Australia’s Federal Court has delivered the largest penalty its corporate regulator has ever secured for misleading conduct involving financial products, ordering retail giant Harvey Norman and its longtime lending partner Latitude Finance Australia to pay a combined $55 million fine. Harvey Norman shares fell after Justice O’Bryan handed down the ruling, capping a legal fight that began when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) sued the ASX-listed pair in October 2022. What the ads got wrong The case centred on a nationwide campaign that ran from January 2020 to August 2021, blanketing newspapers, radio and television with a pitch for a 60-month interest-free, no-deposit payment plan on Harvey Norman purchases. ASIC argued the advertisements obscured a critical detail: customers had to apply for and be approved for a credit card, specifically the Latitude GO Mastercard, to access the offer. That card carried monthly account service fees and, until 15 March 2021, an establishment fee, which the court found were not adequately disclosed. The numbers illustrate the stakes for ordinary shoppers. Consumers who signed up for a GO Mastercard between March and August 2021 and stretched a Harvey Norman purchase across the full 60 months were on the hook for at least $537 in fees beyond the purchase price. ASIC first won on liability in October 2024, when Justice Yates found both companies had breached the ASIC Act, a finding the Full Federal Court unanimously upheld in September 2025 after dismissing what it called “barely arguable” appeals. Why Harvey Norman paid more Although the court found Latitude and Harvey Norman equally responsible for the misleading advertising, the penalties were unevenly split: $35 million for Harvey Norman and $20 million for Latitude. The gap traces directly to the conduct after the fact. Latitude overhauled its compliance systems and apologised to affected customers. Harvey Norman, by contrast, showed what the judge called a markedly different level of contrition. Justice O’Bryan pointed specifically to comments executive chairman Gerry Harvey made to The Sydney Morning Herald after the 2024 liability ruling, including his remark that “the whole legal system is completely f–ked in Australia,” and his suggestion that big businesses simply “take a hiding” without real consequence. The judge found those statements evidenced “a lack of contrition and a lack of concern about the prospect of consumers being misled,” concluding that “a higher penalty is warranted to deter repetition and to motivate Harvey Norman to improve its compliance processes”. The numbers behind the penalty Justice O’Bryan noted that the financial benefit both companies derived from the campaign was likely only around $5 million, yet he still opted for penalties well above that figure. Both fines nonetheless landed below what ASIC had sought out: $50 million from Harvey Norman and $35 million from Latitude. A five-year injunction ASIC had requested was dismissed, though the judge warned the court would not hesitate to impose steep penalties if either company reoffends. Both companies must also publish an adverse publicity notice on their websites for 90 days. This is not Harvey Norman’s first brush with advertising enforcement. The retailer paid $1.25 million in 2011 over a misleading catalogue, and various franchisees have separately drawn ACCC penalties over deceptive sales tactics. The ruling also extends a broader crackdown on retail credit products, following ASIC’s $15 million penalty against ANZ over credit card conduct and scrutiny of American Express’s card sales through David Jones. Market and corporate response Following the decision, Harvey Norman issued a statement to the ASX saying it “did not intend to engage in false, misleading or deceptive conduct” and apologised “unreservedly to the Court and customers,” while noting it had already accrued $16.2 million toward the expected penalty in prior years. Harvey Norman has foreshadowed an appeal, even as ASIC Chair Sarah Court framed the outcome as “a strong warning to the market about truthful and transparent advertising,” insisting consumers were entitled to know an offer “involved more than simply paying off a purchase in 60 instalments”. The post Inside Harvey Norman’s $35m lesson in consumer finance marketing appeared first on Inside Retail Australia.

The Trump administration will end a subsidy program, meant to keep premiums stable for Medicare prescription drug plans ...

An ongoing emphasis on value among Australian shoppers has not stopped online spending growth, according to the latest quarterly e-commerce report from AusPost. A total of $21.9 billion was spent in the previous quarter, up 14 per cent on the same period the year before. Within this, $5.1 billion was spent on online marketplaces, accounting for 42 per cent of the entire figure. The impact of end-of-financial-year (EOFY) sales was credited for this increase. The decline of the average basket size – to $90 – pointed to a decline in discretionary spending. “One of the strongest trends emerging from the quarter is the continued rise of the ‘Lipstick Effect’,” Auspost said. “A retail phenomenon where consumers cut back on larger discretionary purchases while continuing to spend on smaller, more affordable indulgences.” The report found that almost six in 10 consumers said they “never” buy at full price anymore; 58 per cent said they enjoy the build-up to a major sale event. “Australian consumers aren’t spending less, but they’re becoming more deliberate with every dollar,” said AusPost’s general manager of e-commerce services, Chelsea O’Reilly. “Shoppers are thinking more carefully about every purchase. They’re comparing options, chasing value, waiting for the right offer and expecting convenience at every step.” The millennial generation contributed $7.8 billion to the total sum, followed by Generation X at $6 billion. The builders, or silent generation, saw the fastest year-on-year growth at 18 per cent. “Retailers that make shopping simple, deliver on their promises and give customers a reason to come back will be the most successful,” O’Reilly added. The post Quarterly online spend nears $22bn as value-chasing surges appeared first on Inside Retail Australia.

Select brokerages noted that the company's Q1 FY27 performance benefited from non-recurring inventory gains of around Rs 70 crore.

video uploads by reFX "reFX, known for their Nexus and Vanguard virtual instruments, are releasing their new synth, Rippler, on Thursday morning. Rippler combines physical modeling synthesis with more traditional synthesizer elements: additional synth oscillators, familiar modulation setup, effects and arpeggiation. With the exciter modules running through two resonators, you can create

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The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has updated its guidance on the use of facial recognition technology (FRT) in retail settings following a landmark ruling involving Bunnings and the privacy implications of such technology. It is the first time the guidance has been updated since 2024 and comes with a new pathway for retailers to follow when using FRT on the public. “Entities considering using FRT should conduct a privacy impact assessment (PIA) to identify potential privacy impacts at the outset and, if proceeding with FRT, implement recommendations to manage, minimise or eliminate those impacts,” the OAIC guidance begins. Before implementing FRT, the OAIC is now asking retailers to consider the primary purpose of collecting information; whether a function or activity can be done without collecting biometric information; whether the purpose can be achieved through less intrusive means; whether alternative means have been considered; and whether the benefits outweigh the privacy risks. This assessment now has an updated, 10-step list from the OAIC. At the same time, the guidance on Australian privacy principles in law requires that information collected using FRT be obtained with valid consent, be accurate and free of bias, be subject to a clear governance process for its use, and be protected by security protocols to prevent misuse. The OAIC says that a singular risk assessment could apply to the use of FRT across multiple stores, but only when the store’s physical features and threat profiles are similar. It also places the burden to fulfil any PIA obligations on the retailer in the event of using a third-party FRT provider. “This is particularly important if the third-party is located offshore as you may be held liable for the acts of those third-parties,” the guidance continues. The Shopping Centre Council of Australia has welcomed the news and supports the use of FRT in the interests of community and worker safety. “Our industry takes the issue of privacy incredibly seriously,” said CEO Angus Nardi. “The OAIC’s updated guidance will provide the industry with a useful reference point and clarity on key privacy considerations on the potential use of FRT in shopping centre environments.” The post Retailers gain ‘clarity’ around facial recognition technology rules appeared first on Inside Retail Australia.

video upload by John L Rice "Vermona meloDICER being clocked and 'diced' (randomized) by an Erica Synths TRIGG while I play with the melody range. The voice is a Happy Nerding HM VCO pulse wave out into an Erica Synths MODulator module (EG and VCA). The VCO’s pulse width is being modulated by a 2hp Seq sequencer module that is also stepped by the TRIGG module. All in a 4ms Company Pod48x case and

LSKD is doubling down on physical retail. Opening on Melbourne’s High Street Armadale, the activewear label’s new 179-sqm store rethinks how customers navigate retail environments. Rather than organising products by category, LSKD has replaced its traditional leggings wall with “outfit destinations,” reflecting a key behavioural insight. “A consistent insight we’ve heard is that our community doesn’t shop by individual categories – they shop by outfit and collection,” chief retail officer Alex Shaughnessy told Inside Retail. “That shifted our thinking from product silos to complete looks.” The result is a more intuitive in-store journey, where merchandising is structured around how customers build full outfits, rather than how retailers typically segment inventory. The approach is informed by a combination of Net Promoter Score data, frontline staff feedback and ongoing customer conversations. “Together, these insights help us identify friction points and opportunities to refine the experience,” Shaughnessy added. “The result is a store built around natural shopping behaviour rather than traditional retail structure.” Visually, the concept introduces a more elevated design language, anchored by bold cobalt blue accents and premium finishes. The updated aesthetic is intended to strengthen brand recognition while aligning with LSKD’s ambitions to compete in a more global, design-conscious retail landscape. From store to community hub Beyond layout and design, LSKD is positioning its stores as community hubs rather than purely transactional spaces – a strategy that has become central to its differentiation in a crowded activewear market. “As we scale, our focus is ensuring every store feels deeply connected to its local community, not just like another retail location,” Shaughnessy said. This philosophy extends into both operations and staff training. Store teams are tasked not only with driving sales, but also with building relationships, hosting events and creating environments where customers choose to spend time. Initiatives range from run clubs and training sessions to workshops and athlete-led activations. The brand’s signature tights and shorts swap, which returned for the Armadale opening, exemplifies this approach. The activation consistently draws large crowds, reinforcing LSKD’s positioning as a brand built around participation and engagement rather than passive consumption. Crucially, stores also function as feedback loops. Insights gathered on the floor are fed back into product and leadership teams, ensuring the community has a direct role in shaping future ranges and experiences. A scalable global playbook The Armadale store is not a one-off experiment but a prototype for international expansion. LSKD plans to reach 40 stores across Australia by the end of 2026, before accelerating into overseas markets the following year. Maintaining consistency while adapting to local markets will be critical as the brand scales. LSKD’s approach hinges on a set of “non-negotiables” – including brand energy, values and overall experience – paired with localised execution. “We’re not trying to replicate stores globally,” Shaughnessy said. “We’re building a consistent experience that still feels deeply connected to each community.” Site selection also plays a strategic role. High Street Armadale, long on the brand’s radar, reflects LSKD’s preference for precincts that sit at the intersection of fitness, lifestyle and culture. “The focus is always patience and precision – waiting for the right space rather than forcing presence,” she said. At a time when many retailers are reassessing their physical footprints, LSKD’s continued investment in bricks-and-mortar may appear countercyclical. However, the brand sees experiential retail as a growth lever. “Our retail strategy has never been trend-driven – it’s been community-driven,” Shaughnessy said. “We continue to see strong demand for physical spaces that offer connection, not just transactions.” The post Inside LSKD’s new retail strategy for global expansion appeared first on Inside Retail Australia.

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Five of the six adult defendants charged in connection with the Cheltenham High School hazing investigation have turned themselves in to police, as prosecutors and lawmakers push for changes to Pennsylvania's mandatory reporting laws.A Montgomery County grand jury's six-month investigation found that a 15-year-old football player was allegedly assaulted twice by teammates inside the Cheltenham High School locker room. The grand jury recommended criminal charges against four former coaches, two players charged as adults, and four juveniles.While prosecutors are moving forward with the criminal cases, they say the bigger goal is preventing similar incidents in the future.Right now, hazing between students is not automatically considered a reportable offense under Pennsylvania law. The grand jury is recommending that suspected hazing be treated similarly to other forms of child abuse, which teachers, coaches, school administrators and medical professionals are required to report."The report calls for legislative action to make hazing a reportable offense by mandated reporters, such as teachers, coaches, school administrators and medical professionals," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said.State Sen. Art Haywood, who represents Cheltenham, said he plans to introduce legislation to address the reporting gap when lawmakers return to Harrisburg."We made some changes after the Jerry Sandusky scandal to address hazing, but we can go further," Haywood said. "We may even be able to go further than having just mandated reporting. But we've got to protect our children."Haywood said the alleged assaults in the Cheltenham case were horrific, but he said the actions of the adults involved also raised serious questions.Head coach Terence Tolbert, associate head coach D.J. McFadden, assistant coach Benjamin Johnson and volunteer coach Ralph Burnley are charged with endangering the welfare of children and conspiracy."It's outrageous to try to cover up this kind of treatment of a child," Haywood said.Prosecutors allege several coaches failed to report the suspected hazing. The grand jury's recommendations call for stronger accountability measures to ensure school personnel report suspected abuse or misconduct.Haywood said he expects bipartisan support for the proposed legislation and believes it could become law by the end of the year."This is a top priority. I don't see anything ahead of this in terms of protecting the children," said Haywood.Prosecutors said they are willing to work with lawmakers to advance the grand jury's recommendations.

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Veterinary medicine is experiencing a digital transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in diagnostic imaging, disease prediction, clinical decision support, wearable monitoring, and telemedicine. This systematic survey, following the PRISMA 2020 reporting framework, synthesizes research published between 2013 and 2025 to categorize the taxonomy of AI applications, from convolutional neural networks for radiography to large language models (LLMs) for clinical consultation, and to evaluate the current state of AI and deep learning (DL) in veterinary digital health. Using predefined eligibility criteria, 22 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 18 primary evidence studies and 4 supporting domain/prototype studies. These studies were classified according to major application domains, including diagnostic imaging, predictive analytics, wearable monitoring, livestock health management, clinical decision support, and emerging LLM-based veterinary systems. The included studies indicate significant advancements in automated radiography, cytology, cardiovascular disease detection, dermatology, oncology, and clinical decision support, highlighting the potential of AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy, early disease detection, and clinical efficiency. Nevertheless, widespread clinical adoption is limited by fragmented datasets, species diversity, insufficient external validation, the opaque nature of many AI algorithms, and the absence of prospective real-world clinical evaluation. While LLM-based veterinary applications exhibit considerable promise, their implementation is still in its early stages, highlighting the necessity for rigorous validation prior to routine clinical use. This survey offers a structured synthesis of current AI applications in veterinary digital health and identifies key methodological limitations, implementation barriers, and future research priorities. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of standardized datasets, robust model validation, explainable AI (XAI), and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the safe, reliable, and ethical integration of AI into veterinary medicine.

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The owners of a popular spa in South Jersey say scammers are using their business to catfish people. The Moorestown couple told CBS News Philadelphia this has been going on for months and they haven't been able to get any help.They first figured out what was going on when people started showing up to their location, thinking they had an appointment, which they already paid a deposit for, only to realize they never talked with anyone from the real spa. Aaron and Danielle Katzoff opened Spavia in Moorestown more than a decade ago after investing their life savings into it and they said they've taken great pride in watching it grow. They estimate they see more than 10,000 clients annually, but recently there has been a dark cloud over the business as they continue to try to put a stop to the spa catfish.Someone has created an online profile on Google called, "Lopez Thai massage and spa," but the pictures, map, and address associated with the profile are Spavia's; however, the phone number is different."It was our spa, our webpage, our location, our photos on the site," Aaron Katzoff told CBS News Philadelphia.Danielle Katzoff called the number listed on the Google profile. She said a man answered who asked for a deposit to book a massage appointment."He wanted the money first- credit card or Venmo," Danielle Katzoff said.Another employee at Spavia tried to call too. No one answered for her, but she did receive text messages from an unknown number saying, "Hello, you called for a massage??" A few texts later, the person asks for a deposit to be paid via Zelle, a payment service that allows people to quickly send money using a cell number.When asked about the address of the spa, the person gives the Spavia address in Moorestown."I'm worried about our reputation, absolutely and also, I don't get a good vibe about this," Danielle Katzoff said.Of course, the Katzoffs and their staff never sent money but they've had several people show up to their location in recent months thinking they booked an appointment after paying a deposit.CBS News Philadelphia tried calling the number listed for Lopez Thai massage and spa. No one answered but we received a text message from a Gmail account asking about a massage appointment. Once we said we were CBS News Philadelphia, they stopped responding. We were never able to reach the operators of "Lopez Thai massage and spa," despite repeated calls and texts.The Katzoffs said they've contacted the local police, submitted a complaint with the FBI, tried to contact the New Jersey Attorney General, and have repeatedly tried to alert Google about this online profile. They have yet to find a resolution.After CBS News Philadelphia contacted the New Jersey Attorney General's office, a spokesperson said a representative will contact the Katzoffs to gather more information. We never heard back from Google.

Manage mono-repos with `sip`, run scripts and get dependencies concurrently. Changelog excerpt: ## Enhancements - **Experimental, opt-in:**Add `--experimental-bucket`to `sip test`for Flutter packages, combining test files into ~CPU-core-count generated bucket files (dispatched as one `flutter test`invocation per shard) to cut per-file VM-isolate startup overhead, the same idea as the existing Dart-only test optimizer. Files that can't be safely combined (unsafe `TestWidgetsFlutterBinding`subtypes, or test-surface mutation without a reset) always run in their own isolated wrapper, never sh[...]

A longtime Atlantic City, New Jersey, lifeguard was arrested this week after he allegedly tried to meet up with a teenager for sexual conduct, officials said Thursday. Stephen M. Pagnoni, 38, of Egg Harbor Township, thought he was chatting online with a 15-year-old girl when he arranged to meet her at a park in Cherry Hill to have sex in exchange for money, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Cherry Hill Police Chief John Ostermueller said in a press release. Pagnoni was actually communicating with an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit. When Pagnoni arrived at the park, members of the Cherry Hill Police Department Tactical Response Team and the prosecutor's office took him into custody, officials said. Pagnoni is charged with attempted manufacturing of child sexual abuse material, attempting to lure a child, attempted sexual assault of a minor, attempted prostitution with a minor and related offenses.Pagnoni worked as a lifeguard for Atlantic City Beach Patrol for about 20 years, but he has been suspended from the role, officials said.Officials are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Sergeant John Cochran of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at 856-225-8826 or via CAMDEN.TIPS.