multi-faceted strategies emphasizing a commitment to innovation and operational excellence. To date, this has led to the development of a robust pipeline of novel and cost-effective therapies and numerous in-licensing collaborations within the biopharmaceuticals business, and the medical products portfolio was recently bolstered by the acquisition of Gambro AB, a global provider and leader of dialysis products, providing a number of longer-term growth opportunities as well as significant commercial and cost synergies.

"Baxter has an established history of executing successful spinoffs, and we have continued to evaluate the separation of these two businesses in response to diverging business dynamics and the rapidly changing macro-environment," said Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer. "This decision underscores Baxter's commitment to ensuring its long-term strategic priorities remain aligned with shareholders' best interests, while improving our competitive position and performance, enhancing operational, commercial and scientific effectiveness and creating value for patients, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders."

The two businesses operate in distinct markets with corresponding underlying fundamentals, and each possesses unique and compelling growth prospects, investment requirements and risk profiles. The spinoff will create two, well-capitalized independent companies with strong balance sheets, investment grade profiles, and disciplined approaches to capital allocation. In addition, Baxter believes that the separation will result in other material benefits to the stand-alone companies, including:

• Greater management focus on the distinct businesses of biopharmaceuticals and medical products
• Ability to more effectively commercialize new and existing product offerings
• Ability to drive innovation across the franchises and allocate necessary resources to the areas presenting the highest growth potential
• Flexibility to pursue respective growth and investment strategies resulting in revenue acceleration, improved profitability and enhanced returns

The biopharmaceuticals business, with 2013 annual revenues of approximately $6 billion, consists of a diverse portfolio of recombinant and plasma-based proteins to treat hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, and plasma-based therapies to treat immune deficiencies, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, burns and shock, and other chronic and acute blood-related conditions. This business's strategy is aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment and standards of care across a wide range of bleeding disorders and chronic diseases, enhancing capacity to meet growing demand for biotherapeutics, leveraging expertise into new emerging therapeutics through acquisitions and collaborations, and developing a robust new product pipeline focused on new and effective treatments that address unmet medical needs.

"Today's news represents a significant milestone that will result in material benefits for key stakeholders," said Ludwig N. Hantson, Ph.D., president, BioScience. "We are confident that this decision not only strengthens our outlook, it positions us well to execute on our future growth prospects, new product pipeline and other opportunities as we enter a new era in the journey to achieve our aspiration as a premier biopharmaceuticals company."

The medical products business, with 2013 annual sales of more than
$9 billion, offers a broad portfolio of intravenous (IV) solutions and nutritional therapies, drug delivery systems and administration sets, premixed and other injectable drugs, as well as inhalation anesthetics and hospital-based biosurgery products. This business is also integrating the Gambro AB acquisition, which complements Baxter's existing renal therapies franchise and provides customers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services to treat end-stage renal disease across the full continuum of care. The medical products company will focus on strengthening its market leadership through geographic expansion and increased penetration, leveraging its extensive hospital presence and global footprint, developing comprehensive solutions to improve patient outcomes and safety, and enhancing profitability through a more streamlined and flexible cost structure.

The corporate headquarters of both companies will be located in northern Illinois. Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., will serve as chairman and chief executive officer of the medical products company, which will retain the Baxter International name. Ludwig N. Hantson, Ph.D., who currently serves as president, BioScience, will be named chief executive officer of the new biopharmaceuticals company, which will be named at a later date. Hantson joined Baxter in 2010 from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation where he served in a number of roles of increasing responsibility, the most recent of which was chief executive officer, Pharma North America.  Prior to Novartis, Hantson spent 13 years at Johnson & Johnson.  Wayne T. Hockmeyer, Ph.D., who joined Baxter's board in 2007, has agreed to serve as non-executive chairman of the board of the new biopharmaceuticals company. Dr. Hockmeyer founded MedImmune, Inc., and served as its chairman and chief executive officer.

Transaction DetailsThe transaction is intended to take the form of a tax-free distribution to Baxter shareholders of a new publicly traded stock in the new biopharmaceuticals company. The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-year 2015, subject to market, regulatory and certain other conditions, including final approval by the Baxter Board of Directors, receipt of a favorable opinion and/or rulings with respect to the tax-free nature of the transaction, and the effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Baxter expects to incur one-time charges related to the transaction during the reporting periods preceding the separation and does not otherwise expect this to impact the company's financial guidance for 2014.

Conference CallBaxter will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors to discuss this news release today at 7:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time (8:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time). To access the call, please dial 877-894-0694 (domestic) or 347-983-2217 (international). The conference ID for the call is 20483460.  Please dial into the call several minutes prior to the start of the call to allow sufficient time for the operator to connect participants. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the Baxter website at www.baxter.com. Slides relating to the investor presentation are available on the investor relations section of Baxter's website. A replay of the webcast also will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast by visiting www.baxter.com.

Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. 

Shoeboxed Review: Survive Tax Season Their Help

Tax season strikes certain weariness into small business owners. Some say its fear, but I think it is more likely that we dread the time sink of preparing our own taxes or working with a CPA or accountant.



Shoeboxed Review: Survive Tax Season Their Help

What we know - and don't know - about Obamacare - Mar. 31, 2014

Obamacare open enrollment is drawing to close, though that doesn't mean the fervor over health care reform will subside anytime soon.

What we know - and don't know - about Obamacare - Mar. 31, 2014

Janet Yellen wants you to get a raise - Mar. 31, 2014

"In some ways, the job market is tougher now than in any recession."

Janet Yellen wants you to get a raise - Mar. 31, 2014

U.S. require new cars to have backup cameras - Mar. 31, 2014

Automakers will be required to install backup cameras in most new vehicles by May 2018, a federal agency announced Monday.

U.S. require new cars to have backup cameras - Mar. 31, 2014

Duke Energy recognizes its heroes on National Lineman Appreciation Day - Duke Energy

Duke Energy recognizes its heroes on National Lineman Appreciation Day - Duke Energy

Why the IRS and BLS Disagree on Self-Employment Trends

Are more or fewer Americans engaged in self-employment than a decade ago? While you might think that this is a simple factual question, its answer depends on which federal government agency’s numbers you look at.



Why the IRS and BLS Disagree on Self-Employment Trends

Good Advice for All Small Businesses, Not Just Voice Actors

Welcome to Zombie-land, where everyone and their 5-year old nephew has a smartphone and is posting, commenting, liking, retweeting, repinning, following, hashtagging their way to….. what exactly?

Video: 8:51

http://www.voiceovergarden.com/are-you-a-cussing-bragging-bitch/

Regulatory update: Votrient® (pazopanib) as maintenance therapy for advanced ovarian cancer in the EU

GSK News Release:

Regulatory update: Votrient® (pazopanib) as maintenance therapy for advanced ovarian cancer in the EU

Issued: Monday 31 March 2014, London UK

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced that it has withdrawn its application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for a variation to the Marketing Authorisation for Votrient^® (pazopanib). This application, made in August 2013, was related to the additional indication for the maintenance treatment of women with FIGO stage II-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who had not progressed after receiving first-line chemotherapy.

GSK has taken the decision because the data from the planned second interim Overall Survival (OS) analysis of the phase III study did not support the overall benefit:risk for Votrient in this indication. The hazard ratio for OS was 1.076 (p=0.4985; 95% CI: 0.868; 1.333).These data will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming medical congress. GSK does not intend to progress further with this indication in other countries.

“There is significant unmet need in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer”, said Dr Rafael Amado, Head of Oncology R&D at GSK.

“We believe that, in spite of the improvement in progression free survival observed in our Phase III study, the totality of the evidence including these more mature OS data, do not support an overall positive benefit-risk for Votrient in this indication. While we are disappointed by these results, we will progress additional analyses which may add to the body of scientific evidence in this disease setting.”

The regulatory submission for Votrient in this indication was based on the results from AGO-OVAR-16 (VEG110655),  a randomised, double-blind, phase III, placebo-controlled study which evaluated the efficacy and safety of pazopanib monotherapy as compared with placebo in women with FIGO stage II-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer whose disease had not progressed after first-line chemotherapy. 

GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

Deflation risk raises head again in Europe - Mar. 31, 2014

Price pressures in the eurozone continued their four-month slide in March, sparking renewed talk about the risk of deflation and central bank action to spur the economy.

Deflation risk raises head again in Europe - Mar. 31, 2014

Rand Paul's hopes for a flat tax - Mar. 31, 2014

When it comes to taxes, Rand Paul wants them simple and flat.

Rand Paul's hopes for a flat tax - Mar. 31, 2014

New IRS rules make using Bitcoins a fiasco - Mar. 31, 2014

The United States' new Bitcoin tax rules just made casual, everyday use a complicated bookkeeping headache.

New IRS rules make using Bitcoins a fiasco - Mar. 31, 2014

GSK announces new strategic investments in Africa to increase access to medicines, build capacity and deliver sustainable growth

GSK News Release:

GSK announces new strategic investments in Africa to increase access to medicines, build capacity and deliver sustainable growth

- Creates world’s first R&D Open Lab to increase understanding of non-      communicable diseases and support development of new medicines for Africa
- Significantly increases African manufacturing presence to build  capacity and enhance regional self sufficiency
- Establishes 25 academic Chairs at African universities to support development of local skills and capabilities in science, engineering, public health and other related areas
- Commits to train an additional 10,000 community healthworkers across sub-Saharan Africa

Issued: Monday 31 March 2014, 11.00 BST / 12.00 CEST

GSK today announced a series of new investments in sub-Saharan Africa designed to address pressing health needs and contribute to long-term business growth.  Speaking at the 5^th EU-Africa Business Forum in Brussels, GSK CEO Sir Andrew Witty set out the company’s intent to partner with governments of African countries to help stimulate more research into chronic diseases, increase capacity by localising medicines supply and strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

This will see GSK make targeted investments of up to £130 million in Africa over the next five years, creating at least 500 jobs and contributing to the development of home-grown capabilities and skills in Africa. This builds on GSK’s existing business base in sub-Saharan Africa, which currently employs around 1,500 people in over 40 countries, including at three existing local manufacturing sites in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

Speaking at the meeting, Andrew Witty said: “Today, we are setting out further steps to tackle Africa’s dual health burden of infectious and emerging non-communicable diseases and help build crucial capacity to underpin the development of the healthcare sector in the region.  We have a unique opportunity to deliver meaningful social and economic value to all of the communities we work in – using our scientific expertise and our global reach to develop innovative medicines and deliver them to people who need them around the world.

“With global attention focused on how we support development beyond 2015, now is the moment for business to play a more active role in contributing to a more prosperous future in Africa, investing in infrastructure, building skills and capability to unlock human potential and create jobs. Our long-term goal is to equip Africa to discover, develop and produce the medicines required for Africa.”

Supporting the development of new medicines for Africa

GSK will invest £25 million to create the world’s first R&D Open Lab for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa. This builds on the success of GSK’s Open Lab in Tres Cantos, Spain which gives independent researchers access to GSK facilities, resources and knowledge to help them advance their own research projects into diseases of the developing world such as malaria, tuberculosis and leishmaniasis.

The new R&D Open Lab for NCDs in Africa will see GSK scientists collaborate with research and scientific centres across Africa from its hub at GSK’s Stevenage R&D facility in the UK to conduct high quality epidemiological, genetic and interventional research to increase understanding of NCDs in Africa. An independent governing board of leading scientists and clinicians will oversee the implementation of NCD research projects within a dynamic and networked open innovation environment.

The open lab aims to improve understanding of NCD variations seen in the Africa setting, which could include for example the apparent higher prevalence of treatment-resistant hypertension and aggressive breast cancers in younger women. It is hoped that these insights will inform prevention and treatment strategies and will enable researchers across academia and industry to discover and develop new medicines to address the specific needs of African patients.

The open lab will directly support the training and education of African scientific researchers who will participate in a portfolio of projects, building local expertise, creating a new generation of African NCD experts while instilling a deep vein of ‘African thinking’ within GSK’s own R&D organisation.

Forming innovative partnerships to transform medicines supply in Africa

Over the next five years, GSK will look to partner with a number of African countries to develop domestic manufacturing capacity and capability. This will see GSK invest up to £100m to expand its existing manufacturing capability in Nigeria and Kenya and build up to five new factories in Africa. The company is currently reviewing possible locations in countries including Rwanda, Ghana and Ethiopia and the selected sites will be announced in due course and subject to Government agreement.

The new facilities will be built to globally recognised good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards and will make locally relevant products such as antibiotics and respiratory and HIV medicines (on behalf of ViiV Healthcare). The initial focus will be on secondary manufacture with the aim to transfer the technology, skills and knowledge needed to enable the local manufacture of more complex products over time. The factories will create a network of localised industry and local employment for a highly skilled workforce drawn from surrounding communities.

To support the scale-up of domestic manufacturing and supply, GSK will establish up to 25 academic Chairs at local African universities in related areas such as pharmaceutical sciences, public health, engineering and logistics. These roles will facilitate the development of new courses as well as internships and student exchanges, and will be pivotal to ensuring manufacturing capability is locked into the continent to help attract further manufacturing investment.

GSK is also taking steps to improve and simplify its supply chain with the creation of regional supply hubs that will help to reduce stock shortages and local supply partnerships to enable more GSK products and medicines to reach under-served rural communities in Africa. These steps will help reduce Africa’s reliance on imported medicines, improving the security of supply and reducing production costs and transportation which in time should help contribute to lower prices.

Creating a tailored portfolio of medicines to address Africa-specific health needs

GSK will also optimise its portfolio of medicines for NCDs by working in collaboration with its local partner, Aspen, and with regulators to increase the registration of medicines and vaccines in its existing portfolio, such as its Amoxil antibiotic and its Ventolin respiratory medicine, where not already available.

At the same time, the company continues to work to develop new products designed to meet the specific needs of Africa, for example through its ongoing work with partners to develop the world’s first vaccine against malaria and to create new nutritional products fortified with micro-nutrients to tackle childhood malnourishment.

Playing a part in strengthening healthcare systems

GSK will also increase its support for community health worker training, in recognition of the vital role they play in delivering basic healthcare to many communities. As part of its initiative to reinvest 20% of any profits generated in LDCs back into strengthening healthcare infrastructure in those countries, GSK is already supporting the training of 15,000 healthcare workers with its NGO partners by the end of 2014.

GSK’s commitment to healthcare worker training will now be expanded to include low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the next three years, GSK will partner with charities to help train and upskill 10,000 community healthcare workers across Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria under the umbrella of the One Million Community Health Worker campaign, a UN-led initiative directed by Professor Jeffrey Sachs. The investment will be targeted at supporting the most remote and marginalised communities to help address healthcare inequalities that exist even in fast-growing countries.

These changes build on steps taken by GSK over the past six years to modernise its business model and help improve access to medicines in developing countries. This has seen the company cap the prices of its patented medicines at no more than 25% of developed world prices and reinvest 20% of any profit made back into training healthcare workers in the world’s poorest countries and pursue open innovation models for diseases of the developing world.

Notes to editors

· GSK has a long history in the developing world. Its vaccines are included in immunisation campaigns in 170 countries worldwide and of the 862 million vaccine doses delivered in 2013, more than 80% were shipped for use in developing countries.

· In 2013, GSK donated its four billionth tablet of albendazole to treat intestinal worms and lymphatic filariasis – part of the company’s long-term commitment to tackle neglected tropical diseases which affect people in the world’s poorest countries.

· GSK has formed a ground-breaking five-year partnership with Save the Children, to help save the lives of one million children living in the poorest countries in Africa. The partnership combines the resources and capabilities of two organisations to help bring medicines and vaccines to some of the world’s poorest children, train thousands of healthcare workers, and seek to alleviate child malnutrition.

GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

Frigid relations with Russia could spur Europe's shale gas industry - Mar. 31, 2014

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Frigid relations with Russia could spur Europe's shale gas industry - Mar. 31, 2014

ABC's Josh Elliott leaving 'Good Morning America' for NBC Sports - Mar. 30, 2014

Josh Elliott, the news anchor on ABC's "Good Morning America" who has been in line for the main chair on the program, is leaving the network to join NBC Sports.

ABC's Josh Elliott leaving 'Good Morning America' for NBC Sports - Mar. 30, 2014

260,000 graduates in minimum wage jobs - Mar. 31, 2014

If you thought paying tens of thousands of dollars for a college education guaranteed a high-paying job, think again.

260,000 graduates in minimum wage jobs - Mar. 31, 2014

Ten New Mexico small businesses recognized at Innovation Celebration April 3

Small businesses participating in projects using the technical expertise and assistance of Los Alamos and Sandia are being recognized.



Ten New Mexico small businesses recognized at Innovation Celebration April 3

3 measures of Obamacare's success - Mar. 30, 2014

Who cares that 6 million people have signed up for Obamacare? That doesn't mean the program is a success.

3 measures of Obamacare's success - Mar. 30, 2014

GSK presents data from Phase III STABILITY study of darapladib in patients with chronic coronary heart disease

GSK News Release:

GSK presents data from Phase III STABILITY study of darapladib in patients with chronic coronary heart disease

Issued: 30 March 2014, London UK

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today presented data from the pivotal Phase III STABILITY study of darapladib at the American College of Cardiology 63^rd Annual Scientific Session in Washington, DC. The data have also been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Darapladib is not approved for use anywhere in the world.

This global, double-blind, event-driven trial randomized 15,828 patients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) to receive 160mg of darapladib or placebo once daily on a background of standard of care. The primary endpoint was time to first occurrence of any major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) comprising cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Secondary endpoints included major coronary events (MCE) comprising CHD death, MI or urgent coronary revascularisation for myocardial ischemia; total coronary events comprising CHD death, MI, hospitalisation for unstable angina or any coronary revascularisation procedure; the individual components of MACE; and all-cause mortality.

No difference was seen in the treatment groups in the time to first occurrence of MACE. During 3.7 years median follow-up, the primary endpoint of MACE occurred in 9.7% of patients in the darapladib group and 10.4% of patients in the placebo group; hazard ratio (HR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (0.85 - 1.03), p=0.199. HRs for individual components were cardiovascular death 0.96 (0.83 - 1.11), MI 0.89 (0.77 - 1.03) and stroke 1.01 (0.81 - 1.27).

Among the secondary endpoints, major coronary events occurred in 9.3% of patients taking darapladib versus 10.3% in the placebo group; HR 0.90 (0.82 - 1.00), p=0.045 (nominal significance). Similar effects were observed for the composite of total coronary events, which occurred in 14.9% of patients on darapladib versus 16.1% on placebo; HR 0.91 (0.84, 0.98), p=0.019 (nominal significance). There was no difference in all-cause mortality which occurred in 7.3% of patients in both groups.

The safety profile was well-characterised in this large outcome study.  The frequency of serious adverse events was 43% in the darapladib group and 44% in the placebo group. Adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation occurred in 20% of patients on darapladib and 14% on placebo.

Dr Harvey White, MD, Director of Coronary Care Unit, Green Lane Cardiovascular Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, and the co-chair of the STABILTY study, commented:

“In the STABILITY study, the lack of effect on stroke was disappointing but not unexpected given the emerging epidemiology data. While the study didn’t meet its primary endpoint, the effects of darapladib on the reduction of coronary events are of potential interest. These findings take us a step further towards defining which patients may benefit from treatment with darapladib.”

Dr Murray Stewart, Senior Vice President, Metabolic Pathways Cardiovascular Therapy Area, added:

“STABILITY was a robust, large-scale cardiovascular outcomes study of a novel mechanism with the goal of providing incremental benefit above a high level of standard of care. Given the unmet medical need, the results of the STABILITY study are important in understanding how this mechanism may impact the lives of patients with heart disease. We await the results of the second study, SOLID-TIMI 52, to better understand the findings.”

About darapladib and atherosclerosis Darapladib is a selective and orally active inhibitor of Lp-PLA₂ (lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) currently being investigated as a potential agent for the reduction of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease. Lp-PLA₂ is an enzyme that is found in blood and in atherosclerotic plaques. Atherosclerosis is characterised by the build-up of plaques of fat, cholesterol and other substances within the walls of arteries and is, in part, an inflammatory disease. When these plaques rupture they can block vital blood vessels, causing acute coronary syndromes (heart attacks) and strokes. Elevated Lp-PLA₂ activity has been implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

About STABILITY trial design and the Phase III programme STABILITY (STtabilisation of Atherosclerotic plaque By Initiation of darapLadIbTherapY) is the first of two Phase III studies with darapladib. It was a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind event-driven study in adults with chronic coronary heart disease. Patients were randomised to receive either 160mg darapladib or placebo in addition to standard of care. Standard of care could include a statin, aspirin and blood pressure medications. The study enrolled more than 15,000 patients across 39 countries and continued until 1,500 major adverse cardiovascular events had occurred. The study design of STABILITY was published in the October 2010 edition of the American Heart Journal (H. White et al).

The second Phase III study, SOLID-TIMI 52 will evaluate the effects of darapladib in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The trial has enrolled over 13,000 patients across 36 countries. SOLID-TIMI 52 is ongoing and remains blinded. Results are expected in the second quarter of 2014. The study design of SOLID-TIMI 52 was published in the October 2011 edition of the American Heart Journal (M.L. O’Donoghue et al).

GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

What's going on with GM's big recall of 2.2 million U.S. vehicles? - Mar. 30, 2014

The General Motors recall that began in February has now grown to nearly 2.2 million vehicles in the U.S.

What's going on with GM's big recall of 2.2 million U.S. vehicles? - Mar. 30, 2014

Documents show regulator first proposed GM probe in 2007 - Mar. 30, 2014

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Documents show regulator first proposed GM probe in 2007 - Mar. 30, 2014

Plans Scrapped to Offer Android and Windows on One Phone

The initial news was exciting — “was” being the operative word.  Chinese phone maker Huawei had announced plans in late February to offer a smartphone with dual operating systems, i.e., both Windows and Android, on the same device, to the U.S. market.



Plans Scrapped to Offer Android and Windows on One Phone

Raytheon News Release:

Raytheon announces new state-of-the-art office complex in North Texas

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GARLAND, Texas, March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) today announced plans to move its Garland, Texas, operations to a new state-of-the-art office complex to be built at the CityLine development in Richardson, Texas. Raytheon will occupy 489,000 square feet in three buildings located near the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and North Central Expressway (US 75), and will begin the move in the fourth quarter of 2015, depending on the construction schedule.

"Moving our Garland operations to this state-of-the-art facility in Richardson, Texas, will provide an outstanding modern work environment for our 1,700 employees and visitors and will allow for expansion as our business grows," said Lynn Dugle, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS).  "Our new offices will also help us support the missions of our customers and will better reflect our role as a global technology and innovation leader in such areas as information processing, big data, cyber security, and weather data exploitation."

Raytheon's Jupiter Road complex in Garland dates back to the 1950s. Several options are being pursued regarding the future of the site. Throughout North Texas, the company has approximately 8,000 employees, and in addition to IIS, Raytheon's Missile Systems, Space and Airborne Systems, and various corporate operations are located in the area. Last year, SAS relocated its headquarters to McKinney, Texas, from Southern California.

About RaytheonRaytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Raytheon News Release:

US Navy achieves initial operating capability on Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System

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New capability will counter swarming boat threats

TUCSON, Ariz., March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy has achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on the MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System that includes the Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Griffin missile.  The milestone comes as the Navy continues to conduct littoral security operations in areas that require an immediate and precise response to confirmed threats.

The MK-60 Patrol Coastal Griffin Missile System includes a proven laser targeting system, a Navy-designed launcher and battle management system combined with Raytheon's combat-proven Griffin missile.   

"The Griffin missile and MK-60 system assure the accuracy and lethality our sailors need to combat growing regional threats," said Captain Mike Ladner, Major Program Manager Surface Ship Weapons, U.S. Navy Integrated Warfare Systems 3.0 program office. "IOC signals the beginning of improved ship self-defense on the Patrol Coastal fleet and provides an immediate response to potential maritime threats, especially small craft on the move."

IOC follows extensive maritime testing that began in March 2012.  During that time, the Navy developed, integrated and tested a complete system using mature components combined with Raytheon's Griffin missile.

"Griffin is a mature, lightweight precision weapon that delivers reliable operational effectiveness to the warfighter," said Mike Jarrett, vice president of Air Warfare Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "The Navy's declaration of IOC with the Griffin Missile System is a significant accomplishment that demonstrates Griffin's flexibility and shows the missile is ideally suited to protect against the small boat threat on a variety of platforms."    

About Griffin

The Griffin missile is a multi-platform, multi-service weapon that has a proven track record for successful rapid integration on land, sea and air assets. The combat-proven Griffin AGM-176A is an aft-eject missile designed for employment from platforms such as the C-130 aircraft. The Griffin BGM-176B is a forward-firing missile that launches from rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, ground-launch applications and maritime platforms. The Griffin missile is 43 inches long, weighs 33 pounds, has a 13-pound warhead, and is in production today.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.