Here is the latest in Business News from Forbes Magazine.
How a Crowd Science Geiger Counter Cast Light On the Fukushima Radioactive Fallout Mystery
In the weeks and months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a group of entrepreneurs, engineers, hackers and computer programmers formed Safecast and started constructing their own, crowdsourced Geiger counter. The device, and the power of crowd science, helped shed light on how serious the situation actually was.
Vikings Season 4
‘Vikings’ Season 4, Episode 4 Review: Mistletoe, Madness, And True Love
‘Vikings’ continues to be one of the most gripping dramas on television in Thursday night’s episode, ‘Yol.’
Wanted By China Motorcycle Tycoon: $300 Mln-Plus Of Overseas General Aviation Assets
Zuo Zongshen, chairman of Zongshen Industrial Group, built a fortune in the past two decades on rising demand for motorcycles in an increasingly well-off China. That helped him win a spot on the 2014 Forbes China Rich List with estimated wealth of $730 million.
Employers Need To Help Employees Become Smart Healthcare Buyers
In recent years employers have used high deductible plans to create incentives for employees to be smarter consumers of healthcare. Emerging evidence shows this is not working well. Employers need to give employees more help: smarter incentives and better advice.
Citymaps’ Offline Maps App Points Travel Towards The Future
Some like to travel hopefully, some like to get lost and others like to know exactly where they’re going when they arrive, so the new update to Citymaps’ mapping app will be of great interest to smart, if cautious travelers.
The Coming Of China’s Subprime Crisis
The soaring housing market led by tier 1 and selected 2 cities reminds us of the booming Chinese A share market last spring before the authorities started to reverse the leverage, (that it had encouraged) when the market was rising rapidly. This triggered a bubble-busting fiasco last June. The rising demand in the real estate market is largely attributed to the policy relaxation with respect to home loans which is resulting in an aggressive expansion of the household balance sheet.
How to Roll Like a Rock Star at the Summer’s Best Music Festivals
Time to nail down your summer music festival plans! Here’s how to rise above the mud and long lines.
‘Macross Delta’ Release Date And Shoji Kawamori Follow-Up Interview Details
After the preview episode was aired at the end of last year, Macross Delta will finally start its run this April. In addition, I will be undertaking a follow-on interview with the series’ creator Shoji Kawamori in the next month or so.
Muon Detectors, Robots, 7,000 Humans All Working To Decommission Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant
The tsunami that came roaring in five years ago today to smash Japan’s northeast coast did far more damage than the magnitude 9 earthquake that set it in motion. The wall of water knocked out the power and backup systems of Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant and triggered the second worst nuclear accident in history—the worst being Chernobyl, the third, Three Mile Island.
Interview: Ten Years After’s Ric Lee On The Biz Of Music, Woodstock Chaos
In parts one, two and three of our interview series with Ten Years After drummer Ric Lee, we discussed the late musicians Alvin Lee and David Bowie, the current political climate in the U.S., some of today’s music acts, touring at age 70, well-known sixties drummers including Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker and the venerable Graham Bond Organisation. Here, Lee takes us backstage for more Woodstock chaos, and explores the business of music.
China Billionaire Breaks Ground on $135 Mln Park Hyatt, Advancing Int’l Push
Fu Wah International, the Beijing-headquartered real estate group led by billionaire Chan Laiwa, broke ground on Wednesday on a five-star Park Hyatt in Auckland.
Taking Digital To The Next Level: From Incrementalism To Disruptive Innovation
Let’s take it for granted that people now get the value of emerging technologies such as cloud, mobile and analytics. It’s hard to find anyone who thinks these technologies aren’t essential to remaining competitive, and hopefully innovative, in today’s hyper-competitive economy.
Chipotle Did The Right Thing With Latest Restaurant Closing, But Takes A Big PR Hit
What sounded like bad news at first may be actually good news.
Turkey Flops: The Least Profitable Films Of 2015
’10 Cloverfield Lane’ And The Myth Of The Mystery Box
Bad Robot wants to get us talking about this movie by demanding we keep quiet.
Bollywood Star Kalki Koechlin Discusses Upcoming Films And Breaking The Stereotype Boundaries
Like most young actresses, Bollywood star Kalki Koechlin is keen to avoid being typecast whenever she plays a particular type of character.
Andrew Barroway Now Owns 54% Of Arizona Coyotes
The man who once wanted to own the New Jersey Devils is in control of the league’s Phoenix franchise.
Listen To The Premise Podcast, Episode 2, Rise Of The Bots
Episode 2 of The Premise podcast explores tech’s new bot economy and bot culture.
Finest Ty Cobb Tobacco Baseball Card Found In Old Bag Now Worth $750K
Based on estimates by the leading baseball card grading company, the rare Ty Cobb tobacco baseball cards may be worth more than $3 million.
Sharapova Should Have Come Out Swinging
In announcing her own failed drug test, Maria Sharapova capitulated. The tennis star’s trademark fiery determination and tenacity was replaced with submission and surrender. Seemingly, she gave up before she delivered this opening statement:
Highest-Earning Hedge Fund Managers 2016
Starboard’s Jeffrey Smith Collects Olive Garden Bounty By Selling 40% Of Darden Shares
Seventeen months after winning an unprecedented boardroom victory against Darden Restaurants, Jeffrey Smith of activist hedge fund Starboard Value is selling a big chunk of his stake in the company, which operates chains such as Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille. Over the past month, Starboard has sold nearly 40% of its Darden stock.
Dry State: Will California’s Drought Trigger A Wine-pocalypse?
How has something as basic as lack of water affected one of the world’s most celebrated luxury trades?
The World’s Highest-Paid Musicians of 2015
15 Best Income And Growth Stocks For 2016
Gold Rallies On Safe-Haven Demand As ECB Moves Rattle Marketplace
Gold prices were solidly higher and poised to close at or near a 13-month high close in late U.S. trading Thursday.
A Practically Free Alternative to Uber and Lyft You are Missing Out On
Called casual carpooling or sluglining, this under-the-radar system is ride sharing in its purest form, and it’s been helping commuters beat traffic for decades.
Duke Energy Ditching Its Coal Plants While Embracing Natural Gas And Renewables
At the Democratic debate on Wednesday night, Hillary Clinton said that U.S. energy policy is moving from coal to gas, and eventually, to a lot more renewables. Who agrees? Surprisingly, the nation’s largest utility does: Duke Energy.
Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley Being Considered To Play The New Lara Croft
John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley were talented before they were cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but now, their popularity is positively exploding. Ridley was arguably the least-known member of the cast before her casting as Rey, and now, in addition to her Star Wars role, she’s being sought after elsewhere.
Borders in a Borderless World
This article was originally published at Stratfor.com.
A Sad, Unexpected Failure Highlights How Many Questions Still Remain About Uterus Transplants
Four out of the 13 uterus transplants that have been performed worldwide failed before the recipients had a chance to try to become pregnant. The Cleveland Clinic has not yet said what complication caused its first transplant to fail in less than two weeks, although blood clots and infection were factors in the other failures.
WOW Air Recruits ex-Spirit Chief Ben Baldanza For Low-Cost, Long-Haul Push
Having parted company with Spirit Airlines after more than a decade, Ben Baldanza is joining the board of Iceland’s WOW Air to assist with its ambitious assault on the low-cost, long-haul market.
Beyond The Batmobile: Inside The Superhero-Car Connection
You won’t believe how many of them are inexorably intertwined.
10 Car Names That Would Make Great Superheroes
Top 5 States Where China Is Setting Up Shop
Primers On The Business Innovation And Disruption Enabled By Driverless Cars
Here is an ongoing, chronological compendium of my articles on the business and societal innovation and disruption enabled by driverless cars.
China Deal Makers Increase Spending In U.S.
A look at the five states attracting the most investment from China.
‘Captain America: Civil War’ Trailer Reveals Spider-Man (As It Should)
Fans anxiously awaited today’s reveal of the new trailer for this summer’s Marvel superhero battle royale, and when it finally arrived, boy did it deliver. Laying out a laundry list of mistakes and general destruction left in the wake of Captain America and other costumed do-gooders, the government decides to regulate them and control them. Iron Man, long plagued by fear and guilt about what the Avengers can and cannot accomplish, agrees to regulation. Captain America, now distrustful of government agencies due to Hydra’s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. and unable to curtail his instinctive need to react and protect people against danger without getting government approval first, refuses regulation. The rest of the superheroes choose sides, and the fight is on. And if that weren’t all enough, Spider-Man shows up.
The Step-By-Step Formula Behind Going Viral On Reddit
Have you ever wondered why a photo of a cat or video of a dancing baby goes viral on the internet for no apparent reason?
The Costs Of Excess Inventory Can Be Huge
As manufacturers have embraced Lean concepts, many have built KanBan (just-in-time, just-in-sequence) warehouses close to their factories. To make sure factories don’t have to shut down, inbound warehouses often seek to have several weeks of inventory on hand. Companies that run very lean in manufacturing, if not careful, end up pushing much of the inventory that used to be in the factory upstream.
5 Ways You’re Using Your Credit Card Wrong
There are certain habits we have down pat, like always paying the bill on time and phoning in if a card goes missing. Yet, there are some things we may be unknowingly doing wrong. Here are 5 mistakes to look out for.
Tom Hanks Looks To Make Appealing Return To Romantic Comedy In ‘A Hologram For The King’ Trailer
Here’s one that snuck up on most of us, and may get unfairly ignored thanks to the decision to launch its trailer opposite that of Captain America: Civil War.
Microsoft’s Big HoloLens Bet Falls Flat
When Microsoft showed HoloLens at TED, its presentation was dramatic and impressive. I wasn’t sure why, but the TED crowd of techno-early adopters and thought leaders seemed less than impressed. The augmented reality glasses promised to place holograms on top of the real world. But the Demo that I experienced was simplistic, flat, and frankly not really that much of the holographic experience.
Private Equity On The Cheap
By Harry Brumpton
How Brock Osweiler’s Signing Complicates The Starting Quarterback Market
After spending the last four years learning the ropes under Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler bolted Denver on Wednesday for a Houston Texans team that has had more than a dozen starting quarterbacks in its 15-year franchise history, including six over the last two seasons.
About That All-Time Dodgers Outfielder Comparison
Willie Davis was the Dodgers best player between the Sandy Koufax and Steve Garvey eras in Los Angeles, including an eight-year World Series drought, which at the time seemed like an eternity.
The FDA Settles With Amarin: Precursor To An Actual Policy On Off-Label Information?
As reported this week, the small pharmaceutical company Amarin has agreed to settle its litigation against the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Under the terms of the settlement, which is likely to be blessed by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer, Amarin may freely promote its product Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) for uses not approved by the FDA so long as the information conveyed to physicians is truthful and not misleading, and it will allow Amarin to use an optional pre-clearance process for new indications through the year 2020.
The Short History And Long Future Of The Online Lending Industry
I am most worried about the wave of “me, too” players that came after the first wave of online lenders. Most of them built their business plans on the now shifting sands of temporarily high valuations and cheap capital. But I am excited about the Alt Lending 3.0 players, who have had the ability to learn the appropriate lessons of the past decade and can pick their spots and choose a more capital efficient path.
How Bleacher Report Went From Blog To Brand
Since its founding less than a decade ago, Bleacher Report has been quickly climbing the digital ladder and garnering attention and accolades for its innovative approach to content and media. The site, which covers sports from all angles, has grown to reach more than 60 million unique visitors per month.
Ryanair Bats Above Its League With Private-Jet Charter Service
Ryanair’s entry to the private-jet charter space is not as crazy as it seems, but branding will be a major concern.
eSports Is Evolving To Focus On Real Money Wagering
While the fantasy sports industry is fighting a battle over the legality of wagers, the eSports industry is expanding to allow for betting on League of Legends, Rocket League and future titles to be announced.
How To Monetize Two Million Mobile Apps
Anyone who believes in the importance of a free, open and democratic Internet should be rooting for the heroes of the mobile Internet – the app developers whose products engage, challenge and connect billions of end users each day. Most developers aren’t independently wealthy; they need to monetize their creative output in order to continue innovating, informing and entertaining.
Despite Free Agency Frenzy, NFL Players Remain Vastly Underpaid
Despite all of the big bucks thrown around in free agency, NFL players still make far less on average than their peers in the other major professional sports leagues.
The World’s Highest-Paid Actresses 2015
‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ Heroes Poster Predictably Puts Jennifer Lawrence In Charge
I suppose this was inevitable. When Jennifer Lawrence was initially cast as Mystique in X-Men: First Class, she was just coming off her breakout performance in Winter’s Bone. She wasn’t so much a “movie star” as a “prestige hire,” or a franchise-friendly reward for a major role. And since she wasn’t necessarily playing anyone’s girlfriend in Matthew Vaughn’s 1960’s X-Men movie, I would argue it was a step up from the usual post-indie roles that actresses often get. But by the time X-Men: Days of Future Past came out in 2014, Ms. Lawrence was two Hunger Games films and two David O. Russell films into being basically the most famous young actress on the planet.
How ‘The Division’ Tells A Great Story Without Any Characters
The Division may lack memorable characters or a great script, but it is a storytelling triumph when you view New York City itself as the protagonist. The environment of the game shapes the narrative in a way we haven’t seen since BioShock.
Meet Genesis, The Winemaking Robot
Robotic drones in the vineyard aren’t new; they can tell the weather and they can provide all kinds of crop data. In the winery, too, such helpers as robotic bottling and palleting lines are almost passé these days.
The Top-Grossing Film Franchises
$50 To See ‘Batman V Superman’ On Opening Night? How Same Day VOD Could Destroy Movie Theaters
We have been having the debate about the pros and cons of “day and date” theatrical and Video On Demand release for nearly fifteen years. Back in the early 2000’s, it was mostly a question of movies being available on DVD the same day as theaters, but online-streaming and VOD quickly crept into the conversationwoo. And yesterday Brent Lang dropped a story (via Variety) about Sean Parker trying to pitch studios on something called “The Screening Room.” Basically, it’s the end game for those who want to watch the newest movies in their home as soon as they debut in theaters.
40 Billionaires Who Won Fortunes In The Business Of Vice
40 Billionaires Who Won Fortunes In The Business Of Vice
Smoking, drinking and gambling paid off for these 40 billionaires
Used Plug-In Vehicles Open Price-Sensitive Buyer Market
By John Gartner
The Highest-Paid TV Personalities 2015
James Corden’s ‘Carpool Karaoke’ Will Work Well As Its Own TV Show
Thanks to its popularity both on TV and online, James Corden and one of his producers are now shopping around a series based solely on his “Carpool Karaoke” segment. There is no word yet on what network will be interested, but this is a project that is sure to get made.
Why Did Michael Horn Leave Volkswagen? Try Jail Time
Horn’s hasty departure appears to have caught VW brass by surprise. As the only U.S. resident named in civil litigation against the automaker, and with the Department of Justice circling, it’s possible that the German citizen stepped down to get out of town — and away from the U.S. legal system.
Tax Court Holds That Family Vacations Are Not Deductible As Book-Writing Research
For the past few years, I’ve harbored the hope that I would author a children’s book. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered two small problems that have thus far kept me from fulfilling my goal: I have no ideas, and I have no talent.
The Hottest On-Demand Startups Of 2015
Soothe Raises $35 Million To Accelerate On-Demand Massage Growth
If it’s a bad market to fundraise, no one told Merlin Kauffman.
Hey Blizzard, Where’s Our Next ‘Diablo 3’ Expansion?
Diablo 3 needs another expansion, and Blizzard would be crazy not to give it one. You may not know it, but Diablo 3 is one of the best-selling games of all time.
Hollywood’s Most Overpaid Actors 2015
‘Captain America: Civil War’ Gets An Unnecessary (But Awesome) Second Trailer
Behold! Tis the second (and hopefully final) theatrical trailer for Captain America: Civil War! While I thought Walt Disney and Marvel might wait until the run up to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, in this day and age it’s better to get out a little early (or in Ghostbusters’s case, a little late) and have the floor to yourself. But come what may, this trailer will still play in front of around 94% of all Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice theatrical prints, starting with that film’s international release the week of the 20th. And yeah, this is a pretty great sell for what appears to be a very compelling Marvel movie.
Amazon Video To Start Streaming Dolby Vision HDR
Anything Netflix can (eventually) do…
If You Need Tax Credits, You Shouldn’t Be In Business
Have some pride, business people. Let’s fight for a tax system with a broad base, low rates, and no special deals. We will all be better off.
Locking Down Your Mobile Data: Inside Samsung Knox
Securing your mobile device is more than just a passcode. Especially when your device is shared between business and personal use. Take a look at how Samsung’s Knox security platform is tackling this challenge head-on.
Forbes CMO Interview: Johnson & Johnson’s Alison Lewis
The global CMO shares her view of the strength of the company’s brands globally, the marketing organization’s structure and new campaigns.
As The World Mourns George Martin, The ‘Other’ Fifth Beatle Gets A Star Turn
A key figure behind the rise of the Beatles will be the subject of a new prestige television event series.
Bitcoin 3.0-Tech BitShares Built On ‘Decentralized’ Conglomerate Platform Surges
With the advent of blockchain technology and smart contracts, a new paradigm of global enterprises is quickly emerging. As organizations combine forces in innovative ways, a new form of partnership called a Decentralized Conglomerate is now touted as being the “cutting-edge method” of building communities and establishing diversity in the marketplace. It’s a brave new world – if it wasn’t already before.
Google’s A.I. Program AlphaGo Claims Second Victory Against ‘Go’ Champion
AlphaGo just needs to win its third match on Saturday to claim overall victory in the human vs. A.I. tournament
Do These 2 Co-founders Hold The Secrets To Startup Success?
In the startup world they call it the “secret sauce”; those unknown elements that help make a collaboration between 2 or more founders greater than the sum of its parts.
After Five Years, What Is The Cost Of Fukushima?
The direct costs of the Fukushima disaster will be about $15 billion in clean-up over the next 20 years and over $60 billion in refugee compensation. Replacing Japan?s 300 billion kWhs from nuclear each year with fossil fuels has cost Japan over $200 billion, mostly from fuel costs for natural gas, fuel oil and coal. This cost will at least double, and that only if the nuclear fleet is mostly restarted by 2020. Since 2011, Japan?s trade deficit has become the worst in its history, and Japan is now the second largest net importer of fossil fuel in the world, right behind China. Strangely, the costs that never materialized were the most feared, those of radiation-induced cancer and death.
Five Questions To Ask Before Joining A Coworking Space
The following questions can help you weigh your options before making a physical and financial investment in a coworking space.
Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta Top 2016 Hall Of Fame Nominees, And Asmussen Is Back On The Ballot
Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta top the 2016 class of Hall of Fame nominees, and trainer Steve Asmussen is back on the ballot in a year full of worthy nominees. Who will get in, and who will get excluded?
Opera Launches Game-Changing Browser With Built-In Ad-Blocker
Opera has given users a new reason to use an ad-blocker: a new desktop browser that’s claimed to make web pages almost twice as fast to load. What effect will it have on the publishing industry?
Coworking Spaces Poised To Enter New Growth Phase
Coworking has become ubiquitous over the last 3 years. The coworking market now has over 7,000 players around the globe. In cities around the world, coworking operators have emerged alongside the startup boom, in what has becoming a fast growing new sub sector of the real estate market.
When You’re More Qualified Than The Boss
How Effective Are Your 360-Degree Feedback Assessments?
The Advisory Council at the Stanford Business School asked its members what attributes they believed business leaders needed most to become more effective. The consensus within the group was the need for greater self-awareness by leaders. Yet we all know that as leaders move upward in organizations, the likelihood of them receiving accurate information about their behavior spirals down.
Victoria’s Secret, Nike Cashes In On Rising Girl Power In China
Last week, news arrived in Shanghai that American lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret will open its first flagship store in the Chinese mainland “by the end of this year.” A whopping 1,475-square-meter space attached to the Lippo Plaza shopping center on Huaihai Road – the heart of Shanghai’s shopping district – will be replacing Louis Vuitton, and sit directly across the Hermès Maison store.
Introducing The Drag And Drop Employee
I wanted to introduce a concept which I think is starting to gain more momentum and will continue to do so over the coming years, especially as the freelancer economy continues to grow. It’s this concept of the drag and drop employee. If you have ever used any type of marketing automation software before, you will know that a lot of the functionality is about drag and drop. When you want something to happen you simply drag and drop the action into a sequence. Here’s a screenshot from marketing automation software provider, Infusionsoft, (which I use) so you can see what I’m talking about.
Target Bets on Our Better Nature
A recent Fortune article takes a look at Target’s “Made to Matter” initiative, now entering its third year. The idea, which aligns with the Minneapolis retailer’s wellness mission, includes both a marketing campaign and a special selection of brands in a dedicated area within the stores. Total sales amounted to only $1B last year out of $73B for the retailer overall, but corporate commitment remains strong.
Argonne Scientist Urges Next Generation Solar: ‘We Have No Choice’
Only next-generation solar technology can offset humanity’s use of fossil fuels, meet our energy needs, and do it in the time frame dictated by climate change, an Argonne National Laboratory scientist said in Chicago last night.
VR Happy Meals, Amazon’s Perfect IoT Water Jug
This is Change Log — my semi-weekly observations and links on the intersection of tech, commerce, health, culture and markets
‘Graham Bond Was Better Than Cream,’ Says Ten Years After’s Lee
In parts one and two of our interview series with the great Ten Years After drummer Ric Lee, we discussed the late musicians Alvin Lee and David Bowie, the insanity of the current political climate in the U.S., Woodstock and some of today’s more modern musical acts.
How Does NASA Decide Where Spacecraft Will Land When They Return To Earth?
How does NASA decide on where to land their spacecraft upon re-entry? This question was originally answered on Quora by C Stuart Hardwick.
Dilbert Claims Systems Trump Goals
No, this isn’t some new comic from Scott Adams about Dilbert interacting with Donald Trump – although I’m laughing about the possibilities.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Own a Piece of Amazing Joan Rivers History: Christie’s Announces Auction
Joan Rivers brought a lot of laughter and a few hysterical tears to our eyes. Now, you can own a piece of the comedian’s amazing history if you tune in to this summer’s on-line and live Christie’s Auction.
Test Your Knowledge Of Prime Numbers With This Game
You know 3 and 23 are prime, but what about 163? Put your prime knowledge to the test.
Dark Side Of Investment In Fast-Growing Vietnam
Vietnam has hung a light out for factory investment in Asia. The Southeast Asian country keeps costs and entry barriers low for foreign ventures. But another aspect of investment compares more to power outages: on, off, on again and now off once more. Officials have considered since 2013 opening many of Vietnam’s 865 listed companies to majority ownership by foreign portfolio investors but still haven’t powered up and now people with the capital are wondering why. The old foreign investment limits stop at 49%, a vestige of Communist Vietnam’s fear that foreigners would take control of plum enterprises.
Five Questions For Congressional Candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi
A few weeks ago, Forbes profiled Indian-American Congressional candidate, Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running to replace Representative Tammy Duckworth in the 8th District of Illinois.
Self-Driving Cars May Arrive Sooner Than You Think
Self-driving cars could be commercialized within three years, says Andrew Ng, Baidu’s chief scientist.
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