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Ellevest, a digital investment platform created for women and founded by Wall Street veteran Sallie Krawcheck, announced on Tuesday it has joined forces with card-linked offer platform Dosh to offer cash back rewards for members. Through the collaboration, members may now earn automatic cash back… Read More
Ellevest, a digital investment platform created for women and founded by Wall Street veteran Sallie Krawcheck, announced on Wednesday it is launching money membership services for women+. Founded in 2014, Ellevest was built by women, for women. The company is on a mission to get… Read More
It’s hard to believe that the most attended Fintech conference LendIt Fintech USA had its 7th birthday in the Mecca of Fintech, San Francisco this past week. Thousands of attendees from all over the world descended into San Francisco’s Moscone Center for this once a… Read More
Ellevest, a digital investment platform created for women and founded by Wall Street veteran Sallie Krawcheck, has raised $33 million in a new funding round led by Rethink Impact and PSP Growth. The new money captured the backing of several prominent new names as Valerie… Read More
Ellevest has introduced several new services. The online investment platform has announced Ellevest Digital, Ellevest Premium, and Private Wealth Management Services thus delivering an expanded suite of products, services, and relationship-based pricing options. The company said the evolution of Ellevest’s client offering follows a recent… Read More
CreditEase Fintech Investment Fund is Making a New Investment. Guess Who the Fund is Interested in? Last week (September 18th -24th), CreditEase Fintech Investment Fund, a venture committed to investing growth-stage Fintech startups in China and globally, announced a new round of investment to three… Read More
Online investment advisor Ellevest has raised $32,458,913 million according to a Form D filed with the SEC. The document was signed and submitted last week indicating that $2,180,015 is remaining to be sold (if you are interested). To date, Ellevest has now raised $51 million in… Read More
Crowdfund Insider is the leading news and information web site covering the emerging global industry of disruptive finance including investment crowdfunding, Blockchain peer-to-peer / marketplace lending and other forms of Fintech.


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More than half of Chinese consumers go online to shop with overseas retailers for health and nutritional products. Blackmores entered China in 2012 and began to operate its virtual store on Tmall.com in the same year. The company also sells through JD.com.
Blackmores’ sales for the H2 of 2015 grew 65% to USD 341.4 million year-over-year, and profit increased 165%. The company excluded sales to Chinese consumers, revenue increased just 14%.
Alibaba will open an office in Australia in 2017 and more than 1,000 Australian brands or retailers have launched their brand stores on Tmall.com, according to Alibaba. 1,300 Australian brands sell on Tmall and Tmall Global combined, and 80% had entered China for the first time. In 2015, sales hit USD 14.32 billion on online marketplaces operated by Alibaba.
Australian e-retailers, like Sigma Pharmaceuticals, enter China by launching Chinese-language versions of their ecommerce sites. The latest example is health products retailer Pharmacy 4 Less, which in November 2016 started to sell into China via its online division. Pharmacy 4 Less has more than 40 pharmacy stores in Australia.
Roy Young Chemist site experienced more than 700% sales growth after launching, according to the company. Rob Young Chemist selected Chinese cross-border e-commerce service provider Azoya Group to handle challenges which include understanding the local culture and handling cross-border logistics. Azoya helps overseas retailers build their Chinese ecommerce sites with marketing, customer services and logistics support.
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without explicit permission of The Paypers(V2.3).

domain: news


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- By Tech
Intel has unveiled ten new commercial and consumer processors made for its 11th-generation Code H-series (codenamed "Tiger Lake") generation. Read up on what the company announced, how it hopes to gain leverage in the mobile space, and learn which laptops and devices will initially support the new chips.
- 9to5Toys - Patrick Campanale
The official Acer eBay storefront is offering its Chromebook Spin 713 i5/8GB/128GB for $401.27 shipped with the code PICKCR5 at checkout in certified refurbished condition. For comparison, it regularly...


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April 19, 2004 Bristol, UK--Following the recent approval of ITU recommendation G.975.1, Phyworks announces the availability of its Advanced FEC implementation as a silicon IP core. This development enables the integration of its Advanced FEC into third-party components and the new generation of system-on-chip devices, which will combine framers, FEC and other physical-layer functions. Using Advanced FEC core, component vendors will be able to keep the same software interface and chip footprint as existing solutions.
Advanced FEC has a net electrical coding gain of 9.4 dB at the industry standard 6.69% overhead and is the first commercial implementation optimized to take advantage of soft decision information, according to Phyworks. The algorithm lends itself to extremely efficient silicon implementation with low power consumption, less than 2W for a 10-Gbit/sec implementation in 0.13-mm CMOS technology, and small chip area. The Advanced FEC intellectual property is protected by a portfolio of patent applications covering both the algorithm and silicon implementation. Phyworks also supplies 10-Gbit/sec transceiver chips which provide soft decision information.
"We have put two years of research and development effort into the development of our Advanced FEC algorithm and design," said Allard van der Horst, product manager at Phyworks. "The inclusion of our FEC algorithm in the new ITU standard sends out a strong message to our customers that we lead the way with our designs, helping to set industry standards and offering market-beating performance."


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NEW YORK (AP) — Safeway Inc. says it's selling its supermarket operations in Canada to Sobeys Inc., a Canadian food retailer, for 5.8 billion Canadian dollars ($5.7 billion).
Sobeys, a unit of Empire Company Limited, said the deal includes the purchase of 213 grocery stores under the Safeway banner in western Canada, 12 manufacturing facilities and four distribution centers.
Safeway, based in Pleasanton, Calif., has about 1,400 stores in the U.S. It said proceeds will be used to pay down debt and buy back stock. It also said some of the proceeds may be used to invest in "growth opportunities."
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Safeway shares rose $7.14, or 31 percent, to $30.25 in after-hours trading.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Camden County Sheriff Tony Perry said that during the last two weeks, incidents of breaking and entering and home or vehicle larceny have increased in two areas of the county.
A Facebook post helped Elizabeth City Police identify and locate the suspect of a hit-and-run incident involving a 3-year-old this week.
As Newport News Fire Chief Scott Liebold plans to retire at the end of this month, the city is looking for his replacement -- and they want your help.


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Businessman suggests that Tesla electric vehicles will display the altcoin logo if they spot a Shiba Inu dog. Crypto-Auditor is aware of everything!
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that it is possible that Tesla cars will display the Dogecoin logo if they drive past Shiba Inu dogs. So the billionaire responded to the publication of a social network user who said that Tesla’s autopilot is able to identify dogs.
Maybe if it sees a Shiba Inu, the car renders a Dogecoin …
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2021
Altcoin quotes practically did not react to Musk’s mentioning. At the moment, the Dogecoin rate increased by 2% and immediately returned to its previous values. Earlier, the businessman repeatedly mentioned altcoin in his tweets and this led to an increase in its rate.
As we recently informed you about Tesla intention to accept BTC, there are some more points to keep in mind as for the topic.
For example, in May, Musk asked his followers if Tesla should add Dogecoin as a payment method for its electric vehicles. In a few minutes after the publication of the businessman, the price of the altcoin rose by 17%. At the moment, almost 4 million users have taken part in the entrepreneur’s survey. Most of them (78%) supported Tesla’s support for Dogecoin.
The last time Musk mentioned Dogecoin was when he mentioned the advantages of altcoin over Bitcoin and Ethereum. Then the value of a digital coin increased by 14% within two hours.
Due to frequent mentions of Dogecoin by Musk, at the beginning of May of this year, the altcoin reached an all-time high of $ 0.73 (an increase since the beginning of the year of 18 150%). As of July 13, the value of a digital coin is $ 0.20. Dogecoin’s price dropped 72% as a result of the crypto market crash that occurred in mid-May.


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Metagenics, Inc. (“Metagenics” or the “Company”), a leading global nutritional supplement company, today announced that it named Gavin J. Lindberg as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 17. Mr. Lindberg brings more than 25 years of financial leadership, along with deep experience driving international consumer brand growth, to this newly created position. Metagenics is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm.
Founded in 1983 and based in Aliso Viejo, CA with facilities in North America, Europe, and Australia, Metagenics creates clinically proven and science-based programs and products to support good health. For over 35 years, Metagenics has partnered with healthcare practitioners who recommend its nutritional products to support their patients’ health with measurable results.
Metagenics CEO Brent Eck said, “We welcome Gavin to our Company. His success leading international teams and his proven ability to drive sustained and profitable growth for brands will be invaluable as we continue to develop new products, enter new markets, and invest for the future through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.”
Mr. Lindberg spent the bulk of his career at Nike, Inc., in a variety of senior finance positions, culminating in VP, CFO, Product Innovation & Brand. In that role, he led financial planning and brand marketing projects to revamp business models across the Nike, Converse and Jordan brands. During his career at Nike, Mr. Lindberg led teams across CFO roles in Japan, Greater China and EMEA. Immediately prior to joining Metagenics, he spent one year as CFO at JustFoodForDogs, a maker of fresh food for dogs, where he negotiated omni-channel marketplace partnerships and implemented new ERP systems and accounting processes. Mr. Lindberg holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Oregon and an MBA from the University of Portland.
Ryan Fagan, Managing Director in Gryphon’s Consumer Group, commented, “We couldn’t be more pleased with the accomplishments the Metagenics team has made during the first year of our partnership. Over the past year, the Company acquired U.K. supplements retailer NutriAdvanced and was certified as a global B Corporation, signifying that it meets the highest standards of performance, accountability, and transparency. Gavin’s experience driving brands will be an enormous asset as we look to take advantage of these tailwinds and continue the Company’s growth.”
Mr. Lindberg said, “I am excited to join such a respected leader in the health and wellness category. I look forward to working closely with Metagenics management and the Gryphon team to advance the Company’s global mission of providing effective nutritional solutions recommended by healthcare professionals to help people live healthier lives.”
Founded in 1983 and based in Aliso Viejo, CA with facilities in North America, Europe, and Australia, Metagenics is a leading global nutritional supplement company. With a heritage of breakthrough science, innovative products, unsurpassed quality, practitioner education, and dedicated partnerships, it is clear why Metagenics has become one of the most trusted health and wellness brands worldwide. For nearly 40 years, Metagenics has delivered high-quality, science-based nutritional supplements, medical foods, and lifestyle programs to support healthcare practitioners in their efforts to help patients achieve their health and wellness goals. For more information, visit www.metagenics.com.
About Gryphon Investors
Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. As of December 31, 2021, the firm has over $9 billion of assets under management. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon’s capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.


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Reports surfaced late last week that Cher Wang, HTC’s chairperson might be considering splitting its smartphone and VR ambitions into two different companies.
But in a statement issues today, HTC adamantly denies these claims.
“Recent media reports in Taiwan, such as by United Evening News, stating that Cher Wang is planning to spin off HTC’s VR operations into an independent entity that will be wholly owned by Wang are incorrect. HTC will continue to develop our VR business to further maximize value for shareholders,” says HTC in a statement sent to MobileSyrup.
According to this release, nothing is changing at HTC, and the company will continue to operate as it always has following the launch of the HTC Vive. Pre-orders for the company’s upcoming VR headset are set to launch in February, with a commercial release in April.
HTC and Valve are holding an event called the Virtual Reality Los Angeles (VRLA) Expo this weekend, where both companies are expected to show off upcoming third-party software for the headset.
Despite the fact that the Vive has an official release window and pre-order date, we still don’t know how much the headset will cost. Oculus Rift pre-orders recently launched for $914 CAD.
Related reading: Half-Life 3 not confirmed: Valve won’t show off a new game at VR showcase


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Save the date for Electrolux Capital Markets Day on November 16, 2017. The event will be hosted at Electrolux headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden.Read more
Electrolux to consolidate cooking manufacturing in North America
Electrolux is planning to consolidate its North American cooking manufacturing by building a new manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. In consolidating cooking production to Tennessee, where Electrolux currently operates a factory in Springfield, Electrolux will gain advantages of scale by leveraging resources such as R&D, talent, labs and supply base.
After having investigated a large number of potential locations in the United States and Mexico, Electrolux has taken the decision to build a new factory in Memphis, Tennessee. This site offers an optimal geographical location towards customers and suppliers. Together with the existing cooker factory in Springfield, the factory in Memphis will establish Tennessee as a cooking production center for Electrolux in North America, enabling Electrolux to realize synergies in manufacturing.
Production in Memphis is expected to start in mid-2012, and the factory is expected to be fully operational in 2013. On December 15 08:00 CET, Electrolux announced that its factory in l’Assomption, Quebec, Canada, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The new manufacturing site, which represents an investment of USD 190M, will receive investment support from state, county and city governing bodies, which is pending their final approval.
The Electrolux restructuring program initiated in 2004 is expected to be completed in 2011. The total cost of the program will be approximately SEK 8.5 billion, and the program is expected to generate annual cost savings of SEK 3.4 billion with full effect by 2013.
For further information
Contact Electrolux Press Hotline, +46 8 657 65 07.
Read more within Press releases
Continued improvement in earnings. Electrolux operating income for the first quarter increased to SEK 1,536m, an improvement of 21% compared to the same period last year.Read more
Highlights of the first quarter of 2017: Net sales amounted to SEK 28,883m (28,114). Organic sales declined by 3%, while currency translation had a positive impact of 6% on net sales. Operating income increased...Read more


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It has become increasingly difficult to deny that we live in an age of technological innovation – particularly entrepreneurial innovation. Many cities across Canada contain the components of an ideal start-up environment: a diverse culture receptive to innovation, top quality educational institutions, and willing investors. According to a 2012 report by Canadian Business, Western Canada has become somewhat of a start-up “hot spot”, with 3.7% of British Columbia’s working population owning a start-up, which the report defines as a business under two years of age. Unsurprisingly, then, start-ups play an important role in Canada’s economy.
But how does this role of start-ups impact M&A? The answer, is seems, is significantly. Last year, PwC published a report indicating that upwards of 63% of owners of emerging companies are actually looking to leave their companies – quickly – as opposed to seeing their businesses grow. Indeed, M&A is a solid option for entrepreneurs because it enables them to profit from their efforts, and allows their start-up to develop more fully than it would have been able to otherwise, given the entrepreneur’s potentially limited access to resources and business experience.
Similarly, M&A is a good option for buyers of start-ups because it offers them the opportunity to profit from talented individuals with innovative ideas, who may not have sufficient capital to run their businesses on their own. Although buyers are likely to be interested in start-ups that have established products and proven revenue streams, there has nonetheless been a marked shift in the past few years towards acquisitions of start-ups comprised of increasingly smaller teams, i.e, a trend away from pure-play acqui-hires.
Many Canadian start-ups are acquired by international companies (primarily American). This brings to light another trend, in which foreign companies are acquiring Canadian start-ups. From a socio-cultural perspective, it is arguable that this trend is contributing to a less uniquely Canadian, and more global culture. From an economics perspective, this new trend hints towards a more global, fluid economy, rather than one that is limited by jurisdictional boundaries.
M&A has, and will continue to have, an important role to play in facilitating innovation. It is already enabling Canadian entrepreneurs to partake in technological innovation in the form of start-ups, and interact to a larger degree with the global economy. It will surely be in the near future when their larger impact on the Canadian cultures, societies, and economy will be evident.
The author would like to thank Melanie Simon, summer student, for her assistance in preparing this legal update.
Stay informed on M&A developments and subscribe to our blog today.


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Hong Kong’s Suncity Group Holdings Ltd unveiled plans on October 29 to enter the fast-growing Philippines gambling market, with a deal to operate a casino and resort in the country’s version of the Las Vegas gaming strip.
The deal marks the Hong Kong group’s first step in tapping Manila’s gaming industry, which has grown rapidly over the past decade, attracting foreign entrants and generating tax revenue.
Suncity said in a statement it has acquired a majority stake in the Philippines’ Suntrust Home Developers Inc, which plans to co-develop and then manage and operate a five-star hotel and casino in Manila.
“Outside of Macau the most decent city for gaming is Manila because of the scale, three international brands and facilities, airport. Quite convenient,” Andrew Lo, executive director at Suncity, told Reuters.
Alvin Chau, the founder of Suncity, has grown the company from operating a high roller table in Wynn Macau’s casino in 2007 to a sprawling conglomerate with businesses ranging from property to autos and thousands of employees.
In a separate statement, Suntrust said it signed a deal to develop and exclusively operate the main hotel casino portion of an integrated resort in the capital. Suntrust would operate the casino and a five-star hotel with at least 400 rooms, around 400 gaming tables and 1,200 slot machines for both mass market and high rollers. The hotel and casino portion of the broader Westside City Resorts World township will have a development cost of US$700 million and cover an area of around 44,000 square meters, with building floor area of 182,000 square meters.
Suntrust will lease the site for the casino-hotel from the developers of the larger Westside City Resorts World project, including Genting Hong Kong Ltd, which will also include a retail center and residential apartments. Westside City Resorts will be the fourth integrated casino-resort in Manila and will be located between Solaire Resorts & Casino and City of Dreams Manila
As of end-June, the Westside developers had spent 96.5 billion Philippine pesos ($1.89 billion) on the project that will start operations before 2023.
Philippines’ gross gaming revenues rose 14% to 120.48 billion pesos ($2.36 billion) in the first half, government data showed.


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“Bee rustlers” sounds like a punchline, but renting hives on active farmland is big money to food growers around the world.
Beehive theft likely means higher food costs for everyone.
Large swathes of the global food economy are wholly dependent on honey bee pollination for profit. By some research estimates, more than $577 billion in global food commerce is dependent on the honey bee.
Consider the lucrative almond industry. More than 80% of the world’s supplies of almonds are grown in California.
Almonds can’t grow without bee pollination. So now, every February, California’s beekeeping industry is raided by rashes of brazen beehive theft.
Approximately 1.2 million acres of land is dedicated to almond tree pollination. There aren’t enough bees in California, so almond farmers rent apiaries from all over the country.
Beekeepers can charge hundreds of dollars per beehive for the entire almond season, which lasts several weeks.
Beehive theft is not a victimless crime, nor is it a humorous one. Professional beekeepers are losing fortunes and lifelong livelihoods to the annual thefts.
Lloyd Cunniff, a third-generation apiary business owner from Montana, can attest. In 2017, a month before almond season, he had 488 beehive boxes with over 50 million bees stolen from him.
Bees for rent
The theft represented over $100,000 in potential pollination fees and the complete loss of Cunniff’s livelihood. “I was 57 years old, and I had to start over from scratch,” said Cunniff.
“Where I had been thinking about retiring, now I got to … there’s no way I can retire now.”
Butte County, California Detective “Rowdy” Jay Freeman, a beekeeper himself, says that beehive theft is “the perfect crime” because most people don’t know about it nor would suspect it.
Someone with basic beekeeping skills can pull it off in plain sight.
The scourge of beehive theft is only poised to get worse as bee populations fluctuate and almond exports expand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, global export demand for American almonds surged 380% between 2005 and 2015.
As demand increases for almonds, beekeepers can command higher apiary renting fees from almond farmers. Most California almond farmers pay anywhere between $200 to $500 to rent just one beehive.


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Infinix the smartphone manufacturing model is understood for its big selection of smartphones providing in price range and mid-range section. Within the final couple of years, the corporate has launched quite a few telephones within the Indian market. Now, plainly Infinix is planning to develop its portfolio within the nation with the launch of a brand new telephone known as the Infinix Sizzling 10 Play. The handset is now listed on the Indian BIS (Bureau of Indian Requirements) certification web site hinting in the direction of an imminent launch. Let’s have a more in-depth take a look at the BIS itemizing of the upcoming Infinix Hot 10 Play.
Infinix Sizzling 10 Play BIS Certification
In style tipster Mukul Sharma has shared a tweet with the screenshot of the Infinix Sizzling 10 Play on the BIS Certification. The smartphone is listed with mannequin quantity X688C on the certification website hinting at an imminent launch, besides the itemizing didn’t reveal a lot details about the smartphone.
— Mukul Sharma (@stufflistings) March 5, 2021
Infinix Sizzling 10 Play India Launch May Occur in April
Cite inside sources we will safely affirm that the corporate is planning to launch the Infinix Sizzling 10 Play smartphone someday in April 2021. The sources didn’t reveal a lot concerning the particular launch date, however we will anticipate some extra particulars within the upcoming days.
Infinix Sizzling 10 Play Specs
The Infinix Sizzling 10 Performs is already launched in Pakistan and we all know nearly all the pieces concerning the smartphone. The handset flaunts a 6.82-inch IPS HD+ show with a waterdrop notch that accommodates the entrance digital camera setup. Beneath the hood, the smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, clubbed with 2GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB onboard storage.
So far as cameras are involved, the Infinix Hot 10 Play affords a 13-megapixel major and depth sensor together with an LED flash. On the entrance, it homes an 8-megapixel digital camera sensor for selfies and video calls. The smartphone is fuelled by a large 6,000mAh battery with 10W charging help. The handset was launched in Pakistan in Aegean Blue, Morandi Inexperienced, Obsidian Black, and seven° Purple color possibility.


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JCPenney will be closing a total of 900 stores nationwide, on Friday they listed 138 locations that will close their doors in the coming months to cut costs and improve its profitability.
JCPenney Co. sales are declining like other department stores, as more people shop online instead of heading to the mall.
The closures are part of the company’s previously announced plans to focus on its best-performing stores.
About 5,000 jobs will be cut due to the closures, JCPenney said. The company had about 105,000 full and part-time employees last year.
Liquidation sales at the 138 stores will start next month, and most of the stores will be shut by mid-June, the company said.
The closings will leave JCPenney with a total of about 900 stores.
Now, we want to hear from you! Would like to share your opinion or make a comment on the Unlock Your Wealth Radio Show? If so, then please leave your comment or questions in the space provided below and share this article with your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. Your comments or question could be chosen as our featured Money Question Monday and a phone call by financial expert Heather Wagenhals could dial your way to be live on the Unlock Your Wealth Radio Show.


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CES 2013 Live-blog: Intel’s press event
Intel(s intc) has a packed room for its major press event at the International Consumer Electronics Show and I squeezed in with a few thousand of my closest friends to experience it. Surely the company will be talking about its next generation computer chips, along with the progress it’s making in smartphones and tablets.
Intel also developed the Ultrabook computer class to help PC makers build smaller, thinner laptops that run longer on a charge. I’ll live blog all the developments here as the company makes it’s big pitch for 2013.


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NEW YORK -- "We are going to open the fragrance in countries where the fashion is more visible -- or the other way around," Giovanni Sgariboldi, president and chief executive officer of Euroitalia, said of the growth plan for Alessandro...
NEW YORK--"We are going to open the fragrance in countries where the fashion is more visible--or the other way around," Giovanni Sgariboldi, president and chief executive officer of Euroitalia, said of the growth plan for Alessandro Dell'Acqua's inaugural fragrance.Sgariboldi spoke after a launch event here last week that featured a knot of fragrance executives, including Euroitalia export manager Claudio Tenan, executive creative director Donatella Carrirolo and Connie Ruscio, vice president and general manager of Fragrances Exclusive, the U.S. sales agent handling Dell'Acqua's new scent.In the U.S., the fragrance was launched exclusively in half the Nordstrom chain in March, and plans call for a September rollout to other specialty retailers. Sources indicated that Sephora is a likely second venue.To help push the rollout, supermodel and Dell'Acqua friend Helena Christensen, the face of the brand, strutted into the event last week at Manhattan's Chambers Hotel. There was one notable absence, though: the designer himself."It sounds cliched to say the perfume you're advertising for is one of your favorites," Christensen admitted, "but Alessandro's perfume contains all of the notes of flowers and herbs that I love." The juice, formulated by Firmenich, includes top notes of pelargonium and coriander, a heart of peony and rose and a base of incense and musk. Pierre Dinand designed the rectangular bottle, whose cap features an elastic "headband."The scent launched in Europe and Asia beginning last fall, followed by North America, Australia and the Middle East this year. The full line contains a 1.7-oz. eau de toilette for $50, a 3.4-oz. eau de toilette for $75 and a 1.7-oz. eau de parfum for $60, as well as two 6.7-oz. bath products--a shower gel for $30 and a body milk for $40. Industry sources estimate the fragrance could garner retail sales of $3 million during a slow rollout over the next year."[Alessandro Dell'Acqua Parfums] is really becoming a global brand," said Tenan, who noted that it's now carried in more than 50 countries. "And we are expecting amazing growth in the next few years." Tenan added that a Dell'Acqua fragrance for men is slated for next year.Tenan also noted that the Euroitalia fragrance business as a whole, which includes the Dolce & Gabbana and Moschino brands, has rebounded since Sept. 11. Duty-free sales have returned and are "strong," he said, as has the Asia-Pacific business, apart from some softness in Japan.
Exclusive: @britneyspears is continuing to expand her brand. The pop icon, who appears in @kenzo ’s latest campaign, is partnering with Epic Rights to launch a line of branded merchandise. Read @hernameislex ‘s story, link in bio. #wwdnews #britneyspears
The Duchess of Cambridge channeled Princess Diana’s look upon giving birth to Prince Harry, when she and the Duke of Cambridge departed the hospital with the new baby Prince this afternoon in London. #wwdeye #princeofcambridge
The new Prince of Cambridge has arrived! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posed with the 8-pound newborn. She wore a look from one of her go-to designers, @jennypackham. Tap link in bio for more. #wwdeye #princeofcambridge
Jewelry label @alisonlou has made a name for itself with fine jewelry that speaks to the Millennial market. Now @twallz21 reports that the label is bringing those playful ideas to a new affordable line of lucite hoops with the launch of Loucite by Alison Lou. Here’s a look from the line modeled by @emrata. #wwdaccessories
@sarahjessicaparker and @gilt are teaming up on a bridal ready-to-wear line. Tomorrow, Parker will launch SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal — and as part of the launch, Gilt will offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear collection that were designed to complement the new line. Made out of 10 styles, the line is designed for a variety of occasions, from bridal showers to receptions. Get more details on WWD.com #wwdfashion
A grooming moment between @tanfrance and @antoni last night at the The LGBT Community Center Trailblazer Awards honoring Anna Wintour, Ricky Martin and more. See more photos at WWD.com #wwdeye (📷: @lexieblacklock)
“It was a very surreal feeling. It wasn’t like we were in the studio together coming up with it — it’s more like he discovered it and loved it. I didn’t let myself get my hopes up, but then it happened it was very exciting,” said singer-songwriter @nombe on discovering that @pharrell would be using his song, “Cant Catch Me” on his HBO documentary series “Outpost.” The German-born singer — named Noah MacBeth — talked to WWD about feminism, using art as a platform for political expression and personal style. Read more on WWD.com #wwdeye (📷: @jilliansollazzo)
This season, denim is going west – in influence. Brands like @fathersdaughterla (pictured here), @tommyhilfiger Jeans, @levis and more are opting for raw, top-stitching styles. (Styled by @thealexbadia; 📷: @ryanplett)


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ICXSummit15: From scavenger hunt to Skydeck, the highlight reel
From an Under Armour installation that tests athletic ability to a Warby Parker photo booth experience, interactive customer experience was the order of the day at the inaugural Interactive Customer Experience Summit.
Held June 28-30 at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, the ICX Summit focused on technologies such as digital signage, self-service kiosks, mobile and tablets, as well as emerging technologies ranging from beacons to Internet of Things and augmented reality.
Highlights included a scavenger hunt and tour of Chicago-area interactive technologies actually deployed in stores, an opening keynote by Jason Goldberg of Razorfish, an awards dinner party at Skydeck Chicago and a closing keynote by Blaine Hurst of Panera.
Read more about this year's Summit:
- ICXSummit: How to bring 'social proof' into your brick-and-mortar locations
- Tech in a box: How Dickey's uses big data to target marketing strategies
- ICXSummit15: Why make customers wait?
- Top customer experience tech honored at ICXSummit15
The 2016 event will be held in June in Dallas, with exact dates and location still to be announced.
Christopher is the managing director of the Interactive Customer Experience Association and former editor of DigitalSignageToday.com. A longtime freelance writer and reporter, he's bringing a fresh perspective and critical take on the industry.www
Jim Ensign from Republic Bank discusses how financial institutions can improve the customer experience.
Mobile Payments Today sat down with Kount CEO Brad Wiskirchen and COO Rich Stuppy to talk about this year’s results, and about trends that are influencing the market now.
Sponsored by: Kount
Patricia O'Donnell, senior vice president at Key Bank, discusses this challenge that FIs face daily.
Stormy Mauri, vice president and product manager at Washington Trust Bank, talks about the challenges banks face going forward.
Mark Aldred from Auriga speaks to us at Self-Service Banking 2017 At Auriga, we’re committed to making personal contact an important part of the transaction. As Mark Aldred explains to Fintech Finance, “You can only achieve this if you have integrated omnichannel solutions.
David Smith talks to Fintech Finance at ATM & Cash Innovation Europe 2017 In the year of the 50th anniversary of ATM and of the 25th Anniversary of Auriga’s first steps in the market, we are here to confirm the...
Bank executives gathered in Chicago last month to listen to keynotes and panels about evolving consumers' expectations when it comes to their banking relationships.
Today’s new-gen millennials form a significant customer segment who are willing to pay for differentiated services. Banks that can quickly gear up to offer value-added products are more likely to succeed in this new normal.
Your ATM is an important customer touch point – for revenues, customer experience and customer retention.
Rapidly evolving banking technology, introduction of new age channels and aggressive competition require banks to make significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and inter-operable payment channels and resources.
During our webinar, we've been talking about licensed European Payment institution and E-money institution, as well as the Internet acquiring.
When it comes to the ideal banking experience for the average customer, "the faster, the better," says Jorge Lemus, vice president of international banking payments at Scotiabank. This is where he believes technology can play a crucial role.
At the 2016 BCX Summit, Julie Conroy of Aite Group discussed the movement among FIs to drive mundane branch transactions to self service devices.


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The National, Thursday October 10th, 2013
By SHEILA MALKEN
PNG Customs and police in Eastern Highlands carried out an operation to discourage illegal wine-making in Unggai-Bena district.
The team raided the area and confiscated brewed products, equipment used and items following a tip off.
PNG Customs Commissioner Ray Paul said 12,400 litres of wine, valued at K104,000 were confisticated.
“The brewers have been operating for two years and that means that the state has foregone about K1 million in revenue,” Paul said
“Five wine samples were collected and sent to the PNG University of Technology‘s applied science department for testing and analysing.”
Paul said one sample tested resulted in very high alcohol content, of over 90%, while the standard alcohol content for wine was 10-18%.
“The other four samples were within the required alcohol standard for wine but recorded a very high count of bacteria.”
Paul said wine intended for human consumption had to be prepared in a clean environment, pasteurised and packaged clean containers.
He said this was not so in the case of the brewers – posing a great health risk to consumers.
Two men have been charged and they pleaded guilty to illegal brewing of alcohol.


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AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI 2013 EXHIBITION
Shanghai exhibition has now become a traditional event for Maktest as the year's last showcase for displaying lastest Diesel Injection Repair Solutions.
This year's event was very important to introduce a ground breaking new technology for assembling Electronic Injectors. KO4000 Computer Aided Repair System had been successfully launched in another Autmechanika Event in Istanbul in April 2013, and now introduced to Asian customers during Shanghai event.
Customers' positive response to its outstanding precision and efficiency has promised Maktest a very good new year.
Except KO4000; PT2012.CRe, TK1026.03B with newer control system and bigger screen, UTS1004 and TK1010 were among the products displayed in the exhibition.
Maktest and Premo International has also organized a Hospitality Night in an authantic Shanghai Restaurant welcoming all Maktest and Premo guests. Guests have found the chance to taste traditional Shanghai Cuisine and watch Chinese Theatre.
We wish to thank Premo International for their valuable contributions and support for organizing participation to this Important event.
Needless to say, we also thank all of our visitors for bringing the Maktest family warmth to our exhibition stand.


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A Group Of Vermont Teens Is Speaking Out Against E-Cigarettes
Dozens of high school students from across Vermont descended on the Statehouse Tuesday to urge lawmakers to place new restrictions on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes.
The students are part of an organization called "Our VoicesXposed" and they highlighted a potential health crisis associated with the use of e-cigarettes. These are devises that don't contain tobacco but instead deliver nicotine through a vaporized process.
A group of students from Enosburg High School discussed the problem with these products.
Kendall Nichols is a sophomore who is concerned that a recent survey showed that 30 percent of high school students have tried e-cigarettes and 15 percent use them on a regular basis.
"We've really noticed that youth are being impacted by e-cigarettes,” Nichols explains. “And we want to make sure that every youth gets to live a really healthy lifestyle."
Kyla Perry is also a sophomore. She says many e-cigarette products are targeted directly at young people.
"We feel like that doesn't give them a fair chance to have a healthy lifestyle if they make a bad decision in their youth." — Kyla Perry, a sophomore at Enosburg High School with Our Voices Xposed
“They're being advertised with flavors and colors that youth and teens are attracted to,” says Perry. “And we feel like that doesn't give them a fair chance to have a healthy lifestyle if they make a bad decision in their youth."
Ashley Tardiff is a junior. She wants to be certain that young people understand the negative health effects of e-cigarettes.
“Most people don't know about the harmful agents in e-cigarettes,” Tardiff says. “They think that the vapor is just water vapor when in reality it is an aerosol that contains metals and cancer causing agents and nicotine levels that are extraordinarily high."
Underhill Rep. Bill Frank is the lead sponsor of a bill that defines an e-cigarette as "a tobacco substitute." He wants all of the restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to apply to e-cigarettes.
"Most people don't know about the harmful agents in e-cigarettes. They think that the vapor is just water vapor when in reality it is an aerosol that contains metals and cancer causing agents and nicotine levels that are extraordinarily high." — Ashley Tardiff, a junior at Enosburg High School with Our Voices Xposed
This includes placing these products behind the counter at stores, not selling them to anyone under 18, and banning their use in any location where tobacco is prohibited.
“They do contain nicotine,” Frank says. “I mean that's the whole purpose of them. And so I contend that if you get hooked on nicotine it's very likely that you might start using tobacco products also."
Jim Harrison is the executive director of the Vermont Retail Association. He says his group generally supports the new restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes but wants to further study the issue.


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NEW YORK: Health and wellness company Aloha has appointed L’Occitane’s Rachael Szporn as its head of PR and events.
Szporn, who was promoted to director of PR and events at L’Occitane last April, joined Aloha in mid-October. She succeeded John Weiss, who left the company this summer to launch his own PR firm, The Speakeasy Agency, alongside former William Grant & Sons PR leader James Curich.
Reporting to Aloha head of marketing Lee Hurley, Szporn’s main responsibilities include expanding and overseeing the brand’s communication strategy in partnership with its PR firm, Susan Magrino Agency.
She said via email that she will work to "increase, strengthen, and maintain key relationships with media and influencers, as well as develop and execute strategic partnership events."
In Szporn’s previous role, she served as L’Occitane’s first in-house PR director, a hire the beauty brand made as part of its strategy to handle all communications efforts internally. She was responsible for all media relations in the US, commercial media opportunities, promotions, and advertising.
Prior to joining L’Occitane in 2012, Szporn served as global communications manager at Kiehl’s, a cosmetic brand owned by L’Oreal.


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Thomas O’Brien, Nexstar Media Group’s executive VP of business development and chief revenue officer, has signed on to stick with the company through 2021, expanding his responsibilities to include accelerating the company’s digital growth in the process.
O’Brien joined Nexstar as CRO in November 2013. Since coming on board, he has developed and overseen the company’s multimedia strategy, leading to substantial growth in digital audiences and revenue, the company said in a release. O’Brien will also focus on Nexstar’s ability to capitalize on emerging offerings including automated ad sales, data, monetizing OTT distribution and the next-gen broadcast standard, ATSC 3.0, Nexstar said.
Before joining Nexstar, O’Brien spent 14 years as an NBC senior executive, most recently as executive VP and chief revenue officer for CNBC. His tenure included serving as president and general manager of NBC flagship WNBC New York.
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Simple ideas lead to big things – and that’s certainly the best way to describe the hugely successful firm Trade to Trade.
Founders Ben Mitchell and James Vaughan set up the business in 2018 after sharing their frustrations at getting rid of part-exchange cars.
Speaking to Car Dealer Live, the pair explained how the germ of an idea has led to a hugely successful and much-loved business being created – and one that has won a series of awards.
‘We we were talking one evening after a hard day at work and agreed we really struggled to get rid of part-exchanges as well as sourcing stock,’ explained co-founder Vaughan in the video, which you can watch at the top of this story. ‘So we decided to set up a small, local community of traders who could quickly, simply and safely trade stock.’
Trade to Trade began initially as a Facebook group and very quickly grew as other car dealers shared the pair’s difficulties in acquiring and disposing of stock.
‘The Facebook group now has over 10,000 members,’ said Vaughan, ‘and everything from Ford Fiestas to Rolls-Royces are traded.
‘During the last lockdown, the group maxed out at 98,000 interactions and comments in a month – that’s the highest we have seen!’
Along with the original Facebook page, Trade to Trade also has an advisory group to help car dealers on a number of subjects and that has over 5,500 members.
Dealers love Trade to Trade so much they voted it best Trade-to-Trade Remarketer of the Year in the 2020 Car Dealer Power awards, and the firm also scooped the Outstanding Achievement award in the 2020 Car Dealer Used Car Awards.
The pair have also launched a mobile app that keeps the friendly community feel of the Facebook group, but with added convenience.
Since its launch last year, the app has been substantially rebuilt to keep pace with dealers’ needs and requirements and the pair are currently putting the finishing touches to the latest round of updates and improvements.
‘There’s only so much we can do with the Facebook group,’ explained Vaughan. ‘We have a lot more control over what happens with the app, and for the users the features and benefits are far better.
‘For instance, we know who the users really are which guarantees a trustworthy community. When dealers sign-up, they go through a verification process to prove they are bonafide motor traders.’
After the verification process, dealers choose which membership package they would like and then they are free to trade with other dealers in a quick, simple and friendly way.
In the video (at the top of this post), the pair explain in detail:
- How the Facebook group was established
- Why the Facebook group will remain at the core of what it does
- What’s next for the app
- The current state of the used car market


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The former CEO of Google and current Alphabet CEO, Larry Page, has been quoted on the possibilities the search engine holds by saying, “We’re at maybe one percent of what is possible. Despite the faster change, we’re still moving slow relative to the opportunities we have. I think a lot of that is because of the negativity… Every story I read is Google vs someone else. That’s boring. We should be focusing on building the things that don’t exist.” As of late, the Internet has been abuzz with Google experimenting with a new feature that is a potential full-on game-changer.
Google Posts, as they have been dubbed since there is no official name for the feature, originally rolled out in January for use by U.S. presidential hopefuls. These posts would appear in the search results as cards for any query corresponding to one of the candidates. As of early March, it has been reported that Google is opening this feature up to a handful of local businesses to utilize.
So what exactly are these Google Posts, and how could they benefit you?
Google Posts are a new element to the search engine that is currently in the experimental phase. The feature allows businesses and people alike to develop content to be posted directly on Google. The content then appears highly ranked in the SERPs in a carousel format. The new results also allow for animations and GIFs to be displayed; a first for Google. If you need a bit of a visual aid, just Google “A Healthy Choice Spa” and you can find the carousel directly below the first result.
Mike Blumenthal was the first to take notice of Google opening up this new aspect of the search engine on March 4. Greg Sterling of Search Engine Land later confirmed this to be true. As it stands right now, Google describes this feature by stating, “Verified individuals and organizations can now communicate with text, images and videos directly on Google. Creating content is fast and simple, and once published, posts will appear instantly in search results related to the publisher. Each post can also be shared on popular social networks.”
This means that only a very select number of people and businesses have access to the feature at the moment, although, while posts are currently invite only, there is a waitlist available for those who want to take advantage of the service later down the road. Do keep in mind, however, that there is no guarantee of acceptance or if Google will even expand the new offering.
There is no way to access any of the Google Posts from the Posts homepage. They can only be accessed in the search results when queries are entered for participating organizations. There is also no way to see all of the posts from these participants either as some may disappear as time passes, much as they did for presidential candidates. Additionally, the content is completely custom as it is not pulled from Google My Business or any other source, so if a post disappears, it will likely be quite difficult to or impossible to find ever again.
The new implementation is currently seen as a push by the search giant to develop a fresher and more dynamic experience for users, as it is always seeking to do. The cards also offer Google the opportunity to build an increasingly social presence, as content can be shared directly from the carousel, while simultaneously creating new ad space as right-side ads were recently banished.
Google postsThe layout was developed with mobile as the top priority but they still display equally as well on desktop devices. With mobile, the cards appear below the Knowledge Panel, whereas on desktop they are displayed alongside the Knowledge Panel.
The purpose of the cards, as with the previous incarnation for presidential candidates, is to give businesses the opportunity to provide additional content or convey information about the products or services a company offers in a way that the Knowledge Panel does not accommodate.
If this new feature makes it past experimentation to become a mainstay in Google’s arsenal, this could prove not only as a great resource for small businesses to get their content seen, but also serve as a SEO boon. Any business that implements the new cards would have instant access to publishing content directly on the Google search results, which in turn could potentially boost rankings significantly. There has been no decision, however, if Google will ever allow these cards to be used on a larger scale.
If Google does decide to make this feature available to the masses, there are immense benefits that could potentially be reaped for Google, businesses, and users alike. Google stands to gain a new space for ad revenue. Businesses can provide their audience with additional content and possibly find themselves rising in rankings on the engine. And users benefit from a new and engaging form of content that they just can’t get enough of. It seems that it would be a wise move for Google to implement this new feature across the board as it provides the aforementioned benefits while integrating a new level of dynamics and allure through custom content and the use of GIFs. The resulting decisions remain to be seen, but odds are there’s a new SEO content in town, and that’s cause for celebration.


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Patrick Olney appointed CEO for Volvo Construction Equipment.
Part of a number of changes to be announced at Volvo this month, Patrick Olney has been appointed CEO for Volvo Construction Equipment
With a career spanning nearly two dec- ades, Patrick Olney has steered Volvo’s global operations through challenging times and ambitious expansions. From this month, Olney will run Volvo’s global operations from the company’s Belgian head quarters, with responsibility for growth across all geographical markets.
Educated at the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, Olney graduated with a degree in business adminis- tration and in 1994, and received the chartered accountant designation from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
During his 17 year career in the construction equipment industry, Olney has spent 10 years in senior management roles within Volvo CE. These roles have included his appointment as president of Volvo Motor Graders from 2001 to 2004 and president of Volvo Road Machinery, a position he took in 2007.
In 2009 he was named executive vice president and head of operations at Volvo CE, tasked with spearheading Volvo’s global manufacturing and purchasing operations.
Volvo also announced this month that Volvo Rents will no longer be part of Volvo CE but will become a subsidiary of AB Volvo. Scott Hall, former executive vice president and head of global sales and marketing, will become the new executive vice president and CEO of Volvo Rents, based in Pennsylvania.
Reporting to Hall, will be Barry Natwick newly appointed chief operating officer of Volvo Rents. Eberhard Wedekind will replace Hall in the Belgian office as executive vice president of sales and marketing for Volvo CE.
Local operation, global recognition
While Volvo does not have a manufacturing base in the Middle East dealerships have been established throughout the region, with operations spanning Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, all overseen by the regional office based in Dubai.
More than 150 different models of excava- tors, wheel loaders, motor graders and articu- lated haulers are produced in total in plants located in Sweden, Germany, France, the US, Canada, Brazil and Korea.
This year, among other innovations announced by the company, a new range of pipe layers will be introduced in the region. Designed around a 360 ? swing excavator con- cept. Both models of the machines (PL4608 and PL4611) offer enhanced safety features and production capabilities, say the company. The pipe layers were used in the recent construction of the US $81 million, 60km Bunde-Etzel pipe- line in Germany.
Earlier this year, the L220G wheel loader, from the G-series range, won the Red Dot Design Award at a ceremony in Germany, rec- ognising the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, 20% increased lifting force, 10% improved breakout force and stronger hydraulics — 4433 other products were entered in the awards.
Fit for the future
“Pat Olney has a long and extensive experience in the construction Equipment industry and has been instrumental in putting Volvo CE’s new Fit for the Future strategy in place,” Olney’s predecessor, Olof Perrson comments. He will take up a new position as deputy CEO of AB Volvo from this month and from September 1, will become president and CEO of AB Volvo.
Launched in 2008, Fit for the Future reduced the overlaps within Volvo to “promote effi- ciency and focus on key customer segments”. Volvo reports strong growth and increased profitability across all global markets as a result, particularly in the Middle East. Dubai.
“Traditional markets of Europe and North America remain very important to the busi- ness,” comments Olney.
“However, growing markets in Asia and the BRIC countries are an important focus area for the company going forward. Volvo CE has made several key investments in recent years in these markets and is well placed to capitalise on the growth we see there. In particular we have seen strong growth in China driven by the company’s local Chinese partner,” he adds.
“Whilst it is a time of change in the industry with a recovery underway from the financial crisis in 2008 and growing markets in the BRIC countries and elsewhere, Volvo CE has a clear strategy for delivering value to customers and this will be continued,” he concludes.
CEO, Volvo Construction Equipment
Executive vice president and CEO, Volvo Rents
Chief operating officer, Volvo Rents
Executive vice president of sales and marketing, Volvo CE.


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Hello to the first day of the 2021 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!
It’s almost time for EPCOT’s 2021 Flower and Garden Festival!
The festival runs from March 3rd through July 5th, 2021 — that’s less than a week away! While we’ve already shown you the just-released menu, taken a look at the topiaries, and highlighted some fun activities, there’s more news to share!
Today we’ve been taking you with us LIVE from the 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival (and we’ve loooved having you tag along)!
But, the adventure isn’t over just yet! We’re going on a scavenger hunt for goodies AND a special prize throughout the World Showcase, but is it worth YOUR time and $$$ — let’s find out!
And while Disney’s officially released which food booths will be returning along with their menus, they’ve yet to announce how much we can expect to pay!
We’ve been hard at work in the parks scoping out all the latest news for you! First, a few things to remember…
- We have a BRAND NEW T-SHIRT LINE! If you’ve been waiting for DFB T-shirts, they’re HERE! Click here to take a look!
- There are a lot of BRAND NEW 2020 DISCOUNTS for Disney World Hotels and Packages, and we’ve got them all here!
- The 2020 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival opened this week, and we have ALL the menus and FOOD PHOTOS for the Food Booths!
- The 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival kicks off March 4 and we have the FULL menus for the Festival!
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
When we found out there is a new challenge coming to the 2020 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, we got VERY EXCITED!
Similar to Epcot’s Festival of the Holiday’s Cookie Stroll, a new foodie quest will debut this year at Epcot when the Flower and Garden Festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 4th, annnnd it’s called the Garden Graze!


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Disney has a new vampire show on the way called Forever Boys. Cast pic is below, so as you can probably guess, True Blood this will not be!
Lair of the White Worm is getting a Blu-Ray release on the 31st january... BD has a nice feature on it here.
There is news of Nina Dobrev returning for the Vampire Diaries finale here.
Vampirella is still churning out new comic editions. There is a good look at the upcoming editions here.


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Vaporizer Juice Banned – A New Nicotine Ban
The largest challenge for vaporizers right now seems to be racking your brains on what’s best Vaping Flavors. With such a wide variety of different flavors available on the market, it’s impossible to know which you should get. The thing is that we all want the best Vaping Flavors. If you are like me, you will feel the entire shelf of generic flavors trying to figure out which one is the “best”. While I’m sure many vapers are receiving quite frustrated, there are actually some real breakthroughs coming out of Europe.
Probably the most requested flavors right now is the Vanilla Sky. There’s very little people who can pinpoint the exact flavor of Vanilla Sky, and yet, if they do, it’s usually down right delicious. For the reason that this particular vaporizer tastes just like the real thing. So far as vaporizing flavors go, EightVape that one really stands out. Lots of people are asking if there’s a replacement for the Vanilla Sky, which is why I am going to inform you of a fresh e-liquid that just came out in Germany.
Scientists in Germany have been conducting research for quite some time on which makes certain tobacco products addictive. After conducting several studies, they have found that Nicotine, a chemical in cigarettes, may be the key factor in making tobacco products addictive. Within their studies, they have found that Nicotine increases the degree of dopamine in the brain, which then causes visitors to crave more nicotine as time passes. This craving is what results in people becoming addicted to Vapor Flavors.
Scientists also have discovered that people become dependent on e Cigarettes due to sugar content that is present. When people begin to become addicted to Vapor Flavors, it’s not a long time before they stop ingesting genuine since they can’t handle the high sugar levels. As a result, we end up with an enormous problem of people craving or “binging” on Nicotine, which leads to them breaking the habit and becoming addicted to the e-cigs. If you’re a smoker who is trying to quit, ensure you avoid any type of Nicotine, like the popular Vanilla Sky. The reason behind this is due to the Vanilla Sky was specifically made to mimic the very harmful elements of the deadly NRT drug, Ritalin.
Another problem lots of people have while trying to stop smoking is getting their liquids to taste like strawberries. Since vaporizing liquids don’t contain actual sugar, this isn’t an issue, but the simple truth is some liquids do in fact taste like strawberries. It may not necessarily be considered a bad thing; however, this flaw could cause one to break your chain by craving the Strawberry flavor when you shouldn’t. Fortunately, researchers have found an answer for this problem, and it has to do with flavoring.
Not long ago, the government had to put a ban on Flavored Electronic Cigarette Products (Cigarettes) as a result of huge number of consumers who were turning to these electronic cigarettes instead of the conventional cigarettes. As mentioned earlier, the issue with e-Cigarettes is they do not contain any nicotine, so there is no reason to utilize the Nicotine patch or the nicotine gum. So, the federal government realized that this will be a major issue if more people were to turn to the alternative method. That’s why the FDA put into place an idea to flavor e-Cigarettes, in order that smokers could have something to smoke that tastes like something different than what they’re used to. Recently, the FDA approved two new flavors: strawberry and blueberry.
Strawberry and blueberry are two of the greatest flavors that you will find in an e-Cigarette, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you begin to smell like strawberry or berry once you start smoking. On top of that, the new menthol flavor that the FDA just approved will certainly give your throat a good rubbery feeling, which lots of people say tastes like mint. You will also see a reduction in cold symptoms when you begin using the new menthol alternative. The FDA didn’t stop there, though; in addition they plan to ban all flavored electronic cigarettes in the future, and also the ever-popular chocolate e-Cigarettes.
As for the ban on flavored e Cigarettes, it has caused a substantial amount of confusion in the business community, as it was never intended to go into effect. If you’re confused in what the FDA has done, the gist of the news headlines is they are banning all flavored e-Cigarettes and forcing the manufacturing companies to come up with menthol alternative flavors. So far as what happens to current smokers, that’s unknown, but hopefully things will be better for them in the foreseeable future. For the present time, the ban on flavored e-Cigarettes is in effect, so make sure to grab your vaporizer or get your fix from the nearby store.


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The best and brightest fintech innovators and thought leaders will take to the stage of FINNOTEC 2019, the country’s
foremost fintech conference.
FINNOTEC 2019, to be held at Auckland’s Pullman Hotel on Thursday 28 November, will bring together some of the top minds
working in the financial technology, or fintech, space to debate and discuss how best to leverage emerging technologies
for innovation within financial services.
Some of the speakers include keynote Neil Roberts, founder and joint CEO of Harmoney who are also the platinum sponsors
for the event, Karen Silk acting GM of Westpac’s Experience Hub, product lead at Paymark Ella Obreja, Nick Houldsworth
from Xero, Harmoney business intelligence manager Miles Davis among many others.
Up to 10 New Zealand fintech startups will also be invited to attend the event and showcase their businesses to more
than 200 conference attendees for the purpose of funding, hiring talent, mentor support and feedback. The winning pitch
also receives a prize from Xero as the sponsor of the segment. Interested startups should apply via the Finnotec website
Finnotec founder and organiser Binu Paul says the 2019 conference is shaping up to be the organisation’s best event to
date, and comes at a critical time for the fintech sector in New Zealand.
“Fintech is one of the fastest growing sectors in New Zealand. The opportunities arising from advances in areas such as
artificial intelligence, digital identity and open banking are unprecedented. But they also bring new challenges for
financial services businesses,” Mr Paul says.
“The traditional view of how financial services operate, the nature of jobs in the sector, and how those businesses
interact with customers are all about to be tested by advancing technology. Success in the future will come to those
businesses which are able to make the most sense of these emerging trends.
“Events such as FINNOTEC allow those working in the sector to come together and learn from each other. That will be the
way to move our whole sector to not just grow but thrive.”
Mr Paul says the event, now in its fourth year, would not be possible without the involvement of main sponsor Harmoney
and other sponsors including Xero, Paymark, Westpac Ventures and the UK Department of International Trade.
Where: The Pullman, cnr Waterloo Quadrant and Princes St, Auckland
When: Thursday, 28 November, 2019
Tickets and event information: www.finnotec.co.nz


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Sony Electronics announced Sept. 26 that it is offering a new broadband version of its high-end Vaio notebooks that the company hopes to market to those on the go.
The Vaio VGN-TXN10 series notebook, which comes equipped with an Intel Core Solo processor and Sonys SmartWi technology, will allow users access to connect to Sprints Power Vision Network for wireless downloading of e-mail, Internet access and the ability to download large files, the company said in a statement.
Once Sprint rolls out its EvDO (Evolution Data Optimized) Revision technology, Sony claims that notebooks users will be able to download at speeds of 450 to 800 K bps and upload data at 300 to 400 K bps.
With its SmartWi technology, Sony said the new notebooks will integrate wireless WAN, 802.11b/g wireless LAN and Bluetooth technology. Users will then be able to use the new Vaio either at home or on the road, even if they travel outside Internet hot spots.
Sony is marketing the notebooks to those who spend their fair share of time traveling. In addition to the broadband capabilities, the new TX series laptops weigh 2.8 pounds and come with an 11.1-inch-wide display screen.
Other features include a standard battery life of between five and 11 hours, fingerprint sensor for security and hard-drive protection to reduce the risk of damage from falls.
The notebook will also have Microsoft Vista capabilities.
Sony said it will begin selling the TX notebooks, which start at $2,300, by the end of September.


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Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.'s fiscal fourth-quarter net income more than doubled and the company said it will aggressively grow its business in the new fiscal year both in international markets and by selling directly to consumers.
The company, which makes Polo, Ralph Lauren and Club Monaco brand clothing, said Wednesday it earned $114.1 million, or $1.13 per share, in the three-month period ended April 3. In the same period last year, the company earned $44.5 million, or 44 cents a share, including hefty charges.
Revenue rose 9% to $1.34 billion from $1.22 billion last year as wholesale sales to department stores fell nearly 3% to $736 million but sales at the company's own retail stores rose 31%. The company said revenue increased at its branded stores, factory stores, Club Monaco and at its site, RalphLauren.com.
Licensing revenue was flat at $47 million, as higher domestic revenue was offset by a drop in international licensing revenue.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, on average, had predicted earnings per share of 64 cents on revenue of $1.24 billion.
The New York company said fiscal 2010 included 53 weeks, compared with 52 weeks in the prior year, and the extra week added $70 million to quarterly and full-year revenue.
Chief Operating Officer Roger Farah said the company has more than $1.2 billion in cash and investments on its balance sheet so it plans "an aggressive acceleration" of its investments in growth initiatives in fiscal 2011. He noted the company will focus on growing in international markets and its efforts to sell directly to consumers.
For the full year, the company earned $479.5 million, or $4.73 a share, up from $406 million, or $4.01 a share, from the prior year. Revenue softened slightly to $4.98 billion, from $5.02 billion in the prior year.
Analysts expected earnings per share of $4.26 on revenue of $4.88 billion, according to Thomson.
The company said for the first quarter it expects revenue to grow at a low double-digit rate, with revenue at stores open at least a year expected to rise at a high single-digit rate. That's a key figure for retailers because it measures growth at existing locations, rather than including new ones.
It has been a good week for other retailers, as well. After drastically lowering both inventory levels and selling prices, upscale department store Saks Inc. returned to profitability for the quarter ended May 1. Net income rose to $18.8 million for the period, compared to a loss of $5.1 million for the year earlier, and revenue increased 7% to $667.4 million. However, as a luxury purveyor and one of the hardest hit by the recession, Saks remains cautious. After lowering its Saks Fifth Avenue store counts—the retailer closed both a Charleston, S.C. outpost and a San Diego outpost recently—the retailer is still focusing on its off-price Off 5th division.


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While there are risks, new monetary instruments could revolutionise payments as the internet has done for information, the IMF's acting managing director said.
- Zoe Schneeweiss and William Horobin
US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says it's a go-slow on the new cryptocurrency until he's sure that it won't be used for money laundering.
- Katanga Johnson
Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell says he'll keep having reservations about the new cryptocurrency until he's ensured Facebook tackles money laundering.
- Nathaniel Popper and Mike Isaac
A major arabica-bean cooperative, Minasul, is planning to this month launch a blockchain-based digital coin that will be backed by coffee supplies.
- Fabiana Batista
US policymakers and Facebook managers have met, the Federal Reserve chief said, to discuss the company's digital currency proposal.
- Jesse Hamilton
Facebook sought to ease concerns about Libra, stating the token's purpose is to create a secure and low-cost way for consumers to move money around the world.
It always seems to be showtime for the media-shy mogul, one of the richest Australians in London, who was worth $295 million when he last appeared on the Financial Review Rich List in 2014.
- Hans van Leeuwen
Market may evolve ‘sooner than we think’ says the BIS's Agustín Carstens.
- Claire Jones
It's easy come, easy go in the crypto world, where a frenzy over bitcoin fuelled a stunning surge earlier this week.
- Vildana Hajric
A can-do attitude only stretches so far. The harsh reality is that three-quarters of those 1.7 billion financially excluded people do not have internet access, according to the World Bank.
- Patrick Jenkins
So far this year, bitcoin has risen more than 260 per cent, although it remains below its all-time high of nearly $US20,000 hit in December 2017.
- Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Olga Cotaga
Facebook's fledgling cryptocurrency has faced further scrutiny this week as European central bankers and regulators demanded more detail on the social media giant's Libra project.
- Huw Jones, David Milliken and Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi
Bitcoin has nearly tripled in value over the past three months as 'fear of missing out' once again grips retail investors - and this journalist wants in.
- Patrick Commins
Bitcoin tested 15-month highs after jumping more than 10 per cent over the weekend.
- Tom Wilson and Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss
There's much to like in the plans outlined last week to create a new global payments network, but Facebook itself is the reason it shouldn't fly.
- Paul Smith
Despite the demise of ICOs and plummeting cryptocurrencies, a band of Aussie start-ups based on blockchain or disruptive crypto solutions is thriving.
- Jessica Sier
- Open banking
Regulators around the world have no choice but to pay attention as Facebook's planned digital currency threatens to upend the global payments and financial system.
- Karen Maley
Move fast and break things — our mantra in Facebook’s early days — was an appropriate slogan for a college social network. It’s not appropriate for the global monetary system, says Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.
- Chris Hughes
Cryptocurrency firms will be subjected to rules to prevent the abuse of digital coins, according to the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force.
- John O'Donnell and Tom Wilson
Blockchain payment systems like Facebook's Libra offer "a quantum leap in efficiency and transparency in banking", the former ASIC chairman says.
- James Eyers


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The commercial was produced by the National Retail Federation, a retail trade organization, as part of a campaign to rally opposition to the provision, which would impose a tariff on imports.
Retailers would be hit hard by the tax: an estimated 97% of all clothing and footwear sold in the US is imported.
The infomercial sarcastically jokes about the "benefits" of the BAT:
"Too much dough got you feeling low? Too much cash breaking your back? Then you need… the BAT TAX!"
According to NRF, the retail sector provides one out of four U.S. jobs, or 42 million positions, and is America's largest private-sector employer. The BAT tax could put millions of these jobs at risk, the NRF says.
"As a special bonus, we’ll include the new job-killing formula — for free," the commercial jokes.
According to the NRF, the ad began airing on Tuesday on the Fox News' morning show, "FOX and Friends," which President Donald Trump is known to watch.
"BAT could cause retailers to see tax bills three to five times the amount of their profits," the NRF said in a press release accompanying the ad. "The small retailers that make up 98 percent of theand provide 40 percent of its jobs would be at the biggest risk."
NRF claims that the effects of this new tax will be passed on to the consumer. The organization expects costs of everyday necessities like food, gas, clothing and prescription medicines for the average family to increase by as much as $1,700 in the first year.
Major US retailers, including Target and Walmart, have expressed their concerns with the tax and are rallying behind the NRF.
"The border adjustment tax, for us, is a concern," Walmart CFO Brett Biggs said on a call with reporters in February. "Clearly anything that would potentially raise prices for our customers in the US is a concern for us."
The infomercial calls for consumers to contact their members of Congress and express opposition.
Watch the full ad here:


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For the third time in five years, Miss Venezuela has taken the Miss Universe crown. Gabriela Isler became the 62nd Miss Universe last weekend beating out 85 other hopefuls in the 2013 pageant held at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall in Russia.
Venezuelans stood in lines outside appliance stores for a fourth day on Monday after President Nicolas Maduro deployed the army to force retailers to slash prices. After taking control of several appliance stores last week, Maduro vowed late Sunday to step up inspections of businesses selling shoes, clothes, automobiles and other goods to make sure they aren’t gouging consumers.
The Mercosur summit scheduled for December in Venezuela has been suspended and will most probably take place sometime in late January announced Uruguayan president Jose Mujica who on Friday cancelled a trip to Brasilia to meet with his peer Dilma Rousseff.
Venezuela's consumer prices rose 5.1% in October, pushing the 12-month inflation rate to 54.3%, the highest mark since the late President Hugo Chávez took power in 1999. The news was released by the central bank on Thursday which also revealed that the scarcity index had reached its highest level since 2009.
Venezuela's Supreme Happiness ministry is rolling: President Nicolás Maduro declared official the arrival of early Christmas, nearly two months ahead of the actual holiday and the surprise was that all workers will receive the first two-thirds of their bonuses and pensions on November 10/11, which critics claim is only meant to get him votes in the municipal elections of December 8.
Mercosur members will be holding an extraordinary meeting in Caracas on 15 November to define an 'only joint position of the group ahead of the presentation to the European Union, in the framework of negotiations for the trade and cooperation accord, said Venezuelan foreign minister Elías Jaua.
Venezuela will create a new exchange rate for tourists to buy up to US$10,000 of the local Bolivar currency per year in a measure intended to help reduce black market trading, the government said in its official gazette.
Foreign minister Eladio Loizaga revealed that the Paraguayan congress must first approve Venezuela's protocol of incorporation to Mercosur before the country can attend the coming bloc's summit scheduled for next 17 December in Caracas.
Mercosur will be holding a special meeting of foreign ministers next 15 November in Caracas to consolidate Mercosur presentation before the European Union, according to a release from the Argentine Foreign ministry.
Paraguay has named veteran diplomat Enrique Jara as new ambassador in Venezuela, giving a further step towards the full normalization of relations that had been interrupted since July 2012 when the two countries expelled their respective accredited staff.


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Will soon streamline GST regime for all assessees: Nirmala Sitharaman
- Currently, there are four key tax slabs—5%,12%,18% and 28%—under the new indirect tax regime that was rolled out on 1 July 2017
- Sitharaman at HTLS 2019 also said the government is committed towards paying compensation to the states for their revenue shortfall
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government is working on streamlining the goods and services tax (GST) regime to eventually have three slabs.
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Last week on November 28 a revision was made to the U.S. bill S.1241 called “Modernizing AML Laws to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.” During the U.S. Senate committee hearing, the bill’s words and the representatives bolstering the proposed law amended a critical definition of what a ‘financial institution’ is within the suggested statutes.
Bill S.1241: Amending the Definition of a Financial Institution
News.bitcoin.com has reported on bill S.1241 multiple times since the proposed law was introduced by U.S. bureaucrats back in June. According to The Satoshi Revolution author, Wendy McElroy, the bill is a “pit bull assault on bitcoin freedom.” Now, this week without causing much attention, the U.S. Committee of the Judiciary members gathered to discuss digital currency implications towards AML/KYC regulatory guidelines. However, during the meeting, it is clear from the recorded video that the words “financial institution” will be amended to cover a much broader definition.
Instead of utilizing the definition of a ‘financial institution’ which includes business models like banks and credit unions, S.1241’s amendment in Section 5312(a) of title 31, United States Code states that the definition now includes, “an issuer, redeemer, or cashier of prepaid access devices, digital currency, or any digital exchanger or tumbler of digital currency.”


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Apple plans to cut iPhone and iPod touch prices "within weeks", a report claims.
The report speculates Apple will lop $100 off the cost of both devices soon, "perhaps at the late February event". The report - from 9to5 Mac - also claims Apple will phase out the 8GB model of iPod touch at that time.
These price cuts will help generate new sales as Apple prepares to introduce new model 3G iPhones later this year, and reflect fallling memory prices in recent months.
Apple recently introduced new higher capacity iPhones and iPod touch models, each equipped with 16GB and 32GB maximum capacities.
The new raised capacities and speculation of price cuts should also help the company achieve the 10 million iPhone sales company management has aimed at achieving in 2008.


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Apple’s iPhone may be the world’s most secure device. Apple designed the operating system and manages the apps it approves in such a way as to create what is widely described in the tech community as a walled garden.
Here’s the problem: Like all defensive walls, only the most sophisticated, most advanced enemy can get it. But once in, those walls make it equally challenging for defenders to root them out.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Bill Marczak, a senior researcher at the cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab, tells MIT Technology Review. “You’re going to keep out a lot of the riffraff by making it harder to break iPhones. But the 1% of top hackers are going to find a way in and, once they’re inside, the impenetrable fortress of the iPhone protects them.”
He says that as Apple makes the iPhone ever more secure and difficult to hack, attackers aren’t just sitting back. They are developing ways to take over an iPhone invisibly.
“These allow attackers to burrow into the restricted parts of the phone without ever giving the target any indication of having been compromised. And once they’re that deep inside, the security becomes a barrier that keeps investigators from spotting or understanding nefarious behavior,” writes article author Patrick Howell O’Neill.
According to O’Neill, Apple’s security measures force defenders to look for indirect clues to the safety of a device. iVerify, one of the few Apple-approved security tools, looks for anomalies such as unexplained file modifications to detect breaches.
Now, the security Apple has designed into its iPhone ecosystem is spreading to other of the company’s products, notably the Mac.
Says security researcher Patrick Wardle, “Apple saw the benefits and has been moving them over to the Mac for a long time, and the (special) M1 chip is a huge step in that direction.”
Though Apple’s rules are intended to protect users’ privacy and prevent malicious intrusion, the article says hackers are “creating code that exists in a place where Apple doesn’t allow outside security tools to pry. It’s a game of hide-and-seek for those with the greatest skill and most resources.
‘Security tools are completely blind, and adversaries know this,’ Wardle says.”
O’Neill tells us there is no likely fix to the problem. Apple, he says, “Argues that no one has convincingly demonstrated that loosening security enforcement or making exceptions will ultimately serve the greater good.”


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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The owner of a mobile marijuana shop admits he’s using a loophole to give pot away to people over 21 who buy a container from his cart.
Larry, the owner of Smoke Buddy, declined to give KOIN 6 News his last name when he spoke from his cart at the corner of Alma and Willamette in Portland Saturday night. Larry, who’s based out of St. Johns, said he educates people about the benefits of organic marijuana.
Smoke Buddy has been operating for several weeks in different Portland neighborhoods. Customers who buy containers get weed for free.
The Oregon Health Authority states a marijuana facility must operate at a particular location to be registered, and any transfer of pot to or from a dispensary must take place at the registered address.
Larry said all he’s selling is containers.
“What we do is give the medicine away for absolutely free. Anybody over 21 of course,” Larry told KOIN 6 News. “People who drive by they love the Buddy, they love what we’re doing here. There are a lot of neighbors who think we are a medical dispensary, but that’s not the case. What we do is give the weed away for free. Once again, I can’t repeat that enough. We sell the containers.”
He admitted that’s a legal loophole.
“There’s nothing they can do if someone’s 21. I heard it on the radio,” he said. “I checked all the laws there’s nothing they can do. But you can’t sell it. That is the thing about the law.”
Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Pete Simpson provided the following statement regarding the legality of Smoke Buddy:
“If the owner has more than one ounce of marijuana in his possession on the car, it would be illegal, albeit a misdemeanor. If we received a complaint about the cart, officers could respond and take law enforcement action but it’s not something we are proactively enforcing.”
Smoke Buddy announces its mobile location on its Facebook page. Larry said they also offer grow tips and give away free hemp rope.


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FIVE months ago, a big Indonesian feedlot company briefly lost track of three Australian steers.
The consequences show the change the Indonesian live cattle trade has undergone in a year.
The trade now is half the size it was before the Four Corners report on abattoir cruelty last June, and Indonesian is determined to reduce it further, putting many Top End pastoralists on their knees.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests has dictated animal welfare safeguards for Australian cattle in Indonesia that are more rigorous than the ones it applies at home.
For instance, in domestic supply chain assurance, the mandatory paddock-to-slaughterhouse monitoring system, there's a 3 per cent tolerance of missing radio frequency identification (RFID) ear tags, but for Indonesia-bound cattle there is none.
In the now intensely monitored transition from the Top End to the Indonesian market, a feedlot manager found three fewer steers than he had sent to a customer.
Within three hours, the importer, who buys cattle from shipper Wellard Rural Exports to fatten for accredited abattoirs, had solved the mystery using the RFID tags and the company's internal tracking system.
At a butchery near the abattoir, staff found two fresh carcasses, one steer waiting and three sets of tags.
Even before Wellard's Southeast Asia marketing manager Scot Braithwaite informed DAFF, the abattoir was cut from the supply system Australia imposed as a condition of resuming the live trade last August.
In doing so, the importer wrote off his $120,000 investment in upgrading the abattoir to Australian export standard.
That included stunning equipment - over and above the DAFF requirements but now stipulated by most shippers and feedlots.
"The abattoir guys now understand that if they go outside the system they are basically cut off," said Mr Braithwaite, who didn't go unscathed either.
Although Wellard was two steps removed and had shipped 120,000 cattle without failure since last August, DAFF notified a breach of the supply chain assurance system.
One more of those and Australia's biggest livestock shipper could lose its export licence for Indonesia.
"What we and the importer did was show the system worked," Mr Braithwaite said indignantly.
But the system imposed by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig following the cruelty uproar, holds exporters responsible for breaches further up the chain.
They and the feedlot companies know Australian public and political reaction to another scandal would destroy the trade.
So, as with the case of stunning, strongly resisted by Muslim conservatives, they have forced change on their industry.
Some operators such as PT Agrisatwa, at Legok south of Jakarta, have built new abattoirs and feedlots. "We made 10 years of change in six months," said Dayan Antoni, business development head at PT Santosa Agrindo, the biggest feedlot company.
In the middle of Ramadan, the season of peak beef demand, Jakarta is experiencing severe retail shortages and price rises.
The importers warn that unless this year's quota, 283,000 head, is extended there just won't be any imported cattle available in six months.
Jolted by Mr Ludwig's ban into pursuing its objective of beef self-sufficiency, the Indonesian government has slashed cattle and beef quotas, imposed a 5 per cent import duty and dusted off old regulations to stifle the trade.
It has mandated 80 per cent local beef supply by December and 90 per cent by 2014.
The feedlot companies say that cannot work, even by supplementing Indonesia's 14.8 million cattle with imported breeders.
Even the industry people predicting supply and demand will break the quota system don't see that happening before the 2014 national elections.
Read more on The Australian
Back to News Headlines


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Apple to launch podcasts in US, Canada, Britain, and Australia
Washington D.C. [India], July 16 (ANI): Tech giant Apple is all set to launch its own daily podcast.
According to The Verge, the show, called Apple News Today, will be hosted by Apple News editors Shumita Basu and Duarte Geraldino.
New episodes will be seven to eight minutes long and will be released Monday through Friday.
It will exclusively be available through Apple News and Apple Podcasts in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. (ANI)


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Tri-Citians who bought personal computers, servers and MP3 players between 1998 and 2002 can file claims to recover money from the manufacturers of Dynamic Random Access Memory computer chips, thanks to a settlement agreement.
The Washington State Attorney General's Office announced that the payments are part of a $310 million settlement of multi-state antitrust allegations claiming the manufacturers conspired to fix prices.
Exactly how much is returned to Washington consumers will depend on what they bought and how many claims are filed. But the state expects to receive $500,000 to return to state agencies once the settlement is finalized, according to a news release.
Consumers must submit a claim by Aug. 1 to be eligible to receive any money. They must have bought one or more of the following between 1998 and 2002: desktop computers, laptop computers, computer servers, computer graphics cards, printers, video game consoles, MP3 players, PDAs, DVD players, digital video recorders or any other technology containing Dynamic Random Access Memory, also called DRAM.
To file a claim or for more information, go to www.DRAMclaims.com or call 1-800-589-1425.


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Also in this playlist...
This transcript is automatically generated
News bad news for applied materials the company reported after the bell yesterday that quarterly results actually beat the street but shares are down about 7% today.
After the company lowered its outlook.
For the next quarter yet still said second half of 2012 -- look pretty good so let's get the real story joining us now out of Fox Business exclusive.
Live from Santa Clara California Mike Splinter the chairman CEO and president.
Of applied materials -- Mike nice to see you you know what let's just get to.
How this is -- you say you'll have a weak quarter at the moment week beginning of the first up from 2012 -- look better what will make it look better in the second half.
Well -- we and we had a very good ends of the year and overall a very good 2011.
Our fiscal year ended at the end of October.
I think than the big thing that.
Is affecting our our price and investors today is about the in our display equipment business.
What we said was that it's this would be the bottom for orders and our Q4 and bottom for revenue in our Q1 we would see growth coming back to the company.
Throughout the rest of the year.
Doesn't surprising that people still don't understand your business that it is highly cyclical -- -- we understand it but we also now look at what's going on in the solar world but.
Just to let people know you make the equipment that goes into a lot of photovoltaic solar panels etc.
-- people looking at a -- right now because the Chinese.
Are not just manufacturing this stuff like they're pumping it out like cookies.
What's the future of these things does that just become come monetized -- the price just -- so precipitously that it's hard for you to make any money.
Well I think what's what's happening today and one thing the solar industry has been focused on for a long time is driving the price down.
We have to get this market and the cost of solar panels.
To be competitive without incentives.
From really any government around the world that's been on the thrust for a long time.
Applied materials really has been delivering that technology.
To solar companies around the world and so that's got to be the key thrust for everybody it is going to be a commodity.
So you have to be competitive and keep that treadmill going.
The very -- you made that acquisition it's going through pretty much analysts -- -- saying to us you know what we think the five billion dollar price tag was a lot.
What do you say to analysts -- think you may be over paid and what does it really become accretive to your bottom line.
Well it'll be a creative non-GAAP this year that's one of the things we're so excited about but bringing these two great companies together with the great products and people.
I think this is gonna do wonderful things for our customers this that the combination of the companies.
Makes us really the the best company and the industry for transistor technology.
And boy this is exactly where our customers are going to need to improve over the next few generations of technology.
Well it's a high tech world and that your company has been at the forefront of supplying chip equipment chipmakers with the equipment which is not -- thank you Michael for joining us today.
-- excellence Mike splinters chairman CEO and president of applied materials that are net sales were up about 10% year over year record full year revenue would see how they do in twenty.
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Disguise has jumped on the trend of creating high-end, fully finished apparel-quality costumes for this audience with its new Wicked line (suggested retail, about $80) featuring a range of villains from Disney such as Jafar, Cruella, Maleficent, The Evil Queen, and Captain Hook. The company also creates a range of rental quality costumes such as its Spider-Man 2 muscle costume with a retail of $250.
Consumers don't only want to dress the part, they want to decorate the interior and exterior of their homes, as well. In fact, nearly half of consumers (46.6 percent) celebrating Halloween planned to decorate their homes or yards with a Halloween theme last year, and intended to spend $10.37 each on decorations, according to the NRF survey.
Gemmy Industries has been successful with inflatable lawn decorations and will expand its collection of Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes this year. The company also partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on a line of Scooby-Doo animatronic dolls including a Mini Dancing Scooby-Doo Scarecrow, Mini Scooby-Doo Frankenstein, and Mini Scooby-Doo Vampire.
Licensors and licensees are also sweet on the candy category with many using it as another exposure point for their properties. Nickelodeon entered the candy category in a big way last year partnering with Frankford Candy and Chocolate Co. on seasonal, novelty, and everyday items in its Nickelodeon-branded NickCandy line. The deal solidified Frankford Candy's growing commitment to licensing and contributed to its 20 percent sales growth in each of the last three years. This year, Frankford is partnering with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on a line of Scooby-Doo Halloween lollipops. Warner Bros. Consumer Products also partnered with Russell Stover Chocolates on a Tweedy Bird and Taz plush/candy item and is working with Adams & Brooks on a line of Looney Tunes Halloween lollipops due in 2004.
"Halloween is a growth area for us," says Kelly Gilmore, vice president, toys and theme park licensing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "As we continue to expand our properties and our product offerings, we will go deeper into categories such as decorations, accessories for costumes, and pet costumes, which is a growing area."
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