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CBS News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Epic Cons Chicago convention abruptly canceled at Navy Pier, leaving ticketholders confused and disappointed
An entertainment company abruptly canceled a convention this coming weekend in Chicago — during which fans were expecting to meet actors from their favorite TV shows. Epic Events and Entertainment hosts popular events around the country. The company was set to host Epic Cons Chicago 3 at Navy Pier this coming weekend. But days before the event, Epic posted a notice announcing that the convention would not be happening. "We put all of this into it, and now we're not able to go, was definitely really frustrating," said Ben Parker, who had been planning to go to the convention and had bought passes. Parker feels they were nearly robbed of $1,400. They and their mom each paid $500 for the main event, and another $200 per person for the meet-and-greet. "It's frustrating because they ran all of these sales in the last two weeks," Parker said, "and it was like, 'Oh, you weren't running sales for us. You were running sales to collect more money.'" It was eight days before the convention was set to take place at Navy Pier that Epic posted the following message online: "We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, we are canceling Epic Cons Chicago 3 for July 26-27, along with all upcoming events. If you had purchased tickets to any of the upcoming events, please check your email." "Do you understand how many people that you let down?" Parker said. Parker has been to a previous convention in Virginia. But red flags went up when the PayPal account they paid said "Anna Owen" and "Alexis Arnold," instead of "Epic Con." Parker said the receipt soon switched to "Epic Events and Entertainment." "That should have been a red flag for a lot of us," Parker said. At the same time, Epic Events and Entertainment has been named in two lawsuits. One of the lawsuits filed by Kash Advance LLC states, "There remains a balance due of more than 611 thousand dollars plus interest, costs, and disbursements." CBS News Chicago has not been able to reach anyone with the company for comment on the lawsuits or the convention cancellation. "It's not unforeseen when it was something that they definitely were aware of," Parker said. CBS News Chicago also reached out to Navy Pier about the abrupt cancellation. It turned out Navy Pier officials found out about it through social media as well. In a statement, Navy Pier said: "We have not been formally informed of the cancellation. Our team has reached out to show organizers for further comment and clarification, but have not received any updates on the future of the event this weekend and beyond." Parker said they won't lose any money. PayPal will return what they spent on the tickets, and the hotel they booked has refunded the money for a room. They will also have a credit for a Southwest Airlines flight.
Techday NZ
04-07-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
eflow Global launches sandbox to help reduce false positives
eflow Global has launched a sandbox feature for its TZTS Trade Surveillance system, providing compliance teams with a secure environment to test and adjust alert thresholds without affecting live systems. Responding to regulatory pressure The new Sandbox functionality offers compliance teams a dedicated replica of their surveillance system in which they can simulate and refine alert parameters using real historical trading data. This development comes as compliance teams continue to grapple with high volumes of false positives and intensified regulatory scrutiny. Recent research from eflow Global indicates that 43% of regulatory professionals cite managing the volume of false positive alerts generated by their trade surveillance systems as a major concern. These false alarms can distract teams from real threats, making it harder to prioritise meaningful alerts and comply with regulatory expectations. Traditionally, financial firms have found it challenging to experiment with their trade surveillance configurations due to concerns over compliance risks when making changes to live systems. The Sandbox aims to address this gap by enabling secure, risk-free experimentation. Functionality details The Sandbox provides a ring-fenced replica of a firm's trade surveillance setup. Compliance professionals can stress-test and simulate parameter alterations using historical trade data, analyse the resulting alert outcomes, and then export their preferred settings seamlessly into production systems. This tool supports efforts to reduce false positives, improve audit readiness, and adjust to changing market dynamics. "The ability to stress-test your surveillance strategy with real-life trading data in a no-risk environment is a game-changer," said Ben Parker, CEO of eflow Global. "Firms need the confidence that their alert thresholds are both appropriately stringent and operationally manageable. The Sandbox gives them that confidence - backed by real data and a clear audit trail." This new feature is available to all users of the TZTS Trade Surveillance system, and it comes at a time when regulatory activity is rising sharply. In the first quarter of 2025, global regulatory enforcement produced over $150 million in financial penalties across six jurisdictions. Enforcement actions in 2024 increased by 863% year-on-year, highlighting the urgency for compliance functions to operate with reliable and defensible surveillance methods. Changing market conditions Market volatility has added to the compliance burden. Ben Parker noted recent events that have led to rapid spikes in alert volumes, including technological and geopolitical developments. "Recent market shocks, such as the release of DeepSeek AI and its ripple effect across NVIDIA and the wider NASDAQ, as well as the renewed volatility following President Trump's recent tariff announcements, have shown how quickly alert volumes can spike," added Parker. "The Sandbox gives firms a way to replay these periods, refine parameters in response, and ensure robust controls are in place." Given this context, compliance teams are increasingly required by regulators to demonstrate that their surveillance parameter tests are based on real evidence and robust processes. The capability to playback historical data and visibly adjust controls provides them with the audit trail necessary to validate their surveillance procedures during regulatory reviews. The system's audit support is designed to help financial firms demonstrate regulatory compliance, improving their readiness for inspections and inquiries. Firms can trace decisions regarding alert configuration changes directly to historical data events, helping to prove that their controls are suitable for evolving market and regulatory conditions. Availability and industry implications The Sandbox is now included for all users of TZTS Trade Surveillance. It is positioned to support both immediate adjustments arising from current market movements and ongoing strategy reviews aimed at reducing false positives and demonstrating compliance diligence. Follow us on: Share on:
Edinburgh Reporter
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Council refuses to ban arms testing in city parks
An Edinburgh councillor has spoken out after a city committee voted not to ban arms firms from testing military equipment in city parks. In December 2024, arms manufacturer Leonardo was given permission to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills. Green councillor Ben Parker said he was 'disappointed' that councillors chose to not back his motion, which would have seen the practice banned. He continued: 'Today, Councillors had a chance to stand up for peace and instead chose inaction. 'Despite community objections and a clear moral imperative, the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have voted to continue to allow arms manufacturers to test their equipment in our beautiful, publicly owned, green spaces. 'The Council has previously taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment. 'At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way.' Cllr Parker had originally put the motion forward for discussion at May's full council meeting, but an amendment by the Liberal Democrat group sent it to the Culture and Communities Committee for discussion. In a deputation to the committee, he urged councillors to take a stand on the issue, drawing comparisons to the city's Labour council taking a stand against apartheid during the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in the city. That year's games were protested widely, and boycotted by 26 nations, due to the UK Government's relationship with the then white-minority government in South Africa. Liberal Democrat councillor Fiona Bennett said: 'I have been to Iraq twice, once in 2018 with an NGO I'm very closely involved with and again in 2019 with the UN supporting victims of ISIS. 'I saw first-hand devastation throughout northern Iraq and in particular in Mosul – images that will never leave me, and images that will haunt me, for the rest of my life. 'The events unfolding around the world right now are harrowing. And I know people on the ground in Gaza right now, I can't bear what they're telling me. 'This is incredibly difficult, we're being forced to confront balancing our ethical values and responsibilities with the very real fragility of our national security. 'This is the most fragile and uncertain political, global landscape in my lifetime, and I really worry about the future our daughters have in front of them. 'So when we talk about banning testing, are we saying there should be no such testing anywhere in the UK? 'And if so, are we inadvertently undermining our own ability to defend ourselves at a time when global threats are growing and becoming even more complex?' Councillors narrowly supported an amended version of the motion put forward by the Liberal Democrat group, which did not pursue a ban. Instead, it referenced the city's draft parks management plan, which empowers council officers to ban any activity which will or could 'endanger' any person or property. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh council reject call for ban on Braid Hills weapons testing
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh councillor has spoken out after a city committee voted not to ban arms firms from testing military equipment in city parks. In December 2024, arms manufacturer Leonardo was given permission to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills. Green councillor Ben Parker said he was 'disappointed' that councillors chose to not back his motion, which would have seen the practice banned. He continued: 'Today, Councillors had a chance to stand up for peace and instead chose inaction. 'Despite community objections and a clear moral imperative, the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have voted to continue to allow arms manufacturers to test their equipment in our beautiful, publicly owned, green spaces. 'The Council has previously taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment. 'At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way.' Cllr Parker had originally put the motion forward for discussion at May's full council meeting, but an amendment by the Liberal Democrat group sent it to the Culture and Communities Committee for discussion. In a deputation to the committee, he urged councillors to take a stand on the issue, drawing comparisons to the city's Labour council taking a stand against apartheid during the 1986 Commonwealth Games held in the city. That year's games were protested widely, and boycotted by 26 nations, due to the UK Government's relationship with the then white-minority government in South Africa. Liberal Democrat councillor Fiona Bennett said: 'I have been to Iraq twice, once in 2018 with an NGO I'm very closely involved with and again in 2019 with the UN supporting victims of ISIS. 'I saw first-hand devastation throughout northern Iraq and in particular in Mosul – images that will never leave me, and images that will haunt me, for the rest of my life. 'The events unfolding around the world right now are harrowing. And I know people on the ground in Gaza right now, I can't bear what they're telling me. 'This is incredibly difficult, we're being forced to confront balancing our ethical values and responsibilities with the very real fragility of our national security. 'This is the most fragile and uncertain political, global landscape in my lifetime, and I really worry about the future our daughters have in front of them. 'So when we talk about banning testing, are we saying there should be no such testing anywhere in the UK? 'And if so, are we inadvertently undermining our own ability to defend ourselves at a time when global threats are growing and becoming even more complex?' Councillors narrowly supported an amended version of the motion put forward by the Liberal Democrat group, which did not pursue a ban. Instead, it referenced the city's draft parks management plan, which empowers council officers to ban any activity which will or could 'endanger' any person or property.
The National
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Edinburgh councillors vote in favour of arms firms using public parks for testing
Green councillor Ben Parker tabled the motion, which aimed at banning the practice following a public backlash last year over the arms firm Leonardo testing its equipment in the Braid Hills area of the capital. Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in Braid Hills in December last year. On Thursday, Edinburgh councillors voted 5-6 against introducing the ban, with SNP and Greens voting in favour and Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Tories voting against it. READ MORE: 'Israel herding Palestinians into concentration camps,' says Gaza aid chief Cllr Parker said he was 'obviously disappointed' at the outcome but said his party will continue to stand up to companies who 'profit from war'. He said: 'Today, Councillors had a chance to stand up for peace and instead chose inaction. 'Despite community objections and a clear moral imperative, the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have voted to continue to allow arms manufacturers to test their equipment in our beautiful, publicly owned, green spaces. 'I'm obviously disappointed in the decision made today, but Green Councillors will continue to push for Edinburgh to be a city which stands up for justice and doesn't bend to the whims of companies who profit from war.' In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said it is 'unbearable' to watch the genocide unfold in Gaza by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and tested on the Braid Hills. She said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh green spaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals. 'It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions, seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills.' She added: 'The new park management rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful green spaces, which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.' The City of Edinburgh Council has been approached for comment.
