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Ash vs Evil Dead released in UK on Virgin Media this December
James R | On 27, Nov 2015
Ash vs Evil Dead will be released in the UK this December on Virgin Media, we can confirm.
It’s been years since Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell took us out to an isolated cabin in the woods, only to accidentally open a veritable Pandora’x box of bad things – but it’s felt like even longer for fans of the franchise, as the new Starz TV series premiered in the US at Halloween, then promptly failed to find a home on British soil.
Now, Ash vs Evil Dead has a confirmed UK release date of 1st December.
Where can you watch it on UK TV? You can’t – at least, not on the traditional, old-school telly. The show will not be screened on a channel at a set time, but will be available exclusively on Virgin Media’s VOD platform. In other words, customers can watch the show for free, whenever they want.
The first five episodes will be released for binge-viewing on Virgin’s TV On Demand on Tuesday 1st December, before also being added to Virgin’s TV Anywhere streaming service from 9th December. (TV Anywhere, which is only available to Virgin Media TiVo customers, allows Virgin customers to watch things on the go, with an app available for iOS and Android devices, plus Amazon’s Kindle Fire.)
The box set release of Episodes 1 to 5 will catch UK fans up with the US broadcasts, with further episodes – beginning with Episode 6 – released weekly on Virgin Media On Demand, within days of their US premieres.
The exclusive deal follows a similar agreement between BT TV and AMC for Fear the Walking Dead, as pay-TV providers in the UK increasingly snap up top new US shows to attract customers. It’s a tactic Sky has been using for years, although Sky has since launched its own standalone VOD service (NOW) to give those who don’t want to be locked in a pay-TV contract a way to watch things. So far, neither BT TV nor Virgin Media have followed suit. How much does it cost to sign up with Virgin Media? TV services start from £20 a month, with a variety of short-term discounts available for those signing up to use Virgin phone and broadband as well.
Existing Virgin Media customers will be able to find the show from Tuesday by heading to TV On Demand on their set top box and then heading to “Collections” and “Ash Vs Evil Dead”.
While Amazon has bought the subscription VOD rights to AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, which will arrive on Prime Video next year, there is no sign yet of any second-run deals for Ash vs Evil Dead. Watch this space for more news.
David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, says: “We are very excited about bringing Ash vs Evil Dead to the UK, exclusively for Virgin Media customers. This long-awaited and much anticipated series marks a step-change in our TV programming strategy and demonstrates the true potential for video on demand. By investing in original series and bringing more exclusive TV shows to Virgin Media customers, we are unlocking the power of the boxset once again. Ash Vs Evil Dead is just the start for Virgin Media customers.”
Mara Winokur, Senior Vice President of Digital at Starz, adds: “Fans throughout the world have been thirsting for the return of Ash. Starz is thrilled to partner with Virgin Media and honoured that the truly ‘groovy’ new hit series, Ash vs Evil Dead was selected to kick off its new on demand programming initiative for UK audiences.”
Here’s a trailer for the show:
Updated at 00.01am Tuesday 1st December to include comment from Virgin Media and Starz


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Our team at Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation Center answered today's question about traumatic brain injuries.
Q: What are the signs of a TBI (traumatic brain injury)?
A: Here are some of the most common signs:
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Vitamins, supplements and probiotics help keep your body healthy, can boost your immune system, and provide you with the nutrients your body needs. Here's why it's important to add vitamins, supplements and probiotics to your diet.Read News Article
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Reopening with phase 4 has begun in many upstate NY regions including Monroe County. Dr. Michael Mendoza says we need to be vigilant and keep social distancing as the warm weather continues. Get the latest numbers of coronavirus cases.Read News Article

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"Fish is not part of the barbecue canon," says Oklahoma Joe's Director of Marketing Doug Worgul. "But I always say that [co-owner] Jeff [Stehney] is very much an innovative traditionalist."
The salmon, imported from Chile, is cured for 36 hours before a housemade dry rub is applied. It then marinates for 72 hours before being finished in the smoker.
"Curing and rubbing and smoking. It's the same process we use for meat," Worgul says. "This is Joe's Kansas City Smoked Salmon prepared in the Kansas City tradition."
After coming out of the smoker, the salmon is separated into chunks over a bed of mixed greens. Oklahoma Joe's then adds shredded carrots, pickled red onions, thinly sliced English cucumbers, creamy tomato dressing and a drizzle of tomato jam (created by new chef Robe Douglas and also used on the pulled chicken sandwich).
The smoked salmon salad ($9.99) will be available today for Ash Wednesday and then on subsequent Fridays for Lent (through the end of March). Today also marks the return of the soft-shell crab po'boy, a deep-fried soft-shell crab sandwich on a hoagie bun with barbecue remoulade, shredded cabbage and tomato.
"We want to talk to our customers and see what they like," Worgul says. "If the response is what we think it will be, I expect we might be rolling out a salmon platter or smoked salmon sandwich in the future."
The smoked salmon salad is not the first seafood dish prepared by Oklahoma Joe's. They sold a fish filet version of the Z-Man back in 2011 and a seafood jambalaya, shrimp and crawfish with a spicy Cajun rice, last year. Both dishes didn't sell well enough to stay on the menu.
"Those are both now in the history of Oklahoma Joe's," Worgul says. "Some people will miss the jambalaya, and I'm one of them."


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Coronavirus has had an incredible impact on just about every market in the developed world. Retailers struggled to get products off of their shelves, while grocers tried to keep their shelves stocked, restaurants closed their doors for months, and countless brick and mortar stores scrambled to go digital. As for American farmers, many of their crops were wasted and razor-thin margins became thinner. Modern technologies are being rapidly deployed to save the day, but the agricultural community may be changed forever.
What COVID Did to Crops and Commerce
The situation with the novel coronavirus is unprecedented – raising many questions about the future of farming. So far, the virus has wreaked havoc on fields, crops, and commercial farms because of supply chain restrictions, workforce depletions, global stock market crashes, and growing concerns about a continual viral presence. The mysteries surrounding COVID-19 and the resulting economic downturn are drastically hindering the productivity (and enthusiasm) of most agricultural land managers. As a result, the time is ripe for innovative farming technologies and sustainable business models – wind, water, and solar power harnessing, for example.
The Future of Farming with the Coronavirus
If the virus has taught us anything it’s that being prepared for global calamity isn’t just a pastime for the paranoid. Farmers, their families, agricultural employers, and their employees need to carefully consider a few facts when planning for the next growing season. Here are five things you need to know according to experts at the University of Wisconsin:
- Markets and Prices May Change Dramatically
People are making more mindful decisions about what they eat, where they go, and how much they spend. Because COVID-19 precautions include social distancing and voluntary quarantines, consumers are spending a lot less on goods and services that involve crowds, traveling, and/or in-person interactions. The impact of those behaviors on global demand may drive costs up or down depending on the health of the supply chain. Unfortunately, supply chains have been slowed or disrupted since the beginning of the pandemic. On the bright side, most markets are still trading electronically.
- Global Trade Might Decrease Significantly
Governmental concerns about the origins of the virus and efforts to slow the spread have created tension at our borders, meaning merchants aren’t as willing to buy, sell, or trade with American farmers (or vice versa). Additional safety and handling fees are also being added to some sales receipts, and unprepared vendors are now struggling to keep up with greater demands from the remote sector of the market. The most at-risk agricultural product sector may be dairy, with delayed economic bounce-backs pushing out milk price recoveries for yet another year.
- Farmers May Experience Decreased Health
Successful farmers need strong mental and physical health. Throughout the Midwest, the average farmer is slightly older than the general population but usually as healthy as an ox. As we all know now, however, COVID-19 is especially dangerous for seniors and people with pre-existing conditions. And 11.7% of American farmers are 75 years or older, so the impact of this virus may have longer tentacles than we think. There are still many unknowns about the mental ramifications of the virus. But no matter, it’s obvious that aged Ag managers need to take safety precautions seriously.
- Good Help May Become Even Harder to Find
Labor shortages may seem counterintuitive during an economic collapse that leaves millions of able-bodied men and women out of work, but that’s what a worldwide pandemic will do. Some workers are still afraid to return to work because of the threat of infection, especially if they live with or take care of someone who is in a high-risk group. And in states where the viral presence is much higher than others, lengthy workplace absences could put busy agricultural projects in a very tight spot. Unfortunately, those same concerns affect distributors, processors, and the rest of the country’s agricultural supply chain.
- Safety and Confidence May be Compromised
Employee/employer safety is paramount in the food growing business but shortages on PPE (personal protection equipment) may put some workers at an increased risk while on the job. The current demands for N-95 respirators by essential healthcare workers means fewer options for private citizens and businesses. In the spring when dusty grain is harvested and while handling potentially infected livestock year-round, the availability (or lack thereof) of protective gear may limit what farmers can do and could significantly decrease produce quality as a result.
It will take some time before we can accurately measure the mental, emotional, physical, and financial effects of COVID-19 on the agricultural community. To reduce the spread, farmers are obviously urged to take heightened precautions when handling goods or doing business with other entities. Despite growing concerns about supply chain health, hoarding of produce isn’t recommended as it could cause even greater problems for the country’s already struggling infrastructure. Furthermore, agricultural land managers are advised not to gouge prices out of fear.
The Bigger Picture
Although Coronavirus has blindsided American farmers, the resilience they’ve displayed through other global calamities is a beacon of hope for the rest of our country. Fortunately, the U.S. government is supporting the agricultural industry through various Federal aid programs and regulatory reform. A few minor adjustments may have to be made for the time being, but eventually our robust nation will regain its foothold and return as an economic powerhouse. As one of American’s essential workers, it’s farmer’s responsibility to remain educated and informed. For tips on how to survive and thrive during the temporary coronavirus outbreak, visit Farmers.gov/coronavirus.


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What inspired former Calgary Canucks player-turned TV-producer Michael Lowe to launch Kidoodle.TV in 2014 was the need to create consistently safe content for kids. Horrified by his young son’s reaction to a video he’d just watched on YouTube, Lowe created a subscription-based streaming service where every piece of content was guaranteed safe and age-appropriate, making the viewer experience comfortable for kids and parents alike.
But a subscription product aimed at millennial families who were already facing a host of other expenses had an inherent problem. When subscription fatigue inevitably set in, it became clear that the company would need to offer a free ad-supported model, which it introduced in 2018. This approach has been wildly successful, making Kidoodle the fastest growing OTT streaming service for kids on CTV. However, by introducing advertising content that the company had not curated itself, Kidoodle also risked undermining the safe viewer experience that was its hallmark.
The solution, explains Kidoodle chief technology officer Daniel Riddell, was creating an internal process that combined software and real-time human review to make sure the quality of the ads matched the quality of the overall content. Since the process—which takes no more than five minutes per ad—was released this past April, the company has reviewed some 25,000 unique ad creatives—and approved about 70% of them as being safe for the Kidoodle audience.
Only Part of the Problem
Brand safety, however, was only part of the viewer experience problem that Kidoodle faced. Like other publishers in the OTT/CTV space, Kidoodle had experienced problems with repetitive ads, competitive positioning, and latency. And those could be just as jarring to an audience of kids as they could be to adults. Moreover, notes Riddell, the waterfall system so prevalent in so much CTV “doesn’t work in a real-time environment,” like that provided by Kidoodle. “We needed to flatten the waterfall and make sure that all demand providers had equal access to our inventory in a real-time auction.”
Jonas Olsen, vice president of video at PubMatic, a digital programmatic innovator, has seen that problem play out all across the new television landscape. “In the new world of TV, where everything happens in real time and you have an auction running every 200 milliseconds, you cannot control that content because you have no idea what is happening,” he says. “It’s much more volatile in the new world of TV than it used to be in the linear TV world. It’s harder to protect yourself.”
And television, Olsen adds, is so much more broadly defined than it ever was. “What is television today?” he asks. “Is it only something you watch on a big screen in your living room or is something you watch on your mobile device on your way to work or on a screen in an airplane.” The key to success in the evolving world of television, he says, rests in “the ability to run a true omnichannel strategy, engaging consumers across every single screen with a TV-like viewing experience.’”
Just Getting Started
One step in that direction, says Olsen, is OpenWrap OTT, a server-to-server header bidding product that PubMatic launched in June to solve for such problems as latency, repetitive ads, and the lack of competitive separation at the same time that it provides the best possible yield for publishers and the best possible experience for viewers. “The efficiency of implementation is there for publishers,” says Riddell, whose company has signed on with OpenWrap. “It’s a very quick integration process and provides better end user experience and better monetization of the inventory overall.”
But given the speed at which television is advancing, solving for these problems is only the beginning.
Due in part to COVID and the homebound population’s dramatic increase in viewership, says Riddell, “advancements that streaming services would have made in a decade have been condensed into a year.” Kidoodle, for one, has realized over 240% growth since the start of COVID and is still seeing more than a 30% month-over-month growth rate. Riddell predicts that overall “we’ll see an accelerated shift of budgets away from traditional linear to OTT and CTV environments—by a factor of three to five times what it would have been.”
Olsen notes that “Brands will need to reach consumers when they’re most receptive, using machine learnings to know what ad content to choose for which audiences. Publishers will sell an audience across screens, and buyers can reach those audiences on any screen at the point when they’re most receptive. The smarter we get about this, the better we can customize the ad pods and the better the user experience.”
Farewell to Traditional Ad Serving
And this, Olsen suggests, will change the game for ad serving within a year.
“Traditional ad serving will fade away,” Olsen contends, “because agility and flexibility are coming to rule the TV space. Why should a buyer pay a guaranteed amount for a show that airs months away in an upfront, when you can now buy in real time—for the price that the market determines at that particular time? Advertisers are going to spend their money where and when they know they are going to reach their audience.”
For brands with a family-focused audience, Kidoodle might just be the answer, just as the direction in which Kidoodle has moved to match ad quality to content quality is likely to work for publishers focused on other demographics. “We’ve done a study to gauge parents’ attitudes about streaming,” says Karina Vasquez, Kidoodle’s director of B2B marketing, “and 95% said they need better options for managing the content their kids are exposed to. That plays a factor in terms of how both the content and the environment in which that content exists is working to alleviate parental concern.” And given the success Kidoodle has achieved, it seems the network—which now auto-plays a lesson in COVID-preventing handwashing whenever the channel comes on—is one publisher that is firmly positioned for just the kind of success that Olsen has envisioned.


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Jon Weilbaker, General Manager, NewYorkATM.com
If you’re a small ATM operator like me, you might have spent the last two years cursing the people who thought up EMV, the banks that continue to close accounts despite the end of Operation Chokepoint, and the states that now require registration of all nonbank ATMs.
And you might still be hoping that hackers can quickly figure out how to take out the new mobile payment apps that are hurting our transaction volumes.
On one hand, these issues have cost us all a lot of money and wasted a lot of our time. But on the other hand, they also have created great opportunities for the small ATM operator — in fact, greater than at any time since I got into the business in 2003.
Here are four developments that have created new opportunities for our business:
1) Merchant-load burnout
Small ATM operators have an opportunity to take over merchant-loaded locations.
I’ve found that, burdened with yet another upgrade (EMV is just one) and the same OCP bank account closures as many ATM operators, many store owners are gladly turning over the job of running their ATMs to professional operators.
Many merchants have older machines that need to be completely replaced to be EMV compliant and they do not want to spend the money.
Merchants are tired of fighting with their banks, and at some level among our immigrant storeowners, there is a fear of deportation if they “get in trouble” with their bank or their state regulatory authorities.
Merchants can eliminate the fear of chargebacks, regulatory issues, internal or external theft and the headache of maintaining increasingly technical equipment by turning over the ATM operations to us.
And most times, merchants can raise their surcharge fee to a market rate to cover the cost of outsourcing. So at the end of the month, the merchant ends up with the same income as before, but without the ongoing demand for investment and upkeep.
As a matter of fact, we have taken over more traditionally merchant-loaded locations in the past 30 days than we did in the past 10 years.
Lastly, we are noticing an increase in the number of merchants getting burned with EMV chargebacks following the Visa shift in October; word of this is starting to circulate in the merchant community and we predict a tidal wave of ATM outsourcing within the next few months.
2) Declining transaction fallout
Many part-time and larger out-of-state operators are giving up on small restaurants, bars and hotels as withdrawals fall and these sites become unprofitable for them.
In the past, these traditionally credit card-friendly locations did a decent ATM business. They tend to be nice clean locations with owners who want good service, and are willing providing us with a larger cut and higher surcharge fee in order to get it. So, yes, lower transaction volumes and less work, but also higher profitability.
These locations have been hit the worst as a result of the increasing use of mobile payments and plastic. But, by the same token, the competition has diminished, putting us in a better position to negotiate fee splits.
We recently picked up a busy hotel location because the previous operator wouldn’t pay for a wireless box!
3) New technologies that increase efficiency and profitability
Technology now allows us to remotely reboot ATMs, print journals, and locate wireless modems and assess their signal strength.
ATM operators who embrace these and other new technologies become more operationally efficient, which allows them to run larger fleets and frees up more of their time to negotiate new contracts and maximize asset profitability.
New functionalities at the ATM, such as direct currency conversion (available now) or bitcoin purchase and cash-out capability (maybe coming soon) are certainly worth a try. These options are often available from your processor at no cost and can bring in extra income.
4) Conversion of high volume locations to armored car load
Very few of us small ATM operators have an unlimited reserve of cash. Because of this, it can make a lot of sense to develop a relationship with an armored carrier management company that can load higher volume locations.
This cuts down on stress and risk, and frees up vault cash that can be used instead to service a larger number of lower-volume locations.
The use of armored carriers also allows you to expand your geographic footprint — and it might not cost as much as you would think. There are many local armored carriers that do an excellent job loading ATMs.
The landscape for the small ATM operator is changing rapidly, but cash is not going away as a payment vehicle.
The successful small ATM operators will be nimble and resourceful enough to use these major changes to grow their business.


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WATCH: How lockdown has weighed on Super Group
Super Group CEO Peter Mountford talks to Business Day TV about the group’s full-year performance
Super Group experienced tough trading conditions across all its operations during its full-year as lockdown regulations took effect.
Business Day TV spoke to CEO Peter Mountford for more detail on the company’s financial performance.
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Parcel delivery service to help boost volumes of textile recycling
Aussie households can now have their unwanted old clothes, shoes and textiles picked up from home – at a desired time convenient to them – to be recycled. The streamlined self-service digital textile collection service has been launched by leading parcel delivery service CouriersPlease (CP) and sustainable sock company Manrags.
CP partnered with Manrags because of their aligned mission to create a sustainable future. For CP, the partnership is the first of several sustainability initiatives it is implementing over the next 12 months, as part of the company’s green focus.
Around 60,000 tonnes of unusable donations to charities in Australia are sent to landfill each year, with over $13 million spent in waste management by charity and opportunity shops alone.
The Manrags and CP partnership removes any potential barriers between consumers recycling and reusing good. To book a textile collection service, consumers ‘purchase’ their collection on the Manrags website for $25, which allows for up to 10kg of unwanted textiles to be picked up from their home.
In addition to the digital textile recycling partnership, CP is rolling out a textile recycling point at all manned depots around the country.
Paul Roper, Chief Commercial Officer at CP, says: “CouriersPlease is striving to make all aspects of our business greener. As such, we will be rolling out several sustainable initiatives over the next 12 months as we strive to become a carbon-neutral carrier. We’re thrilled to embark on this journey and partner with Manrags.
“To contribute even further and encourage our people, our CP franchisees will have their old uniforms shredded and turned into new useful pieces through Manrags’ recycling program. It will play a big role in our over-arching environmental strategy aimed at reducing our carbon footprint.”
Michael Elias, founder and managing director of Manrags, says: “Our new partnership with CouriersPlease is a further step towards making the textile recycling process accessible and seamless for the public. There’s no reason for clothing, shoes and linen to end up in landfill now as we’ve created a fast and seamless pick-up experience for households.”


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UKFT statement on the UK-Australia trade deal
UKFT welcomes the agreement in principle for a Trade Agreement to be agreed between the UK and Australian governments. This is the first of the UK’s “new” trade agreements (i.e. it is the first agreement to be made in principle which does not replicate an agreement the UK previously benefitted while it was a member of the European Union) and it marks an important step in the UK’s new relationship with the world.
Paul Alger MBE, International Business Director, said: “UKFT is pleased to see that we have an agreement in principle on this first UK-Australian trade agreement. As with all trade agreements, the devil will be in the detail and we look forward to seeing the final text and Rules of Origin details for this agreement.”
Export is a fundamental part of UKFT’s activities, offering business advice and support to UK fashion and textile exporters with their business strategy.


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Growing Engagement & Loyalty Through Automation & Moderation
Social loyalty platform Chirpify has added several new components and features to its offerings that the company hopes will help brands make better use of their participation on networks like Facebook and Twitter.
Perhaps the most noteworthy addition is that of Reply Rewards, an offering that will enable brands to listen for specific topics or brand sentiment and reward social consumers for their behavior. Chirpify is also introducing its Moderation feature which will enables brands to review and filter social media posts using criteria that would qualify, or disqualify, someone for a reward. A brand moderator, for example, could set up a filter to determine which users included a specific hashtag. The company has also made it possible to have automated social responses be in the consumer's native language.
"These new features give brands the ability to combine a spectrum of approaches to social loyalty, and the flexibility to run campaigns that automate engagement and conversion at scale, or moderate interactions, providing more brand control and personalized engagement," said Chris Teso, CEO at Chirpify. "Consumers are increasingly savvy and more demanding of brands. With the combination of automation, moderation, and surprise and delight that can be dialed to any organization's unique needs, we give marketers the ability to grow engagement, loyalty and spend among even the most demanding of customers."


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Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, have just been unveiled as the latest brand ambassadors for the brand H2Oh.
Ebuka shared the exciting news on his Instagram page accompanied by a photo of him and Susu, with the caption;
“Proud and extremely humbled to be joining the H2Oh family… Also super excited that we can finally share this news with you guys!!!
“Are you following @h2oh_naija yet? Better join the movement o!!! Cos #WaterIsGonnaBeJealous #BrandAmbassadors#H2Oh.”
Adesua also shared the good news on her Instagram page, she wrote;
“Glad to finally be able to share this news with you guys. Blessed to be part of the @h2oh_naija family (You should follow them, they have sweet inside gist) lol.
“A brand I love and a brand that allows me to be myself. I also get to do this with my brother @ebuka.”


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Uniden unveils P-25 scanners at electronics show
, Fort Worth, TX, is set to release some details about its plans to offer scanners capable of monitoring radio communications signals that use APCO Project 25 digital technology. Company representatives are scheduled to showcase the products tomorrow at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
“Our retailers have been pushing us for a Uniden APCO 25 product for months, and our new BC250D hand-held and our BC785D base-and-mobile scanning unit represent the fulfillment of our promise. With the ability to monitor conventional, trunked and APCO 25 conventional and trunked systems these models are state-of-the-art radio scanners,” Uniden Product Manager Scott Carpenter said.
According to Uniden representatives, the Bearcat BC250D and the Bearcat BC785D models would reach dealer shelves in late 2002. The products are designed to offer 1,100 channels, 10 banks and a frequency range of 25MHz–1300MHz.
The new hand-held offers all of the features of Uniden’s current BC780 XLT in a portable model, along with APCO 25 capability and an additional 600 channels. Users of both models would have to purchase an APCO 25 card, the BCi25D, separately, to activate the APCO 25 monitoring feature.
“We’re pleased to be bringing these great Bearcat APCO 25 units to market,” Carpenter said. “We expect more big cities to migrate to the APCO 25 digital technology, like Los Angeles did this past year, to ensure agency interoperability among police, fire, EMTs and the like. We know news organizations, businesses and consumers will want to monitor their signals.”
Uniden officials stressed that APCO 25 digital scanning technology simply gives users the ability to monitor the day-to-day activities and signals of standard city and government service departments, but in no way allows users to monitor encrypted signals from national and local security organizations.
Uniden also is set to reveal plans tomorrow to market its own scanner programming software, which it is demonstrating in its booth at CES. The software will allow the users of all Uniden scanners with data ports to program frequencies into scanner channels and banks.


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These five changes would make Sea of Thieves even better.
The Nintendo Labo’s reveal garnered quite a bit of interest, but can it succeed as-is or does it need a few additional tweaks prior to release?
Will the battle royale trend continue through 2018, or will another game mode take the reins?
Dissecting the meaning of indie and whether success strips a game of its indie credentials.
In our end of the year review, we take a look at some of the most notable indie games of 2017.
A recap of the year’s best Nintendo Switch releases.
PC gaming wouldn’t be completed without a solid keyboard and mouse setup.
The Indie Obscura staff got together to talk about a variety of indie games that went above and beyond in 2017.
We’re taking a closer look at some of this year’s best video game soundtracks.
Paladins becomes the latest target of review bombing on Steam after a controversial new update adds pay-to-win elements into the game.
While Mac and Linux PCs aren’t as popular for gaming, these low impact indie titles can be fully enjoyed on both!
A look at some of the most notable indie games scheduled to release in 2018.
A new Death Stranding trailer dropped at The Game Awards 2017, and there’s a lot to take in.
Making a case for why Warframe is an ideal F2P experience.
Make your holiday shopping easier by reviewing some of the best gaming mice of 2017.
A look at which game to explore first on one of the biggest launch days of the year, October 27th.
A look at the history of The Mummy franchise, and how The Mummy Demastered gets right what the film got terribly wrong.
These games won’t go easy on you, that’s for sure.
Here are five current and upcoming indie titles on the Nintendo Switch you won’t want to miss out on.
We take a closer look at the recent spat between the battle royale developers.


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Posted on March 19th, 2017
Quick update: after selling out last week, we’ve decided to add 8 more team passes to this year’s Halo tournament!
Team passes can be purchased through our friends at LANFest. See here.
For those who’ve asked about the event network since last year’s tournament, you can see the full results of our recent test here.
We look forward to seeing you all on April 1st and 2nd at the EMU Convocation Center!


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According to reports, Jaguar Land Rover, a completely owned division of Tata Motors, is working on the idea of introducing new cars in the volume pulling segment. A leading newspaper recently reported that Jaguar Land Rover will begin this project with the introduction of a compact saloon in 2015. The brand, usually synonymous with large saloons and sports cars, will follow the compact saloon with an estate model and a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). Future product launches of the brand are slated to unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which is to be held in September 2013. However, no official confirmation has been received yet from the British car maker.
Recently released reports claimed that the Jaguar Land Rover has recorded global sales of 33739 units in the month of June 2013. This accounts for a 7 per cent increase in the volume as compared to the corresponding period in 2012. Out of the sales recorded by Jaguar Land Rover during the period, 6574 cars were of Jaguar, which marks a growth of 34 per cent from the sales in the same period of 2012.
Industry experts have predicted that the upcoming models will be based on the new platform architecture, which is the first fully designed concept by Jaguar Land Rover under the ownership of Tata Motors. These cars are likely to have an all-aluminium structure that is used in the Jaguar XJ. Notably, Jaguar Land Rover entered a contract with a Saudi Arabia-based firm for the purchase of aluminium from one of the largest entities in the kingdom.
Currently, the top models being sold by Jaguar Land Rover include cheaper variants of Land Rover Evoque (small SUV) and Freelander. It must be noted that markets likes China, which have fast growth rates, assisted in increasing sales of Jaguar Land Rover by 14 per cent in the first half of 2013. Unfortunately for Jaguar, it only contributed below 20 per cent of the entire sales. With its new models, Jaguar plans to compete with both the German car makers, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, by entering the mass segment.
Expressing his views on this, Christoph Sturmer, Research Director at IHS Automotive, was quoted as saying, “It's a logical idea to use the momentum from Land Rover and expand the Jaguar range. Jaguar is less than half the size of Land Rover so they need to do something, plus investors will like a move downscale.”
It must be noted that Tata Motors purchased the British luxury group from Ford at a price of $2.3 billion. Following its acquisition by Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover witnessed a complete turnaround in its operations. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover had made an announcement regarding an yearly investment of $2.75 billion on cars and manufacturing facilities till the next four years.


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For 85 years, MIT’s Hobby Shop has provided a space for MIT’s community members to build their passion projects. For the last 65 of those years, that work has taken place in a low-ceilinged, windowless room in the basement of Building W31. Now the Hobby Shop is opening in a new location on Massachusetts Avenue that’s sure to increase its visibility — not to mention the sun exposure of its users.
The new MIT Hobby Shop, which officially opens tomorrow in Building N51, features new and upgraded machinery as well as an additional 1,000 square feet of workspace. In fact, if not for some durable equipment and the familiar faces of Hobby Shop Director Hayami Arakawa and Technical Instructor Coby Unger, the shop would be virtually unrecognizable.
“It’s super different,” says MIT Space Administrator Greg Raposa, who helped orchestrate the move. “The floor plan before was sort of a narrow rectangle. The new floor plan is a large, wide-open space with an office in the center. It’s more visible from the street, and it’s much brighter. They’ve got everything they need now, including a new welding setup, and we’re collecting sawdust in the back of the building. It’s what you would build if you’re going to build a hobby shop from scratch.”
The Hobby Shop is arguably MIT’s most democratic makerspace on campus: Students, professors, alumni, and staff can begin booking time on machines as soon as they’re finished with safety training. The reservations are first come, first served, in contrast to other makerspaces on campus that prioritize class projects or are only open to students from specific departments.
“The shop was founded by students who wanted to work on their hobbies and projects of their own personal interest as opposed to academic work,” Arakawa says. “By and large we’ve kept that spirit. Whatever your personal interests, we provide the space, machinery, and materials needed to refine your idea and work on it without time restraints or grades. We don’t give assignments here.”
Most projects make use of the shop’s woodworking equipment, although it also has metal working tools, CNC machines, a welding room, and 3D printers. Arakawa says many people build pieces of furniture that serve as gifts.
“MIT’s motto is ‘mind and hand’; we add heart into that,” Arakawa says. “It’s not just about getting something hacked together to show proof of concept. It’s about building something a little more refined, so it’s a much more finished product at the end of the day.”
People who frequent the shop say its welcoming mantra gives it a more supportive, community feel.
“Because it’s not tied to a class or school it has the widest range of people of any makerspace on campus,” says Robin Willis SM ’23, who frequented the old space and helped the Hobby Shop design its new orientation process this summer. “Some shops are only available to mechanical engineering or architecture students, but the Hobby Shop is for everyone: staff, students, alumni, anyone who needs it. It’s also a really friendly environment. If you have questions or want to know what someone’s working on, they’re usually really excited to tell you about it, because it’s a personal project.”
The Hobby Shop’s move was first conceived of about three years ago and came to fruition as after the MIT Museum moved to a new building in Kendall Square last year, opening up the first floor of its old home in N-51, which had served as the museum store.
“We had always dreamed of moving the Hobby Shop out of there when there was an opportunity,” Raposa says. “We were also looking to get someone into the [old museum’s] first floor to keep that area of campus a vital part of community.”
“The architects really wanted to make this a very lively space as far as visuals go,” Arakawa says. “I think they accomplished a good 90 percent of what we suggested.”
Some pieces of equipment were simply moved into the new space, but most were either refurbished or replaced, including five machines in the wood shop. In some cases, the Hobby Shop was able to trade equipment with other labs and departments in MIT. They also received donated equipment as other groups were upgrading and were able to purchase equipment through funds raised from an enthusiastic donor base.
“Having been around for 85 years, I wanted to build a shop that would last another 100 years,” Arakawa says. “Some of the machines were completely rebuilt. They can’t make them like they used to.”
The Hobby Shop should also benefit from its proximity to other shops. Makers will be a short walk or a flight of stairs away from the School of Architecture’s wood shop as well as makerspaces run by D-Lab, the Edgerton Center, the MIT Morningside Academy for Design, and the MIT Electronics Research Society (MITERS).
Nowadays everyone involved in the move is excited to welcome MIT’s community to its new maker home — and everyone is talking about the natural light of the new space.
“There were days in the winter where I’d go into work in the dark and I’d come out and it’s dark again — Not anymore!” Arakawa says. “We’ll definitely be more high-profile. We have a lot of people already from the general population of Cambridge coming through asking, ‘What’s this?’”
The shop holds 30-minute tours on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. It will also host a celebration of its new location on Saturday, Sept. 30. Beyond that, Arakawa is simply excited to get back to work.
“The students keep us going, and there’s really never a dull moment here,” Arakawa says. “There’s never a day without at least half a dozen or a dozen projects going on. Whether they’re old members or brand new, I am 100 percent confident people will love this space.”


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Epic Games has been almost excessive in its praise for the PS5, repeatedly claiming that the machine will be able to revolutionize gaming in ways that not even powerful PCs could accomplish. Well, the Fortnite publisher has finally put its money where its mouth is — or, rather, Sony has. In a $250 million dollar deal, Sony has purchased a minority stake in Epic Games, binding the two companies more closely together than ever before.
Information comes from an Epic Games press release, which states that the deal “cements an already close relationship between the two companies and reinforces the shared mission to advance the state of the art in technology, entertainment and socially-connected online services.” The statement doesn’t say specifically why Sony wants partial ownership of Epic — particularly since Sony already owns a number of game studios outright — but common sense suggests that Sony believes an Epic partnership could earn money in a way that a first-party studio couldn’t.
- PS5 release date, price, specs, controller and pre-orders
- PS5 games list: Every major title announced so far
- Plus: Nintendo Switch games are up to 50% off at GameStop right now
However, there is one interesting bit of wording in the press release, and it doesn’t have much to do with games at all:
“This investment allows Sony and Epic to aim to broaden their collaboration across Sony’s leading portfolio of entertainment assets and technology, and Epic’s social entertainment platform and digital ecosystem to create unique experiences for consumers and creators,” the statement reads.
“Social entertainment platform” could very easily be referring to Fortnite’s increasing presence as a nonviolent social platform rather than a shooter game. Between major concerts and a combat-free, digital hangout mode, Fortnite has overtaken Facebook and Instagram as the place where teens and tweens most want to congregate online.
This might be a good time to point out that Sony actually tried a very similar experiment back on the PS3, with PlayStation Home. This PS3 program let users customize their own avatars, then set forth into a customizable digital space where there were no objectives, just a chatroom with prettier graphics. The service never really took off, but Sony put quite a bit of time and effort into it, suggesting that the company predicted the rise of digital hangout spaces at least 10 years before the phenomenon took off. It’s not so surprising that Sony would want to try again.
As far as what this means for the PS5, it’s unclear. Fortnite is a confirmed PS5 title, but it will also be out for the Xbox Series X, and it’s not going anywhere on PC or current-gen consoles. But some kind of exclusive game or service would hardly be unprecedented. The language in the press release makes it sound like the latter is more likely.
“Through our investment, we will explore opportunities for further collaboration with Epic to delight and bring value to consumers and the industry at large, not only in games, but also across the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, who is the president and CEO of Sony.
Likewise, Epic’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, suggested that the collaboration would encompass “gaming, film and music.”
Epic Games has already produced a PS5 exclusive, of sorts, with its tech demo Lumen in the Land of Nanite. It’s not a real game, but it does represent the first time that the general public ever saw gameplay running on a PS5. Whether the next Sony-Epic collaboration is a traditional game or a more experimental social platform, we’ll have to wait and see. But we’ll probably have some more information before holiday 2020, when the PS5 is slated to launch.
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Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing background, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. After hours, you can find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.


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Fiat Could Break Even in Europe by 2014
"We have actually dropped forecasts for 2011 car sales in Italy," Marchionne said in an interview in London on Tuesday, according to Automotive News.
For now, the Italian carmaker is struggling to keep up with competition in its biggest market. Their market share has been reduced to just 5.8 percent in August from 6.8 percent a year before, as deliveries fell 7.6 percent.
As a result, Fiat’s plan to buy up the remaining stake in Chrysler has been put on hold, and the launch of a new model for the global market has been delayed. Moody's rating agency cut Fiat's credit rating to reflect the risk posed by Chrysler.


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Vic’s Bingo has increased their introductory bonus from 300% to 500% for September 2012, and that’s good news to all new daubers looking for extra bingo action! And that’s on top of a $25 free no deposit bonus, plus there’s a 300% bonus for your second deposit.
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If you love bingo and haven’t tried Vic’s Bingo online, now’s your chance to grab $25 free, a 500% bonus for the first deposit and a 300% 2nd deposit bonus. Play at Vic’s Bingo today!
Under the terms of the agreement, Stakelogic Live will supply its entire suite of games to Relax Gaming (RG) customers via its Silver Bullet platform, which is used by some of the largest operators in the industry. The games will be made available in a variety of languages, including English, German and Finnish. Stakelogic Live launched its first game, Auto-Roulette, in December 2020 and has rapidly grown its portfolio to include a wide range of popular live casino games.
Pragmatic Play has further expanded its bingo offering by releasing a new jackpot feature. The recently launched product is called Drop Pots and includes a progressive group of online jackpots. Drop Pots includes 3 different jackpots with different offers. It is only available in a special web room that aims to provide online gaming providers and players an exceptional and exciting environment that is unique to the market.
Pragmatic Play, the leading online casino provider, is pleased to announce an unprecedented victory in progressive bingo. The lucky player at Princess Casino, received the highest payout on the provider's bingo network of €50,000. This is the biggest recorded bingo win in the history of the brand’s bingo network. This win happened after the provider started its collaboration with Princess Casino and launched its bingo titles on the operator's online platform.


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The Banking Regulatory and Monitoring Agency (BRSA) announced that the maturity structure of loans for the purchase of mobile phones above 3500 would be applied for six months.
The payment term will be 6 months The credit limit for the purchase of a mobile phone, which is priced at more than 3 000 500 TL, is expected to apply for 12 months until 30 April 2013. However, as the rules for extending the deadlines have been abolished, the limit on the duration of loans granted for the purchase of mobile phones with a price greater than 3500 TL should be indicated as six months from 1 February.
APRIL CONTINUES TO CONTINUE
BRSA Mehmet Ali Akben Chairman, "3,000,500 TL more than 12-month installments for mobile phone purchases will continue until the end of April." description.
By regulation adopted on November 27, 2018, BRSA limited the number of contributions to mobile phones with prices above 3500 lire up to 6 months, but provided 12 contributions by January 31, with a preliminary article.
This ad is provided by Google?


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Ralph Lauren, one of the world's largest fashion brands, has resumed sourcing from Bangladesh with reopening its office here in Dhaka, sources said.
The American company stopped sourcing garment items from Bangladesh after the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013 that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers.
The company opened its office few months back while it announced 'Ralph Lauren Bangladesh Sourcing' formally at a ceremony in the city on Sunday.
When asked, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Dr Rubana Huq said: "It's a very good news for the industry."
The company that imports products worth US$ 7.0 billion from across the globe has resumed its operation here after substantial progress made to improve workplace safety in the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry, she said.
Appreciating the company's re-launching, she said that it was great to have them back at a time when the BGMEA focuses on improving infrastructure and environmental protection.
Ralph Lauren is a high-end buyer and locally made polo shirt is one of their big sourcing items, said Fazlul Hoque, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
The company's coming back to source from the country is a very positive indication of improvements that has taken place in the industry, he said.
Though the company might not import huge quantity from Bangladesh, the impact would be huge as it is a big brand, he noted, adding that resuming operation in Bangladesh would also help branding the image of the country and the industry.
Sources said the US based buyer used to source from the country through third party.
It is expected that being the high-end brand, it would offer good price for locally made apparel items.
Ralph Lauren is well known for the clothing, marketing and distribution of products in four categories (apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances), and manufactures products ranging from the mid-range to the luxury segments.
Its brands included the mid-range Chaps brand, to the sub-premium Lauren Ralph Lauren brand, to the premium Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Children's wear, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, and Club Monaco brands, up to the full luxury Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Ralph Lauren Collection brands.
Bangladesh fetched US$ 34.13 billion from RMG exports in the last fiscal year which was $24.49 billion in fiscal year of 2013-14, according to official data.


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Sony was expected to announce its new ZV-E10 APS-C E mount vlogging camera on July 7th but the launch event was cancelled over backlash from China due to the date – which coincided with the anniversary of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Well, after recovering from that little snafu, Sony has set a new announcement date. July 27th. Yup, tomorrow.
The Sony ZV-E10 is basically the next generation of the Sony ZV-1 vlogging camera (or perhaps just a higher-end model). While it is, obviously, newer, boasting significant improvements, it’s rumoured to have some pretty major changes that mean the ZV-1 product line could potentially continue to run alongside the ZV-E10.
For a start, gone is the (relatively) tiny sensor of the ZV-1 – which is the same size as that found in Sony’s RX100 series of cameras – and gone is the built-in zoom lens. The sensor is reported to have been replaced by a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor, and the fixed built-in zoom lens has been swapped out for an E mount and it’ll come with a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 lens.
The complete list of rumoured specs so far looks a little something like this:
- 24MP APS-C Sensor
- Kit lens will be a Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6
- XAVC-S 4k 25p 100mbps
- 1080HD 100p
- Standard and Active stabilization
- Auto exposure with face priority
- Product feature autofocus mode (will lock focus on faces unless there is a product shown closer to the camera)
- Button for Bokeh mode (priotitizes lowest aperture)
- Dedicated button to swap between S&Q/Photo/Video
- USB-c tether direct streaming to pc. (Plug and play)
- fully articulating screen
- Sony A5xxx body with no EVF
- Price around $899 (900 Euro)
As I mentioned when Sony originally announced the upcoming event for earlier in the month, the frame rate is likely a region-specific spec and I would expect that it’ll also support 4K at 24fps (I’ll be disappointed if it doesn’t have this) and 30fps, while 1080HD will probably offer up to 120fps.
The “Product feature autofocus mode” will be very handy for vloggers and YouTubers, especially those that do reviews or show off kit. How often have we seen somebody put their frame-filling hand behind a small product in order to force a camera to focus on it? Hopefully, this will eliminate that issue.
The price looks rather attractive, too. If that rumour proves out to be true, I could see this camera becoming very popular.
I guess we’ll find out more tomorrow!


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Tiaki seafood is not just a new category for New Zealand seafood, but a new benchmark. Precision Seafood Harvesting technology allows fish to be landed alive and in pristine condition; delivering fresh-chilled wild caught fish to consumers.
As fish are still swimming after they are brought on-board, they are far less likely to be stressed or injured, which opens new markets and opportunities for delivering higher quality seafood to consumers.
The New Zealand fishing companies using this technology are developing a better way of handling, processing and bringing fish to market to create the Tiaki category of seafood.
Consumers and importers will understand and identify with the benefits of Tiaki seafood. Fished with care using Precision Seafood Harvesting, the technology creates fish of the best quality and protects our natural resources.
The positive impacts of the Precision Seafood Harvesting technology for both sustainability and the Tiaki quality of fish are potentially transformative, and we anticipate a boost to New Zealand’s GDP and its export earnings.


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Though looking to expand outside its domestic market as South African consumers continue to be squeezed by high unemployment and sharply rising electricity costs, Famous Brands said it had committed extensive resources to evaluate the company's performance in India before deciding to pull out.
The company, which also has operations in Britain, the Middle East and 16 countries in the rest of Africa, reported a 15 percent rise in headline earnings per share (EPS) to 467 cents in the year to February 28.
Headline EPS, stripping out certain one-off items, is the main profit gauge in South Africa.
The owner of brands such as Steers, Wimpy and Mugg & Bean, re-entered the Indian market in 2013 after opening and closing a pizza restaurant near Delhi in 2003. But it said on Monday that it ended the master licence agreement with its partners in India in April and closed the two Debonairs Pizza restaurants in the nation's largest city, Mumbai.
Shares in Famous Brands were up 2.7 percent at 0800 GMT.
The group opened 213 new restaurants in its home market in the year and plans to add a further 202 in the current year, while aiming to add 35 restaurants in the rest of Africa.


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You are here
Whole Foods Markets submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday, denouncing new and amended regulations proposed by the government agency concerning mergers, and protesting what it called FTC's "rush to judgment" of an unusually short 30-day comment period.
The chain said FTC's proposed regulations would prevent many companies from having the time to defend themselves from its actions in attempting to block mergers.
Whole Food's comments cited the FTC's proposed regulations specifying the date for the evidentiary hearing would be five months from the date of complaint in merger cases, even though the agency said it recognizes the merger review process is highly fact-intensive.
Whole Foods' comments also stated that the regulations would undermine the independence of the administrative law judges. The same commission members who voted to charge the respondent with legal violations would also rule on pre-trial motions to terminate the charges, eviscerating the judges' independent ability to assess the merits of the FTC's case, Whole Foods contended.
Whole Foods said it is forming an "Ad Hoc Committee for FTC Fair Play," to encourage other businesses and organizations to express opposition to the FTC's plans.


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Indian logistics unicorn Delhivery said Friday it has raised $125 million from Addition, a venture capital firm floated by Lee Fixel, who made his name leading Tiger Global’s investments in India and some other markets.
Tiger Global was an early backer of Delhivery.
“We have a long-standing relationship with Lee and are delighted to welcome him to our cap table again,” said Sahil Barua, Delhivery’s co-founder and CEO. “This investment reinforces the trust that institutional investors have placed in Delhivery and is a validation of the strength of our business.”
Fixel said Delhivery has established a “market-leading position by innovating” across the logistics sector. “We are pleased to continue to support Delhivery and its new logistics SaaS, which is well-positioned to transform the global supply chain and logistics markets.”
The new funding comes just two months after the company raised $100 million from FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, as it continues to strengthen its financial position ahead of a planned initial public offering.
Delhivery had also secured $277 million from Fidelity and other investors at a valuation of around $3 billion in May this year. Fidelity had invested $126 million, Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC put in $75.6 million while Abu Dhabi’s Chimera Investments contributed $50 million. The UK-based investment management firm Baillie Gifford also participated in the round.
Founded in 2011, Delhivery has so far raised a total of around $1.4 billion from a number of investors including Japanese tech investor SoftBank, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, US-based Carlyle and Tiger Global, China’s Fosun International, Indian private equity firm Multiples PE and venture investor Nexus Venture Partners.
Last month, it acquired logistics company Spoton at an enterprise value of $200-250 million from private equity firms Samara Capital and Xponentia Capital.


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Putin ordered the government to establish new brands of organic products that would be protected by law. This means producers could be subject to tough penalties if they violate organic standards.
“I can assure you, everything would be great on foreign markets [with exports], where there are no clean [organic products] left,” Putin stressed.
Overall sales of organic food in Russia reached €160 million in 2017, according to estimates from Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture. This is one of the fastest-growing niches in the Russian food industry. By 2025, organic food sales are expected to reach €5bn as Russians are increasingly expressing interest in healthier products, the Ministry said.
Speaking at a press conference in 2018, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev forecast that Russia could command a 25% stake in organic food sales on the global market by establishing large-scale exports to other countries.
Up to 27% of agricultural producers, including meat producers in Russia, are ready to shift to manufacturing organic products, Russia’s Union of Organic Farming has estimated. In 2018, Russia’s organic meat production amounted to 6.7 million tonnes (t) of poultry, 4.8 million t of pork and 2.8 million t of beef in live weight.
There are several thousand meat producers in Russia, and only 70 agricultural companies in the country registered to produce organic products, according to the Union of Organic Farming. As of now, almost all organic products in Russia, including meat, are imported.
In accordance with a recently adopted federal law on organic farming, all meat producers in the country certified to manufacture organic meat could be eligible for state aid.
The wrong country
The production costs for organic meat are higher than conventional meat, so people with low incomes in Russia would not be able to afford it, commented Sergey Yushin, chairman of the National Meat Association of Russia. The organic market is developing in countries like France, Italy or Germany, where the purchasing power of the local population is high, he added.
In 2017, several opinion polls showed that more than 50% of Russian citizens were saving money on food. This meant people were not able to purchase enough food, or food with sufficient quality on a regular basis.
It would be necessary to adopt standards on organic feed, because farmers could not produce organic meat without organic feed, Yushin added.
“The majority of Russian consumers still don't trust ‘organic’ claims and it will take a lot of time to educate them about what the ‘real organic’ means and how this claim transforms into a commitment from the supplier’s side,” Albert Davleyev, president of the Russian consulting agency Agrifood Strategies told GlobalMeatNews.
“But the key constraint is the price. The costs of producing organic products are usually at least two to three times higher than those of regular ones. Therefore, even middlemen and retailers’ mark-ups won’t be a critical factor. But with the deteriorating purchasing power of most Russians, the target consumer group for organic products will be shrinking as long as the recession continues,” Davleyev added.
On the other hand, Russia had some good opportunities to export organic meat. Target markets could include China, Japan, South Korea, as well as other south-east Asian, Middle Eastern and European countries, according to Davleyev.


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Over the past few months, information surfaced that indicated that ZTE had been selling banned US telecommunications equipment to Iran. Digging in further, it appears that ZTE had plans to ship even more US computer equipment to Iran and was planning on covering up the operation by shredding all evidence related to the sales.
Seeing as you are reading this article, the plan did not go as intended and ZTE was caught in the act. Because of this CISCO, whose equipment was initially sold to Iran, has cut all ties with ZTE and many other US companies are now performing internal assessments to see if their equipment has been sold too. Seeing as ZTE has willfully violated sales bans placed upon Iran, Congress is now wanting to shut ZTE and Huawei out of US markets because of state influence. The report states:
The U.S. House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee said in a draft of a report to be released Monday that ZTE and fellow Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd should be shut out of the U.S. market because potential Chinese state influence on them poses a security threat. Both companies deny the allegation.
ZTE and Huawei are both providers of cell phones (and other communications equipment) that are sold here in the states and are typically a low cost mobile phone solution. If a sales ban is put in place, it would likely do significant harm to ZTE and Huawei's bottom line.
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CONVERSION PROS, the driving force behind the iFX EXPO financial events, has unveiled its plans for the iFX EXPO Asia 2018 conference in Hong Kong. The event will be the marketing agency’s first conference of the year. It will be held on January 23-25 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The conference will be produced by both CONVERSION PROS and Finance Magnates, and the agenda will touch on a range of issues currently facing the industry. This includes the rapid rise of cryptocurrencies and their respective impact on brokers, as well as familiar topics covering forex, liquidity, and others.
Gal Ron, CEO of CONVERSION PROS, commented on the marquee event: “It is with great pleasure that we announce the official launch of iFX EXPO Asia 2018. Since 2012, over 30,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibitors have stepped foot on our exhibition floor.”
Bloom Helps DeFi Go Beyond Collateralized Lending with OnRampGo to article >>
Hosted in one of Asia’s busiest financial hubs, the iFX EXPO Asia 2018 conference in Hong Kong will connect a wide range of industry players – leading technology, liquidity and other service providers, forex, cryptocurrency and binary brokerages, banks, affiliates, introducing brokers, and white label partners.
“This will be our 12th show to date and we expect to showcase this steady growth as we present an expanded floor plan with more exhibitor and sponsor areas tailored to the needs of our attendees. We are also placing special focus on Crypto as well as Peer to Peer lending as we are sure that this is part of the future of the online trading industry. We look forward to welcoming hundreds of key industry players from the Asian market as well as from the rest of the globe,” he explained.
Asia is a key financial center for both forex and CFD trading, and Hong Kong is viewed as the gateway to Asia. The iFX EXPO Asia 2018 conference will represent a tremendous opportunity for attendees.
The iFX EXPO Asia conference will feature multiple speaking panels and hands-on workshops that emphasize all of the most relevant topics in the industry. Whether it is the forex, CFD or crypto space, there is something for everyone, featuring new solutions, the latest knowledge, and expert-level insights.
Don’t miss your chance to benefit from the full slate of activities and panels for a truly unique experience in Hong Kong.


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Namco, SEGA and Capcom are prepping the now infamous mystery reveal site for the Nintendo 3DS collaboration the firms are working on. Today, the site has had a countdown timer added, which will expire this week. You can view the timer here. Meanwhile, AGB has posted a graphic which may or may not depict the characters from each developer which are to appear in the game. It’s an interesting theory, but we’ll just have to wait until a formal announcement to know for sure.
Buy our t-shirts, yeah
They're far more stylish than your average video game website tat.


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Datsun redi-Go to be launched in India on June 1, 2016
Datsun has started taking orders for the redi-Go in India and will produce the car at the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai. The Datsun redi-Go will be launched in India on June 1, 2016 and is expected to be priced between Rs 2.5 lakh - Rs 3.5 lakh, ex-showroom. The Datsun redi-Go will be sold though Nissan's 217 dealerships across India which are setup in 165 cities. Citing a large demand for the redi-Go, Datsun and Nissan intend to ramp up their dealership network to 300 showrooms by the end of this financial year.
For those who are unaware, the Datsun redi-Go is a tallboy based on the same underpinnings as the Renault Kwid. It will be powered by an 800cc petrol motor at launch. Essentially the same engine as the Kwid, the version in the redi-Go will get a slightly different tuning. The Datsun redi-Go will rival the Maruti Suzuki Alto, the Hyundai Eon and its own siblings, the Datsun Go and the Renault Kwid.
Starts Rs 2.83 Lakhs
Starts Rs 3.29 Lakhs
Starts Rs 4.5 Lakhs


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United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has actually described a few of the advantages of cryptocurrencies and why they must not be completely disregarded however accepted to a level.
The reality that customers and companies are now thinking about cryptocurrencies when they are considering financial investment choices for the future makes them crucial, she stated in a current conversation with CNBC dealing with the matter.
She attempted to describe making use of crypto in the more comprehensive geopolitical context. For instance, one concern particularly concentrated on Russia’s preparation to roll in bitcoin (BTC) as a feasible payment approach.
Yellen argued that individuals in the United States were concentrating on utilizing crypto as a financial investment system more so than simply deals.
She stated that she was a “bit” doubtful since there stand issues about crypto. “Some relate to monetary stability, consumer-investor defense, usage for illegal deals, and other things”, she discussed.
However, there are advantages also and as a type of payment development– crypto was best and required.
Yellen stated that offered President Joe Biden’s executive order authorizing the more powerful federal push for crypto guideline and adoption, she was positive that the Federal Reserve would feature the essential guidelines to produce a more secure environment for everybody. Some have actually slammed Biden’s strategies about a digital currency.
Yellen stated the Federal Reserve will ensure to present crypto when the time is right. In the meantime, the Fed will watch on whether Russia is attempting to skirt sanctions utilizing crypto, something that has actually been disputed and total dismissed– although worries do remain.
In the meantime, crypto fans are welcome to take a look at the existing crypto video gaming websites, consisting of Bitcasino, 1xBit or FortuneJack.


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Much awaited Star Wars: Battlefront will be revealed in April
Star Wars: Battlefront We have not heard from EA since they announced the resurrection of Star Wars with Star Wars: Battle Front. Apart from a bri ...
We have not heard from EA since they announced the resurrection of Star Wars with Star Wars: Battle Front. Apart from a brief teaser, small talk about new maps and a “holidays 2015” launch window fans have not been treated to any exciting news. However, fans now have something to look up to as Electronic Arts will finally unveil the game to the public at the Star Wars Celebration taking place next month in Anaheim, California.
According to an announcement by EA, “We could not think of a better or more appropriate place to debut the game officially for the first time than the premier event that celebrates the Star Wars universe and the legions of fans who have fallen in love with it."
No further details were revealed but I guess having waited this long, a few more weeks won’t hurt. The Star Wars Celebration runs from April 16-19 at the Anaheim Convention Center. There is no way on Earth that one would miss this event. Some fans may even agree to don a knock of Chewbacca suit in order to attend the event.


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HAPTA is a computerised handheld makeup applicator aiming to assist more than 50 million people globally that live with limited fine motor skills, and thus find some daily tasks – such as applying makeup – challenging.
The revolutionary HAPTA technology
L’Oréal scientists and engineers, therefore, created HAPTA, an ultra-precise, smart makeup applicator to support users with limited hand and arm mobility, granting them the ability to apply steady lipstick at home.
HAPTA will also support users when opening hard-to-open packaging, through a combination of built-in smart motion controls and customisable attachments to provide a broader and improved range of motion.
Magnetic attachments allow the device to achieve 360 degrees of rotation and 180 degrees of flexion. It also boasts a “clicking” feature, which allows the user to set the intended application position, stay in position, and lock in a customised setting for future use.
HAPTA comes with a built-in battery which takes three hours to full-charge while providing approximately 10+ applications or one hour of continuous use.
“For L’Oréal, the future of beauty is inclusive. And this future will be made more accessible by technology,” said Nicolas Hieronimus, CEO of the L’Oréal Groupe. “The two consumer technologies we are unveiling this year at CES represent the true purpose of our company: to create the beauty that moves the world.”
The new device will incorporate technology originally created by Google’s sister company, Verily, designed to level and stabilise utensils to support people with limited hand and arm mobility when eating.
How L’Oréal is promoting inclusivity through HAPTA
By enabling users to apply makeup precisely, HAPTA will enable individuals to feel independent, confident and empowered while expressing themselves through beauty products.
“Inclusivity is at the heart of our innovation and beauty tech strategy,” said Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO in charge of Research, Innovation and Technology at L’Oréal. “We are dedicated and passionate to bringing new technologies powering beauty services that augment and reach every individual’s ultimate desires, expectations, and unmet needs.”
L’Oréal-owned Lancôme will pilot the device with a lipstick applicator in 2023, followed by additional makeup applications in the future.
“For years, Lancôme has sought to provide every woman with beauty solutions adapted to their needs. Beauty tech has enabled us to fulfil this mission in an even more powerful way, revolutionising the way we develop beauty products and services and enabling greater personalization,” said Françoise Lehmann, Lancôme Global Brand President.
“With HAPTA we are going one step further by making beauty more accessible to use because everyone should have equal access to it.”


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Future iPhone models, such as the iPhone 13, as an alternative to Face ID, could embed Touch ID below the smartphone screen for fingerprint authentication, according to Apple Leaker.
జ 2019 leak At first it was suggested that it might be IPhone 12 It initially had an under-display touch, but Apple sources agreed that the Tech2021 iPhone lineup would be pushed into that line at the time. This new leak confirms that prediction.
Twitter account @ L0vetodream, Which 9to5Mac Previously said to have given exact details about the iPhone 12 lineup Homepod Mini, Yet Apple Watch6, Tweeted ‘Mesa Uts for iPhone’. Another leaker, zone processor, Jump inside To describe ‘Mesa’ as Apple’s code name for Touch ID, ‘uts’ stands for ‘Under the Screen’.
“Mesa” Touch ID. “Uts” is “under the screen”October 16, 2020
The processor leaked that it would not even be there today The new Apple TV Until 2021.
Apple filed two patents in July 2020.Optical-fingerprint detection system“And difficulties in reading fingerprints using sensors embedded in the OLED screen (via Apple Insider). Evidence strongly suggests that Apple is actively pursuing this only with the question of whether the technology will be ready for phones next year.
When the iPhone 12 launches next week, it will continue to rely on Face ID for login, which has become less convenient in the age of face masks. Providing biometric fingerprint login as an alternative while out, it is very convenient to keep Face ID for faster logins at home.
In fact, Apple can provide the security option that both need to log in for extra security. Face ID has some potential security issues, but Apple has Patent A solution called ‘subpedermal imaging’ scans the veins in your head to make sure you’re really yourself. It fully protects your iPhone 13 along with the need for fingerprinting.
So far we have heard about iPhone 13
Yes, the iPhone 12 has not been considered yet, but the leaks about the 2021 iPhone, beyond the fingerprints on the screen, are very exciting to consider.
The processor could be the iPhone 13 (or 14) in June 2020 Foldable phone “Two different display panels on one hinge”, with stainless steel edges and a “small forehead” on the external display for Face ID instead of a stripe.
On the other hand, a leak from N Universe Indicated that the iPhone 13 would be thinner than the 12, but would otherwise keep The same form factor Just like previous iPhones, and save the song for selfie com.
Yet Another Major iPhone 13 leaked, DSCC Founder and Performance Analyst Ross Young The iPhone 13 lineup includes integrated touch OLED screens, 120Hz promotion displays, time-off-flight (ToF) selfie cameras for touchless gesture navigation, and 1.9μm triple rear cams.


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Thursday, May 23, 2013
6:51 pm, Friday, January 25, 2013 -- NEW YORK β Exxon once again has surpassed Apple as the world's most valuable company after the iPhone and iPad maker saw its stock price falter.
China's largest oil company, PetroChina, could lay claim to having hit a market capitalization even higher than either Exxon's or Apple's β but...
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© 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.


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SHANGHAI— Yum Brands Inc. YUM 0.89 % is facing increasing challenges in China after the Beijing-controlled national television broadcaster criticized the company's KFC chain over alleged improper use of antibiotics in chickens supplied by Chinese companies.
The allegations by state-run China Central Television on its noon nationwide news broadcast on Wednesday couldn't be independently confirmed. But they follow Yum's warning late last month of falling same-store sales in China, a market that accounted for around 44% of its revenue last year. The allegations also are a reminder of the continued jitters in China over food safety, as well as the scrutiny foreign companies often face there.
KFC, in a prepared statement, spelled out the steps it takes to ensure food safety in its supplies, and said it was "actively cooperating" with safety authorities in the city of Shanghai and added that it would deal seriously with any supplier found violating the rules.
A company spokesman said the statement represents its response.
On Tuesday, CCTV broadcast a report examining the use of antibiotics in the coops of two processing plants in the eastern province of Shandong. In some cases, CCTV said, farmers gave the birds they sold to the suppliers excess amounts of antibiotics in violation of Chinese regulations.
CCTV didn't detail any potential health impact. According to the World Health Organization, use of antibiotics in food animals can lead to antimicrobial resistance, affecting humans.
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration announced new rules in April to reduce the use of antibiotics. The FDA estimates farm animals consumed 29.1 million pounds of antibiotics in 2010, up from 28.7 million pounds a year earlier.
Ron Phillips, a spokesman for the Animal Health Institute in the U.S., said antibiotics use in the American poultry and livestock industry, when administered properly, are key in keeping the animals disease free and an important part of meat production. He also said its important to maintain withdrawal times to make sure there are no left over antibiotic residues of antibiotics in meat. The USDA tests for antibiotic residues in meat in the U.S.
On Wednesday, after Yum said it was cooperating with authorities, CCTV criticized its response in the noon national news broadcast. "KFC's control and management over food safety cannot be trusted completely by customers," CCTV said.
In the wake of the CCTV allegations, Shanghai officials said they would investigate whether the chicken suppliers complied with Chinese regulations. In a statement on its website, the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said it had taken 32 samples of raw chicken meat from eight different product types from a Yum facility in Shanghai. A person at the agency wouldn't respond to detailed questions, saying test results would be made available as soon as possible.
The two suppliers, Shandong Liuhe Group and Yingtai Co., didn't respond to requests for comment. The Shanghai agency said preliminary findings indicate that Yum last bought supplies from Liuhe Group in May. In its statement, KFC said it had stopped buying chicken products from Liuhe in August. Yingtai is listed as a supplier to KFC on the municipal website of the city of Tengzhou, in eastern Shandong province where Yingtai is based.
China's Ministry of Agriculture said it is dispatching a group to Shandong to investigate.
Rumors of the toxins, which have circulated on Chinese websites for the past several weeks, may have already had an impact on sales. "This chatter is a plausible explanation for the sudden sales collapse at KFC China," said Bryan Elliott, a Raymond James restaurant analyst. "But we are confident that Yum's deep roots in China" will allow it to regain the confidence of the Chinese consumer.
Consumer backlash on Sina Corp.'s SINA -0.66 % Twitter-like Weibo microblogging service was swift. Said one user: "Kick KFC out of China! Otherwise their fast-grown chicken would continue to poison the Chinese people."
The CCTV report touches on an issue of China's diffuse food supply chain, a factor in a 2008 tainted-dairy scandal that resulted in the deaths of six infants and illnesses in 300,000 others. Some industry observers say maintaining uniformly high standards of food safety in China is impossible given the highly fragmented nature of the country's agricultural system and a confusing set of regulations that make it easier for regulators to pursue large companies rather than address the root causes of low food-safety standards.
"The agricultural system in China makes food safety impossible to manage," said Group Chief Executive Officer Edward Zhu of supply chain management services company Chic Group, citing the prevalence of vast numbers of farmers whose average holdings are less than one acre.
He said most reputable fast-food chains are supplied by large farms that are easier to monitor for food-safety concerns. "Small farmers can produce at lower costs," adding it is difficult to stop chickens from such farms from "leaking" into the bigger farms that supply major restaurant chains.
Wu Yongning, chief scientist of the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, said the use of antibiotics in China's chickens is more common than in developed countries. "Antibiotics are needed to prevent them from getting ill and spreading [disease] to other animals," he said. Mr. Wu also cited lack of supervision from the relevant government departments as another reason for the proliferation of antibiotics.
—Yang Jie. Laurie Burkitt and Bill Tomson contributed to this article.
Write to Colum Murphy at Colum.Murphy@wsj.com


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The same day,SuningTesco also announced that it has been lowerediPhoneThe price of XR, iPhone X and other models. Among them, the iPhone XR 128GB version has a hand price of only 5,799 yuan, which is 1200 yuan cheaper than the price of Apple's official website of 6,999 yuan. At the same time, the iPhone X 64GB version is only for 5788 yuan, and also on the iPhone XR redemption activities, iPhone 7P for iPhone XR, the price as low as 3,500 yuan can start XR.
FollowingJingdongAfter Suning, Apple significantly lowered the price of the iPhone on the Tmall platform, and some models sold to a record low. According to Tmall officially, the price of the iPhone XR and iPhone 8/8P in Tmall Suning's flagship store was lowered to 5,549 yuan, 3,899 yuan and 4,788 yuan respectively, which is 1200 yuan lower than the official website price of Apple.
In addition to these three major e-commerce platforms, on January 11th, the social e-commerce platform has also announced that the latest iPhone price will be lowered. Among them, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and other popular models have achieved a historical low of 5099 yuan, 7299 yuan, 8099 yuan, and some products have dropped by 1,500 yuan compared with Apple's official website.
In the end, this price cut news is not officially promoted by Apple. For this, there are Tmall people who claim that Suning is an Apple dealer. Dealers will get Apple’s consent when they cut prices. Apple did not cut prices in Tmall’s official flagship store. The brand's official flagship store of Tmall can be understood as the second official website of the brand, and the price is synchronized with the official website.
As for whether this wave of price cuts is actually promoted by Apple, it is actually not important. Even if Apple does, it is inevitable. According to the announcement given by Cook, Apple will cut its revenue forecast, mainly because the emerging market is worse than expected. The iPhone sales in Greater China are particularly poor, and users' desire to upgrade the iPhone is weak. If this is the case, the price will be reduced. Promoting sales is also an inevitable thing.


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Google is making improvements to its Google Maps for iOS app, including new features and updates intended to make navigation easier on both iPhone and Apple Watch.
Changes to the Google Maps for iOS app include a more-detailed navigation map that shows enhanced building outlines as well as streetlights and stop signs. It’s designed to help users traveling in unfamiliar locations.
The service is suffering a widespread outage that is preventing many users from using search or directions. The problem seems to be affecting iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac users around the world, but Apple says all services are operating normally.
UPDATE: As of Friday afternoon, whatever the earlier problem was, this service appears to be working normally again.
When you’re out in the sticks somewhere, you might get to a place where there’s no signal. How will you ever find your way home (or to the next party) without your trusty Google Maps app?
Well, with a little foresight, you can make sure Google Maps continues to be useful, even when you’re not within range of cellular data. Here’s how to use Google Maps offline to make sure you never get lost again when your smartphone goes offline.
Note: This tip will work with Android and iOS versions of Google Maps.
Google Maps is getting offline navigation to ensure you never get stranded in a strange place when your data connection disappears. Users can download entire areas onto their smartphone, then get turn-by-turn directions even while they’re offline.
If you have young children, the last question you want to hear on any long journey is, “Are we there yet?” It’s never asked just once; it’s asked again and again and again until you angrily threaten to turn around and go home, or you plow into a tree.
The question is so infuriating that even Google Maps can’t take it. Ask the maddening question a few times while navigating and you’ll get the angry response you deserve.
LAS VEGAS — Remember the Hammerhead? It’s a device that attaches to your bicycle, links to the GPS on your phone via Bluetooth, and guides you along a pre-chosen route by flashing a left or right light when you need to turn.
Schwinn‘s new CycleNav does one better. Like the Hammerhead, it attaches to your bike (via quick release) and flashes an LED light to alert you to an upcoming turn. But it also speaks voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation to you through a speaker, just like your iPhone does.
It’s become horribly obvious that the more a driver fiddles with their phone, the better chance they have of becoming involved in a car accident. But even taking one’s eyes off the road can be problematic — so Slovakian-based Sygic has added a head-up display mode to their iOS turn-by-turn navigation apps that tries to alleviate the problem by keeping the driver’s eyes focused on the road.
Ever tried using an iPhone or Android phone to navigate with GPS through crowded streets? It’s pretty difficult, even for a veteran cyclist like me, to split my focus between the road and tiny symbols on the phone’s tiny screen.
Plugging in to a headset to hear turn-by-turn directions sometimes works, but cycling with headphones can also be a pain (not to mention illegal in places under certain conditions).
The answer, of course, is a heads-up display like Google Glass; but until it’s ready, there’s the Hammerhead, a light-powered navigation aid with some other cool tricks up its sleeve.
Komoot (like commute, only not) is a gem of an app for German bikers and hikers. Or rather, it was: with today’s v5.2 update, the navigation app now comes in English, and adds support for a slew of new countries.
The short form: If you ever take to two wheels, then you need this app.
Got a Wi-Fi-only iPad, but want to access a location on Google Maps when you’re out and about in the car? How about looking at your map when the signal on your iPhone isn’t strong enough, or even when it’s non-existent?
Well, the latest iOS version of Google Maps has been updated, and one of the less publicized features is the ability to save locations for access offline. The Android version has had this feature for a while, but this is the first time the iOS one has gotten the ability.
The way you activate this feature is also kind of cute, so check it out.
Google Maps has been updated to 2.0 for iOS, which means that it finally has a native iPad interface. No longer will iPad users have to deal with stupidly-oversized navigation elements on the 2x pixel-doubled screen.
ForeverMap 2 is one of those great apps that should be a no-brainer download for any even moderately frequent map user. Unlike either the standard iOS Maps app or the Google Maps app, ForeverMap 2 can download and store custom maps on your device — allowing you to use the map and accompanying navigation features even without a wifi or data connection.
Today, ForeverMap 2 has been updated with behind-the-curtain improvements to make it much faster, and it now also includes guide information from Wikitravel. It can even route bicycle trips. Best of all, Skobbler has dropped the price from $3 to free till the end of the day.
Garmin has just announced a neat new HUD box that takes the map info from your iPhone and projects it up onto your car windshield. Named after the Paul Newman character in the movie of the same name, the HUD is designed to work with Garmin’s Navigon and Street Pilot apps, connecting to the host phone via Bluetooth.
By now you’ve probably caught wind of the short list of great apps that’ve gone free in celebration of the App Store’s fifth anniversary (if you haven’t grabbed these apps yet, take a look now before all the free ends).
Missing from that list of free apps is Localscope, a fantastic navigation and discovery tool that Apple called the best navigation app of 2011.
Facebook is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire mobile navigation app Waze for between $800 million and $1 billion. Talks between the two companies began around six months ago, and a term sheet has already been signed, according to business daily Calcalist.
While Google Glass is already compatible with iPhone, some of its killer features — including turn-by-turn navigation and text messaging — require a companion app that’s currently only available on Android. But according to one Google employee, Glass will soon be able to offer these features no matter what device it’s connected to.
When Hurricane Sandy left millions of people across the East Coast of the United States without electricity, portable, battery-powered devices like smartphones and tablets were all they had to rely on. Not only did they provide a means of entertainment, but they also allowed those affected by the storm to follow the latest news and weather information.
With that being the case, Sandy had some interesting effects on app statistics. Compared with the preceding week in New York City, use of navigation apps more than doubled, while those in the finance category saw a 74% boost. Photography and news apps also became more popular, while, surprisingly, weather apps remained closed.


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Are you retired or planning to retire soon?
Just over the past year, after our Money Matters segment featuring our conversation with brazen IRS phone scammers, we’ve become even more determined to raise awareness regarding criminal activity aimed at people over 50.
But just how common are such scams?
From first-hand accounts relayed to me by clients and friends, to almost daily reports in the media, the amount of money being stolen from pre-retirees, retirees, and the elderly, along with the sophistication of the criminals, continues to surprise even me.
How much money are we talking about?
For the last five years, the most commonly cited estimate of the dollar amount of fraud perpetrated against people over 50 came from a Met Life study first published in June of 2011.The study reported that phone and computer scams aimed at retirees and pre-retirees resulted in annual losses of $2.9 billion.
Obviously, that’s a lot of money. But a more comprehensive report has recently been completed that showed $2.9 billion is just a fraction of the money being taken. True Link, a Bay Area company that creates financial tools for people with disabilities, found that an astonishing $36 billion a year is being snatched by scammers who target people over 50.
The Domino Effect of Scamming
Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the scams seems to be how the criminals find you. One friend of mine has an elderly relative who was initially fleeced out of $20.00 via the US Mail, but who then began receiving more and more letters and phone calls (up to 40 combined each day), so that by the time the family caught wind of the onslaught, over $15,000 had been stolen.
That money is gone forever.
But, according to True Link, that’s precisely how it all begins. A mere $20 donated to a bogus charity may seem fairly painless, but via networking and the sharing of donor lists, once you get on the radar of these criminals, it’s like sharks sensing blood in the water; and you get targeted with increasing sophistication and relentless determination.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams
“Scams targeting Baby Boomers are the crime of the 21st Century.”
–The National Council on Aging (NCOA)
While there’s almost no limit to the types of scams that have been attempted, what follows are 3 approaches that, when it comes to people over 50, the NCOA reports are among the most common.
1) Medicare and Other Health Care Scams
Criminals specifically targeting retirees already have a pretty good idea about who your insurer is (Medicare), so posing as a health representative has proven to be a good way to get people to hand over personal information.
Another popular scam focuses on offering personal health services through a mobile clinic and then overcharging Medicare (or your auxiliary health insurer) 1000s of dollars for services that were never rendered.
A few tips to help protect you from healthcare scams, include:
- Never give your Social Security number to anyone.
- Never give your Medicare card number to anyone (outside of your doctor’s office).
- Don’t accept medical supplies from a door-to-door salesperson.
- Immediately report to your health insurance company anyone who implies that they can get procedures paid for that “are not typically covered” by insurance.
2) Phone Scams
Scams via the telephone are some of the most pervasive because, first, they can be carried out from anywhere in the world, second, their machines can dial thousands of numbers a day, and, third, the perpetrators of phone scams use technology that makes the origin of the calls nearly impossible to trace.
A few pointers to protect you from phone scams, include:
- Refuse to provide any personal information (even your name) over the phone.
- Never agree to a wire transfer.
- Never engage with a caller who says they are from the IRS.
- Never say “Yes” to a robo-call (they can record your “Yes” and use it against you).
3) Computer Scams
Like telephones, computer scams are cheap, fast, and the number of potential targets is virtually limitless. Highly knowledgeable hackers sit around and email people like you all day hoping you’ll either let your guard down and give them the information they seek, or you’ll absently click on a bogus link so they can infect your computer with a virus and steal your personal information.
To protect yourself from computer scams, according to U.S. News, you should:
- Pay for items in person (especially when purchasing via Craigslist).
- Change your passwords every 60 days.
- Use different passwords for each account.
- If an online purchase doesn’t arrive on time, follow up immediately.
- Before wiring money to “bail out” a nephew in Las Vegas, make sure it’s legit.
- Avoid shopping over unprotected Wi-Fi offered in public places like coffee shops.
- Password protect your mobile phone.
There are numerous reasons why retirees and people over 50 are considered easier “marks” for criminals than younger people. While it’s generally true that mature people have more money than younger people, it’s also true that people over the age of 50 weren’t brought up with computers and technology, and, having been raised in a vastly different era, are sometimes more trusting than the youth of today.