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John Pensec, corporate communications director for WestRock, could not immediately answer questions today on what the proposed acquisition of KapStone would mean for the Roanoke Rapids mill. “It’s business as usual. It’s just the beginning of the process of what the plans will be in terms of specific plans and specific locations. We think it’s an exciting opportunity.”
Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant said it is his understanding, “The operations should be the same and possibly enhanced. The county has reached out to local KapStone officials who have indicated the acquisition by WestRock is not expected to adversely impact operations in Roanoke Rapids and operations should remain the same.”
Documents filed with the SEC also indicate a business as usual approach at KapStone.
The documents include corporate-wide memos sent out by KapStone and transcripts of a conference call Monday discussing not only WestRock’s quarterly report but the plans to purchase Kapstone.
During the investor conference call WestRock CEO Steven C. Voorhees said, “I'm pleased to be able to announce that we signed a definitive agreement to acquire KapStone Paper and Packaging.
“Before I get too far, I want to express my admiration for Roger Stone, Matt Kaplan and the entire KapStone team for what they've built since 2005. It's an incredible story. I've been able to spend more time than ever with Roger and Matt over the past few months and it's only increased my regards of them as people and as businessmen. They're truly focused on the customers and their (employees), which delivered outstanding returns for investors.”
Voorhees noted, “KapStone is an outstanding fit with our business. The corrugated packaging operations will enhance WestRock's North American corrugated packaging business and provide complementary products and geographical locations that will enable us to better serve customers across our system.”
He said the addition of specialty paper products to WestRock's portfolio “further expands our comprehensive range of differentiated products into heavyweight kraft rates that we currently do not produce. With the transaction, (we've) also acquired Victory Packaging, the packaging solutions distribution company with more than 60 facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Victory provides opportunities for WestRock to integrate our system further downstream to an expanded set of customers.”
Voorhees said, “I'm looking forward to welcoming KapStone employees to WestRock to provide them opportunities to sustain and advance their careers and I'm looking forward with working with them to help make WestRock an even more successful company.”
He told the investors, “We have a track record of successfully generating efficiency and productivity that increase performance and create value. The acquisition of KapStone is no exception as we expect approximately $200 million in synergy and performance improvements. Over half of which we think will be achieved within a year of closing.”
The proposed acquisition will add four mills to complement WestRock’s current geographic footprint. “The addition of these mills will provide opportunities to further optimize our mill production and reduce both logistics and variable operating costs. The (Washington) Longview mill gives us great logistical advantages with its strategic Northwest presence, while the other mills integrate well into our existing system.”
In a question and answer document contained in the SEC files KapStone explained, “We have entered into a definitive agreement for KapStone to be acquired by WestRock. We expect the transaction to close during the quarter ending September 30, 2018, subject to customary closing conditions and approval by KapStone’s shareholders.”
The memo explains WestRock is a leading provider of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, based in Atlanta, with a vision of being the premier partner and unrivaled provider of winning solutions to their customers.
WestRock had approximately $15 billion in revenue in fiscal 2017. Its 45,000 team members serve their customers from more than 300 operating and business locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
KapStone explained WestRock has the following market leadership positions:
North American consumer paperboard — 1
North American folding carton — 2
North American merchandising displays — 1
Beverage multi-packaging — 2
North American containerboard — 2
North American corrugated packaging — 2
Brazil corrugated packaging — 2
“WestRock was formed in 2015 with the merger of RockTenn and MeadWestvaco,” the Q&A said. “Like KapStone, WestRock has grown through acquisition. In 2017, WestRock acquired Multi Packaging Solutions, as well as four acquisitions of packaging businesses that improved their North American corrugated packaging footprint.”
Explaining why KapStone agreed to the deal, the Q&A said, “After careful consideration, KapStone’s board determined that this transaction was in the best interests of KapStone stockholders. In addition to providing compelling value to stockholders, becoming part of a larger and more diversified market leader like WestRock will bring even greater value and service to our customers and create enhanced growth and opportunities for employees.”
The strategic rationale, the memo said is, “This is an exciting opportunity for both companies and one that we believe will create significant value for our stockholders and customers and enhance our capabilities to partner with them and provide the right solutions to achieve their business objectives.
“Becoming part of WestRock will provide KapStone’s customers with a deeper, more comprehensive product portfolio and access to a broader, national network of facilities. For WestRock, the transaction significantly enhances their scale and scope in the market, particularly in the Western U.S., and the assumption of our specialty kraft paper products will enhance their portfolio.”
General questions in the memo
Will there be any layoffs as a result of the transaction?
Answer: Until closing, the two companies will operate independently; it is business as usual.
This transaction is primarily about accelerating growth and positioning the company for continued success.
Over the long term, we believe employees should have increased career opportunities as part of a larger and more diversified global company.
Will my benefits or pay change?
Answer: Until closing, the two companies will operate independently as we do today. It is business as usual. There will be no changes to pay or benefits in the immediate future.
Will merit increases occur as scheduled?
Answer: Yes, merit increases will occur as normally scheduled.
Does today’s announcement affect any management incentive plan payouts for our performance in 2017?
Answer: No. MIP payouts will occur as originally scheduled, based on our results for 2017.
Will KapStone still make an RSA contribution to 401(k) Plan accounts for the 2017 plan year?
Answer: Yes. RSA contributions will be deposited into eligible participant accounts during the week of January 29.
Will the acquisition affect union contracts at KapStone facilities?
Answer: No. Existing contracts will remain in effect.
How will our companies fit together?
Answer: Our companies are a strong fit. KapStone and WestRock share a common culture of focusing on being a long-term, trusted partner with customers and a commitment to providing innovative, differentiated packaging solutions.
WestRock’s business philosophy is rooted in many of the values and principles that have guided KapStone.
Like KapStone, WestRock is focused on operational excellence, quality integrity, safety, sustainability and superior customer service.
WestRock is also committed to developing their people and ensuring they have the tools and training to contribute to the success of the business and to grow personally and professionally.
For the past three consecutive years, WestRock has been named to FORTUNE magazine’s annual list of the World’s Most Admired Companies based on its achievements across a variety of areas including investment value, quality of management and products, social responsibility and the ability to attract and develop talent.
Who will lead the combined company? Will anyone from the KapStone leadership team be joining WestRock?
Answer: Steve Voorhees is Chief Executive Officer of WestRock, and Jeff Chalovich is President of its Corrugated Packaging business. Since the transaction has not closed, it is too early to provide any additional details.
KapStone intra-company correspondence
On Monday, Stone and Kaplan sent out correspondence to all KapStone employees announcing the proposed acquisition, labeling it in the subject line as “Important KapStone Announcement.”
The correspondence begins saying, “We are pleased to announce today that we have entered into a definitive agreement for KapStone to be acquired by WestRock. This is an exciting development for both of our companies. By joining forces, we will create one of the largest providers of innovative paper and packaging solutions to customers around the world.
“More than 10 years ago, we began a journey to build a world-class paper and packaging company with the resources and skills of our largest competitors — but that also treated our customers and employees like a small, family-oriented company. We have pursued this dream together, and we should all be proud of what we have accomplished together in making KapStone the company it is today.”
The document says WestRock’s interest in acquiring KapStone is a testament to the strength of the company “we have built and our impressive track record of delivering value for our stockholders and customers. From our perspective, we believe that becoming part of WestRock is the next logical step for KapStone. It’s in the best interest of our stockholders and customers, and we are confident it will provide even greater opportunities for employees to grow in their careers.”


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The wealth management industry veteran is said to have resigned amid talk of the debt-ridden Reliance Group’s plan to bring the business back into Reliance Securities.
Separately, Amrita Farmahan, who joined KKR-backed Avendus’s wealth management arm at a senior position from Reliance last year, has left the firm.
An email query to Reliance Capital did not elicit a response. In response to an email query, Avendus Wealth’s managing director George Mitra confirmed Farmahan’s exit from the firm. Rao and Farmahan could not be reached for comments. Rao did not respond to a text message seeking response.
Rao was roped in from HDFC Bank in early 2018 to boost the Anil Ambani-controlled group’s wealth management business. The appointment was considered high profile as Rao was one of the top executives in HDFC Bank’s wealth management business--among the biggest in the country. He spent 18 years at the bank.
With Rao joining the firm, the group carved the wealth management arm out of Reliance Securities to give it a fresh impetus, which was part of Anil Ambani’s son, Anmol’s plan to grow Reliance Capital.
The move had also triggered senior level exits at Reliance. After Rao’s appointment, Farmahan along with a team of about 20 senior executives from Reliance’s wealth management arm quit to join Avendus Wealth in mid-2019. Farmahan, who was a senior executive director at Avendus Wealth, headed the wealth management business of Reliance Group.
- Front Page
- Pure Politics
- Sumitomo Mitsui, 4 Others Sought Info on IDBI Sale
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and one other global bank are among five potential investors that have sought information from the Centre about the sale of state equity in IDBI Bank through a formal query process that closed on November 10, people familiar with the matter told ET.Flipkart may go in for $700m Esop Buyback
Walmart-owned homegrown ecommerce marketplace Flipkart is likely to facilitate a $700 million employee stock buyback as part of digital payments platform PhonePe’s new financing round, multiple sources briefed on the matter told ET.Falling Input Costs may Cool Prices of Essentials, Apparel
Prices of groceries, daily essentials and apparel are likely to fall over the next two quarters as input costs are expected to decline, spurring sales in the process, according to consumer goods makers.
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Update February 24th: The temporary window-display was updated after this post was published and the opening date was pushed back 2 weeks to open on Monday 23rd February.
A Sainsbury’s Local convenience store is taking residence at one of Brent Civic Centre’s commercial units facing Olympic Way.
A temporary window-display reads ‘Welcome to Sainsbury’s West Olympic Way Local. Opens 7am, Monday 9th February.
Quintain who are behind the Wembley Park development hinted a year ago that a supermarket chain would occupy one of the Brent Civic commercial units. I speculated that it would be a Wembley Waitrose, although I got it wrong, I’m pleased that it’s not another Tesco’s.
Sainsbury’s convenience store sales are up 16% so there is a big focus for them and their competitors to open more. This comes at a time where local communities are starting to oppose convenience stores flooding our high streets.
Wembley is a transient neighbourhood so there isn’t really an established community as such that would oppose these convenience stores. So it’s no surprise that Wembley Park has 6 Tesco stores in a 3 mile radius.
This will be Sainsbury’s first store in Wembley, the nearest are in Dollis Hill which is 2 stops on the Jubilee Line or in Alperton.


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All those power-wielding managing directors can now top up their millions by popping into a new high street outlet called the Investment Centre. The centre, in Birmingham, claims to be the first of its type in the UK. Set up by ShareLink, the outlet provides a multimedia public information service to make investing more accessible to the general public. Mouse Power Multimedia Studios has designed a window display to draw shoppers into the store. For more details call Emma Keane at ShareLink on 0171-247 1117.
Developer Zach Lieberman and artist Molmol Kuo have launched an app that lets users create typography and graphics in their surroundings by using augmented reality technology.
The organisation, which gives the public access to hundreds of privately-owned houses and gardens across the UK, is looking to raise awareness, boost memberships and reveal itself as the UK’s
The celebrated American graphic designer Milton Glaser has compiled a book of over 400 of his posters from the last six decades. We speak to him about the new publication,
Charity New Story and construction company Icon have worked together to create a home using 3D-printing, an “affordable” and “fast” alternative to traditional house-building methods.


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Bitcoin rose by more than 10% on Tuesday, surpassing the $ 7,000 level after weeks of steady but lower prices. The most precious virtual currency in the world moved much higher in the late afternoon yesterday reaching $ 7,500, the highest level since 9 June.
Cryptocurrency experts have said that the price jump has more to do with the technical levels of any other catalyst.
The $ 6,800 level was a massive resistance for three weeks and the exceeding of this share generated a technical buy signal, after which the market reached another major resistance represented by the 100 day moving average that stopped the movement, the next purchase signal will be the breakout of this resistance which passes to 7,600 dollars.
Mark Newton, president and founder of Newton Advisors, said the technical models in recent days suggest that the bitcoin could continue up to $ 8,000, “with no real news to help explain to us why”.
Earlier this week, the asset management giant BlackRock confirmed that it had organized a working group tasked with examining cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, which, according to some, led to price increases.
Thanks to the bitcoin rally, all the major cryptocurrencies have gained value, Ripple XRP has finally exceeded $ 0.50 reaching a maximum of 0.52 while the price of Ethereum (ETH) has risen above 500 dollars.
Stellar Lumen, on the other hand, was the cryptocurrency which obtained higher earnings (+ 20%) after the listing of Kucoin and the announcement of Coinbase according to which it could be added to their trading platform together with four other cryptocurrencies: Basic Attention Token, Cardano , Zcash and 0x.


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This article is more than 1 year old
SiS climbs into Rambus bed
All licensed and above board
It appears almost impossible to keep a secret if you are an IT company operating in Taiwan - great for hacks and stock rampers - but sometimes crap, if you are the company concerned.
In today's example, the *news* is that Silicon Integrated Systems, known to all and sundry as SiS, has licensed Direct RDRAM memory technology from Rambus.
The PR value of the announcement is undermined somewhat by its leak into the market late last month.
And it is unclear exactly what the pair are announcing: the move that could see the Taiwanese firm make RDRAM-enabled chipsets for the Pentium 4. But the press release does not specifically say that SiS is to make RDRAM chipsets for the P4, merely that it can integrate Rambus IP into future products.
Still it's good news for Rambus, which has been short of good news for a wee while. And it will be good news for mobo makers and system builders - if SiS turns its license into kit - to have a second supplier of RDRAM chipsets, alongside Intel, on board. More choice will mean lower prices. ®


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PC Gaming Multiple reports stated that AMD's Ryzen 7000 ran into performance issues when running Windows 11. AMD has since come out with a statement disagreeing with those claims.
AMD's first Mendocino 7020 Series processors have been unveiled, including Athlon Gold, Ryzen 3, and Ryzen 5 options.
This week was one of the busiest we've seen in months when it comes to news. Our roundup covers Surface rumors, a new lineup of CPUs from AMD, two foldable PCs, and much more.
AMD unveiled its latest Ryzen 7000 processors at a special event at the IFA trade show, promising a new era of performance for gamers, enthusiasts, and content creators.
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Humble Bundle, the website that bundles digital content and offers it to consumers for whatever they wish to pay, is teaming with Image Comics to offer its first all-graphic novel digital bundle. The Humble Image Comics Bundle launches today and for the next two weeks fans can name their own price for digital editions of such bestselling graphic novels as Walking Dead, Fatale, East of West, and Lazarus.
Originally launched as promotional vehicle for videogames, Humble Bundle has expanded its offerings to e-books. While HB has offered comics in its previous e-book bundles, the Image Comics Bundle is the first to offer all graphic novels. Each Humble Bundle is DRM-free and offered online for two weeks and lets users pay what they wish for the bundle, splitting the payment between publisher, a charity of choice and Humble Bundle itself. The site attracts millions of visitors each week and sends out a twice-weekly newsletter to four million subscribers. For this all-graphic novel, Humble Bundle has added a new nonprofit charity, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a first amendment watchdog focused on protecting the rights of comics artists, fans, publishers and retailers.
While there have only been about three e-book bundles, they have been downloaded more than 200,000 times and generated more than $2 million, according to HB. Overall, HB has sold more 15 million bundles, generated more than $80 million in revenue, and raised more than $30 million for charity.
Kelley Allen, director of e-books at Humble Bundle, said that Humble Bundle is launching a “Book Tab” on May 13, a page on the Humble Bundle site dedicated to e-book and audiobook promotions going forward. Beginning May 13 HB will offer two e-book/audiobook bundles every month.
Fans can pay what they wish for the basic Humble Image Comics Bundle which will offer digital editions of East of West Vol. 1, a sci-fi dystopian Western by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta, Lazarus Vol 1. by Greg Rucka, Michael Lark and Santiago Arcas, the story of a future world run by high-tech Mafia families, Morning Glories vol. 1 by Nick Spenser and Joe Eisma, the story of six students at a sinister and deadly prep school, and Fatale Vol 1. By Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the story of an immortal, supernatural femme Fatale.
If fans pay more than the average donation, they will also unlock access to three more of Image’s most popular graphic novels. The bonus editions include Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples blockbuster bestseller, Saga Vol. 1, a sci-fi/fantasy tale of love and war, Revival Vol. 1 by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton, the story of a Wisconsin town in which the dead have come back to life, and Chew Vol. 1, John Layman and Rob Guillory’s hit series about a police detective that’s a Cibopath or someone who gets psychic impressions from whatever they eat.
And if the fan pays $15, they also unlock Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard’s bestselling zombie graphic novel/TV series the Walking Dead (volume 1 and volume 20), for a total of nine graphic novels. In addition, HB will also offer a “mid-promotion addition,” a week after the graphic novel bundle launches, HB will add three more books (to be named at the time) if the consumer pays more than the average donation.
Allen said that HB plans to offer more graphic novel bundles in the future and added that she hopes the agreement with the CBLDF "is the beginning of a long partnership.”


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Three important names are set to join the Scientific Technical Committee of MARCA by BolognaFiere 2019
Forza3, Acqua e Sapone and MD/LD Discount will join the Scientific Technical Committee of MARCA 2019.
Some more names are set to be added to list of leading retail groups at the coming edition of the event dedicated to the world of Private Labels. Forza3 will be making a return to the event, while Acqua e Sapone and MD/LD Discount will be participating for the first time,
The addition of these retail groups further reinforces the importance of the only Italian exhibition and conference event, and the second largest event of its kind in Europe, dedicated to this important sector, which in recent years has been experiencing constant growth. Marca now boasts a Scientific Technical Committee that includes almost all of the leading retail groups in grocery retail.


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The nationwide gas price average reached an all-time high at
$1.770 for a gallon of regular unleaded Tuesday.
Ron Phillips, chair of the economics department, estimates that
by the end of the summer, gas prices across the nation will top $2
a gallon and will likely hit $3 a gallon in some areas.
He said production of gas should soon be on the rise, but the
impact may not be felt in the form of lower pump prices until
“The thing is, because of summer there’s going to be an increase
in demand, so that’s going to keep prices up. They might not be
coming down until the fall,” said Phillips. “They may not peak out
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was
$1.717 in the Fort Collins-Loveland area Tuesday, according to
www.fuelgaugereport.com, a AAA-sponsored Web site.
Gas prices in Fort Collins are among the lowest in the state.
Prices in Vail are now more than $2 a gallon, according to the Web
Mary Greer, director of public relations and government affairs
for the Colorado branch of AAA, said prices here could be
“We haven’t broken our record yet. While Colorado’s prices are
up, we’re not seeing the wild price-spikes that are being seen in
other states,” she said. “It’s hard to predict what will
There are many factors contributing to the current spike in
prices, including the issue of supply and demand.
Political science professor Chuck Davis said the recent spike in
prices is due mainly to an Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries decision to cut oil production by 1 million barrels a
“Because the U.S. is dependent on foreign oil for a sizeable
percentage of its gas and oil consumption, there is a direct impact
that occurs when the major producer, in this case the OPEC
coalition of countries, restricts output,” Davis said. “When they
restrict output, that means prices rise.”
Greer attributes the problem partially to high crude-oil prices.
One barrel of oil, which can produce 42 gallons of gas, costs
“Because the prices have been so high, refiners have been
unwilling to purchase additional supplies,” she said.
According to the American Petroleum Institute, there are a
variety of smaller issues that add to the problem created by a high
global demand for oil when supplies are restricted.
These factors include a growing U.S. economy, new restrictive
fuel specifications and increased sport utility vehicle popularity.
SUV sales were up 18 percent in 2003, while car sales declined,
according to the API.
While high gas prices may put a dent in some people’s wallets,
Phillips said the spike in costs might not be as disastrous as some
“It might even help in the long run because people might start
thinking of alternative ways of getting around,” he said.
Greer said there are many ways consumers can save money. She
suggests carpooling and running errands on the way to work or
“Take a look at your driving habits,” she said. “You might save
yourself a few gallons a week by driving smarter, not harder.”
She said the most important way to save money on fuel is to keep
the vehicle well maintained.
“If your car is not being properly maintained, it is not going
to get the miles per gallon you bought it for. You’ll lose 20
percent of that just in improper maintenance,” she said.
She said it is important to keep the tires well inflated, the
fluids clean and fresh, and the engine in working order.
“Keep your cars maintained, conserve a little, travel with a
couple people,” Greer said. “If everybody works a little bit, it
might offset the challenges that are facing the industry right


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As investors across the region ushered in the Year of the Dragon last month, hoping for a better year for China’s markets, Dale Nicholls, portfolio manager of Fidelity China Special Situations PLC, outlines why despite the volatility, the overall trend still points to a recovery in growth and highlights the key areas of opportunity still to be found in the world’s second largest economy.
Following its initial reopening in 2023, sentiment towards China has been volatile, largely driven by challenges in the property sector. Policymakers continue to respond with the aim of offsetting downside risks and restoring investor confidence. Because of this we believe there are still opportunities to be found in this Year of the Dragon, which according to tradition is associated with strength wisdom, luck and prosperity.
Considering the broader context is crucial. China is at a different point in the economic cycle to the West. Unlike Europe or the US, inflation has not been a problem in China and the government is taking measures to stimulate investment and consumption to support the post-Covid recovery.
Despite sluggish economic activity, the overall trend still points towards a continued recovery in growth. Consumer confidence remains soft, mainly due to a weakened property market, but the government is addressing this by implementing various measures including lower mortgage requirements and support for property developers. Additional measures to boost both supply and demand in the sector may be required, but a substantial amount of household savings - accumulated recently for security - sets the stage for an upswing in consumer spending once confidence is restored.
Going forward, we expect economic activity to pick up with improving business confidence, which has been impacted by regulatory clampdowns. There is cyclicality to regulation and the current policy orientation is shifting towards loosening, with more balance between growth and stability. After all, China’s long-term goal to double GDP per capita relies on a vibrant private sector and sustained growth.
In the face of a problematic property market in China, the refinancing conditions for property developers will likely remain challenging in the near term despite more supportive policies. However, this is not detrimental to all property developers. While we don’t expect a huge property rebound given the structural challenges, home prices are showing signs of resilience, especially in top tier cities.
Ultimately, the existing divergence between various developers could be magnified further. The indiscriminate sell-off has caused some mispricing, which provides an opportunity for active investors that can successfully identify the leading players, who are most likely to benefit from lower funding costs among peers and can gain market share while cash-strapped developers struggle.
Given the extent of recent market sell-off, valuations in the Chinese equity market remain compelling both in historical terms and compared with some other major markets. Clearly, a lot of pessimism over the economy appears priced into valuations.
Despite performing effectively in industries with strong growth potential, the stories of exceptional individual companies are often missed because their valuations are dragged down by negative macro headlines and poor sentiment. Given that stock prices tend to follow earnings in the long-term and provided that the forecasted earnings growth for such companies materialises, we believe the upside potential of investing in these companies is significant.
As such, we are continuing to find companies offering compelling long-term growth prospects within China’s industrial sector, driven by rapid innovation and ongoing industry consolidation. Many businesses are also benefitting from the re-orientation of global supply chains and an increasing preference for local suppliers.
Across sectors, companies are sustaining a fast pace of innovation, evident in measures of R&D spend or their share of global patent applications. This is improving their competitive edge and, in areas like robotics for example, domestic players are closing the gap on global peers.
Fragmented industries like building materials, including paint, pipes and waterproofing, are poised for further consolidation, following the trajectory seen in more developed markets. Good quality companies with an edge and scale should profit from gaining market share and are providing attractive investment opportunities.
In emerging sectors such as electric vehicles and renewable energy, we are identifying opportunities among enablers in the EV value chain, particularly those providing key components and services, such as EV battery manufacturers or auto parts suppliers. Healthcare also presents opportunities, especially in areas with low penetration like medical devices or core pharmaceuticals.
The portfolio also retains a significant exposure to the consumer sector as, despite recent challenges, many companies will continue to benefit from China’s long-term shift from export and investment-led growth towards higher quality growth driven by consumption. Urbanisation and a growing middle class persist in strengthening consumer purchasing power, offering notable structural growth for those under-penetrated products and services industries.
Investing for the long-term
Despite ongoing challenges, we are still seeing growth and adaptability in companies and opportunities for investors. Moreover, given our recent discussions with companies on the ground, we have the sense that worst is behind us and over the longer-term, improved corporate earnings could be a key driver for the return of broader investor confidence.
As noted previously, innovation continues to thrive across sectors, reflecting companies’ commitment to building a competitive edge. High-end manufacturing and domestic consumption are central to the government's long-term plan to reduce reliance on investment and property for driving growth.
Equally, while overseas investors may focus on the impact on China of de-globalisation and ‘near-shoring’ of industry, one consequence of this is an increasing preference among Chinese consumers for Chinese brands, resulting in domestic companies taking ever greater market share in what remains one of the world’s largest markets.
News & Insights - China Special Situations PLC
Fidelity China Special Situations maintains its place on AJ Bell Se…
Fidelity China Special Situations PLC has been confirmed for the second year …


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With Firefox, getting around the internet is fast, straight-forward and easy. Now you can go beyond the basics with these secret and not-so-secret tricks that make your internetting experience even more fun. Read on for some of our favorite Firefox features that you may not know about… yet.
Social media is no longer used just for the purpose of socializing. Over the years it has evolved into a powerful marketing platform and marketers are thoroughly taking advantage of it to boost their conversions.
The pandemic has made omnichannel a business imperative for merchants of all sizes. After all, omnichannel shoppers spend 10% more online and have a 30% higher lifetime value than single-channel customers, according to Matt Dornfeld, Director of Business Development – Global Omnichannel Partnerships, BigCommerce.


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Nokia 2 Hits The Store Shelves In The US; See Price, Specs And Other Details
Nokia 2 has finally hit the store shelves in the United States. The low-end Nokia-branded smartphone is developed by the Finnish company, HMD Global. The device comes bearing a price tag of under $100.
The budget-friendly smartphone was unveiled at a launch event in India. HMD Global said the Nokia 2 will be available worldwide by mid-November for EUR 99. As promised, the device was launched in Russia earlier this month and South Africa after that. On Monday, November 20, the company debuted the smartphone in the US.
HMD Global began U.S. pre-orders for the entry-level smartphone at Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy. The unlocked model of Nokia 2 comes bearing a starting price tag of $99. It's worth noting that the handset will not work on CDMA-based networks including Sprint and Verizon. However, it is still compatible with T-Mobile and AT&T's bands, according to a report by XDA Developers.
Although Nokia 2 supports 4G LTE in the US, features including HD Voice, VoLTE or WiFi Calling are unlikely to work on either carrier. This is quite uncommon on unlocked smartphones, particularly ones carrying this price range.
The Nokia 2 sports a 5-inch HD LTPS display. Under the hood, it packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor along with 1GB of RAM, which is paired with 8GB of onboard storage. This storage can be expanded up to 128GB via a micro SD card. Nokia 2 comes with Adoptable Storage support, which allows users to format their micro SD card and use it for internal storage. Android Headlines reported.
On the photography front, Nokia 2 sports an 8MP rear-mounted camera and a 5MP front shooter for the selfie addicts. Both cameras can record up to 720p video. Nokia 2 is backed by a robust 4100mAh battery, which is expected to keep the smartphone going for a few days on one charge. It features a headphone jack, but HMD Global has not added NFC.
The Nokia 2 will come running on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. The device will receive an upgrade to the latest Android 8.0 Oreo soon, but HMD Global did not confirm exactly when.


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GoldieBlox Founder: Toy Stores Said 'This Would Never Sell'
From Marissa Mayer to Sheryl Sandberg, women are becoming more prominent in business. But, they're still not leading in science fields. GoldieBlox founder Debra Sterling discusses how empowering toys can change that. Look out Barbie!


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Hell is getting set to launch its new smoked rabbit pizza, just in time for Easter. And, like many companies launching new products, it sent out a goodie bag to selected media to draw attention to it. But, unlike many companies launching a new product—and in quintessentially controversial Hell fashion—it also included this unusual ceramic toy.
Browsing: smoking baby
Smoked rabbit, smoking baby


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Though retailers and venues have been adopting Apple Pay, the service’s real strength so far seems to be in the area of in-app purchases.
As Christmas drew near in 2014, in-app checkout support from Apple Pay spread to LoungeBudddy and Ticketmaster (among others).
LoungeBuddy displays airport lounges information for the 500 busiest airports in the world. Owners of the iPhone 6 and 6 plus will now be able to use Apple Pay as a payment option for the Instant Lounge Access feature.
Ticketmaster, which allows consumers to both buy and sell tickets online, is now allowing Apple Pay at checkout using Touch ID. Ticketmaster’s app is compatible with any Apple Pay-ready device, including the phones and the iPad.
Groupon, an early adopter of Apple Pay in-app payments, has expanded opportunities for customers to use the service. The deals, coupons, and shopping app recently expanded Apple Pay support for buying goods and services through its iPad app.
The digital merchant expansion comes just on the heels of the annoucnement that Apple Pay is now compatible with 90 percent of the nation’s issued pay cards.


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According to Reggie Fils-Aime.
According to NoA's president, its loss-making Wii U swings to profit with just a single game purchase along with the console.
As you may know, Nintendo said its selling the newest Wii U at a loss. However, according to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, the console becomes "profit positive" once consumers purchase one game.
So, he added that Nintendo's "business model doesn't change dramatically."
The Wii U was released in North America last weekend, and will go on sale in Europe on November 30. Nintendo has said it expects 5.5 million Wii U sales in the business year ending March 31, 2013, as well as 24 million Wii U software sales.
NEWS SOURCE #1: Wii-U profitable with just one software sale (via) GameSpot
NEWS SOURCE #2: Wii U profitable after one game purchase (via) CVG
Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!


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Motorists can expect a slight reduction in fuel prices by next week Wednesday.
Economist at FNB, Koketso Mano, says this reduction could be made possible by the overall price of Brent crude oil which has significantly fallen over the past 2 weeks.
The current over-recovery, on the country’s fuel prices, will also add to this reduction.
Mano says the projection is that petrol prices may reduce by R1 per litre, while diesel prices may drop by up to 60 cents per litre.
This reduction will however not result in an immediate reduction in the cost of daily goods such as food and transport.
Mano says the more than R2 increase in fuel prices, which was announced earlier this month, will continue to affect the prices of goods for a while still.
For the latest news updates, follow the Smile 90.4FM Twitter page.
- Comments now open on proposal to introduce a price cap on 93 Octane Petrol.
- Fuel price increases for July: Here is how much more you’ll pay and why.
⛽Although economists predict that the country's fuel prices will see a decrease next week, the more than R2 increase in fuel prices will continue to affect the prices of goods for a while still.
— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) July 27, 2022


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Russian developers have tweaked the design of a proposed successor to the Antonov An-124 to increase its capacity, and assess the potential benefits of winglets.
The proposed design – tentatively designated the ‘Slon’, a word meaning ‘elephant’ – has been undergoing windtunnel tests at the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.
Previous testing examined the aerodynamics of the four-engined jet at various speeds.
As a result of these tests, the institute has modified the aircraft’s design and configuration, increasing its fuselage cross-section to enhance its bulk cargo capability.
“Thanks to the enlarged fuselage, we will be able to offer customers transportation of large volumes of cargo for the estimated flight range,” says integrated technology researcher Alexnder Krutov.
The refinements also include reducing the wing-fuselage fairing, and improving the engine pylons’ and nacelle profile in line with plans to install Aviadvigatel PD-35 powerplants on the type.
Analysts also studied “several variants” of wing-tips, says the institute. The model, around 2m in length with a 1.8m span, shows small winglets fitted near the trailing edge.
“Comparing [the wing-tips’] effect on lift-to-drag ratio during testing, specialists will be able to choose the best option,” the institute adds.
All the new design elements will be subjected to windtunnel testing by the end of this year, with researchers looking at the aerodynamic effects in cruise.
Krutov says the ‘Slon’ will be optimised primarily for civil operations, with a range of around 3,800nm (7,000km) and a payload capability of 180t.


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By Rick Hay
The food news all insomniacs want to hear
Britons are the worst sleepers in the world. Nutritionist Rick Hay brings you the foods to help you sleep - eat them often.
by Rick Hay
Gynaecologist Gabrielle Downey explains what ovarian cysts are and what your doctor should do about them in this informative specialist's guide
Want to feel better fast? Pick a tune or instrument. Music therapist Dr Stella Compton-Dickinson has a guide to how music affects mood
Ever considered getting a designer vagina? Once a taboo subject, the cosmetic procedure is increasingly popular. Don't book anything before you read our guide from gynaecologist Dr Gabrielle Downey
Want to get rid of puffy eyes? Celebrity facialist Abigail James shows you to get rid of puffy eyes with a two minute facial massage Famous for her healing hands, facialist Abigail James is one of the beauty industry’s most revered experts whose knowledge
Editor Anna Magee, a long time convert to protein powders talks to Rick Hay, nutritionist and lecturer in weight management about how to know if you need to supplement
Global warming could lead us to be sleep deprived by 2099, according to new research. Nutritionist Rick Hay explains exactly what to eat for better sleep
Dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams reveals the products and high-fat diet she swears by - and why veganism isn't the best choice for skin
For our new series, Secrets of Doctors with Beautiful Skin, we spoke to dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto about having acne since she was a teen and exactly how she keeps her skin looking this good, at 37!
Carol Vordeman has bravely spoken about the crippling depression she suffered during the menopause. Gynaecologist Dr Gabrielle Downey says plenty can be done about such symptoms, yet many women suffer in silence. Don't be one of them
Is your IBS embarrassing? New research reveals the overwhelming effect of the chronic condition on people's lives, with 45 per cent of people with it reporting feeling depressed. Leading gastroenterologist Dr Simon Smale reveals the seven ways to beat your IBS for good
© 2017 Healthista Ltd.


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Industry analysts said June sales could drop to their lowest monthly rate in 16 years, with several predicting another double-digit dip.
Nation's biggest automaker on Tuesday reported selling 262,329 vehicles for the month, compared with Toyota's 193,234.
Dennis Westhoff has been named global business development manager for the St. Louis-based manufacturer of precision bore machining technology.
Global investors plowed $148 billion into new wind, solar and other alternative energy assets last year, in what the United Nations describes as a 'green energy gold rush' gaining speed the last several years.
Fewer than one in five workers will be able to maintain their lifestyle upon retirement, according to a study released Tuesday.
Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of prices manufacturers pay for raw materials hit 91.5 in June, up from 87 in May and the highest reading since 1979.
Canadian auto parts supplier is no longer considering northwest Alabama for a plant that could've brought some 1,000 jobs the area, officials said.
Increases represent the sixth consecutive annual rise in iron ore prices, as demand for the steel making material soars from China and other developing nations.
Auto parts maker will add two catalytic converter manufacturing lines to its Elkhart exhaust plant as part of a $6 million expansion expected to be finished by year's end.
Campbell says the acquisition and licensing agreement extend the company's offerings in the growing organic and natural segment of the market.
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said NHTSA’s goal of increasing fuel economy by 4.5 percent per year between 2011 and 2015 is not 'economically practicable.'
The court said the state failed to prove that the presence of lead paint was a public nuisance in Rhode Island and that the lawsuit should have been dismissed.
Athletic apparel and footwear maker named former Land's End President David McCreight as its president, responsible for long-term growth strategy development.
U.S. manufacturing activity has grown for the first time in five months in June, thanks to strong exports according to the Institute for Supply Management.
Chemical producer Huntsman said Tuesday the European Commission approved its purchase by Hexion Specialty Chemicals, an affiliate of Apollo Management LP.
Orthopedic product maker Orthofix International NV on Monday named Brad Mason to the new position of group president, North America.
Supplier of aluminum wheels for major automakers has named Parveen Kakar senior vice president, corporate engineering and product development.
About 250 workers at Oakville, Ontario, auto parts company Polywheels Manufacturing became the latest casualties of high gas prices.
State officials are expressing disappointment that the all-electric car company will keep its manufacturing plant in California instead of building its next car in New Mexico.
Manufacturer of on- and off-highway replacement products said it plans to acquire 85 percent of drum and rotor manufacturing company, Longkou Haimeng Machining Company.


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The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has presented a class action lawsuit against Apple for the short useful life of the iPhone 6. This body accuses the US company of deliberately hiding the battery problems of these phones through software updates, which pushed users to buy new phones. In a press release released on Thursday, the OCU specifies that this lawsuit defends the interests of 400,000 people affected in Spain, who were caused economic damage of between 40 and 80 million euros. Claim between 99 and 189 euros of compensation per mobile of this range.
The OCU denounces that Apple “updated the software in the different models of the iPhone 6 to mask the performance problems of its batteries, knowing that this would cause a slowdown and loss of performance of the phones.” “By doing this,” continues the OCU, “users thought that the iPhone had outgrown them, because they were more slow, a fact that pushed them to change their model”.
The complaints of the OCU against the technological giant for the problems of the iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus and 6s Plus models began two years ago. In a 2020 release He explained that he went “on multiple occasions” to the company to claim compensation from those injured. “Unfortunately, these attempts to find an amicable solution for the benefit of consumers did not lead to a satisfactory solution.”
In other countries, Apple has already been forced to compensate customers who bought its phones. In May 2020, an Italian court confirmed a fine of 10 million euros imposed by the regulatory body in this country for the performance problems of versions 10.2.1 and 11.2.0 of the iOS operating system. “This deliberate action formed the basis of a class action lawsuit in the United States that Apple has preferred to settle out of court. for a total amount of 500 million dollars, which the aforementioned company will pay to the affected consumers”, recalls the OCU. In France, the technology company agreed to pay 25 million euros.
The OCU demands compensation from Apple for users in Spain “not only for the damage caused by the change of mobile or battery to which they were forced, but also for moral damages: the loss of performance of their devices caused them to see frustrated their expectations and their degree of satisfaction with the brand”. The figure they claim, between 99 and 189 euros, is justified by the sum of the amount of the battery (between 29 and 89 euros), plus 10% of the purchase price of the mobile (between 699 and 999 euros, depending on the model). ).
The consumer organization assures that it will assume “the necessary expense to initiate this judicial dispute, paying the fees of lawyers and solicitors, so that those affected do not have to incur any cost.” “In case of losing the legal action, those affected will not have to bear the costs of the process,” he concludes.
He knows in depth all the sides of the coin.
Planned obsolescence is not only a problem because of the economic damage to buyers. It is also because of the damage it inflicts on the environment. Technological waste from electronic devices contributes to this problem due to the high contamination of its components. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), an average of 50 million tons of technological waste is generated worldwide every year, a figure that could reach 120 million tons in 2050 if current habits are maintained of consumption.
From January 1, 2022, after the modification of terms of the consumer lawthe warranty on tech products is three years (instead of two), and parts should be available for a decade (instead of five years) after the product goes out of production.


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Complexities of cold storage big hurdle in farm supply chain
By Beatriz Marie D. Cruz andSheldeen Joy Talavera
MOST consumers, having bought their groceries for the week, might simply stash their vegetables in the refrigerator and not give them a second thought.
Blown up to industrial scale, however, the complexities of keeping produce fresh and saleable multiply, which might help explain why farmers find it difficult to store their excess harvest. Even if enough facilities were built to service the entire harvest, the practice of storing produce is all about finding the sweet spot between building properly-sized facilities, managing the difficulty of keeping multiple types of produce fresh, and doing so at scale to justify the cost.
“A cold storage facility is a huge refrigerator. It has separate compartments used for storing food products at different temperatures depending on need,” Anthony S. Dizon, president of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, said in an e-mail. “Cold chain practice for vegetables needs to be planned carefully to ensure that economies of scale are adequate to justify investment in storage facilities.”
He said the facility must have separate compartments for storing vegetables whose temperature needs vary wildly. Lettuce, he said, should be kept at 0 degrees Celsius, while bell pepper is best at 7 degrees.
“In the case of onions, they need to be stored separately to avoid odor contamination of other products,” Mr. Dizon said.
Onions are the food item of the moment, having experienced price spikes in recent months. It probably didn’t help the onion market that an onion farming cooperative complained to Congress last week about having lost millions of pesos after its harvest was stored at the wrong temperature.
According to the Philippine Onion Industry Roadmap, cold storage helps “balance the peaks and troughs of onion supply,” helping farmers save their bumper crops for release when demand picks up.
In 2022, the onion industry lost about 100,000 metric tons “due to lack of facilities such as cold storage and improper handling,” according to the Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Dizon said that onions should be cleaned and pre-cooled to avoid temperature shock. “Under proper storage conditions, onions are expected to last in storage for 6-8 months,” he said.
“(Cold storage facilities) are important so onions can have a longer shelf life,” Joy E. Dela Rosa, operations manager of Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, said by telephone.
What terms exactly are farmers given when they seek out cold storage services?
According to Mr. Dizon, a farmer must agree with the cold storage operator on storage conditions, cost, and duration.
“Storage charges for vegetable products depend on the item density, which dictates the quantity that can be stored in a specific area,” he said. Cold storage operators also charge for handling and transporting the produce outside the storage facility. A handling charge may also be collected for bringing the produce in and out of storage.
The admission process for any crop involves an inspection of the produce to check for damage, pests, or moisture.
“Onions can also be stored after they have been cleaned and should not (be older than) seven days after harvest,” Eric D. Batbatan of Royale Cold Storage, which operates facilities in Rizal and Bulacan, said by telephone.
Farmers and cooperatives usually store 1,000-10,000 bags of onions with Royal between April and December. The company’s capacity for onions is about 5,000 pallet positions.
He said improperly stored onions run the risk of sprouting or freezing, becoming unmarketable. In such cases, negligence will have to be established before compensation is paid.
“If we receive (good produce) at the inbound inspection, the responsibility rests upon us. If there is any damage, we would pay our client,” Mr. Batbatan said.
Mr. Dizon said the client is expected to take out insurance while the produce is kept in storage in third-party warehouses.


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A $7 million attempt by the Government to market New Zealand to Chinese tourists has drawn a mixed reaction from the industry.
Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor yesterday announced the new funding for Tourism New Zealand to be spent over two years.
A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand - which does its own marketing in Shanghai - said that although the airline was pleased with the funding, it did not seem enough to make much difference.
"Based on the airline's experience over the past year in marketing its new Auckland-Shanghai service, the allocation to Tourism New Zealand falls substantially short of the investment required to successfully promote New Zealand in what is a very challenging market," said Air NZ's Tracey Palmer
Peter Myles, managing director of leading agency Media Direction/OMD, said the increased funding was not an aggressive stance.
"$7 million is not a huge amount of dough in a market even the size of Shanghai and the potential it represents to us," Myles said.
"Is it really exploiting the opportunity? ... I would say it probably isn't."
Kevin Blight of Mitchell & Partners said: "My guess is that it's not a lot of money but the smart thing they're doing is focusing it."
The funding would be in addition to Tourism New Zealand's annual budget of $69 million.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said the extra money would raise marketing in China to almost the same level as Britain. It would focus on Shanghai.
Chinese visitor numbers for the year ending March were up 26 per cent to 114,364, compared with 302,812 tourists from Britain.
Hickton said: "This will give us the opportunity to actually start doing some work in the area [and] look at what works best."
Marketing activity would be aimed at the mid to upper-level Chinese consumer and include television, print, internet, events and research.
The goal was improved itineraries, longer stays and higher yielding tourists, Hickton said.
Tourism New Zealand would also take over administration of the China Approved Destination Status, with $900,000 of the new funding earmarked to drive improvements.
"Essentially we will have people who'll be focusing on the approval process, whether or not the tours are what we would call of a reasonable quality, whether the people presenting the tours are bona fide," he said.
"China is going to become an important market for us so we want to get the quality right at both ends."
Paul Yeo, chief executive of the Inbound Tour Operators Council, was delighted with the new funding.
"It's got to be successful for both New Zealand and for Chinese visitors and it's all about getting it right and you can't do that without a good level of funds", Yeo said.
"We believe this is an excellent signal to enable us to cope with our fastest-growing market into the future."


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Senators to introduce pink jerseys
In a bid to woo female fans, the Ottawa Senators are going pink — at least at the merchandise counter. The best look at the new jersey comes from the front page story in today's Ottawa Citizen.
Personally, I'm waiting for the fuchsia version.
Thanks to Alasdair, the biggest Senators fan I know, for pointing out the story.
UPDATE I threw this up online rather quickly and didn't get more than a brief read of the article, but as it turns out, the pink jersey will actually be available for every team. Yay!


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- Recently tested, now already in the final: Grandland X amongst “Best Buy Cars of Europe” according to jury
- Convincing qualities: New Opel compact SUV impresses with design, leading technologies and functionality
- Success story: Opel multiple award winner in prestigious international competition
The new Opel Grandland X excels in many areas: Modern, athletic lines, cool off-road look along with typical SUV qualities such as elevated seating position and good all round visibility. Furthermore, the adventurous newcomer comes with numerous leading technologies such as IntelliGrip electronic traction control along with plenty of space and comfort for up to five passengers. All this is offered at an attractive price-performance ratio and has helped the new challenger in the SUV segment qualify for the AUTOBEST 2018 final. The decisive evaluation will take place during numerous test drives along with further assessments on the test track in Vairano (Italy). The winner – the “Best Buy Car of Europe” – will be announced in mid-December.
Opel’s latest contender, the Grandland X, is following a good Opel tradition. The Rüsselsheim-based carmaker has celebrated multiple honours in various categories of the prestigious AUTOBEST awards in recent years:
- In 2007 and 2015, the Opel Corsa won the AUTOBEST award, enabling both generations of the small car all-rounder to carry the title of “Best Buy Car of Europe”.
- In 2009, the first generation Opel Insignia wowed the jury with its styling and took the DESIGNBEST award.
- Elsewhere, the Opel Ampera and the Opel Ampera-e demonstrated environmentally friendly mobility with both winning the ECOBEST award in 2011 and 2016 respectively.
- Furthermore, the current Opel Astra generation won the 2015 SAFETYBEST award for its trendsetting IntelliLux LED® matrix headlights.
- And as the Opel credo “Sculptural artistry meets German precision” is valid for both the models as well as the entire company according to the jury, Opel was presented with the COMPANYBEST award in 2016.


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Attorney General Eliot Spitzer slapped an Westchester County company with a court order yesterday, halting sales of commemorative dollar coins purportedly from recovered silver excavated from the ruins of the World Trade Center and supposedly endorsed by the American government.
As a result of the order, National Collector's Mint, a private company based in Port Chester, NY, is temporarily barred from selling its 'Freedom Tower Silver Dollar," a coin that depicts the World Trade Center with the phrase "we will never forget" on one side, and the design for the yet-to-built Freedom Tower with the phrase "in God we trust" on the other.
"This product has been promoted with claims that are false, misleading, or unsubstantiated," said Mr. Spitzer. "It is a shameless attempt to profit from a national tragedy."
In a statement, the company shrugged off Mr. Spitzer's court order, which was issued in State Supreme Court, as baseless. One representative for the firm accused the Attorney General as "grandstanding."
Last month, National Collector's Mint began an extensive advertising campaign for the sale of the "2004 Freedom Tower Silver Dollar."
According to the advertisements, the coins retail for $23.45 and were minted under the auspices of the Northern Mariana Islands, but the Attorney General has challenged the company's claims that the coins are legal tender.
"In reality, the medallion was produced by SoftSky, Inc., a private company in Wyoming, in connection with a licensing agreement with the 'Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas,'" announced the attorney general's office in a statement issued yesterday.
The Northern Marianas, a group of 14 islands in the North Pacific Ocean with about 78,000 inhabitants, are an American territory, but they do not have the authority to issue American currency, according to the attorney general.
Mr. Spitzer's office announced that the advertisements' claims of being "legally authorized" and their misleading official appearance have led to a flurry of complaints from coin collectors who were duped into believing that the coins were issued or authorized by the American government.
But National Collector's Mint stood resolute by its commemorative coins in a statement released yesterday: "NCM markets commemorative coins and numismatic collectibles and our many repeat customers demonstrate the quality of our products and the integrity of our company. We stand by the accuracy of the statements in our marketing for the 2004 Freedom Tower Silver Dollar.
National Collector's Mint also announced that its efforts in marketing items commemorating the attacks on September 11, 2001 "have already enabled us to donate over $1.5 million to various official 9/11-related charities."
The firm is listed as a donor among contributors to The September 11 Fund.
According to advertisements by National Collector's Mint, the coins are minted from silver recovered from a bank vault full of silver ingots that was buried under the debris after the World Trade Center towers collapsed.
The attorney general disputes the company's claims that the coin was "minted from pure silver recovered from Ground Zero" and that the coin is "100 Mill .999 pure silver. "The court order charges that the coins are silverplated. According to Mr. Spitzer, the silver content of the coin is "infinitesimal compared to the silver content of a pure silver coin."
The Attorney General is also exploring the options of pursuing civil actions against the company, to seek damages from whatever profits the company gleaned from its coin sales. As part of his lawsuit, Mr. Spitzer seeks to permanently bar the company from false and deceptive advertising, demands full disclosure in the company's advertisements that products are not endorsed by the government and requires an offer of full restitution to costumers who bought the coins.
National Collector's Mint offers an array of products on its Web site, ranging from individual gold and silver coins to sets, with such rarities as the Morgan silver dollar and specialties like the "Harry Potter Coin."
However, the Freedom Tower silver dollar is nowhere to be found on the company's Web site.
As required by the court order, the firm posted the message: "We are temporarily prohibited by a court order from accepting any orders for the '2004 Freedom Tower Silver Dollar.'"


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Our look ahead at the EV industry in 2018
2017 was an interesting year for the electric vehicle industry with some major announcements and growing demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles, which we hope will continue. As ever, here at Zero Carbon Futures, we’re looking forward to the year ahead and anticipating what 2018 may bring for us. Who will be the movers and shakers and the people to watch next year? These are our thoughts. Leave us your comments below and tell us what you would add.
The traditional fuel suppliers: We’ve got our eyes firmly on the likes of BP and other fuel companies in 2018. It will be interesting to see what their reaction will be to the moves by Shell to break into the alternative fuel market by buying an infrastructure company and an electric utility. How far will Shell go in 2018 and how will their competitors respond?
Power companies: Ecotricity are still in the lead when it comes to green power however 2017 saw some interesting new entrants into the market with the likes of Bulb causing a bit of a stir. It will be interesting to see who will come out top in 2018 and win the favour of EV drivers.
IONITY: The joint venture of BMW, Daimler, Ford, VW, Audi, and Porsche has the potential to change the face of high-power-charging. 2018 will definitely show us the extent of their ambition. And it will also be interesting to see if other manufacturers come on board to join the partnership. This is definitely one to watch in 2018.
Independents: With such heavy hitters entering the markets, it will also be interesting to see how the UK’s independent charge point service companies will compete or adapt to stay ahead. This year could bring some major changes in business models for them.
FORD: Talking of Ford, they have shown their intent to the EV market by joining IONITY – so we hope that they may reveal some serious plans for electric vehicles in 2018.
Nissan: Orders for the new Nissan LEAF hit 10,000 in the first two months of sales. This could mean a significant increase in production volumes over the year. It will be interesting to see what their reaction will be if they hit the Sunderland battery plant capacity.
BYD: The Chinese manufacturer is becoming a major player as an EV manufacturer and they have made a lot of inroads, particularly in the bus market. Recent announcements in China suggest they have their eyes on the European market and I think we’ll be hearing from them a lot more in 2018.
The rest: Where will the major new model announcements come from next year? This should be the year that we see VW fight back after the diesel scandal but what can we expect from them? Will 2018 be the year of a PSA announcement? And what has Toyota got coming onto the market? All ones to watch.
The policy makers: On a national basis, I don’t expect that we’ll be seeing any significant policy changes from the UK Government this year following last year’s 2040 announcement. On a local level, it will be interesting to see how the local authorities will prioritise the pressure to deliver clean air against other pressing agendas such as housing and economic development especially when it comes to access to the grid. It will be good to see how individual cities approach this next year especially on the topic of continued growth of charging infrastructure.


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10/31/2008 AT 06:30 PM EDT
revealed the sexy cover photo for her new album Friday – plus the next single, called "Circus."
"The song is an up-tempo track," says the 26-year-old pop singer's official Web site
. "It's gonna be absolutely crazy! "
The CD, which has already produced the hit "Womanizer," arrives in stores Dec. 2. – Mike Fleeman


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Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis (a group born a year ago from the merger between PSA and Fiat-Chrysler), arrived on Wednesday 5 January at CES in Las Vegas, the world high-tech show, to announce a great partnership with Amazonas. . He gave Le Monde an interview on the technological breakthrough of his he company.
You weren’t at the Munich Auto Show in September 2021, you were at CES in Las Vegas. How come?
It is clear that in the development of companies like ours, the technological dimension is now greater.
The evolution of regulations, the evolution of uses means that if we do not put technology first among our priorities, we are marginalized. The presence at CES of Stellantis, very clear, very visible, was maintained despite the abandonment of some of our competitors.
This reflects the fact that we are becoming an automotive technology company – that is, it puts technology at the top of its priorities. And that’s a wish expressed by our own employees of the 35-45-year-old generation, who tell us that we need to tackle this high-tech shift faster and harder.
What does the collaboration with Amazon offer you?
In fact, there are four associations. We first bought a fairly standard cloud service, with data storage and processing. Then, as part of the joint venture created with the Taiwanese FoxConn [called Mobile Drive], aimed at making a qualitative leap in the “infotainment” [information, communication and entertainment on board] of the Stellantis brands, we used Amazon for the part operating system.
Third element: we have decided, in a company that employs 30,000 engineers, to create a software university. There we will train 1,000 people a year; traditional engineers in our industry who will voluntarily become IT specialists who will have followed a highly specialized course. Amazon will help us train them.
What’s encouraging is that right now we have an absolutely staggering influx of apps from tech companies wanting to join Stellantis. I think Stellantis has imposed the idea that it is a business on the go and that if you come from tech companies, you will not be overwhelmed by red tape, you will be able to express your full potential.
Finally, we will sell ProMaster electric vans [US version of Stellantis largest commercial vehicle in Europe] to Amazon, whose urban delivery features will be developed with them. This will allow us to improve our overall offering of public services. It’s not just selling a bunch of trucks to Amazon that I’m interested in, but improving our offering.
However, we are currently in the top 2 in the world for commercial vehicle sales, very close to number one [Ford]. And our ambition is to overcome it.


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McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar loses lid and goes all electric… for the kids
The multi-million-dollar McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar has morphed into an all-electric, single-seat convertible in a bid to appeal to a wider market… those aged three to six.
An exclusive offering for those who may not have the fullest of piggy banks, the ride-on McLaren P1 is officially limited to a specific group of potential customers, with the British brand saying “customers ideally should be between three and six years old to drive it – although young drivers beyond this age group might also fit”.
Featuring a McLaren F1-style central driving position, the all-electric P1 convertible continues with McLaren’s signature dihedral doors, and while it might not match the real P1 for outright performance, the Mini-Me McLaren still claims to go from zero to vmax (approximately 5km/h) in 2.0 seconds.
It also has three forward gears, a reverse gear, a push-button start, lights, ‘air-conditioning’, and, according to the Woking-based supercar builder, an MP3 player and audio system with “every popular nursery rhyme” already programmed in.
Only available in Volcano Yellow, McLaren Automotive says the brand-new ride-on P1 not only marks its first officially-licensed foray into “this growing market segment”, but also represents “the most compact car yet to wear the McLaren badge”.
Set to go on sale globally from selected McLaren Automotive retailers from the end of October, the ride-on P1 is priced at £375 ($635) in the UK, with a local McLaren spokesperson telling CarAdvice, “Australian pricing has not yet been announced.”
Whether the kid edition P1 is a stepping stone in McLaren’s recently-announced six-year, £1 billion, ‘Track22’ business plan into the research and development of 15 all-new cars or derivatives, a 50 per cent hybrid line-up by 2022, and a fully-electric Ultimate Series prototype, remains unclear.
Valued at north of $2 million, the real (left-hand-drive-only) McLaren P1 first wowed fans in 2013, with the 673kW/900Nm rear-wheel-drive hybrid’s drivetrain teaming a 542kW/720Nm twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 with a 132kW/260Nm electric motor, a battery pack, and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The full-size P1 claims 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds, 0-200km/h in under 7.0 seconds, 0-300km/h in 17.0 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 350km/h.


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Most of us love fashion. We love to wear the latest styles, trendiest cuts; carry the chicest bags and accessories and go tick-tock in the well-crafted shoes. But alas, not many of us have the time to keep face with what’s hot and what’s not, thanks to our hectic jobs and lives; glued practically 24×7 in front of our PCs, writing articles, developing softwares and what not. But here’s a more convenient way to know the latest in the fashion world from the comfort of your chair, as fashion is now just a click away. No, we aren’t asking you to visit the Gucci and Versace sites, but simply enjoy a Live Webcast.
Web 18 group’s women-centric websites, Buzz18.com and IndiWo.com, have announced that they are offering exclusive Live Webcast for some of the most desired shows of Lakmé Fashion Week 2007 that kicks off from October 13 and goes on till October 17, 2007. Buzz18, the official broadband associate of Lakmé Fashion Week, through webcasting makes it possible for internet users to enjoy the show with the best ever infrastructure installed by Web18 group.
Neeraj Sanan, Director Marketing, Web 18 said, “Buzz18.com and IndiWo.comhave always provided its users the best of entertainment round the clock. We are extremely honored to be associated with such a prestigious event of the country that has created a niche for itself as India’s biggest fashion extravaganza. Live Webscasting on Buzz18.com and IndiWo.com is our initiative to provide complete updates & highlights of the fashion week and make sure that the fashion lovers are not deprived of the best of the action due to lack of time or television.”
Sanan further added, “Internet industry is currently 30 million in India as per the industry estimates and seeing the potential of the internet market, we believe that it will bring a boon in the internet space.”
The Live Webcast of the Lakmé Fashion Week on Buzz18.com and IndiWo.com will include all the significant aspects and best talent of the fashion industry. Big names in the Indian fashion designing circuit such as Manish Malhotra, Neeta Lulla, Vikram Phadnis, Arjun Khanna etc. will be participating and showcasing their best of collections for the season. And for you watching all this is just a click away!


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About 200 people packed into the Deniliquin Town Hall for the 'wooliwooli 2014' fashion show on Friday night, raising $6400 for the Deniliquin Hospital.May 20, 2014 3:50am
Ushers wearing woolliwoolli garments at the Naponda Hospital Auxiliary fashion show fundraiser on Friday night – Eliza Conallin, Rachael Wishart and Chloe Charlton.
Friday night’s ‘woolliwoolli 2014’ fashion show raised a record $6400 for the Deniliquin Hospital, topping last year’s total of $5000.
The third annual Naponda Hospital Auxiliary charity catwalk saw about 200 people pack into the Deniliquin Town Hall.
Naponda Auxiliary president Pam Ellerman said the show had ‘‘such a great response’’.
‘‘We’ve had fabulous feedback, with people saying it’s the best one yet,’’ she said.
‘‘It was great to showcase local produce – wool, wines from Restdown and with the models being local too.
‘‘Jo does a great job and really knows how to sell her product.’’
Eight local models paraded designs from the woolliwoolli label of Deniliquin designer Jo Nathan.
The 2014 collection features an array of knitted garments including sweaters, cardigans, skirts, dresses, scarves and hats.
Mrs Nathan said she was ‘‘absolutely thrilled with how the evening went’’.
‘‘The turnout was amazing with close to 200 guests,’’ she said.
‘‘The town hall looked amazing with the lighting installed by Matt Kylie and Michael Ladson and the models were stunning with their runway look which was created by the talented girls at Hair Desir and Nicole Cavallaro from Beauty by Desir.
‘‘They also carried themselves with a very professional attitude, something I have watched develop over the last few years while working with these girls, so I was very proud of how they performed.
‘‘It was really great to see that the guests had made such an effort to dress up and enjoy a night of fashion in Deniliquin while also raising funds for the Deniliquin Hospital.
‘‘The Naponda Hospital Auxiliary again did an amazing job with the catering and general organisation of the event. I am very grateful to everyone who came along as well as those who generously donated their skills, services and products to make the show happen.
‘‘It was a real community effort, proving that when people cooperate and work together amazing things are possible.’’
The new collection will be available to purchase via the website www.woolliwoolli.com within the next few weeks.
Mrs Nathan encourages anyone interested in the designs to make an appointment and see the collection first hand.
‘‘One of the benefits of living here in Deni, locals have access to the woolliwoolli collection before the rest of the world,’’ she said.
The fashion show was supported by Deniliquin Council and Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia.
Nathalia Football Club players saved a 60-year-old man after his car went into a creek.
After building his form in a consistent effort during the past 12 months, Mulwala double trap shooter James Willett has staked his claim on possible Olympic gold after taking out the ISSF World Cup last week.
The Aboriginal and wider community is mourning the death of revered Bangerang Aboriginal elder, Uncle John ‘‘Sandy’’ Atkinson.
A HARD sell was being put on a group of Melbourne-based medical students visiting the Echuca-Moama district on Wednesday.
ROCHESTER V/Line travellers can now buy tickets in their home town again.
Lions Club charity money was stolen from a Kyabram barbershop Tuesday morning.
Seymour suffers disappointing loss to Euroa
Barooga transport owner-operator Glen Kearney says he is relieved the Federal Government has abolished the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal.
DESPITE criticism from within the community over a perceived lack of use, the O’Keefe Rail Trail has enjoyed good traffic over the past couple of weeks, with more to come.
he success of the 2015 Barooga Sports Classic Pairs event has made the organisers the worthy recipient of the Berrigan Shire’s Event Management award at the Berrigan Shire Business and Environment Awards.
School fundraises for student with leukaemia.
Australian Dairy Farmers Limited has expressed disappointment at the announcement made by Murray Goulburn Co-operative about their revised opening milk price.
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On-the-go eating is a big business in the US, with many busy consumers opting to grab packaged foods and snacks when there isn’t time for a sit-down meal. Often, the choices for on-the-go eating leave much to be desired in the health department. Potato chips, pizza and burgers are plentiful, and options like conveniently prepped vegetables and lean proteins are growing but still far from ubiquitous.
Latin American cuisine offers a wealth of inspiration for chefs and food companies looking to create simple, healthy options that can be eaten while on the move.
“The US is playing catch-up a little bit with healthy snacks, said Marie Elena Martinez, co-founder of New Worlder and moderator of the panel “The Best of the Handheld Latin Kitchen: New Ideas for Food on the Go” at the Culinary Institute of America’s 18th annual Worlds of Flavor conference. Martinez mentioned healthy snacks that make up the bulk of on-the-go eating in Latin America, such as “jicama sprinkled with a little bit of pepper.”
Chef Claud Beltran kicked off the session’s cooking demonstration with empanadas, which he described as a perfect handheld food. “It’s a perfect little snack — it’s self-contained and 90% of the time they are perfect at room temperature,” he said.
For his demo, Beltran presented fried empanadas made with guinea hen, but said the filling could easily be adapted to use chicken and the flour, salt and oil dough could be baked instead of fried for a lighter take.
The Pasadena, Calif.,-based chef pointed out that many Mexican cheeses, such as cotija and queso fresco, will not melt, making them perfect for handheld applications where gooey, melted cheese could become messy.
Chef Mateo Granados of Healdsburg, Calif., agreed that structure is paramount for foods eaten out of hand. Granados prepared a sandwich of spiced and seared tuna on a roll that he special ordered from a local bakery to be soft enough to not create crumbs but hardy enough to not tear or become mushy. Granados, who is from Yucatan, said the style of tortillas from the Mexican state are perfect for handheld foods, since they have a layered structure that keeps them from becoming soggy.
Beltran pointed to the burrito as the “original meal in one,” that helped build an association between Latin flavors and handheld foods among US consumers. The popular item is now a mainstay on American fast food menus and in freezer cases, and Betran and Granados agreed that other Latin dishes are ripe for adoption by restaurants looking to cater to consumers looking for handheld foods with fresh flavors and healthy, unprocessed ingredients.
Beltran mentioned sopes, a traditional Mexican dish of fried corn masa piled with various toppings, as a likely successor to burritos and tacos. Granados serves tacones at his restaurant, and said the snacks served in cone-shaped tortillas are a common Mexican street food that could easily become a common sight in the US.
The chefs agreed that the rising popularity of Latin American cuisine is helping introduce US consumers to more authentic Latin flavors and foodways, especially the healthier side of Latin cuisine. “There’s this healthy side of Mexican. Mexican food for a really long time got a bad rap, [people thought] all of it is greasy, it’s just tacos,” Beltran said. “It’s really a changing thing, you obviously have a lot of fresh ingredients, wholesome ingredients.”
If you enjoyed this article, join SmartBrief’s email list for more stories about the food and beverage industry. We offer 14 newsletters covering the industry from restaurants to food manufacturing.


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Bollinger presents first medium-duty electric truck B4
The EV startup Bollinger Motors has presented the B4 electric truck that is in line with US vehicle Class 4 with a gross weight of around 6.4 to 7.2 tons. The debut of the medium-duty vehicles follows Bollinger’s last strategy change announced in January.
Bollinger Motors then announced to focus on commercial electric vehicles after failing to launch the consumer-facing pick-up trucks it had initially envisioned. CEO Robert Bollinger had postponed the B1 and B2 indefinitely on social media, announcing a new focus on commercial vehicles instead. This would allow further development and have a significant “influence on the green future of the automobile,” he said at the time. In other words, Bollinger saw the larger market in commercial electric vehicles, despite their passion for off-road models.
The now announced Bollinger B4 features a rear axle electric drive and utilises an 800-volt platform with LFP batteries. Customers can opt for one or two battery packs, each module claiming around a 100-mile range (160 km), bringing the maximum range to 200 miles.
Unlike the previous pick-ups, Bollinger opted for a cab-forward truck and says it designed the vehicle from the ground up. It was “a radical change from our previous concepts,” said Robert Bollinger. “And that’s on purpose. We listened to our commercial customers and developed what they need for ultimate efficiency.”
“The cab-forward design also increases both overall cargo space behind the cab and critical downward visibility in front,” added Kent Harrison, the company’s Chief Product Officer.
Bollinger will test the B4 in real-life with unnamed fleet customers, equipment suppliers and charging companies this autumn.
The Bollinger B4 truck will mark the beginning with US Class 5 and 6 electric trucks (all medium-duty) to follow as announced. Bollinger has reportedly selected Roush Industries as a contract manufacturer. They will produce the new range in Livonia, Michigan, 20 miles from Bollinger’s Oak Park headquarters.
Details on the B4’s market launch and pricing are to follow later. However, Bollinger builds on the US Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law by President Joe Biden and expects the B4 to be eligible for the 30% tax credit up to $40,000 under the newly created 45W Commercial EV Tax Credit.
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Online takeaway marketplace Just Eat (JE) has reported a 28% jump in first quarter sales to £227.9m, despite a slowdown in UK sales.
Total year on year orders were up 21% to 61.4m in the three months to 31 March.
However, UK orders increased by just 7.4% to 31.9m as growth was held back by a strong comparative period, that included its Hungryhouse acquisition before integration, unseasonably warm weather in February and Easter falling entirely in the second quarter this year.
“We would expect an improvement in UK order growth during the remainder of the year,” Just Eat stated.
Outside the UK, orders grew by 40% to 29.5 million, fuelled by growth in Canada, Italy, Switzerland and Ireland
Canada continues to be the standout performer, the company said, delivering strong growth in the period and SkipTheDishes is on track to report its first full year underlying EBITDA profit, which “demonstrates the route to profitability for delivery”.
It added that its iFood platform continues to see “exceptionally strong” growth.
Overall, the group reiterated its guidance of full year 2019 revenue in the range of £1bn-1.1bn and underlying EBITDA in the range of £185m-£205m – both figures excluding its operations in Brazil and Mexico.
Interim CEO Peter Duffy commented: “Just Eat is on the right path to be the leading hybrid marketplace for online food delivery and we are confident in the delivery of our strategy. Many of our international markets have performed very well in the period although, as expected, we saw softer UK order growth in the quarter. We are making good progress and continue to execute at pace.”
Just Eat shares are down 3.2% this morning to 724.4p on the news.
This week’s edition of The Grocer has in-depth analysis of collapse on the £12bn supermarket mega-merger between Sainsbury’s (SBRY) and Asda and what comes next for the pair after their industry-shaping merger was blocked by the CMA.
Also in The Grocer this week, Beyond Meat’s punchy IPO valuation despite ongoing losses, confectionery group Zetar back in the black, Business Growth Fund backs upmarket popcorn player Joe & Seph’s, meat snacks specialist The Curators receive seven-figure funding boost and more.
See thegrocer.co.uk/finance this morning for all the details.
On the markets this morning, the FTSE 100 has dropped another 0.2% to 7,416.5pts so far today.
Yesterday in the City
The CMA’s decision to finally kill off the Sainsbury’s/Asda merger came as little surprised after its damning initial findings were published in February, but the reality of the collapse of the ambitious merger send Sainsbury’s shares to a new low.
The shares hit a new 30-year low of 212.1p soon after the news was announced, before recovering somewhat to 216p which represented a fall of 4.7% on the day.
Other supermarkets were also hit by the CMA’s hardline stance, suggesting room for further consolidation in the grocery sector is strictly limited.
Overall, the FTSE 100 fell back another 0.5% to 7,434.1pts yesterday.
Risers included Devro (DVO), which rose 6% to 198.8p after announcing yesterday first quarter trading had been in-line with expectations, Majestic Wine (WINE), up another 4.3% to 257.5p on news it is exploring options for its retail outlets, McColl’s (MCLS), up 3.8% to 87.4p, Premier Foods (PFD), up 2.6% to 35.2p and PayPoint (PAY), up 2% to 1,010p.
Fallers included Finsbury Food Group (FIF), down 5.7% to 83p, WH Smith (SMWH), down 2.1% to 2,062p, British American Tobacco (BATS), down 2% to 2,982p., Greencore (GNC), down 2% to 221.5p, Total Produce (TOT), down 1.8% to 128.5p and McBride (MCB), down 1.7% to 107.4p.


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Frugal shoppers boost Sainsbury's: Customers taking advantage of money-off vouchers and own label foods help profits rise by 5%
Shoppers taking advantage of 250million money-off vouchers and turning to cheaper own-label foods have delivered a sales boost to Sainsbury’s.
The company saw its market share rise to a new ten-year high of 16.7 per cent over the last six months while pre-tax profits rose by 5.4 per cent to £373million.
The third biggest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s has chiefly prospered at the expense of its biggest rival Tesco, where growth has stalled this year.
Sainsbury's saw its market share rise to a new ten-year high of 16.7 per cent over the last six months while pre-tax profits rose by 5.4 per cent to £373million
Sainsbury’s boss Justin King revealed that much of the company’s success was down to its Brand Match promotion, which gives customers a money-off voucher if they find big brand products cheaper at a major rival.
The chain has given away 250million of the vouchers in the last year.
Sainsbury’s customers have also switched to buying more of the chain’s own-label ranges, as a cheap alternative to major brands.
Sainsbury’s sales through stores open more than a year were up 1.7 per cent on last year.
Back to basics: Many customers have switched to buying more of the chain’s own-label ranges, as a cheap alternative to major brands
Sales through its online business grew at more than 20 per cent, with grocery orders regularly exceeding 165,000 a week.
All the major stores are pushing the opening of smaller convenience stores rather than larger outlets. Sainsbury’s opened five supermarkets and 49 convenience shops over the past six months.
Mr King said: ‘Certainly if you compare our performance with all our major competitors we’re doing the best both in sales and profit.’
The company is taking on 5,000 seasonal workers for Christmas.


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MGA Bratz Win Over Mattel Partly Erased by Appeals CourtEdvard Pettersson and Karen Gullo
MGA Entertainment Inc.’s $172.5 million victory over rival toymaker Mattel Inc. for theft of trade secrets was thrown out by a federal appeals court that said the company’s counterclaims shouldn’t have been allowed to go to the jury.
At the same time, the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld the trial judge’s decision to award closely held MGA $137.2 million for having to defend against Mattel’s claims that MGA’s Bratz dolls infringed Mattel’s copyrights.
“At one point, a copyright defendant had to show that the plaintiff’s claim was frivolous or made in bad faith in order to be entitled to fees; but no longer,” the panel said in a ruling today. “Even assuming Mattel’s claim was objectively reasonable, the district court didn’t abuse its discretion in awarding MGA fees.”
It was the second time the three judges reversed the outcome of a trial in the eight-year battle between Mattel, the maker of Barbie, and MGA, which Mattel accused of stealing the idea for its Bratz dolls. In 2010, the panel reversed a trial judge’s ruling that had given Mattel almost complete ownership of MGA’s Bratz brand.
Mattel in the second trial in Santa Ana, California, lost on its copyright infringement claim, a result that it didn’t contest on appeal. The toymaker appealed U.S. District Judge David Carter’s decision to allow MGA to bring counterclaims in the case that Mattel said were unrelated to the underlying lawsuit.
The trial jury awarded MGA $88.5 million in damages on its claims that Mattel employees used fake business cards to get access to MGA’s booths at toy fairs and obtain MGA’s trade secrets. The judge later reduced the verdict to $85 million and then doubled it by adding $85 million in punitive damages.
Carter had also awarded MGA $2.5 million in lawyer fees and costs for its trade secret-theft claims, which was vacated by the appeal court’s ruling together with the $170 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
The appellate panel agreed with Mattel that MGA’s counterclaims weren’t “compulsory” in that they weren’t based on the same underlying facts as Mattel’s trade-secret theft claims against MGA. As such, the judge had erred by allowing MGA’s claims to be part of the case, the panel said.
“That both Mattel and MGA claimed they stole each other’s trade secrets isn’t enough to render MGA’s counterclaim compulsory,” the panel said. “What matters is not the legal theory but the facts.”
MGA, based in Van Nuys, California, said in a statement that the appeals court’s decision allows the company to bring the trade secret-theft claims in a new lawsuit.
“We are confident that when the second jury hears about Mattel’s sneaking into our showrooms and egregious theft of scores of our secrets over the years, they will be even more appalled than the first jury and award MGA even greater damages,” MGA Chief Executive Officer Isaac Larian said in the statement.
Alan Hilowitz, a spokesman for El Segundo, California-based Mattel, said in an e-mailed statement that the company was confident a new lawsuit by MGA would be barred by the statute of limitations.
“We look forward to the speedy and final resolution of this dispute, and will continue to focus our efforts on successfully competing in the marketplace,” Hilowitz said.
The case is Mattel Inc. v. MGA Entertainment Inc., 11-56357, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (San Francisco).


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Get ready, because Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner & you’re not going to want to miss out on a single deal. Every year the Prime Day deals get better & we have the details on when it is & what you can expect!
This year’s Amazon Prime Day will be on July 11th and we could not be more excited! This mark’s Amazon’s 3rd annual Prime Day, aka, the best day of the entire year. So, what exactly is Prime Day? It’s Amazon’s “annual deals event just for Prime members, with awesome prices on everything you’re into.” With “hundreds of thousands of deals, new deals starting as often as every five minutes, and special offers across everything included with Prime—from music and video to reading and voice shopping.”
The deals are only available to Amazon Prime members, so you’re going to want to sign up before the big day.you can sign up for a Prime membership on or before July 11th. Plus, even though Prime Day is on the 11th, deals start at 9PM ET on July 10th so you can get a bit of a head start, and they will run for 30 hours, ending at 3 AM ET on July 12th. There will be new deals offered every five minutes, plus, Greg Greeley, Vice President of Amazon Prime, said that this year’s Prime Day goal is to get “a record number of shoppers.”
What can we expect?
– The company stated, “Amazon is planning one of its largest total volume TV deals in history with a record level of inventory but once again, the TV deals will likely sell out.”
– Amazon granted Prime access to 12 new countries & they can all participate this year.
– Amazon will have Pre-Prime Day deals that will start to roll out on July 6th at 1 AM ET, where there will be one deal a day leading up to the big event.
What do you guys think of this year’s Amazon Prime Day? Are you as excited as we are?


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Intex on Monday has launched the Aqua A4+ smartphone with 4G VoLTE support at the price of Rs. 3,999. The main highlight of the smartphone is 4G VoLTE support in budget price range. The entry-level smartphone comes in Black and Champagne Gold color options and will be available through offline retail stores across the country.
The Intex Aqua A4+ runs on Android 7.0 Nougat operating system and sports a 4.5” FWVGA (854×480 pixels) display. The smartphone is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SC9822 SoC. It offers 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage which can be further expanded up to 64GB via microSD card.
In terms of camera, the Intex Aqua A4+ sports a 5MP primary camera with LED flash support for better low light capturing. On the front there is 2MP front facing camera for taking selfies and making video calls.
The Intex Aqua A4+ is fueled by a 2,000mAh battery which claims to give up to 8 hours of talk time and lasts up to 300 hours on standby. Connectivity options include dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and MicroUSB 2.0 port. The smartphone also comes withe pre-loaded apps like Xender, Amazon Prime Video, and Gaana.


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Disney World Ticket Prices Increase
The ticket prices for Walt Disney World have increased for both adults and children. The ticket price for adults (guests 10 and older) went from $71 to $75. Ticket prices for children (3-9) went from $60 to $63. These price changes are effective starting today – August 3, 2008. The Park Hopper option has also increased by $5 – now costing $50. The last time Walt Disney World ticket prices increased was on August 5,2007.