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The Europas Awards goes virtual: Votes, workshops, pitches, networking, live awards & DJs

The Europas Awards for European Tech Startups is doing what everyone in tech has done before: pivoting! Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be ‘going virtual’ on an amazing new platform, to be unveiled. (OK, but not VR – just yet!). A percentage of proceeds from the event will be donated to charities helping to […]




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Vote for Europe’s hottest startups in The Europas Awards + workshops, pitches, networking

The Europas Awards — which have been recognising the hottest European tech startups in since 2009 — are now open for the public voting stage, prior to the formal judging process. The entries have been sorted and sifted by journalists to compile an editorially-driven ‘long list’ of some of Europe’s most exciting startups and investors. […]




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Tumblr’s next step forward with Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg

After months of rumors, Verizon finally sold off Tumblr for a reported $3 million — a fraction of what Yahoo paid for the once mighty blogging service back in 2013. The media conglomerate (which also owns TechCrunch) was clearly never quite sure what to do with the property after gobbling it up as part of […]





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Crunch time for US tenants and landlords

Investors who saw rental housing as a safe bet before the pandemic are bracing for delinquencies




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Dropping Flynn case turns Barr into Trump’s political sword

Pardoning cronies is offensive but precedented. Using DoJ to go after enemies is Nixonian




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Can companies still afford to care about sustainability?

Will environmental and social initiatives survive Covid-19? Our specialists answered your questions




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Ventilator standards set out for UK makers ‘of no use’ to Covid patients 

Ministers’ challenge to manufacturers sets basic specifications that are not suitable to task, say experts 





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Tesla prepares to bring back 30% of Fremont factory workers in spite of county order

Tesla is aiming to ramp up “limited operations” at its factory in Fremont, Calif., a decision that puts the company and its CEO Elon Musk in direct conflict with a stay-at-home order in Alameda County. Update: On Friday, Alameda County health officials said the automaker was told not to reopen. Employees received two emails — […]




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Your startup can still be seen and heard: Exhibit in Digital Startup Alley

We’re not letting this pandemic disrupt Disrupt SF 2020. Like any determined early-stage startup founder, we’re adapting and moving forward. Can’t join us in person on September 14-16? No problem. Take advantage of Digital Startup Alley, a completely new way to disrupt. Place your startup in front of influential movers and shakers and keep your […]



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Meet EventBot, a new Android malware that steals banking passwords and two-factor codes

Security researchers are sounding the alarm over a newly discovered Android malware that targets banking apps and cryptocurrency wallets. The malware, which researchers at security firm Cybereason recently discovered and called EventBot, masquerades as a legitimate Android app — like Adobe Flash or Microsoft Word for Android — which abuses Android’s in-built accessibility features to […]





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Leaked pics reveal Google smart debit card to rival Apple’s

Would you pay with a “Google Card?” TechCrunch has obtained imagery that shows Google is developing its own physical and virtual debit cards. The Google card and associated checking account will allow users to buy things with a card, mobile phone or online. It connects to a Google app with new features that let users […]




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DoorDash is buying Caviar from Square in a deal worth $410 million

DoorDash has reached an agreement with Square to purchase on-demand food delivery and catering business Caviar. DoorDash has agreed to pay Square $410 million in cash and preferred DoorDash stock. Square bought Caviar about five years ago in a deal worth about $90 million. Now, Caviar has found a new home with DoorDash, the on-demand […]




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Quarantine creates new opportunities for video makers, according to a Butter Works report

While global stay-at-home orders have been a blow to most companies, they’ve also created opportunities for businesses helping to keep people entertained. So if you’re a YouTube creator hoping to capture some additional eyeballs while everyone’s stuck at home, online video agency Butter Works has released an interactive report outlining the most promising topics for […]




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Daily Crunch: Apple upgrades the keyboard on the 13-inch MacBook Pro

Apple announces a new MacBook Pro, tech stocks take a dip and Uber Eats shuts down in seven markets. Here’s your Daily Crunch for May 4, 2020. 1. The 13-inch MacBook Pro gets Apple’s much-improved keyboard Following in the footsteps of the MacBook Air and 16-inch Pro, Apple’s 13-inch Pro model is finally getting the […]




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U.S. crude oil production poised for record-setting 2020 and 2021

In December 2019, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and a group of other oil producers announced they were deepening the production cuts originally announced in December 2018. However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that global oil production will rise in 2020 despite the cuts, as expected growth in non-OPEC crude oil production will offset OPEC's reduced output. Non-OPEC production will be driven by continued growth in the United States. Outside of the United States, growing crude oil production in Brazil, Norway, and Canada will also contribute to supply growth over the next 24 months. In its January Short-Term Energy Outlook, EIA reports that U.S. crude oil production in 2019 hit a record annual average of 12.2 million barrels per day. EIA forecasts U.S. production will reach 13.3 million barrels per day in 2020 and 13.7 million barrels per day in 2021. Most of the production growth occurs in the Permian region of Texas and New Mexico.




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Elevated U.S. natural gas working inventories puts downward pressure on prices

Henry Hub natural gas spot prices averaged $2.02 per million British thermal units in January according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Typically, January natural gas prices are among the highest of the year; however, warmer-than-normal January temperatures across much of the northern hemisphere contributed to the lowest average January spot price in many years. After beginning 2018 and 2019 with low U.S. working natural gas inventories, EIA forecasted that normal winter temperatures in the first quarter of 2020, along with production growth, would bring total inventories back over the five-year average this winter. So far this winter, temperatures have actually been warmer than normal, and EIA estimates that in January there were 18% fewer heating degree days in the United States than the prior ten-year average. As a result of reduced space heating demand, U.S. natural gas working inventories ended January 9% above the five-year average, higher than previously forecasted. In its February Short-Term Energy Outlook, EIA forecasts that at the close of the April-October injection season, working inventories will reach almost 4.1 trillion cubic feet on October 31, which would be the highest end-of-October inventory record on level. Expecting inventories to remain elevated as winter heating season winds down, EIA forecasts that Henry Hub natural gas prices will average $2.21 per million British thermal units in 2020, down from $2.57 per million British thermal units in 2019. In 2021, EIA expects natural gas prices to increase, reaching an average annual price of $2.53 per million British thermal units.




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More OPEC supply and less global liquid fuels demand puts downward pressure on prices

In its March 2020 update, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) significantly revised its Short-Term Energy Outlook for global oil supply, demand, and prices compared with the February Short-Term Energy Outlook. These updates largely resulted from updated data and assumptions about the effects of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on global oil demand and assumptions regarding the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) crude oil production following its meeting on March 6. EIA now forecasts that OPEC will target market share instead of a balanced global oil market. As a result, EIA expects that OPEC crude oil production will increase to an average 29.1 million barrels per day in the second and third quarters of 2020. EIA forecasts that global demand for liquid fuels will grow by 0.4 million barrels per day from 2019 to 2020, down from the 1.0 million barrels per day increase EIA previously forecasted in February. The revised March estimate is driven by EIA's expectations of slowing economic growth, primarily related to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. EIA expects the decline in global liquid fuels demand, combined with the increase in OPEC production, to result in significant global oil inventory builds in the first half of 2020-putting continued downward pressure on prices. EIA forecasts Brent oil prices will average 43 dollars per barrel in 2020 and 55 dollars per barrel in 2021.




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New international standards for audit reports are game-changing - 20 Jan

After three years in development, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has released a set of standards that are game-changing for shareholders and the profession, says PwC.




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Obesity to affect one-third of Australians and cost $88b by 2025 - 14 Oct

The economic impact of obesity will reach $87.7 billion and affect one-third of Australians by 2025 based on current trends and without further intervention.




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Firefox gets a better password manager

Mozilla today launched version 76 of its Firefox browser, and with that, it’s launching a couple of new features that you’ll likely notice if you’re already using the open-source browser. The highlight of today’s release is the enhanced password manager. Firefox Lockwise, as it is called these days, will now ask you for your device […]




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Record low demand and low crack spreads drive refinery run declines (4/29/2020)

Transportation fuel demand in the United States has decreased since mid-March 2020, as a result of reduced economic activity and stay-at-home orders aimed at slowing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With low demand and a decrease in profitability, as measured by crack spreads, U.S. refineries have reduced gross inputs (runs), which dropped to 12.8 million barrels per day (b/d) for the week ending April 17, 3.8 million b/d lower than the previous five-year (2015–19) average and the lowest level since 2008 (Figure 1). Gross inputs increased slightly to 13.2 million b/d the week of April 24. ...




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Low crude oil prices, record-high inventories, and low demand drive gasoline prices down (5/6/2020)

On April 27, 2020, the U.S. average regular retail gasoline price was $1.77 per gallon (gal), the lowest price since February 2016. On May 4, the U.S. average gasoline price increased slightly to $1.79/gal. The United States declared a national emergency on March 13 in response to concerns regarding spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). From March 16 to May 4, the U.S. average regular retail gasoline price fell by $0.46/gal. The lower gasoline prices reflect low crude oil prices, low gasoline demand, and rising gasoline inventories. ...




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Facebook to add gift cards, jobs and donation tools to its COVID-19 Community Help hub

Facebook is expanding its Community Help hub to better serve local communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The hub has already seen significant usage by those requesting food, supplies and information about local resources, as well as use by volunteers and groups willing to lend a hand. Now, Facebook is adding more features to the hub […]




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Pinterest rolls out new board features including notes, dates and section suggestions

Pinterest is introducing new features that make it easier for those planning recipes, virtual events and other quarantine activities. These include the ability to add a date or notes to a board as well as automated ways to better organize your pins on a given board, with the aid of machine learning technology. The company […]







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Tumblr’s next step forward with Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg

After months of rumors, Verizon finally sold off Tumblr for a reported $3 million — a fraction of what Yahoo paid for the once mighty blogging service back in 2013. The media conglomerate (which also owns TechCrunch) was clearly never quite sure what to do with the property after gobbling it up as part of […]




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Persona raises $17.5M for an identify verification platform that goes beyond user IDs and passwords

The proliferation of data breaches based on leaked passwords, and the rising tide of regulation that puts a hard stop on just how much user information can be collected, stored and used by companies have laid bare the holes in simple password and memorable-information-based verification systems. Today a startup called Persona, which has built a […]





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UK’s NHS COVID-19 app lacks robust legal safeguards against data misuse, warns committee

A UK parliamentary committee that focuses on human rights issues has called for primary legislation to be put in place to ensure that legal protections wrap around the national coronavirus contact tracing app. The app, called NHS COVID-19, is being fast tracked for public use — with a test ongoing this week in the Isle […]




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McDonald's Is Set to Lose $3.4 Billion in Value After the CEO Was Fired Over a Relationship With a Subordinate

McDonald's on Friday fired its CEO, Steve Easterbrook, for violating its policy of having a relationship with an employee.



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24 Top-Ranked, Affordable Franchises You Can Buy for $25,000 or Less

These low-cost franchises are worth your time, energy and investment.




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Lord Carnarvon who owns the castle featured in Downton Abbey claims the Queen is a fan of the show

George Herbert, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon and owner the grand castle which features in Downton Abbey, has revealed that the Queen is a fan of the hit show.




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Come dine at Downton: Sardine salad

Kingly kedgeree, lobster cutlets and cocktails the Crawleys would have quaffed, in this extract from the new Downton Abbey recipe books




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Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield transform into Lord and Lady in Downton Abbey spoof

Celebrating the release of the movie this week, Holly and Phil will broadcast live from Highclere Castle, where the film was shot, on Thursday.  




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Downton Abbey Movie: Curtis Pritchard and brother AJ don bow ties and tails

Curtis Pritchard's latest project may be his most adventurous yet, as he dressed as a post-Edwardian butler with his brother AJ at the Downton Abbey premiere.




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Downton Abbey Movie: Katie Piper cosies up to husband Richard Sutton at star-studded premiere 

The TV star, 35, cut a glamorous figure as she attended the premiere of the feature film adaptation of Downton Abbey with her husband Richard Sutton in Leicester Square on Monday.




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Rada director Edward Kemp blames 'Downton Abbey effect' for working-class actors being side-lined

Edward Kemp claims that middle and upper class actors are being cast because of a rise in the success of British TV shows such as The Crown and Downton Abbey.




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British Fashion Awards 2019: Tom Cruise dines with stunning Michelle Dockery at ceremony

The actor, 57, was in good company as he joined by stunning Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery at Monday evening's British Fashion Awards, held at the Royal Albert Hall in south-west London.




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Downton creator Julian Fellowes' Belgravia is set among London's elite. LISA SEWARDS meets the cast

Lisa Sewards met the cast of new ITV 19th-century period drama Belgravia on set. Tamsin Greig, an Olivier-winning stage actress, appears as Anne Threnchard.




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Jacqueline Jossa and Gabby Allen will come face to face at the National Television Awards

Gabby Allen risked a run-in with Jacqueline Jossa at the National Television Awards on Tuesday after being accused of having an affair with her husband.




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NTAs 2020: Ruth Langsford and Phillip Schofield cross paths

The much-talked about feud between Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes and This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield came to a head on Tuesday night as they all attended the NTAs.




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NTAs 2020: Caitlyn Jenner dazzles in a silver dress as she makes her first appearance at the awards

The Olympic champion, 70, ensured all eyes were on her in a plunging silver gown which highlighted her athletic physique on the red carpet.




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NTAs 2020: Michael Palin dedicates his Special Recognition Award to 'dear friend' Terry Jones

Michael Palin dedicated his Special Recognition Award to his late friend Terry Jones during Tuesday night's National Television Awards.




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NTAs 2020: Strictly Come Dancing's Mabuse sisters look stunning as they present receive an award 

Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti and Motsi Mabuse dazzled on stage at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.




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NTAs 2020: Megan McKenna commands attention on the red carpet with edgy slip dress and pink hairdo

Megan McKenna, 27, took centre stage as she commanded the red carpet at the National Television Awards , arriving at London 's O2 Arena on Tuesday night in an edgy slip dress.