Activism

Paul Paolucci, the top cop for one of the world’s biggest credit card companies, sure had some interesting friends. One made a fortune fronting for pornography websites that needed access to Mastercard’s and Visa’s payment networks. Paolucci, who oversaw Mastercard’s merchant fraud control, was photographed cavorting around the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel with him and a group of women in white corset minidresses. A second was a Lamborghini-driving e-commerce mogul with whom Paolucci used to celebrate family holidays. The mogul ended up in prison for a financial crime he committed, in part, using Mastercard’s network. An executive at a famously corrupt European bank claimed to have dined with Paolucci and gotten his help evading Mastercard’s regulations. It was Paolucci’s job to make sure that the banks and companies using Mastercard’s network were playing by the rules. He bent those rules himself by getting close to the very kinds of high-risk businesses he was supposed to be … [Read more...] about Two-Card Monte: Why Mastercard And Visa Rarely Shut Down Scammers Who Are Ripping Off Consumers

Yikes. Photo: Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images At this point, it’s not fair to say Netflix can’t catch a break; it’s more like Netflix is actively smashing breaks on the floor in a frantic effort to appease shareholders. Deadline first reported that the troubled media giant is eliminating 150 jobs as of May 17, many of them higher-up roles in original-content programming. “As we explained on earnings, our slowing revenue growth means we are also having to slow our cost growth as a company,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “So sadly, we are letting around 150 employees go today, mostly U.S.-based.” The Netflix spokesperson said the company is “working hard” to support those laid off “through this very difficult transition.” Among the more senior staff let go this round, according to Deadline, are the directors of Netflix original series, original comedy series, and spectacle and event TV. Vulture has reached out for a statement. The layoffs follow those in the … [Read more...] about More Bad Netflix News: 150 Jobs Were Just Slashed

The parents of a boy killed in a dog attack 12 years ago are backing the Mirror’s campaign for change, saying they do not want other families to suffer. John-Paul Massey ’s mum and dad talked about the overwhelming grief they still feel after the four-year-old was mauled to death. The parents have spoken out after hearing that another child – three-year-old Daniel Twigg – was killed by a dog on Sunday. John-Paul’s mum Angela McGlynn, 51, said: “When I see other children have been attacked, it breaks my heart. I don’t want anyone else to have to live my Angela and the boy’s dad John Massey split after the tragedy but are united in wanting the Government to take urgent action. John-Paul Massey's father is supporting a Daily Mirror dangerous dog campaign ( Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror) Former painter and decorator John, 50, said he has daily flashbacks of his little boy lying dead. In tears, John added: “I thought my son... was taken for a reason – that … [Read more...] about ‘My four-year-old son was killed in a dog attack – latest death has to be the last’

Storybird Studio’s Ganryu 2: Hakuma Kojiro is the follow up to VISCO’s 1999 arcade classic Ganryu on the NEOGEO. It’s a direct sequel to the classic arcade hack and slash adventure that follows legendary samurai Musashi Miyamoto. After over thirty years this revived classic finds new life on current generation consoles. Ganryu 2 follows Musashi Miyamoto after his victory over Sasaki Kojirō in the first game. While meditating he is visited by the spirit of Sasaki Kojiro who threatens to destroy Japan unless Musashi fights him one last time to settle their rivalry. Musashi Miyamoto sets off through Edo-period Japan to defeat his resurrected rival on the island of Ganryû-jima. The retro inspired game features beautiful pixel-art graphics with a vibrant colour palette that really pops off the screen, especially on the Switch OLED. Character models look great with intricate detail being paid to each of the main characters and bosses The enemies sport quirky designs, although … [Read more...] about Ganryu 2: Hakuma Kojiro review: Stunning but tough sequel that will test your mettle

Chinese tech giant Oppo is slowly becoming a household name in the west, with their watches and audio hardware challenging the market leaders. But it was probably Oppo’s Find X3 mobile series that truly made them part of the conversation. Now Oppo looks to capitalise on the X3 series’ outstanding reception with its successor the Oppo Find X5 series. Like the X3 the X5 series is split into different models which include the Pro, Lite and the standard edition. Each is tailored with features to accommodate their respective price bracket whilst still trying to offer similar experiences. For this review, we will be taking a look at the higher end model in the Oppo Find XS5 Series, the Oppo Find X5 Pro. The Find X5 Pro comes in two colours, Glaze Black and Ceramic White. Both of the colour schemes come with a glossy finish which is fantastic but it would’ve been great to offer a matte version as the X3 series did. Oppo's new flagship smartphone has arrived ( Image: … [Read more...] about Oppo Find X5 Pro review: Fantastic flagship smartphone with a sleek design and stunning camera

It’s undeniable that Covid has changed how most of us work forever, from trying to focus at home to concentrating back at the office, while also staying connected on the go. EPOS are experts in audio technology, their business and gaming headsets have been known for their exceptional audio quality and clever design features. The Adapt range is aimed at professionals wanting the highest level of performance. EPOS has collaborated with top-tier racing team and James Bond’s car of choice Aston Martin to create a headset so impressive it could raise the eyebrow of an MI6 agent. The team-up with Aston Martin Cognizant F1 team has produced a variant of their incredible EPOS ADAPT 660 headphones with the EPOS 660 AMC. Even the packaging on the EPOS Adapt 660 AMC has seen a much needed redesign ( Image: EPOS) The Adapt 660 AMC is almost identical to the regular 660, featuring the same sleek oval ear cups and mostly matte black design. However, the AMC version features … [Read more...] about EPOS Adapt 660 AMC Review: Premium headset with a sleek design, powerful ANC so you can focus and leave others in the dust

Published 21 April comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Publishers say the popularity of readers discussing their favourite books on TikTok helped lift sales to record levels in the UK in 2021. Total book sales rose 5% to £6.7bn last year, with fiction, children's and young adult all performing well, the Publishers Association said. The organisation said four of the top five young adult bestsellers in 2021 had been driven by the BookTok trend. They included hit titles like They Both Die at the End and We Were Liars. Publishers Association chief executive Stephen Lotinga said viral videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube had been "really significant" in encouraging readers to discover books. "Anecdotally, we've had lots of individual booksellers talking about the fact that they're having lots of young people coming into their book … [Read more...] about TikTok helps UK book sales hit record levels, Publishers Association says

Published 9 May Share close Share page Copy link About sharing An aerial acrobatic display will be held as part of celebrations to mark Coventry's final month as the UK City of Culture. French company Gratte Ciel will perform its show The Awakening on Broadgate at 18:30 BST on 13 and 14 May. The 40-minute display will feature aerial stunts with performers hanging from a giant dream catcher. Coventry City of Culture Trust producer Josie Bamford said it would be a "truly memorable spectacle". "We are so excited to bring The Awakening to Broadgate for its premiere as part of a truly massive weekend of celebratory festival events for the whole city," she said. The Awakening forms part of a huge weekend of celebration as the UK's first permanent immersive digital art gallery, The Reel Store will also open at the Coventry Telegraph Hotel on 13 May. This is the City, a free parade … [Read more...] about Aerial show for Coventry City of Culture celebrations

Published 26 March Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A pop-up alternative department store has opened in a West Yorkshire town as part of an arts project based around the "golden days" of shopping. The K-Town Shopper Project aimed to bring a "retro" feel to the former Sunwin House shop on Hanover Street, Keighley, organisers said. Independent businesses from around the town have set up stalls inside, including food and drink sellers. Aimee Grundell, from the project, said it was a "trip down Memory Lane". She said: "The idea was to get footfall back in and around Keighley as some businesses weren't quite getting the customers they wanted, post-Covid. "It's getting back that buzz for shopping and what it used to be. It's about saying, let's shop local and support local businesses - but in a very creative way. "We've taken over this old department store, which has … [Read more...] about Keighley: ‘Golden days’ of shopping return at retro store

Published 8 June 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A councillor's sharing of racist messages on social media is "completely unacceptable", an MP has said. Robin Vickery, a Conservative Suffolk county councillor, shared a post calling for black and Asian people to be deported. Conservative MP Dan Poulter said there was "no place" for racism in the Conservative Party. Mr Vickery has not responded to the BBC, but told the Ipswich Star he was "very sorry" for any offence caused. He also said he was "not aware" the comments about deportation were in the thread when he reposted it on Facebook. Suspended from group The leader of the Conservative group on Suffolk County Council, Matthew Hicks, said in a statement: "I have requested an investigation takes place into [Mr Vickery's] social media activity and I have asked that the investigation is held as soon as … [Read more...] about Councillor blasted by MP over racist posts