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Friday, July 31, 2015

Windows 10, Amazon Aurora Make Small Biz Headlines

Customers have been not-so-patiently waiting for the release of Windows 10 for awhile now. The release has been so highly touted in part because of some of the issues with earlier Windows operating system. But this week, customers got their wish as Windows 10 was finally released.
Amazon, Verizon, and plenty of other big names also made news in the business world this week. You can see a full list of headlines below in this week’s Small Business Trends news and information roundup.


Windows 10, Amazon Aurora Make Small Biz Headlines

Sage and Deloitte Partner to Provide Cloud Products for Small Business

A new strategic partnership between Sage and Deloitte looks to use the cloud as a delivery platform to deliver affordable insight and agility to small businesses.
Kevin Walsh, head of technology consulting for Deloitte, says in a press release:


Sage and Deloitte Partner to Provide Cloud Products for Small Business

Colorado pot bank sues the Fed - Jul. 31, 2015

A Colorado bank has sued the Federal Reserve for not giving it permission to provide financial services to marijuana businesses.



Fourth Corner Credit Union of Denver filed suit Thursday against the Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve, which supervises banks in Colorado.



Colorado pot bank sues the Fed - Jul. 31, 2015

SoulCycle files for IPO, wants to change your life - Jul. 31, 2015

Spinning requires a lot of sweat, and apparently a lot of equity.



SoulCycle, a fitness instruction and clothing company focused on indoor cycling, has filed for an initial public offering.



SoulCycle files for IPO, wants to change your life - Jul. 31, 2015

Duke Energy Progress completes purchase of NCEMPA generation assets - Duke Energy

RALEIGH -
Following a year of regulatory reviews, approvals and legislative action, Duke Energy Progress and the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA) today completed the approximately $1.25 billion sale of NCEMPA’s generating assets to Duke Energy Progress.
The agreement provides positive benefits to both Duke Energy Progress customers and NCEMPA members.


Duke Energy Progress completes purchase of NCEMPA generation assets - Duke Energy

Remote Workers Build Tools to Make Remote Work Even Easier

Doist, the company behind to-do list manager Todoist has grown from a one-man operation to a 40-person team in the last eight years.
But instead of hiring employees in one location and having them work out of a single office, founder Amir Salihefendic has hired people from more than 20 different countries.


Remote Workers Build Tools to Make Remote Work Even Easier

Exxon and Chevron profits are down over 50% - Jul. 31, 2015

Drilling for oil used to be one of the most profitable businesses in the world. Not anymore.



Big Oil earnings have nosedived in the past year. The latest results that came out Friday were even worse than expected.



Exxon and Chevron profits are down over 50% - Jul. 31, 2015

Uber invests $1 billion in Indian market - Jul. 31, 2015

Uber is bullish on the Indian market: The company said it plans to pour $1 billion into its India operations over the next nine months.



India is Uber's second biggest market after the U.S., according to an e-mail statement from Amit Jain, president at Uber India.



Uber invests $1 billion in Indian market - Jul. 31, 2015

Not Tracking Calls Could Cost 50 Percent of Mobile Marketing Conversions

Sometimes it feels that the last thing people use their smartphones for is calling others.
In fact, last week we found out that Millennials would rather get a root canal than call customer support when they need help with something. But, when it comes to mobile marketing, making it easy for prospects to call you when they want information that could be critically important to converting them into customers.


Not Tracking Calls Could Cost 50 Percent of Mobile Marketing Conversions

Russia cuts rates again to prevent deeper slump - Jul. 31, 2015

The double-whammy that slammed Russia last year is back: Oil prices are tumbling again and Western sanctions have just been extended.



That's wreaking more havoc on the economy, which is heavily dependent on oil and gas exports.



Russia cuts rates again to prevent deeper slump - Jul. 31, 2015

IBM Watson Discovery Advisor







Published on Jun 29, 2015
With thousands of trials, drugs and articles out there, science is saturated with data. How can you harness the data to enhance innovation and accelerate discovery? IBM’s Watson Discovery Advisor helps researchers make connections that you may have never considered before – leading to new insights and breakthroughs.

Watson Tradeoff Analytics Service

Teach Me How to Bluemix

What is IBM Watson and Bluemix

Building a Java EE webapp on IBM Bluemix Using Watson and Cloudant

Introduction To The BlueMix UI

The Cloud Imperative: Michael Crandell at TEDxSanLuisObispo

Congressional Black Caucus to talk diversity with Silicon Valley leaders - Jul. 31, 2015

The Congressional Black Caucus delegation is going to visit Silicon Valley to help tackle Big Tech's diversity problem.



The CBC Diversity Task Force will travel to Silicon Valley from August 2 to August 4 to meet with companies at the forefront of innovation -- but lacking a diverse workforce.



Congressional Black Caucus to talk diversity with Silicon Valley leaders - Jul. 31, 2015

Puerto Rico is on the brink of default (again) - Jul. 31, 2015

Puerto Rico will almost certainly be in default for the first time ever by Monday.



The commonwealth needs to make a $58 million debt payment by August 1, but top Puerto Rican government officials say that they don't have the money to pay.



Puerto Rico is on the brink of default (again) - Jul. 31, 2015

Windows 10: Why Mozilla calls this feature 'very disturbing' - Jul. 31, 2015

Reviews of Windows 10 have been glowing, but one prominent tech CEO is giving it a big thumbs down.



Upgrading to Windows 10 using "express settings" will automatically make Microsoft Edge your PC's default Web browser, even if you used a different browser when your PC was running Windows 7 or Windows 8. You can make Mozilla Firefox, Google (GOOGL, Tech30) Chrome, Apple (AAPL, Tech30) Safari or another app your default browser in Windows 10, but it's not as easy or intuitive to do that as it was in previous versions of Windows.



Windows 10: Why Mozilla calls this feature 'very disturbing' - Jul. 31, 2015

Ep. 99: Worst Recovery Since WWII Just Got Worse



#peterschiff

#Fed

#interestrates

#unemployment

#inflation

#gold


Triple angiokinase inhibition of VEGF, PDGF and FGF receptors in cancer

2nd line NSCLC: A few months OS mean a lot

2nd line NSCLC: Treatments' limits

2nd line NSCLC: PS and therapeutic strategy

2nd line NSCLC: Desperately seeking survival improvement

Polo like kinase (Plk) inhibition in hemato-oncology

A Lung Cancer Patient Story - Hear from a patient and oncology nurse

Oncology News: Lung Cancer Patient Perspective

EGFR Mode of Action

EGFR mutations in lung cancer

Importance of EGFR Mutation Testing

Non small cell lung cancer pathogenesis

Understanding the Basics of Clinical Oncology from Diagnosis to Treatment







Published on Oct 10, 2013
(Visit: http://www.uctv.tv/) Dr. Andrew Ko, UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides definitions and terms used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. He explores the process of diagnosis from biopsies to imaging and how staging is established. He also discusses the multimodality approach to treatment which typically includes surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology. Series: "UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine presents Mini Medical School for the Public" [10/2013] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 25630]

In Interim Results from Phase 3 Study, Merck’s Investigational Ebola Vaccine Efficacious; Study is Continuing

From Merck:


In Interim Results from Phase 3 Study, Merck’s Investigational Ebola Vaccine Efficacious; Study is Continuing

Global Collaboration Enabled Vaccine to Move from First-in-Human Studies to Initial Phase 3 Results Within One Year
Friday, July 31, 2015 8:10 am EDT
KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) said today that its investigational Ebola vaccine candidate, rVSV-ZEBOV, was found to have 100 percent efficacy in an analysis of interim data from a Phase 3 ring vaccination trial in Guinea. Preliminary conclusions from this study, which is continuing, were published on-line today in The Lancet. The authors report that vaccine efficacy was 100 percent (95% confidence interval: 74.7 - 100%; p=0.0036) following vaccination with a single dose of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine. It appeared that all vaccinated individuals were protected against Ebola virus infection within 6 to 10 days of vaccination.
To date, more than 4,000 participants have received the vaccine in this innovative trial, called “Ebola ça suffit” or “Ebola, that’s enough.” The trial was conducted by a team that included researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Health Ministry of Guinea and Médecins sans Frontières, among others. The results from this continuing study, as well as other studies already underway (see below) and additional studies to be conducted, will be used to support worldwide regulatory submissions.
“Merck has an enduring commitment to develop vaccines and medicines that address the world’s most devastating infectious diseases,” said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, president of Merck Research Laboratories. “Building on pioneering early work by the Public Health Agency of Canada and NewLink Genetics Corporation, the extraordinary efforts of the team in Guinea and other experts have yielded interim results that suggest a potential role for our rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine in the fight against Ebola disease.”
About the development of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine
The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine was initially engineered with support from the Public Health Agency of Canada and was licensed to NewLink Genetics Corporation. To make the vaccine, the vesicular stomatitis virus was weakened by removing one of its genes, which was then replaced with a single Ebola virus gene that cannot cause disease by itself. Vaccinated individuals have been shown to develop antibodies against the Ebola virus, which could help protect against future infection. The significance and durability of this immune response have not been determined.
In late 2014, when the current Ebola outbreak was at its most severe, Merck licensed rVSV-ZEBOV from NewLink Genetics, with the goal of accelerating the assessment of this candidate vaccine. Since that time, Merck has helped to enable a broad development program, including the interim phase 3 efficacy results released today. To date, the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine has been administered to more than 9,000 people in phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials.
In addition to NewLink and the Public Health Agency of Canada, leading global and national health organizations including the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) and the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) have helped to conduct studies of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine. Major funders for these studies included the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and Joint Vaccine Acquisition Program (JVAP), the US Department of Health and Human Service’s Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority (BARDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Wellcome Trust.
In addition to the phase 3 trial in Guinea described above, other studies evaluating the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine include the STRIVE (Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola) phase 3 study currently being conducted by the Sierra Leone College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and the PREVAIL (Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines in Liberia) phase 2 study being conducted by a Liberia-NIH partnership in Liberia.
Merck is responsible for research, development and manufacturing efforts in support of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine. Merck has committed to work closely with other stakeholders to accelerate the continued development, production and, if licensed, distribution of the vaccine.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on TwitterFacebook and YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and healthcare legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward healthcare cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

'Deceptive' CVS overcharged for drugs: lawsuit - Jul. 31, 2015

CVS is overcharging customers who have insurance by "fraudulently" jacking up prices on prescription drugs, while those with cash are paying much less, a lawsuit claims.



"CVS knowingly and intentionally overcharged pharmacy customers for generic prescription drugs by submitting claims for payment to third-party payors and fraudulently inflated prices," reads the lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court in California.



'Deceptive' CVS overcharged for drugs: lawsuit - Jul. 31, 2015

UPS To Acquire Coyote Logistics

UPS to acquire technology-driven, non-asset based truckload freight brokerage, adding to portfolio with complementary revenue and operational synergies



UPS To Acquire Coyote Logistics

Overseas Shipholding Group to Announce Second Quarter 2015 Results on August 10, 2015

OSG - Investor Relations - RSS Content

UPS Applauds Passage Of Legislative Language To Tax All Fuels Equally

Provision in short-term highway bill extension will end disparity in the way some alternative fuels are taxed



UPS Applauds Passage Of Legislative Language To Tax All Fuels Equally

Falling gold and copper prices slam these countries - Jul. 31, 2015

Just a few years ago, life was very good for countries like Peru that have a lot of copper and gold.



China's explosive economic growth fueled seemingly-insatiable demand for industrial metals like copper, which represents a fifth of Peru's total exports. Prices for these natural resources surged as part of a commodities super cycle.



Falling gold and copper prices slam these countries - Jul. 31, 2015

15 Reasons Customers Abandon Your Cart and Solutions

They arrive on your site, take a look around, load items into their virtual cart. The next step is simple, right? All they have to do is buy from there! Wrong. If you have an eCommerce site, you know it just isn’t that simple, and for a variety of reasons, there could be things related to your site that hold people back from making a purchase with you. There are some things that have been discussed for a while on the blogs (and will be discussed again in this list), and there are other aspects that we are just unpacking as reasons people might abandon your cart in 2015. So sit back, and take note of the reasons on this list—it is our hope you can grow and get more consumers to finish with a purchase on your ecommerce site.





15 Reasons Customers Abandon Your Cart and Solutions

Google Warns Site Owners of CSS Error Hurting Ranking

If you are a site owner and have recently received this warning from Google, you are not alone. Here it is:



Google Warns Site Owners of CSS Error Hurting Ranking

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Efma and Accenture Open Application Period for Third Annual Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards

From Accenture:


Efma and Accenture Open Application Period for Third Annual Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards
 
Program seeks latest innovations in distribution and marketing by retail banks globally
 
PARIS and NEW YORK and HONG KONG; July 21, 2015 – Efma, an association of 3,300 retail financial services companies in more than 130 countries, and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) have opened the application period for their third annual Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards program, which identifies and rewards the most-innovative projects and ideas in bank distribution and marketing. Applicants can enter at www.efma.com/InnovationsSubmit from now until Sept. 7.
 
The program solicits case studies of groundbreaking customer innovations by retail banks globally within eight categories: Customer Experience; Physical Distribution; Digital Distribution; Sustainable Business; Best New Product or Service; Digital Marketing; Big Data & Analytics; and Best Innovation in Payments, which is a new category this year.


Efma – Accenture Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards
 
“Since the Efma – Accenture joint initiative began in 2013, we have collected more than 1,000 case studies of innovations among financial institutions,” said Patrick Desmarès, Secretary General of Efma. “We hope financial institutions from all over the globe will be part of this exciting innovation journey, with the award ceremony in Amsterdam this October as the final destination.”
 
Submissions will be reviewed and judged by the Efma Innovation Awards Committee, which consists of Efma’s most-senior executives. The committee will identify a short list of nominees for each category, and Efma members will vote for the winners in each category.
 
Winners will be recognized at an award-ceremony in Amsterdam on Oct. 28, which will include presentations on the winning case studies in front of senior industry executives. Additional awards will be granted to recognize the “Most Disruptive Innovation” and the “Global Bank Innovator.” 
 
“To avoid disintermediation and generate value in the digital world, banks need to proceed aggressively with innovations that will enable customer retention and new revenue streams,” said Piercarlo Gera, global managing director of Accenture Distribution and Marketing Services. “We see growing interest among customers for banks offering a range of both banking and non-banking services, such as car purchase assistance and merchant discount programs. It’s the kind of innovative banking model we expect to see more of in the future, with banks at the center of an ecosystem of partners to provide services of great diversity and value, making them a “one-stop-shop” for customers’ everyday life needs.”
 
More information about the ceremony and registration is available atwww.efma.com/InnovationsAwards15.  Information about last year’s program award winners is available at: http://newsroom.accenture.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=6224
 
2014 Awards Ceremony in Barcelona, Spain

About Efma
As a global not-for-profit organization, Efma brings together more than 3,300 retail financial services companies from over 130 countries. With a membership base consisting of almost a third of all large retail banks worldwide, Efma has proven to be a valuable resource for the global industry, offering members exclusive access to a multitude of resources, databases, studies, articles, news feeds and publications. Efma also provides numerous networking opportunities through working groups, online communities and international meetings. For more information: www.efma.com or info@efma.com.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 336,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$30.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2014. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
 
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3 Big Branding Mistakes to Avoid for Ultimate Success

There’s so much consideration that needs to go into effectively branding and marketing your business.
A lot of mistakes can be made along the way, including not capitalizing on sales opportunities, or failing to provide a valuable — potentially life long customer with the best experience possible. These types of mistakes can lead to bad reviews or a missed opportunity to have a client generate some positive word of mouth for you, but you can recover from these types of issues.


3 Big Branding Mistakes to Avoid for Ultimate Success

We want breast-pumping rooms, not kegs - Jul. 30, 2015

Kegs aren't office must-haves. But breast-pumping rooms? They should be.



So why doesn't WeWork -- a five-year-old company that sublets office space to entrepreneurs -- have one in all of its locations?



We want breast-pumping rooms, not kegs - Jul. 30, 2015

Union Pacific Elects Lance Fritz Chairman of the Board, Succeeding Jack Koraleski

From Union Pacific:


Union Pacific Elects Lance Fritz Chairman of the Board, Succeeding Jack Koraleski

Scott Moore Elected Senior Vice President - Corporate Relations, Succeeding Bob Turner; Todd Rynaski Elected Vice President and Controller, Succeeding Jeff Totusek

OMAHA, NEB., JULY 30, 2015
Union Pacific's board of directors today elected Lance M. Fritz chairman, president and chief executive officer effective October 1. Fritz, 52, was elected president and chief executive officer February 5, 2015. He also was elected to the corporation's board of directors at that time.
Fritz was named president and chief operating officer February 6, 2014. He was executive vice president - Operations from 2010-2014, and previously served as vice president - Labor Relations. Prior to that, he was regional vice president - Southern Region after serving as regional vice president - Northern Region. Fritz began his career with Union Pacific in July 2000 in Marketing and Sales as vice president and general manager - Energy.
He succeeds John J. (Jack) Koraleski, 64, as chairman. Koraleski plans to retire September 30 after a 43-year career at Union Pacific in which he served as executive chairman; chairman, president and chief executive officer; executive vice president - Marketing and Sales; executive vice president - Finance and Information Technology; and others. Among his many achievements, Koraleski was named by Institutional Investor as 2014's No. 1 chief executive officer in the Airfreight and Surface Transportation sector, and his advocacy was critical in helping Union Pacific form its women's employee resource group more than 20 years ago. Koraleski will continue to serve on the national advisory committee for the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha, as well as several boards and advisory committees including the Heritage Services board of directors and the STRATCOM Consultation Committee.
Union Pacific today elected Scott D. Moore senior vice president - Corporate Relations, effective September 1. He will have companywide responsibility for internal and external communications, public affairs, media relations, brand management and advertising. Moore will serve as president of the Union Pacific Foundation. He has been vice president - Public Affairs for Union Pacific's western region, based in Roseville, California, since August 2007. Moore joined Union Pacific in 2000 as director - Government Affairs. He is a former Nebraska Secretary of State, and a state senator.
He succeeds Robert W. (Bob) Turner, who plans to retire October 1. Turner, who joined the company in 2000, developed Union Pacific's award-winning Building America campaign that remains embedded in the company's culture and the centerpiece of its brand. He built the company's public affairs organization that serves all 23 states in which Union Pacific operates, and is president of the Union Pacific Foundation. He serves on the executive committee of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the Durham Museum, and as a governor of the Aksarben Foundation. Turner will continue to serve on the Hiram College board of trustees, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention where he co-chairs the executive committee, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation board of directors.
Union Pacific today also elected Todd M. Rynaski as chief accounting officer, vice president and controller effective September 1. Rynaski has been assistant vice president - Accounting since January 2014. Prior to that, he was assistant vice president - Financial Reporting and Analysis. Rynaski joined Union Pacific in 1995 and held positions in Corporate Audit, Planning and Analysis, Revenue Accounting, and Information Technology.
Rynaski succeeds Jeffrey P. Totusek, who plans to retire in 2016. Totusek will help transition the vice president and controller responsibilities as vice president - Finance until he retires. Totusek has been chief accounting officer, vice president and controller since January 2008. Prior to that, he was assistant vice president - Financial Analysis since 1998. Totusek joined Union Pacific in 1985.
"Lance has demonstrated the leadership skills and vision necessary to create value for all of our stakeholders," said Steven Rogel, Union Pacific's lead independent director. "Following a thorough review of our governance structure, we determined that now is the right time for Lance to become chairman. The board supports the strategy and direction he is setting for Union Pacific and is confident we have the best management team in place to continue delivering industry-leading customer service and strong shareholder returns.
"On behalf of the entire board, I want to express our sincere thanks to Jack for his leadership, dedication, and contributions," Rogel said. "His retirement will mark a long and successful career that made Union Pacific a stronger company than when he joined it. We wish him the best."
"Bob Turner made many significant contributions to Union Pacific, especially in building relationships with the more than 7,300 communities we serve," Fritz said. "We will miss his insights and guidance but wish him all the best in his retirement.
"Jeff Totusek's combination of business knowledge and financial acumen has been instrumental in Union Pacific's success, particularly in his role as chief accounting officer," Fritz said. "We will benefit greatly from his support during this transition period."
About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Artist Finds Success Creating Custom Painted Sneakers

Not many people would leave a steady finance job to paint custom designs on sneakers. But that’s exactly what Blake Barash did.
The credit analyst based in Irvine, California, saw a Craigslist ad from the shoe company Toms, which was looking for an artist to travel to events and paint custom designs on the company’s canvas shoes.


Artist Finds Success Creating Custom Painted Sneakers

Duke Energy Indiana rates decreasing due to lower coal costs - Duke Energy

PLAINFIELD, IND. -
Duke Energy customers in Indiana are getting a break on their summer electric bills, and they can expect additional savings through the end of the year due to lower fuel costs.
Rates for the average residential customer have declined about 8 percent compared to last July, in large part due to lower coal costs. That amounts to about $10 in savings on a monthly bill for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.


Duke Energy Indiana rates decreasing due to lower coal costs - Duke Energy

Gun silencer sales are booming - Jul. 30, 2015

Gun silencer sales are on fire.



The number of registered silencers surged 38% from last year to 792,282 in February 2015, according to the most recent figures from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. There were 571,750 licenses in March 2014.



Gun silencer sales are booming - Jul. 30, 2015

Do You Have an Android Phone? If so, You May be at Risk

Do you own an Android? If so, your phone may be vulnerable to hacking.
It appears that Android phones can be hacked due to a flaw in the operating system’s Stagefright media pack, leading to a vulnerability in any phone running versions of the Android operating system between 2.2 and 4.


Do You Have an Android Phone? If so, You May be at Risk

UP: Union Pacific Corporation Declares Third Quarter Dividend

UP: Union Pacific Corporation Declares Third Quarter Dividend

Stick a fork in Whole Foods? - Jul. 30, 2015

Whole Foods may be toast. Granted, it's toast made from pricey, gluten-free, organic honey oat bread. But toast nonetheless.



Shares of Whole Foods (WFM) plunged more than 10% Thursday after the high-end natural grocery chain reported sales and profits that missed analysts' forecasts. Its outlook did not impress investors either.



Stick a fork in Whole Foods? - Jul. 30, 2015

Obama signs executive order to build world's fastest supercomputer - Jul. 30, 2015

President Obama wants to bring back the glory days of 2012.



China's Tianhe-2 became the fastest supercomputer in the world in 2013, beating the American Titan. Obama thinks it's time to bring that title back home.



Obama signs executive order to build world's fastest supercomputer - Jul. 30, 2015

Good but not great: U.S. economy grows 2.3% - Jul. 30, 2015

America's economy picked up some momentum this spring and summer, but it didn't wow.



It grew 2.3% between April and June compared to the same time a year ago, according to the Commerce Department's first estimate of gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity.



Good but not great: U.S. economy grows 2.3% - Jul. 30, 2015

Fast-food franchises affected by New York's new $15 minimum wage - Jul. 30, 2015

New York state is poised to force fast food brands with 30 or more locations nationwide to pay a $15 minimum wage.



The higher wage will be in full effect by 2018 in New York City and by 2021 in the rest of the state.



Fast-food franchises affected by New York's new $15 minimum wage - Jul. 30, 2015

New York minimum wage increase: Who really pays - Jul. 30, 2015

New York's new $15 minimum wage for fast food workers applies to more than 100 brands doing business in the state. The only criteria: They must operate in at least 30 locations nationwide.



That suggests only the big guns -- like McDonald's (MCD) and Dunkin' Donuts (DNKN) -- would be hit with the targeted wage hike, which will represent a 71% increase when it fully takes effect in 2021.



New York minimum wage increase: Who really pays - Jul. 30, 2015

Shell and Centrica are cutting 12,500 jobs as oil prices fall - Jul. 30, 2015

Sinking oil prices have prompted another round of heavy job cuts.



Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) will slash 6,500 jobs in 2015 as part of a cost cutting drive. Another British firm Centrica (CPYYF) will shed 6,000 jobs, partly due to a reduced focus on oil and gas production.



Shell and Centrica are cutting 12,500 jobs as oil prices fall - Jul. 30, 2015

Samsung misjudged demand for its flagship smartphone - Jul. 29, 2015

Oops! Samsung hasn't been making enough of their flagship Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones.



Samsung experienced "supply difficulties from higher-than-expected market demand for the Galaxy S6 Edge," the company said in a statement released alongside their second quarter financial results.



Samsung misjudged demand for its flagship smartphone - Jul. 29, 2015

Drama at HubSpot, as CMO Volpe Fired Over Book

HubSpot has fired Mike Volpe, its long-time Chief Marketing Officer, for “ethical violations” involving a book about the company. One other executive, Joe Chernov, Vice President of Content, resigned.
And the company has sanctioned a third executive, Brian Halligan, Hubspot’s Chairman and CEO, for not reporting the employees’ actions to the Board of Directors in a timely manner.


Drama at HubSpot, as CMO Volpe Fired Over Book

Jeremy Clarkson's new show on Amazon includes "Top Gear" team - Jul. 30, 2015

"The boys" are going to Amazon.



The former hosts of global TV hit "Top Gear" -- Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May -- have signed up to present a new car show on Amazon (AMZN, Tech30).



Jeremy Clarkson's new show on Amazon includes "Top Gear" team - Jul. 30, 2015

Arthena Lets You Invest in Art Without Actually Buying It

Purchasing and collecting fine art isn’t something that’s exactly accessible for many people. But Madelaine D’Angelo wants to change that.
The 28-year-old was unhappy with the current model of fine art collecting. It’s something that basically requires people to purchase artwork outright in order to enjoy those pieces.


Arthena Lets You Invest in Art Without Actually Buying It

Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce Immuno-Oncology Clinical Collaboration Studying Mogamulizumab and Opdivo (nivolumab) in Advanced Solid Tumors in the U.S.

From Bristol-Myers Squibb:


Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Bristol-Myers Squibb Announce Immuno-Oncology Clinical Collaboration Studying Mogamulizumab and Opdivo (nivolumab) in Advanced Solid Tumors in the U.S.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2015 7:00 pm EDT
"We believe that the planned combination of these two immunotherapies has the potential to deliver better outcomes in patients with advanced cancers than existing treatments."
NEW YORK & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 4151,“Kyowa Hakko Kirin”) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY, “Bristol-Myers Squibb”) today announced that the companies have entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement to conduct a Phase 1/2 combination study with mogamulizumab, an anti-CCR4 antibody and Opdivo(nivolumab), a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. The study, which will be conducted in the U.S., will focus on evaluating the safety, tolerability and anti-tumor activity of combining mogamulizumab and Opdivo as a potential treatment option for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Prior to this agreement, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 4528) entered into a clinical trial collaboration agreement to study the combination of mogamulizumab and Opdivo in Japan.
Mogamulizumab and Opdivo are part of a new class of cancer treatments known as immunotherapies, which are designed to harness the body’s own immune system in fighting cancer by targeting distinct regulatory components of the immune system.
“We are pleased to conduct a combination study with Bristol-Myers Squibb not only in Japan but also in the U.S.,” said Yoichi Sato, Director of the Board Managing Executive Officer, Vice President, Head of Research and Development Division of Kyowa Hakko Kirin. “We believe that the planned combination of these two immunotherapies has the potential to deliver better outcomes in patients with advanced cancers than existing treatments.”
“Today’s agreement builds on our initial collaboration with Kyowa Hakko Kirin in Japan, which includes our partner Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and is the latest example of our continued commitment to evaluating the potential of combination immuno-oncology regimens for patients with metastatic cancer,” stated Michael Giordano, senior vice president, Head of Development, Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The study will be conducted by Kyowa Hakko Kirin. Additional details of the collaboration were not disclosed.
About Mogamulizumab
Mogamulizumab (Brand name: POTELIGEO®) is a novel, humanized mAb directed against CC chemokine receptor type 4 (CCR4). Engineered by Kyowa Hakko Kirin's unique POTELLIGENT® Technology, the antibody is designed to kill its target cells through potent antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Mogamulizumab was launched in Japan in May 2012 for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory CCR4-positive adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL). The drug was approved for indication expansion and was granted marketing authorization in Japan for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory CCR4-positive, peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in March 2014, and with chemotherapy-native CCR4-positive ATL in December 2014. Clinical trials with mogamulizumab are ongoing in the US, EU and other countries.
About Opdivo
Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a monotherapy in two cancer indications. On March 5, 2015, Opdivo received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
In the U.S., Opdivo is also indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma and disease progression following Yervoy (ipilimumab) and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. Opdivo became the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world on July 4, 2014 when Ono Pharmaceutical Co. announced that it received manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the treatment of patients with unresectable melanoma. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a broad, global development program to study Opdivo in multiple tumor types consisting of more than 50 trials – as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies – in which more than 7,000 patients have been enrolled worldwide.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis
  • Severe pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease, including fatal cases, occurred with OPDIVO treatment. Across the clinical trial experience in 691 patients with solid tumors, fatal immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 0.7% (5/691) of patients receiving OPDIVO; no cases occurred in Trial 1 or Trial 3. In Trial 1, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 3.4% (9/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and none of the 102 patients receiving chemotherapy. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 2.2% (6/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; one with Grade 3 and five with Grade 2. In Trial 3, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 6% (7/117) of patients receiving OPDIVO, including, five Grade 3 and two Grade 2 cases. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4 and withhold OPDIVO until resolution for Grade 2.
Immune-Mediated Colitis
  • In Trial 1, diarrhea or colitis occurred in 21% (57/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and 18% (18/102) of patients receiving chemotherapy. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.2% (6/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; five with Grade 3 and one with Grade 2. In Trial 3, diarrhea occurred in 21% (24/117) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Grade 3 immune-mediated colitis occurred in 0.9% (1/117) of patients. Monitor patients for immune-mediated colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 (of more than 5 days duration), 3, or 4 colitis. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 4 colitis or recurrent colitis upon restarting OPDIVO.
Immune-Mediated Hepatitis
  • In Trial 1, there was an increased incidence of liver test abnormalities in the OPDIVO-treated group as compared to the chemotherapy-treated group, with increases in AST (28% vs 12%), alkaline phosphatase (22% vs 13%), ALT (16% vs 5%), and total bilirubin (9% vs 0). Immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.1% (3/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO; two with Grade 3 and one with Grade 2. In Trial 3, the incidences of increased liver test values were AST (16%), alkaline phosphatase (14%), ALT (12%), and total bilirubin (2.7%). Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater transaminase elevations. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis.
Immune-Mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction
  • In Trial 1, there was an increased incidence of elevated creatinine in the OPDIVO-treated group as compared to the chemotherapy-treated group (13% vs 9%). Grade 2 or 3 immune-mediated nephritis or renal dysfunction occurred in 0.7% (2/268) of patients. In Trial 3, the incidence of elevated creatinine was 22%. Immune-mediated renal dysfunction (Grade 2) occurred in 0.9% (1/117) of patients. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 serum creatinine elevation, withhold OPDIVO and administer corticosteroids; if worsening or no improvement occurs, permanently discontinue OPDIVO. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 4 serum creatinine elevation and permanently discontinue OPDIVO.
Immune-Mediated Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
  • In Trial 1, Grade 1 or 2 hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (21/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and none of the 102 patients receiving chemotherapy. Grade 1 or 2 hyperthyroidism occurred in 3% (8/268) of patients receiving OPDIVO and 1% (1/102) of patients receiving chemotherapy. In Trial 3, hypothyroidism occurred in 4.3% (5/117) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 1.7% (2/117) of patients, including one Grade 2 case. Monitor thyroid function prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer hormone replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism.
Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions
  • In Trial 1 and 3 (n=385), the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in <2% of OPDIVO-treated patients: adrenal insufficiency, uveitis, pancreatitis, facial and abducens nerve paresis, demyeliniation, autoimmune neuropathy, motor dysfunction, and vasculitis. Across clinical trials of OPDIVO administered at doses 3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, additional clinically significant, immune-mediated adverse reactions were identified: hypophysitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypopituitarism, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and myasthenic syndrome. Based on the severity of adverse reaction, withhold OPDIVO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and, if appropriate, initiate hormone- replacement therapy.
Embryofetal Toxicity
  • Based on its mechanism of action, OPDIVO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO.
Lactation
  • It is not known whether OPDIVO is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including antibodies, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from OPDIVO, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment.
Serious Adverse Reactions
  • In Trial 1, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase.
  • In Trial 3, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent serious adverse drug reactions reported in ≥2% of patients were dyspnea, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, pneumonitis, hypercalcemia, pleural effusion, hemoptysis, and pain.
Common Adverse Reactions
  • The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) reported with OPDIVO in Trial 1 were rash (21%) and in Trial 3 were fatigue (50%), dyspnea (38%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), decreased appetite (35%), cough (32%), nausea (29%), and constipation (24%).
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO here.
About Kyowa Hakko Kirin
Kyowa Hakko Kirin is a leading biopharmaceutical company in Japan focusing on its core business area of oncology, nephrology and immunology/allergy. Kyowa Hakko Kirin leverages antibody-related leading-edge technologies to discover and develop innovative new drugs aiming to become a global specialty pharmaceutical company which contributes to the health and well-being of people around the world. For more information, visit http://www.kyowa-kirin.com.
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information, please visit www.bms.com or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/bmsnews.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that the study combining mogamulizumab and Opdivo will be successful. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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