Good morning readers. TikTok tunes are hitting a high note. In a move that could only be called "chart-topping," TikTok and Billboard have teamed up to launch the TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart. This new chart ranks the app's biggest songs, based on views, user vibes, and how many videos are made using the song. And the only place you can get a weekly dose? Every Thursday either on the TikTok app or the Billboard site. It's a sign of TikTok's growing sway in the music biz, reviving classics and making newbies into superstars. As Ole Obermann, the maestro at TikTok noted, it’s the playlist of what's poppin'.

Let’s jump into today’s storylines.

In today’s digest:

• Hackers claim MGM

• Headline Hustle: Israel’s constitutional conundrum, Microsoft is changing the protein game, Amazon’s mobile search glow-up

• Retailers' multi-billion-dollar dilemma

• Pulse Points: What’s Trending

CYBERATTACKS

Vegas strips down to basics

The neon glow of Las Vegas was overshadowed this week when a cyberattack brought the digital operations of MGM Resorts to an eerie standstill. From Mandalay Bay to the iconic Bellagio, the effects were impossible to miss, causing a disruption reminiscent of Old Vegas before the digital age.

Good ol’ fashion pen & paper

MGM, which claims a significant portion of the Las Vegas Strip with its sprawling hotel collection, has always touted its embrace of digital innovations. But this week? It was an analog affair in a digital world. Everywhere you looked clipboards and pens seemed to have replaced iPads and computer terminals in a sight that brought to mind the days of handwashing stations installed post-pandemic.

In the Aria Resort & Casino, often considered the crown of the MGM brand, concierges were quickly deployed to manually check out guests, scribbling details on sheets of paper. The esteemed Bellagio, known for its mesmerizing fountain show, saw its reservations desk turning away credit cards in favor of cold, hard cash or third-party booking through Ticketmaster. As for parking? Uncharacteristically free.

But not all was smooth. The cyberattack left ATMs inoperable at several locations. Signs at MGM Grand confirmed the absence of cash advances. For the unprepared visitor, this was an exercise in patience, and for some, a taste of bad luck in the city famed for its gamble. Yet through adversity, a sense of camaraderie prevailed. On visiting the casinos, slot machines required the human touch as attendants moved around, manually completing cash-outs, sometimes as trivial as a penny.

In a twist of irony, some customers, caught amidst the digital chaos reflected on their experiences at the Bellagio "and they say the house always wins!" With resilience and a touch of nostalgia, it seems that, for now, Las Vegas is betting on its past to navigate its future.

Headline Hustle

🇮🇱 A tug of war for democracy. In the latest showdown between Israel’s Supreme Court and the government, a new law aims to limit the court's power. While Prime Minister Netanyahu and his partners argue the court has overstepped its boundaries, opponents worry about threats to democracy. The country stands divided, with massive protests and military pushbacks. Legal eagles are ready, waiting for the court's decision that could reshape the Israeli judicial landscape. As tension rises, the age-old question hangs in the balance: Who really holds the power?

🧬 Microsoft’s changing the protein game. Move over costly protein-designing, there's a new techie in town. Microsoft’s new kid on the block, EvoDiff, claims to whip up top-quality proteins using just a protein sequence. While earlier techniques needed the 3D structure of proteins – like assembling a puzzle without the picture – EvoDiff says, "Why bother?" Available as open-source, it's looking to stir the pot in therapeutics, drug delivery, and industrial chemical reactions. At its core? A hefty 640-million parameter AI model that takes the noise out of protein construction. But don't party just yet; EvoDiff awaits peer review. For now, it's a hint of the future, blending biology and tech.

🔍 Amazon’s mobile search glow-up. Attention, e-shoppers and tech-heads. Amazon's mobile search is getting a serious makeover. The retail giant now lets you jazz up your product hunt with both text and pictures – a nod to Google's multisearch. Eyeing a cool gadget online or in your mate's living room? With the new "Find-on-Amazon" feature, just snap, share, and voilà – similar Amazon listings at your fingertips. And for those keen on redecorating, Amazon's AR can now virtually place toasters next to your teapot. While these tweaks may seem minor solo, together they're shaking up the digital ad game and might just make Google and Pinterest break a sweat.

RETAIL

The costly challenge of “friendly fraud”

Ah, Black Friday - the day of unbeatable deals. But for some, every year’s Black Friday is an opportunity to score a Hulu subscription for a fraction of the price by merely using a different email. Their reasoning is simple: “I really don’t have empathy for a major company. I genuinely just don’t care.” While people’s antics might seem trivial, this type of "friendly fraud" is bleeding retailers dry to the tune of over $100 billion annually, according to a recent study by Riskified.

They can afford it…

Most of us might think of fraud as criminal activities involving stolen financial details or hacking, but for retailers, the fraud landscape is broader. It encompasses 'innocent' actions like using multiple emails to snag promotional discounts or purchasing items with the intent to return after use. Though such practices may seem benign, they're no laughing matter for the retail industry.

Riskified’s study revealed startling figures. One company identified 137,000 fake accounts created by just 4,000 customers, resulting in a whopping $14 million annual loss due to a 35% discount scheme for new customers. Another US-based pet supply company faced a loss of $3.5 million in just Q1 2023 due to serial fraudsters exploiting promotional codes. Additionally, claiming false non-receipt of items to snag refunds or the notorious 'return of empty boxes' trend is bleeding businesses dry. In 2022, 55% of businesses labeled such tactics as "very significant" costs.

High-profile cases also include bots snapping up limited-edition items to sell at inflated prices on third-party platforms - remember the fiasco with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour tickets?

So what's the way forward for retailers? While 65% rely on time-consuming manual reviews of return claims, more innovative solutions are emerging. Riskified’s CEO, Eido Gal, suggests companies might start being selective about offering freebies based on customer histories. ThredUp, an online platform for pre-owned clothes, employs a dedicated task force to monitor fraudulent activity and introduced a "Keep for Credit" feature, effectively reducing restocking costs and luring customers back.

As retailers grapple with the ever-evolving challenges of fraud, both friendly and malicious, the road ahead demands a blend of smart tech and innovative strategies to safeguard profits.

SNIPPETS

Pulse Points

Wheelchair ready robotaxi’s roll out. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt unveils a game-changer: a wheelchair-accessible, self-driving robotaxi. With closed-course testing set for October in San Francisco, the future of inclusive autonomous transport is closer than ever.

Microsoft and Oracle team up. Tech giants Microsoft and Oracle are giving us some serious friendship goals. They're deepening their cloud camaraderie, placing Oracle's shiny Exadata hardware in Microsoft's digital backyard.

Philly Eagles + Tequila. As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for Thursday Night Football, they're also toasting to a new partnership with luxury tequila brand Gran Coramino. And you’ll never guess who with. The brand's co-founder is none other than Philly's own, Kevin Hart.

Trudeau’s two-pronged approach. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is tackling Canada's affordability crisis head-on. He's called on top grocers to address rising food prices and is pushing for tax cuts on new rental buildings.

Was this email forwarded to you? Feel free to sign up using the following link: https://www.pulseofprogress.info/