сряда, 30 ноември 2011 г.
Tsonga wins and sends Nadal home
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga knocks Rafael Nadal out of the ATP World Tour Finals with a 7-5 4-6 6-3 win at the O2 Arena.
Williamson wants 2012 team gold
Great Britain�s five-time Olympian Alison Williamson says she would favour team success over individual honours at the London Olympics.
F1 veteran De la Rosa joins Hispania
Veteran Formula One driver Pedro de la Rosa signs a two-year contract to race with Hispania, the Spanish team announced Tuesday.
NASA Hurricane Updates on Facebook
Check NASA's Hurricane on Facebook provides daily looks at storms in the tropics and it's updated on Weekends during storms
Tennis 'peace pairing' breaks up
The tennis doubles "peace pair" of India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi announce an end to their partnership.
ND1130111
Title: ConocoPhillips Warns of Terminal Lockouts
Description: Citing a safety issue, the company says that marketers and carriers will have to retrofit drain tubes on their trucks and trailers or face being locked out of terminals.
Page Content: 
Drain tubes siphon off water that accumulates in the trough on top of trucks and trailers. They can be routed externally along the side or back of the vehicle, or internally through the product compartment.� If a tube becomes obstructed, water accumulated inside can freeze, causing it to crack.
HOUSTON ? ConocoPhillips has told marketers and common carriers that they will have to retrofit their trucks and trailers if an internal drain tube leads to a spill or face being locked out of the company?s terminals.
����
?In the last few years, trough drain failures have led to several large spills at our terminals. In each case, the spill resulted in a large product loss, risked the safety of the terminal and caused a significant business disruption to the affected carrier,? ConocoPhillips terminals manager Miles Kajioka said in a letter to marketers and carriers.
����
Drain tubes siphon off water that accumulates in the trough on top of trucks and trailers. They can be routed externally along the side or back of the vehicle, or internally through the product compartment.� If a tube becomes obstructed, water accumulated inside can freeze, causing it to crack.����
?If the cracked tube is internal, then the next time the compartment is loaded, product will flow through the crack in the tube and spill onto the ground,? Kajioka?s letter said. The best way to eliminate the risk is to remove interior drain tubes and replace them with exterior tubes, he said.
����
?A less effective, but still acceptable way to reduce the risk is to establish a maintenance procedure to prevent ice from building up inside the drain tubes,? Kajioka noted.
����
ConocoPhillips wants carriers to email the company, providing DOT numbers where applicable, and listing the terminals where they lift product. �In the email, they must also acknowledge the following statement: ?Your trucks and trailers only use external drain tubes OR you have a preventive maintenance program in place for your internal drain tubes.?
���
Originally, ConocoPhillips said that if marketers and carriers did not respond to its email requirement by Oct. 31 they would no longer be allowed to load at the company?s terminals. �
����
?Additionally, effective Nov. 1, 2011, if a spill occurs through an internal drain tube in one of your trucks or trailers, you will have 90 days to retrofit all of your trucks and trailers with external drain tubes,? Kajioka said.
����
However, the company says it has now delayed the deadline by a few weeks.
����
?We have not yet locked any carriers out, as we wanted to give them more time to respond,? ConocoPhillips? spokeswoman Romelia Hinojosa said. ?Lockouts will occur in December for any carrier who has not agreed to inspect their internal drain tubes.?
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Cracked drains can be ?a serious safety issue,? Hinojosa added. There were two spills involving more than 1,000 gallons of gasoline at a ConocoPhillips terminal in Mississippi earlier this year as a result of cracked internal drains, she said.
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The new ConocoPhillips policy is effective at all terminals operated by the company ? in all, 43 facilities in 18 states from the East Coast, through central states such as Oklahoma and Texas, to California and Washington in the West.
���� ��
?If you?ve just bought a new truck with an internal drain, you?re not going to be happy with this, especially if you?re in a market where it doesn?t freeze too much,? said one ConocoPhillips wholesaler.
����
Another marketer in the Midwest said he switched to external drains a few years back after a spill caused by a frozen internal tube. ?We had problems with ice plugging up and busting the tube, which in turn caused a spill at a terminal,? said the marketer, who operates three transports. ?If I were in ConocoPhillips? position, I?d probably say the same thing.?
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There is no U.S. Department of Transportation rule that actually requires transports and trailers to be equipped with drain tubes, says John Conley, president of the National Tank Truck Carriers Association.
����
?It?s not a common design problem, but if you don?t make the tubes part of your maintenance inspections you could have trouble,? Conley says.
����
There are simple ways to retrofit a truck, but costs can run $3,000 to $5,000 per unit, depending on whether steaming is involved, says Orville White, vice president of Sentinel Transportation LLC, which handles all ConocoPhillips? fuel transportation needs. The firm is a 50-50 joint venture between ConocoPhillips and the DuPont companies and hauls product and chemicals in 48 states.
����
Marketers could run external drains down the back or the side of trucks, but fitting tubes at the side of the vehicle can be a problem because they can be dislodged by tree branches. The most common approach is for manufacturers to build the drain tube into the handles of the ladder on the truck.
����
Problems with obstruction and icing on tubes that have led to spills in the past involved companies that had internal drains only 1.5 inches in diameter, instead of the more usual 1.75 to 2.0 inch holes.
����
Shutting off internal drains by placing a rubber plug available from any hardware store is an easier fix during winter months, White suggests.
����
Sentinel runs a fiberglass rod through the drains to ensure they?re clear and then uses a flashlight to inspect each one. ������
����
�It was only a few years ago that ConocoPhillips required its own common carrier fleet to convert its vehicles from external to internal drains.
����
?The marketing people wanted the tubes to be internal so that the back of the trailer would be clear and not in the way of any advertising on the truck,? White said. ?So we put the ladders at the front of the trailer and the drains in the back compartment, one on each side of the vehicle.?
����
It is not known how many marketers or carriers use trucks with internal tubes but White said it could be 3% to 4% of the truck population. Convenience store chains and other marketers who use the back of their vehicles for advertising may be among those using trucks fitted with internal tubes, he added.
?Carole Donoghue
Content Subject: Petroleum Retailing
Formatted Article Date: November 30, 2011
ND1123112
Title: Visa, Retailers Discuss Chip Migration
Description: Two upcoming PCATS and NACS events will further help c-store operators navigate what they need to know for chip technology and the arrival of NFC-based mobile payments in the United States.
Page Content:
ALEXANDRIA, Va. ? In August, Visa announced plans to accelerate the migration to contact and contactless EMV chip technology in the United States, which the card company expects will secure payments through the use of dynamic authentication. On November 15, Visa hosted a webinar for NACS retail members to discuss its plans and review to the August authentication announcement.
�
The adoption of dual interface chip technology is intended to help prepare the current payment infrastructure in the United States for the arrival of NFC-based mobile payments, noted John Sheets, senior business leader at Visa Inc., who also outlined the three key initiatives of the plan:
- Expand the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) to retailers in the United States that deploy dual-interface terminals (the ability of the terminal to accept both contact and contactless chip cards or payment devices such as mobile phones).
- Build processing infrastructure for chip acceptance.
- Establish a counterfeit fraud liability shift policy.
Ross Snailer, senior business leader at Visa Inc., said that the first element of the plan is designed provide relief (i.e., a waiver) for qualified retailers that deploy dual interface terminals from their annual PCI DSS validation exercise. Retailers that obtain approval to participate in TIP must continue to comply with PCI DSS, and acquirers maintain full liability for any fees, fines or penalties that may be applicable in event of a data breach.
�
While TIP recognizes a retailer?s investment in chip, enrolling and participating is not automatic ? retailers must apply and obtain approval by Visa. This process begins October 2012.
�
Eligible retailers must meet the following requirements to participate in TIP:
- The retailer has achieved validated PCI DSS compliance or has submitted a remediation plan for achieving compliance
- The retailer has confirmed no storage of prohibited data (full contents of magnetic stripe, CVV2, PIN data)
- At least 75% of the retailer?s transactions originate from dual interface chip terminals and is capable of processing end-to-end chip transactions
- The retailer has not been involved in a breach of cardholder data (retailers previously involved in breach may qualify if they have completed subsequent PCI DSS validation)
The first actual mandate by Visa comes in April 2013, when all U.S. acquirer processors and sub-processors service providers will be required to support retailer acceptance of chip transactions.
�
On October 1, 2015, the liability shift begins ?�if a dual-interface or contact chip card is presented to a retailer that has not adopted at minimum contact chip terminals, excluding automatic fuel dispensers, liability for counterfeit fraud will shift to the retailer. By October 2017, automatic fuel dispensers come into the play. Liability does not include lost/stolen card fraud, card-not-present transactions (e-commerce) and contactless cards without a contact chip.
�
To clarify, the liability will fall on whichever entity has not upgraded to chip, whether it?s the issuer or the retailer. If both have chip, then the issuer will be responsible. If the issuer has upgraded and the retailer has not, then the retailers will bear the liability costs.
�
During the Q&A, retailers asked whether it would make sense for Visa to help retailers with POS upgrades. Sheets and Snailer responded that TIP is the incentive program Visa intends to use and that retailers would obtain some reduction in PCI DSS validation costs. They recognized that this might not be enough, but that some retailers have said this is an interesting enough proposition for them and Visa doesn?t see the need for additional incentives at this time.
�
Some retailers asked about the cost and benefits of adopting chip technology, noting that they would like to use the information in their ROI calculations for upgrading their pump terminals. Sheets and Snailer suggested that retailers talk with their pump manufacturers because there are ?widely differing numbers? depending on the type of pump a retailer has and the age of the current technology in use. They said that while they can?t provide a cost/benefit analysis, Visa could help a retailer?s acquirer develop a better understanding of the potential ROI.
�
As to when chip cards will be available to U.S. consumers, Visa said that the banks are responsible for issuing the cards, and that issuers are not required to re-issue cards with chip technology.
�
Retailers also asked ?what?s the point? in investing in PCI DSS if liability falls on the retailers come 2015. Sheets and Snailer commented that cardholders will begin to prefer merchants who accept chip, and at some point fraud will migrate to locations without chip acceptance, which could increase costs over time. They said that there is also an opportunity to use a targeted approach ? that if retailers recognize high concentrations of counterfeit fraud in some locations, they can begin chip migration with those sites.
�
?We [retailers] have long recognized that the current magnetic stripe system is broken and welcomes Visa?s leadership in working with our membership to fully understand the roadmap to replacing today?s flawed system,? said Gray Taylor, PCATS executive director and NACS payments consultant. ?Without a well-defined implementation specification, we are skeptical the deadlines can be met, but are working with EMVCo and ANSI X9 to ensure a transparent and expedient resolution to this issue.
�
?We believe that Visa took a few key issues back from the webinar. First, where is the return on investment of this upgrade? Second, why doesn?t the next generation include cardholder authentication like other developed economies? Last, if the system is so secure, why isn?t there full indemnification of retailers implementing EMV?? said Taylor.
�
Read more about the future of mobile payments in NACS Magazine:
- The High Tech Payments Battle (part 1)
- Paying It Forward (part 2)
Also, put NACStech on your calendar, May 21 to 23 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville ? registration opens in mid-January. Expect EMV chip migration and adoption to be a hot topic at NACStech, with workshops dedicated to helping the industry understand and prepare for what?s coming down the pike.��
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There will also be all major card brands speaking on this issue at PCATS Annual Conference, January 23 to 26 in Tucson, Arizona. If you haven?t registered yet to attend, do so today. Now is the time to start learning all you need to know about EMV chip migration and implementation.
?Content Subject: Risk Management & Security
Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011
ND1130113
Title: Save Mart Supermarkets Experiences Self-Service Checkout Breach
Description: While not a big incident, the compromised card readers underscore how especially important vigilance is for retailers with self-service kiosks and terminals.
Page Content:
MODESTO, Calif. ? Save Mart Supermarkets had a card-reader breach at 20 locations recently, BankInfoSecurity reports. While a relatively small compromise, the breach happened at self-service checkout terminals. The grocer released very little detail about the incident except to say the tampering was discovered during routine maintenance and that all defective card readers had been replaced.
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?We are not aware nor have we been notified of any reports that customer accounts were compromised,? Save Mart said in a statement. ?As a precaution, we are recommending anyone who has used the self check-out lane in the affected stores to verify/monitor all credit/debit accounts with their financial institution to ensure everything is in order.?
�
The Save Mart breach has similar features to the Michaels POS compromise in May that affected 90 locations. ?Criminals realize that retailers are understaffed to the point that swapping out a POS will go unnoticed,? as what happened with Michaels,? said McAffee consultant Robert Siciliano.
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?Once they determine the make and model of an easily swappable device, they target a chain they can easily comprise. It's also possible they may be employed (or were employed) by the companies that install and service the systems, in the form of an inside job,? he said.
�
NACS spokesman Jeff Lenard pointed out that the self-service POS has additional challenges for retailers.
�
?Thieves are, and will continue to, target self-service devices that do not have regular personnel supervising the system,? said Lenard. ?Self-serve POS is right there with pay-at-the-pump, kiosks and ATMs.?
?Content Subject: Risk Management & Security
Formatted Article Date: November 30, 2011
Gera ruled out for rest of season
West Brom's Zoltan Gera will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Tottenham.
Cairo calm as voters await results
Tahrir Square was peaceful Wednesday as Egyptians awaited initial results of parliamentary elections, a break from the clashes that have gripped Cairo for much of the past two weeks.
ND1123111
Title: NACS, Other Groups File Lawsuit Over Fed?s Swipe Fee Reform Rules
Description: Hank Armour, NACS president and CEO, says that the Federal Reserve Board missed an opportunity to provide consumers with the relief they deserve, and this must be corrected.
Page Content: WASHINGTON ? Flawed debit card swipe fee reform regulations issued by the Federal Reserve have allowed big banks to continue charging unjustifiably high swipe fees and discouraged price competition among credit card networks, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court today by NACS and NACS member Miller Oil Co., among others.
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The regulations, which took effect October 1, have led to an increase in debit card�swipe fees in some cases, according to the plaintiffs: NACS, Norfolk-based Miller Oil Co., the Food Marketing Institute, the National Retail Federation and Boscov?s Department Store.
?
?The Federal Reserve Board missed an opportunity to give consumers the relief that they deserve and this needs to be corrected,? said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour.
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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 required the Federal Reserve to set guidelines that would result in debit card swipe fees that are ?reasonable? and ?proportional? to banks? costs in processing debit card transactions. Financial institutions with less than $10 billion in assets were exempt.??
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The Fed said in December 2010 that it had determined that it costs banks an average of 4 cents to process a debit transaction, and proposed that the fees be capped at no more than 12 cents per transaction ? triple the banks�actual cost. After intense lobbying by the�banks and�card industry, however, final regulations released in July 2011 set the cap at more than five times the actual cost ? 21 cents plus 0.05 percent of the transaction and, in most cases, an additional 1 cent for fraud prevention.??
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While the Dodd-Frank law said the Fed could consider the incremental costs of acquiring, clearing and settling each transaction and specifically prohibited any other expenses from being used to inflate those costs, the lawsuit alleges that the Fed ? under pressure from the banks and card industry ? included costs that were barred by the law.
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?The proposed rules followed the law, but the Federal Reserve Board changed its view of the law midcourse and without justification when issuing the final rules,? said Doug Kantor, a partner at the Washington law firm of Steptoe and Johnson and lead counsel in the lawsuit. ?Not only did the final version fail to introduce competition, it provided a loophole for the big banks to exploit and actually increase some fees. The Fed?s job was to implement the law as written and it did not do that.?
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The approximate 21-cent cap would lower debit card swipe fees�for most purchases, which averaged 44 cents but could range as high as several dollars under the previous formula of 1 to 2 percent of the transaction amount. This fall, however, both Visa and MasterCard announced that they would charge the maximum amount even on small-ticket transactions that previously cost merchants as little as 6 to 8 cents.
�
Forcing small businesses to pay three times as much to the big banks on small purchases was clearly not the intent of the law and is further evidence that the Fed got it wrong,? Kantor said.
�
The plaintiffs also said that the Fed?s final rules discourage competition among debit card networks. In order to establish a competitive market between networks such as NYCE, Pulse and Plus, as well as the Visa and MasterCard networks, the law required that merchants be given a choice of two networks on any transaction. Under the Fed?s final regulations, however, banks can limit their cards such that merchants may never have a choice of network. The lack of competition will allow the dominant networks to continue increasing their fees.
�
?Reducing swipe fees is good for consumers, good for small businesses and a good way to take unnecessary costs out of the system and invigorate our country?s economic engine,? Kantor said. ?By not implementing the letter and the intent of the law, the Federal Reserve Board failed in its duty and missed an opportunity to give consumers and businesses the relief they deserve. This litigation is about correcting those mistakes.?
�
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
Content Subject: Government Relations, NACS
Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011
Tottenham v PAOK Salonika
Preview followed by live coverage of Wednesday's game between Tottenham and PAOK Salonika in the Europa League.
Edmund loses out in Mexican final
East Yorkshire tennis prospect Kyle Edmund is beaten in straight sets at the Yucatan final in Mexico
Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum Available for Interviews
Just back from his command of the International Space Station, NASA astronaut Mike Fossum will be available for live satellite interviews from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. CST on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Braga v Birmingham
Preview followed by live coverage of Wednesday's game between Braga and Birmingham in the Europa League.
World Sports Awards London-bound
London is hosting the 2012 Laureus World Sports Awards for the first time on Monday 6 February.
NASA Hurricane Updates on Facebook
Check NASA's Hurricane on Facebook provides daily looks at storms in the tropics and it's updated on Weekends during storms
Tropical Storm 5A (Northern Indian Ocean)
Tropical Storm 5A continues to spin in the Arabian Sea, and although a minimal tropical storm, its clouds and form appeared impressive on NASA satellite imagery ...
Suzuki withdraw from MotoGP
Suzuki confirm they will not race in the 2012 MotoGP world championship, although they plan to return for the 2014 season. It follows Alvaro Bautista's decision to leave for rivals Honda.
вторник, 29 ноември 2011 г.
ND1129113
Title: Cider Sales Jump 25% This Year
Description: Hard cider captures craft beer drinkers searching for new tastes, as well as the much-coveted female demographic.
Page Content:
NEW YORK ? While mainstream beer brands are experiencing declining sales, hard cider sales are growing rapidly, with sales up 25 percent in the year ending October 30, Advertising Age reports.
�
According to SymphonyIRI, which tracks grocery sales excluding those at Walmart and liquor stores, hard cider sales reached $49.6 million for the year, a small fraction of the alcohol category but promising nonetheless, especially as sales tapped both men and women drinkers.
�
Despite the positive news, the major brewers do not offer cider brands, though they appear to be watching the category in the U.S. AB InBev, for instance, launched a cider in the U.K. called Stella Artois Cidre, and SABMiller, which owns 58% of MillerCoors, sells one cider brand, Sarita, in South Africa. Cider is "a category we're watching with interest," said a MillerCoors spokesman.
�
The largest U.S. cider player is the privately owned Vermont Hard Cider Co., which controls roughly 60 percent of the cider market with several brands, including Woodchuck, which has a 47% share and whose sales grew 37%, according to SymphonyIRI.
�
Hard cider relies on grass roots marketing, just like craft beer, which attracts consumers seeking new tastes and brand stories. While it used to skew to women, more men are drinking it today. According to Vermont Hard Cider, its customer base is now 50 percent male.
�
"People used to feel it was just a sweet product. Now it's a lot more complex," said Vermont Hard Cider President-CEO Bret Williams. "We're doing new things and pushing the envelope, and that's bringing in the men."
�
Craft beer pioneer Boston Beer Co, maker of Sam Adams, sells a cider brand called Harcore, whose sales were up 21% in the year ending October 30. And it has a new offering named Angry Orchard that is also coming to market.
?Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
Berdych wins as Djokovic goes out
Tomas Berdych comes from a set down to beat David Ferrer 3-6 7-5 6-1 to secure his place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals.
Kubica F1 comeback delayed
Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica confirms that he will not be fit in time for the start of the 2012 Formula One season. after still not fully recovering from injuries he sustained in a rallying crash in February.
NASA Kicks Off Application Process For New Astronauts
NASA Kicks Off Application Process For New Astronauts
ND1128114
Title: Walgreens to Expand Private-Label Brands
Description: ?The drug-store chain plans to double private-label sales over the next five to seven years.?
Page Content:
CHICAGO ? Walgreens is transitioning to a ?major private-label consolidation,? Supermarket News reports, one that will trim roughly 75 brands down to just a handful.
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The drug-store�chain will cut its household product brands from 23 to just one or two, and consumer packaged brands from 22 to six or seven, said Laura Sturdevant, director of product development for Walgreens? private brands.
�
As a result, Walgreens will eliminate many second- and third-tier private brands, including its ?W? brand, which the company said failed to resonate with consumers.
�
The company is also developing new brands, including ?Nice!?, which includes 300 grocery and household products that it will discount up to 30 percent from national brands. And as a result of its acquisition of Duane Read, it will incorporate the DR Delish line of snacks and beverages into its stores.
�
The collective effort is aimed at doubling Walgreens? $4 billion in annual private-label sales over the next five to seven years.?
Content Subject: Corporate, Operations
Formatted Article Date: November 28, 2011
Ex-reporter: Murdoch editors knew about hacking
The editors of Rupert Murdoch's News of the World tabloid knew that their reporters were hacking phones in search of stories, former News of the World journalist Paul McMullan testified Tuesday.
ND1128116
Title: New York City Sues RYO Shops
Description: New York City has sued Island Smokes, maintaining they must charge full city and state taxes for cigarettes rather than those for loose tobacco.
Page Content: NEW YORK ? The proliferation of roll your own cigarettes in New York City has hit a snag, as the city filed suit earlier this month against Island Smokes shops in Chinatown and on Staten Island, the New York Times reports.
�
The stores do not sell cigarette packages but instead sell loose tobacco and papers, allowing customers to use on-site machines to make their own cigarettes.
�
The practice is a ?legal gray area? for New York stores, the Times said, as the stores assess loose tobacco taxes rather than the much higher cigarette taxes.
�
But the city said that must change, characterizing the shops? services as effectively selling cigarettes, which must incur the full state and city tax of $5.85 per pack.
�
?By selling illegally low-priced cigarettes,? said the city?s lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, ?defendants not only interfere with the collection of city cigarette taxes, they also impair the city?s smoking cessation programs and impair individual efforts at smoking reduction, thereby imposing higher health care costs on the city and injuring public health.?
�
Jonathan Berhrins, an attorney representing the shops, said the stores were not obligated to charge cigarette taxes because they do not produce cigarettes for resale.
�
?We are selling the contents that produce the cigarette,? he said, ?and it?s up to the user to make them.?
�
The city maintains the argument is a semantic one.
�
?When you go to a salad bar, they sell you a salad, not a salad assembly process,? said Eric Proshansky, deputy chief of the corporation counsel?s affirmative litigation division. ?When customers walk out of these stores, they have finished cigarettes and they bought them in those stores. The stores also have signage that calls them a discount cigarettes shop.?
Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 28, 2011
Coyle relies on Bolton loan deals
Bolton manager Owen Coyle knows he will not be able to spend his way out of trouble in the January transfer window.
Berdych wins as Djokovic goes out
Tomas Berdych comes from a set down to beat David Ferrer 3-6 7-5 6-1 to secure his place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals.
NASA Hurricane Updates on Facebook
Check NASA's Hurricane on Facebook provides daily looks at storms in the tropics and it's updated on Weekends during storms
Raikkonen returns to F1 with Renault
Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012, after Renault announce the 2007 world champion has signed a two-year deal with the team.
NASA Sharing Underwater Training Facility With Petroleum Industry
Astronauts and oil field workers will share a training facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston thanks to a new agreement that takes advantage of excess capacity at the agency's underwater training pool.
NASA Announces Space Shuttle Closeout Contract Modification
NASA announced the Space Shuttle Program and subcontractor closeout modification to the Space Program Operations Contract (SPOC) with United Space Alliance (USA) of Houston, valued at $232.9 million.
ND1128112
Title: Online Florida Lotto Ticket Courier Silenced
Description: A California-based website created a stir last month when it began offering the online sale of Powerball tickets.
Page Content:
MIAMI ? Floridians bid farewell to online Powerball ticket brokerage service LottoGopher.com earlier this week, after the state?s Attorney General filed suit to ban the website from operating in the state, the Miami Herald reports.
�
Last month, LottoGopher.com launched operations in Florida, confident that it could withstand scrutiny as a purchasing service. ?We?re excited to bring it to Florida,? said James Morel, the site?s creator, saying the site operated fully within Florida law as it didn?t actually sell tickets, but acted as a courier service for those who didn?t want to purchase the tickets themselves.
�
But less than a month later, Attorney General Pam Bondi filed suit against the company, demanding full restitution for all fees the site has collected while seeking to ban it from operating in the state. Bondi said the site violated Florida Statute 24.118, which restricts how lottery tickets are distributed in the state.
�
?The company is violating state law and creating confusion among our players,? said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O?Connell. ?No one is permitted to charge a fee to redeem a player?s winning ticket, yet that is what this company does. A Florida Lottery player should never be asked to pay for something they already receive free of charge.?
�
The lawsuit also seeks civil penalties in the amount of $10,000 per violation.
�
LottoGopher.com hasn?t responded to the charges but has since removed all references to Florida services from its site.?
Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 28, 2011
ND1129113
Title: Cider Sales Jump 25% This Year
Description: Hard cider captures craft beer drinkers searching for new tastes, as well as the much-coveted female demographic.
Page Content:
NEW YORK ? While mainstream beer brands are experiencing declining sales, hard cider sales are growing rapidly, with sales up 25 percent in the year ending October 30, Advertising Age reports.
�
According to SymphonyIRI, which tracks grocery sales excluding those at Walmart and liquor stores, hard cider sales reached $49.6 million for the year, a small fraction of the alcohol category but promising nonetheless, especially as sales tapped both men and women drinkers.
�
Despite the positive news, the major brewers do not offer cider brands, though they appear to be watching the category in the U.S. AB InBev, for instance, launched a cider in the U.K. called Stella Artois Cidre, and SABMiller, which owns 58% of MillerCoors, sells one cider brand, Sarita, in South Africa. Cider is "a category we're watching with interest," said a MillerCoors spokesman.
�
The largest U.S. cider player is the privately owned Vermont Hard Cider Co., which controls roughly 60 percent of the cider market with several brands, including Woodchuck, which has a 47% share and whose sales grew 37%, according to SymphonyIRI.
�
Hard cider relies on grass roots marketing, just like craft beer, which attracts consumers seeking new tastes and brand stories. While it used to skew to women, more men are drinking it today. According to Vermont Hard Cider, its customer base is now 50 percent male.
�
"People used to feel it was just a sweet product. Now it's a lot more complex," said Vermont Hard Cider President-CEO Bret Williams. "We're doing new things and pushing the envelope, and that's bringing in the men."
�
Craft beer pioneer Boston Beer Co, maker of Sam Adams, sells a cider brand called Harcore, whose sales were up 21% in the year ending October 30. And it has a new offering named Angry Orchard that is also coming to market.
?Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
Federer beats Fish in three sets
Roger Federer makes it three wins out of three at the ATP World Tour Finals beating Mardy Fish in three sets.
ND1122113
Title: The Battle for Pump Viewership
Description: Pump-Top TV companies, intent on expanding rapidly, are forging partnerships with pump manufacturers.
Page Content:
CHICAGO ?Two media networks are battling it out for pump-based TV supremacy, the Chicago Tribune notes.
�
Outcast Media and Gas Station TV (GSTV) are accelerating their efforts to grow the nation?s gas station TV customer base, whereby pump-top TVs offer 4-minute programming loops to entertain drivers (and hence generate ad revenue) during a fill-up. And with tens of millions of dollars at stake, the battle is getting fierce.
�
"Our weekly reach is actually larger than most of the prime-time TV shows," said Nathan Gill, 35, who co-founded California-based Outcast.
�
Outcast, which recently inked a deal with the NFL Network, has roughly 13,000 screens deployed and reaches more than 24 million viewers nationwide each month. Meanwhile, Gas Station TV has about 9,000 screens and reaches more than 27 million viewers nationally each month.
�
"To the consumer, we look like television," said CEO David Leider, who co-founded GSTV five years ago. "With our advertisers, we're much more like the Internet, where everything can be sliced and diced and targeted down to that individual station level."
�
According to Patrick Quinn, CEO and founder of PQ Media, a Connecticut-based research and consulting firm, gas station television is one of the fastest growing segments of non-traditional TV viewing.
�
"Those can be considered guaranteed impressions," Quinn said. "They know that you're there and they have a receipt."
�
As a result, the concept has attracted major national advertisers, including Ford, Kraft, GM, Chase and Allstate, who pay about $800,000 per month to run a 30-second spot on either network nationally.
�
There is tremendous room for growth, with more than 146,000 convenience stores and roughly 600,000 pumps across North America. And the companies are working to form partnerships with manufacturers, integrating their technology into pumps.
�
Last year, Outcast formed a partnership with North Carolina-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root (GVR), a gas pump manufacturer. GVR has begun integrating Outcast TV into its top-of-the-line pumps, which sell for about $13,000 each (Outcast helps subsidize the cost of the pump).
�
GSTV recently struck a deal with pump manufacturer Wayne, which announced it was investing more than $50 million to expand the concept to retailers, and it intends to triple its monthly viewership within the next two years.
?Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: November 22, 2011
Tennis 'peace pairing' breaks up
The tennis doubles "peace pair" of India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi announce an end to their partnership.
ND1129116
Title: Thorntons Reopens Store With Fresh Foods
Description: Suburban Chicago store offers fresh ideas with a ?one-stop-shop? experience.
Page Content: LOUISVILLE, KY ? Thorntons announced earlier this week the reopening of its Bloomingdale, Illinois store at 190 East Lake Street.
�
The newly designed store offers high quality fresh foods including sandwiches, salads, and fruits, along with premium-blend coffees and fountain drinks. The store also offers standard Thorntons specialties such as ?hot off the grill? food items, beverages made with 100 percent filtered water and fresh produce.
�
As part of the store reopening, Thorntons is offering several promotions, detailed on its website, along with weekly giveaways.
�
Thorntons operates 162 stores throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio.
�
For more on offering fresh food programs in convenience stores see the December issue of NACS Magazine and the Category Close-Up on perishable groceries, featuring insights by Thorntons.
Content Subject: Corporate
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
ND1129117
Title: John Lewis Unveils Virtual Window Store at Waitrose
Description: The virtual display allows customers to scan QR codes and purchase top-selling items from the John Lewis website.
Page Content:
UNITED KINGDOM ? Retailer John Lewis is using mobile commerce to extend its click and collect offer by launching its first virtual shop.
�
The retailer, which has rolled out its Click and Collect service to 94 Waitrose branches, is testing an innovative window display in the Brighton Waitrose branch.
�
Customers passing the window display in the Brighton Waitrose shop can scan QR codes to purchase specific featured items, offering shoppers another way to shop at their convenience.
�
After scanning a QR code, the shopper is linked to the johnlewis.com mobile site to make a purchase. If ordered before 7 pm the products are available to collect from 2 pm the next day at Waitrose.
�
Products available to buy from the window include items from the retailer's top 30 favorite things for Christmas such as the Lego Sort and Store head and Hunter wellies.
�
John Lewis Marketing Director Craig Inglis said: ?The roll-out of our Click and Collect service to Waitrose shops is proving incredibly popular. This new 24 hour virtual shop in the heart of Brighton takes that convenience to another level.?
�
The trial window display runs from today until the end of December. Click and Collect is now available from 129 John Lewis and Waitrose shops.
?Content Subject: International
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
Alonso: Ferrari needs a different 2012
Fernando Alonso targets a "very different 2012" after his finish in the final grand prix of the Formula One season saw him end 2011 in fourth place in the drivers' standings.
Champion Vettel sets new record in Brazil
Sebastian Vettel is poised to end the Formula One season as he started it after setting a new record in qualifying for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
ND1129114
Title: Krispy Kreme Offers Holiday Doughnuts
Description: Seasonal varieties include Red Velvet Cake, Snowman and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles.
Page Content: WINSTON-SALEM, NC ? Krispy Kreme announced earlier this week the rollout of three holiday doughnuts: a new Red Velvet Cake, its classic Snowman, and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles. All are available at participating U.S. and Canadian shops through December 31.
�
"The snowman and sprinkle doughnuts celebrate the joy and festiveness of the season," said Krispy Kreme corporate chef�Ron Rupocinski. "And the rich, not-too-sweet taste, and moist texture of red velvet cake is captured in our new one-of-a-kind Red Velvet doughnut."
�
The Snowman doughnut is shaped like a doughnut and is frosted with white icing and a red scarf, the�Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles�is a chocolate iced doughnut decked in seasonal red and green sprinkles, and the�Red Velvet Doughnut�is topped with cream cheese icing and red velvet cake crumbles.
�
Krispy Kreme is also offering a dozen different holiday promotions via its social media applications Facebook, foursquare�and�Twitter, as well as at its YouTube channel.
�
Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
понеделник, 28 ноември 2011 г.
ND1129114
Title: Krispy Kreme Offers Holiday Doughnuts
Description: Seasonal varieties include Red Velvet Cake, Snowman and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles.
Page Content: WINSTON-SALEM, NC ? Krispy Kreme announced earlier this week the rollout of three holiday doughnuts: a new Red Velvet Cake, its classic Snowman, and Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles. All are available at participating U.S. and Canadian shops through December 31.
�
"The snowman and sprinkle doughnuts celebrate the joy and festiveness of the season," said Krispy Kreme corporate chef�Ron Rupocinski. "And the rich, not-too-sweet taste, and moist texture of red velvet cake is captured in our new one-of-a-kind Red Velvet doughnut."
�
The Snowman doughnut is shaped like a doughnut and is frosted with white icing and a red scarf, the�Chocolate Iced with Holiday Sprinkles�is a chocolate iced doughnut decked in seasonal red and green sprinkles, and the�Red Velvet Doughnut�is topped with cream cheese icing and red velvet cake crumbles.
�
Krispy Kreme is also offering a dozen different holiday promotions via its social media applications Facebook, foursquare�and�Twitter, as well as at its YouTube channel.
�
Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: November 29, 2011
Kenyan court says government must arrest al-Bashir
The Kenyan High Court has ruled that the Kenyan government must arrest Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir if he returns to Kenyan soil, according to the legal group that brought the case to the court.
Tennis 'peace pairing' breaks up
The tennis doubles "peace pair" of India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi announce an end to their partnership.
ND1123115
Title: Yum! Brands Discontinues Push for Food Stamps
Description: The owner of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell has decided to stop campaigning to get a bigger slice of the food stamp pie for restaurants.
Page Content: LOUISVILLE, Ky. ? Yum! Brands announced it will no longer lobby for extending the acceptance of food stamps at restaurants, the Detroit News reports. The owner of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC had been campaigning officials in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania to allow its restaurants to accept food stamps.
�
The move comes after the company faced stiff government opposition to its proposal. ?After discussions with program administrators and key legislators, we have decided not to further pursue the expansion of the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program's (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program to enable homeless, elderly and the disabled people to access restaurant foods with their SNAP benefits,? said Paul Carothers, vice president of government affairs. ?We understand there was little support for this initiative.?
�
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not see a need to increase the food stamp program at restaurants. Currently, three states, including Michigan, do let some users to pay for hot meals with food stamps. Michigan has seen an uptick in the number of restaurant locations that accept food stamps from eight to 105 over the past 18 months.
�
This week, the USDA announced it would crack down on food-stamp fraud at small retailers, such as convenience stores.
Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011
Fast track: F1 teams audition future stars
Sebastian Vettel has blazed a trail in Formula One's history books by becoming the youngest double world champion, but his Red Bull team bosses are already looking for their next star driver.
Space Station Trio Lands Safely in Kazakhstan
Three Station crew members safely returned to Earth on Monday, wrapping up nearly six months in space.
Shearer 'numb' over friend Speed
Alan Shearer tells Radio 5 live he's still numb and in shock over the death of former Newcastle United team-mate Gary Speed.
Federer hails Tour Finals victory
Roger Federer says record-breaking sixth ATP World Tour Finals triumph is "one of his greatest accomplishments".
Fast track: F1 teams audition future stars
Sebastian Vettel has blazed a trail in Formula One's history books by becoming the youngest double world champion, but his Red Bull team bosses are already looking for their next star driver.
ND1122111
Title: Washington Report: President Obama Signs Bill To Repeal 3% Withholding Law
Description: Many NACS members have contracts with local government agencies to fuel their vehicles and may be subject to the withholding requirement.
Page Content:
WASHINGTON ? Yesterday, President Obama signed into law legislation that repeals the 3% withholding requirement for government payment to contractors.
�
In late October, the House passed its first version of H.R. 674 that would repeal a requirement in current law, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2013, that allows the federal government, as well as state and local governments, to withhold 3 percent of most payments made to government contractors. Many NACS members have contracts with local government agencies to fuel their vehicles and may be subject to the withholding requirement.
�
Congressional Quarterly wrote that the Senate amended H.R. 674 two weeks ago to include a measure to increase veterans? employment, providing tax credits to companies that hire veterans with service-related disabilities and who have been unemployed for at least six months.
�
Last week on Nov. 16, when the amended Senate version came back to the House for a vote, it passed unanimously ? a move applauded by President Obama. ?No veteran who fought for our country should have to fight for a job when they come home,? the president said.
?Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: November 22, 2011
New URL for this News Feed
The URL for this news feed has changed to: http://www.fbi.gov/collections/field-office-recent-press-releases/rss.xml.
Please adjust your settings.
Please adjust your settings.
ND1121112
Title: Detroit ATM Thefts Put Retailers on Guard
Description: One retailer is taking necessary steps to protect his store against thieves who drive stolen vehicles into storefronts to steal the ATM.
Page Content:
DETROIT ? Last Tuesday, four men bulldozered a stolen green pickup into a BP gas station in attempt to steal the ATM. When they realized they couldn?t carry it away, the left the scene.
�
Detroit Free Press reports that similar incidents have occurred in Detroit in recent months, although police spokeswoman Sgt. Eren Stephens said no one has been charged in connection with any of this year's ATM thefts.
�
In October, a gas station clerk was shot and wounded by thieves who crashed an SUV into the front of the building and stole the ATM. In July, at least six similar robberies were reported, including four at gas stations.
�
The thefts are believed to be masterminded by ?a well-organized group of armed men who used a smash-and-grab tactic: crashing stolen trucks through walls of the businesses and hauling away the ATMs in a different vehicle, according to the information,? writes the new source.
�
NACS spokesman Jeff Lenard commented that the crime isn?t new among retailers, and that some seem to get hit in cycles that vary depending on location and current economic conditions.
�
ATM theft, he said, usually will top for one of two reasons: ?They get caught or the stations change their operations, either installing bollards (metal posts) or bolting the ATMs to the ground, enhancing security practices.?
�
Jim Beydoun, who owns a Shell station at Mack and I-75, said he is spending about $2,500 to have 10 bollards installed to protect the ATM.
�
"As far as the city goes, I think they have their own problems," he told the news source, adding, "And it seems we're on our own here. We have to fend for ourselves. And we have to do it the best we can."
?Content Subject: Risk Management & Security
Formatted Article Date: November 21, 2011
Match was Speed tribute - Taylor
Neil Taylor feels the decision to go ahead with Swansea's match against Aston Villa was the right decision despite the death of Gary Speed.
ND1123112
Title: Visa, Retailers Discuss Chip Migration
Description: Two upcoming PCATS and NACS events will further help c-store operators navigate what they need to know for chip technology and the arrival of NFC-based mobile payments in the United States.
Page Content:
ALEXANDRIA, Va. ? In August, Visa announced plans to accelerate the migration to contact and contactless EMV chip technology in the United States, which the card company expects will secure payments through the use of dynamic authentication. On November 15, Visa hosted a webinar for NACS retail members to discuss its plans and review to the August authentication announcement.
�
The adoption of dual interface chip technology is intended to help prepare the current payment infrastructure in the United States for the arrival of NFC-based mobile payments, noted John Sheets, senior business leader at Visa Inc., who also outlined the three key initiatives of the plan:
- Expand the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) to retailers in the United States that deploy dual-interface terminals (the ability of the terminal to accept both contact and contactless chip cards or payment devices such as mobile phones).
- Build processing infrastructure for chip acceptance.
- Establish a counterfeit fraud liability shift policy.
Ross Snailer, senior business leader at Visa Inc., said that the first element of the plan is designed provide relief (i.e., a waiver) for qualified retailers that deploy dual interface terminals from their annual PCI DSS validation exercise. Retailers that obtain approval to participate in TIP must continue to comply with PCI DSS, and acquirers maintain full liability for any fees, fines or penalties that may be applicable in event of a data breach.
�
While TIP recognizes a retailer?s investment in chip, enrolling and participating is not automatic ? retailers must apply and obtain approval by Visa. This process begins October 2012.
�
Eligible retailers must meet the following requirements to participate in TIP:
- The retailer has achieved validated PCI DSS compliance or has submitted a remediation plan for achieving compliance
- The retailer has confirmed no storage of prohibited data (full contents of magnetic stripe, CVV2, PIN data)
- At least 75% of the retailer?s transactions originate from dual interface chip terminals and is capable of processing end-to-end chip transactions
- The retailer has not been involved in a breach of cardholder data (retailers previously involved in breach may qualify if they have completed subsequent PCI DSS validation)
The first actual mandate by Visa comes in April 2013, when all U.S. acquirer processors and sub-processors service providers will be required to support retailer acceptance of chip transactions.
�
On October 1, 2015, the liability shift begins ?�if a dual-interface or contact chip card is presented to a retailer that has not adopted at minimum contact chip terminals, excluding automatic fuel dispensers, liability for counterfeit fraud will shift to the retailer. By October 2017, automatic fuel dispensers come into the play. Liability does not include lost/stolen card fraud, card-not-present transactions (e-commerce) and contactless cards without a contact chip.
�
To clarify, the liability will fall on whichever entity has not upgraded to chip, whether it?s the issuer or the retailer. If both have chip, then the issuer will be responsible. If the issuer has upgraded and the retailer has not, then the retailers will bear the liability costs.
�
During the Q&A, retailers asked whether it would make sense for Visa to help retailers with POS upgrades. Sheets and Snailer responded that TIP is the incentive program Visa intends to use and that retailers would obtain some reduction in PCI DSS validation costs. They recognized that this might not be enough, but that some retailers have said this is an interesting enough proposition for them and Visa doesn?t see the need for additional incentives at this time.
�
Some retailers asked about the cost and benefits of adopting chip technology, noting that they would like to use the information in their ROI calculations for upgrading their pump terminals. Sheets and Snailer suggested that retailers talk with their pump manufacturers because there are ?widely differing numbers? depending on the type of pump a retailer has and the age of the current technology in use. They said that while they can?t provide a cost/benefit analysis, Visa could help a retailer?s acquirer develop a better understanding of the potential ROI.
�
As to when chip cards will be available to U.S. consumers, Visa said that the banks are responsible for issuing the cards, and that issuers are not required to re-issue cards with chip technology.
�
Retailers also asked ?what?s the point? in investing in PCI DSS if liability falls on the retailers come 2015. Sheets and Snailer commented that cardholders will begin to prefer merchants who accept chip, and at some point fraud will migrate to locations without chip acceptance, which could increase costs over time. They said that there is also an opportunity to use a targeted approach ? that if retailers recognize high concentrations of counterfeit fraud in some locations, they can begin chip migration with those sites.
�
?We [retailers] have long recognized that the current magnetic stripe system is broken and welcomes Visa?s leadership in working with our membership to fully understand the roadmap to replacing today?s flawed system,? said Gray Taylor, PCATS executive director and NACS payments consultant. ?Without a well-defined implementation specification, we are skeptical the deadlines can be met, but are working with EMVCo and ANSI X9 to ensure a transparent and expedient resolution to this issue.
�
?We believe that Visa took a few key issues back from the webinar. First, where is the return on investment of this upgrade? Second, why doesn?t the next generation include cardholder authentication like other developed economies? Last, if the system is so secure, why isn?t there full indemnification of retailers implementing EMV?? said Taylor.
�
Read more about the future of mobile payments in NACS Magazine:
- The High Tech Payments Battle (part 1)
- Paying It Forward (part 2)
Also, put NACStech on your calendar, May 21 to 23 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville ? registration opens in mid-January. Expect EMV chip migration and adoption to be a hot topic at NACStech, with workshops dedicated to helping the industry understand and prepare for what?s coming down the pike.��
�
There will also be all major card brands speaking on this issue at PCATS Annual Conference, January 23 to 26 in Tucson, Arizona. If you haven?t registered yet to attend, do so today. Now is the time to start learning all you need to know about EMV chip migration and implementation.
?Content Subject: Risk Management & Security
Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011
Milan say Tevez deal must be loan
AC Milan say any deal for Carlos Tevez in January would have to be a loan, while Manchester City will only let him leave on a permanent deal, BBC Sport understands.
ND1117116
Title: Consumers To Fill Up Less Under New Fuel Economy Standards
Description: Department of Transportation and EPA announced the next phase of the Obama administration?s program to boost fuel economy standards for model year 2017-2025 vehicles.
Page Content: WASHINGTON ? Yesterday U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson held a press briefing to discuss the government?s proposed rule to improve fuel economy standards, reduce pollution and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
�
LaHood kicked off the briefing by noting that President Obama has made it clear that raising the fuel economy standards in the U.S. is one of his highest priorities, and that DOT and EPA are committed to working together to make this happen.
�
The proposed program for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and trucks is expected to require increases in fuel efficiency equivalent to 54.5 mpg if all reductions were made through fuel economy improvements.
�
?American families will fill up every two weeks rather than every week,? noted LaHood.
�
DOT and EPA are calculating that these improvements could save consumers an average of up to $6,600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a model year 2025 vehicle for a net lifetime savings of $4,400 after factoring in related increases in vehicle cost.
�
Additionally, the proposed program could reduce U.S. oil consumption by an estimated 12 billion barrels, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day.
�
Yesterday?s announcement follows President Obama?s announcement in July that the administration and 13 major automakers representing more than 90 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. have agreed to build on the first phase of the national vehicle program.
�
There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. In addition, DOT and EPA plan to hold several public hearings around the country to allow further public input. California plans to issue its proposal for model year 2017-2025 vehicle greenhouse gas standards on December 7 and will finalize its standards in January.
�
More information about the proposal is available on the EPA?s website.
�
Read more about this issue in the November NACS Magazine in the ?Inside Washington? section.
Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: November 17, 2011
Space Station Trio Lands Safely in Kazakhstan
Three Station crew members safely returned to Earth on Monday, wrapping up nearly six months in space.
Kubica Formula One comeback delayed
Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica confirms that he will not be fit in time for the start of the 2012 Formula One season. after still not fully recovering from injuries he sustained in a rallying crash in February.
Sean (Atlantic Ocean)
The most recent tropical storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season was absorbed by a cold front early this past weekend.
ND1122114
Title: IHOP Adds Self-Service Format
Description: IHOP is also testing a larger restaurant concept called IHOP Caf� that focuses on premium coffee beverages.
Page Content:
SAN DIEGO ? IHOP opened a new, self-service restaurant in San Diego last week, dubbed IHOP Express, Nation?s Restaurant News reports.
�
Company officials said the smaller footprint, fast-casual concept is designed to target ?on the go? consumers in a variety of locations, including university campuses and military bases.
�
?Consumers? dining needs vary, and IHOP Express fills an important need by allowing guests to sip, flip and enjoy our famous coffee and buttermilk pancakes, along with other options found only at IHOP Express, in less time,? said IHOP president Jean Birch.
�
IHOP Express features counter service and a scaled down version of its full-service restaurant menu. The format offers a small seating area with an ?interactive syrup bar? as well as carryout options.
�
Last year, IHOP announced a partnership with Aramark to expand its brand to college campuses with an early version IHOP Express at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (since dubbed IHOP U.)
�
IHOP is also testing a larger restaurant concept called IHOP Caf�, which focuses on premium coffee beverages.
?Content Subject: Operations
Formatted Article Date: November 22, 2011
U.S. student describes his arrest in Egypt
The last of three American college students who were arrested during Egypt's recent protests arrived back in the United States.
неделя, 27 ноември 2011 г.
Federer reaches World Tour final
Roger Federer beats David Ferrer 7-5 6-3 to secure his place in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals.
Webber claims his first win of 2011
Mark Webber claims his first victory of 2011 as he relegates his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel to second place in the season-ending race in Brazil.
ND1117117
Title: Discretionary Gifts, Spending on the Rise
Description: Most Americans intend to use debit cards to pay for gifts this holiday season, with 57.3% of consumers purchasing gift cards and 30.1% buying food and/or candy.
Page Content:
WASHINGTON ? The 2011 holiday season is begin favorably for retailers, as shoppers have already begun buying electronics, apparel and jewelry, the National Retail Federation reports.
�
According to the NRF?s 2011 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, early Black Friday sales have prompted more than half ? 51.4% ? of Americans to begin their holiday shopping, up from 48.9 percent at the same point last year.
�
?Hoping to spread some holiday cheer, retailers are already offering promotions on everyday items that budget-conscious shoppers know their friends and family members can wear or use on a daily basis,? said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. ?Whether it?s free shipping on select online orders or discounts across the board, those looking for great deals on items ? either as a gift or for themselves ? won?t have to look far.?�
Convenience store operators will not be left out of the spending spree: 30.1% of consumers intend on giving food and/or candy, while 57.3% will buy gift cards, the highest percent in the survey?s 10-year history.
Finally, interchange fees will be front and center this shopping season, as 44% of consumers will use debit cards as their primary form of payment, another high in the survey?s 10-year history.
?Convenience store operators will not be left out of the spending spree: 30.1% of consumers intend on giving food and/or candy, while 57.3% will buy gift cards, the highest percent in the survey?s 10-year history.
Finally, interchange fees will be front and center this shopping season, as 44% of consumers will use debit cards as their primary form of payment, another high in the survey?s 10-year history.
Content Subject: Research
Formatted Article Date: November 17, 2011
Vettel toasts dream F1 season
Sebastian Vettel rejects claims his charge to the 2011 Formula One title was a procession, and says his Red Bull team's ability to learn from their mistakes has been vital in delivering a second successive world championship.
Astronaut, Food Scientist To Discuss Thanksgiving In Space
Please pass the irradiated smoked turkey, thermostable yams and freeze-dried green beans.
ND1117116
Title: Consumers To Fill Up Less Under New Fuel Economy Standards
Description: Department of Transportation and EPA announced the next phase of the Obama administration?s program to boost fuel economy standards for model year 2017-2025 vehicles.
Page Content: WASHINGTON ? Yesterday U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson held a press briefing to discuss the government?s proposed rule to improve fuel economy standards, reduce pollution and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
�
LaHood kicked off the briefing by noting that President Obama has made it clear that raising the fuel economy standards in the U.S. is one of his highest priorities, and that DOT and EPA are committed to working together to make this happen.
�
The proposed program for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and trucks is expected to require increases in fuel efficiency equivalent to 54.5 mpg if all reductions were made through fuel economy improvements.
�
?American families will fill up every two weeks rather than every week,? noted LaHood.
�
DOT and EPA are calculating that these improvements could save consumers an average of up to $6,600 in fuel costs over the lifetime of a model year 2025 vehicle for a net lifetime savings of $4,400 after factoring in related increases in vehicle cost.
�
Additionally, the proposed program could reduce U.S. oil consumption by an estimated 12 billion barrels, and, by 2025, reduce oil consumption by 2.2 million barrels per day.
�
Yesterday?s announcement follows President Obama?s announcement in July that the administration and 13 major automakers representing more than 90 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. have agreed to build on the first phase of the national vehicle program.
�
There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. In addition, DOT and EPA plan to hold several public hearings around the country to allow further public input. California plans to issue its proposal for model year 2017-2025 vehicle greenhouse gas standards on December 7 and will finalize its standards in January.
�
More information about the proposal is available on the EPA?s website.
�
Read more about this issue in the November NACS Magazine in the ?Inside Washington? section.
Content Subject: Government Relations
Formatted Article Date: November 17, 2011
Berdych beats battling Tipsarevic
Tomas Berdych battles to victory over Janko Tipsarevic in an enthralling Group A match at the ATP World Tour Finals.
ND1123111
Title: NACS, Other Groups File Lawsuit Over Fed?s Swipe Fee Reform Rules
Description: Hank Armour, NACS president and CEO, says that the Federal Reserve Board missed an opportunity to provide consumers with the relief they deserve, and this must be corrected.
Page Content: WASHINGTON ? Flawed debit card swipe fee reform regulations issued by the Federal Reserve have allowed big banks to continue charging unjustifiably high swipe fees and discouraged price competition among credit card networks, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court today by NACS and NACS member Miller Oil Co., among others.
�
The regulations, which took effect October 1, have led to an increase in debit card�swipe fees in some cases, according to the plaintiffs: NACS, Norfolk-based Miller Oil Co., the Food Marketing Institute, the National Retail Federation and Boscov?s Department Store.
?
?The Federal Reserve Board missed an opportunity to give consumers the relief that they deserve and this needs to be corrected,? said NACS President and CEO Hank Armour.
�
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 required the Federal Reserve to set guidelines that would result in debit card swipe fees that are ?reasonable? and ?proportional? to banks? costs in processing debit card transactions. Financial institutions with less than $10 billion in assets were exempt.??
�
The Fed said in December 2010 that it had determined that it costs banks an average of 4 cents to process a debit transaction, and proposed that the fees be capped at no more than 12 cents per transaction ? triple the banks�actual cost. After intense lobbying by the�banks and�card industry, however, final regulations released in July 2011 set the cap at more than five times the actual cost ? 21 cents plus 0.05 percent of the transaction and, in most cases, an additional 1 cent for fraud prevention.??
�
While the Dodd-Frank law said the Fed could consider the incremental costs of acquiring, clearing and settling each transaction and specifically prohibited any other expenses from being used to inflate those costs, the lawsuit alleges that the Fed ? under pressure from the banks and card industry ? included costs that were barred by the law.
�
?The proposed rules followed the law, but the Federal Reserve Board changed its view of the law midcourse and without justification when issuing the final rules,? said Doug Kantor, a partner at the Washington law firm of Steptoe and Johnson and lead counsel in the lawsuit. ?Not only did the final version fail to introduce competition, it provided a loophole for the big banks to exploit and actually increase some fees. The Fed?s job was to implement the law as written and it did not do that.?
�
The approximate 21-cent cap would lower debit card swipe fees�for most purchases, which averaged 44 cents but could range as high as several dollars under the previous formula of 1 to 2 percent of the transaction amount. This fall, however, both Visa and MasterCard announced that they would charge the maximum amount even on small-ticket transactions that previously cost merchants as little as 6 to 8 cents.
�
Forcing small businesses to pay three times as much to the big banks on small purchases was clearly not the intent of the law and is further evidence that the Fed got it wrong,? Kantor said.
�
The plaintiffs also said that the Fed?s final rules discourage competition among debit card networks. In order to establish a competitive market between networks such as NYCE, Pulse and Plus, as well as the Visa and MasterCard networks, the law required that merchants be given a choice of two networks on any transaction. Under the Fed?s final regulations, however, banks can limit their cards such that merchants may never have a choice of network. The lack of competition will allow the dominant networks to continue increasing their fees.
�
?Reducing swipe fees is good for consumers, good for small businesses and a good way to take unnecessary costs out of the system and invigorate our country?s economic engine,? Kantor said. ?By not implementing the letter and the intent of the law, the Federal Reserve Board failed in its duty and missed an opportunity to give consumers and businesses the relief they deserve. This litigation is about correcting those mistakes.?
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The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
Content Subject: Government Relations, NACS
Formatted Article Date: November 23, 2011
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