US oil explorers are expected to report a combined loss of about $14 billion for the year 2015, as a result of the sharpest oil price slump in a generation. Bankruptcies and disappointing debt exchanges have led the oil explorers to cut thousands of staffs, trim dividends, and abandon drilling projects to preserve capital and resist insolvency.
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California Drought Has Affected U.S. Wine Industry
Four years of drought in California is recorded as one of the most severe. The drought has taken effect on U.S. wine industry, as the amount of grape harvested is reduced significantly.
Toyota Motor contemplates a complete buyout of Daihatsu
Toyota Motor is seriously contemplating a buyout of Daihatsu Motor Co., which would give the company direct access to Daihatsu’s 660 cc mini vehicles. This investment would fetch Toyota great returns in the emerging markets and also enable leveraging of the low-cost production model that has long been Daihatsu’s competitive advantage.
Some Tech Startups Will Be Rabbits in 2016, Said Venture Capital Analyst
Unicorn is a term defining a startup company with over $1 billion valuation. Now, there will be other group of tech startups defined as "rabbit" to differentiate them from unicorns-overhype that become unicorpse.
Starbucks Decided to Retreat From Tea Markets, Closing 4 out of Its 5 Teavana Tea Bar
Three stores in New York will be converted to Starbucks stores, one store in Beverly Hills will be closed completely, one other in Seattle will remain open. More than 350 retail locations will also continue to sell the Teavana products, and some of the menus will be incorporated into Starbucks' menu.
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Apple is currently working to offer subscription-based content for its news app and is working with publishers to enable the pay wall. The new feature will put the app stand out compared to other news app available in the market.
JPMorgan Chase is all set to revolutionize the concept of ATM cash withdrawals. The bank will introduce the new system in the form of e-ATMs which will basically render bank cards redundant. The machines will dispense cash via a simple mobile app, in different denominations like $1, $5, $20, and $100 bills. At the same time, Chase has increased the withdrawal limit by three times, at $3000.
Zika virus outbreak is taking a toll on many countries around the world including Brazil which has raised concerns on the spread of infection among US population as well. Oxitec, a british company is set to release GM mosquitoes to contain the insect population in Brazil.
Oculus Studio, animation studio established by Oculus VR Inc introduced Quill. The animation tool enable illustrator to draw and make animation inside a VR to enhance the film making process in 3D environment.
Angelsense is an application that can be used to track the locations of children with autism. Children with autism are often wandering off. With the features in this application, parents can find out where their children are, and also receive alert messages if their children move to unusual locations.
The Drone Racing League already announce its first season that would take place in Miami this year. The league will involve only skilled pilots to compete in its six courses of races. The league hopes that they could be as big as NASCAR, Formula 1, or MotoGP.
Tech startup Slack Technologies hires Noah Weiss to lead the company's Search, Learning and Intelligence group. This indicates Sack Technologies interest to invest more on artificial intelligence.
Microsoft today unveiled a news application aimed at iOS users that is similar to Apple built in news app. However, the app is currently only available for the United States users.
New Mexico has become the first US state to sue the German automaker, Volkswagen, for breaching the Clean Air Act with huge levels of emissions as well as for trade malpractices. The allegation is the company sold as many as 4000-10000 faulty models whose nitrogen-oxide emissions exceeded the limits by 40%, which could cost VW almost $20 billion in fines.
