The Daily Populous

Wednesday September 12nd, 2018 morning edition

image for EA reportedly under criminal investigation in Belgium due to FIFA's loot boxes

The Belgian government, which declared loot boxes to be a form of gambling earlier this year, has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into EA after the publisher refused to modify FIFA's randomised card pack loot boxes in order to comply with the country's gambling laws.

Back in April, Belgium's Gaming Commission determined that loot boxes found in FIFA 18, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive were an "illegal game of chance", and thus subject to Belgian gambling laws.

Failure to adhere to these laws - which include ensuring that minors are unable to access the gambling elements within a game - is illegal.

Following the ruling, Blizzard, Valve, and 2K Games all elected to disable loot boxes in their games in Belgium.

EA, however, has done nothing, and as a result (according to Belgium publication Metro, via Google Translate) is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Brussels public prosecutor's office.

If it decides to prosecute, the case will go to court.

The Belgium government's Gaming Commission considers loot boxes to be a game of chance because players don't know exactly which items a box may contain when purchasing it. »

Belgian govt opens criminal investigation into EA

Authored by hexus.net

However, EA have shrugged off the warnings so far and made no changes to the ways its games use this addictive gaming technique.

Today there are reports that Belgium's Gaming Commission has opened up a criminal investigation via the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office, and EA might be faced with going to court.

GamesIndustryBiz reports that if EA wins the court challenge under existing gambling law, the BGC will seek to change the law to ensure loot boxes are included in its coverage. »

Donald Trump: 'No final decision' on Ireland visit

Authored by bbc.co.uk

A final decision has not yet been made on US President Donald Trump's planned visit to the Republic of Ireland in November, the White House has said.

Image caption A visit to Ireland was raised by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his trip to the US in March.

Politicians and activists in Ireland had indicated they would hold protests during Mr Trump's visit. »

Your UPS deliveries may soon arrive in electric trucks

Authored by fastcompany.com
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This pilot is just one piece of UPS’ larger experimentation with electric vehicles.

In July, UPS announced that it was working with Thor Trucks, an L.A. startup, to develop and test another fully electric delivery truck.

In February, the company announced a partnership with Workhouse, based in Ohio and Indiana, to design and deploy new electric trucks that will be no more expensive than conventional trucks. »

Trump will undoubtedly face impeachment, says Watergate attorney

Authored by independent.co.uk
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Still, the attorney doesn’t foresee impeachment proceedings removing Mr Trump from office.

Twitter 4/17 Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York.

Already, several associates to Mr Trump have faced a bevy of convictions, from his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, to his longtime attorney and fixer, Michael Cohen. »