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(WANX) — South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has given the office of Consumer Protection more attention since he took office earlier this year…
“When I came in I see that they had a Consumer Protection handbook and it was from 2014 so I said I’d like that updated by the time we get to the State Fair and we got that done and we handed out quite a few of them and I would encourage people if they’re interested, to get one of the handbooks that they just call into our the office and talk to our Consumer Protection folks and they’ll mail you out one.”
Ravnsborg says they are hearing one major complaint right now….
“Robocalls. I hear about robocalls everywhere and we have done some things on that front and we hope to do more. A number of us Attorney Generals I think around almost all 50 joined with 12 of the major phone companies you know, to make a deal to make and streamline some of the process and I think there’s some positive developments that are gonna start developing here on that front.”
Ravnsborg says they have regular scam alerts available…
“We’ve also tried to get people to sign up; if you want to get the latest scams and alerts, we’re sending out emails about that and had people sign up at the fairs about that and we’re just trying to keep you aware so that you don’t get scammed. I guess, as the old adage goes; If’ it’s too good to be true, you know, it probably is so please give us a call, you know, give us all the information that you got about the scam and then we can also alert other people so they don’t get scammed.”
Other consumer issues getting attention include data breaches and credit card fraud.


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May 22, 2020 - Written by John Cameron
STORY LINK Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) Exchange Rate Falls as Safe-Haven Demand Increases
GBP/USD Exchange Rate Sinks as US-China Trade Tensions Boost ‘Greenback’ Safe-Haven
The Pound to US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate fell by -0.3% today, with the pairing currently trading around $1.217.
The US Dollar (USD) has continued to benefit from increasing demand for safe-haven currencies today on a fresh source of tension between the United States and China.
Neil Jones, the head of sales at Mizuho Bank, commented:
‘Currently currencies are reflecting the risk-off scenario and that, for today anyway, explains why the dollar is higher.’
‘I think it will continue to go higher today and weigh on currencies like the euro and the pound, and the offshore yuan.’
Tensions between US-China are set to continue but, according to Mr. Jones, the ‘Greenback’ could suffer in the near-term as hopes for a trade deal between the two countries looks increasingly likely despite the recent controversies.
Meanwhile, oil prices fell today after China failed to set an economic growth target for his year, sparking concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could cap oil demand from the world’s second-largest oil user.
Consequently, the US Dollar has been buoyed by a surge in safe-haven demand as the global economy continues to look uncertain as nations continue to tackle the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.
Pound (GBP) Struggles as UK Covid-19 Infection Rate Remains Steady Two-Weeks in a Row
The Pound (GBP) suffered today after it was revealed that the UK R-number, which tracks the reproductive rate of the coronavirus, has remained steady for a second week in a row. As a result, Sterling investors have become anxious about Britain’s long-delayed economic recovery.
In UK economic data, today saw the release of the UK government borrowing figure for May, which soared above forecasts to £61.4 billion.
Jonathan Athow, the deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), described April’s figure as ‘pretty much unprecedented’.
Athow also added:
‘Borrowing now is about six times what it was [in April] last year, so we are talking about some really significant changes in the government finances.’
Today also saw the release of the UK retail sales for April, which plummeted owing to the UK’s nationwide lockdown.
Richard Lim, the chief executive of Retail Economics, commented on the UK’s retail report:
‘Clothing retailers were the hardest hit as the absence of social interaction, whether that's going to work, seeing friends or heading off on holiday, decimated demand for new outfits.’
GBP/USD Forecast: Could Poor US Housing Data Weigh on the ‘Greenback’?
US Dollar (USD) investors will be looking ahead to Tuesday’s publication of the US housing data for April. If house sales continue to fall, however, we could see the ‘Greenback’ shed some of its gains as the US economic outlook darkens.
Meanwhile, Sterling traders will be keeping an eye on Tuesday’s publication of the UK CBI Distributive Trades Survey. However, if the UK’s economic situation continues to deteriorate, Sterling could suffer.
The GBP/USD exchange rate will continue to be driven by the UK’s coronavirus situation next week. If the UK’s R-number shows any signs of falling, then we could see the Pound rise on hopes for the British economy’s recovery.
International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way,
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TAGS: American Dollar Forecasts Pound Dollar Forecasts

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Newsline 9 has learned overtime payouts at the Wausau Police Department have increased during the past three years.More >>
MILWAUKEE (AP) -
A Wisconsin company that makes packaged salads is recalling nearly seven tons of products because they contain onions that are the subject of a separate recall.
Milwaukee-based Garden Fresh Foods makes packaged pasta salads and chicken salads. The company is recalling 13,600 pounds of products that contain onions possibly contaminated by the bacterium Listeria.
The onions are from supplier Gills Onions LLC. The Oxnard, Calif., company launched its own recall last month due to contamination concerns.
The Garden Fresh products have the establishment number "P-17256" or "Est. 17256" inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture mark of inspection. A list of the specific recalled products is available on the USDA website.
No illnesses have been reported in connection with the products, which are sold nationwide.
USDA list of recalled products: http://1.usa.gov/ODGIcq
Persons with disabilities who need assistance with issues relating to the content of this station's public inspection file should contact Chief Engineer Russ Crass at 715-842-2251. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, at 888-835-5322 (TTY) or at firstname.lastname@example.org.


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• USD Unemployment Claims, out at 442K versus expected 452K, prior 456K (revised)
• USD Fed Chair Ben Bernanke Testified
• GBP Retail Sales, out at 2.1% versus expected 0.8%, prior -3.0% (revised)
• EUR EU Economic Summit, Day One
• EUR EU Economic Summit Day Two
In the US first time jobless claims fell to the lowest level in six weeks as the rebound in the U.S. economy encourages companies to make fewer cuts in payrolls.
First-time jobless applications declined 14,000 in the week ended March 20 to 442,000, lower than anticipated according to Labor Department figures published yesterday. The number of people receiving unemployment insurance decreased, and those getting extended benefits also fell.
Employers are slowing the pace of payroll reductions, indicating budding optimism in an economy that’s been lifted by a pickup in manufacturing and expansion overseas. Companies now need to move beyond jobs cuts and start hiring to ensure the recovery from the deepest recession since the 1930s is sustained.
President Barack Obama signed an $18 billion jobs bill into law on March 18th that provides a tax break to companies hiring unemployed workers, saying additional steps are needed to drive down unemployment. “There’s a lot more that we’re going to need to do to spur hiring in the private sector and bring about a full economic recovery,” Obama said.
The US Dollar which had reached a ten month high against the Euro on Wednesday fell back slightly yesterday as the Euro gained 0.43% to close at EUR 1.3329.
Elsewhere in the US, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke yesterday said the U.S. economy still needs low interest rates and that the central bank will be ready to tighten credit “at the appropriate time.”
“The economy continues to require the support of accommodative monetary policies,” Bernanke said today in prepared testimony to the House Financial Services Committee, repeating parts of a statement to the panel from last month. “However, we have been working to ensure that we have the tools to reverse, at the appropriate time, the currently very high degree of monetary stimulus.”
The central bank chief and his colleagues have been outlining their strategy for tightening credit in time to prevent the recovery from stoking inflation. Officials are concerned that the federal funds rate, their main policy tool for 20 years, isn’t as effective as before in influencing borrowing costs.
“As the expansion matures, the Federal Reserve will need to begin to tighten monetary conditions to prevent the development of inflationary pressures,” Bernanke said in the text of remarks. “We have full confidence that, when the time comes, we will be ready to do so.”
Responding to questions, Bernanke said the “unemployment situation is very weak,” with 40% of those without jobs being out of work for a long time, and the housing market is “still quite weak.”
When Bernanke convened the Federal Open Market Committee for its March 16 meeting, policy makers left the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of zero to 0.25% and repeated a pledge to keep rates low for an “extended period.”
In the UK retail sales rebounded more than economists forecast in February with the biggest jump since May 2008 as Britons raised spending on goods from electrical items to auto fuel. Sales rose 2.1% from January, when they slumped by a more-than-previously-expected 3% in the longest cold snap for three decades. Excluding fuel, sales rose 1.6%, the most since June.
The increase in sales for February was led by an 11.2% jump at household goods stores, the statistics office said. Auto fuel sales rose by 9.1% and textile, clothing and footwear shops had a 1.1% gain. Food stores showed a 1.2% drop, the most since June 2008.
The January sales drop was revised down from a decline of 1.8% previously reported because of late returns of data from retailers, the statistics office said.
Next, the U.K.’s second-biggest clothing retailer said today full-year earnings rose 20% as it expanded Internet and catalog sales and sold more goods at full price in stores.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, presenting his budget report to Parliament Wednesday said that to start cuts in public spending before the recovery was assured “would be both wrong and dangerous.” The ruling Labor Party’s resistance to faster spending cuts have helped it narrow the lead of the opposition Conservatives ahead of a general election due by June.
Jobless claims fell last month at the fastest pace since 1997, though the number of people in work in the three months through January dropped to a four-year low of 28.9 million.
The Pound continued to decline against the US Dollar yesterday. It fell 0.50% to close at GBP 1.4811. At also dropped 0.10% against the Euro closing the day at GBP 0.8960.
Yesterday was day one of the two day EU economic summit being held in Brussels. News has emerged that all 16 Euro Zone countries have backed a financing plan to help debt-laden Greece. The plan will also include assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
The safety net would total up to 22bn Euros. It would apply only if market lending to Greece dried up. Euro Zone nations would grant co-ordinated bilateral loans, totaling some two-thirds of the funding, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
Greek PM George Papandreou called it “a very satisfactory” move. The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said the deal was significant “not just for Greece, but for the stability of the Euro Zone”. He added that the deal should tell markets to “have confidence that the Euro Zone will never abandon Greece”.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was “extremely happy that we’ve reached this deal”, calling it “a right decision”. The deal still needs to be backed by the rest of the 27-member EU. The Euro Zone had avoided seeking an IMF loan for Greece, preferring a European solution and anxious to maintain global confidence in the euro.
Chancellor Merkel has stressed the need to learn lessons from the crisis, saying that she wants a treaty change to allow sanctions to come into force should a Euro Zone country ever default on its debts. Mr. Papandreou urged EU leaders to act to stabilize the Euro.
The single currency hit a 10-month low against the US Dollar on Wednesday after a credit downgrade for Portugal, which is also struggling with heavy debts. The Euro reversed a three day slide against the US Dollar in trading yesterday, gaining 0.43% to close at EUR 1.3329.
Written by Finexo.com


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TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR MOTORS
Toyota completes review of Kobe materials, says no problems found
Toyota Motor Corp said that the investigation revealed that parts supplied by Kobe Steel Ltd, which had falsified its data, had caused no problems to its vehicles.
What the auto sector expects from the 2018 budget
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has recommended that the government resto...
General Motors, DHL use a Chinese plant to lead manufacturing change
The DHL employees work side-by-side with GM workers handling the flow of...
CES vs Detroit Auto Show: Has the ever-evolving tech made the car show an afterthought?
At the NAIAS this year, there were no major new electric vehicle launches and no significant newsthat hadn't come out at CES.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor expects sales to grow 8-9% next year
The company, a joint venture between the Japanese auto major and the Kirloskar group, also plans to come up with a marketing plan to push sales of Camrbridy Hy.
Global carmakers to invest at least $90 billion in electric vehicles
Investments in electrified vehicles announced to date include at least $19 billion by automakers in the United States, $21 billion in China and $52 billion in Germany.
Ford goes 'all electric' with $11 billion investment; promises 40 vehicles by 2020
The investment figure is sharply higher than a previously announced target of $4.5 billion by 2020.
Nikkei hits highest level since 1991 as dollar weakening stops
Toyota Motor Corp added 1.05 per cent and Tokyo Electron rose 1.6 per cent.
Automakers Toyota, Mazda to build joint plant in US
Toyota said the new plant had nothing to do with pressure from US President Donald Trump, who criticized the automaker in January last year for setting up a new plant in Mexico to make cars.
Detroit Auto Show: Honda Accord named North American 'car of the year'
The 10th-generation Accord edged out the Kia Stinger and Toyota Camry for the award.
India may not require incentives to support EVs if battery prices drop by 2022: M&M MD Pawan Goenka
With decline in battery costs, Goenka said, use of electric vehicles for commercial applications is likely to become economically viable in the next five years.
Ford unveils future Ranger pickup for segment rivals dominate
Ford executives said the North American Ranger will share engineering and some design elements with a work-oriented pickup the company builds and sells in Southeast Asia and other markets.
Toyota, Mazda to build $1.6 billion plant in Alabama: Sources
The plant will be located in Huntsville, Alabama, and is a boon for the state, where Toyota has a large engine plant and an existing network of automotive suppliers.
Ex-Toyota head Tatsuro Toyoda, who led overseas drive, dies
Toyoda, the automaker's seventh president, stepped down from the position in 1995, while continuing in other posts, such as adviser, a title he held until his death.
Lagging industry, Ford puts auto emergency brakes on two 2019 models
Ford will fit the brakes on its redesigned 2019 Edge midsize crossover vehicle and its new 2019 Ranger midsize pickup, that will compete later this year with the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.


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Luxury lifestyle brand BALR is relaunching in Britain and Ireland this season and has appointed Start agency as its UK sales partner. The label launches in lHarvey Nichols, Selfridges, and the expanding Flannels chain.
UK-based luxury brand Belstaff has released its results for the whole of 2020 and it was a decidedly mixed bag with clear improvements in some areas but the INEOS-backed business was still loss-making.
French luxury resale site Vestiaire Collective’s onward march is continuing with news that it has raised a further €178m in new finance, six months after a previous funding round. The firm is now valued at $1.7bn.
Matchesfashion has named a new CEO, six months after the departure of its previous leader Ajay Kavan. The new chief executive is Paolo de Cesare, who had run Paris-based department store group Printemps until March 2020.
Sergio Tacchini Europe and Sugi International have announced a new long-term footwear licence deal that will see products launching for AW22. Sugi will distribute the branded footwear to retailers across the EMEA region
London Fashion Week’s final day of major shows on Monday was the latest tour around the capital, from outdoor Hyde Park art centre to East End church with stops in Mayfair, from gentleman’s club to concept restaurant.
Television's A-list returned to the red carpet in high style for the Emmys on Sunday -- a more traditional display of sartorial savoir faire after the pajamas and hoodies seen at last year's mostly virtual event.
MSGM has officially announced that Veronica Bertozzi has become its CEO, although she has been working in the role since the summer. Her arrival comes with a strategy shift and an ambitious growth plan.
Luxury fashion e-tailer Farfetch has unveiled The Art of Choice, a new photography project that “reinvents the way we find fashion inspiration: an iconic image from yesterday becomes a tool to talk about fashion today”.
Zalando is marking the one-year anniversary of it entering pre-owned with a new marketing campaign underlining the importance of the category following huge growth in the number of items available since its launch.
Tiziana Fausti, founder of the eponymous multibrand luxury retailer, details to FashionNetwork.com her strategy for breathing fresh energy into the legendary Milanese concept store she bought last year.
Premium e-commerce marketplace Secret Sales has hired six “star” senior execs with impressive track records at some of fashion’s biggest names. They’re filling new positions as it expands at home and abroad.


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The UAE leads the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in transport infrastructure development even as the country’s diversification strategy has meant that the travel and tourism industry now comprises 3.5 per cent of overall gross domestic product, according to data released yesterday.
Tourism prospects for the UAE remain buoyant this year despite a global restraint on consumer spending following last year’s credit crunch and a weakening US dollar, Jean-Claude Baumgarten,
President of the London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) told Emirates Business on the sidelines of the ongoing Tourism Development and Investment Market 2008 in Dubai.
“The UAE’s successful diversification strategy has meant that the country has seen a shift away from oil income and a healthy development of all service sectors including travel and tourism. The buoyant economic growth in the region means the travel and tourism industry comprises 3.5 per cent of the UAE’s overall GDP,” said Baumgarten.
The UAE also witnessed the largest government expenditure in the Gulf region on tourism last year, according to Baumgarten. “The UAE is the regional leader in transport infrastructure development and among the top countries in the world in terms of infrastructure ranking,” Baumgarten said.
The UAE ranks seventh in the world in air transport infrastructure, 12th in the world in terms of roads development and connectivity and ninth globally in terms of port infrastructure, according to WTTC research.
The UAE is followed by Qatar, which ranks 35th in the world in terms of air transport infrastructure, Kuwait which ranks 27th in the world in terms of road infrastructure and Bahrain which ranks 26th globally in terms of port development.
“Expectations in 2007 surpassed the results from 2006 in all areas of tourism activities but UAE has experienced major increase in government expenditure, capital investment and visitor exports,” he said. “Forecasts for the next years will be more stable, I think. The Mena region is well above the world average in terms of the travel and tourism industry industry’s contribution to the overall GDP of the country,” Baumgartner said.
As a percentage of GDP, the travel and tourism industry in the Mena region averages around 13 per cent as compared to approximately 10 per cent on average for the rest of the world, according to WTTC statistics.
“Last year, Qatar witnessed almost a 20 per cent increase in the business travel segment, compared to its own figures in the same segment for 2006, while Oman’s move to increase government expenditure on travel and tourism by almost 15 per cent means the country’s [travel and tourism] industry is likely to see stable and consistent growth over the next decade,” Baumgartner said.
Middle East forecast
The 2008 forecast for the industry’s annual growth rate in the Middle East remained constant from last year’s forecast at five per cent even as the forecast for growth in North America, Europe and Africa took a dip from last year’s forecast on the back of restrained consumer spending.
Baumgartner said that while deteriorating economic conditions, particularly in the housing and credit markets across the globe, increased concerns about prospects for the tourism industry this year, Dubai’s travel industry was more or less insulated from its impact due to the excellent infrastructure and myriad choices for different budget segments.
“The US dollar’s weakness is curtailing the travel plans of residents of dollar-bloc countries but it is boosting their inbound tourism,” he said.
On the rising oil prices impacting the industry’s growth globally, Baumgartner said oil prices will see a downward trend in the first half of this year averaging around the $80-mark.
“Higher energy prices are a two-pronged challenge – they squeeze household budgets and raise the cost of a key input for the industry,” he said.


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Cryptocurrency adoption in India has gained momentum, despite uncertainty around the unregulated assets’ future in the economy. Investments in cryptocurrency, especially in bitcoin, have witnessed a significant spike since last year. According to surveys conducted by experts, India is one of the global leaders in crypto adoption. More and more Indians have started investing in cryptocurrency, resulting in depreciation in traditional assets like bonds, equity, and local currencies. In this article, we list the top 10 cryptocurrencies that Indian investors and trade on this weekend.
Market Capitalization: US$1.151 trillion
Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency in India today. It is probably because BTC is one of the longest-standing and trusted cryptocurrencies in the market. Bitcoin makes up 46% of the global crypto market. Its underlying technology inspires development and its value spurs investment into similar altcoins. Its recent adoption by different big tech industries and nations like El Salvador has spiked its value by a landslide.
Market capitalization: US$70.126 billion
As its name implies, the token is tethered to the US dollar, making it a stablecoin with minimum volatility in value. This makes it a convenient intermediate currency for a trader, or even just to hold the profits until the investor decides on something else. The stated purpose of the Tether is to combine the unrestricted nature of cryptos with the stable value of the US dollars to give more profit to its buyers.
• Shiba Inu
Market capitalization: US$44.762 billion
Shiba Inu is witnessing a record-breaking spike this week and is estimated to become one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the market. It is started as a meme and quickly gained value as a community of investors were drawn by its quick charm, along with the tweets mentioned by big tech personalities. It is also known as the ‘dogecoin killer’.
Market capitalization: US$12.918 billion
Litecoin came into being in 2011 and is one of the first cryptos following the birth of bitcoin. The crypto works on a fast block generation rate, which enables the investor to get faster transaction confirmation. Currently, it is the sixth-largest cryptocurrency in the world and has gained the title of the silver alter ego of the golden Bitcoin.
Market capitalization: US$490.33 billion
It is the second-most valuable crypto on a global scale and is based on the Ethereum blockchain. Over the years, the ETH token witnessed massive growth. Experts predict that it might even overtake bitcoin in the future. Ethereum introduced various innovations to blockchain security and usage, with smart contracts becoming a platform for Defi applications.
Market capitalization: US$38.657 billion
Dogecoin is the largest meme coin in the crypto market and is a tough rival to Shiba Inu. DOGE creators envisioned it as a fun, light-hearted cryptocurrency that would have a greater appeal to the audience than mere financial investments. Currently, it is the tenth-largest cryptocurrency in the market. In 2021, it has received a lot of attention from Reddit users, along with big tech personalities like Elon Musk.
Market capitalization: US$66.447 billion
It is a decentralized blockchain platform that uses native cryptocurrency. It is also known for its early adoption of the proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. Cardano enables peer-to-peer transaction facilities and also allows Ethereum-like smart contracts and decentralized applications on this network.
Market capitalization: US$58.96 billion
Solana is the 6th largest cryptocurrency in the market. It is an open-source project that provides decentralized finance solutions. It aims to improve scalability by introducing the proof-of-history consensus, combined with the underlying proof-of-stake algorithm. Due to its innovative hybrid model, SOL enjoys small-time traders as well as organizational traders.
Market capitalization: US$6.77 million
It is best described as a decentralized platform focused on content sharing and entertainment. Its network is fast as it can conduct up to 2000 transactions per second. It is also well-known as it enables building decentralized apps on its blockchain network.
Market capitalization: US$12.9 billion
Polygon can efficiently transform Ethereum into a full-fledged multi-chain system. This multi-chain system is similar to other cryptos like Polkadot, Cosmos, and others. This allows users to benefit from the strengths of multiple blockchains and enables them to communicate with each other.
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Commercial products titan Procter and Gamble has restructured the labels and organization of one of its departments, discarding “marketing director” in favor of “brand management”, which will also become the new name for the marketing division.
This means that all of its marketing directors worldwide will now hold the titles of brand directors and associate brand directors. This change became effective on July 1st.
In an email correspondence, a spokeswoman for the company said that the department will now focus on “single-point responsibility for the strategies, plans and results for the brands”. This is part of a reorganization scheme that Procter and Gamble first announced in February.
Brand management has been designed to be comprised of four subdivisions: brand management in place of marketing, consumer and marketing knowledge in place of market research, design, and communications. They will also have a division devoted to SEO, who will help with anchor text optimization.
With this change, the company’s aim is to ensure that its divisions at the international and regional levels don’t end up undertaking the same duties, like initiatives for local marketing. The global organizations will handle such initiatives, while regional units tackle projects like media planning.
This is meant to streamline workflow and facilitate collaboration between different organizations within the company.
A similar shift in titles was undergone in 1993, when “advertising director” was changed in favor of “marketing director”, since the term “advertising” seemed to be limiting in its implications. Marketing had become understood to consist of much more than just advertising, and the change in titles broadened the scope of the department. This change broadens the scope even further.
Explaining this new strategy, the Procter and Gamble spokeswoman said, “These changes will help us unify brand-building resources to focus on delivering better brand and business results, clarify roles and responsibilities to make faster decisions, and simplify our structure to free up time for creativity and a better execution”.
For a company that holds so much influence over the marketing world, this shift in organizational focus could end up being a game-changer that other companies may soon follow.


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The last-generation Volvo S60 has been around since the 2011 model year and was refreshed for 2014. In today’s market, that is a long time. But the Swedish automaker has been hard at work redesigning the rest of its lineup, saving the S60 for last. With the release of the V60 wagon, we had an […]
Volkswagen will attempt to set a class record at Bonneville Speed Week with a modified Jetta. To beat the BGC/G record, it will have to go faster than 208.472 mph. The Bonneville car is based on the 2019 Jetta, which has been completely redesigned. It receives a host of upgrades from stock, including a lowered […]
The post Modified Volkswagen Jetta Will Attempt Bonneville Speed Record appeared first on Motor Trend.
The Toyota Supra doesn’t arrive until next year, but we already know a lot about the new sports car. In an interview with Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada, we learned the model will have a turbo inline-six, a hybrid variant, and a perfect 50:50 weight balance front to rear, as well as double the body […]
The post Toyota Supra Will Drive Differently than BMW Z4, Chief Engineer Says appeared first on Motor Trend.
Audi AG and Hyundai Motor Group have partnered to develop fuel cell technology in the hopes of increasing their presence in the fuel cell electric vehicle market and creating a more sustainable future. Hyundai was the first mass-producer of FCEVs. Most recently, Hyundai introduced the Nexo, the first dedicated hydrogen-powered SUV. As part of the […]
The post Audi and Hyundai Partner to Create Fuel Cell Technology appeared first on Motor Trend.
For the 2018 model year, Subaru completely redesigned the Crosstrek, giving it a new platform, updated engine, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Now, the crossover is back for 2019 with expanded feature availability. The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek, arriving this summer, will start at $22,870, an increase of $160 over the previous model. The base […]


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What's the most popular Halloween candy this year?
What will trick-or-treaters get at your house this Halloween?
That depends on where you live. Tastes in candy vary across the nation, with sugary sweets reigning in some areas and chocolate candies dominating in others.
American consumers plan to spend $2.6 billion on Halloween candy for 2018, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.
And what are we buying?
A whole lot of Skittles, at least in New Jersey.
Skittles top the list in the Garden State, according to a state-by-state report released by the on-line bulk candy retailer Candystore.com.
Trick-or-treaters in New Jersey also will likely find M&M's and Tootsie Pops in their bags.
Research was based on pounds of candy sold from August through October, with data sourced from Candystore.com's bulk sales as well as those from partners and distributors. The company, founded in 2007, uses data from the past 11 years, but weighs the most recent year most heavily.
As you might expect, ubiquitous candies such as Skittles, Snickers and M&M's ranked high in many states. But there also were oddball results: For starters, how could there be no Hershey products among the top three sellers in Pennsylvania? And salt water taffy was the top seller in Washington state! How did this Jersey boardwalk classic, invented in Atlantic City, become so popular in the Pacific Northwest?
Clair Robins, a spokeswoman for Candystore.com, was bemused as well by the quirks in each state. But she noted in an e-mail interview that Utah now has two major taffy manufacturers: Taffy Town and Sweets.
"I can only speculate on the reasons why any particular state might like one candy over another," Robins wrote. "The culture behind candy is nuanced to an unbelievable complexity. It's ingrained in the nostalgia of childhood, so it would be interesting to see if there are any ties between where a candy company started, say 70 years ago, and whether the surrounding area still loves that candy. I would guess that plays a role."
Nostalgia influences tastebuds and buying habits in major and minor ways, she said.
"Then you have parents who, especially nowadays, want to re-create their childhood for their kids," she said.
Would today's trick-or-treaters enjoy candy buttons or wax bottles the way their parents did? Watch the video above to see cute little kids trying old-time candy at Lucky Leo's in Seaside Heights.
Here's how candy ranked in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania:
Skittles: 165,484 lbs.
M&M's: 160,088 lbs.
Tootsie Pops: 98,613 lbs.
Sour Patch Kids: 203,705 lbs.
Candy corn: 100,484 lbs.
Hot Tamales 49,326 lbs.
Skittles: 302,061 lbs. (new winner)
M&M's: 282,172 lbs. (last year's winner)
Candy corn: 130,597 lbs.
MORE FOR HALLOWEEN:
PUMPKINS:Where to go pumpkin picking in New Jersey: 36 best spots for 2018
NOT SCARY:Where to go for kid-friendly Halloween fun in New Jersey, NYC & Philly
BOB FOR APPLES:NJ apple picking: Where to go in New Jersey, 36 best places
AUTUMN LEAVES:Time for leaf peeping: Top places for fall foliage
COSTUMES:What to be for Halloween? Be original!
FOOD:10 pumpkin-flavored foods to try this fall
VERY SCARY:7 scary destinations in NJ you need to visit before Halloween


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Tala Announces $40 Million in Debt Financing from Victory Park Capital
Oct 26, 2021
Partnership with VPC will enable expansion of core credit product in Mexico
LOS ANGELES, CA and CHICAGO — October 26, 2021 — Tala, the global technology company building the world’s most accessible financial services, announced today it has received $40 million in debt financing from Victory Park Capital (“VPC”), a leading global alternative investment firm. This financing follows the recent close of Tala’s Series E funding round.
The partnership with VPC will enable Tala to expand its core credit product in Mexico and increase financial inclusion by offering instant credit to more underserved individuals across the country. Tala’s mobile technology and AI-powered underwriting models allow the company to rapidly provide capital to a population that is unable to access credit through traditional financing sources.
“It’s expensive and inconvenient to be excluded from the financial system. That’s why Tala has long been committed to leveraging mobile technology and data science to make financial services more accessible, more useful, and more affordable for the people who need them most,” said Shivani Siroya, Tala founder and CEO. “Our partnership with Victory Park Capital is important to us, as we share the same mission of increasing financial inclusion. With their help we’ll be able to quickly expand Tala’s ability to provide solutions for consumers along every step of their unique financial journey.”
Tala provides an easy and efficient loan application process to borrowers. Unlike the paper-based loan application process of banks, Tala allows prospective borrowers to apply for credit through a smartphone application that takes just a few minutes to complete with one proof of ID. Approved customers receive credit in their account within 10 minutes of applying. Tala also offers its customers a wide variety of payment options, ranging from payments at brick-and-mortar locations to online payment options.
“We are excited to be partnering with Tala at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth trajectory and evolution as a leading Fintech company in Mexico,” said Jason Brown, partner at VPC. “Tala has a strong management team and highly sophisticated credit product, and we look forward to seeing the company’s positive impact as more customers gain access to its services.”
Tala successfully scaled its platform in Mexico over the course of 2019 and is poised to continue future growth with the additional financing from Victory Park Capital.
Tala is a global technology company building the world’s most accessible financial services. More than 6 million people across Kenya, the Philippines, Mexico, and India, have used Tala products to start and expand small businesses, manage day-to-day needs, and pursue their financial goals with confidence. Tala has raised more than $350 million from visionary investors including Upstart, the Stellar Enterprise Fund, RPS Ventures, the J. Safra Group, IVP, Revolution Growth, Lowercase Capital, and PayPal Ventures. Tala.co
About Victory Park Capital
Victory Park Capital is a global alternative investment firm that provides capital to emerging and established businesses in the U.S. and abroad. The firm has a long track record of executing debt and equity financing transactions with some of the largest global Fintech companies. The firm was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Chicago with additional resources in New York, Los Angeles and Austin. VPC is privately held and a Registered Investment Advisor with the SEC. For more information, please visit www.victoryparkcapital.com.
Victory Park Capital
Jordan Niezelski, Edelman


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Boots UK partners with IRI
NOTTINGHAM, England — Boots UK announced Wednesday that it has partnered with IRI to develop and operate a range of world-class customer insight tools for its product brands.
“Joining forces with a global leader in big data and analytics will allow us to know more about our customers and, more importantly, improve their experience when shopping our product brands," stated Ken Murphy, EVP Walgreens Boots Alliance and chief commercial officer and president global brands. "At the same time, we will give our suppliers a powerful range of tools and platforms that will significantly improve their market knowledge and result in better and faster decision making. Together, we will have a more holistic view of our customers and be able to better anticipate and cover their current and future needs.”
The partnership brings together a wide range of data and insight on health and beauty consumer behavior with IRI. The partnership will also result in improved quality of market, customer and loyalty insight for Boots suppliers, who will have access to the same tools and data.
Sundial Brands named among top 10 largest black-owned businesses in America
AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Skin care and hair care company Sundial Brands on Monday announced its debut on Black Enterprise Magazine’s BE 100s List as the tenth largest black-owned business in America. With a national reach of 35,000 major retailers, an increasing focus on its global strategy and a continual emphasis on new innovations, Sundial is also the only beauty and personal care manufacturer to make this year’s list.
The BE 100s ranks America's largest black-owned companies, including automobile dealers, banks, asset managers, investment banks and private equity firms. The 2017 Top 100 produced total revenues of $27.5 billion.
“This recognition by Black Enterprise is especially meaningful because it is further evidence that companies built with purpose at the center can do well in business while also making a significant positive impact in the world,” said Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands. “Our purpose is ‘empowering people to live more beautiful lives,’ and we strive to do that each day through our community commerce business model, which develops communities through entrepreneurship, education and commerce.”
Under Dennis’ leadership, Sundial has been certified as a B Corp company and holds a Fair for Life social and fair trade certification. Additionally, in 2015 Sundial was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States and received the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year Award from WWD/Beauty Inc, while Dennis was a recipient of the Lewis Institute Changemaker Award from Babson College for efforts in challenging the status quo, creating positive social change and making the world a better place.
In 2016, Dennis was named by OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network to the inaugural SuperSoul 100 list. The same year, WWD/Beauty Inc awarded SheaMoisture the Ad Campaign of the Year Award for its “Break the Walls” efforts, which Dennis led to challenge the beauty industry’s divisive constructs and standardized ideals, redefine the meaning of “normal” in beauty and advocate for the industry to reflect inclusive beauty where “everybody gets love.” In 2017, Dennis was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People list.
The company late last week announced that the Sofi Tucker Foundation, its charitable arm named in honor of Dennis’ grandmother, made a cash donation of $50,000 to its humanitarian relief partner, immediately following news of the mudslides that devastated the outskirts of Freetown, Sierra Leone. Direct Relief, the company’s humanitarian partner, is providing emergency relief efforts on the ground in Sierra Leone. SheaMoisture, one of the company's signature brands, is also asking its community to join in a “Purchase with Purpose” initiative helping to raise funds for relief efforts as well. The brand is donating the first $25,000 of sales made through sheamoisture.com in the next week to the Sofi Tucker Foundation to directly benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Sierra Leone.
Real Techniques intros makeup organizer
GURNEE, Ill. — Real Techniques, a fast-growing makeup brush brand in the United States, has launched the Expert Organizer, a beauty storage solution that frees up counter space and doubles as a makeup brush drying rack.
Designed with proprietary Miracle Cling technology that is reusable, the Real Techniques Expert Organizer clings to glossy surfaces such as glass, mirrors, marble, flat shiny tiles and laminate without the need for suction cups, adhesives or wall mounts. The design features three pockets for storage as well as slots in between to hold brushes upside down so they can dry after being washed.
“In talking to beauty lovers and looking at their social posts, we wanted to create a unique storage solution that addresses many pain points such as lack of counter space,” said Eva Oreskovich, VP of global marketing for Paris Presents, parent company of Real Techniques. “The Expert Organizer takes advantage of unused spaces, is easy to install and positions makeup tools front and center so you can quickly find what you need.”
To use, peel off the protective film from the back of the Expert Organizer and place onto a smooth, clean, dry surface. Press firmly to secure and remove air bubbles. For best results, Real Techniques recommends waiting 24 hours before placing items in the holder. The Expert Organizer can be removed and reapplied wherever needed and also comes in a single-pocket option for organizing makeup tools while traveling.
“This is a must-have for anyone who loves makeup as much as Sam and I do, because it keeps our brushes organized and not thrown all over the vanity or in our drawers. It makes getting ready so much easier,” said YouTube personality Nic Chapman, who with her sister, Sam Chapman, is part of the beauty expert duo behind Real Techniques. “I always take it with me while traveling as many hotels have tiny bathrooms and I need all the counter space I can get.”
The Expert Organizer is available online and at local retailers in the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $8.99 for the single-pocket organizer and $17.99 for the three-pocket organizer.


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Netflix has begun limited testing of mobile gaming with two “Stranger Things” titles available right now through the Android app and iOS expansion following at a later stage.
A bit of a back-and-forth earlier this year had some folks interested in listening to Netflix content with Spatial Audio support excited for the future -- and then not so much. However, it turns out it was all a bit of misdirection on Netflix's part, because while the streaming company said it wasn't testing support for the feature, the feature is now live anyway.
Last week, Netflix blew some minds by saying it was (finally?) jumping into the video game market. Unfortunately, while the company made some executive changes to warrant this shift in strategy, they didn't go into much detail at the time. Today, that's changing a little.
When it comes to playing games on devices, there are a lot of options for subscription services these days. One of the biggest, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass, and even Apple's Apple Arcade, are pretty good value. And now it looks like Netflix is ready to jump on board the bandwagon.
Apple enjoys the App Store's rules and regulations, because it brings in a lot of money for the company. So when a huge company like Netflix balks at the idea of playing by those rules anymore, Apple might try a bit harder to keep them around.
A new shuffle play feature that Netflix began testing a year ago is now rolling out to all users.
Is Apple a services company these days? It's certainly possible to make that argument. And being in the Apple ecosystem probably means you pay for at least a couple of different options offered by the company. But with so many other offerings out there, it can be a task simply choosing which ones to keep.
You may soon no longer be able to share your Netflix user name and password between separate households because Netflix may be cracking down on password sharing soon.
Netflix's library of content is vast. The streamer certainly has no shortage of comedy titles, either. That includes films and series and stand-up specials. And in an effort to help surface that content, Netflix has a new feature built into the mobile app.
Netflix gets teased a lot for having a lot of content, but "nothing to watch". And some of its originals are panned for, well, not being that great. That isn't to say Netflix hasn't had some successes -- it definitely has. And the streaming service dominates the space right now. So of course Apple should have purchased it years ago.
Along with the AirPods Pro, Apple welcomed a new feature called "spatial audio". It gives a "theater-like experience" when listening to supported content from an iPhone or iPad. But third-party support from apps like Netflix isn't an option right now. And it may not be anytime soon, either.
Apple TV+ launched in late 2019, and, since then, the streaming service has seen its fair share of positive reviews. Things didn't start out so bright, with initial reviews for launch shows not all that positive. But, since then, the service has shown a pretty solid library of original content. However, that's not good enough for one former CEO.


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A little patience and you will see the most anticipated winter event. Are you ready for Super Bowl Sunday? Soon, the strongest playoff teams – San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs – will show an exciting show.
Super Bowl LIV participants, February 2 in Miami, will take part in all-sensory entertainment. Centerplate, Ball and Bud Light announced that on this day at the Hard Rock Stadium fans will receive drinks in aluminum cups that can be reused.
According to the organizers of the show, the decision to use 50,000 aluminum cups during the Super Bowl Sunday was taken to minimize the use of plastic. Such cups will continue to be issued over the next year. It is planned that such kind of cups will be used during various events at the Hard Rock Stadium. Using of new glasses will help to eliminate approximately 500,000 disposable plastic cups from annual turnover.
The Better Tomorrow 2025 is a project, which was developed by Hard Rock Stadium. This project aims to reduce the consumption of disposable plastic by 94% per year. Bud Light is pursuing the same goal. They want to “make the world a better place.”
At the press conference, Anheuser-Busch Vice President Adam Warrington said that their company is very pleased have partnership with a company that shares their idea of improving the world. He also noted that Bud Light has vast experience in organizing events within the NFL, and expressed the hope that fans will like the new cups.
The choice of aluminum was not accidental. It is the safest material on the planet that can be used for packaging. Aluminum cups are light and durable and do not affect the taste of the drink.
Representatives of both companies hope that fans will enjoy not only the game but also drinks in environmentally friendly cups.


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Forget what you learned about Kazakhstan from Borat.
The Central Asian country once lampooned by Sacha Baron Cohen's bumbling TV journalist character, offers great potential for international retailers, according to research from management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.
Kazakhstan ranked as the fourth best developing country for retail investments, scoring 56.5 out of 100 on A.T. Kearney's 2016 Global Retail Development Index, after Malaysia which placed third on the index scoring 59.6.
China topped the retail index, with a score of 72.6, followed closely by India at 71.
The index measured countries based on four variables: Country and business risk, market attractiveness, market saturation and time pressure timeframe, which measures how rapidly the retail sector is advancing and thus the pressure for retailers to enter the market and capture the growth opportunity.
The A.T. Kearney study did not just consider markets that are the most attractive currently, but also countries with future potential.
"Kazakhstan's future growth will be rapid, and it's not as developed as other retail markets so that's the attractiveness for international retailers," said Chua Soon Ghee, partner and head of Southeast Asia at A.T. Kearney in a CNBC interview.
Big international retailers have already started honing in on the country with its population of 18 million, the consultancy firm reported.
French supermarket chain Carrefour opened its first Kazakhstan store earlier in February and French home improvement chain Leroy Merlin has already opened three stores, according to the report.
Kazakhstan is one of the largest oil producers in central Asia after Russia, but "with oil prices being low, the retail sector is seen as a potential source of growth for the economy," said Chua, who added that "the government recognizes this and has created a special office to attract foreign investors and international brands to the country."
The opportunities are there but the challenge lies in "assuring investors that the country has enough scale to provide long-term business opportunities," the report said.
But investors are also not entirely convinced, as seen from declines in the country's foreign direct investments. Foreign direct investments in first-quarter of 2016 were $3,384.7 million, down 27.2 percent from the same period in 2015, according to the National Bank of Kazakstan statistics.
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Daily NewsView All News
Volt Information Sciences Inc. (OTCBB: VISI) reported revenue in its staffing services segment decreased approximately $45 million to $473 million in its fiscal second quarter ended April 28, 2013 compared to the same period in the previous year, according to preliminary information released by the company. The numbers are estimates and may change upon the completion of the audit of the company's fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 annual financial statements.
The second quarter of 2012 included recognition of approximately $12 million of previously deferred revenue, net of current period deferrals.
Volt in April issued restated earnings for its 2008 fiscal year with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; it had not filed quarterly or annual reports with the SEC since August 2009, after it received an inquiry from the agency over accounting for certain revenue transactions.
The company attributed the second-quarter revenue decrease to its strategic initiative to review customer accounts for profitability and renegotiate or exit unprofitable customer accounts.
Volt also announced an extension to Dec. 31, 2013, of the financing facility and the requirement to provide audited financial statements for its fiscal years 2011 and 2012 under its short-term financing program, which provides for borrowing secured by receivables related to its staffing services business. The underlying borrowing agreement expiration date was also extended to Dec. 31, 2014, from July 31, 2014.


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(Bloomberg) -- Mastercard Inc. said the US Department of Justice is investigating whether the company has acted in an anticompetitive manner in its debit-card business, a signal that the agency has widened a probe that previously centered on rival Visa Inc.
Mastercard said it received a civil investigative demand from the department last month seeking documents regarding a potential violation of certain sections of the Sherman Act, a sweeping law meant to protect competition. The company is cooperating with the probe, which focuses on the firm’s US debit program and competition with other networks and technologies, according to a quarterly regulatory filing.
The move comes nearly two years after the Justice Department began a similar inquiry into Visa’s practices. In January, the agency’s antitrust division issued additional civil investigative demands to Visa seeking more documents and information for the probe, which Visa has said it’s cooperating with.
“It’s not surprising that the DOJ would request information from other players in the debit space,” Mastercard Chief Financial Officer Sachin Mehra said in an interview. “It’s hard to speculate about the potential outcome, but these types of investigations do take a number of years.”
The Justice Department started its investigation into Visa’s debit practices after it sued the company over its planned $5.3 billion purchase of Plaid Inc. At the time, the department argued that the combination would further limit competition in the market for online debit-card transactions. The two companies ultimately abandoned the deal.
The Justice Department’s inquiry hearkens back to a 2010 law known as the Durbin Amendment, which requires banks to include two competing networks on their debit cards.
The idea is that merchants are supposed to be given a choice: they can route transactions over a major network like Visa or Mastercard, or they can use a smaller alternative. Those networks — with names like Pulse, Star and NYCE — can be cheaper for merchants.
But in recent years, merchants have complained that they’ve had issues using alternative networks for online purchases. As a result, the Federal Reserve in October agreed to rewrite its rules governing debit-card transactions, ordering banks to ensure they always have at least two payment networks enabled to process all debit-card transactions, including for digital purchases.
(Updates with CFO comment in fourth paragraph, probe details throughout.)
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.


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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sioux Falls celebrated Juneteenth at Kenny Anderson Park Saturday.
The event featured musical performances, poetry readings and a surprise on-stage proposal. Performer Etta McKinley says the day is about celebration and community.
“It’s very reassuring and comforting knowing that so many people want to embrace their blackness. I just feel like that’s something really cool,” McKinley said.
The event also featured vendors and a fashion show.


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I recently wrote an essay called A Lost Litigation Opportunity in which I discussed the root of the so-called ‘hot gas’ issue. I firmly believe that this is all about the big business of lawyers who sue people for a living. The California Energy Commission had ruled out temperature compensation equipment, saying that consumers would pay more because retailers would pass on the cost of the equipment.
I thought the issue would now fade away, but a recent story involving Costco suggests that the litigators – like those behind certain ‘consumer organizations’ who have pushed this issue so hard – are starting to profit:
Here are the interesting bits:
“But it [settlement] saves Costco the costs of defending themselves in this class-action litigation,” Gilligan added, noting there are 120 other retailers and groups being sued.”
“Unfortunately, trial attorneys have become quite skilled at presenting companies with difficult decisions: either incur significant expense to erect a legal defense against outrageous claims or cut costs by reaching some sort of settlement. Neither are attractive options when the retailer has done nothing wrong, but the trial attorneys are good at setting this trap.”
One other point: Costco’s agreement including payment of the plaintiffs’ attorney fees.
That’s what this is all about. It won’t save consumers a dime. In fact, it will cost consumers, and it will cost retailers. But trial lawyers that back phony consumer organizations who them drum up controversies should do OK.


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Samyang Optics has announced a delay in production of its new 14mm f/2.8 IF ED MC Aspherical lens. According to the company, the delay is due to partial redesigning of the lens construction and further improvements. The lens will now be available in the first quarter of 2010.


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The dotcom boom, as it became known, is now remembered half fondly, half painfully as a time when all an entrepreneur needed to make it was a dream, a domain name and an enthusiastic venture capital investor.
The crash that followed the boom is remembered rather less fondly as a time when it became uncomfortably clear that internet-based business was really not going to be that simple and that most dotcom companies just didn't have viable business plans to make their nifty consumer-facing ideas profitable.
And yet, the internet is now a key route by which companies can reach their customers, as websites have become immensely powerful marketing tools and distribution platforms.
What's more, many of the most successful brand names to appear in the last few years are online businesses that came from that very boom. Think eBay, the internet auctioneer, and retailing giant Amazon; think online booking sites like eBookers, Expedia and lastminute.com, which revolutionised the way people buy travel; think Google, the internet search engine which in June became the largest media company in the world when its market cap overtook Time Warner's.
Think also Skype, the $4.1 billion voice-over-IP innovator sold last month to eBay (see also p. 27) that has already been credited with transforming the way we think about telephony.
These success stories are the reason why venture capitalists around the world appear to falling in love with the internet for a second time. In Europe for instance, there has been a quiet trickle of venture money into the sector for several months.
In March 2005, Munich's Wellington Partners and the London-based European wing of Benchmark Capital backed Zopa, an online consumer-to-consumer borrowing and lending exchange; in June, Benchmark provided laterstage funding to UK online underwear seller Figleaves. A month later, French online DVD distributor Glowria raised €8.5 million from a consortium led by Paris-based SPEF Venture, a group that is part of Natexis Private Equity.
Michael Chalfen, a partner at UK firm Apax, which in September invested €34 million for a minority stake in online gaming site Midasplayer.com, is optimistic about the prospects for net-based business. “Broadband usage has increased, there's a larger user base and a lot more management experience in the sector,” he says. “A lot of the economic predictions from 1999 have taken place – it's just taken longer than we expected.”
THE WEB IS WORKING
One European VC that never left the sector is Paris-based Banexi Venture Partners. Last year it scored one of the bigger successes of the European venture industry when one of its portfolio companies, French online shopping service Kelkoo, was sold to Yahoo! for €475 million, yielding Banexi six times its total investment after a four-year holding period. The firm still holds other investments in the sector, including the job search engine Keljob and Quotatis, a business directory.
Like Chalfen, Banexi chairman Michel Dahan says that the nature of online business has changed significantly in the last five years. He argues that investors are now more cautious about testing a business model before pouring in large amounts of capital.
But the key difference, says Dahan, is that unlike many of their long-forgotten predecessors, many online companies now have revenues: “In the old days people said, ‘Is it safe? Will the customer buy it?’ That's just not a question now – it's obvious that the internet is working and consumers like it as it brings value to them.”
Dahan predicts that, while many European investors are still avoiding the sector, they will return soon – possibly as early as next year, particularly if venture-backed dotcoms continue to be sold at attractive valuations, either to trade investors or to later stage financial buyers.
“If you listen to what the big groups are doing, the [M&A] topic is now on the table,” says Dahan. “They have money and they're ready to buy start-ups. It's like we're creating the car industry and it's 1910. This is just the beginning.”
Such predictions may sound worryingly familiar, but there are good reasons to believe that this time around, the optimism could well be justified. Just think Skype again.


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BART finding its way to San Jose
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- Staff Silicon Valley Business Journal
Work on BART's Silicon Valley extension officially begins Thursday when the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority breaks ground on the 10-mile, $2.3 billion line connecting the future Warm Springs station in south Fremont with the Berryessa district of North San Jose, writes David Goll on Silicon Valley BizBlog.
The ceremony will be held at 1404 Mabury Road, San Jose, just south of the future Berryessa station.
The Warm Springs station is set to open in 2014. VTA General Manager Michael Burns said the new line beyond that point, which will have two stations at Milpitas and Berryessa, is set to open in 2016.
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A prominent soap opera actor, Mark Consuelos starred on "All My Children" as Mateo Santos for seven years. Married to TV personality Kelly Ripa
, Mark remains one of the most popular actors in the history of daytime television.
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It will soon be a year since a 37-year-old specification analyst from Circonstance, Saint Pierre, began waiting for delivery of his kitchen furniture. He had already paid the sum of Rs 260,000 to a carpenter who had started work in August of that year. But the carpenter is nowhere to be found. He tried in vain to contact him. Finally realizing that he had been duped, in the early evening of Monday June 5, he went to the Saint Pierre police station to report a case of embezzlement.
In August 2022, the thirty-year-old had contacted the carpenter to manufacture kitchen furniture for his second home at VRS 2, L’Avenir, Saint Pierre. On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at around 11 a.m., the man had come to take measurements in his kitchen. He had made a quotation for an amount of Rs 300,000. He asked the owner to make a down payment of Rs 255,000, which he did by bank transfer.
It was agreed that delivery would take place in December 2022. On Monday June 27, 2022, the owner called the carpenter on his cell phone and they agreed that delivery would take place in January 2023. The owner had made a further payment of Rs 5,000 by bank transfer for the purchase of the accessories. The carpenter guaranteed that the furniture would be delivered on Saturday June 3, 2023.
Before this deadline, on Wednesday May 31, he tried to contact the carpenter. The carpenter has been unreachable ever since. The victim named a resident of Circonstance, Saint Pierre as a witness in this transaction.


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An anti-whaling campaign emphasises local attitudes about whaling, and its impacts on the tourism industry.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has launched a campaign against whaling, a practice the group has fought against for years. The campaign features several prominent Icelanders – amongst them musicians Sóley, Högni Egilsson and DJ Margeir – all bearing the signature message: “I’m Icelandic, I don’t eat whale meat.”
The campaign has also released a video – in Icelandic with Engish subtitles – on how whaling affects whale watching, one of the most popular aspects of Iceland’s booming tourist industry.
The campaign is accompanied by a petition, which about 73,000 people have signed at the time of this writing, wherein signees pledge to never eat whale meat, while encouraging the country to abandon the practice. This petition will, in turn, be handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries.
The Icelanders involved in the project are far from alone in their stance, either. As has been pointed out, in 2013 only 3% of Icelanders said they had eaten whale meat six times or more a year. Over 82% said they had never eaten it. Whale meat sold in Iceland is predominantly targeted at tourists.
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More signs of slowdown
EVEN Inspector Clouseau might now see signs that America's economy is slowing. Retail sales fell by 0.3% in May and 0.6% in April, as Americans, unusually, held on to more of the cash in their pockets. The first consecutive monthly declines since the summer of 1998, the falls were much larger than analysts had expected.
Most of the slowdown came in big-ticket items. Sales at car dealers, for instance, were down 1.3% in May. One explanation is that, after splurging in the first three months of the year, consumers were simply taking a breather. The 1.6% fall in building material purchases, for example, could be the payback for an unusually mild winter when construction stayed strong. But the fact that weaker retail sales were concentrated in durable goods may also mean that higher interest rates are finally doing the trick. Car sales are particularly sensitive to interest rates.
Given this pause in retail sales, Wall Street analysts expect overall consumption growth to slow markedly. Together with relatively benign inflation figures for May—consumer prices rose by 0.1% according to figures released by the Labour Department on June 14th—the figures have also increased Wall Street's confidence that the Federal Reserve's policy-making committee will not raise interest rates at its meeting later this month.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline "More signs of slowdown"
From the June 17th 2000 edition
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HSN Tabs Martin-Vachon to Head Merchandising
Posted on April 19, 2012 by
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Anne Martin-Vachon has been named chief merchandising officer for HSN.
Martin-Vachon, who will assume her new post on May 14, will be in charge of product development, assortment, packaging, pricing, category expansion and the merchandising of HSN brands across all product categories. In addition, she will set HSN's overall merchandising strategy and development of brand partners, along with working closely with the company's executive team to determine investment opportunities to expand and complement its merchandise assortment. She will report directly to CEO Mindy Grossman.
Martin-Vashon will join HSN after serving as chief marketing officer for Nordstrom. Her career also includes positions as president and CEO of Lise Watier Cosmetiques, chief marketing officer of Bath & Body Works and a variety of roles with Procter & Gamble in beauty, global cosmetics and branding for a number of household and personal-care brands in P&G's portfolio.


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COLUMBUS OH (January 15, 2009) — Brand Thunder LLC, the branded browser specialists, is proud to announce it is among the finalists for the TechColumbus Innovation Awards and is in the running for Outstanding Startup Business and Outstanding Product (company with less than 50 employees).
On Thursday, February 5, 2009 the 2008 TechColumbus Innovation Awards will recognize outstanding achievements in technology leadership and innovation at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. From a record number of entries from individuals and companies in all disciplines and industries, 13 winners will be honored and the region’s progress as an emerging tech center will be celebrated.
“We’re humbled to be considered for a TechColumbus Innovation Award and included among such high-quality companies,” said Patrick Murphy, CEO and founder of Brand Thunder. “We’re thankful for the assistance TechColumbus continues to extend to our company. It is a gem among the many valuable assets the entrepreneur community of Columbus provides.”
About the TechColumbus Innovation Awards
The TechColumbus Innovations Awards celebrate and honor individuals and teams in a variety of disciplines. Each category is an important component of the technology and innovation community. Receiving the top honor showcases an individual or team which is dramatically impacting Central Ohio and beyond. For more information about TechColumbus and the Innovation Awards, visit http://www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org.
About Brand Thunder
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their Internet consumer through its branded-browser customization, which leads to increased website visits and revenue. Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site. The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, NASCAR, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.
Patrick Murphy, CEO
Brand Thunder, LLC


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By taking Colorado Mountain College's Small Business Development Center under his wing, Scott Ford is helping to tacakle one of Steamboat's biggest challenges: developing economic diversity.
"It has a great deal of potential to promote economic diversity here. Because every little bit helps," Ford said of the center. "I want to help folks identify economic opportunities here, and then teach them how to best proceed."
This is not the first time that the Small Business Development Center has offered entrepreneurial guidance and business counseling to Steamboat residents, free of charge. It is, however, the first time that the center has been up and running in several years.
"Promoting economic diversity is a goal that was certainly at the genesis of getting the SBDC going again," Ford said. "The chamber is glad to see one becoming active again here."
Small Business Development Centers are open at each of the CMC campuses statewide. The goal of the centers is to give people the tools and information they need to turn a good idea into a lucrative small business.
What's your opportunity cost? How do you price your services or product? What is your business plan? What does your market analysis look like? Those are some of the oftentimes intimidating questions that Ford will help potential business owners answer.
"I help folks see Steamboat with a different set of eyes," Ford said. "We go through a methodical, systematic process of analyzing the market here. We take a good idea, and look at Steamboat from an economic angle, to see if it really is a good idea."
Ford said that entrepreneurs in Steamboat face unique challenges due to the nature of the community.
"Analyzing the market is a real challenge. Of course that happens anywhere, but here, there are unique related issues," he said.
Infrastructure is something entrepreneurs need to be aware of here, he said. If a new business requires a strong technological base and advanced telecommunications, the prospective business operator needs to be aware of some of the telecommunications infrastructure challenges facing the community.
"Who are you marketing to?" Ford said. "That's another unique challenge in Steamboat. It's such a fluid market. People are coming and going all the time. And there's a lot of diversity."
Ford, who has worked for the chamber and is a member of the Economic Development Committee, also said Steamboat needs more financing options, a suggestion with which the chamber and the Economic Development Council strongly agree.
The EDC is trying to organize a way to partner up with the college and the Small Business Development Center to create an enterprise center. One of the EDC's ideas, which came straight out of discussion at this year's Economic Summit, is to identify venture capitalists or a pool of investors to help finance new, struggling companies.
"We want to heighten the success rate for new businesses," chamber Executive Vice President Sandy Evans Hall said. "We want to ensure a good success rate. The SBDC is going to teach people how to create a sound business plan, and we want to take things a step further by helping the actual businesses get started."
The EDC has been meeting with statewide Small Business Development Center coordinator Joe Livingston to see how the SBDC can be expanded, and how the EDC may be able to oversee an enterprise system to promote economic diversity and improve the success rates of start-up businesses.
"There are a lot of details to work out," Evans Hall said.
The EDC has requested an additional $5,000 from the city, which it intends to use to reach those goals. If it gets the funding, the EDC, Colorado Mountain College and the Small Business Development Center plan to iron out the details of their goals and needs in the next six months, Evans Hall said.
For now, current business owners, beginning entrepreneurs and anyone with a business idea in the back of their mind can contact Ford at the SBDC (870-4491) for one-on-one business counseling. Eventually, the EDC and SBDC will be able to match retired and professional mentors with entrepreneurs seeking information on a specific type of business venture.
There will be seminars offered this fall on how to start your own business and how to create a business plan. Ford is anticipating teaching a for-credit class at the college by the spring semester.
"I can't imagine a more wonderful job," Ford said of his new position at the SBDC. "I would love to teach some of these classes to the high school students too."
Ford also is working part time at the high school as a career counselor, and believes business education would open doors to Steamboat youth.
"My goal is to tap into the expertise and resources of the community," Ford said. "That includes 17-year-olds and 70-year-olds. There are so many great folks in this town, and so much opportunity."


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Food is vital to everyone. It plays such a huge part in our daily lives. And no matter what you think or believe, we have inexpensive food here in Canada. It may not seem that way when you have to pay at the grocery store register, but we really do. I know that food prices, especially vegetables, have been increasing lately due to shortages, the ongoing drought in California, and the lower Canadian dollar, which makes all imports, food and other products, more expensive.
In my business travels to over 30 countries around the world, I have seen food prices much higher and quality much lower, compared to what we have here in Canada. If we are honest with ourselves, we do take the prices and quality of our food for granted.
Canadians will be working for many more months this year to pay off what they owe in taxes. But sometime in the next one to two weeks, we will celebrate Food Freedom Day, which signifies a day when we will have made enough money to buy all our food for 2016. This is an amazing thing to appreciate here in Canada, and something we all need to be more thankful for.
In terms of food prices, farmers get paid one price for their commodities, while consumers pay a very different price for the end products they buy in the supermarket or restaurant. The difference in price is related to the added value from processors, wholesalers, and retailers. It is also related to the relationship between buyers and sellers at every step along the way.
Over the last 10 years, prices paid by consumers for food increased over eight times more than the prices received as a return to farmers. Our Canadian producers continue to receive only a very slim percentage of the money consumers spend in the grocery store or restaurant.
For example, for a 250-mL glass of milk at a restaurant that costs $1.95, the dairy farmer’s share would be about 22 cents, with the remainder going to processors and retailers.
The box of corn flakes for which you paid $3.95, the farmer was paid seven cents for the corn.
The prime sirloin steak you bought last week for $15 brought the farmer about $2.
Or that loaf of whole wheat bread for $2.50 had the farmer receiving 15 cents for the wheat.
Food waste is another area of concern. Annually, Canadians waste approximately $27 billion worth of food, which means over $770 in food dollars wasted per person every year.
Of this waste, which includes transportation, distribution, food service, farmers’ fields, retail stores, packaging and processing, a whopping 51 per cent of food waste was at the home.
In terms of food production, there are many factors involved in the cost of growing food for Ontario consumers. To respond to growing consumer demand, Ontario producers are improving the environmental sustainability of their operations. Just as important, they are implementing programs that continue to ensure the safety of food, right from the farm gate to your dinner plate.
So when you are out this week buying your groceries, remember that our producers grow some of the highest quality, safest, and most affordable foods in the world.
Just some food for thought.
Remember that here in Chatham-Kent ‘We Grow for the World’. Check out our community’s agricultural website at:www.wegrowfortheworld.com
Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 40 years. He can be reached at:
You can also follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/theagguy


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A budget-friendly store on sale? [Insert crazy-excited emoji here]
The fancy lingerie brand is headed to Tribeca early next year.
Are we seeing a trend here?
But its new home will be much smaller.
For one up the block that's four times as large.
Their journey across the East River now has a date.


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Uber Goes Lite & Apple Bans Cryptocurrency Mining: 4 Things To Know for Today Stay tuned to get every day updates in 60 seconds.
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
1. Uber goes lite! If you have ever been stranded because of low connectivity issues, well Uber has some good news for you. The cab aggregator app has launched Uber lite which will work even on 2G connectivity and just takes up 5MB storage.
2. Nothing seems to be going the right way for cryptocurrency fans. Apple has now banned cryptocurrency mining on the iPhone and iPad.
3. Solar companies are rising steadily. Tata Power is all set to build a 150MW solar plant in Maharashtra after it bagged a contract with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company.
4. Innovation is on the right track. Indian Railways has installed an automatic food vending machine on-board a running train, which can be operated with a tablet. Travellers onboard the Coimbatore-Bengaluru UDAY Express can enjoy the benefits.
Here's the "news that entrepreneurs can use". Know what's trending in the Indian business world in 60 seconds.


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One of CobraHelp’s fundamental components as a third-party COBRA administrator is to constantly guide and educate our target client base on the importance of proper COBRA compliance.
Considering COBRA is primarily how our business makes its money, however, our efforts to communicate the serious risk of noncompliance could potentially come across as “salesy.” Even when we highlight the very real financial dangers a company could be faced with, the truth is, a lot of employers view COBRA penalties or lawsuits the same way they might view a tragic news story, “Well, that would never happen to us.” Until, of course, it does. Just ask the US based retail giant Target Corporation.
The eighth largest retailer in the United States is currently stuck in a legal battle over a class action lawsuit that was filed in Florida in which the plaintiffs, a former Target employee and his partner, claim the retailer failed to provide legally adequate notice and instructions regarding their right to continued health coverage under COBRA. According to the lawsuit filed on June 13th, 2019, the plaintiffs claim that Target’s COBRA Notice process is deficient and fails to satisfy the law’s requirements by leaving out certain explanatory details. More specifically, the class action lawsuit alleges that Target Corporation’s COBRA Notice neglected to explain how to enroll in COBRA, failed to identify the plan administrator and address in which payments should be sent to, and there was no explanation of how COBRA coverage could be terminated - such as sending in payment late, for example. The plaintiffs are seeking damages as they claim they were forced to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses that would have otherwise been covered under COBRA insurance, had they been properly notified of their COBRA rights and the precise procedures on how to elect and maintain continued health insurance under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.
Rest assured Target’s current COBRA litigation battle is not a one-off anomaly. In fact, it is not even an irregularity within their own industry. Earlier this year a U.S. District attorney ruled that one of Target’s biggest competitors, which also happens to be the world’s largest company by revenue, will also need to face a similar COBRA related class action lawsuit. The company on the hot seat, if you haven’t already guessed it, is none other then the global retail goliath, Walmart. In April of this year, the US District Judge dismissed Walmart’s argument against the COBRA Notice class action lawsuit, Jamie Bryant v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-24818, which was also filed in Florida, claiming that the retail chain did not sufficiently inform workers of their COBRA health benefits. For context, the original lawsuit filed against Walmart that alleges the company’s COBRA notice was confusing, not easily understandable, and did not include information on how to contact the health care plan’s administrator, was filed in April of 2016. For those of you keeping score at home, that means that the legal battle on whether this class action lawsuit will be tried in the court of law has already extended the span of three years. That’s an enormous amount of time, resources, and energy that Walmart had to commit to this case. One could argue that considering the retailer pulled in US$514.405 billion of revenue this year, they can afford such legal battles, but then again, very few companies, if any, have the kind of disposable resources that Walmart has.
The moral of the story is that no US company, regardless of size, notoriety, or resources is immune to the potential risks of COBRA non compliance. Thus, adhering to the to COBRA guidelines and ensuring that all notices fit the standards of the law, should absolutely be taking seriously by any company subject to COBRA. Because if they are not, the consequences could be catastrophic.
To avoid being in the instance Target currently is in, contact MyCOBRAHelp today. Our experts can help get your COBRA items setup properly so you don't have to worry.


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- Three new brands announced on Monday that they were pulling ads from “Hannity.”
- Hebrew National, Reddi-wip, and Marie Callender’s told Business Insider the show had been removed from advertising plans.
- The news comes after Keurig faced intense backlash from the right for pulling ads from “Hannity.”
Hebrew National, Reddi-wip, and Marie Callender’s have all pulled ads from Sean Hannity’s Fox News show.
A spokesperson from Conagra Brands, the company that owns all three food brands, told Business Insider on Monday that the company had “removed Hannity from our advertising plans for all Conagra brands.”
“Our advertising is not intended to be an endorsement of or sponsorship of any particular program,” hot dog brand Hebrew National posted on Twitter earlier in the day.
Conagra Brands is an $US8 billion company. In addition to Hebrew National, whipped cream brand Reddi-wip, and frozen meal brand Marie Callender’s, Conagra also owns brands including Orville Redenbacher’s, Chef Boyardee, and Swiss Miss.
A wave of advertisers announced over the weekend that they would pull spots from “Hannity” following the host’s interview on Friday with Roy Moore.
Moore is a Republican candidate for US Senate in Alabama accused of engaging in sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old and pursuing relationships with other teenagers when he was in his 30s.
On Monday, some of the advertisers attempted to walk back from their decisions to pull the ads, after facing intense backlash over the weekend. Keurig was the focus of much of the backlash, with some of Hannity’s supporters destroying their Keurig coffee makers.
Keurig’s CEO Bob Gamgort even apologised to employees, saying that the brand’s decision to explain plans to halt advertising was “outside of company protocols.”
“This gave the appearance of ‘taking sides’ in an emotionally charged debate that escalated on Twitter and beyond over the weekend, which was not our intent,” Gamgort wrote in a memo obtained by The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple.
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Urge the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Hasan Malek to review the maximum price set for the masks immediately
I have filed an emergency motion on haze in parliament yesterday morning. I was told that my motion was the first of yesterday. Nevertheless, it came to my knowledge later that Ayer Hitam Member of Parliament Datuk Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong has also filed a similar motion to the House.
It is uncommon for Members of Parliament from Barison Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat to think alike. However it only shows one thing, ie the current haze crisis is indeed a define matter of urgency and of public importance, the 3 criteria set under Standing Order 18(2) for an emergency motion to be allowed. As such, I see no reason why the speaker should not allow the motion and I am looking forward to a healthy and constructive debate tomorrow as to how we can handle the haze crisis better.
At the same time, the BN government has again failed to uphold its promise to ensure that there is no price hike for face masks.
N95 masks used to be sold at RM50 to RM80 for 20 piece/box. However, I was told that N95 masks are being sold at RM180/box at some places now. If BN government is not able to provide free N95 masks to the poor and needy, like what Singapore Government has done, it should at least make sure that there is no price hike at this critical period!
As a matter of fact, face mask is a controlled item under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Supply Control Act 1961 since August 26, 2009. However, the maximum retail price set by Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is allowing profiteering.
For example for the maximum retail price for the three-ply mask (ear & head loop) is set at 80 sen per unit and maximum wholesale price of RM25 per box (50 pieces). However the price for such surgical mask before the haze crisis was only 40 sen per piece or RM10 per box (50 pieces).
As for N95 face mask, the maximum price set by Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism is RM6 each while the maximum wholesale price is fixed at RM100 for one box of 20 pieces. However general public could purchase the mask at RM3 per piece or RM50 per box before this.
I urge the Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Hasan Malek to review the maximum price set for the masks immediately so that 8 million people in Malaysia who have already been exposed to very unhealthy air won’t be slaughtered by unethical businessmen. At the same time, a complaint hotline should be set up immediately for the general public to call and lodge complaint when they come across any price hike for face masks.


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Veröffentlicht am in "Business", Sprache — English. 60 Seiten.
Putting up a garment factory outside the country is not a new phenomenon as some of the Indian garment manufacturers/exporters already have their production units overseas. Apparel Online explores the factors lucrative for these companies to invest in various countries, like Jordan and Indonesia… The textile value chain has been under great stress since last few years.
Click Here to Subscribe: https://bit.ly/2Ef58Ne Mehr anzeigen
Apparel Online India is only news magazine to provide exclusive and in-depth coverage of the garment export trade and industry. It carries news, views and analyses for the industry and in many ways by the industry. Apparel Online highlights issues related to and for the apparel industry regarding product, market, trends, sourcing strategies, compliance and human resource concerns. The magazine aims to bring the manufacturer to the retailer and the retailer to the manufacturer. Mehr anzeigen


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Who wants to even think about cooking after the holidays? Popping a frozen pizza in the oven can be an easy solution to making dinner for the family.
Sales of frozen pizza topped more than $3 billion this year, with DiGiorno pizza the top seller. But is it the best-tasting pizza?
Consumer Reports tested 16 pizzas, all cheese, from brands like DiGiorno, Tombstone and Kashi.
Testing to find the best, Consumer Reports' sensory panelists tasted more than 800 slices.
"A great-tasting pizza should have a crust that tastes fresh baked, flavorful cheese, and a sauce with fresh-tasting spices," says Ellen Klosz of Consumer Reports.
And while pizza isn't exactly diet food, it turns out some are more nutritional than others.
Among the worst - Red Baron Fire Baked Thin Crust 5-Cheese and Totino's Crisp Crust Triple Cheese Pizza. And the Totino's was the lowest rated for taste, too.
It turns out none of the pizzas rated excellent, but many did rate very good.
Even better - the tastiest also rated good for nutrition. That pizza is Amy's Cornmeal Crust Three Cheese Pizza. It costs about $8. With goat cheese and a cornmeal crust, it's not the most traditional pizza.
"Testers said it was a nice change from the same old cheese pizza," Klosz says.
For a bit less money and a bit more pizza, Consumer Reports recommends DiGiorno's Rising Crust Pizza Four Cheese for about $6.50. It's a more traditional cheese pizza with a chewy, Italian-style crust, flavorful cheese, and plenty of sauce.
Consumer Reports says two other pizzas with two different styles are also worth a try - the Chicago "Deep Dish" Home Run Inn Classic Cheese Pizza and, from Target, Archer Farms Four Cheese Handmade Wood Fired Pizza.
You can find Amy's pizza at Meijer and Kroger.