Manchester-based online publisher GGRecon has become the first esports publication to appear on Apple News.
This groundbreaking achievement comes after the launch of the publisher’s brand-new website earlier this month – which had been in development for over a year.
Working with web design company Degree53 – also based in Manchester – GGRecon created a bespoke and innovative website that serves its gaming and esports audience in a way that is unique in the industry.
Apple News has 85 million monthly active users, as well as being the number one news app in the world, and so this opens up GGRecon’s content, and high-quality esports content in general, to a whole new potential audience.
GGRecon is on Apple News! Make sure to give us a follow to keep up to date with all the latest esports and gaming news 🙌
The company was founded in December 2019, with a heavy focus on esports.
Proud to be an esports company based in the north of England, where esports is typically underrepresented, GGRecon was founded in conjunction with Fred Done – the owner and businessman behind companies such as Betfred and Sharp Gaming – and covers titles such as VALORANT, CS:GO, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and many others.
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Done’s connection to Manchester is well-known, and GGRecon continues that legacy by flying the flag for esports in the north.
“We’re thrilled to be the first esports publisher on Apple News.” said Chris Young, Managing Director at GGRecon.
“This is a huge win for esports, but also for the north of England.
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GGRecon was founded in December 2019, with a heavy focus on esports / Credit: GGRecon
“Esports is typically seen as predominately a US-based scene, however we are proving that you don’t have to be in America to make an impact.
“We will continue to serve our loyal fanbase with the content that they have grown to expect from us, and hope to continually delight them with more UX-focused changes to best serve their interests.”
Manchester Airport releases statement after customer data stolen in ‘targeted’ cyber security attack
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport has released a formal statement after data was stolen from 8.7 million customers in a ‘targeted’ cyber security attack yesterday.
Manchester Airport Group (MAG) – which operates Manchester Airport, Stansted, and East Midlands Airport – said the cyber security incident happened at around 1pm yesterday (Thursday 27 August), and that the data seized from 8.7 million customers included email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations, and postcodes.
The data that was stolen related to car park, lounge and Fast Track bookings, and in-airport WiFi sign-ups, MAG stated.
It was initially confirmed that the system the hackers accessed did not hold customers’ bank or payment details, however, and that all other regular airport operations and customer parking continued uninterrupted.
Manchester Airport has now released a formal statement to reassure customers that they are taking the matter ‘extremely seriously’.
The statement reads: “Manchester Airport Group has been subject to a cyber security incident by an unauthorised third party.
“A quantity of customer data has been obtained that relates to car park, lounge and Fast Track bookings and in-airport WIFI sign-ups at Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports.
“We immediately contained the risk and have been working with specialist advisors and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems. We have informed and are working with the relevant authorities, and at no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised.”
MAG insisted that the incident had not resulted in any ‘operational disruption’, adding: “Airport operations remain unaffected and customer parking services continue to operate normally.
“Neither MAG nor the system accessed hold customers’ bank or payment details. The data that has been accessed includes customers’ email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes.
“We would like to reassure customers that Manchester Airport Group takes the security of customer information extremely seriously, and we apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused.”
Featured Image – MAG
Business
Workers at major Manchester city centre hotel to strike this bank holiday weekend
Emily Sergeant
Workers at one of the most prominent hotels in Manchester city centre are set to strike this bank holiday weekend.
Workers at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and its bar venue The Refuge, who are members of the union Unite, will take 24 hours of strike action on Saturday (29 August) in what is said to be a ‘long-running dispute’ over union busting.
The strike day chosen by the workers is the second day of this year’s Manchester Village Pride, and is historically the most lucrative day of the year for their employer.
This is because Kimpton Clocktower is located very close to the Pride Parade route, and for several years has been a very popular location for people attending the festival, and even runs a number of Pride events itself.
Unite says that for months now, workers at the Kimpton Clocktower – which is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group UK (IHG) – have been asking for formal union recognition to improve conditions after raising several issues with management, but IHG UK has refused this and instead ‘targeted’ the union for its actions.
Workers at a major Manchester city centre hotel are set to strike this bank holiday weekend / Credit: Rebecca Hope Photography (Supplied)
Previous strikes have already taken place this summer, apparently causing ‘financial hits’ to the business in the process – with the bar being forced to close early at several events as there were not enough staff to cover them.
“A strike on Kimpton’s most profitable day is entirely of its own making,” commented Unite regional officer, Alison Treacher. “Throughout this dispute, Kimpton Clocktower management have treated its loyal workforce with contempt and our members have shown they will not stand for it.
“There is still time to avoid this highly disruptive strike action, but that relies on IHG changing tack by listening to its members and giving them the union recognition they have long been calling for.”
This dispute is said to be the first ever hospitality strike in the North West.
Unite is currently running a petition demanding that IHG UK stop targeting union activists, recognise the Kimpton workers rights to have their grievance heard collectively, and support their union recognition campaign.
The Manc -
23rd June 2021 
