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The role of advertising is to influence human behaviour. At the start of what the World Economic Forum has labelled “the decade to deliver”, that power has never been more important.
If brands want to make a positive impact on the growing list of critical global issues, what they choose to advertise, how they choose to do it and why, is pivotal. And the role of advertising agencies, in the creation, planning and activation of campaigns, is now more critical than ever.
But before we explore their part in the process, first we must understand whether the rise of purpose and cause-driven advertising is simply an industry trend or complete overhaul.
Making decisions around purpose
Susan Credle, global chief creative officer at advertising agency FCB, insists on clarity when framing the conversation. “There are three elements involved: purpose-driven advertising, cause marketing and long-term brand building. We believe the brand sits at the centre of every conversation and that a ‘never finished’ brand is the most valuable asset on any company’s balance sheet.”
Credle explains that when decision-making is built around a defined brand purpose – why the company exists in a world, beyond making a product or providing a service – the decisions it makes are clearer, more focused and more confident. “At that point, cause marketing becomes an invaluable tool to add to the marketing mix because it acts as a clear expression of the brand’s purpose,” she says.
Speaking at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity last year, Alan Jope, chief executive of consumer goods giant Unilever, laid out the potential damage caused by brands that are “woke-washing” – using supposed purpose-led rhetoric simply to push products.
He said brands that failed to back up their campaigns’ messaging with action could “further destroy trust in our industry, when it’s already in short supply”. He continued: “Purpose-led brand communications is not just a matter of ‘make them cry, make them buy’. It’s about action in the world.”
Creative problem-solving is our greatest skill. When we apply that thinking to society’s issues, we make a huge difference
Authenticity never goes out of style
Chris Norman, CEO of Good Agency, suggests that the demand for purpose isn’t a new phenomenon; rather one that becomes more visible with greater public assertion. “It’s been building for the last ten to fifteen years. What has changed is the prominence and urgency of the environmental and social challenges we face.
“There is a cultural shift to expect business and brands to have a role in solving these problems – that many argue they have created – and clear evidence that people’s behaviour is aligning with their values in what they buy, where they work and what they want out of life.”
He adds: “It is now a commercial imperative for any brand or business to demonstrate its role in society beyond transaction, and this is not going to change until the problems we face have been solved. Brands that can’t feed people’s desire to have a greater sense of meaning in their life will become less and less relevant to their customers and employees, and will eventually disappear.”
With more brands searching for, or bringing forth this greater sense of meaning, are advertising agencies concerned with potential consumer fatigue with purpose-driven advertising?
Credle argues that authenticity will always cut through. “People never tire of authenticity. If the brand’s purpose is clear and if it communicates in ways that are consistent with that definition, it will always attract loyal followers.
“Companies will always be scrutinised on what they say versus what they do. To effectively adopt cause marketing, companies must be genuinely committed to that cause. Their values, products and services must support the cause. They must demonstrate how they are making the world better. Not superficially, but sustainably. When a brand gets all that right, and means it, they will never struggle to break through.”
What can advertising agencies do to drive purpose
So how big an impact can the advertising agency make? In October 2019, Mindshare launched an initiative called #changethebrief in response to a growing scrutiny on the industry’s need to harness their own influence.
Rob McFaul, one of the media agency’s client directors and #changethebrief advisor, says the idea came from a Purpose Disruptors meeting. Purpose Disruptors, a group of concerned individuals from competing advertising agencies, gathered to discuss the climate crises in the wake of the ‘Dear advertising, don’t think we’ve forgotten about you’ call out from Extinction Rebellion. According to McFaul, the initiative started with a letter calling for collective meaningful action by the industry, which gained 60 signatures from senior industry figures.
It has now moulded into “a platform to work with clients to raise awareness of climate crisis, shift the conversation to include it and encourage action because of it”, McFaul says. “It’s a commitment to help effect behaviour change at scale through responding to client briefs in a way that encourage the attitudes, lifestyles and behaviours that are consistent with a transition to a carbon-free world.”
But how far can an advertising agency push their clients when they have to contend with a fiercely competitive landscape? McFaul suggests it depends on the stage of the client’s journey. “When we understand that the sustainability revolution will happen at the scale of the industrial revolution, but at twice the rate of the digital revolution, then climate must form part of the conversation with clients.
“As advisors to clients on culture, audiences and trends, it is imperative for us to partner with them on how they should respond to the climate crisis. We can be proactive and lead our industry and clients through this disruption to a commercially successful future. We cannot and should not wait for the climate briefs to come to us.”
Using advertising to make a real difference
A cynic could describe the drive in demand for purpose and cause advertising as a new attempt to connect with a discerning and volatile consumer landscape. An optimist would argue that brands are awakening to their potential to make a difference.
Either way, in the following decade, the collective advertising agency landscape is set to work on the toughest brief yet. Be that through their clients’ voices or their own.
Credle hangs that responsibility on their creativity. “Creative problem-solving is our greatest skill. When we apply that thinking to society’s issues, we make a huge difference.”


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Smoked Salmon produced by Dutch company Foppen has been linked to several cases of salmonella illness in the Netherlands and suspected in illnesses in the US, as well. The company sells under their own brand in Europe but distributes to Costco in the US for sales under the Kirkland Signature brand.
In the Netherlands, the salmon has been linked to at least 200 cases of illness and possibly more, according to the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. The salmonella is of the strain Salmonella Thompson and like any salmonella infection can lead to fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Although no cases in the US have been conclusively linked to the smoked salmon sold at Costco, a representative for the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, Lola Russell, says the federal agency has 85 recorded cases of the same strain from 27 states starting from July 1. Without an outbreak, she said the average number of such cases over that time would be about 30. So, needless to say this product is being investigated as the suspected cause.
As of Monday afternoon, Costco had pulled the smoked salmon from their shelves and blocked the sale of the item from registers (no chance of getting any now). Craig Wilson, vice president of food safety at Costco, said that Costco has also been conducting their own independent testing of the smoked salmon but as yet has not had any positive results for salmonella. Costco has also not received any reports of illnesses. All customers who have purchased the KS smoked salmon will be notified via phone (robocalls with an automated message), as well as a letter.
If you have purchased the KS smoked salmon, I definitely would not eat it and would take it back to Costco for a refund. Unfortunately, Costco does not have the recall letter or additional information such as product numbers or dates available on their website at this time, but be safe and don’t eat your smoked salmon from Costco US stores. I’ll post a link to the letter or any other information as I get it.

domain: news


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By Nicole Williams
It’s -20 C outside. Snow swirls on howling winds. There’s not a living soul or thing to be seen outside. But inside a commercial complex on Thamesgate Drive in Mississauga, fresh herbs like basil, parsley and cilantro are sprouting.
Pablo Alvarez and Craig Petten, two graduates of Humber College’s Sustainable Energy and Building Technology program, have found a way to grow fresh, organic produce all year long: aquaponics.
“It’s a closed loop eco-system. We have fish that fertilize plants, while the plants filter the water that the fish swim in,” said Alvarez.
This way, Alvarez’ and Petten’s aquaponics company, Aqua Greens, is able to produce organic greens in-doors without the use of a greenhouse structure. They also have the added bonus of farming fish.
Alvarez and Petten have set up shop in an empty commercial space in Mississauga, where they’re currently growing thousands of plants that they will eventually distribute in Toronto. It’s also home to over 800 tilapia fish.
The duo got their start in the hospitality industry, and combined have over 20 years of experience.
“We were working as servers, when we decided we wanted to do more,” said Petten.
They both pursued the Sustainable Energy and Building Technology program and would eventually do their final project on aquaponics.
“We realized that in pursuing aquaponics, we would have the ability to combine our passion for sustainability and passion for food,” said Alvarez.
It is perfect for urban settings, he said, where there is no available farmland, and the growing season ends in October, not beginning again until May.
Patten said instead of shipping produce in to the city during this time, Toronto will have access to hyper-local, completely organic and healthy food.
Though this sounds like a win-win situation, Alvarez and Petten have had difficulty with Toronto City Council.
“Because it’s a method that no one has really heard about for a very long time, the city needs to see proof-of-concept before we’re allowed to establish ourselves within city limits,” says Alvarez.
Petten said that it is frustrating because they have the ability to feed people but have to wait for approval.
Aqua Greens may still have something to prove to the city of Toronto, who would not give them a permit to begin growing somewhere within city limits, but they’ve already proven to be very popular.
“Both Sobey’s and Wychwood Barns Farmer’s Market have approached us, so the interest is there,” said Alvarez.
Aqua Greens has been getting lots of exposure, partly due to Humber College.
“We were the recipients of both the Humber New Ventures Seed Fund and the Humber Launch Pad competition, where we’ve accumulated over $30,000 in funding for Aqua Greens,” said Petten.
Humber Launch Pad is a Dragon’s Den-style competition, where entrepreneurs from the school and surrounding community pitch their business ideas in front of a panel of judges.
Aqua Greens was selected as one of the winners to receive funding for their idea.
“Through Humber Launch, we had access to mentors, business plans, business coaches, and we were able to figure out what our options looked like going forward with this business,” said Petten.
Even two years later, Humber Launch is still very supportive of Aqua Greens, said Alvarez.
Cheryl Mitchell, one of the Humber Launch mentors, attended the Aqua Greens’ launch party last week.
“We’re just so proud of them,” said Mitchell, “They’re dedicated and hard working. We definitely plan to stay in touch.”
However, even more than dedication and hard work at Humber Launch, innovation is still key, said Mitchell.
“We look for ideas that are outside of the box, or with no box at all,” she said. “All ideas are good, but what we do is see how we can use that idea to make a business.”
Petten said that Humber has been good to him.
“We’re already thinking of ways to pay Humber back,” said Petten.
When the business is fully operational, in another four to six months, Alvarez and Petten plan to have Humber co-op students come and do their placement at Aqua Greens.
The Humber Launch team can also expect a bundle of fresh-produce coming their way.


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The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced another significant step in increasing competition in the cellphone service sector, making way for cheaper mobile plans for Canadians.
The CRTC set an initial policy for this in 2021. It allowed regional cellphone providers to compete as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) across Canada.
“Under this policy, large cellphone companies must share their networks with competitors,” the CRTC said. “With access to larger networks, regional competitors will be able to offer cellphone services in parts of Canada that they do not currently serve.”
📢 Coming soon: more choice in cellphone plans! Learn more about our new approach to competition 👉 https://t.co/AMw29KUlSy
— CRTCeng (@CRTCeng) May 9, 2023
Now, the final details for this plan have been ironed out, and regulations have been set in place.
According to a new press release from the CRTC, companies have 90 days to negotiate MVNO access agreements.
“The CRTC expects that regional competitors will start selling plans in new parts of Canada shortly after these agreements are in place,” the Commission stated, adding that it will ensure that deals are reached quickly so that Canadians have plenty of choices when it comes to picking out a mobile service plan.
“The CRTC is taking action to promote competition in the cellphone services market,” said CRTC Chair and CEO Vicky Eatrides. “Today’s decision builds on our efforts to ensure that Canadians benefit from lower prices and more choice for telecommunications services.”
Dominant #wireless #networks Rogers, Bell +TELUS, Sasktel now have to finalize access pricing with regional MNOs in 90d.
Not nation-wide. Not immediate. Limited and undefined. But still better access to national network infrastructure. Step into right direction.#CRTC #telecom https://t.co/SMMBZs0REE
— Algis Akstinas (@AlsoKnownAs_AA) May 9, 2023
Canadians are excited about these regulations, but many are limiting their expectations.
Founder and CEO of Data On Tap Inc., Algis Akstinas, said this is a step in the right direction and will offer better access to national network infrastructure. But further details on the plan remain undefined.


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Food and Drug Administration officials have issued a warning letter to the makers of the inhalable caffeine product AeroShot, saying they have questions about its safety and concerns about how children and adolescents may use it.
AeroShot went on the market in January in Massachusetts and New York.
Consumers put one end of the plastic canister in their mouths and breathe in, releasing a fine powder that dissolves.[dmc-related-post-wp numitems=”3″ title=”Also read”]
The FDA said the Massachusetts company misled consumers by saying the product can be both inhaled and ingested, which is not possible.
The agency said it is also concerned consumers may try to inhale it into their lungs, which may not be safe.
The letter also cited differing statements from the company on the appropriate age for using the product.
More breaking news
- NYSERDA names Alicia Barton CEO
- Voxx selling Hirschmann for $160M
- Airline vet to lead Amtrak in a summer of repairs, reckoning
- East/West Industries plans growth at new facility
- Accessory apts win acceptance in Suffolk
- A movable feast
- Ones to Watch: Accounting
- Empowering women-owned business event set for Wednesday
- High Court reinstates Trump travel ban, will hear arguments
- Consumer issues stemming from the GOP health care initiative


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Asus has announced that its Eee Pad Transformer tablets will get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update in coming months, according to Engadget. The website claimed to have an email sent out by Asus to the owners of the new Eee Pad Transformer TF300 and TF700 tablets promising the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update. The company did not promise fixed time of arrival for the update but only promised to roll it out in coming months.
Asus has been active on the Android based tablet front by introducing tablets earlier than its competitors. With the recent introduction of the Asus made Nexus 7 Tab with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, the existing Asus tablet owners also hope to see the update on their tablets soon.
The Mobile Indian reported about Asus Germany’s promise to roll out the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 and Eee Pad Slide SL101 tablets initially. Now the company has sent out an email that confirms the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for Transformer Prime TF201, Transformer TF300 and Transformer TF700 tablets as well.
Asus offers Transformer Prime TF201 is being sold in India for Rs 46,000 approximately. This tablet features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update and houses a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 mobile processor inside it. Featuring a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen display (1280×800) and 1 GB DDR2 RAM, this tablet also features an 8 megapixel camera capable of HD video recording and also front facing camera for video chat. ASUS is yet to launch the TF300 and TF700 in India.


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In June 2022, the Government published the initial outcome of this review, which is intended to be an authoritative catalogue of REUL. Industry is invited to view this catalogue in order to understand where EU-derived legislation sits on the UK statute book and to take the opportunity to scrutinise this legislation.
Now that the UK has taken back control of it’s statute book, the Government is taking a proactive approach to update it by amending, repealing or replacing REUL that is no longer fit for the UK. This will allow creation of new pro-growth, high standards regulatory framework that gives businesses the confidence to innovate, invest and create jobs.
In terms of next steps, the government have brought forward the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. This Bill will make it easier to amend, repeal or replace REUL to deliver the UK’s regulatory, economic and environmental priorities. For full details click here.


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It was a rude awakening for dividend investors when many companies slashed or suspended their dividends due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. What had once been reliable income streams suddenly looked a lot less reliable.
But for every company that cut its payout, there were others that kept the dividends coming...and seem likely to do so for years into the future. Three companies that should keep paying you a dividend for the rest of your life are NextEra Energy (NEE -0.52%), Dow Chemical (DOW), and Apple (AAPL -0.29%). Here's why these look like solid dividend picks.
Sunshine to cash
Electricity giant NextEra Energy is one of the world's largest energy companies, and the biggest electrical utility in North America by number of customers. Its subsidiaries, Florida Power & Light and Gulf Power, provide electricity to about 5.5 million customers across the Sunshine State. All that air-conditioning uses up a lot of juice and provides the parent company with a lot of cash.
Most of NextEra's electricity is generated from renewable sources like wind and solar farms across the U.S. Only about half of it goes to NextEra's utility customers; the rest is sold to third-party utilities, which puts even more cash at NextEra's disposal.
What does it do with all that cash? NextEra invests some of it in growth projects to increase the amount of clean electricity it can generate (and sell). The company currently expects its earnings per share will grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2022.
Much of the rest of that cash gets returned to shareholders in the form of a dividend, currently yielding 1.9%. That's expected to grow, too, at 10% per year through 2022. But even beyond 2022, NextEra looks likely to continue rewarding dividend-focused shareholders for a long time.
Chemicals to cash
Chemical company Dow has undergone a big transformation recently, but it's one that should benefit dividend investors for years to come.
In 2015, the 118-year-old company merged with rival DuPont (DD 0.76%) to form DowDuPont. After the merger, the new company started divvying up its huge stable of products into three categories: specialty products, agriculture, and performance chemicals. In 2019, Dow was spun off with the last product group. Performance chemicals are basically chemicals used as part of a product or process. These include lubricants, coatings, packaging, and adhesives.
Dow's performance chemicals are crucial to a number of industries, and that diversification makes the company a reliable generator of cash to fund its generous dividend. For example, even in Q2 2020, when demand for automotive and industrial chemicals was low, Dow churned out an impressive $1.6 billion in operating cash flow thanks to outsize demand for food packaging and health and hygiene applications. It also paid down about $600 million in debt while fully funding its dividend, currently yielding 6.6%.
Dow's mature product portfolio may not lead to explosive growth, but it should continue funding a reliable dividend payout for decades to come.
iPhones to cash
You're probably used to thinking of people forking over cash to get an iPhone, but tech company Apple has been paying a dividend since 2012. Right now, the company's share price is at an all-time high, and its dividend yield of 0.8% is at a five-year low, which might discourage value investors. There's no question, though, about Apple's commitment to its dividend and its shareholders.
Apple cranked out almost $59 billion in free cash flow in 2019. It has $93 billion in cash and marketable securities on its books, plus another "noncurrent" $100.6 billion of marketable securities. That means Apple could buy NextEra and Dow outright and still have some cash left over. It makes the $14.1 billion the company paid out in dividends in 2019 look absolutely puny by comparison.
It has reduced its share count by more than 1 billion over the last five years, and demand for its products and services is still strong and seems likely to stay that way. Apple is a dividend payer for the long haul.
The long term
Instead of chasing after high yields, smart dividend investors go for reliable dividends. After all, a high-yielding company that's unreliable could cut or even eliminate its dividend. But shareholder-friendly companies with a strong history of cranking out impressive cash flow (like NextEra Energy, Dow, and Apple) could very well continue paying you for the rest of your life.


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Not a good news story for consumers at any time but at this point in the mist of COVID-19 global pandemic, today’s press release from Marine Atlantic on rate increases on the Gulf and Argentia runs are very disheartening.
Such increases once again smack of a total disregard for the concerns expressed by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador on the out of reach costs associated with our constitutionally guaranteed essential equivalent of the Trans Canada Highway, and smacks of a total disregard for Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2015 campaign promise to examine Ottawa’s high cost recovery formula on the service and return affordability to what is a provincial lifeline.
The people of Newfoundland and Labrador will now look for costs related to essential pharmacy items, propane, wood, groceries and overall deliveries of nearly every possible item to increase as these new rate are passed along to consumers.
Effective April 1, the following changes Marine Atlantic’s rate structure will take place: No increases to passenger fares or passenger vehicle fares on the Gulf route but passenger and vehicle fares will increase by 2.5% on the Argentia route. Commercial fares will increase by 2% (Gulf and Argentia). The drop trailer management fee will increase by 3.4%.
When will the bleeding stop?
John Spencer, Mayor
Channel-Port Aux Basques, NL


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At this writing, Apple’s battle with the FBI over how much it can and should help in the investigation of the San Bernardino shootings is less than a week old. But already it’s explosive to say the least. The government has accused Apple of being
more concerned with marketing than the fight against terrorism, and Apple has drawn a line in the sand, saying that complying with the FBI’s request “would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.”
This fight isn’t going to be over anytime soon, so we’ll keep this FAQ updated as events unfold. If you have more questions—or want to respectfully debate the implications this case will have on privacy and security—please chime away in the comments and we’ll do our best to make everything about this confusing case as clear as possible.
So the FBI has an iPhone 5c that belonged to the San Bernardino shooter, and they think it has evidence inside?
The iPhone 5c in question was used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook, but it was his work phone, so it technically belonged to his employer, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. Farook also had a personal phone as well as a personal computer, but he
physically destroyed both before the December 2 shooting. Farook was killed in a firefight with police.
The government has reason to believe that Farook used that iPhone to communicate with some of the very people whom he and [his also-deceased wife Tafsheen] Malik murdered. The phone may contain critical communications and data prior to and around the time of the shooting that, thus far: (1) has not been accessed; (2) may reside solely on the phone; and (3) cannot be accessed by any other means known to either the government or Apple.
But if it was his employer’s phone, can’t they access its data, or at least consent to the search?
The San Bernardino County Department of Health did consent to the search, but the iPhone is locked with a passcode (reportedly a 4-digit pin, not something more complex), and apparently the county
didn’t use good multi-device management practices, because they don’t know that passcode and couldn’t access anything on the phone without it. From the same February 19 court filing:
The FBI obtained a warrant to search the iPhone, and the owner of the iPhone, Farook’s employer, also gave the FBI its consent to the search. Because the iPhone was locked, the government subsequently sought Apple’s help in its efforts to execute the lawfully issued search warrant. Apple refused.
Why is Apple refusing to unlock the phone?
That wasn’t what Apple was asked to do—Apple actually has no way of unlocking a locked iPhone. Apple does have a way to extract data from a device running iOS 7 or earlier, without having to unlock the phone. Apple has done this before for law enforcement with a proper court order—another filing by the government estimates at least
But starting with iOS 8, the data on an iPhone is encrypted by default as soon as you enable the passcode feature. Since Farook’s iPhone 5c is running iOS 9, the only way to access the encrypted data it holds is to unlock the phone with the passcode. Since the owner of the phone (Farook’s employer) doesn’t know the passcode, and Apple doesn’t know the passcode, and Farook is dead, the FBI is stuck trying to crack the passcode through brute force.
What does the FBI want Apple to do to help brute-force the passcode?
The best defense iOS has against a brute-force attack is the Erase Data feature, which will wipe all the data on the iPhone after 10 failed passcode attempts. The iPhone has a 4-digit pin, which
shouldn’t take too long to crack, but certainly more than 10 tries.
So the FBI’s request, and
the court’s February 16 order, is for Apple to create a sideloadable SIF (software image file) of iOS that can run on the iPhone’s RAM without touching any other data on the device. The FBI wants Apple to sign that software so the iPhone—and only this iPhone—will run it. Once installed, the software would disable that Erase Data setting.
The FBI also wants to try passcodes as quickly as possible, so it wants Apple to disable the delay between passcode attempts, plus allow passcodes to be inputted by a computer, either through the iPhone’s Lightning port or wirelessly, a feature that has never existed in a publicly shipping version of iOS. That’s a big deal—as
Matthew Panzarino points out at TechCrunch, it’s asking Apple to introduce a new weakness into iOS.
Does the FBI know for sure if the Erase Data feature is turned on?
It doesn’t seem like it—the FBI just doesn’t want to take any chances. From the
February 19 filing, emphasis ours:
The FBI has been unable to make attempts to determine the passcode to access the subject device because Apple has written, or “coded,” its operating system with a user-enabled “auto-erase function” that would, if enabled, result in the permanent destruction of the required encryption key material after 10 failed attempts at entering the correct passcode.
Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software—which does not exist today—would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession.
The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.
The main argument: Is this a backdoor to one iPhone or all of them?
Would the software the FBI is requesting be considered a “backdoor”?
That depends on whom you ask. For example, Bruce Schneier of Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society
told our colleagues at NetworkWorld, “The FBI is asking Apple to reinstall a vulnerability they fixed.” He says the iPhone 5c didn’t intially have protection against brute-force attacks to guess the passcode, but those were added in 2014 with iOS 8.
The government’s February 19 court filing definitely disagrees that it’s a backdoor, mostly because the order is written just for this phone.
Apple may maintain custody of the software, destroy it after its purpose under the Order has been served, refuse to disseminate it outside of Apple, and make it clear to the world that it does not apply to other devices or users without lawful court orders. As such, compliance with the Order presents no danger for any other phone, and is not “the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks.”
But Apple believes that it is—that “master key” quote is right from Apple’s open letter.
Whether it’s a backdoor or not, the FBI says they only want to use it once. So what’s wrong with a single-use backdoor?
The DOJ is saying that the FBI only wants to do this once, that’s true. But
the February 19 filing uses several other court cases as precedent to bolster its argument that Apple is being unreasonable to refuse this time. In both this San Bernardino investigation and a separate drug case in the state of New York, the government is saying that since Apple helped before, they should be willing to help again.
So it’s a little weird that the FBI wants us to believe that once Apple builds this tool to assist law enforcement to brute-force a passcode, that it wouldn’t be used again. Even if that particular software image file was never shared and promptly destroyed, the courts could use this case as precedent to order Apple to build it again.
But the government says that this software doesn’t ever have to leave the Apple campus—what’s wrong with that?
The government claims that Apple can retain total control over the software, and even the device itself. Reads
the February 19 filing, “the Order permits Apple to take possession of the subject device to load the programs in its own secure location, similar to what Apple has done for years for earlier operting systems, and permit the goverment to make its passcode attempts via remote access.”
But since Apple is being asked to create a tool for law enforcement to use, that tool would have to stand up to scrutiny if any evidence collected with it is ever used in court. Jonathan Zdziarski’s excellent blog post
“Apple, FBI, and the Burden of Forensic Methodology” explains this really well. Zdziarski has extensive experience in iOS forensics, working with law enforcement and testifying as an expert in court.
He explains that tools used by law enforcement to collect evidence are legally known as “instruments,” and for evidence collected by such tools to be admissable in court, the court as well as the defense must have confidence that the tools are accurate and their results reproducable. New instruments—a breathalyzer, a speed-detecting radar gun, or a software tool like this one—have to be tested and validated by a third party like the
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) or
NIJ (National Institute of Justice), and generally accepted by the scientific community. That’s why breathalyzer tests are admissable but polygraphs are not.
Zdziarski also explains how before iOS 8, when Apple could still extract unencrypted data from a locked device, this was seen as a lab service, not an instrument. In that case, Apple would have to demonstrate to the court (usually through expert testimony or an affadavit) that it had the expertise to run the test, but it could claim “trade secrets” to avoid detailing the exact methods. But when it’s law enforcement carrying out the method itself, the standard is different.
Now, just because evidence collected by use of this tool might not be admissable in court doesn’t make that evidence worthless. Law enforcement could learn something about Farook on his iPhone that they could then verify through other means that are admissable.
The iCloud problem
Back to Farook’s iPhone 5c, is there any other way to get the evidence the government wants? What else did they try?
February 19 filing lists the other methods the government and Apple discussed, and why they won’t work, in a footnote on page 18, paraphrased here:
Obtain cell phone toll records: The filing says “the government has of course done this,” but it’s insufficient since there’s a lot more on the phone than call and SMS records.
Determine if any computers were paired to the phone: The government says there weren’t any.
Attempt an auto-backup of the device with the related iCloud account: This didn’t work because neither the FBI nor the “owner” (the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health) knew the iCloud password.
Obtain previous iCloud backups: The FBI did this too, but the most recent backup was October 19, 2015, but the filing says that’s not sufficient “and also back-ups do not appear to have the same amount of information as is on the phone itself.”
But that third method (attempt an auto-backup to iCloud) is where it gets really weird. The iCloud password was reset remotely, shortly after the crime, by the owner, i.e. the county. The February 19 filing says, “that had the effect of eliminating the possibility of an auto-backup.”
As explained by Ars Technica, they way they tried to force it was to take the iPhone to a known Wi-Fi network, plug it in, and leave it overnight—which should trigger a backup to iCloud if auto-backups are enabled. But it didn’t work because the password had been reset so recently.
So they weren’t able to get an iCloud backup?
Not a full one. According to the
February 19 filing, the FBI has Farook’s iCloud backups through October 19, about six weeks before the December 2 shooting. The filing states that the government found evidence in the iCloud account to indicate “that Farook communicated with victims who were later killed in the shootings.” (You’ll recall he killed his own co-workers.)
In addition, toll records for the subject device establish that Farook communicated with Malik using the subject device between July and November 2015, but this information is not found in the backup iCloud data. Accordingly, there may be critical communications and data prior to and around the time of the shooting that thus far has not been accessed, may reside solely on the subject device, and cannot be accessed by any other means known to either the government or Apple.
Wait, they think there could be data on the phone that isn’t in the iCloud backup?
February 19 filing says that—they have service records from Verizon that show communications occurred, but those aren’t in the iCloud backup.
The problem with that argument? There’s no way to selectively back up to iCloud—it’s all or nothing. So if communications from July, August, September, and October are not in the October 19 iCloud backup, it would be pretty surprising to find them on the phone. One logical explanation is that they were deleted by Farook before October 19.
What’s with this story about the iCloud password being changed, and who’s to blame?
It’s kind of a mess. First, the February 19 filing mentioned that the owner (again, that’s San Bernardino County) reset the password for the Apple ID tied to the iPhone—Farook’s iCloud password, in other words. “The owner…was able to reset the password remotely, but that had the effect of eliminating the possibility of an auto-backup.”
So that kind of read like the FBI thought the county had screwed up, but then the next day, February 20, the county’s Twitter account
tweeted that the FBI had instructed the county to do so.
The County was working cooperatively with the FBI when it reset the iCloud password at the FBI’s request.
The FBI released a statement on February 21 to
Ars Technica admitting that yes, it had ordered the password reset. But the FBI still maintains that the iCloud backup wouldn’t have everything the investigators would get if they could just get into the phone, which is why the court order was issued in the first place.
The New York case, and why iOS version matters
Farook’s iPhone is running iOS 9, and passcode-based encryption was added in iOS 8. But if Farook’s iPhone was running iOS 7, Apple would still help?
Apple has published a set of
Legal Process Guidelines (PDF) that outline the process for law enforcement to request assistance from Apple, as well as what information Apple can provide.
They read in part:
For all devices running iOS 8.0 and later versions, Apple will not perform iOS data extractions as data extraction tools are no longer effective. The files to be extracted are protected by an encryption key that is tied to the user’s passcode, which Apple does not possess. For iOS devices running iOS versions earlier than iOS 8.0, upon receipt of a valid search warrant issued upon a showing of probable cause, Apple can extract certain categories of active data from passcode-locked iOS devices.
However, the government’s
February 19 court filing states in a footnote, “Apple has informed another court that it now objects to providing such assistance.”
In a response filed in the New York case, Apple argues that “social awareness of issues relating to privacy and security, and the authority of government to access data is at an all-time high. And public expectations about the obligation of companies like Apple to minimize government access within the bounds of the law have changed dramatically.” So the time is right to reexamine the authority given to the government by the All Writs Act, Apple is arguing.
It sounds like, from that filing, that Apple just wants out of the iPhone-data-extraction business. The filing explains how starting with iOS 8 Apple doesn’t have the technical ability to do what it once did, and that iOS 7 devices like this one “are becoming rare as they compromise less than 10 percent of the devices in the U.S.” Apple doesn’t want to take its engineers’ time doing the extraction or testifying in court about it, even though the company would be able to claim expenses.
After all, as the final reason argues, you can’t claim expenses for damage to the brand. “Forcing Apple to extract data in this case, absent clear legal authority to do so, could threaten the trust between Apple and its customers and substantially tarnish the Apple brand. This reputational harm could have a longer term economic impact beyond the mere cost of performing the single extraction at issue.”
The legal fight: What happens next?
What’s the deal with the All Writs Act, which Apple is objecting to?
Both this new order
and the New York case use the All Writs Act of 1789. In fact, in the case going on in the Eastern District of New York, Apple is arguing that extracting data from a drug dealer’s iPhone 5s running iOS 7 is overly burdensome on manpower and resources, as well as an overly wide application of the All Writs Act.
Matthew Panzarino at TechCrunch has a great explanation, and you can also read
Apple’s filing questioning the AWA.
According to the
Feburary 19 filing in the California case, “The All Writs Act provides in relevant part that ‘all courts established by Act of Congress may issues all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictons and agreeable to the usages and principles of law.’” It’s kind of a catch-all, in other words: “As the Supreme Court explained, ‘the All Writs Act is a residual source of authority to issue writs that are not otherwise covered by statute.’”
The tests are whether the third party “is not so far removed from the underlying controversy that its assistance could not be permissably compelled,” that the order “does not place an undue burden” on the third party, and that the assistance is “necessary to achieve the purposes of the warrant.” In the
February 19 filing, the government argues that Apple fails all three tests and thus should be ordered to comply.


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Adidas suspends sponsorship deal after positive doping test result
The sports brand acted one day following Gay’s disclosure that a banned substance was identified in a test in May leading the runner to pull out of the world championships in Moscow next month.
Adidas said in a statement:
Commenting on Gay’s 8 year relationship with Adidas, the German based company continued:
Despite this the sportswear giant was clear on their policies with regards to doping and explain that they will be invoking the clause in Gay’s contract:
Gay responded saying:


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17th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals Convention
The third souvenir car was unveiled Friday for the event which will be held April 5-9, 2017 at the DoubleTree in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It will be another collector-favorite, the #’55 Chevy Bel Air Gasser which can be seen >> HERE << courtesy of the Collectors Events Unlimited Facebook Page.
Hitting Stores Now!
Collectors here in the U.S. have been finding the #HALO series #Replica Entertainment vehicles at Toys R Us. Apparently, TRU got cases of these 2 weeks earlier than the other retailers. That is where I found the UNSC Scorpion.
U.S. collectors have also reported finding the “E” case assortment of Hot Wheels mainline cars at Walmart as they got special 3-sided displays in that have these cars on the sides.
Kmart Collector’s Day
The next Kmart Collector’s Day Event is Scheduled for Saturday, February 18, 9AM local time. The 4 exclusive colorways will be the ’55 Chevy (Matte Dark Green – HW Flames), ’08 Dodge Viper SRT ACR (Black – Night Burnerz), Custom ’56 Ford Truck (Light Blue – HW Hot Trucks) and the Cool-One (Yellow – HW Art Cars). Cases go on sale tomorrow (2/12), on Kmart.com.
Fast & Furious appears in Canada
Canadian Walmarts have started to receive the upcoming Fast & Furious 8-car series that is due to hit U.S. Walmarts in March.
“Boss Hoss” Custom Mustang is RLC Rewards car for 2016/2017
The 5th vehicle in the HWC Spoilers line will be the “Boss Hoss” Custom Mustang. The only way to get this is to accumulate enough priority rewards points (thru your RLC Membership) from ordering at HWC. If you are a Red Line Club member, you can view the sneak peek of it on HotWheelsCollectors.com.


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In Dnepropetrovsk, the square it. Lenina 27, 28 and 29 December from 8:00 to15: 00 New Year’s Fair will be held at the prices of commodity producers
In the first 11 months of 2012, the Dnipropetrovsk increased its food production over the same period of the previous year, including increased production of meat products by 1.7%, butter — by 60.4%, cereals — by 52.7%, fat cheese — by 45%, flour — by 13.8%, vegetable oil — by 9.2% .
As the chairman of the regional state administration, Dmitry Kolesnikov, the Dnipropetrovsk region will continue the practice of holding agricultural fairs in the region.
These days on the food fair will bring together some 100 agricultural farms and processing enterprises from different parts of the city and the region. On sale they bring meat products, vegetables, fruits, seafood, sugar, flour and cereals, bread, butter, eggs and other food products
"Conducting agricultural fairs has become a tradition in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Such activities stimulate the sale of products of regional producers and on the eve of major holidays allow people of the region to acquire high-quality products are most in demand, at prices below the market average, "- said the governor.
Dmitry Kolesnikov said that the Dnipropetrovsk regional leadership during Alexander Vilkul established systematic work aimed at the saturation of the consumer market with quality products and support to domestic producers, and this practice will continue.
For three years in the field of organized more than 10,000 trade fairs. For regional agricultural areas on the market without paying for the place. Due to this, the region’s residents can purchase agricultural products at prices on average by 15-20% below the average.
On New Year’s Fair can buy flour, cereals, vegetables, fruits, butter, honey, sugar, eggs, meat and meat products, dairy products, and fish. On average, these products will be sold at prices 15-20% lower than the average.
In the pre-New Year stock to meet the demand of the residents in the area of high-quality products at affordable prices and create a festive mood, have joined trade network in the region. Chain store "ATB", "Varus", "Sil’po," "Eve" and the others spend Christmas campaign for the sale of food products, including products for the holiday table (chocolates, sparkling wine, vegetables, fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, canned products alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks), non-food products and holiday gift assortment (perfumes and cosmetics, souvenirs, etc.) at a special discount.


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2G friendly Facebook Lite app launched in India
Facebook has launched 2G friendly Facebook Lite app in India and Philippines. Targetting its 2nd biggest market, Facebook launched the app in two countries with more to follow. Facebook had already announced the app. The Facebook Lite app is build considering the countries where the majority of users use 2G networks or the internet speed in not so good.
The Facebook Lite app is only 430 KB. And in order to data-efficient, some content optimization is done by Facebook. Users can select the quality of images they see on their news feed. Videos are not shown in the news feed, but future versions of Facebook Light App will support that too. It has support for advertisements, push notifications and messages too. Yes, the Facebook Light app has inbuilt chat functionality. The standard Facebook app does not have this function. Users have to install separate Messenger app for that. But Facebook Lite app has this feature is built in.
You can download Facebook Lite app from here: Download


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Gamescom Asia will have a physical, in-person consumer area for the first time.
Hosted in Singapore this October, Gamescom Asia will host a new physical B2C space that will feature a showcase of games.
There will also be areas dedicated to indies, esports, cosplay, boardgames, and group play zones.
Online shows Primetime and Studio will return on October 19 and 20, in addition to other content for global audiences.
"We are extremely excited to open the Entertainment Zone onsite to the public for the first time this year," the organiser of Gamescom Asia said.
"We know it has been long anticipated by passionate fans and gamers and we look forward to welcoming them to Gamescom Asia."
Gamescom Asia's Entertainment Zone will be open to the public from October 20 to 22, and is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors.
Tickets for the public will be available from the end of July.
Last year's convention included a virtual showcase with two shows and a Steam event page for consumers.
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Learnings from 1st Hall of Flowers Cannabis Trade Show in CanadaSep 22, 2022
September 13 & 14, 2022
As the summer nears a close, we’re seeing some huge movements within the cannabis retail market. It's finally time for another conference round-up and today we're focusing on the inaugural Canadian Hall of Flowers trade show, which happened this past Tuesday and Wednesday at the Enercare Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
And what an amazing couple of days it was! Between making new friends and getting a chance to finally meet some of our ‘old’ friends in person, we couldn't have been happier with the feedback we received.
Many shared they believed the show delivered a next-level curation of brands, retailers, and provincial buyers not seen yet in our Canadian industry.
This was especially true for brands looking to create awareness, or for those looking to launch new products this Fall. The consensus was that creating connections with retail buyers in this type of environment is incredibly beneficial.
Jay Rosenthal and our very own Krista Raymer had the chance to sit down with some incredible cannabis experts representing some of the biggest brands in the market, on our Pod of Flowers podcast which will be coming to the market shortly.
Our Two Big Takeaways:
- THC Potency Fixation Continues to be a Problem
- There is Huge Value in Giving Brands & Retailers an Opportunity to Talk Outside the Store Environment
It was an incredible trip meeting lots of new friends and learning more about the incredible industry and culture that exists here in Ontario.
Consider these takeaways when addressing your store's atmospheric impact and your customer’s perception of value.
TAKEAWAY 1: THC POTENCY FIXATION CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM
Innovation and exploration were major themes with new products presented at Hall of Flowers.
As cannabis science continues to evolve, we’re seeing more brands that are creating specific types of cannabis experiences through the use of craft strains that focus on specific terpene profiles. We’re also on the cusp of many new products that will start to take advantage of underutilized cannabinoids, like CBN, CBG, and THCV.
With all these new types of products in development (and some already in the market), it’s more important than ever for retailers to help consumers understand and see the value in terpene profiles and the Entourage Effect.
We’re also seeing companies branching into lower THC niche brands, which will hopefully start making dried flower and pre-rolled joints a bit more accessible for inexperienced or low-impact-seeking consumers that don’t want to be confined to CBD products.
The only way retailers and brands will be able to break this fixation is by continuing to push better budtender/customer education, so that buyers can see the value in a wider range of product assortments
TAKEAWAY #2: THERE IS HUGE VALUE IN GIVING BRANDS & RETAILERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK OUTSIDE THE STORE ENVIRONMENT
For the Canadian market, there haven't been a lot of opportunities for brands and retailers to really put their heads together outside of the typical store space.
Hall of Flowers really showed local vendors just how valuable these types of conversations are to have, especially with all the changes constantly happening within the cannabis retail industry.
Sharing some ideas (and some samples) gives retailers and brands the chance to connect on a level that they otherwise don't get.
It gives retailers the chance to see brands as more than an SKU number on their order sheet, to learn more about the how and why of new product assortments, as well as the impacts that they are trying to achieve in the marketplace and the customer segments they're aiming for.
On the flip side, brands are given the chance to interact with retailers, without being confined to in-store locations. Using their educational or product materials, brands can provide retailers with strong value positioning/differentiators that they can then take back to their customer base and use as sales tools.
We are just scraping the surface of the things that we saw blossoming during the amazing 2-day event. If one thing was clear, it's that everyone really enjoyed this freedom of interaction that Ontarians haven't had before.
Events like Hall of Flowers are essential for the future of the cannabis industry in Canada.
In the same way, they’ve brought together retailers, brands, buyers, and consumers in the United States, Canadian brands need access to the community to be able to actively participate within it.
This may have been the first Hall of Flowers cannabis trade show in Canada, but it certainly won’t be the last.
Based on the positive reactions and awesome turnout we saw this week, we know there are a lot of brands that are already itching for their next opportunity to take part in an event like this one. And you better believe, Vetrina Group will be there when it happens.
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- Prince Harry getting ‘bored’ in California after calling royal return IMPOSSIBLE
- Japan's Kyushu Electric to wait for US LNG policy clarity on Lake Charles | Reuters News Agency
- Kim Kardashian reveals what she wants in next partner after Kanye West
- Russia’s opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies in prison - SUCH TV
- College baseball preview: The storylines, teams and players to watch in 2024
Deploy Group, Pakistan’s leading mobile manufacturer, has marked a significant milestone in the tech industry as it ventures into the global market with its indigenous brands. With proprietary lines such as the Sparx smartphone, Xmobile feature phone, and Xcess smart accessories, Deploy Group has not only captured the local market but is now setting its sights on international horizons.
In a landmark development, Deploy Group received its first export order from Nigeria, showcasing the tangible potential of Pakistan-made mobile brands. This achievement is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of Pakistani technology in the international market. The Group anticipates completing this inaugural shipment by the end of November, with the support and facilitation of government authorities.
First Export Order: A Monumental Achievement
Deploy Group’s Chairman, Asif Khan, commented, “This is a monumental step not just for Deploy Group but for Pakistan’s entire mobile industry. Exporting our own brand’s mobile phones to Nigeria marks the beginning of Pakistan’s presence in the global mobile market.”
Zeeshan Qureshi, CEO of Deploy Group, shared his insights, “Our participation in Gitex 2023 and the subsequent export order are the fruits of relentless innovation and a firm belief in our national capabilities. We are poised to take on the global stage with our quality products.”
Managing Director Naveed Rangeela reflected on the journey, stating, “Seeing our ‘Made in Pakistan’ brand getting international recognition is a dream come true. The hard work and dedication of our team have paid off, and we’re just getting started.”
The Gitex Technology Week 2023 was a pivotal moment for Deploy Group as it became the first Pakistani mobile manufacturer to exhibit its own brands at this prestigious global tech event. This move not only showcased Pakistan’s capabilities in the technology sector but also underscored Deploy Group’s global ambitions.
The company received an overwhelming response during the five-day exhibition, solidifying its reputation on the international stage. The strategic decision to participate in Gitex was driven by the goal to highlight Pakistani mobile brands and to carve a path for global exports.
Chairman of Deploy Group, Asif Khan, said that PSEB, MoIT and PTA should be appreciated for their support in propelling Pakistani brands like Deploy Group to the forefront at Gitex. Their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in setting the stage for Pakistan’s burgeoning presence in the global tech arena.
The vision of Deploy Group resonates with a deep sense of national pride and a forward-looking international perspective. The management firmly believes that true export opportunities lie with Pakistan’s own brands like Sparx smartphones, Xmobile, Xsmart and Xcess. These proprietary brands possess untapped potential since they are fully owned and operated under Pakistani leadership, unlike foreign brands assembled in the country, which already have a global presence.
The strides made by Deploy Group underscore a broader narrative — with the right support and government backing, Pakistani brands can indeed break into emerging markets and contribute significantly to the country’s foreign reserves. The success of Deploy Group’s first export order to Nigeria paves the way for other local manufacturers to follow suit, potentially leading to a vibrant export-oriented mobile manufacturing industry in Pakistan.


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New Delhi: Over 35 years after a special law to deal with consumer complaints was notified, the adjudicating panels envisaged under the legal framework to decide claim applications still remain unequipped when it comes to infrastructure and manpower needs.
These are the findings of senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who prepared the report on the directions of the Supreme Court, which is hearing a suo motu case initiated in February this year on the large number of vacancies in the consumer bodies. Sankaranarayanan is assisting the bench as an amicus curiae in the matter.
The report, which contains state-wise break-up of the data, was submitted to the court this month.
The report, accessed by ThePrint, says that many district and state consumer redressal bodies do not have storage rooms to preserve case files, chambers for members appointed to hear complaints, in some instances courtrooms, and even something as basic as washrooms.
Moreover, these panels are still understaffed, despite the top court’s directive to states and Union territories to fill up them before October-end.
Under the Consumer Protection Act,1986, a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism — district, state and national level — is designed to provide less expensive and speedy resolution in cases of consumer dispute. However, inadequate infrastructure facilities and vacancies in the commission have defeated the object of the law, the report says.
The situation continues to be dire despite recommendations in the past to rectify them, the report adds.
Two high-level panels — Bagla Committee in 2000 and the Justice Arijit Pasayat Committee in 2016 — had made extensive suggestions to improve the working conditions of the commissions and yet the lacunae remain unattended, it says.
With respect to infrastructure in state and district consumer commissions, the report urges the court to direct states to assess the on-ground requirements within two months and rectify the lacunae on an urgent basis.
Except Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh, all states reported having a dedicated and permanent building for the state-level consumer commission.
However, the report says, all have sought more space to upgrade the existing infrastructure. Only Chandigarh, Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Tripura have set up mediation rooms in their state consumer commission, in accordance with the modified Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Many states reported not building a washroom for litigants, while Delhi, Maharashtra and Nagaland admitted not having washrooms for the staff employed with the state consumer bodies.
Rajasthan, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands don’t have the facility of a storage room, the report says.
The storage or record room is necessitated due to the changes brought in the law in 2020 under which the commission can direct the complainant or the respondent to produce case property for physical examination, which may require the panel to keep it in its custody.
Data related to district commission indicates many consumer dispute redressal panels are lacking in adequate space due to which they are unable to provide separate chambers for its existing members or have a dedicated place for filing counters.
Many district commissions also don’t have washroom facilities for litigants, lack a computer facility for its staff, have no earmarked space as storage or record room, and haven’t developed portals to update judgments or case status.
Vacancies not filled despite SC’s direction
According to the report, there is little progress on filling up the vacancies in the commissions despite the Supreme Court’s direction.
In August, the top court had fixed an eight-week deadline for states to make appointments on all vacant posts, after the amicus furnished a report on the lack of human resources in district consumer commissions and state consumer panels.
Over 500 out of 990 posts were vacant in district consumer panels and 89 more are expected to fall vacant in the next six months, the August report had said. As for state consumer commissions, only four of 28 states and just one Union territory out of eight are working at full strength, it had submitted.
According to the latest report, there is hardly any compliance with the SC’s August direction. Only seven states/UTs — Assam, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Meghalaya, Punjab, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh — have partially filled the vacancies.
Twenty-three states and Union territories have not filled up any vacancy, the report further says, adding that most of the states have promised to finish the process of making all appointments by June 2022.
(Edited by Amit Upadhyaya)


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Two electric cars to arrive after 2020, one is going to be equipped with rotary engine range extender
Mazda has never been particularly famous as a manufacturer of electric cars. Even now, when vast majority of manufacturers are either presenting or already building electric cars, Japan based company is still focused on internal combustion engines and petrol driven cars. Even more, many of its enthusiasts are still hoping they will eventually revive famous rotary engines that powered some of the memorable sport cars. And it looks like they might just do it, albeit not in the way, most of them hoped.
In fact, big news of today that came from Mazda was announcement of two proper electric cars. Both of them should hit the market in 2020 or later and while the first one is going to be powered by electricity alone, the second one is planned to have a single-chamber rotary engine, that is supposed to be small and in the same time light enough to be used in electric car without really noticing it.
Further details about the cars are yet to be announced (Mazda has not even revealed yet, what type of cars are the pair going to be). And while this may be the start, Mazda has not decided to go fully electric. Still, there is another positive factor, regarding the rotary engine. While in the past they were powered by petrol, this new generation should be capable of running on LPG or liquid petroleum gas, making it even cleaner and better suited for the times to come.


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Peel Hunt Reiterates Buy Rating for Dunelm Group plc (DNLM)
Peel Hunt reissued their buy rating on shares of Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday. The brokerage currently has a GBX 1,000 ($13.05) target price on the stock.
DNLM has been the subject of several other research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Dunelm Group plc in a report on Monday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Dunelm Group plc from GBX 1,000 ($13.05) to GBX 890 ($11.62) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 5th. Jefferies Group decreased their price target on shares of Dunelm Group plc from GBX 845 ($11.03) to GBX 700 ($9.14) and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 5th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 875 ($11.42) price target on shares of Dunelm Group plc in a research report on Thursday, July 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Dunelm Group plc presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 883.64 ($11.53).
Dunelm Group plc (LON:DNLM) opened at 875.00 on Wednesday. The firm’s market capitalization is GBX 1.77 billion. Dunelm Group plc has a 52-week low of GBX 724.00 and a 52-week high of GBX 1,023.00. The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 893.42 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 897.91.
The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 3rd will be paid a dividend of GBX 19.10 ($0.25) per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 3rd. This represents a dividend yield of 2.14%.
In other news, insider Down,Keith purchased 5,629 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 865 ($11.29) per share, for a total transaction of £48,690.85 ($63,556.78). Also, insider Browett,John purchased 4,534 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 860 ($11.23) per share, for a total transaction of £38,992.40 ($50,897.27).
Dunelm Group plc Company Profile
Dunelm Group plc is a United Kingdom-based homewares retailer. The Company operates through retail of homewares in the United Kingdom segment. The Company’s business operates through approximately 150 out-of-town superstores and around six high streets, and provides further multi-channel convenience through online, mobile, catalogue, telephone ordering, and reserve and collect propositions.
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Dublin and Berlin are set to be ‘bought out cities’ in Europe this summer season, in keeping with company lodging reserving knowledge launched right now by on-line platform, AltoVita.
Because the return of company journey gathers pace, knowledge from the extended-stay lodging platform revealed that motels within the Irish capital are reporting 96 per cent occupancy charges, whereas Berlin is experiencing 94 per cent occupancy.
With demand excessive throughout the globe, Singapore (89 per cent), Tokyo (89 per cent), New York Metropolis (89 per cent) and Panama (89 per cent) are present hotspots for enterprise travellers. Denver (93 per cent) and San Diego (93 per cent) additionally ranked extremely within the US.
AltoVita CEO and co-founder, Vivi Cahyadi Himmel, mentioned enterprise journey is again in ‘full swing’, with many travellers taking households and pets with them as a part of an prolonged ‘workation’.
“Whereas many cities are ‘bought out’, we’re now discovering artistic options to work inside markets that are seeing excessive occupancy charges, similar to providing various lodging sorts similar to co-living for a brief interval, earlier than transferring right into a short-term rental,” she mentioned.


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McKesson revenues rise $3.4 billion in Q3
SAN FRANCISCO McKesson released its revenues for its third fiscal quarter that ended Dec. 31, 2007. Revenues for the quarter rose by $3.4 billion to $26.5 billion compared with the third quarter last year.
“In our third quarter, McKesson revenues were up 15 percent,” said John Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer. “Distribution Solutions revenues increased 14 percent, driven primarily by solid growth and new business from existing customers and the acquisition of Oncology Therapeutics Network, which occurred on Oct. 29, 2007. Technology Solutions revenues increased 35 percent, driven by the acquisition of Per-Se Technologies and continued expansion in software and services. Operating performance was also strong given that we faced a difficult comparison versus the third quarter a year ago and that we took a number of actions in the quarter designed to improve future financial results.”
Also during the quarter, Cigna decided to expand an online physician consultation service called webVisit nationwide. The service is provided by McKesson’s RelayHealth unit, which also expanded its webVisit deal with Aetna.
General Imaging to sell cameras at Walgreens
LAS VEGAS General Imaging used the first day of the Photo Marketing Association show to announce it will begin selling its cameras at Walgreens in April.
The buzz on opening day at PMA centered on the new wave of new cameras loaded with such features as face and smile recognition at lower prices, a product of a mature market that’s unlikely to match the 34 million cameras sold in the U.S. last year. “Walgreens has been selling some of our cameras on their Web site but they’ll soon be selling them in 6,000 stores,” said Rene Buhay, General Imaging senior vice president of sales and marketing, Americas. “And this will be our first venture into the food and drug category.”
Speaking from the PMA show floor in Las Vegas, Buhay said stores would carry the basic A735 and E850 models with prices starting at $89. “Having our cameras available in stores that are so familar to generations of Americans is a great accomplishment,” he said. “This will help us greatly in further extending our brand.” Buhay said entering Walgreens would expand its GE branded line of cameras to more than 22,000 storefronts. The company also unveiled nine new cameras at PMA.
The PMA show will run until Feb. 2 and is expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees who will check out the latest cameras and printers from major vendors, including Canon, Kodak, Sony, Nikon and Hewlett-Packard.
HearAtLast opens its first stand-alone U.S. location
TORONTO HearAtLast Holdings, which operates hearing clinics within select Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations, has announced the opening of its U.S. first clinic in The Villages, an adult community in Florida.
Prior to the opening, HearAtLast Stores operated exclusively within select Wal-Mart Stores and Sam’s Clubs throughout Canada. The company has nearly doubled its locations expanding from eight to 15 outlets between October and December of 2007. With the newest location, there are currently 16 hearing clinics in Canada and the United States.
The U.S. HearAtLast location is the product of a joint venture between HearAtLast and Vivatone Hearing Systems, a maker of digital hearing aids.
HearAtLast locations sell a selection of hearing aids and offer complimentary screening tests, clinical hearing tests, instant custom MP3 headphones and custom hearing protection.


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Xiaomi has confirmed that it will unveil the Mi Note 10 in Spain on Wednesday, November 6th. The device, which is expected to be the global version of the Mi CC9 Pro, will be launched in Madrid, the company announced via a tweet on Sunday. The event will also be live-streamed for fans around the world.
Welcome to the new era of smartphone cameras!
Join our event to reveal the world's first 108MP Penta camera.
— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) November 3, 2019
As mentioned already, the Mi Note 10 is expected to be the global version of the CC9 Pro that Xiaomi will launch tomorrow in China. The two devices are expected to ship with almost identical hardware, including a penta-cam setup at the back, led by Samsung’s 108MP ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor. The Mi Note 10 will also sport a 32MP selfie-cam with support for wide-angle shots.
Xiaomi has also revealed the exact configuration of the Mi Note 10’s penta-cam setup, confirming that the 108MP primary camera which will be joined by a 5MP shooter with up to 50x zoom, a 12MP sensor for portraits, a 20MP ultra-wide snapper and a 2MP unit for macro shots. Also, at least two of the lenses on the CC9 Pro will have optical image stabilization (OIS), which means we should expect that in the Mi Note 10 as well.
The Mi Note Pro should also come with mush the same specs as the CC9 Pro, including a 6.47-inch FHD+ display, Android 9-based MIUI 11 and a 5,260mAh battery with 30W fast-charging support. However, while all that looks exciting, many are disappointed that the device will only ship with the Snapdragon 730G, which is why some are wondering if Xiaomi is planning to launch a ‘Pro’ version of the Mi Note 10 with the Snapdragon 855+.


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Doritos, which seems to be an endless font of new flavors that play off of its “For the Bold” brand slogan, is launching limited-edition HeatWave varieties in the U.S. for the summer.
Introduced earlier this year in the United Kingdom under a slightly different name (Heatburst), HeatWave’s shtick is that it delivers two different “bold flavor sensations.” The consumer initially tastes one of the two flavors available, BBQ or Chipotle Cream; that is followed by a surge of heat, as mini-chili capsules burst as the chip is crunched.
The initial marketing in the U.S. will include an aerial show and sample drop on May 31, to take place over Duluth, Minnesota — the premise being that Duluth, which has recorded among the coldest Memorial Day temperatures (55 degrees), could use a “HeatWave Drop.”
At noon CDT, two branded helicopters will deliver hundreds of bags of the new variety, as a professional aerial stuntman performs. A video of the event will be available on the brand’s Facebook page starting June 5.
Doritos is also promoting a 30-second video/TV spot on a site dedicated to HeatWave. The creative — from AMV BBDO and PepsiCo — features a cute baby dragon character that innocently sets objects aflame in its excitement over sharing various activities with its human "parent." The message is that eating HeatWave chips is sort of like finding a baby dragon on your doorstep: “At first, it’s all joy — but soon, things are gonna heat up.”
Essentially the same creative, save the different name, was used in a two-month TV campaign in the U.K.
The brand is also promoting a HeatWave sweepstakes on the site. Consumers may enter in any of three ways: By creating a GIF by adding Doritos-supplied dragon stickers and filters to their profiles pictures; by using their phones to scan a HeatWave bag; or by entering a code from a HeatWave bag on the site.
Prizes include a Hawaiian volcano trip, and branded items such as tumblers, tee-shirts and noise-cancelling headphones.


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Gross domestic product of both the European Union and the euro area increased by more than twelve percent quarter-on-quarter in the third quarter. France has strengthened the most. Year-on-year, however, the European economy is still about four percent down.
Eurozone economic output increased by 12.7 percent in the third quarter compared to the April-June period. Gross domestic product across the European Union grew by 12.1 percent in the same quarter. This is apparent from the latest data from the European statistical office Eurostat. This is practically erasing the economic downturn that the EU-27 and the eurozone faced in the second quarter.
Yet the European economy is still in recession if we come out of a year-on-year comparison. About four percent. Indeed, both the European Union and the countries with euro currency have already entered an economic downturn in the first quarter of this year, although the vast majority of anti-epidemic measures did not start to have a negative effect until April and May.
France reported the strongest quarter-on-quarter growth, with the economy solidifying by 18.2 percent. This was followed by Spain (16.7) and Italy (16.1). Europe’s largest economy, Germany, grew by 8.2 percent quarter-on-quarter. Lithuania (down 1.7 percent) and Latvia (3.1 percent) reported the lowest year-on-year declines.


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nbn co - News, Features, and Slideshows
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft decision that will give the go-ahead to a revised deal between NBN Co and Optus relating to the telco's hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) network.
By Rohan Pearce | 23 July, 2015 14:14
NBN would be compelled to share more information about the rollout of the National Broadband Network with retail service providers (RSPs) under a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
By Rohan Pearce | 01 July, 2015 10:41
Cloud, big data and analytics, mobile, social, and IT security have impacted networking – bringing it almost to breaking point. This whitepaper looks at the future of networking to accommodate these evolving trends.
Remote offices, branch offices and small businesses have dramatically stepped up their adoption of new technology to help them run everything from typical business applications to cutting-edge solutions that differentiate their organizations. But that rapid run-up in new technology deployments has often come with a cost: increased infrastructure complexity that has become harder and more expensive to manage. This whitepaper looks at how to get the best out of complex infrastructure through converged systems.
- Twitter surprises with a sales gain, but user growth lags
- Italian parliament drafts a declaration of Internet rights
- Meet Arrow, a new Android launcher from Microsoft's Garage
- IT hears the siren call of free Windows 10 upgrades
- Amazon proposes drone superhighways in sky
- Senators call for investigation of potential safety, security threats from connected cars
- Amazon Launchpad store will sell goods from startups
- Obama won't pardon Snowden, despite petition
- Salesforce tools let customers snap together new mobile apps
- NFV a hit for OpenDaylight
- Darkode cybercrime forum might be making a comeback
- Motorola launches 3 new Android phones with 'amazing value'
- Google: Lock up your Compute Engine data with your own encryption keys
- Microsoft starts pre-loading Windows 10 upgrade onto PCs
- Intel, Micron claim a new class of memory between flash and DRAM


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This week at CES Walmart brought news of the launch of their Disc-to-Digital In-Home service, along with the announcement of a new Facebook app that will let users view movie content and influence what movies Walmart sells in-store and online. Walmart’s Disc-to-Digital service was, of course, launched about a year ago. But the service (which is powered by VUDU) has been extended to let users acquire UltraViolet digital copies of their movies and TV shows at home rather than in-store only. Standard DVDs and Blu-ray cost $2 per conversion, while upgrades to HD quality digital titles cost $5 per conversion. Walmart is also offering 10 free movies to new customers who sign up.
“We see a great opportunity to provide our customers with accessible and affordable tools to help them bring their movie collections into the digital age,” said John Aden, executive vice president for general merchandising, Walmart U.S.
Participating studios include: DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
In terms of social engagement, Walmart’s upcoming Facebook app will let users vote on which movies will be sold online and in-stores, as well as share titles with friends, redeem special promotions, and get access to exclusive content. Walmart says their Entertainment Facebook App will launch in time for the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 pre-sale period in February.


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just-drinks authors and correspondents
Tom Vierhile, Innovation Insights Director at Datamonitor
Columns by Tom Vierhile, Innovation Insights Director at Datamonitor
Every month, Tom Vierhile from Datamonitor considers the latest NPD in drinks.
Articles by Tom Vierhile, Innovation Insights Director at Datamonitor
Don’t look now, but one of the most memorable and controversial trends in soft drinks from the 1980s and 1990s – clear soft drinks – is staging a comeback. And, some of the iconic clear soft drinks of the period, including Original New York Seltzer, Clearly Canadian and maybe even Crystal Pepsi are leading the charge.
In this month's review of drinks NPD, Tom Vierhile considers how wine companies are helping consumers make their wine-purchasing decisions.
By taking the pulp out of their products, could fruit juice makers be missing a trick when it comes to consumers craving healthy alternatives? Tom Vierhile from Datamonitor delves deeper.
The race for volume in the drinks industry is drawing to a close, with smaller packaging options coming to the fore, particularly in beer and soft drinks. Tom Vierhile from Datamonitor investigates.
The beer industry’s obsession with craft beer may have hit a peak of sorts with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s snarky Super Bowl ad mocking craft beer lovers as soft and undeserving of “brewed the hard way” beer like Budweiser. Controversy aside, large brewers now seem to be looking beyond craft beer as the next great growth opportunity by embracing new flavoured malt beverages (FMBs) proliferating in cocktail-inspired flavours.
'Beauty from within' is a concept that has captivated and confounded global beverage makers for years. The last great burst of innovation took place around 2008 and was short-lived, as a tanking global economy dragged promising “beauty from within” concepts like Nestle’s Glowelle down with it. But, with chatter about “beauty from within” growing again and new product innovation on the rise, is the beauty drink concept finally on the cusp of great things?“Beauty from within” is a concept that has captivated and confounded global beverage makers for years. The last great burst of innovation took place around 2008 and was short lived as a tanking global economy dragged promising concepts like Nestle’s Glowelle down with it. But, with chatter about 'beauty from within' growing again and new product innovation on the rise, is the beauty-drink concept finally on the cusp of great things?
The success of craft beer may be one of the biggest success stories in packaged beverages in the last 50 years. Craft beer currently accounts for over 14% of the overall beer market in the US and craft beer production nearly doubled between 2011 and 2014, according to the country's Brewers Association.
The next frontier for the beer market is not your local bar or pub, or the beer cooler at your nearby supermarket; it’s your kitchen counter.
The craft cocktail trend that has been percolating in pubs, bars and restaurants worldwide is finally coming home. Craft cocktails are making house calls today, thanks to a fresh generation of innovative mixers that help consumers create new mixed drinks at home.
This month, Tom Vierhile from Datamonitor considers the latest entrants into the cold-pressed juices category.
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China will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8, the National Health Commission said on Monday. It will also downgrade the seriousness of COVID-19 as it has become less virulent and will gradually evolve into a common respiratory infection.
By Tuesday morning in Hong Kong, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 0.5%. China's bluechip gained 0.6% and Japan's Nikkei stock index rose 0.43%.
U.S. stock futures, the S&P 500 e-minis, inched up 0.61%, indicating the market is set to rise as traders return to their terminals on Tuesday after the Christmas holiday.
Markets in some regions including Hong Kong and Australia remain shut on Tuesday.
Chaoping Zhu, a global market strategist and JPMorgan Asset Management, said the latest policy move from China indicated economic activity in most major cities may return to normal very quickly, which is very positive for investors.
"Most Chinese cities could recover from the first wave of the latest COVID-19 outbreak by January... this would be faster than people have expected," he said, adding there was concern of an outbreak lasting longer and weighing on the economy, but that developments have been in general better than expected.
He also said the reopening of China, which also entails resuming outbound visits for Chinese tourists, will lift consumer and service sectors outside of the country, particularly those in nearby Southeast Asia.
Inbound tourists had recovered 60% to 70% by November for many ASEAN countries, Zhu said, citing in-house research, but there is still a gap between now and 2019 before the pandemic.
"This gap will be filled by Chinese tourists. This is the last piece of the puzzle," he said.
The dollar moved broadly lower on Tuesday while Australia's and New Zealand's currencies jumped as risk appetite grew after China scrapped its quarantine rule.
The kiwi surged 0.65% to $0.63115 while the Aussie gained 0.25% to $0.67485 in mostly thin year-end trading. The two currencies are often used as liquid proxies for China's yuan.
Oil prices ticked up on thin trade on Tuesday, on concerns that winter storms across the United States are affecting logistics and production of petroleum products and shale oil.
Brent crude was up 73 cents, or 0.9%, at $84.65 a barrel by 0122 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $80.41 a barrel, up 85 cents, or 1.1%.
U.S. Treasuries will resume trading on Friday. The benchmark 10-year yield climbed the most last week since early April, ending around 3.75%.
The latest Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, released on Friday showed inflationary pressure is easing, but Federal Reserve policymakers remain concerned by the strength of the labour market and the stickiness of service sector and wage inflation, which could complicate the central bank's efforts.
Analysts from Citi flagged upside risk in a report on Friday that the Fed's policy interest rate could reach 5.25% to 5.50% by the end of 2023, largely based on expectations of the labour market continuing to add jobs in the first months of 2023 despite already being very tight, putting further upward pressure on wages and non-shelter service prices.
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- Adani Group Stocks Rally, Close Off Day’s Highs
Adani Group stocks rallied in early trade on Tuesday after the promoters said they had repaid ₹9,250 crore ($1.1 billion) of debt backed by shares in three companies.MHA, IT Min to Talk App Ban with RBI
The home and IT ministries, along with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), will hold discussions over the next few days to decide on the next steps after the government blocked 94 online lending apps earlier this week, multiple people aware of the developments said.Health Info-with-Price Norm likely for Ecomm
India’s food safety regulator is likely to mandate online marketplaces to prominently display key health and nutritional alerts alongside the retail price for packaged items sold on their platforms, multiple people aware of the matter told ET.
Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.


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Peter Dinklage and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are calling on Game of Thrones fans not to buy huskies because they resemble the Stark clan’s direwolves, only to abandon the canine companions once the novelty wears off.
“Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are also reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned — as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding their needs,” Dinklage said Tuesday in a statement released by PETA.
Direwolves are big and intelligent wolves that loom large in the mythology on Game of Thrones. They are especially connected to House Stark, home of the series’ most readily identifiable heroes, including Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Arya (Maisie Williams), the only two Stark siblings whose direwolves are still alive on the show.
Look-alike huskies have become popular with dog owners who want to bring some Stark-like swagger into their homes. But Dinklage warns pet owners that huskies require lifelong care, including exercise and grooming.
“Please, please, if you’re going to bring a dog into your family, make sure that you’re prepared for such a tremendous responsibility and remember to always, always, adopt from a shelter,” he said.
PETA notes that earlier Hollywood projects like 101 Dalmatians, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Legally Blonde and Men in Black also spurred spikes in the sales of featured dog breeds that later showed up in shelters because of ill-prepared owners.
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On May 4, VirusTotal (VT) made two specific changes to its policies that were at the time seen as particularly aimed at the next-gen (machine-learning, signature-less) endpoint security vendors. The first required that all companies wishing to make full use of the VT API would need to register their detection engines with the public-facing VT interface; while the second change effectively insisted on membership of the Anti Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO). Crowdstrike has now become the first next-gen vendor to comply with both requirements.
The move by Google-owned VT was welcomed by the original signature-based anti-malware industry, who felt they were being unfairly treated by aggressive next-gen marketing — often based on public VT results and wrongly claiming that the traditional vendors are simply blacklist signature detection systems.
There are some signs that this aggressive marketing by the next-gen vendors is toning down, but it is still continuing today. Nevertheless, this move by CrowdStrike is a positive sign that at least one next-gen vendor is willing to integrate into the overall anti-malware market for the benefit of all users.
By ‘joining’ VirusTotal, CrowdStrike has committed to the VT policies; which include, “VirusTotal should not be used to generate comparative metrics between different antivirus products;” and “VirusTotal should not be used as deceptive means to discredit or to validate claims for or against a legitimate participant in the anti-malware industry.”
“We are the only machine learning signature-less vendor right now. We expect and encourage others to join,” CrowdStrike’s chief scientist Dr. Sven Krasser told SecurityWeek. “We want to work with the community to contribute to community standards. As a vendor offering next-gen AV solutions and advanced threat prevention, we should (and we are) also granting access to our data.”
A second criticism from the traditional anti-malware vendors is that next-gen vendors have been reluctant to submit their products to independent third-party testing. CrowdStrike is also leading a change in attitude over testing.
Simon Edwards, director of third-party testing company SELabs, told SecurityWeek, “Since the beginning of the year I’ve noticed a much greater interest in testing coming from these companies.” Indeed, CrowdStrike is an example of this, submitting itself for testing by SELabs under AMTSO guidelines in July 2016. It did rather well, achieving 100% malware detection for both known and unknown samples, with a 0% false positive rate.
All of this begs a major question: if a next-gen endpoint security vendor can integrate its machine learning detection system into VT, why can’t the traditional vendors do the same? After all, all traditional anti-malware companies have employed machine learning techniques for many years.
The answer would seem to be that traditional vendors employ machine learning to train logic bundles that are used on the client system, designed, said F-Secure’s Andrew Patel, “to detect suspiciousness based on the structure of a file or its behavior.” The logic bundles are then delivered to the client by regular updates — and it is this process that cannot easily be replicated on VirusTotal. It’s “not only super-resource intensive,” said Patel, “it’s hell to maintain; especially when you consider that VT’s systems already contain over 50 products. Even if VT had the infrastructure available to do this for 300,000 samples times 50 vendors per day, they’d still need to hire people to maintain the environment and products.”
So the big difference between the two models is that next-gen vendors design the algorithms and turn them loose on the customer, while the traditional vendors keep the machine learning at the back end; largely, said one vendor, “because we believe that machine learning still requires a degree of human oversight.”
Early machine learning generated a large number of false positives — but it has improved dramatically over recent years (as proven by CrowdStrike’s 0% false positive certificate from SELabs). It might be time for the traditional vendors to overhaul their marketing philosophy. CrowdStrike has agreed not to use VT results to promote its own ‘scores’ above other VT results (because that is misleading). But consumers have always done this, and they will continue to do this. CrowdStrike is effectively playing by the trad vendors’ rules to its own advantage.
CrowdStrike was involved in the incident response effort following the DNC hack, and discovered evidence of two separate Russian intelligence gathering actors: CozyDuke and Fancy Bear.


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A pedestrian passes in entrance of a Charles Schwab Corp. financial institution department in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
Christopher Dilts | Bloomberg | Getty Visuals
Brokerage Charles Schwab is supplying most of its staff a distinctive 5% pay back raise as report inventory market place stages propel the industry’s earnings.
CEO Walt Bettinger explained Thursday in a press launch that he wished to reward personnel “for their contributions and their relentless commitment to see the earth by way of clients’ eyes, even throughout the most difficult moments.”
Schwab, a single of the most important U.S. brokerages together with opponents like Fidelity, Interactive Brokers and upstart Robinhood, has benefited mightily from growing stock markets and increased retail participation during the pandemic. Schwab explained that in the first fifty percent of the yr, shoppers opened 4.8 million new accounts and new assets totaled $257 billion, double the 12 months-previously total.
The raises “will be utilized to the wide vast majority of the firm’s workers, effective late September 2021,” the company reported. “It will not contain the company’s Govt Council or colleagues collaborating in Schwab’s incentive payment designs.”
The Westlake, Texas based mostly agency also mentioned that it was pushing back its return-to-business office programs till January 2022 at the earliest due to the fact of the far more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.
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