News Hub | News Direct

The Hottest 2023 Travel Trends and Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

YourUpdateTV

Travel is on the rebound in 2023! Eighty percent of Americans report high degrees of excitement about travel this year, with 79% already having trips planned in the next several months, as reported in a recent study. Recently, Cruise and Travel Expert, and Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, Colleen McDaniel, partnered with Norwegian Cruise Line on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss top travel trends and destinations for 2023. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/z3UQEcR_x50 With Companies like Norwegian Cruise Line reporting record demand going into 2023, it demonstrates travelers are ready to get away…and sail away. In fact, a recent AAA survey finds 52% of U.S. adults are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation than they were before 2020. That number is up from 45% one year ago. For those looking to maximize their vacation, cruising is a great option. It provides travelers with the opportunity to visit multiple destinations with only having to unpack once. You can discover Europe’s most charming port cities and wake up in a new country each day; and for those looking to reconnect with nature, a voyage through Alaska’s Inside Passage takes travelers up close to the natural beauty and wildlife of the destination. With cruising, it’s just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. From discovering new places, to enjoying new experiences, cruising provides the variety and immersive experiences travelers are looking for. In fact, Norwegian Cruise Line sails to nearly 400 destinations worldwide and is preparing to debut its next groundbreaking ship – Norwegian Viva – during the summer of 2023. As of January 24th, NCL is offering 50% off all cruises, plus free airfare for the second guest, free open bar, free specialty dining, free excursions, free WiFi, and more! Go to ncl.com to learn more about available itineraries and to start planning your long-awaited vacation at sea. About Colleen McDaniel Colleen McDaniel is Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, the world’s largest online cruise resource. She considers cruising to be a true passion, having traveled the world by water – from Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii, to Europe’s rivers, Antarctica and Africa – on ships of all ships and sizes. She’s regularly quoted as a cruise expert in media outlets across the country, including outlets like The Associated Press, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX Business, CNBC, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Skift. Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers -- from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 50M+ opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community. Cruise Critic is a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 25, 2023 04:11 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

News Release

7 Best Research Paper Writing Services: Overview, Services, Rating ✍️

Halvorson Media Group

Looking for a reliable yet affordable essay writing website? We have compiled for you the 7 best research paper writing services that offer not only quality essay writing support, but also a number of nice bonuses. Recently, the concept of delegation has made its way not only into our language but also into our daily lives. Receiving help and asking for it is no longer embarrassing. This innovation also applies to the field of education. With the plethora of irrelevant subjects included in the educational curriculum, the only way to cope with a plethora of written assignments is to deprive yourself of sleep. However, thanks to academic writing help, these great sacrifices are by no means justified. After a thorough market analysis, we have selected the most reliable sites that offer the best research paper writing services. In compiling this list, we were guided by the following aspects: transparency, reliability, and reasonable price. The platforms listed below have proven their competence and professionalism. Paper Help — Best Overall 🏆 Cheap Paper Writing — Best for Impeccable Reputation 🥈 Evolution Writers - Best for Verified Cheap Papers Writers 🥉 99papers — Best for The Vast Hub of Freebies; Speedy Paper — Best for High-Quality Research Paper Writing Solutions; Essay Box — Best for The Speed Essay Writing Options; Extra Essay — Best for The Top-Notch Extra Services. Where to Find High-Quality Research Paper Help? We have selected 7 top-notch writing services that stand out from the crowd with one or more particularly well-designed features. You can evaluate these platforms using the table below and choose the website that meets your needs and goals. 1. Paper Help — Best Overall 🏆 This online essay writing service is convincing in many aspects: a long list of essay types, affordable prices for students, meeting deadlines, good guarantees, 24/7 support for research papers and the like. PaperHelp writing service has been on the market since 2013. For 10 years, these guys have created a very cool platform that helps students with a wide range of assignments and does it perfectly. PaperHelp is here to help you with different types of help for research papers, be it academic writing, editing, proofreading, or calculations. Moreover, the presence of free advantages, such as free titles and reference pages, testifies to professionalism and respect for customers. This research paper writing service offers a wide range of services for all academic levels of study: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional. You can also enjoy the bonuses offered by the service: a 15% discount on your first order and several VIP options such as first-order priority, an extended review period, and 24/7 VIP support. Whether or not you use the additional features depends on the importance and complexity of your task. In any case, PaperHelp is highly appreciated by students: 4.3 stars on TrustPilot and 5 stars on SiteJabber. 2. Cheap Paper Writing — Best for Impeccable Reputation 🥈 The name of the website speaks for itself. However, low prices in no way affect the quality of the professional services we offer you. The most important thing for any academic writing service is the reputation that comes from customer feedback. CheapPaper service is highly rated by grateful students: 5 stars on SiteJabber and 4.3 stars on Trustpilot. This is an incredible result for a service that has been in existence for just over two years. All academic writing help services are divided into two main categories: Essay Services and Homework Services. This division helps users find what they need faster, as the platform is used by both high school and college students. Also, pay attention to the library of research paper writers: not only can you see customer reviews, but you can also check how many high-quality papers have been completed, what kind of academic degree the writer has, and what he or she specializes in. This concern for customers sometimes increases the credibility of the service. By the way, at the academic writing company, you can also see sample texts of the writer you choose. It's a great option, isn't it? 3. Evolution Writers — Best for Verified Cheap Papers Writers 🥉 If you are looking for a proven and affordable essay writing service, you should take a closer look at EvolutionWriters. This service has everything you need to free you from a lot of paper tasks: different types of essays, reviews, resumes, theses, dissertations, PowerPoint presentations, and the like. At the same time, solid guarantees leave no doubt about the reliability of this academic writing help service: money-back guarantee, student-friendly services, absolute confidentiality, and many advantages for each order, for example, anti-plagiarism check, 4 revisions, and much more. By the way, all research paper writers on the site undergo rigorous tests: a grammar and language test, writing an essay on a specific topic, and accreditation of a university degree (bachelor's, master's, Ph.D.). Without exception, all writers of this custom essay writing service deserve your trust. 4. 99papers — Best for The Vast Hub of Freebies In a rapidly changing world, you have to decide what to save: time or money. 99paper offers you a unique way to save both of these valuable resources. This professional essay writing service is aimed at students at any stage of education: high school, undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. Whether it is a book review, a dissertation sample, or even a poem, 99paper's writers are ready to help you and provide you with the best academic writing help. To assess the level of the author's writing skills, you can refer to the Samples section, where some examples of papers written by professional writers are posted. Perhaps these articles will help you to get inspired in writing your essay. The most pleasant thing about this service is the incredible free writing features. The client gets several important services for free: a title page, bibliography, outline, proofreading, formatting, and unlimited proofreading. Tempting, isn't it? 5. Speedy Paper — Best for High-Quality Research Paper Writing Solutions SpeedyPaper knows what experience is and wants its authors to know it too (and on this website they have it, believe us!). The team does its best to live up to the most experienced professional academic writing services. An impeccable reputation, affordable prices, and a very strict attitude toward deadlines are three aspects that accurately characterize the SpeedyPaper team. Users of the platform rate the offered services highly: 4.98 stars on the Jaber site with over 4500 reviews. People create a reputation: if the platform does everything right, it does not go unnoticed. In addition to high-quality paid services, the SpeedyPaper website offers a large portfolio of free essays on various fields, such as human resources, the aviation industry, gun violence, and many other highly specialized areas. There are more than 14,000 essays available to website visitors, can you imagine? 6. Essay Box — Best for Speed Essay Writing Options Do you need a research paper written by professional academic writers? With 8 years of experience in essay writing, EssayBox knows what a professional approach is. Thanks to the user-friendly interface and well-thought-out design, you can quickly navigate the website and find the service you need. By the way, if you have completely forgotten about your assignment and have three hours left, EssayBox knows what to do. All you have to do is fill out a quick form and pay for the order. Sometimes the delivery speed is the decisive factor in this business. If for some reason your assignment is not ready on time, you have the right to demand a part of your money back. On the website, you can order an essay on any topic: 25+ options, including marketing, medicine, theology, political science, and finance. By the way, when filling in the order form you can choose the style of the paper depending on the university, for example, APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, etc. 7. Extra Essay — Best For The Top-Notch Extra Services Are you looking for the cheapest essay writing service that focuses on results? ExtraEssay will pleasantly surprise you. It is a unique combination of low prices, a customer loyalty program, transparency, and endless possibilities. For an additional fee, you get several features that are hard to find in other writing services. You can choose a writer who has already completed your assignments, select an advanced writer for double credibility, request a first draft to make sure the writer understands your requirements, and much more. Such a serious approach speaks volumes. Whether it's an essay, a speech, a cheap term paper, or a cover letter, the ExtraEssay team can do your assignment even a little better than you'd expect. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Is it legal to use academic writing services? Using academic writing help services is not against the law and can therefore be considered legal. Of course, part of any educational activity is completing assignments on your own, but with additional research paper writing help, you can improve your academic performance and free up time for specialized disciplines. 2. Is it possible to pay for the service after the assignment is completed by the author? The author's service is paid at the time of order. This is a guarantee of the site from unscrupulous customers. If you want to assess the quality of the writing skills of the authors, then many websites publish samples of written works. 3. What if I am dissatisfied with the quality of the completed essay? Every professional custom essay writing service has a refund option in case of unforeseen circumstances. If the work was done by the writer in bad faith, you will be refunded the amount of your order in full or partially, depending on the money-back guarantee policy. 4. Do research paper writers provide anti-plagiarism guarantees? Each text undergoes a plagiarism check: standard or Turnitin, at the customer's choice. Most websites offer the guarantee of 100% plagiarism-free essays and other written works. 5. Can university professors know that I have used the research paper writing service? No, they can't. Professional research essay writing services pay attention to the client's confidentiality and do not ask for their personal data. All communication takes place within the website. The academic writing company will not know where and in what educational institution you are studying. 6. Do research writing sites provide revisions after completing an assignment? Of course. All sites offer more than 3 free revisions. If you have written an essay yourself but are not sure of its quality, you can order proofreading or editing as a separate service. Final Words If you think you can't handle the study load, you don't have to give up on your studies. Just turn to academic writing services. Professional research paper writers will do their best to make even the most difficult essays, papers and calculations get an A+. We hope that our selection of reliable essay writing services will help you free up some time for your hobbies and for connecting with your family and friends. Let's learn to prioritize! Contact Details Halvorson Media Group Edward +1 929-491-3157 edward@halvorsonmediagroup.com Company Website https://halvorsonmediagroup.com/

January 25, 2023 01:39 PM Eastern Standard Time

Survey reveals the leading causes of weight gain — and it’s not just food or lack of exercise

Able

Rising global overweight and obesity rates are typically attributed to overconsumption and a lack of movement. However, new research highlights the far more complex combination of lifestyle choices and challenges that cause weight gain. In a survey 1 of over 100,000 users of Able, a health coaching app that tailors personal programs to each individual to help them achieve their goals, users most commonly attributed their weight gain to stress (24.5%), family life (12.5%), medication (11.7%) and work (10.9%). Likewise, 57.7% of overweight people get just five to seven hours of sleep each night, with poor sleep quality a major risk factor for obesity. Data shows that diet does play a role, but more so due to what people consume, rather than how much. Some 79.3% of respondents stated that they eat three or fewer meals daily. However, 26.8% most commonly consume sweet foods throughout the day. Likewise, 19.2% regularly eat fried food, 16.6% consume caffeine and 9.3% drink alcohol, all of which have been linked to weight gain. The survey also found that many users signing up to Able had debilitating health conditions that can impact the ability to lose weight. Some 12% of females and 2% of males reported suffering from depression and anxiety. Likewise, 6% of women and 1% of men had insomnia, while 4% of women and 1% of men reported being asthmatic. In addition, 6% of women reported hormonal issues. “The human body is intricate and reaching our optimal weight is never so straightforward as moving more and eating less,” Roman Taranov, CEO and founder of Able said. “As this data shows, it's often not for lack of trying, but to achieve results you really must consider each person’s body, mind and situation. With an action plan that targets the specific factors that impact an individual, no reasonable weight loss goal is unachievable.” Hoping to improve their health (23.9%), feel good (21.5%) and live longer (16.7%), almost a third of users had tried gym exercise. Similarly, 24.4% had tried a restrictive diet and a further 21.2% attempted a fitness-focused diet. However, losing weight requires addressing the various factors that impact our body, from diet to rest to medication, while staying motivated and working around our busy schedules. The survey data was collected from more than 100,000 people who submitted responses to the intake questionnaire for Able's weight loss program. Overall, 57% were aged over 50 and 20% under 30. Women made up 81% of respondents. 1 Research findings based on a survey questionnaire to members of the Able community that was completed between December 2022 and January 2023. 102,361 adults aged between 18 and 48 based around the world responded to the survey. About Able Able is a digitally native health and wellness platform that provides access to high-quality, comprehensive weight care from start to finish, at the cost of an affordable monthly subscription. Founded in 2021, Able’s weight loss program works because it treats the whole person, addressing every factor that impacts weight. Able clients achieve lasting results by making better food and movement choices, with the support and accountability of a personal health coach within the app who guides them in adapting their lifestyle and habits. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://ableapp.com/

January 25, 2023 08:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

Image

Luminar Media Group, Inc. Acquires Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka

Luminar Media Group, Inc.

McapMediaWire -- Luminar Media Group, Inc. (OTC Pink: LRGR ) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a group of companies that own the importation, distribution. and trademarks for Royale de Monte Carlo vodka, an Ultra Premium vodka brand imported from France. As part of the transaction, LRGR will sell its Big Media subsidiary to outgoing CEO Chris Cook, and Robert Rico will become the Company’s new CEO. "I am very excited about Royale De Monte Carlo becoming part of a publicly traded company,” stated Robert Rico, CEO of Royale de Monte Carlo. “This will give us the opportunity for wider exposure and greater access to capital. In the next quarter we intend to file for a name and ticker change to better fit our business. We also intend to uplist to the OTCQB market.” "Brand Vault, the company that owns the Royale de Monte Carlo IP and Attaché Wine & Spirits, the U.S. licensed importer, are also being acquired as part of the deal,” stated Dan Boiangin founder of Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka. LRGR has also acquired Prestigious Distributors LLC in the transaction. “Royale De Monte Carlo Ultra Premium Vodka is available in the South Florida area through Prestigious Distributors. We expect to expand our distribution network in the United States, with New York being our first area outside of Florida,” stated Royal de Monte Carlo cofounder Conrad Alfonso. Royale de Monte Carlo is available for sale in Florida, New York, and in South America. "The acquisition of Royale de Monte Carlo Vodka is part of our corporate strategy to build shareholder value and increase our national distribution and enhance our brand portfolio. Our vodka products are high-quality, award-winning brands, made from the finest ingredients," he added. Royale de Monte Carlo was previously awarded the U.S trademark “The Worlds Most Prestigious Vodka” TM "We have set the highest quality standards for our vodka, which is made from exceptional ingredients, and filtered to perfection to achieve the smoothest possible taste," Mr. Alfonso added. Royale de Monte Carlo Vodka is made from the finest French grains sourced in Cognac, France and distilled nine time using nanotechnology, then filtered seven times via Champagne limestone for its signature finish. The end result is a texture thinner than water, described as the "antonym of lava,” smooth taste, and flow through the palette winning over every consumer. Royale de Monte Carlo has added over one hundred new liquor stores in Miami in the last 90 days and will continue to aggressively increase its footprint in South Florida, New York City and the Tri-State area. ABOUT US: Royale de Monte Carlo headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a an ultra premium, icy cool, and deliciously smooth vodka sure to give long lasting euphoric pleasure to any palate it graces. Created and produced by fifth generation master distillers located in the heart of the world-famous Cognac region of France, Royale de Monte Carlo was voted as the "World's Most Prestigious Vodka” TM. The superior qualities of Royale de Monte Carlo Vodka stem from its utilization of the finest ingredients and a unique alkaline purification process, which takes full advantage of the wisdom of the distillers of Charente and the traditions of the region to ensure a perfected recipe. It comes bottled at 40% ABV and is fermented scrupulously using the highest quality cereals from the Champagne Belt. The use of champagne limestone during the filtration process of seven times, coupled with a certified distillation technique, provides an unrivaled aroma and exotic touch sure to be felt upon first sip. Investor Relations Contact: info@royaledemontecarlo.com Phone: +1 (305) 283-9237 www.royaledemontecarlo.com INSTAGRAM: @royaledemontecarlovodka Facebook: https://fb.com/royaledemontecarlovodka Twitter: https://twitter.com/montecarlovodka Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plan of Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka statements relating to goals, plans, and projections regarding the Vodka Brands Corp.'s financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases 'would be,' 'will allow,' 'intends to,' 'may result,' 'are expected to,' 'will continue,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'estimate,' 'project,' 'indicate,' 'could,' 'potentially,' 'should,' 'believe,' 'think,' 'considers,' or similar expressions, are intended to identify 'forward-looking statements.' These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions, and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka. cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. Royale De Monte Carlo does not undertake, and Royale De Monte Carlo specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Actual results may differ materially from Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka expectations and estimates. For more information about Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka and the risks related to an investment in the Company, investors should review the Company's filings at www.otcmarkets.com with their tax and financial advisor. Contact Details Investor Relations Contact: +1 305-283-9237 info@royaledemontecarlo.com Company Website http://www.royaledemontecarlo.com/

January 25, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Cisco’s Cybersecurity Resolutions Everyone Needs to Make

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0zh5C-cLOgk While cybersecurity has become a top concern among consumers, especially as scammers and hackers have grown more creative, many struggle with how to practically protect themselves – what can they do to protect their identities, savings and credit? The security team at Cisco is on the cutting edge of cybersecurity – battling hackers, uncovering the latest scams and seeking out the weaknesses that leave people and businesses vulnerable. The team at Cisco has revealed its first-ever list of cybersecurity resolutions – the top hacks they expect to see targeting consumers and what the average person can do to protect themselves. In conjunction with the release of the cybersecurity resolutions J. Wolfgang Goerlich conducted a nationwide media tour providing expert insights and shared the top tips and tricks to help anyone create their own cybersecurity resolutions. Topics that Wolfgang discussed included: What do individuals need to know about current cybersecurity threats? What are the most persistent cyber threats for individuals? Unveiling of Cisco’s first-ever list of cybersecurity resolutions How the average person can protect themselves Top cybersecurity tips included: You Need to be Diligent Don’t click links from unknown sources - including text messages which have become a leading attack vector. No longer are suspicious links primarily sent through phishing emails If you get a suspicious text message or phone call, look for where it’s coming from. The way hackers have adapted - we must as well Consider Your Privacy Don’t connect to public networks or access sensitive data on your mobile devices. Do you need to grant an app access to your contacts, location or photos? Know what companies are asking of you - major companies, like Apple and Google, tell you the permissions upfront what they need; however, if the company doesn’t clarify what it can do with your data, don’t just click the agree to terms and conditions box; read it. Consider The Apps You and Your Kids Use Look at the news around TikTok - with local governments putting bans/restrictions in place, the future of the platform for all users remains up in the air Stay informed - have conversations with your kids around what you say and do online Consider the Security Efforts of the Apps you Use When you download an app, you’ve likely been asked, “Allow ‘app’ to track activity across other companies’ apps and websites?” notification from Apple - be mindful of what this means about your personal data before making a decision For example - does your banking app require multi-factor authentication? What about other apps that have access to your most private info? Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 25, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Innersense Organic Beauty Donates $210,000 for Annual Season of Giving

Innersense Organic Beauty

Award-winning clean hair care brand Innersense Organic Beauty raised over $210,000 for five nonprofits during November and December of 2022. Innersense Organic Beauty first started its annual Season of Giving campaign in 2019, benefiting organizations dedicated to a range of passions, from hunger to safe cosmetics advocacy, equality, and cancer support. In 2022, this seasonal effort raised $210,000 during the holidays, breaking the former record from previous years. The five-week Season of Giving campaign, kicked off the week of Thanksgiving, starting November 21, 2022, introduced a new nonprofit each Monday and encouraged Innersense Organic Beauty clean hair care consumers to shop with their hearts. The brand, in turn, donated 20% of all web sales each week to the designated nonprofit. Innersense Organic Beauty’s in-house team chose nonprofits that focused on issues near and dear to its heart, such as the women advocacy, female cancer support and Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the adult daughter of founders Greg and Joanne Starkman. Organizations benefiting from the fourth annual campaign included Feeding America, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Women’s Voices for the Earth, Lipstick Angels and Williams Syndrome Association. “Innersense Organic Beauty was created to help support our stylists by caring for these valued caregivers. As a leader in the clean beauty space, we also see ourselves as caregivers for our salon professionals, consumers and the community at large,” shares Greg Starkman, CEO and Founder, Innersense Organic Beauty. “We are grateful to be able to give back to organizations we are passionate about, and incredibly thankful to our dedicated community that continues to support our brand and this campaign each year, as they put their hearts behind holiday shopping.” The brand also updated its e-commerce website during the third quarter in 2022 to introduce Beam Impact, a new plug-in that allows consumers to donate a percent of their online purchase to the charity or cause of their choice. Innersense rotates the partner options seasonally to provide visibility and opportunity to the many philanthropic causes they support, including California Coastkeepers Alliance, The Loveland Foundation and many more. “This is absolutely amazing, we are incredibly grateful for this generous gift. The community you have built and inspired is so beautiful. Thank you for being thought leaders in business, family and philanthropy. It is people like you that change the world,” says Renata Helfman, Founder & Executive Director, Lipstick Angels. “We feel truly blessed to be partners with all of you.” The brand plans to continue its philanthropic efforts in 2023 with goals to surpass 2022 giving. About Innersense Organic Beauty Beauty professionals Greg and Joanne Starkman founded Innersense Organic Beauty to bring clean, pure and toxin free hair care to salons, stylists and consumers. The clean hair care brand’s products include shampoos, conditioners, scalp scrub, styling and treatment products for all hair types. For more information, visit innersensebeauty.com. Contact Details BPCM Archita Patel +1 281-725-2121 archita@bpcm.com Company Website https://innersensebeauty.com/

January 24, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections

Travel Tech

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, filed comments today in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on “ Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees ” (DOT-OST-2022-0109). “Travel Tech has long supported the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to ensure consumers have access to critical ancillary fee information. We did so in 2014 and are doing so again in 2023,” stated Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “For too long, consumers have lacked the consistent ability to know the true cost of different flight options.” In its comments, Travel Tech addresses how ancillary fee information should be provided to ticket agents. In its proposed rule, the DOT seeks to omit global distribution systems from receiving mandatory ancillary fee data from airlines. “Travel Tech strongly recommends that ancillary fee data be shared with all channels that distribute fare and schedule information,” Chadwick continued. “It is the most simple and direct way to solve the issue of ancillary fee transparency for consumers.” Travel Tech also filed a petition today requesting a hearing on DOT’s proposed requirement to display the critical ancillary fee information on the first page of online search results. Travel Tech addresses this matter in its comments. “Our members are the leading innovators in creating consumer-friendly online travel information sites. We are deeply concerned about the DOT’s first-page search results requirements included in the proposed regulation. These rules, if adopted as written, will clutter and confuse the online air travel shopping experience for consumers. This is especially true for travel comparison sites that display multiple airlines’ schedules and fares,” said Chadwick. “In our comments and hearing petition, we argue that the Department should not displace ticket agents’ well-established expertise with a government-regulated website design mandate. Ticket agents should have the flexibility to design appropriate displays of ancillary fees and develop innovative new methods for consumers as well,” Chadwick continued. ### About Travel Tech The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms. To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com. Contact Details Travel Technology Association Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.traveltech.org.

January 24, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Twinco Capital raises $12 million led by Quona Capital to expand its next-gen supply chain finance platform

Twinco Capital

Twinco Capital, the first global supply chain finance solution that covers the production cycle from purchase order to final invoice payment, announced today it has closed a $12 million equity and debt round. The investment was led by Quona Capital, and included participation from Working Capital Innovation Fund, as well as existing investors Mundi Ventures and Finch Capital. Zubi Capital provided the venture debt portion. The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s expansion within the major sourcing countries and strengthen its technology and data capabilities, in particular in relation to ESG. Twinco Capital is on a mission to reduce the world’s estimated $1.7 trillion trade finance gap, which disproportionately affects small and medium-sized companies in emerging countries and hinders their ability to access business opportunities and grow. Through its solution, the company engages with large corporations—mostly in the retail and apparel sectors—and offers funding to their suppliers worldwide, advancing up to 60% of the purchase order value upfront and paying the remainder upon delivery. The process is designed to be a fully transparent, no-hassle experience that provides the suppliers with funding for its purchase orders within 48 hours. The Amsterdam and Madrid-based fintech was founded in 2019 by Sandra Nolasco (CEO), an experienced banker and specialist in trade finance with an international career spanning over 20 years in major European commercial banks, and Carmen Marín (COO), who has over 16 years of management experience in both equity investing and project finance at Banco Santander. Since its inception, Twinco has grown rapidly, and today has programs in place which serve engaged European and LatAm retailers who buy more than $10 billion per year of manufactured products, mostly from SMEs in emerging markets. With Twinco, SMEs all over the world can access affordable liquidity, when they most need it—when they receive an order and need to start production. On the back of its financing programs, Twinco continuously collects data that stems from the intersection of commercial, financial and ESG performance of the thousands of manufacturers involved in these supply chains. As a result, Twinco is well positioned to provide its customers not only with funding but also with the benefit of unique business intelligence that can enable SMEs to produce products competitively and responsibly. “Twinco is focused on a significant pain point in the massive and underpenetrated market that is supply chain finance,” said Monica Brand Engel, co-founder and Managing Partner at Quona. “At Quona, we’ve been incredibly impressed by the strength of this founding team and its business model, and we’re excited to be part of their journey to provide much-needed and affordable supply chain finance to help responsibly fuel the economic gains of emerging market suppliers.” The key to Twinco’s success is its unique risk model, which complements the traditional view on financial risk with commercial performance and ESG data. In other words, it uses machine learning to evaluate the quality and strength of the commercial relationships between buyers and their suppliers. “Suppliers that value human capital and treat their workers well are better businesses, presenting a lower risk to their banks and lenders. We’re thrilled to invest in Twinco because they will assess ‘ESG’ risk and incorporate it into their investment decision-making — we think this will open up new areas of impact and commercial success for them" said Paarul Dudeja, Managing Director at Working Capital Innovation Fund. The technology enabled user experience was designed to accommodate the complexities of ever-changing trade transactions. Purchase orders can be canceled, replaced or changed, and the Twinco financing flow accompanies these changes without a glitch. “If we are to have competitive and socially responsible supply chains on a global scale, suppliers need access to affordable financing from the very beginning of production, starting with the purchase order,” said Twinco Capital CEO Sandra Nolasco. “Extraordinary events, such as those experienced these past years, have revealed the fragility of supply chains, which are historically unable to adapt to the complexity of global production networks. At Twinco, we propose a radical change in how to use finance as a tool to proactively transform global supply chains, to foster the participation of SMEs, improve efficiency and ensure responsible sourcing practices.” “Twinco’s ambitious mission can only be achieved by bringing together all the relevant parties: Buyers, Suppliers and Investors,” said Twinco Capital COO Carmen Marin. “In this way, Twinco is a catalyst for change. With our new funding, we will be extending our geographic scope and data capabilities. We are also very excited to launch the very first sustainable-native supply chain finance program—the Twinco ESG Tilt, where business intelligence is directly linked to beneficial purchasing and funding conditions.” The company is growing fast. It has onboarded more than 100 suppliers, located in 12 different countries including Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Spain. Since its launch in December 2019, the company has been growing by multiples of 5, supporting trade through the pandemic and funding millions of purchase orders. About Twinco Capital Twinco Capital, cofounded by Sandra Nolasco (CEO) and Carmen Marín (COO), is one of the few European high-growth fintechs led by women.Twinco engages with large corporate partners to reduce financing costs and improve supply chain reliability by offering their suppliers access to affordable funding. Through its data analytics-powered platform, Twinco is able to provide suppliers across the globe with competitive liquidity from purchase order to final invoice. Twinco’s unique model benefits both suppliers and buyers, contributing to the construction of competitive and socially responsible supply chains. Learn more: www.twincocapital.com About Quona Quona Capital is a venture firm focused on fintech that can expand access for underserved customers and small businesses in emerging markets including Latin America, Africa and the Middle East (MENA), and India and Southeast Asia. Quona’s global partners are experienced investors and operators in both emerging and developed markets, and invest in entrepreneurs whose companies have the potential to provide outstanding financial returns and promote breakthrough innovation in financial inclusion for both consumers and SMEs. More at quona.com About Working Capital Innovation Fund Working Capital Innovation Fund is an early-stage equity venture fund that invests in scalable innovations to meet the growing demand for more transparent and ethical supply chains – addressing the urgent need to protect vulnerable workers and source responsibly. It was initially incubated by The Omidyar Group, a diverse collection of independent organizations and initiatives. For more information, visit: https://workingcapitalfund.com/ Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.twincocapital.com/

January 24, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image

Bluberi Gaming Enters Social Casino Space with New Partner Ruby Seven Studios

Bluberi Gaming

Bluberi or (the “Company”) today announced a new partnership with Ruby Seven Studios to provide its top-performing, land-based content to the leading online, social casino provider. Ruby Seven Studios is an award-winning social casino gaming company based in Nevada and Kochi, India. As an industry leader in the social casino space, Ruby Seven Studios’s mission is to bring casino game content to land-based and online casinos with engaging free-to-play casino gaming apps and websites. Micheal Carpenter, Founder and CEO of Ruby Seven Studios said, “We are excited to bring the great games from Bluberi into our game collection and offer in our free-to-play casino apps for our casino partners. We look forward to seeing these games launch this year.” Ruby Sevens partnerships include a wide variety of casinos in California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and many other states across the US. Brett Vela, Senior Manager of Product Management at Bluberi said, “This partnership with Ruby Sevens will not only strengthen our relationship with many of our land-based partners, but will allow us to put our top performing land-based titles, like Devil’s Lock, in the hands of so many new players.” Bluberi Gaming has redefined the game development process by applying extensive market research, innovative game design, and a new school attitude to create industry leading performers such as Treasure Hunter and Devil's Lock. This rise in popularity and renewed interest in Bluberi Gaming has opened the door for the expansion of Bluberi’s gaming distribution channels, leading to the new partnership with Ruby Seven Studios. "Ruby Seven is an industry leader in the online Social Casino space and Bluberi is very excited to begin its entry into this market with the talented people from Ruby Seven,” said Hugues Lebrecque, Director of Strategic Alliances at Bluberi. “With this partnership, our successful land-based library will be made available to social casino apps, overlapping new and existing, brick & mortar Bluberi customers." Look for Bluberi games, like Devil’s Lock, to be hitting your favorite Ruby Seven Studios social casino later this year. About Bluberi Backed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Bluberi is an established and reliable company with an expansive vision to deliver the highest quality casino gaming experience to players in Class II and Class III markets across the globe. We strive to provide industry-leading customer service by being the easiest company to do business with and are proud to be an agile supplier; able to respond to customer feedback quickly as we grow to become a best-in-class gaming partner. To learn more, visit bluberi.com. About Ruby Seven Studios Ruby Seven Studios is a top-ranking social casino gaming company based in Nevada and Kochi, India. Our mission is to bridge the gap between land-based casinos, online casinos and social casino gaming apps through strategic partnerships with land-based casinos, which currently include Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Delaware North Gaming, Affinity Interactive, Fantasy Springs, Chumash Casino Resort, Lake of the Torches Casino, and Choctaw Casinos & Resorts. With more than 150 employees worldwide, Ruby Seven Studios has created more than 20 titles for the Apple, GooglePlay, Amazon Kindle, Facebook, and web platforms. To learn more about Ruby Seven Studios, please visit www.rubyseven.com. Contact Details Bluberi Gaming Dan Taylor, Brand Marketing Manager +1 619-944-0510 dan.taylor@bluberi.com Company Website https://bluberi.com/

January 24, 2023 06:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

Lifestyle

The Hottest 2023 Travel Trends and Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

7 Best Research Paper Writing Services: Overview, Services, Rating ✍️

Survey reveals the leading causes of weight gain — and it’s not just food or lack of exercise

Luminar Media Group, Inc. Acquires Royale De Monte Carlo Vodka

Cisco’s Cybersecurity Resolutions Everyone Needs to Make

Innersense Organic Beauty Donates $210,000 for Annual Season of Giving

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections

Twinco Capital raises $12 million led by Quona Capital to expand its next-gen supply chain finance platform

Bluberi Gaming Enters Social Casino Space with New Partner Ruby Seven Studios

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections