Latest news with #Somerville
Herald Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Powerball and Keno operator The Lottery Corporation rolls out $70m upgrade ASX: TLC
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News. Powerball and Keno operator The Lottery Corporation has unveiled a $70m upgrade of its software and terminals, saying it will harness machine learning to create a 'more personalised' experience for its 10 million customers across Australia. TLC, which was spun out of gaming giant Tabcorp three years ago to become its own $11.93bn company, developed its own software in house for the project, eschewing top tech vendors. The upgrade included replacing about 5300 outdated lottery terminals across 3700 retailers, as well as Keno terminals. The new software can identify customer behaviours and prompt retailers to offer deals on different games, TLC chief channel officer Antony Moore said. 'I'll use me as an example. I've got my registered Saturday games, and they [the retailer] will know when it will get to a certain level of jackpot activity – let's call it $30m – that I might be interested in Powerball because the machine learning will see that through my membership activity,' Mr Moore said. 'So when I'm in store buying my Saturday registered tickets, they'll say 'hey Antony, it's $30m on Thursday night, can I interest you in a 24-game QuickPick?' I'll go, 'I hadn't thought about that'. It's personalised to me, rather than just going 'well today's Tuesday do you want an Oz ticket?' ' Nasdaq-listed Scientific Games has provided the hardware for the new terminals, which Mr Moore said would integrate with TLC's machine-learning driven personalised marketing systems. The terminals will feature a customer-facing screen with a scanner and a 'new and improved' ticket checker to validate entries and prizes. TLC chief information officer Loren Somerville said the personalisation was information that was available to the retailer to help the customer experience – similar to what small town outlets were able to offer in the past. 'Having registered customers allows us to personalise, but only as much as the customer wants it to be personalised, and then of course help protect the customer with our responsible gaming and early intervention that we have been working on,' Ms Somerville said. While in-house software has its risks – such as the ability to perform ongoing maintenance and security patches – Ms Somerville said no software company could deliver the product it wanted. 'With our core platforms and our terminal software many years ago, [for] so many years we've been building these solutions because they were the best solution in the market,' Ms Somerville said. 'When we were looking at changing, we looked at if there were better systems now that have caught up to what we are delivering before. Could we just buy it as is and then just integrate it? There were all those things around cost and the risks of maintenance and the ongoing investment that you need to make. 'Generally, some corporates have hit up against this when they build new software platforms. I mean, you wouldn't see a bank trying to build their own core platforms. Even just integrating it can be quite challenging for them. But we have been doing this for many years. We have got a really strong tech capability in-house.' The upgrade also allows TLC to perform software updates remotely. Previously, occasional firmware updates would need to be performed onsite – a cumbersome process given TLS's network of 3700 retailers. 'Rather than just going in and dumping in desktop software, the old-fashioned way, we're deploying as you would with websites,' Ms Somerville said. 'And that means we can do that more frequently, and we can do that based on any sort of data that's coming in.' Originally published as Powerball and Keno operator The Lottery Corporation rolls out $70m upgrade
CBS News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Weekend To Do List: Greek festival, carnaval and makers market in Massachusetts
Weekend To Do List: Greek festival, makers market and a carnaval in Massachusetts Weekend To Do List: Greek festival, makers market and a carnaval in Massachusetts Weekend To Do List: Greek festival, makers market and a carnaval in Massachusetts Kick off the start of June with two festivals and a makers market in Massachusetts! Makers Market in Norwood Shop dozens of vendors with handmade goods and vintage finds at a Makers Market on Sunday. Head to Castle Island Brewing Company in Norwood to shop, sip and snack with local pizza, sandwiches, drinks and more. Catch the fun from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. When: Sunday, June 1, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Where: Castle Island Brewing Company, 31 Astor Ave., Norwood Cost: Items available for purchase Click here for more information 2025 Carnaval in Somerville Carnaval returns to Somerville Sunday to kick off the 2025 Somerstreets season. Put on your dancing shoes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, unique cuisine, vendors and a special parade. The rain date is June 8. When: Sunday, June 1, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Where: East Somerville Business District - Broadway from McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Avenue, Somerville Cost: Items available for purchase Click here for more information Woburn Greek Festival The Woburn Greek Festival is going on this weekend. Enjoy lively Greek music, cultural eats, shopping, dance performances and more at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The festival takes place from Friday through Sunday. When: Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Christian Church, 70 Montvale Ave., Woburn Cost: Items available for purchase Click here for more information
New York Times
4 days ago
- General
- New York Times
As the Epic Struggle for Harvard Unfolds
To the Editor: Re 'Trump Tells Agencies to Sever All Funding Ties to Harvard' (news article, May 28) and 'Trump Says Harvard Should Limit Its Admittance of International Students' (news article, May 29): I am a biology Ph.D. student at Harvard, which will lose all government funds thanks to the Trump administration. My international student friends fear that their visas will be revoked. This is all apparently to punish 'a hostile learning environment for Jewish students.' As a Jewish student and a dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, I find these actions and this justification disturbing. In my experience, Harvard is a safe community that takes problems with antisemitism seriously. I am instead deeply concerned that the Trump administration is using antisemitism as justification — and Jews as essentially scapegoats in reverse — for its attacks on academic institutions. This tactic is a favorite of authoritarian regimes, which fear institutions that choose loyalty to the truth over loyalty to the regime. Tal Scully Somerville, Mass. To the Editor: As President Trump continues his slash-and-burn crusade against elite universities, particularly Harvard, perhaps the administration should consider that universities are typically made up of young and educated people, who are typically more liberal than the general population.
Boston Globe
5 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Holliston boys' tennis stuns its own coach by winning playoff match for first time in 19 years
'To have a chance to make it to the Elite 8 was something I didn't even give any thought to,' said Dupuis. 'Prior to the season, the goal was to make the tournament.' Related : Neither Bloom nor Merlis opted to play for Holliston (10-5) last season, but Dupuis convinced them to join the squad this year. Their presence, among others, has led to a major turnaround. Advertisement 'We have tennis players, not just athletes,' said Dupuis, who is also Holliston's boys' soccer coach. 'I've had some of my [soccer] players come through that have been good athletes, but haven't been true tennis players. This year, we have athletes that are tennis players, and when you have that combination, good things can happen.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Apponequet 5, Hanover 0 — With dominant 6-0, 6-0 wins from Will Horton at first singles and Nick Connolly at third singles, the fourth-seeded Lakers (17-1) handled No. 29 Hanover to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face No. 13 Latin Academy, which eliminated Apponequet from the tourney three years ago. The Lakers also got wins from Judson Cardinali (6-2, 6-1 at second singles), Ryan Abreau/Eugene Jung (6-2, 6-0 at first doubles), and Jared Freitas/Cory Dugdale (6-1, 6-0 at second doubles). Advertisement Division 1 State Westford 3, Lincoln-Sudbury 2 — Behind wins from Saunak Manna (6-1, 6-0) and Preet Mood (6-4, 6-1) at singles, and the tandem of Nikhil Ponnusamy/Sam Ren at doubles (6-4, 6-2), the 13th-seeded Ghosts (10-4) captured a first-round win over Dual League rival L-S (5-9). Division 2 State Marblehead 3, Algonquin 2 — Junior TJ Kelly won at third singles (6-4, 6-1), and the tandems of Jayden Janock/Ty Cooper (6-1, 6-1) and Anthony Vizy/Austin Bacon (6-3, 6-2) won at doubles, propelling the 13th-seeded Magicians (16-2) to a first-round win. Somerville 3, Marshfield 2 — Milo Kochansky gutted out a 6-4, 7-5 win at third singles, lifting the 34th-seeded Highlanders (13-2) to a preliminary round win. Kochansky trailed, 5-4, in the second set, but rattled off three consecutive games to earn the victory. 'He definitely clutched up in the end,' Somerville coach Michael Morgan said. 'I'm sure for him to be able to win, and his teammates right there on the side cheering him every single point, it was a great atmosphere and great motivation.' The doubles pairings of Nitish Kaushal/Magnes Anell and DJ Freeman/Aaron Grover added key wins for Somerville, which notched its second MIAA tournament win in program history. Division 4 State Monomoy 5, Bartlett 0 — Roman Pavluchenko (6-2, 6-1), Ryan Casey (6-0, 6-1), and Zach Shields (6-1, 6-2) won at singles, lifting the third-seeded Sharks (16-3) to a first-round win. The duos of Blake Noonan/Nick Hadden (6-2, 6-1) and Ethan Seufert/Tom Hereford (6-0, 6-2) added wins for Monomoy.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Cost of living help from local councils for people on a low income
People working full-time may also be able to pause Council Tax payments to ease financial pressure. Families and individuals on a low income or income-related benefits may be able to get help from their local council. Councils across Scotland have funding to help people in financial need during the ongoing cost of living crisis and all you need to do is call and explain your situation. If you are on a benefit such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Pension Credit, your council may be able to offer advice or check if you are missing out on any additional unclaimed benefits, discounts or redactions. Even if you don't claim any benefits, they may be able to help you. Something as simple as asking for your next Council Tax payment to be put on hold could provide immediate relief from money worries - just phone your local council and ask for help. Local authorities were able to support around 94,000 households on a low income with £89.3 million in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) in 2024/25, thanks to Scottish Government funding. The Scottish Government funds councils to use the payments to help people affected by the Bedroom Tax, the Benefit Cap, and other housing-related UK Government welfare reform policies. New figures published for April 2024 - March 2025 show that councils spent 99 per cent of the £74.8m budget for the Bedroom Tax, suggesting they were able to almost completely protect people from its effects. Local authorities spent £5 million mitigating the Benefit Cap, an increase of over 40 per cent on the previous year. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Over the last 15 years, the Scottish Government has spent around £1.4 billion mitigating the impacts of UK Government policies such as the Bedroom Tax and Benefit Cap. 'This money could have been spent on services like health, education and transport, or on further ambitious anti-poverty measures, and would pay for around 3,000 teachers or 3,700 band 5 nurses each year. 'Under our Programme for Government we will spend £97 million this year to enable councils to use Discretionary Housing Payments to protect more than 94,000 households in Scotland against the worst impacts of harmful UK Government policies.' Ms Somerville warned: 'The UK Government's welfare cuts will force more families and children into poverty, according to its own figures. It is time for them to think again and abandon these harmful changes.' Every local council in Scotland has their own service with different rules and may be able to offer help with loans or grants, food vouchers, fuel vouchers and recycled clothes or household items - find your local council here. The Scottish Welfare Fund is also a good source of financial help which provides Community Care Grants, to help people live independently, and Crisis Grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency. Community Care Grants You may be able to get a Community Care Grant if: you're leaving care or imprisonment and need help to start a settled home you've been homeless, or living an unsettled life, and need help to start a settled home you need support to stay out of care you're caring for someone who's been released from prison or a young offender's institution you're experiencing great pressure and need help to keep a settled home you're escaping domestic abuse a child's health is at risk Your income To get a Community Care Grant you need to be on a low income, but this does not mean you need to be on benefits. What counts as a low income There is no figure that confirms whether you have a low income. As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you can get a Community Care Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Income based Universal Credit Your savings If you have savings of over £700, or £1,200 if you get a pension, you may be less likely to get a Community Care Grant - your local council will decide. Crisis Grants A Crisis Grant is a one-off payment that can provide much-needed cash during an emergency, but it cannot be given to support your income long-term. If you need help because you are on a low income, the quickest way to find out what financial support you may be able to claim is to use a benefits calculator. These are independent, free and confidential and only take a few minutes to complete online - you can find out more about ones from Turn2Us, Advice Direct Scotland and entitledto at the end of this article. If your total household income is £30,000 or less, you may be entitled to extra help, so don't dismiss using one of the benefits calculators because you think your income is above the threshold. What is a Crisis Grant? A Crisis Grant can be given to cover the costs of an emergency Examples of this could include when: there is a fire or flood at home you have lost money an unexpected crisis happens you are a victim of domestic abuse and you need help with things like moving away from an abuser you are a grandparent or other relative who has taken over caring for a child, and you're waiting on a transfer of benefits you are facing a gap in your normal income because of a redundancy or change at work Who is eligible for a Crisis Grant? To get a Crisis Grant you need to be on a low income, however, this does not mean you need to be currently claiming benefits. What counts as a low income Similar to the Community Care Grant, the Scottish Government explains there is "no figure that will be used to judge whether you have a low income". As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you will be able to get a Crisis Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Universal Credit What financial help is available? If you do get a Crisis Grant, your local council will look at helping you with your most urgent living costs. Some things this may include are help with the costs of: Food Heating costs Many local councils have welfare rights advisers who can: tell you what benefits and other entitlements are available carry out checks so you don't miss out on any benefits help you complete forms give advice and support if your application for a benefit is turned down or you do not get the amount you were expecting How to apply You can apply directly to your local council through the website here. Most councils will tell you the outcome of your application within two working days, however, this may take longer due to application caseload. Online benefits calculators You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: What benefits you could get How to claim How your benefits will be affected if you start work These calculators are free to use, anonymous, and could indicate benefits you're missing out on. Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This new online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits, including Adult or Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support payment or Scottish Child Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Turn2us Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours entitledto Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work What you will need You will need accurate information about your: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you) Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments) Council Tax bill
