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Zuckerberg’s Meta Stands Firm Against Trudeau’s Bill C-18

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Zuckerberg's Meta Stands Firm Against Trudeau's Socialistic Bill C-18

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has kept its vow to block journalistic content in Canada on its platforms in reaction to a Bill C-18 new law requiring tech firms to pay publishers for linking to or otherwise repurposing their work online.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has stated that it intends to do the same, but it does not appear to have done so yet. In a June blog post, the business stated that when the law goes into force in December, it will begin deleting news links in the country.

In response to the law, Meta has threatened to restrict links to Canadian news sites for nearly a year. According to the social media firm, the Online News Act “is based on the incorrect premise that Meta unfairly benefits from news content shared on our platforms, when the opposite is true.”

Because of the changes, Canadians are no longer allowed to see or share news on Facebook or Instagram, including news articles, videos, and audio produced by outlets both inside and outside of Canada. Links from Canadian media outlets are still viewable in other countries.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge labelled Meta’s decision “irresponsible” on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“They would rather prevent their users from accessing good quality and local news than pay their fair share to news organisations,” she stated in an Aug. 1 statement.

In reaction to Meta’s earlier decision to ban access to news information on their social platforms as part of a temporary test, Canada’s government said last month that it will discontinue advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta has previously taken similar actions. It briefly removed news from its platform in Australia in 2021 after the country approved legislation requiring digital companies to pay publishers for using their news content. It later signed agreements with Australian publishers.

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Meta’s Reaction to Justin Trudeau’s Online News Act – Bill C-18

We have initiated the process of discontinuing news availability in Canada in order to comply with the Online News Act. These changes go into effect today and will affect everyone who uses Facebook and Instagram in Canada over the coming two weeks.
For Canadian news organisations, this means:

People in Canada will no longer be able to read news links and content posted by Canadian news publishers and broadcasters. We are identifying news outlets based on legal definitions and the Online News Act’s advice.

For multinational news organisations, this means:

News publishers and broadcasters outside of Canada will be able to continue posting news links and material; but, this content will not be seen by Canadians.

This means the following for our Canadian community:

People in Canada will no longer be able to see or share news content, including news stories and audio-visual content posted by news organisations, on Facebook and Instagram.

For our global community, this means:

Our services remain unchanged for those who use our technology outside of Canada.

Compliance with the Online News Act as a Business Decision

We expressed our worry about a year ago that the Online News Act will require us to reconsider whether we should continue to allow the sharing of news information on our platforms.

We have been open and honest with the Canadian government, stating that the legislation misrepresents the value that news organisations receive when they choose to utilise our platforms.

The legislation is premised on the false assumption that Meta unfairly benefits from news articles posted on our platforms, when in fact the opposite is true.

News organisations freely post content on Facebook and Instagram in order to broaden their readership and boost their financial line. We know, on the other hand, that people who use our platforms do not come to us for news.

While the process of developing regulations under the Online News Act is proceeding, it is sadly not equipped to make adjustments to the essential characteristics of the legislation that have always been ineffective.

The only way we can reasonably comply with this legislation is to stop providing news to Canadians. We are announcing these changes, which will take effect immediately, in order to provide clarity to the millions of Canadians and businesses who use our services.

Canadians will always be able to use modern technology to stay in touch with friends, relatives, and groups, participate in their local communities, and learn new things.

Collaboration on Online News Access

People in Canada can continue to get news online by going straight to the websites of news providers, installing mobile news applications, and subscribing to their chosen publishers. Meta worked with Nellie Brière, a digital literacy expert in Québec, to provide people with information on how to continue accessing local news and information online. You can find the guide here.

We are proud of our contribution to a thriving and diversified news ecosystem. Our free tools and services enabled local publishers to engage with their communities and established media outlets to continue to develop their audiences – free marketing that generated more than CDN $230 million in projected value in a year.

We hope that in the future, the Canadian government will recognise the value we already give to the news sector and explore a policy response that supports the ideals of a free and open internet, champions diversity and innovation, and reflects the interests of the entire Canadian media landscape.

Updated on June 22nd, 2023

We are confirming today that all users in Canada will no longer be able to access news on Facebook and Instagram prior to the implementation of the Online News Act (Bill C-18).

We have previously stated that, in order to comply with Bill C-18, which was enacted today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to Canadians who use our services.

We indicated earlier this month that we were undertaking product testing to assist us in developing an effective product solution to end news availability as a result of C-18. These studies are continuing and currently affect a tiny fraction of Canadian customers.

Meta’s products and services in Canada will be unaffected by the modifications to news content. We want to ensure that the millions of Canadians who use our platforms can always connect with friends and family, build their companies, and support their local communities.

We will continue to combat disinformation and have established the largest global fact-checking network of any platform by collaborating with more than 90 independent fact-checking organisations worldwide that examine and grade viral misinformation in more than 60 languages. Fact-checking will continue for content that is still available in Canada.

Initially released on June 1st, 2023

As previously stated, if Bill C-18, the Online News Act, becomes law, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will be unavailable to Canadians using Facebook and Instagram.

As we prepare to comply with the regulations, we announce today that we will begin testing on both platforms that will prevent some users and publishers in Canada from reading or sharing certain news items.

Randomised tests will assist us in developing an effective product solution to end news availability in Canada, as stated under Bill C-18. During the testing period, which will last several weeks, a small fraction of Canadians who have enlisted in the programme will be contacted if they seek to distribute news content.

Product testing will have an impact on news outlets both inside and outside of Canada. Based on the present language of Bill C-18, Meta is identifying news outlets on our platforms. As written, the legislation includes news outlets that principally report on, investigate, or explain current issues or occurrences of public interest.

News organisations will still have access to their accounts and Pages and will be able to post news links and information; however, some content will be unavailable in Canada.

The Meta Business Suite and advertising tools will remain available to outlets. Those who have enrolled in testing will have recourse to a review process if they believe they do not fit within the legislation’s intended scope.

Product testing is an essential element in Meta’s methodical approach to product development. They are an important component of our effort to comply with the Online News Act ethically and transparently.

The Online News Act, as we have often stated, is fundamentally misguided legislation that ignores the facts of how our platforms work, the preferences of those who use them, and the value we provide news publishers.

As the Minister of Canadian Heritage has stated, how we choose to comply with the legislation is a business decision that we must make, and we have done so. While these product tests are only temporary, we aim to permanently discontinue the distribution of news material in Canada following the adoption of Bill C-18.

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PepsiCo Reduces Revenue Projections As North American Snacks And Key International Markets Underperform.

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(VOR News) – In the third quarter of this year, Pepsi’s net income was $2.93 billion, which is equivalent to $2.13 per share. This was attributed to the company.

This is in stark contrast to net income of $3.09 billion, which is equivalent to $2.24 per share, during the same period in the previous year. The company’s earnings per share were $2.31 when expenses were excluded.

Net sales decreased by 0.6%, totaling $23.32 billion. Organic sales increased by 1.3% during the quarter when the effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes are excluded.

Pepsi’s beverage sales fell this quarter.

The most recent report indicates that the beverage and food sectors of the organization experienced a 2% decline in volume. Consumers of all income levels are demonstrating a change in their purchasing habits, as indicated by CEOs’ statements from the previous quarter.

Pepsi’s entire volume was adversely affected by the lackluster demand they encountered in North America. An increasing number of Americans are becoming more frugal, reducing the number of snacks they ingest, and reducing the number of times they purchase at convenience stores.

Furthermore, Laguarta observed that the increase in sales was partially attributed to the election that occurred in Mexico during the month of June.

The most significant decrease in volume was experienced by Quaker Foods North America, which was 13%. In December, the company announced its initial recall in response to a potential salmonella infection.

Due to the probability of an illness, the recall was extended in January. Pepsi officially closed a plant that was implicated in the recalls in June, despite the fact that manufacturing had already been halted.

Jamie Caulfield, the Chief Financial Officer of Pepsi and Laguarta, has indicated that the recalls are beginning to have a lessening effect.

Frito-Lay experienced a 1.5% decline in volume in North America. The company has been striving to improve the value it offers to consumers and the accessibility of its snack line, which includes SunChips, Cheetos, and Stacy’s pita chips, in the retail establishments where it is sold.

Despite the fact that the category as a whole has slowed down in comparison to the results of previous years, the level of activity within the division is progressively increasing.

Pepsi executives issued a statement in which they stated that “Salty and savory snacks have underperformed year-to-date after outperforming packaged food categories in previous years.”

Pepsi will spend more on Doritos and Tostitos in the fall and winter before football season.

The company is currently promoting incentive packets for Tostitos and Ruffles, which contain twenty percent more chips than the standard package.

Pepsi is expanding its product line in order to more effectively target individuals who are health-conscious. The business announced its intention to acquire Siete Foods for a total of $1.2 billion approximately one week ago. The restaurant serves Mexican-American cuisine, which is typically modified to meet the dietary needs of a diverse clientele.

The beverage segment of Pepsi in North America experienced a three percent decrease in volume. Despite the fact that the demand for energy drinks, such as Pepsi’s Rockstar, has decreased as a result of consumers visiting convenience stores, the sales of well-known brands such as Gatorade and Pepsi have seen an increase throughout the quarter.

Laguarta expressed his opinion to the analysts during the company’s conference call, asserting, “I am of the opinion that it is a component of the economic cycle that we are currently experiencing, and that it will reverse itself in the future, once consumers feel better.”

Additionally, it has been noted that the food and beverage markets of South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have experienced a decline in sales volume. The company cut its forecast for organic revenue for the entire year on Tuesday due to the business’s second consecutive quarter of lower-than-anticipated sales.

The company’s performance during the quarter was adversely affected by the Quaker Foods North America recalls, the decrease in demand in the United States, and the interruptions that occurred in specific international markets, as per the statements made by Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta.

Pepsi has revised its forecast for organic sales in 2024, shifting from a 4% growth rate to a low single-digit growth rate. The company reiterated its expectation that the core constant currency profitability per share will increase by a minimum of 8% in comparison to the previous year.

The company’s shares declined by less than one percent during premarket trading. The following discrepancies between the company’s report and the projections of Wall Street were identified by LSEG in a survey of analysts:

SOURCE: CNBC

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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Old National Bank And Infosys Broaden Their Strategic Partnership.

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(VOR News) – Old National Bank, a commercial bank with its headquarters in the Midwest, and Infosys, a firm that specializes in information technology, have recently entered into a strategic expansion of their link, which has been in place for the past four years.

This expansion is more likely to take place sooner rather than later, with the likelihood being higher.

For the purpose of making it possible for Old National Bank to make use of the services, solutions, and platforms that are offered by Infosys, the objective of this expansion is to make it possible for the bank to transform its operations and processes through the application of automation and GenAI, as well as to change significant business areas.

This lets the bank leverage Infosys’ services, solutions, and platforms.

Old National Bank Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said, “At Old National, we are committed to creating exceptional experiences for both our customers and our fellow employees.”

This statement is applicable to Old National Bank. Infosys is carefully managing the business process innovations that it is putting us through, putting a strong emphasis on efficiency and value growth throughout the process to ensure that it is carried out efficiently.

This is a routine occurrence throughout the entire operation. Because of Infosys’ dedication to our development and success, we are incredibly appreciative of the assistance they have provided.

Old National has been receiving assistance from Infosys in the process of updating its digital environment since the year 2020, according to the aforementioned company.

Ever since that time, the company has been providing assistance. The provision of this assistance has been accomplished through the utilization of a model that is not only powerful but also capable of functioning on its own power.

Infosys currently ranks Old National thirty-first out of the top thirty US banks.

This ranking is based on the fact that Old National is the nation’s largest banking corporation.

It is estimated that the total value of the company’s assets is approximately fifty-three billion dollars, while the assets that are currently being managed by the organization are valued at thirty billion dollars.

Dennis Gada, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Banking and Financial Services, stated that “Old National Bank and Infosys possess a robust cultural and strategic alignment in the development, management, and enhancement of enterprise-scale solutions to transform the bank’s operations and facilitate growth.”

This remark referenced the exceptional cultural and strategic synergy between the two organizations. Dennis Gada is the one who asserted this claim. This was articulated explicitly concerning the exceptional cultural congruence and strategy alignment of the two organizations.

We are pleased to announce that the implementation of Infosys Topaz will substantially expedite the transformation of Old National Bank’s business processes and customer service protocols. We are exceedingly enthusiastic about this matter. We are quite thrilled about this specific component of the scenario.

Medium-sized banks operating regionally will continue to benefit from our substantial expertise in the sector, technology, and operations. This specific market segment of Infosys will persist in benefiting from our extensive experience. This phenomenon will enable this market sector to sustain substantial growth and efficiency benefits.

SOURCE: THBL

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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Qantas Airways Apologizes After R-Rated Film Reportedly Airs On Every Screen During Flight

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American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

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The largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States stated Monday that it had been the target of a cyberattack, forcing the company to halt invoicing to consumers.

water

American Water, The Largest Water Utility In US, Is Targeted By A Cyberattack

American Water, based in New Jersey and serving over 14 million people in 14 states and 18 military facilities, said it learned of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and quickly took precautions, including shutting down certain systems. The business does not believe the attack had an impact on its facilities or operations and said employees were working “around the clock” to determine the origin and scale of the attack.

water

The corporation stated that it has alerted legal enforcement and is cooperating with them. It also stated that consumers will not be charged late fees while its systems are unavailable.

According to their website, American Water operates over 500 water and wastewater systems in around 1,700 communities across California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

SOURCE | AP

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