text:
Publishing giant EA has decided to merge two of its development teams, BioWare Montreal and Motive Studios.
Word comes by way of TechRaptor.net, which has comment from an EA spokesperson confirming that the merger is taking place.
BioWare Montreal was the team behind March's Mass Effect Andromeda, while Motive is a relatively new studio that was set up in 2015 by Ubisoft veteran Jade Raymond.
“The teams in EA Worldwide Studios are packed with talent, and more than ever, we’re driving collaboration between studios on key projects. With multiple major projects in development in Montreal, we are merging BioWare Montreal with Motive Studios,” an EA spokesperson said.
“This is an ongoing process, but there are many exciting roles and opportunities for everyone on the team.
“BioWare continues its work on new titles – including the highly-anticipated game, Anthem. What’s coming next for BioWare is very exciting, and we’re thrilled to have Casey Hudson returning to lead the studios in Edmonton and Austin.”
As also pointed out by TechRaptor, the merger was in fact alluded to last week in EA’s financial call.
“We’re building out a new studio in Montreal, as we’ve told everyone,” CFO Blake Jorgensen said.
“And we’ve hired over 100 people into that studio that are brand-new to EA. This is to build the new IP around Jade Raymond’s team that she’s been building. I was in that studio last month. And it’s a wonderful new addition to our team. And we brought our BioWare Montreal team into that same facility. So they now all sit in one new studio together.”


text:
Pebble watches are now bonafide activity trackers. Jawbone’s UP and UP24 activity tracker bands were just the start of the company’s fitness tracking ambitions, as the company announced at the beginning of this month a move towards integrating all types of devices with its software. Along with Apple’s Health Kit in iOS 8 and Google’s Android Wear (integration announced but not yet available), Pebble has now been added to the list of devices that connect with Jawbone’s UP service. This allows you to use your Pebble to track your steps and sleep in the background, meaning the UP watch face doesn’t have to be in use for it to be accumulating data. The Pebble can store up to a week’s worth of data This helps bring Pebble’s feature set in line with other step counters as well as other similar devices like the Moto 360. It isn’t perfect just yet. While Jawbone has released the Pebble watchface that links into its service, the UP by Jawbone phone app has not been updated to allow for log in without an UP tracker. Also, one of my Pebbles has been randomly vibrating ever since I added the new UP watchface, while my Steel has been quiet. First round bugs!
Another new Pebble app comes from Swim.com. The app of the same name takes advantage of the waterproof Pebble to track your laps. It’s pretty limited now, as it doesn’t provide workouts, but logging onto the website allows you to pick your local pool and connect with friends that may be on the service.
Finally, a price drop was included in Pebble’s most recent announcement. The original Pebble is now just $99, with the “more distinctive “Pebble Steel” costing $199.
These new features do give the Pebble watches some nice advantages over current Android Wear devices. The Pebble is not dead yet!

domain: news


text:
- The Securities and Exchange Commission has sent subpoenas to Tesla concerning the company's plans to explore going private and CEO Elon Musk's statements about the process, Fox Business first reported.
- The New York Times also reported that the agency has sent the company a subpoena.
- The Fox Business reporter Charles Gasparino said on Twitter that sources suggested the agency was moving into a formal investigation of Tesla.
- Gasparino also said SEC officials had concerns about how the agency's investigation could affect Tesla's ability to go private.
- Tesla and the SEC declined Business Insider's requests for comment.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has sent subpoenas to Tesla concerning the company's plans to explore going private and CEO Elon Musk's statements about the process, Fox Business first reported. The New York Times also reported that the agency has sent the company a subpoena.
The Fox Business reporter Charles Gasparino said on Twitter that sources suggested the agency was moving into a formal investigation of Tesla. Gasparino also said SEC officials had concerns about how the agency's investigation could affect Tesla's ability to go private.
The Wall Street Journal reported last Wednesday that the SEC had made an inquiry into Tesla about whether one of Musk's tweets regarding the possibility of taking the company private was truthful. And on Thursday, Bloomberg reported that the agency was "intensifying" its inquiry.
Tesla and the SEC declined Business Insider's requests for comment.
On August 7, Musk expressed his desire to take Tesla private in a now-controversial tweet.
"Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured," Musk said via Twitter.
Some were confused in the hours and days following the tweet, since Musk did not initially disclose who might provide the funding he mentioned.
Musk said in a statement on Monday that he used the phrase "funding secured" because he believed there was "no question" Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund would provide funding for a deal to convert Tesla into a private company. He made the announcement via Twitter, he said, because he wanted all Tesla investors to know about the possibility of Tesla going private at the same time.
But Musk didn't mention any legally binding agreements that were in place at the time he sent the "funding secured" tweet, and he also said he was in discussions with other investors, which suggested some sources of funding may not have been settled before the tweet was sent.
Musk said all relevant parties would be able to review a proposal before a decision was made about going private. He said a proposal would not be presented, however, until discussions with potential investors were finished.
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund first met with Musk early last year about taking Tesla private, Musk said, adding that they'd met multiple times. After the fund purchased about 5% of Tesla's shares, it requested another meeting with Musk, which Musk said took place July 31. Musk said that during this meeting the fund's managing director "strongly expressed his support" to contribute funding to take Tesla private.
Musk notified Tesla's board of directors of his desire to take Tesla private on August 2, he said. But The New York Times reported on Monday that Musk's "funding secured" tweet surprised the board, which it said had not approved the tweet. According to The Times, Musk told an informal adviser he sent the tweet because he had difficulty keeping information to himself and was frustrated with the company's critics.
The Times later reported that some board members had hired lawyers to protect themselves from the potential legal fallout of Musk's statements and urged Musk to stop using Twitter. Three lawsuits have been filed against Tesla and Musk alleging securities fraud.
On Tuesday, Tesla said its board of directors had formed a special committee to consider any forthcoming go-private proposals.
Tesla has been public since 2010, but Musk has previously said he would like to take Tesla private.
"I wish we could be private with Tesla," Musk said in an interview with Rolling Stone published in November. "It actually makes us less efficient to be a public company."
Last week, Musk said taking the company private was "the best path forward." He said the pressures of being a public company created distractions and promoted short-term thinking that may not produce the best decisions in the long term.
Musk has also said on multiple occasions that Tesla would become profitable by the end of this year and would not need to raise additional funds, despite its increased cash-burn rate in recent quarters.
At the end of June, Tesla said it achieved its goal of making 5,000 Model 3 sedans in one week. Musk previously said that the company would hit that number by the end of 2017 and that sustaining such a production rate was critical for Tesla to become profitable.
Have a Tesla news tip? Contact this reporter at email@example.com.
Read more about Tesla possibly going private:
- Elon Musk may only face a minor fee if the SEC investigates his tweet storm about taking Tesla private — here's why
- Members of Tesla's board of directors are said to be lawyering up as crisis around Elon Musk deepens
- There's an X-factor in Tesla's go-private deal that no one is considering while they try to figure out what Elon Musk is thinking
- 'It was, at best, hasty and naive, and, at worst, manipulative': Experts slam Elon Musk's confusing defense of why he tweeted 'funding secured'
- It is now abundantly clear that Elon Musk does not have 'funding secured'
- Some of Tesla's board members were reportedly 'totally blindsided' by Elon Musk's tweet about going private


text:
The full-size Dodge Ram, introduced three
years ago, brought big-rig styling and a host of innovative features and
design details to the...
Available today in Dodge dealerships across the country are new 2013 Dodge Dart "Special Edition" packages, as well as a new Rallye Appearance Group.
Read This Article
While it isn't due out until later this year, you have a chance to get the 2013 SRT Viper before everyone else.
Currently, there's a rift in how people use and relate to technology inside of a car, and outside of one.
If Fiat wants a 3.3 percent stake in Chrysler currently held by the UAW's healthcare trust, it's going to have to pony up some serious cash, again.


text:
How to Choose a Reliable Shipping Agent for Truck Shipping
Truck Shipping Agent Expands Services to Meet Growing Demand
[Company Name], a leading transportation logistics company, has announced the expansion of its truck shipping services due to increasing demand in the market. With its commitment to providing efficient and reliable transportation solutions, the company aims to cater to the growing needs of businesses and individuals for safe and secure truck shipping services across the nation.
As businesses continue to rely on the transportation industry to deliver goods and services, the demand for truck shipping services has seen a significant surge. Recognizing this trend, [Company Name] has expanded its fleet and enhanced its network capabilities to ensure timely and cost-effective deliveries to its customers. By strengthening its position as a trusted truck shipping agent, the company aims to revolutionize the transportation sector and set new standards of excellence.
[Company Name] boasts a comprehensive range of truck shipping services, tailored to meet the varying needs and requirements of its customers. The company offers Full Truckload (FTL) services, allowing businesses to transport large quantities of goods efficiently. Additionally, Less Than Truckload (LTL) services are available for smaller shipments, providing a cost-effective option for businesses seeking to optimize their transportation expenses. With a team of highly skilled and experienced drivers, [Company Name] ensures the safe and secure delivery of goods, giving customers peace of mind.
In addition to its wide range of services, [Company Name] provides advanced technology solutions to improve efficiency and customer experience. Through its user-friendly online platform, customers can easily book, track, and manage their shipments in real-time. The platform also allows for seamless communication between customers and the company's dedicated support team, ensuring any queries or concerns are promptly addressed. By leveraging technology, [Company Name] aims to streamline the shipping process, providing a hassle-free and transparent experience for its customers.
The expansion of [Company Name]'s truck shipping services comes at a crucial time when the industry is witnessing a shortage of truck drivers. To address this challenge, the company has implemented a comprehensive driver recruitment and training program. By attracting and nurturing top talent, [Company Name] aims to mitigate the impact of the driver shortage, ensuring a consistent and reliable service for its customers.
As [Company Name] continues to expand its truck shipping services, it remains committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. With a focus on reducing its carbon footprint, the company has implemented fuel-efficient practices and alternative energy solutions. By embracing environmentally friendly measures, [Company Name] sets itself apart as an industry leader in sustainable transportation.
The expansion of [Company Name]'s truck shipping services has garnered positive feedback from its existing customers. [Customer Name], a long-term partner of the company, expressed satisfaction with the enhanced capabilities and efficient service provided by [Company Name], stating, "[Quote from satisfied customer]."
With the growing demand for truck shipping services, [Company Name]'s expansion comes at a time when businesses and individuals are seeking reliable transportation solutions. By offering comprehensive services, leveraging advanced technology, and prioritizing sustainability, [Company Name] is poised to remain at the forefront of the truck shipping industry, ensuring customer satisfaction and driving economic growth.
[Company Name]'s decision to expand its truck shipping services reflects its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the market. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on customer satisfaction, the company is well-positioned to continue its success story in the transportation and logistics industry.
Company News & Blog
Boost Your Business Reach with Business Directory, the Ultimate Online Promotion Solution. Post Your Business, Jobs, Products and PRs for Free. Discover Top Forwarding Firms and Enhance Your Visibility Today!
EU Citizens Satisfied with Safety of Maritime Transport, but Price and Pollution Emerge as Key Challenges
Find Affordable Shipping Rates and Fast Delivery from Any Area of China with Reliable Freight Forwarders


text:
The next world exhibition will take place in Japan from 13 April to 13 October 2025 under the theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives'.
Belgium will participate and present a pavilion. The expo will welcome some 150 countries and more than 28 million visitors.
Expo 2025 Osaka: design and build the Belgian pavilion for the world expo!
Take your shot!
BelExpo is launching the public tender for the design, construction, maintenance and dismantling of the Belgian pavilion for the world expo that will take place in Osaka from 13 April to 13 October 2025.
The first steps towards the construction of our Belgian pavilion have been taken. We already can't wait to jump in! Can't wait for Expo 2025 Osaka either? Good news! In the meantime, you can already get a little taste of Expo 2025 Osaka in this video. What do you think?


text:
Memphis: FedEx reports record profits in its fiscal fourth quarter and full year as consumers stuck at home during Covid-19 lockdowns shifted their purchases of even mundane household goods online.
Better yet, this trend shows no signs of stopping, marking a structural shift toward e-commerce that FedEx expects will fuel it to sustainable profits and growth of between 13-18 percent this year.
FedEx is confident about the package and air freight sectors to grow. Thus it is adding 20 aircraft to its fleet. The company exercised options for the Boeing 767F, with 10 aircraft expected in fiscal 2024 and an additional 10 joining the fleet the following year, a spokesperson said.
The company has 102 767Fs in its fleet now and had planned to take 30 more by fiscal 2025. By exercising its options, FedEx now expects 50 767F deliveries by the end of that year. FedEx has 406 aircraft in its mainline fleet, and by the end of fiscal 2025 after factoring in retirements, expects to have 525. The 767F will be the dominant aircraft type in the carrier's fleet by then.
FedEx is also stepping up its air operations with TNT Express, which it acquired in 2016. The integration will allow the combined carrier to move packages and freight between Europe and both Asia and the US more seamlessly, and allow for overnight deliveries between the regions, Raj Subramaniam, President, and CEO said during the company's fiscal 2021 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call.
In fact, FedEx projects global GDP to grow by almost 6 percent this year and by 4.5 percent next year. The company expects US economic output to grow by almost 7 percent this year and just over 4 percent next year. The company forecasts industrial production in the US will grow by 6 percent this year and 4.5 next year.
FedEx reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2021 profits of USD 1.4 billion, up 105 percent from the same period last year, on revenues that were 30 percent higher than fiscal 2020. Revenues for the full year were up 20 percent to USD 84 billion.
The company's fourth-quarter operating margin was 8 percent for the fourth quarter, up from 2.7 percent the year prior, and 7 percent for the full year, double that of 2020.
Please Subscribe and get updates in your inbox. Thank you.


text:
- Source: Magicvalley
The outcome of a lawsuit between a defunct Buhl dairy and Farmers National Bank has some area farmers worried.
Specifically, local dairymen fear an attempt by a group of feed sellers to recoup loans from a bankrupt dairy will make it more difficult to borrow money.
“It has the potential to lower the value of what you can borrow based on cattle,” said Bob Naerebout, executive director of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association.
When a dealer sells an agricultural product, like feed, a lien is created on the sold product. The question is whether Idaho law (Idaho Code 45-1802) states a lien by a feed seller attaches only to the actual feed sold, or if it also attaches to the livestock that eat the feed.
Read more at: magicvalley.com


text:
A woman is suing over claims that she became ill from contaminated food she consumed at an Oak Park Thai restaurant.
Natalie Zaldivar filed a lawsuit Aug. 14 in Cook County Circuit Cook against Mama Thai Inc., doing business as Mama Thai Restaurant, citing negligence for a meal she purchased in 2013.
According to the claim, Zaldivar became very ill – and continues to suffer from symptoms today – from a meal she purchased and consumed from the restaurant at 1112 Madison St. in Oak Park, on Aug. 18, 2013.
Zaldivar is seeking damages of more than $50,000 plus costs, and any interest in addition to any further relief the court deems just, for the defendant's negligence to not further inspect its food and products before serving it to customers, which has caused Zaldivar to suffer severe illness and extensive personal injuries and damages, the claim states.
She is being represented by Antonio M. Romanucci and Angela Kurtz of Romanucci and Blandin in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L008327.


text:
Is There A Future For “Disposable Media” And Brands?
Sure, you’ve probably heard your little sister talk about “snaps” from her BFF, but when it comes to using disposable media platforms, like Snapchat or Facebook’s now non-existent “Poke” mobile app, it has us wondering if this trend will be profitable or have any longevity within community building.
For those who haven’t downloaded any of these social networking tools, it’s important to note that they purposefully don’t let users archive or retrieve content once it has been viewed. The content is “disposable” because it has an expiration date (or time, for that matter). While very popular among teens, Snapchat and similar tools are starting to get on the radar of more mature audiences within the past year. At first glance, most social savvy folks assumed Snapchat was only for “sexting”; however, as TechCrunch noted that’s no longer true:
“When you’re sending over 50 million snaps a day, a few of them are bound to be of naughty bits. But 80 percent of those snaps are sent during the day, with a spike during school hours. Whatever the sexting stats may be, they’re more likely using Snapchat to cheat on tests than to sext. Snapchat wasn’t built for sexting, which seems clear from the fact that pictures self-destruct in less time than it takes to fully enjoy a nude pic.”
So, why should social media marketers pay attention to disposable media for their clients? According to AdAge, NYC’s popular frozen yogurt shop 16 Handles was the first brand to test Snapchat as a social platform for their community. The concept was simple couponing:
“The “Snappy New Year” campaign urges the company’s Facebook fans to send a Snapchat photo, or “snap,” of their frozen-yogurt purchase to the company’s Snapchat account. Participants then receive a coupon via Snapchat that can be redeemed at the register … 16 Handles did not have a Snapchat account before the campaign started on Jan. 1. Now, the company has sent and received more than 1,400 snaps with users.”
Since 16 Handles’ success with Snapchat, a range of brands have joined the platform to connect with their young and hip communities, such as Taco Bell, to let hungry fans know the Beefy Crunch Burrito would be returning and fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff, to give her fashionista followers a sneak peak of her Spring 2014 collection before it even hit the NYFW runway shows, as reported by Mashable. Snapchat also launched new features in May, as reported by Yahoo! Tech, including video and chat.
The Netflix hit, Orange Is The New Black, is currently giving a successful try at their own version of disposable media, by posting sneak-peeks to their Instagram account of the upcoming season, cross-promoting on Facebook and Twitter, then only keeping the video content live for 15 minutes before pulling it back “on lockdown.” This has urged fans of the show to quickly spread the news to friends and fellow fans to watch the content before it expires online. This is a great use of traditional social media platforms being teased in the new world of disposable media!
Everyone knows that posting a drunkenly embarrassing photo on Facebook or writing a nasty Tweet can and will come back to haunt you. These platforms are no longer just for sharing sorority initiation albums or keeping in touch with old friends, but are now communities that both your parents and potential employers can view. Privacy and personal branding are of utmost importance on these platforms, rather than rushing to share in-the-moment thoughts or photos.
So, have you experimented with Snapchat or will you be pitching disposable media platforms to clients this year? And if so, do you think it will stand the test of time for brands or just disappear as quickly as a “snap?”
- June 20, 2014


text:
Integration with intelligent chargeback technology will fight and prevent chargebacks to recover more revenue
ResponseCRM, an industry-leading headless commerce solution provider that makes it easy and affordable for new and expanding businesses to sell online and increase their profitability, announced that ResponseCRM platform users can leverage Midigator’s technology to prevent, fight, and analyze chargebacks. “Midigator is connected with the world’s top payment industry leaders and provides a comprehensive, multi-layer approach to resolving disputes and preventing chargebacks,” says Behzad Sharifi, co-principal, ResponseCRM. “This gives our users another option for averting threshold breaches and keeping their merchant accounts in good standing.”
As more businesses look to maximize the profitability of ecommerce stores, they are turning to ResponseCRM for its comprehensive features, powerful integrations, and affordability. “Businesses are adjusting to a ramp-up in inflation and seeking ways to save while meeting customers’ expectations,” says Sharifi. “Our free software and money-saving, transaction-based pricing delivers much-needed value, and with the Midigator integration, they can also take advantage of the many payment dispute features available to fight chargebacks and recover lost revenue.”
Marketing Technology News: nShift Reveals 58% Of Customers Will Abandon a Business Due to a Poor Customer Experience
Midigator establishes a two-way data connection with ResponseCRM and allows data and actions to flow seamlessly between the systems so that information is always in sync and accurate. Order data passes to Midigator, which connects to ResponseCRM and updates CRM data, such as marking orders as chargebacks, canceling recurring orders, refunding orders, leaving notes, and more.
Midigator provides intelligently optimized dispute responses and economic filters. Other features include its flexible automation, in-depth analytics to identify and solve issues at their source, real-time-account reporting, chargeback prevention alerts, custom notifications, and DisputeFlow®, which can fight chargebacks with just a few clicks.
Marketing Technology News: MarTech Interview with Fabrice Martin, Chief Product Officer at Qualtrics


text:
Shaw’s BlueSky TV Faces Patent Lawsuit that Seeks to Stop Rollout
Shaw has been served with a patent infringement lawsuit by OpenTV and Nagravision units of the Kudelski Group, who hope to stop the company from launching its pay TV service that relies on Comcast’s X1 platform, reports MultiChannel.
Shaw launched its next-generation pay TV service branded as BlueSky TV earlier in January in Calgary. It expanded to Vancouver last month. BlueSky TV costs $99.90 per month for the first 12 months as part of the ValuePlan, and what makes this service appealing is the cloud-based interface and voice commands for discovering content, according to an earlier press release issued by Shaw. Shaw promised to roll out the pay TV service in other parts of Canada in the coming months.
But a lawsuit filed in the Federal Court of Canada claims that Shaw’s BlueSky TV service is violating six Canadian patents owned by Nagravision and OpenTV, such as patents covering and related to pay TV purchasing, distribution, viewership monitoring, and interactive television systems.
The patents BlueSky TV allegedly violates are:
• CA 2,378,692: Impulse purchase system for pay-television
• CA 2,270,723: Configurable monitoring of program viewership and usage of interactive applications
• CA 2,333,716: Module manager for interactive television system
• CA 2,432,609: Data distribution system
• CA 2,270,727: Reminder system for broadcast and non-broadcast events based on broadcast interactive applications
• CA 2,391,859: Method and device for filtering information
Rogers has also announced that it will license Comcast’s X1 platform for a new pay TV service, but that isn’t expected to launch until early 2018. It remains to be seen whether Rogers will be served with the same lawsuit as Shaw.


text:
On this change of year, on the last day of the twelfth month of the twelfth year of the third millenium of the Christian Era, the lyrics of another Jew with a bent to preaching (and a convert to Christianity), Robert Zimmerman, (better known as Bob Dylan), come to mind (LINK):
The line it is [...]
Prices are falling. The Fed will interpret this as “deflation” whereas it is more related to lack of demand. They will interpret falling prices as “deflation” and view this as dangerous to the economy. Here is a summary of the PPI and Ex-Im prices indices. Tomorrow (Thursday) the CPI will come [...]
The official “inflation” numbers came in last week and they show declining prices, something that the Fed calls “deflation”. The Fed and most policy makers will panic if deflation continues and prices steadily drop. It’s a tricky thing to evaluate because much of the decline in prices has to do with [...]
Bloomberg had a piece today, “Japan Consumer Prices Fall for Fourth Month, Adding to Case for BOJ Easing“, noting that consumer prices are falling in Japan which (somehow) adds to the “case” for printing money by the Bank of Japan.
Why? Let’s set aside the principle that there is never a case for printing money, as [...]
In line with my theme that for over half a year has emphasized the price-deflationary aspects of biflation, The New Yorker has provided a nice, brief update of the return of yet another post-Great Crash phenomenon in Delayed Gratification:
…As early as the fall of 2008, with the recession in full swing, Kmart started a [...]
The European economic and financial situation is beginning to resemble the “Asian contagion” of the late 1990′s: a deflationary disaster for the countries involved, which in turn helps allow the (relatively) good times to continue in the “core” and to some degree even the U.S. News from Spain today is ugly:
Markit’s Purchasing Manager’s Survey [...]
The September Personal Income and Outlays report from the BEA came out last Friday, and according to Mish, I should be howling. More on this in a moment. But, personal income declined slightly MoM, spending was up slightly, and PCE is low. To Mish this signals deflation.
Here’s the data summary:
Inflationistas are probably confounded by Friday’s Consumer Price Index report that showed a decline of 0.2% in June. The report pins the decline, the first since June 2010, on falling energy costs. As a large component of CPI it:
declined 4.4 percent in June, the largest decline since December 2008. The gasoline index, which fell [...]
The well-known blogger Mike Shedlock aka Mish predicted that the U.S. will go in and out of deflation in a post yesterday. He writes that “the U.S. will go in and out of deflation for a number of years”.
Is this correct? If so, what are the investment implications?
We can think of deflation two [...]


text:
The Automotive and Financial Information Source for People with Special Credit Needs.
We can help you get easy auto financing or a cheap car loan in minutes!
While it isn’t as far reaching as the changes announced last year by Volkswagen and Chrysler, the recent changes made by Mazda to their certified used car program mean that car buyers with questionable credit can now shop with greater confidence once they’ve received a car loan approval at a Mazda dealer. Continue reading
Haven't signed up?Create New Account


text:
Big Time Gaming and Scientific Games launch at Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget, the New Jersey based casino, will be offering their players the ability to play titles from Big Time Gaming. This will make use of the OGS that was created by Scientific Games. It will also give players access at Golden Nugget to the Megaways games from Big Time Gaming.
Scientific Games and Big Time Gaming have been working together for a while now in other territories. This move to offering their wares in the USA is a first step that they have taken together. There will be a range of games from both companies on offer at Golden Nugget.
A statement from both companies at the announcement of the new deal made it clear that the whole portfolio from both companies will be available to Golden Nugget. This will also include any new releases that come after the initial launch.
Cornering the market
Big Time Gaming released a statement that made it clear that they were very happy to have agreed a deal with their two partners. They felt it was the best partnership for all concerned as Scientific Games make it easy to integrate their titles into the Golden Nugget website.
Being seen by more players
Scientific Games expressed a similar sentiment. They felt that their platform was more appealing to Golden Nugget if they were able to offer the top level roster of games that Big Time Gaming have available to players. Because they feel that Golden Nugget already have a wide customer base in place, all parties will be able to feel some benefit by the others being involved.
First to the New Jersey market
Golden Nugget have also made a statement expressing their delight at the partnership. Because they are one of the biggest brands in the US market, they know that adding these two top providers to their roster of casino games will allow them to continue to grow at a fast rate. All three firms will be benefiting from the partnership, and as such this truly is a mutually-beneficial deal.
Increasing market share
Partnering with Golden Nugget gives Scientific Games yet another vital foothold in the New Jersey region. It comes after they had signed a deal with Kindred Group. This deal sees both their OGS and OPS software being used by the New Jersey version of Unibet.
The first mentions of Scientific Games and Big Time Gaming working together were heard in May. It saw that the Megaways innovation from Big Time Gaming was likely to be used in a number of upcoming titles from Scientific Games. After this announcement, it was only likely to be a matter of time before the two companies started working together in other areas as well.


text:
Google made headlines when it introduced its parent company, Alphabet, on August 2015 under the domain abc.xyz. Alphabet went for this unconventional choice of a domain since alphabet.com is already owned by a fleet management division of BMW and abc.com belongs to ABC Networks. And now in its first official week at Wall Street, Alphabet has yet again grabbed headlines with their purchase of the entire alphabet! Well not literally, but this is probably as close as one can get.
As recorded on 7 October, 2015, Alphabet has bought abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz.com. The domain name was originally created back in 1990 and was under a private ownership until its recent acquisition by Alphabet. The domain is reported to have an estimated worth of USD 2,719.
As of yet, the URL leads to an inactive site. Most speculate that the buy may have been a defensive tactic in order to ensure that no other company could scoop up the site. When asked about the new domain, an Alphabet spokesperson replied, “We realized we missed a few letters in abc.xyz, so we’re just being thorough.”
Talking about being thorough, it is quite common for companies to buy related domains for multiple reasons. In case people misspell Google, Alphabet also owns googl.com, gogle.com, gooogle.com, googlee.com and 7 other possible variations of probable Google typos which automatically forward them to Google. Domains are also bought in order to prevent competitors from using them, for example Google also owns Googlesucks.com.


text:
Ross and Kohl's join Hurricane Harvey relief efforts
Ross Stores has donated $400,000 and Kohl's has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey.
Ross Stores has the highest concentration of its stores in Texas in the path of Hurricane Harvey. It reported a 2% drop in sales after previous large storms including Gustav, Ike and Hanna. Reports are not yet in on how seriously sales were affected by Harvey. In addition to its donation, Ross is raising funds in store from August 31st through September 16th by offering customers the opportunity to make a secure donation at the register. This option is available at all 1,300 Ross Dress for Less stores and 200 DD's Discounts locations across the country. Barbara Rentler, Ross Stores Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Ross Stores is committed to helping those in need, especially in the local communities where we operate our stores. We offer our heartfelt sympathies and thoughts to everyone who has been impacted by this devastating storm." Kohl's has had to close 25 locations across Texas and two in Louisiana in response to the storm. The company is currently assessing damage and determining when the stores can reopen. Kohl's has also stepped up their support. In addition to their $500,000 cash donation to the American Red Cross, the company is offering $1 million dollars in support to associates severely affected by Hurricane Harvey. The company will actively monitor recovery and is open to the possibility of offering additional financial support to victims. Michelle Gass, Kohl’s Chief Merchandising and Customer Officer said, "We are grateful to be in the position to provide financial support to aid in emergency relief services... Our hearts are with the people of Texas and across the Gulf Coast.” Kohl's is also encouraging its employees to volunteer in relief efforts to help those affected by the storm. Since 2001, Kohl's has donated $7 million dollars to the American Red Cross to help in natural disaster relief efforts. Estimates for damage caused by Hurricane Harvey continue to increase. The storm has left over 50 inches of water on the ground. Projections exceed $40 billion in damages from the storm and its after effects. Many organizations working on the ground in Houston, including the American Red Cross, have come forward saying that the best way to help at this time is to donate funds.


text:
Honda announced today that it will stop selling ATVs in Australia if a draft standard proposed by the ACCC becomes law.
The standard is proposed to improve farmer ATV safety but instead Honda believes it is flawed, unworkable and may put farmers‰Ûª lives at greater risk. Rather than relying upon demonstrated scientific evidence, the ACCC is proposing a standard, which, in effect, is experimenting with farmers‰Ûª lives, a release from Honda has stated.
Honda has called on the ACCC to make safety recommendations, which are evidence-based, in both criteria and testing methods, to internationally accepted standards.
The draft standard was quietly released on Saturday 6 April 2019, in the final days of the current government. It proposes four elements including meeting overseas standards, additional consumer information, fitting an operator protection device (OPD) and stability benchmarks.
Two of the four elements lack strong scientific support, and the total approach recommended by the ACCC goes against the current best practice found in North American markets, as well as New Zealand. The requirement to fit OPDs is also not supported by recommendations from Coronial Inquests held in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.
Speaking after the release of the draft standard, Honda Australia Motorcycle & Power Equipment‰Ûªs Managing Director, Mr Robert Toscano, said; ‰ÛÏNo reputable company can meet the proposal because it lacks engineering and design rigour. Any company that tries to meet the standard will be open to the accusation that it is playing with farmers‰Ûª lives.‰Û


text:
Exhibitors heading for two ITTFA member shows in Asia this spring have been warned that Europe is not yet ready to receive the huge increase in visitors on offer from these markets.
SATTE will be held in New Delhi, India from April 19-22 and COTTM in Beijing, China from May 14-16 - and these are tipped to be the two fastest growing markets for outbound tourism over the next decade.
At World Travel Market in London in November, the WTM Global Trends Report 2006 found that Europe - the main focus for these two emerging markets - was not doing enough to prepare despite already receiving over 14 million Asian visitors.
Euromonitor International, which produced the report for WTM, predicts that the focus will soon switch away from organised groups to a more independent style of travel.
Research manager Caroline Bremner said: “How well Europe will fare in harnessing the boom in Asian tourism depends on how effectively and how quickly European countries meet the specific needs of Asian tourists. It is critical that national tourist offices and governments review their current product offer, filling in the gaps in terms of specific transportation, accommodation and payment needs. European countries also need to assess their service provision, with the aim of offering all tourism services in a range of Asian languages, from tourist guides to menus, as standard.”
Particular weaknesses highlighted in the report include the lack of cash machines outside main cities and tourist areas in some countries, and the failure to translate many tourist websites into Asian languages.
The huge potential of outbound Asian markets was underlined by another speaker at WTM - Marvin Cetron, president of Forecasting International. He predicted that the Asian tourist tide will soon reverse the slow growth in tourism over the last few years.
“Just a few years ago, the international tourism industry in effect served less than 20% of the world’s population, the roughly one billion people who live in the United States and Europe and about 120 million Japanese,” he said.
“We believe that another boom is at hand. In 2003, one study found that 19% of Chinese—247 million people—now qualify as middle class, and their numbers are growing by 1% per year. In India, there are more than 300 million middle class, and their numbers are growing even faster.”
The WTM Global Trends report covers all areas of the world, and other highlights include the following:
? UK - more tourists are travelling singly rather than as couples and families, but are often penalised by higher accommodation charges. Some are looking to meet a potential partner on holiday, while others are looking for adventure.
? America - packages aimed at men-only or women-only groups are becoming popular, plus “babymoons” for couples expecting children, and “grand travel” packages for grandparents.
? Asia - this is becoming the fastest growing destination for gambling, with Macau likely to overtake Las Vegas as the world«s leading gaming destination. Singapore has abolished the ban on gambling and the same may happen in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand.
? Middle East - the huge growth of airlines including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways is boosting travel to the region, while travel within the Middle East is benefiting from the growth of low-cost airlines.
? Africa has increasing appeal for “extreme and reality tourism”, including visits to former war zones.


text:
KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has allowed 100 percent advance payment for import of various goods against letter credit.
The SBP in a statement on Tuesday said that with a view to facilitate importers, SBP has allowed banks to make advance payment up to USD 10,000/-, or equivalent thereof, per invoice on behalf of commercial importers for import of raw material, spare parts and machinery.
Besides, SBP has also allowed banks to make payments on behalf of commercial importers for imports of raw materials and spare parts on Open Account.
In addition, SBP has also enhanced the existing limit of 50 percent advance payment, allowed to manufacturing concerns, for import of plant, machinery, spare parts and raw materials etc. against letter of credit, to 100 percent.
In December 2019, SBP allowed advance payment of up to 50 percent of the value of imports against letter of credit to manufacturing concerns for import of plant, machinery, spare parts and raw material etc.
After the implementation of a market based exchange rate system, the balance of payments has witnessed significant improvement. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, the current account deficit has contracted by 75 percent to US$ 2.15 billion.
This improvement is helping to further relax some of the restrictions on imports by SBP.
The latest measures, taken today, are in continuation of facilitating export-oriented industries and manufacturing concerns in the backdrop of ease of doing business and promoting exports’ growth.
These measures will further contribute in improving economic outlook of the country.


text:
Bangkok Police busted three alleged sex toy sellers and seized from them one million baht worth of sex toys last Friday, May 12th.
The three suspects, identified only as Mr. Tanayong, 29, Ms. Kanree, 27, and Ms. Ilda ,32, were arrested at their residence at the Foresta Village in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district on Friday. Their surnames were withheld by police pending legal process.
According to police reports, police seized 1,066 pieces of various types of sex toys worth over 1 million baht at the suspects’ residence. The arrested allegedly operated an online sex-toy shop and sold the obscene items through various agents via unreported online platforms. In return, the agents would receive a 50% commission for their sales.
The Pattaya News notes that sex toys are still illegal in Thailand, although some political parties have discussed legalizing them like here.
Police said most of the sex toys were smuggled from China. Ms. Kanree was reportedly responsible for ordering the products, while Ms. Ilda was in charge of managing their Facebook page, police said.
All three of them will be prosecuted for violating criminal law related to “trading in illicit substances or goods, and aiding in concealing and distributing illicit substances.” They will also face charges under the Customs Act and the Consumer Protection Act, according to Bangkok Police.


text:
Fan Accuses Peter Thomas Of Cheating On Cynthia Bailey
An RHOA star who was accused of dirty doggin’ on his beautiful wife is once again being plagued by cheating rumors.
and after allegedly flying into Charlotte where his Sports One bar is located, a fan says they spotted him jewelry shopping with another woman.
“Why Peter from the House Wife [sic] of Atlanta in Kay Jewelry with another woman,” wrote the fan. “The b*** don’t know what she want.”
Meanwhile Cynthia Bailey spent the holiday with her baby’s father Leon.
Woooooow, first Cynthia says she’s no longer attracted to him with his clothes off and now this???
These two’s marital problems don’t seem like just a storyline for the show.
Peter Thomas has since responded to the latest cheating rumor.
Hit the flip to see what he has to say for himself…


text:
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
During Q3 2021, Acrylate Ester (Ethyl and Butyl) prices witnessed substantial rise across the North American region, backed by the limited supply of feedstock Acrylic Acid and n-Butanol. The price hike was also pushed by the halted production as a repercussion of Ida hurricane in the US Gulf Coast in August which ultimately caused an adverse supply crisis. As US imports most of the Acrylate Ester from China, congestion on several ports of China following the zero-tolerance policy further sent ripples to the prices of Acrylate Ester in the region. Therefore, an extra burden was exerted on the Acrylate Ester market because of its undersupply and robust demand from the downstream paints, coatings, and adhesive sectors in the region.
In Q3 2021, the Asian market witnessed an exorbitant rise in the prices of Acrylate Esters because of the limited availability of upstream Acrylic Acid. In addition, volatility in the price of crude oil directly influenced the pricing trend of Acrylate Esters. In China, prices soared significantly due to high demand from downstream industries and surge in prices of feedstock n-Butanol and Acrylic Acid. Moreover, due to the acute power shortage in September, most of the Chinese manufacturers were compelled to curtail their operating rates at several production plants due to the new energy policies imposed by Chinese authorities. In India, a proliferative trajectory in prices was observed in August owing to the escalation in feedstock prices along with the sturdy demand from the paints and coatings sectors. Acrylate Ester Ex Hazira monthly average prices raised from USD 2865.65/MT to USD 3270.53 per MT over the period from July to September in India.
The European Acrylate Ester industry also encountered a constant shortage of raw materials like other regions that consequently led to an exponential rise in the prices of Acrylate Ester in this quarter. Factors such as lower imports from the USA and Asia backed by the supply chain disruption because of the Ida hurricane and port congestion in China respectively also contributed to upsurge the prices of Acrylate Ester. In addition, skyrocketing freight charges and container shortage also aided to push up the prices for Ethyl Acrylate and Butyl Acrylate across the region.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
During Q2 2021, price of Acrylate Ester (Ethyl and Butyl) rose effectively across the North American region, backed by high demand from the downstream sectors. The price hike was driven by restricted supply of Acrylic Acid due to low availability of upstream Propylene. Prolonged disturbance in production activities since mid of February due devastating winter storm in the US Gulf Coast decreased the inventory levels of major upstream chemical producers, that led to a steep rise in Acrylate Ester prices. Strong demand from the downstream coatings, paints and adhesive manufacturers with the sharp economic rebound propped up the regional consumption.
The price of Acrylate Ester fluctuated in a narrow range, due to frequent changes in the demand patterns while the Asian industry faced global surge in the upstream Propylene prices. In China, prices rose effectively due to high demand from the downstream industries, amid rising consumption trends due to strong economic rebound. While in India, prices rose initially in April, and then later declined in May due to slowdown caused by the surge in COVID cases in the country. The second wave of the pandemic compelled the Indian government to impose restrictions in operations, that pulled down the demand from the paints and coatings sector. Thus, the price of Ethyl Acrylate and Butyl acrylate declined effectively and reached USD 1790/MT and USD 1380/MT respectively by the end of May in India.
The European Acrylate Ester industry faced similar market scenario like USA during this quarter, where the demand remained elevated in the midst of material scarcity. Due to lower imports from the USA and Asia, shortage of feedstock Acrylic Acid persisted throughout the quarter, while the demand remained consistently strong, which led its prices to rise effectively. In addition, high freight cost across Europe-USA and Europe-Asia trade route also intensified the overall price inflation for Ethyl Acrylate and Butyl Acrylate across the region.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
Demand for Acrylate Esters across North America region remained strong during Q1 2021. Regional demand from the Acrylic coatings segment showed strong potential, although the supply remained critically ill after several major plant turnarounds. Under the extreme cold temperature, few of the major manufacturers declared force majeure on their site, as the conditions were not favourable to run their plant operations. Dow announced force majeure on its Texas based plant which produces Butyl Acrylate. This cold snap led the prices of Acrylate Esters to rise effectively from USD 2210 per MT to USD 2580 per MT during January-March timeframe.
Like the global market, where the Acrylate Esters prices were escalating due to fuming raw material prices, Asian market encountered similar scenario and witnessed reasonable price gain on Acrylate Esters. Both Acrylic Acid and Acrylate Esters prices rebounded sharply in Asian market, due to spike in raw material prices during Q1 2021. Prices of Butyl Acrylate in the Indian market rose by 3.31% and reached USD 1323 per MT during March, while prices of Ethyl Acrylate in Chinese market reached USD 2250 per MT in March after rising by 15% since January.
The European market witnessed domestic shortage of feedstock Acrylic Acid during this quarter. Like USA, winter season also affected the production activity in Europe. Several unplanned turnarounds took place due to chilling weather and disrupted transportation activity. Evonik and Radici were compelled to declare a force majeure on their Acrylic Acid plants, which reduced the availability of feedstock material across the regional.
The Asian Acrylate Ester market seemed to gain the lost momentum entering the third quarter due to seasonal restocking by the downstream paints and coatings sector which showed signs of rebound with improvement in the construction projects and home décor requirements. Showing resilience amidst surging coronavirus infections in economies like India, Japan and South Korea, the upswing in sentiments for Acrylate Esters (Ethyl and Butyl Acrylate) was buoyed by the much-needed festive push observed in several Asian economies. CIF India prices for Butyl Acrylate were rangebound between USD 950-1050 per MT while for Ethyl Acrylate, offers were raised to USD 1400-1500 per MT levels. Snug supply due to plant outages and shipment delays were observed as a key supplier in the Middle East opted to go for maintenance turnaround by the end of the quarter. Unclear about material sourcing, buyers sought cargoes from other Asian sources to cater to the peak demand season in India and China.
Europe’s Acrylates fundamentals continued to face the double-whammy of fresh lockdowns due to the second wave of COVID-19 and tightened supply on account of plant turnarounds across several Asian economies. Europe’s output growth for chemicals declined by 4.5% in Jan-Sep period compared to same period in 2019. Acrylate Ester margins remained compressed throughout Q3 with November contracts being agreed at a marked decrease, as buyers were unable to transfer the high cost due to supply constraints and firming feedstock value.
The American Acrylate Ester producers witnessed stable Q-o-Q growth amid disrupted economy and ample product supply demand. The regional buying interest seemed to improve by the mid of the quarter, especially from the construction coatings and packaging adhesives, with lengthened supply pressuring the regional rates. However, the sentiments for US Acrylates remained bolstered as the demand from the adhesives and architectural coatings showed an uptick. Pricing curve remained flattened, showing modest improvement in August due to firming Propylene. US Acrylates plant utilization levels rose to 70% from nearly 50% in the first quarter. While coronavirus restrictions eased early in the period, fears of a new wave of infections in the US kept some demand constraints and limited the Q3 growth. Major US Acrylates suppliers include Arkema, BASF, Dow Chemical and Sasol.


text:
October 30, 2015: Pixelligent, the leader in high-index materials, announced the development of a new OLED light extraction technology that dramatically increases light output in their customer’s OLED Lighting devices. Pixelligent founder and chief technology officer, Dr. Gregory Cooper, presented the new technology at the 17th Annual OLEDs World Summit.
These new nanocomposite materials, which combine scattering particles along with PixClear® zirconia, are delivering significant improvements in light extraction and efficiency for numerous OLED lighting applications. “This class of materials represents the next generation of Pixelligent’s technology development strategy. In fact, we have seen light output double in devices that our partners and customers have tested with our PixClear® OLED products,” said Dr. Cooper.
Dr. Cooper’s presentation included the numerous breakthroughs Pixelligent has achieved in OLED lighting applications, derived from its unique and proprietary light extraction nanocomposite materials. These new OLED materials will enable Pixelligent’s customers to deliver new OLED Lighting devices with unprecedented light extraction and cost efficiencies.
The OLEDs World Summit is an annual conference highlighting the materials driving innovation in OLED lighting and display. Dr. Cooper’s presentation will be made available on pixelligent.com after the conference.
Dr. Cooper will be speaking at the International Workshop on Flexible & Printable Electronics being held in Jeonju, Korea on November 6. His talk, entitled “Internal Light Extraction for OLED Lighting,” will also be made available on pixelligent.com.


text:
Value of data security
Professional Security Magazine Online
Frank Richmond, Vice President Sales Europe, Certes Networks, says CISOs and CIOs can prove the value of data security.
Research shows that almost half of businesses have reported cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months. Amongst these businesses that identified breaches or attacks, more have experienced these issues at least once a week so far this year.
Moreover, the unprecedented events of recent months have seen the number of attempted data breaches continue to rise, with cyber hackers using the increase in remote working and individuals’ fears over the coronavirus to their advantage. In fact, a survey showed that 50% of organisations were unable to guarantee that their data was adequately secured when being used by remote workers.
The issue is serious and many businesses are stepping up their cyber security strategies accordingly, with CIOs and their teams increasingly taking a seat at the executive board table. But one thing is still lacking...


text:
Worms Battleground will be hitting stores in the UK on May 30th whilst US players get their copy in June.
The Beta of F.E.A.R. Online is to launch next week as a free-to-play.
Dong Nguyen, creator the the popular mobile title Flappy Bird, has revealed his brand new project.
Alcon Entertainment have publicly approached Harrison Ford, asking him to return to the role of Deckard for the planned Blade Runner sequel
It’s November 2016 for Fantasic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Neil Druckmann has said Naughty Dog are working on “two other brand new experiences” as well as The Last of Us: Remastered.
The next instalment in the sci-fi shooter series has been unveiled by 343 Industries today.
The action-adventure series’ fourth instalment has sold over 11 million copies.
The fourth instalment in the action-shooter series will be set in the Himalayas, Ubisoft have announced.
The developers behind the acclaimed DayZ PC title have celebrated its 15th year in business.
Ubisoft have announced that Tom Clancy’s The Division has been pushed back from 2014 to 2015.
Ubisoft’s upcoming hacker-thriller title has officially gone gold ahead of its release on May 27th.
The popular mobile free-to-play title is to return this August as a multiplayer title.
Rockstar Games have something in store for next-gen consoles before the end of Take-Two’s fiscal year 2015, the company have revealed.
Rockstar Games’ open-world action-adventure title has sold-in more than 33 million copies since launching in September 2013.


text:
Jose Toledo has owned and operated Lawrence Bakery Inc. at the corner of West Girard Avenue and Lawrence Street for more than 18 years. He and his wife Gloria took over from a previous owner who operated the bakery for four decades.
“There’s a reason why this place has been here for almost 70 years,” Jose said. “We’ve continued their tradition and created our own.”
The husband and wife team bakes a variety of sweet wares from scratch each day so that customers can have fresh deliciousness. Their specialties include flan, bread pudding, cheesecakes, cookies and sweet potato pie. They also bake all sorts of cakes, including everything from wedding cakes to exotic, sexually suggestive cakes.
“Exotic cakes are our No. 1 specialty,” Gloria said as she displayed photographs showing pictures of x-rated cakes created and designed at the bakery. Some of the cakes featured risqué photographs, others were shaped like sexual body parts.
“We get a lot of orders from bars,” Gloria said. “People like them for parties. They make people laugh.”
Another thing that separates Lawrence Bakery from other bakeries in area is the price.
“We keep ourselves competitive with other bakeries,” Jose said. “Our prices start at around $19.”
The most expensive cakes cost about $500 and include intricate, multi-tiered wedding cakes. The Toledos said they guarantee the freshness and taste of their baked goods and customers can get their money back if they are not satisfied.
“We have never had anyone come back to us unsatisfied,” Gloria said. “People come to us, because they get value.”


text:
[Update: In addition to the HomePod’s reported to have been spotted in China and Menlo Park, an anonymous tipster has shared that Apple has given the HomePod to select retail staff in the UK to test at home and provide feedback. If the information is to be believed, store leaders, senior managers, and creative pros have been selected to do the testing. They were recently flown to London for the training. Curiously, no one was allowed to get on a plane with a HomePod, and had to take a train home.]
Ahead of its special event next week to announce all-new iPhones, Apple is seemingly ramping up HomePod testing. A pair of posts to social media show the HomePod expanding into the wild, with Apple employees testing it in their homes ahead of the official release in December.
On Instagram, a user posted a picture of Apple’s HomePod in what appears to be his or her kitchen. The post is tagged with a location in Shanghai, China and in the background of the image you can see a charger and its box. It’s unclear what affiliation this user has with Apple and their caption doesn’t offer any details, simply reading “#HomePod.” It’s possible that this image comes from a supply chain worker.
Then, Twitter user Benedict Evans shared a screenshot this evening showing a HomePod appear in his Control Center while driving through Menlo Park in California. The HomePod here is labeled as “Kitchen,” indicating that someone is testing it in their home. The person testing is likely an Apple employee of some fashion.
These two posts don’t offer any details about HomePod that we didn’t already know, but they do indicate that Apple is ramping up testing and production of the smart speaker. HomePod is slated to go on sale to the public in December, but we’ll likely get another look at it next week when Apple unveils the iPhone 7s and iPhone 8.
Are you planning to buy a HomePod when they’re released later this year? A previous report claimed that the smart speaker would be plagued by availability issues, so they may be hard to come by.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


text:
By Kenneth Rogoff
Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection
SOUTH BEND, Ind. ( Project Syndicate ) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was at least half right when he recently told the United States Congress that there is no U.S. monopoly on regulation of next-generation payments technology.
You may not like Facebook’s /zigman2/quotes/205064656/composite FB -0.39% proposed Libra (pseudo) cryptocurrency, Zuckerberg implied, but a state-run Chinese digital currency with global ambitions is perhaps just a few months away, and you would probably like that even less.
Perhaps Zuckerberg went too far when he suggested that the imminent rise of a Chinese digital currency could undermine overall dollar /zigman2/quotes/210673925/realtime XX:BUXX +0.0091% dominance of global trade and finance — at least the large part that is legal, taxed, and regulated.
The real challenge for the United States isn’t Facebook’s proposed Libra; it’s government-backed digital currencies like the one planned by China.
In fact, U.S. regulators have vast power not only over domestic entities but also over any financial firms that need access to dollar markets, as Europe recently learned to its dismay when the U.S. forced European banks to comply with severe restrictions on doing business with Iran.
America’s deep and liquid markets, its strong institutions, and the rule of law will trump Chinese efforts to achieve currency dominance for a long time to come. China’s burdensome capital controls, its limits on foreign holdings of bonds and equities, and the general opaqueness of its financial system leave the yuan /zigman2/quotes/210561989/realtime/sampled USDCNH -0.3674% (also known as the renminbi) many decades away from supplanting the dollar in the legal global economy.
Control over the underground economy, however, is another matter entirely.
Minimize adverse effects
The global underground economy, consisting mainly of tax evasion and criminal activities, but also terrorism, is much smaller than the legal economy (perhaps one-fifth the size), but it is still highly consequential. The issue here is not so much whose currency is dominant, but how to minimize adverse effects.
And a widely used, state-backed Chinese digital currency could certainly have an impact, especially in areas where China’s interests do not coincide with those of the West.
A U.S.-regulated digital currency could in principle be required to be traceable by U.S. authorities, so that if North Korea were to use it to hire Russian nuclear scientists, or Iran were to use it to finance terrorist activity, they would run a high risk of being caught, and potentially even blocked.
If, however, the digital currency were run out of China, the U.S. would have far fewer levers to pull. Western regulators could ultimately ban the use of China’s digital currency, but that wouldn’t stop it from being used in large parts of Africa, Latin America, and Asia, which in turn could engender some underground demand even in the U.S. and Europe.
Rein in cryptocurrencies
One might well ask why existing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin /zigman2/quotes/31322028/realtime BTCUSD -2.16% cannot already perform this function. To an extremely limited extent, they do. But regulators worldwide have huge incentives to rein in cryptocurrencies by sharply proscribing their use in banks and retail establishments.


text:
AMD's Hammer: The Right Tool for the Job?
Hector de Jesus Ruiz refuses to admit he's licked. Sure, the CEO of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD ) has seen his company come up short in a bitter arms race with rival Intel Corp. (INTC ) After a string of chip-production delays, AMD's share of the PC market has fallen to 15% at the end of 2002 from 22% a year earlier. And AMD's debt rating has sunk further into junk status. But Ruiz is planning a massive counterstrike. "Stay focused," he told a gathering of 200 top employees on Feb. 5 in San Francisco. "The toughest thing for us is to do what we said we were going to do."
Ruiz is pinning his hopes on a new family of chips called Hammer. First up, in April, will be the company's new server chip, known as Opteron. Following a year of delays and technical glitches, the new chip represents the Sunnyvale (Calif.) company's last, best chance to put a dent in Intel's armor. AMD may be losing the race with Intel in the PC world, but Hammer could be the sliver of silicon that gives it an edge for the next generation of computing: high-performance machines that process data 64 bits at a time--twice the current rate.
Intel has its own 64-bit entry, called Itanium, which CEO Craig R. Barrett says will continue to improve. "Every two months, you're going to see another leap forward," he says. Unlike Hammer, however, the Intel chip forces customers to rewrite all of their 32-bit programs for the new system. That's a costly and laborious process. By contrast, Hammer is like getting two for one, says Ruiz, with no trade-offs in performance. Customers can rewrite software for the 64-bit chip anytime they want. Why? Their crop of 32-bit programs not only work but in many cases perform better because AMD improves the way the processor and memory communicate with each other. Powered by the Hammer family, Ruiz is hoping that AMD can double its 5% share in the server market this year. Higher price tags for the Hammer, say analysts, would drive up AMD's server revenue from $10 million to $100 million. And that number could double if Ruiz meets his goal of 20% share by 2005.
Has AMD bet correctly? It offers customers a cheap path to 64 bits. That's a powerful pitch during the longest tech spending downturn in history. What's more, early testers rave about the processor. Privately held computer seller Angstrom Microsystems will use Hammer to build high-performance servers for financial institutions, movie studios, and oil companies. The Boston company says customers were concerned that they would have to rewrite software for Itanium. "People want an evolutionary process, not a revolutionary process," says CEO Lalit Jain.
Wall Street long viewed AMD as little more than an Intel clone and wrote it off for dead after a court ordered the company to stop reverse-engineering Intel chips by 1995. To the great surprise of many, AMD overcame a string of manufacturing debacles and developed its own chip. AMD wowed the world again in 1999 with the Athlon chip for PCs, which briefly won the speed crown from Intel. Still, Intel has come to grips with each challenge, eventually pounding down AMD with manufacturing might and power to slash prices.
Again, AMD has stumbled with Opteron. Troubles with technology called silicon-on-insulator, which helps the chip consume less electricity, led to delays. In November, AMD had to pay IBM (IBM ), which pioneered the technique, almost $46 million to help clear up the silicon problem.
Despite these maddening detours, the prospect of a 64-bit chip compatible with existing programs has plenty of software companies on board. In late January, IBM's software division revealed that it has prepared its 64-bit Linux database software for Opteron chips. An even bigger endorsement comes from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT ), which will begin shipping a 64-bit Windows server operating system for Opteron ahead of the chip's launch. And in a break from the company's traditional hand-in-hand relationship with Intel, Microsoft execs are talking up Opteron. They say the AMD chip helps companies that want to move at their own speed. "With 64 bits, some customers are going to want to ease into it," says Bob O'Brien, group product manager for Windows Server 2003.
Still, with the April release just two months away, AMD is waiting for customers to sign on. Equipment makers such as Dell Computer Corp. (DELL ) and Fujitsu Ltd. (FJTSY ) have yet to commit to building systems based on the chip. Dell President Kevin B. Rollins says customers are asking about Opteron. But the company will wait to see if there's a groundswell of demand. The same goes for IBM's hardware group. "They've become the `show me' company for all concerned," says Banc of America Securities LLC analyst Douglas Lee.
The problem is, AMD's delays have allowed Intel to reformulate its strategy. Although Intel execs deny it, the industry is abuzz with talk that if Opteron begins grabbing share, the behemoth may add 64-bit capability to its bestselling 32-bit Xeon server chips, which now account for some 50% of the server market. Publicly, Intel execs insist they'll stick with Itanium. On Feb. 19, Intel said it would speed up planned improvements to its Xeon chips, including boosting speed and memory. "We have a lot of flexibility to accelerate," says Lisa Graff, Intel's director for enterprise processor marketing.
AMD doesn't have the same luxury. For most of last year, Ruiz has been focused on damming the river of red ink. For 2002, the company reported a net loss of $1.3 billion on revenue of $2.7 billion. Over the past year, AMD's stock has tumbled 81%, to about 5. On Feb. 17, the company laid off 350 people, the second round in a plan to cut as many as 2,000 workers by June. And in January, AMD jettisoned a plant-construction deal with Asian contract manufacturer United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC ) AMD says the pruning will help it get out of the red by June. Ruiz' goal is to break even on expenses of about $800 million a quarter.
To hedge his bets in case Hammer is slow in grabbing buyers, Ruiz also is counting on hot new products in other markets. The chipmaker has been gaining traction as a supplier of flash memory, increasingly used in electronics such as cell phones and handhelds. Intel is the leader in flash, but in just a few years, AMD has grabbed 13% of the $8 billion market. In the next year, Ruiz hopes to double that figure.
The chief insists that AMD's rich product lineup will restore the company's balance. "We just need a little help" from customers, he says. With Intel dogging AMD every step of the way, the Hammer can't come down soon enough.
By Cliff Edwards in San Francisco


text:
CHICAGO - Massive liar and graphic designer Brian Anderson has repeatedly claimed, on Monday, that the new USA crest branding information isn't a load of bullshit.
"It isn't! We took millions of dollars from the United States Soccer Federation to produce this and that automatically makes the crest and the branding information on it valuable," stated Mr Anderson as he lied through his teeth on Monday.
"All of these items we notated on the crest are items that we thought about very deeply and not something that we gave to a bunch of stoned interns to attempt to try to find meaning in a crest that really is just red/white/blue with USA written in it."
While everyone knows that branding and the messaging behind it is a giant load of bullshit, Mr Anderson's firm, Sunil Gulati and the US Soccer Federation continued their futile attempt at pretending like every word in the "behind the crest" announcement wasn't just marketing jargon bullshit that literally no one in the world cares about other than the people who got paid a couple million dollars to develop it.
The Nutmeg News will have more on this as the United States Soccer Federation releases a marketing term lookbook to explain the branding and marketing implications of having text in a shield shape.


text:
UCL students take a battering in new ‘booze-bill’.
With booze and cigarette prices on the up, how will UCL students enjoy themselves on the cheap?
The budget is rarely something students have their eyes fixed upon as Easter approaches. But this year they have something to worry about – a ban on low-cost booze.
David Cameron is aiming to push through a ban on cheap alcohol which will start this summer. There are also plans for a 40p-a-unit law but the EU has recently cried out for foul play.
It’s been estimated that both these measures (if implemented) will add an additional £140 to the booze-bill of hardened drinkers across the UK. What will this mean for UCL students who are balancing alcoholism, London living costs and essay deadlines?
The Buzz asked some students what their views were on the plans:
Paul, a second year engineering student, wasn’t even aware that the booze-charge was happening. He said that if the law actually passed there’d be an outcry. “We just love drinking too much,” he shouted as he cracked open another can.
Jane, an English student said that people would just take more drugs, “I can buy a gram of Ket for less than a bottle of Vodka”. They all nodded in agreement that students would always find a way to get cheap kicks, “we can’t afford not to,” Paul joked.
So when UCL students get pissed on a night out, do they drink in bars or clubs? “No way, we just get battered on sprits before we go," they informed The Buzz.
With shops such as Tesco offering loss leading deals such as own brand sub-£10 bottles of Vodka and Gin, it seems like the best option. As one undergrad said, “Why would you pay a fiver for a beer in a club, when you can buy a six-pack from your corner-shop for the same price?”
With each pack of cigarettes costing an extra 37p, a big night out looks set to leave a major hole in any pocket, and not just in London.


text:
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is calling for a nationwide boycott of Molson Coors amid stalled labor talks between the union and the beverage company.
Some 420 members of Teamsters Local 997 in Texas have been on strike for more than a month at Molson Coors’ Fort Worth brewery after negotiators failed to reach an agreement on a new three-year contract for workers.
|MOLSON COORS BEVERAGE CO.
Molson Coors Beverage Co.
For weeks, the union has called for beer drinkers to stop buying Molson Coors brands like Coors Light and Miller Lite in order to show support for the striking workers. Then last week, the Teamsters wrote members of Congress, urging them to spread the word and join their boycott efforts.
BIDEN PICKS UP ANOTHER KEY UNION ENDORSEMENT AMID FIGHT AGAINST TRUMP FOR BLUE-COLLAR VOTE
In the letter, the Teamsters suggested people switch to other beer brands, specifically recommending Anhueser-Busch InBev products such as Bud Light and Busch, while hailing A-B as a “model employer” for its recently ratified new nationwide contract with the union.
“We respectfully ask that your office does its part and temporarily boycott Molson Coors products until the company comes to a fair collective bargaining agreement with Local 997 members, and instead buy your beer from employers like Anheuser Busch who treat their employees fairly,” the union’s letter to lawmakers read.
UAW MOVES TO HOLD UNIONIZATION VOTE AT VOLKSWAGEN PLANT IN TENNESSEE
A-B continues to grapple with a boycott of its own following consumer backlash over its controversial partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney a year ago.
The Teamsters union claims Molson Coors is not negotiating in good faith and has offered workers raises of less than $1 an hour in its proposals.
When reached for comment, Molson Coors told FOX Business in a statement, “We remain committed to doing what’s right for everyone and reaching a fair agreement in Fort Worth. We’ve offered highly competitive wages and benefits off an already strong base and participated in nearly 40 negotiating sessions with the union as we work toward a deal.”
“In the meantime, our strong contingency plans continue to ensure we meet demand,” Molson Coors’ statement continued. “We’re still brewing, packaging and shipping out of Fort Worth, we have exceeded all of our weekly production expectations during this time, and last week we actually set a daily production record since the strike began. Our other five U.S. breweries are also absorbing extra production, and we deliberately built up distributor inventories earlier in the year.”
Read the full article here


text:
Whenever the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) meets for its annual trade show and convention, there’s always plenty of news to report. New product launches, updated packaging for already existing cigars and smoking accessories, updates on the legal battles being waged on smoking and tobacco products on the federal and state levels, and seminars that share sales and marketing tips to help improve retail tobacconists’ businesses are all regular fare during the three-and-a-half-day IPCPR trade show and convention.
To be sure, the 2019 IPCPR show—held from June 28 to July 2 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada—provided plenty of new product launches and informative seminars as it always does, but this year the trade show kicked off with the IPCPR announcing that it would rebrand itself in order to improve its ability to represent premium tobacco manufacturers and retailers on Capitol Hill and inside the nation’s 50 state legislatures, offer more value to its members by increasing educational opportunities, and open the trade show floor to consumers for a single day.
What’s in a Name?
The IPCPR’s executive director, Scott Pearce, announced that the organization would be changing its name to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). Pearce explained that the rebranding comes in a changing political and legislative landscape that is now facing the premium tobacco industry. Pearce noted that the IPCPR—with its last three letters being CPR—often faced confusion in meetings with representatives in Congress and in the various state legislatures that thought they were meeting with a medical association. IPCPR representatives often had to spend valuable time explaining to regulatory and policy officials the association’s purpose as a tobacco lobbying organization, thus losing opportunities to forward the defense of the premium cigar industry against U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight and other legislative initiatives harmful to the industry.
Engaging with public relations and branding professionals, as well as polling numerous manufacturer and retailer members, the organization chose “Premium Cigar Association (PCA)” as its new name in the hopes that it would better explain its mission to both its members and those outside the industry—especially consumers and government officials. The name was also chosen because it is both simple and straightforward. In addition to the new name, the PCA is also adopting a new logo, replacing the time-honored logo that features a Native American holding a bundle of cigars with a simple tobacco leaf rendered in three colors—green, brown and gray—which represent the lifecycle of a tobacco leaf. Green represents the tobacco growing in the fields; brown represents the cured, fermented and aged tobacco that is rolled into cigars; and gray represents the ash that is produced when tobacco is smoked and enjoyed.
“The political and regulatory landscape has changed tremendously,” Pearce explained. “The new universe demands that we as an organization and an industry start going forward with a forward-thinking approach that doesn’t solve the problems of today or of yesterday but really provides us with an absolute platform in order to solve the problems going into the future—because unless we start doing that, we won’t be able to plan out a trajectory of growth or sustainable growth in the industry for the next 10, 15 or 20 years. We’re always going to be reactive.”
From its founding in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA) to its 2007 renaming to the IPCPR to this year’s rebranding to the PCA, the organization has continuously served to protect the premium cigar and pipe industry on both the federal and state levels and has served as a resource to educate its members on the ways that they can best improve their businesses. With the announcement that the organization would be changing its name to the PCA, Pearce also outlined some of its plans to improve its service to all of its members.
Pearce noted that the PCA’s lobbying efforts include representation at every state legislature and that the organization averages 30 visits to Capitol Hill every month. To improve its ability to protect the premium cigar and pipe industry, the PCA plans to launch a foundation in August that will research pipes and cigars for information that could be used in its proactive legislative fight. Pearce also announced that the PCA will be hosting an event with the Congressional Black Caucus on Sept. 5—the first time the organization will formally meet with the group of African-American legislators. In November, the PCA will host a casino night event to raise funds for its political action committee.
The PCA will also host a series of educational events, including an October workshop at the PCA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., and another workshop in Dallas, Texas, in 2020. In April 2020, the PCA plans to launch an online learning portal that will bring together information from the IPCPR’s multiple websites and include information on legislative issues as well as tips on best business practices. The organization also launched its own magazine—PCA The Magazine—which debuted at the show. In September, the PCA will debut its new website, which will feature industry news, a blog, business resources, white papers and a business solutions center.
“We want our stories and our advocacy to reverberate and echo in the halls of every state capitol—your stories of small business, what you do for your community, how you give back to the communities, and the jobs and taxes that you pay are all critical. It’s all stories that move the needle,” said Pearce.
While renaming the organization to PCA and announcing plans to modernize the PCA’s approach to defending the industry against legislative attacks and improving its educational value to members through new assets is quite an ambitious platform of changes, Pearce also announced plans to open up the organization to consumer membership and offered insights into CigarCon, a one-day event at the trade show that will welcome consumers onto the trade show floor beginning at the 2020 PCA show.


text:
Hemp stakeholders in Guyana say the country’s Ministry of Agriculture is finally moving to set rules that will advance the cause of hemp production.
Long-time hemp advocate Michael Kirton, an executive with newly formed Hempair International, said Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has assured him a regulatory body and framework are being readied.
“The wave of enthusiasm is sweeping through Regions Six and 10 with eager farmers and potential hemp farmers, youth, young adults and women eagerly waiting for the final green light to commence hemp production,” Kirton said during a forum last Thursday in Georgetown.
2022 Hemp Bill
An Industrial Hemp Bill passed by Guyana’s National Assembly in 2022 called for the establishment of an Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority (IHRA) but the body has yet to be formed and issue specific regulations. As conceived in the bill, IHRA is to administer licensing, set cultivation quotas and collaborate with the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit in the monitoring of production.
The 2022 Industrial Hemp Bill decriminalized hemp cultivation under a dividing line between hemp and marijuana at 0.3% THC and set a relatively strict basic framework.
The legislation empowers authorities to search producers’ premises and seize property if they are suspected of growing without a permit. Unlicensed hemp operators could be fined up to $500,000 and receive one-year prison sentences.
Also, IHRA board members could face fines of $200,000 for failing to disclose conflicts of interest or for disclosing information that relates to the work of the Authority.
Projects are planned
As Guyana’s hemp legislation advanced beginning in March 2022, the government said it had already staked out two locations to demonstrate hemp’s potential in the country’s Regions Six and 10. At Kuru Kururu near Silica City, new settlements are planned: one to relieve overpopulation in Georgetown, the country’s capital; and one at Mara, an old sugar plantation located in the East Berbice-Corentyne region.
The operation in Kuru Kururu can be organic because “the land has never been touched,” Kirton said when the projects were announced. The initiative in that location is envisioned as a prototype for the development of hemp supply chains in each of Guyana’s ten administrative regions.
Boost for ag sector?
The Guyanese government sees hemp production as a way to create jobs and shore up the agriculture sector, which has seen declines in key crops such as rice and sugarcane – a staple crop that has collapsed by more than 50% in recent years. Estimates hold that 30,000-50,000 farmers are out of work.
Advocates have said that once hemp production is scaled, the country could initially find export markets for some raw products. They see economic benefits not only from hemp farming and processing but also noted knock-on potential commerce in the marketing, banking, insurance and retailing sectors.
Supporters have cited studies they say show that planting 100,000 hectares (~250,000 acres) could create 40,000-50,000 sustainable jobs, bringing economic development through carbon credits and from a wide range of outputs from hemp grain and stalks.
Long, winding road
Hemp has traveled a long road in Guyana after stakeholders first identified its potential more than a decade ago when they suggested a domestic hemp industry could employ idle farmers. The government ruled out the legalization of hemp farming at the time, with the country’s Minister of State rationalizing a continued ban over Guyana’s notoriety as a port for drug traffickers.
Kirton, who has advocated for hemp in Guyana since the beginning, said he had kept the faith that a hemp industry would finally be seeded by the government.
“Some said it will never happen, but this is reality,” he said during last week’s forum. “Many of my friends deserted me. Some told me I would die before I lived to see it.
With reporting by NewsRoom.gy


text:
Turkey is getting ready for the electric vehicle revolution. An important step has been taken for the expansion of the charging infrastructure of electric vehicles, especially the domestic automobile TOGG. The regulation that will create the legal order of the charging stations is on the agenda of the Assembly.
Efforts are also underway to ensure that the charging infrastructure in Turkey is at a level that supports the use of electric vehicles.
There are currently about 2 charging stations in Turkey. However, with the increase in electric vehicles, hundreds of thousands of charging stations will be needed in the coming years.
The regulation is on the agenda of the Assembly
While studies are continuing to expand the charging infrastructure, the legal regulation regarding these stations is also on the agenda of the Parliament.
With the proposal, the legal infrastructure was prepared for the installation of the system and the terms of service.
The basic principles regarding the establishment of a sustainable charging infrastructure and the free market and the functioning of the market were determined.
Regulation for charging stations of electric vehicles
In the new period, companies that will provide charging services will be required to obtain a license. Concepts such as charging station, charging service and charging station operator will enter the legislation.
User rights set
The rights of electric vehicle users were also determined. Companies will not be able to charge electric vehicle owners other than the charging and charging service fee.
The determined prices will be announced in digital media. With the enactment of the regulation, the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles will gain momentum.


text:
Fujitsu is safeguarding its RunMyProcess Digital Suite with biometric authentication technology from ImageWare Systems. RunMyProcess is an enterprise-level cloud platform that can be used to develop a range of applications for different IoT devices.
ImageWare’s IoT DNA Security, meanwhile, will help protect the data on those devices in addition to the devices themselves. The partnership will allow businesses to integrate biometric authentication into their RunMyProcess applications, thereby improving security across an entire network and lowering the chances of a breach through an unsecured device.
“Traditional cyber security strategies have slowed adoption rates for IoT projects. We are working to reverse that trend,” said RunMyProcess CEO Hiroshi Yazawa. “We are able to take the security and scalability of IoT devices, data and applications to a whole new level.”
“IoT platforms and application vendors can now securely authorize users, via multiple biometrics, [for] access to IoT devices,” added ImageWare Chairman and CEO Jim Miller.
The ImageWare platform will allow businesses to choose from multiple biometric modalities. The company recently launched a selfie-based anti-spoofing solution, and unveiled a new Digital Identity Platform back in February. Revenues were down in the company’s Q2 report, but Miller remains optimistic following a successful direct offering that raised more than $6 million.
(Originally posted on FindBiometrics)


text:
When Stampede (www.stampedeglobal.com) says it’s serious about growing their Pro Audio business, they really mean it. In fact, North America’s leading high value-added distributor of ProAV solutions today issued an unprecedented industry challenge to resellers: send Stampede their audio quote and Stampede will beat it by 10%. The offer is good for the entire month of April and the only caveat is that resellers have to submit a copy of a competitive quote from a distributor or direct from a manufacturer.
“We’re prepared to go even further,” explained Stampede President & COO Kevin Kelly. “If, for some reason, we are not able to fulfill an order, Stampede will enter that reseller into an April drawing to receive a $5,000 credit on their account. This one-month promotion is designed to demonstrate to resellers that we are 100% committed to becoming their number one source for all things audio.”
According to Kelly, interested resellers should immediately email their quote to John Fuqua at email@example.com or contact their relationship manager to submit it on their behalf. “But don’t delay. This is promotion is only good through the end of the month. The clock is ticking and the calendar days are passing!”


text:
Ohio-based insurance company Progressive has said that it intends to hire around 200 customer sales and service representatives by year’s end for its Colorado Springs call center.
The company is the nation’s fourth-largest auto insurer. With this hiring, it expects to fill existing openings that had gone unfilled for months, according to company officials. Last month, Progressive reported that its directly written auto policies in force were up 15 percent from a year earlier to 3.53 million by the end of July.
The company is filling the jobs because its direct policy sales -- either through the Web or its call centers -- are growing at five times the rate of policies sold through independent agents, said Leah Knapp, a company spokeswoman.
Currently, Progressive employs 1,400 at its campus in the Northgate business park on the city;s northern tip, which includes information technology, printing and mailing operations, and also the company’s two data centers.
Company officials said that the local openings include customer service representatives with multiple training classes starting this month and inbound sales representatives with training classes starting September 13 or 27.


text:
Family business proves that heart and compassion can stand up to data-harvesting giants
In an industry obsessed with data and overwhelmed by data breaches, Edinburgh-based father and daughter have teamed up to take on the challenge of providing trusted financial advice whilst protecting the public’s privacy concerns. Emerging from frustration at the unethical data-harvesting practices of bigger financial services, Grant and Mhairi MacDonald launched online directory Find it Near Me in 2020 to give the power back to the public.
Find it Near Me is a directory of advisers that strives to be balanced and transparent. “We prioritise the public’s privacy – we take no personal details and they receive no cold calls. This means the power is in the prospect client’s hands to contact the Adviser they want to work with.” says Grant MacDonald, Find it Near Me. “We are rejecting the conventional practices of the Goliaths of the finance industry by empowering the public and protecting their privacy.”
It’s been just over one year since the directory was launched, and Grant and Mhairi are happy to have met a benchmark of over 50 advisers on the site. That’s 52 Financial Advisers from across Scotland and the North of England that believe the public’s privacy should be prioritised.
When a member of the public searches for financial advisers online they will find a variety of third party search engine companies that harvest and then sell their personal details to financial advisers for a fee. The adviser then will cold call the person which can be distressing.
Privacy concerns about data are global and local. In 2019, Facebook were fined $5 billion to settle Cambridge Analytica privacy violations for mishandling consumer data, while in 2020 campaigners voiced concerns after the Health Department admitted the UK’s Covid track-and-trace programme was launched without an assessment of its impact on privacy.
“61% of UK consumers worry about how their personal data is being used by companies and 55% now prefer to be anonymous when browsing online,” says Chase Buckle, Trends Manager at GlobalWebIndex.


text:
- About Us
- Contact Us
Overkill Software, the devs behind last year’s well received 4-player co-op shooter PAYDAY: The Heist, let loose via a statement via the studio’s website, outlining...
Eurogamer has reported of Diablo 3 accounts being hacked. A quick online search generates many reports of the same nature. Eurogamer writer Christian Donlan saw...


text:
The UK group Action on Sugar is calling for a complete ban on child-friendly yogurt packaging and on misleading nutrition and health claims following its new product survey, which it said shows only 5% of yogurts with child-friendly packaging contain...
Amid consumer demand for healthier and free-from food products and sugar taxes that challenge dairy companies to trim their formulations, Danish-headquartered enzyme producer Novozymes has developed a new online tool for the industry.
German dairy cooperative DMK Group said it is responding to changing consumer needs with updates to its Milram brand as more consumers are paying attention to a health-conscious diet and are increasingly turning to products with as little sugar as possible.
OptiBiotix Health plc, a UK-based life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, has entered into an evaluation agreement with a global dairy company for its SweetBiotix calorie-free sweet fibers.
Over the past ten years, Norwegian dairy and cereal manufacturer TINE has cut one million kilos of sugar from its products each year. We spoke to the company's head of nutrition about its sugar reduction strategy.