| Walking, Talking iRobot
Alas, the farther I read, the more obvious it became that we'll have to settle for walking, because that's pretty much the pace iRobot set. As it previously advised (twice, actually), iRobot beat expectations in 2007. Helped by beaucoup sales through retail outlets such as Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), Target (NYSE: TGT), and Sears Holdings' (NYSE: SHLD) stores, Roomba unit sales boomed last year, rising 24% for the 12 months. Unfortunately, as quickly as sales grew, gross profit rose a mere 18%, and gross margins contracted to 33%, well below the fiscal 2006 level. Part of the problem was higher costs for components. As for the margin contraction, you can look to the same actors who helped drive sales higher -- the retailers. Given its druthers, iRobot prefers to sell Roombas directly to consumers.
Burton Tried Bold Move at Daytona
02-20) 14:40 PST Darlington, S.C. (AP) -- With three laps to go, Jeff Burton knew he needed something bold and unconventional to keep his lead at the Daytona 500. So Burton kept low on the last restart, hoping to hold off Kyle Busch's charging Toyota. Instead, Busch went lower to slide by Burton while several cars, led by Busch's teammate, Tony Stewart, blew past the Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the high groove. Burton was left in the middle, without drafting help, and his chance at NASCAR's biggest race was all but done. A short time later, Burton crossed the finish line 13th behind winner Ryan Newman. "I tried to do something on the last restart that didn't work very well," Burton said Wednesday at Darlington Raceway.
Exhibit to kick off DUSP 75th-anniversary celebrations
A series of events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of MIT's landmark Department of Urban Studies and Planning will kick off with an exhibit in the Wolk Gallery, opening Tuesday, Feb. 12. The show, "Changing Cities: 75 Years of Planning Better Futures at MIT," uses archival, graphic and multimedia materials to portray the evolution and influence of the department in academic and practical spheres. It will continue through April 11. Over the past seven decades, the department has gained renown for pioneering new ways to analyze and enhance the physical form of cities; for embracing the social sciences in planning; and for expanding research to include studies of comparative planning and development practice around the world. "Changing Cities" chronicles changes within DUSP as it has engaged with the scale and pace of urbanization in the larger world.
Palestinian Aide Suggests Kosovo a Model
If this doesn't happen, we have another option," he said, noting Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia earlier this week. "Kosovo is not better than Palestine," he added. "If the whole world, the United States, the European Union, the majority of its states, have embraced the independence of Kosovo, why shouldn't this happen with Palestine as well?" Abed Rabbo said the Palestinian leadership is discussing the proposal. However, Abbas reacted coolly to the idea, saying in a statement that he remained committed to reaching a negotiated peace agreement this year. "If we are unable to do that ... we will return to our Arab (brothers) to take the appropriate decision," he said. The chief Palestinian negotiator, Ahmed Qureia, quickly quashed the idea of a unilateral decision and said such a proposal was never discussed by the Palestinian leadership.
Glencore – the power behind the Xstrata throne
As global mining firms circle London-listed Xstrata, behind the headlines is one of the most powerful commodities companies in the world and two men seen among the sharpest in the business. Holder of a strategic 34.6 percent stake in Xstrata is privately-owned trading firm Glencore International, which from the Swiss lakeside town of Zug controls a multibillion-dollar pipeline of oil, coal and crops as well as metals, and has almost $15 billion in shareholder funds in its coffers. Glencore began life in 1974 as a commodity trading firm set up by secretive billionaire commodities merchant Marc Rich, who sold out to management in 1994. The men who run Glencore now, Chairman Willy Strothotte and Chief Executive Ivan Glasenberg, may not be as famous but they have arguably been as successful.
Monday wild card
Now that you mention it I think Tami would do an excellent job. I hope she applies. DFO: Thanks for responding and clearing the air, Todd. Indeed, Tami would be a good council consideration, as would a number of other people. You'll be wise to stay as far away from the selection process as possible.
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