December 2013 Data Breach: Target and MasterCard Settle Lawsuit

On Wednesday, Target announced that it has settled a lawsuit against MasterCard involved in December 2013 data breach. Target has agreed to pay $19 million in order to settle the lawsuits.

MasterCard Inc. said that the money will be used by banks and credit unions for operating costs and fraud-related losses on cards that were affected in the incident. It shall however, be noted that the settlement will only take place if at least 90% of eligible accounts are ready for the offer and that too by May 20.

The breach has proved taxing, as it not only had cost the company’s CEO his job, but Target has not been able to overcome ever since. It is considered that in the breach, around 70 million customers were affected and also, potentially 40 million credit cards.

Erik Buell Racing closes Operations

Erik Buell Racing (EBR), an American motorcycle sport company which manufactures street and racing motorcycles, has closed operations. Two-wheeler giant Hero Motocorp Ltd holds a 49% stake in the company. EBR has also filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors.

Back in 2013, Hero MotoCorp, an Indian motorcycle giant, purchased stake in the company for $30 million. One of the products, New Delhi-based Hero developed in partnership with EBR is a sports bike HX. This product is scheduled to be launched in the second half of this fiscal year.

A Hero spokesperson said, “The Company is confident that its future product line-up would not be affected despite EBR ceasing operations”.

Yahoo changes could make Tumblr less independent

In the social media world, new parent companies release statements whenever acquisitions take place, declaring that nothing will change. But previous incidences show that it hasn’t often been the case.

Although Tumblr has been part of the Yahoo network for two years, it has largely remained true to its users. But, there are rumors floating that there may be some staff shuffling between Tumblr and Yahoo, which could result in few changes for Tumblr service as well.

As per Business Insider reports, Yahoo has been planning a big reorganization that will bring Tumblr more close to the parent company, and it will no longer be allowed to be run as a largely independent business unit.

Delivery Company Eaze raises over $10 million in funding

Fresh VC, 500 Startups, DCM Ventures and rapper Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital helped Eaze in raising more than $10 million in funding. ‘Young, Wild & Free’ star, Snoop Dogg, is a renowned weed aficionado. He is also a supporter of Eaze, which helps patients receive medical marijuana easily. The company connects medical marijuana patients with local dispensaries in many states. It operates in states where it is legal to sell the drug.

Keith McCarty, founder and chief executive officer of Eaze, stated that the company has planned to be in market as soon as possible so that people who need the drug could get it easily. While talking to Quartz, McCarty said that he has kept his eyes on Nevada, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, and Oregon.

Unilever reports Estimate-Beating First Quarter Sales Growth

On Thursday, consumer goods major Unilever said that it has witnessed better than expected sales for the first quarter. The company said that sales increased 2.8% during the quarter.

On an average, analysts were expecting a gain of 2.1%. In January, the Anglo-Dutch maker of Dove soap, Lipton tea and Ben & Jerry's ice cream predicted the gain to be between 2 and 4% in 2015. It forecasted the first quarter sales to be at the low end of the range.

Chief Financial Officer Jean-Marc Huet said that it is a good start. One of the main reasons is considered to be improved performance in China. “China has performed better than expected, and food has done better, some of that due to Easter coming earlier this year”, said Huet.

Gravity Payments’ CEO Cuts his Salary to Cover Cost of Big Raises for his Employees

A decision taken by a Seattle CEO not only made his employees happy, but also made the company gain new customers. On Monday, Dan Price, chief executive Gravity Payments, a credit card payment processing firm, announced that he is making drastic pay cut in order to help cover the cost of big raises of his employees.

Price told his more than 100 employees that he is cutting around $1 million salary to $70,000 and would also use the company’s profits in order to ensure that every employee is able to earn that much amount in three years.

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