Mastercard plans to get rid of credit card numbers. We could be heading towards the end of cards

Antonina St/Shutterstock Gary Mortimer, Queensland University of Technology and Cassandra Cross, Queensland University of TechnologyMastercard has announced plans to remove the 16-digit number from their credit and debit cards by 2030 in a move designed to stamp out identity theft and fraudulent use of cards. The numbers currently used to identify cards will be replaced with tokenisation and biometric authentication In 2022, Mastercard added biometric options enabling payments to be made with a smile or wave of the hand. Tokenisation converts the 16-digit card number into a different number – or token – stored on your device, so card information is never shared when you tap your card or phone or make payments online. The first rollout of these numberless cards will be through a partnership with AMP Bank, but it is expected other banks will follow in the coming 12 months. Why card security is important There is nothing quite like the sinking feeling after receiving a call or text from your bank asking about the legitimacy of a card transaction. In 2023-2024 the total value...

Read More........ → February 18, 2025

What’s a trade war?

Philip Lange/Shutterstock Lisa Toohey, UNSW SydneyThis article is part of The Conversation’s “Business Basics” series where we ask experts to discuss key concepts in business, economics and finance. Thanks to US President-elect Donald Trump, the term “trade war” is back in the headlines. Trump campaigned successfully on a platform of aggressive trade policies, and since being elected, has only doubled down on this posture. On Tuesday, he threatened Mexico and Canada with new 25% tariffs on all goods, and a separate “additional” 10% tariff on China “above any additional tariffs”. While the term might conjure up dramatic images of battlefield tactics, the real economic impact of any looming trade war is likely to hit much closer to home – both for Americans and the rest of the world. Global supply chains are deeply interlinked. That means a major trade war initiated by the US could push up the prices of all kinds of goods – from new cars to Australian-inspired avocado on toast. To understand where we might be headed, it’s worth unpacking the metaphor. What exactly is a trade...

Read More........ → December 27, 2024

The importance of saving and investing

Consumer EducationYour financial wellbeing starts with financial literacy. The more you know, the better equipped you are to plan and manage your finances.AVBOB proudly brings you Mutual Wellness in 60 Seconds, a series on financial wellness matters, and all things ‘mutual’.As Africa’s largest mutual society, AVBOB takes your financial health seriously.In the video below, we look at the importance of saving and investing.Saving and investingWhether it’s being prepared for life’s challenges or reaching your financial goals, savings can assist to make things happen.Despite tough economic conditions, you don’t have to give up your dreams of financial stability, quality education, a well-earned holiday or an emergency fund. The secret to successful investing is to start small.You can always increase the amount you invest. However, the key is to simply start… the sooner the better.Did you know that AVBOB offers 5-year and 10-year investment accounts that let you save from as little as R250 per month? Over and above the interest that you will receive, you will also be eligible to get bonuses...

Read More........ → October 01, 2024

Why does the Olympics have an ‘AI agenda’ and what does it mean for the future of sport?

Dotshock / Shutterstock Tom Hartley, University of Tasmania and Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania The 2024 Summer Olympics, kicking off in Paris on July 26, will be novel for more than just the first inclusion of breakdancing. The event will also be the first instalment of the quadrennial sportsfest since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled its Olympic AI Agenda. You might be wondering why the Olympics – founded in 1896 in imitation of the famous athletic contest of ancient Greece – needs an “AI agenda”. What can computers do to help the human body’s quest to reach higher, faster and stronger? The answer, according to the IOC, is quite a lot. The committee’s far-reaching agenda envisions a world in which AI systems aid athletes in reaching their peak performance, help to ensure fair play, optimise event operations, and transform the spectator experience. The goal, according to IOC president Thomas Bach, is “to set the course for the AI future of sport with responsible leadership by embracing the change while preserving the Olympic values”. Spotting...

Read More........ → July 24, 2024

Dubai Company Buys Used Cooking Oil to Turn Into Biofuel for Cars Citywide to Reduce CO2 Emissions

Used cooking oil collection truck and one of the biofuel production plants – Credit: Lootah BiofuelsA Dubai-based company Lootah Biofuels is producing biodiesel from used cooking oil bringing sustainable transportation options to a major oil-producing country. The result is a fuel that is less expensive, renewable, and clean. The United Arab Emirates company now boasts having their own fuel outlets across the city of Dubai, delivering 60 million liters annually. It is the brainchild of Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, who wants the UAE to be the first nation in the region to mandate that biofuels blends be featured alongside other fuel in all public stations. They pay for the used cooking oil collected, thus giving an incentive to providers like restaurants, bakeries, and food chains, which provide 500,000 liters of waste oil every month. The company says it converted the waste oil into 770 tons of biofuel last year. The Lootah Biofuels website reports that used cooking oil has the highest carbon saving ratio amongst all the available biodiesel feedstock—and calculates their product...

Read More........ → March 30, 2024

Liverpool is Building the World’s Largest Tidal Power Project to Power a Million Homes

The Rance Tidal Power Station, which Mersey Tidal Power are studying to inform the construction of a similar plant for Liverpool.The River Mersey and the Bay of Liverpool are the largest assets this famous English city possesses, and attempting to beat the British government to a net-zero economy, Liverpool City Region have entered phase 3 planning stage to build the largest tidal power plant on Earth. Schemes to harness the predictable power of the tides in Liverpool Bay date back to 1924, and with one of the largest tidal ranges of any coastal city in the UK, government utility Mersey Tidal Power believe that they can power 1 million homes and protect the city from floodwaters, all without disturbing the local estuarine ecosystem. Mersey Tidal Power have released precious little information on the plans thus far, but Eletrek reports that a large dam would be a barrier between the Irish Sea and a tidal basin. Underneath the dam would be large turbines and sluice gates which would open as the tide comes in, pulling water onto the turbines to generate energy. The gateswould close as...

Read More........ → March 18, 2024

David Cameron returns: how can a prime minister make someone who isn’t an MP foreign secretary? And what happens now?

Thomas Caygill, Nottingham Trent University In a surprise move, Rishi Sunak, the UK’s prime minister, has appointed former prime minister David Cameron as foreign secretary. Cameron, who resigned immediately after losing the 2016 Brexit referendum, has been almost entirely absent from the political scene ever since. It’s rare these days for a prime minister to appoint someone who is not a sitting member of the House of Commons as a cabinet level minister in their government but Sunak certainly can do it. The prime minister has what we call the power of patronage. What we mean by this is that there are a number of public roles for which the prime minister gets to decide who gets the job. Those powers of patronage include appointing members of the cabinet as well as other junior ministers to serve in government. It is only a constitutional convention, rather than a rule, that government ministers be a member of either house of parliament. However, it is a convention that has been strongly abided by. This convention revolves around the constitutional principle of responsible...

Read More........ → November 14, 2023

PM Modi performs 'bhoomi pujan' for Ram Temple at Ayodhya

. AUG 05, 2020 AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Ayodhya earlier on Wednesday, took part in the 'bhoomi pujan' at Ram Janambhoomi site. All in attendance sat around the havan fire maintaining social distancing norms while wearing masks, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The priests chanted vedic mantras and hymns as per the rituals of the 'yagya'. Besides, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat among several others were present at the site for the ceremony. Earlier today, PM Modi planted a 'parijat' sapling in the temple premises, considered a divine plant, ahead of the foundation stone-laying of Ram Temple. PM Modi arrived at Ram Janmabhoomi site after offering prayers at the Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion and also release a commemorative postage stamp on 'Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir'. Copyright © Jammu Links News,  Source: Jammu Links News...

Read More........ → August 05, 2020

Hong Kong opposition primary kicks off amid security law crackdown

. Hong Kong's opposition party on Saturday kicked off primary elections aimed at choosing democracy candidates for the city's upcoming parliamentary election. The vote took place less than two weeks after China instituted a new security law that many fear will erode democracy in the semi-autonomous territory. "The primary election is our first time to let Beijing know Hong Kongers never bow down to China," said pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on Saturday before voting began. "We urge the world to put Hong Kong under the global spotlight." The elections, organized by the Group Power for Democracy, seek to secure a majority of more than 35 seats — more than half of the total number — for pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong's Legislative Council election in September. This would give democracy candidates greater power to veto pro-establishment legislation. Police raid polling office: Last November, three million people voted in Hong Kong's District Council elections, handing a landslide victory to the pro-democracy camp, who won 17 of the 18 District Councils. Support stemmed...

Read More........ → July 11, 2020

FBI head says China biggest threat to U.S. economic and national security

FBI Director Christopher Wray speaking at the Hudson Institute, wash dc think tank, on U.S. China relations. Photo: fbi.gov Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Director Christopher Wray says the Chinese Government and the Chinese Communist Party poses an economic and national security threat to the United States. Speaking via videoconference at an event hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based think tank, the Hudson Institute, July 7, 2020, Wray said, “The greatest long-term threat to our nation’s information and intellectual property, and to our economic vitality, is the counterintelligence and economic espionage threat from China. It’s a threat to our economic security—and by extension, to our national security.” Over the last several months with an uptick over the last week, a series of pronouncements on China’s ostensible threat have been emanating from not just President Trump, who has railed against Beijing during his various campaign events, but also the top official at the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Now the premier intelligence agency, has...

Read More........ → July 09, 2020

Trump threatens to cut funding for schools that do not reopen

(From left) Vice President Mike Pence, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a roundtable discussion on the Safe Reopening of America’s Schools during the coronavirus pandemic, at the White House on in Washington, DC, on Tuesday. President Donald Trump yesterday threatened to cut off funding to schools that do not open in the fall and criticised a federal health agency’s guidelines for reopening schools as “very tough & expensive.” The Republican president, who is seeking re-election in November, accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country. “The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if US schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!” Trump said on Twitter, pointing to schools reopening in some European countries with no problems. It was not clear what specific federal aid the Republican president had in mind. States are responsible for primary and secondary education under the...

Read More........ → July 09, 2020

Tata Motors unveils futuristic `Ziptron' electric mobility technology

Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled a state-of-the-art electric vehicle technology ‘Ziptron’, which will power a range of aspirational Tata electric cars, starting with a new launch in the fourth quarter of the current financial year.  The new technology will form the basis of Tata Motors’ future EVs, and with it the auto major will ramp up its presence in the electric vehicle segment. The new technology, branded ‘Ziptron’, will first be used on a model set for launch in early 2020. “Ziptron, a soon to be introduced EV powertrain technology, is a building block towards Tata Motors’ consistent strive for commonality, to drive economies of scale and to make new technologies affordable for the Indian consumers. It embodies distinctive characteristics: efficient high voltage system, zippy performance, long range, fast charging capability, battery with warranty of 8 years, and adherence to IP67 standard,” Tata Motors stated in a release. Tata Motors says Ziptron has been developed keeping Indian climatic and traffic conditions in mind, and also addresses typical EV buyers' concerns...

Read More........ → July 07, 2020

Canadian PM Trudeau in isolation as wife tests COVID-19 positive

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been advised to be in isolation for two weeks after his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, as the spreading pandemic prompted the province of Ontario to shutter schools and limit public gatherings. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, has tested positive for coronavirus after returning from a trip to London, a statement from the PM's office said. "She will remain in isolation for the time being. She is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild," it read. The couple is now self-isolating. Trudeau is in good health and has no symptoms, according to his office, but will remain in isolation for 14 days. There are no plans at present for Trudeau to be tested for coronavirus. "The prime minister will continue to fully assume his duties and will address Canadians tomorrow [Friday]," his office said. Sophie Gregoire Trudeau recently returned from London and experienced flu-like symptoms, so she was tested for the coronavirus, the prime minister’s...

Read More........ → June 30, 2020

Cardi B On Why She Chose Life Instead Of Abortion For Her Unborn Child

In an interview with “The Breakfast Club” Tuesday morning, rapper Cardi B explains why she resisted pressure to abort her unborn child, who was an unplanned pregnancy. After revealing her pregnancy over the weekend on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” Cardi B admitted in the radio interview that she briefly considered getting an abortion, but didn’t want to regret it. After saying she “kinda sort of” thought about aborting her child, she said she ultimately decided she “didn’t want to deal with the whole abortion thing.” “I just didn’t want to,” she said. Co-host Charlemagne Tha God replied: “The regret of it, probably?” “Yeah,” she said. “I just didn’t want to. It was just like, ‘You know what, I’m a grown woman. I’m 25 years old. I’m say this in the most humble way — I’m a schmillionaire. You know what I’m saying? I’m prepared for this.'” The “Bodak Yellow” rapper said she’s been disappointed at the response from some women who asserted her career is over now that she’s pregnant. “It really bothers me and it disgusts me because I see a lot of women online like,...

Read More........ → April 11, 2018

Gali Janardhan Reddy daughter wedding 400 crore in era of currency crisis

Gali Janardhan Reddy daughter wedding 400 crore in era of currency crisis ! The common man is waiting in long queues outside the banks to get Rs 4000 exchanged, but Gali Janardhan Reddy is celebrating the wedding of his daughter with 400 crores. Neither the cases nor the ED attachments and not even the demonetisation is effecting Gali daughter's wedding plans and this has become the talk of the nation. Huge settings are setup for the wedding in 36 acres in Bengaluru and lavish dinner with entertainment programmes would be a feast to the guests attending this wedding. Source: IndionT...

Read More........ → November 17, 2016

Indian Express Editor Stuns PM Modi

At the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards held on 2nd of November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored 37 journalists across the country. The announcement of the PM giving away the awards this year did not please two journalists. Senior journalist from TOI Akshaya Mukul won the award for his non-fiction books ‘Gita Press and the making of Hindu India’. He said, “I cannot live with idea of Modi and me in the same frame.” to The Caravan. He was against the power of the government over Freedom of Speech. The second journalist to boycott the event was Anna MM Vetticad. She was awarded in the Commentary and Interpretative Writing category for her report on the stereotypical portrayal of women in TV and films. She has criticized Modi and his government over the times, hence, no surprise there. Apart from this, what caught the audience’s attention was Indian Express’ Editor Raj Kamal Jha’s speech. He, very conveniently said what is wrong in today’s journalism. He said that Ramnath Goenka once had ‘sacked’ a journalist  when he received appreciation from a Chief Minister....

Read More........ → November 07, 2016

Donald Trump, “Hillary’s getting all ‘pumped up’ for the Debate, let’s have a drug test.”

By Paul Ebeling: Donald Trump, “Hillary’s getting all ‘pumped up’ for the Debate, let’s have a drug test.” Donald Trump suggested Saturday that Hillary Clinton has not been seen in public lately because she was getting “Pumped Up” for their last debate Wednesday in Las Vegas and said that both candidates should take a drug test before they meet in Las Vegas. “She’s getting pumped up for Wednesday night,” the GOP nominee told a rally in Portsmouth, NH. “I don’t know, maybe, we are like athletes, right?” “Hey, look, I beat 17 Senators, Governors, I beat them all,” he said. “We are like athletes. “Hillary beat Bernie Sanders, but it looks like Bernie got a bad deal, based on WikiLeaks, right? “But we’re like athletes, right?” Donald Trump said. “But with athletes, they make them take a drug test, right? “I think we should take a drug test prior to the debate. I do. Why don’t we do that? “We should take a drug test prior, because I don’t know what’s going on with her.” Donald Trump then commented on Hillary Clinton’s energy levels during last Sunday’s debate at Washington University...

Read More........ → October 16, 2016

Canada’s Bank of Nova Scotia Under-fire for Manipulating Gold Prices

$BKSHF, $DB, $HBSC, $UBS, $GLD, $SLV By Paul Ebeling : Canada’s Bank of Nova Scotia(OTCMKT:BKSHF) 1 of the 5 big banks said to have manipulated the Gold market, which is worth trillions of dollars in trading value per year, will have to turn over internal e-Mails and other correspondence spanning several years. Daniel Brockett, the New York lawyer who is spearheading the US lawsuit, said that the banks will also have to produce all relevant chat room instant messages and any other written communication they exchanged, whatever the media. The move comes as a US judge said last week that gold investors could go ahead with their lawsuit accusing four major banks of conspiring for a decade to fix prices and exploit distortions at the expense of investors in global markets for the precious Yellow metal. Involved banks will also have to produce all relevant chat room instant messages and any other written communication they exchanged, whatever the media. US District Court for the Southern District of New York Valerie Caproni reduced the class period to 6 years ending...

Read More........ → October 16, 2016

Second Presidential Debate: Clinton, Trump spar over lewd comments, emails

St. Louis (US): Republican Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton sparred over a number of issues including the billionaire’s lewd comments about women and the former State Department Secretary’s deleted emails, in the second presidential debate here on Sunday night. The two presidential nominees accused each other with Clinton saying Trump was “not fit to be the President”, while the billionaire taking on her over the whole birther claim against President Barack Obama, saying: “You owe Obama an apology.” Beginning the debate, CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked about the 2005 video in which Trump made lewd comments about women, saying: “You bragged that you sexually assaulted women — do you understand that?” Responding to Cooper, Trump said: “No that’s not what I said. This was locker room talk… I am not proud of it but this is locker room talk.” He then pivoted to terrorism and “bad things happening” in the world. Taking on Trump over the issue of lewd comments, Clinton said: “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking over the last 48 hours about what we heard and saw.” Clinton...

Read More........ → October 14, 2016

Trump supporters, protesters clash in San Diego; 35 arrested

Anti-Donald Trump protesters clash with his supporters outside his election rally event in San Diego. AFP Washington, May 28Donald Trump brought his message of walls and deportations to the doorstep of America's busiest border crossing on Friday as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee greeted supporters in San Diego, amid one of the largest counter-protests organised against him. The scene inside the San Diego Convention Center during Trump's speech was relatively placid, while outside demonstrators opposed to his controversy-ridden White House bid marched and chanted, carrying signs criticising his rhetoric against illegal immigration. Waving US and Mexican flags, more than 1,000 people turned out for anti-trump rallies in San Diego, a city on the US-Mexico border whose San Ysidro port of entry sees nearly 300,000 people a day cross legally between the countries. San Diego is considered a binational city by many who live and work on opposite sides of the border, and about a third of the city's population is Latino. During Trump’s speech on Friday, some protesters outside...

Read More........ → May 29, 2016