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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that the club is planning to have meetings on the organization’s offensive philosophy.Shedeur Sanders chimes in as Colorado star Travis Hunter's relationship with fiancée faces mounting criticismAutodesk Inc ADSK reported third-quarter financial results after the market close on Tuesday. Here’s a rundown of the report . Q3 Revenue: $1.57 billion, versus estimates of $1.56 billion Q3 Adjusted EPS: $2.17, versus estimates of $2.12 Total revenue was up 11% year-over-year. Total billings increased 28% year-over-year to $1.54 billion. Cash flow from operations was $209 million, while free cash flow totaled $199 million in the quarter. The company ended the period with $1.44 billion in cash and cash equivalents. “Autodesk is leading the industry in modernizing its go-to-market motion. These initiatives enable us to build larger and more durable direct relationships with our customers and to serve them more efficiently. We have already seen significant benefits from these optimization initiatives and there’s more to come in the next phase,” said Andrew Anagnost , president and CEO of Autodesk. See Also: Amazon Prime Vs. Netflix: MrBeast Game Show Arrives Dec. 19, ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Drops 1 Week Later Outlook: Autodesk expects fourth-quarter revenue to be in the range of $1.623 billion to $1.638 billion versus estimates of $1.621 billion. The company sees fourth-quarter earnings of $2.10 to $2.16 per share versus estimates of $2.12 per share. Autodesk anticipates full-year revenue of $6.12 billion to $6.13 billion versus estimates of $6.11 billion. The company expects full-year earnings to be between $8.29 and $8.35 per share versus estimates of $8.27 per share. Autodesk announced the appointment of Janesh Moorjani as the company’s CFO, effective Dec. 16. Management will hold a conference call to further discuss the quarter with analysts and investors at 5 p.m. ET. ADSK Price Action: Autodesk shares were down 8.53% after hours, trading at $290.83 at the time of publication Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro . Photo: Courtesy of Autodesk. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Charles Schwab Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsAI Express' inaugural Surat-Bangkok flight sees good liquor sales stock did not run out say officials
With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride's 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerWASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
RIYADH: As part of efforts to develop Saudi Arabia’s museum sector and enhance the cultural and social roles of museums, the Museums Commission recently hosted an open meeting titled “Museums and Community Engagement: How Can a Museum Become a Community Hub?” Moderated by Eman Zidan, director of the Red Sea Museum, the event featured Noha Al-Kadhi, director of programs at the Museums Commission; Hassa Al-Sudairy, senior manager of cultural programs at the Jeddah Historic District Program; and Maria Alam, director of learning and research at Hayy Jameel. The discussion explored the role of museums in fostering community engagement, with speakers emphasizing the need to continuously refresh programs and activities to attract visitors and offer enjoyable experiences for all age groups. Drawing from the commission’s experience, Al-Kadhi underscored the importance of understanding audience and community needs to create museum narratives and programs that resonate with diverse visitors. She highlighted the value of involving schools and students to build strong connections between younger generations and museums, suggesting that children and youth could become “museum ambassadors” if they enjoy their visits. Al-Sudairy shared insights from the Jeddah Historic District Program on engaging the local community in heritage preservation through targeted awareness and educational initiatives. She cited successful programs involving children and students, such as workshops where participants restored heritage houses using miniature 3D models — activities that deepen their understanding of and connection to heritage. Alam emphasized the importance of creating interactive programs for children and families to strengthen connections between museums and the community. She highlighted Hayy Jameel’s initiative of engaging the local community in decorating the neighborhood facade, fostering interaction between art, the museum, and the public. This, she said, enhances visitors’ experiences and encourages repeat visits. The speakers also discussed the role of technology in enriching visitor experiences and designing engaging programs and exhibitions. Al-Kadhi highlighted technology as a powerful tool for providing innovative experiences while underlining the importance of balancing modern technology with the preservation of authentic heritage. Alam added that blending modern media with heritage enhances museums’ appeal and delivers educational and experiential value. Addressing challenges and opportunities in the museum sector, Al-Sudairy drew from the program’s experience to discuss the complexities of preserving heritage buildings through meticulous restoration processes that meet UNESCO and Ministry of Culture standards. She commended the local community’s support in advancing these initiatives. The speakers stressed the importance of transforming museums into vibrant community hubs. They highlighted the need for interactive spaces that meet societal needs and encourage active participation, moving beyond the traditional role of merely displaying artifacts and decribing their histories.BUDGET SCRUTINY President Marcos leads the scrutiny of the proposed 2025 national budget with key Cabinet officials at Malacañang. With him are Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. —Presidential Communications Office MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will sign the P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 into law on Dec. 30 after his scheduled events for Rizal Day—avoiding the likelihood of a reenacted budget for the first few months of 2025, Malacañang announced on Tuesday. The Palace confirmed what the President’s elder sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, had earlier disclosed—the scheduled enactment of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). “Signing on 30 December 2024 after the Rizal Day events,” said Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez in a message to Malacañang reporters. The day before, the President’s sister told reporters that her brother would be enacting the 2025 budget in ceremonies at Malacañang at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 30. The President usually leads the early morning flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at Rizal Monument in Manila on Dec. 30, Rizal Day—which commemorates the 1896 martyrdom of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The enactment of next year’s national budget will avert the possibility that the government would be running on a reenacted budget during the early part of 2025. A reenacted budget will impede the implementation of new programs or projects, given that there would be a lack of enacted appropriations. In the past few days, Marcos has been constantly sitting down in meetings with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and his economic managers to meticulously review the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget passed by Congress. He said last week that they would thoroughly scrutinize next year’s spending plan “item by item, line by line” for projects that were not part of the government’s original National Expenditure Program but were included as “insertions” in the national budget bill. He thumbed down the option of returning the measure to the congressional bicameral conference committee for revisions. Marcos said he would exercise his veto power on certain line items and provisions that were not priorities and could be deferred. Chavez’s announcement of the scheduled signing of the budget bill did not mention what specific items would be vetoed. Critics previously slammed Congress’ final version of the 2025 national budget, which included massive cuts on several public services like P86 billion from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P74.5 billion from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and P12 billion from the Department of Education. Also criticized was the P26 billion for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita, a dole out program for the “near poor” suspiciously timed for an election year. There were also questions about the need for an additional P289 billion for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which gave the agency a whopping P1.1-trillion budget for 2025. The 1987 Constitution authorizes the President to exercise his veto powers on line items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill—but Congress may reconsider the veto by a vote of two-thirds of all House members. Senator Marcos was not amused by the timing of the signing of the budget bill amid the public uproar over certain provisions of the government’s annual outlay. “Like a thief on the night before New Year!” Marcos said in a Viber message on Tuesday, mistaking Dec. 30 for New Year’s Eve, which is on Dec. 31. One of the cuts the President should make was on the DPWH allocation, the senator said. She said at least P188 billion should be slashed from the DPWH so that the spending bill would comply with the 1987 Constitution, which gives education the biggest slice of the budget. The senator had earlier pointed out that the ratified version of the GAB contravened the Charter as it set aside P925 billion to the education sector, smaller than the public works budget. Section 5, Article XIV of the Constitution mandates the government to “assign the highest budgetary priority to education.” “Unless they have a different way of computing budgetary allocation for education, the (DPWH’s) budget should be reduced by at least P188 billion so as not to violate the Constitution,” she said. That amount could be “rewards in the unprogrammed appropriations for the ‘old ye faithful,’” she added without elaborating. The President’s sister, who did not vote against the budget measure despite her criticisms, reiterated that the unprogrammed allotments may only be released upon the availability of “excess income or if there are new sources of funds.” As for government projects financed by foreign loans, she said only the “loan proceeds component of the project can be released.” “Also, if the President does line-item veto, they cannot use the appropriations of the items vetoed to fund or augment other items in the budget,” Marcos said, repeating what other lawmakers had been saying. “They will have less projects to fund, which may translate to a [budget] deficit lower than what was originally programmed,” she added. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . This could be a “good or [a] bad thing, depending on who’s counting,” according to her.
Prominent figure from Canada's trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions found guilty
Two people were found dead as the 23-hour rescue operation involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Army, besides civil authorities, to locate missing people trapped in a collapsed four-storey building in Punjab's Mohali ended on Sunday. The body of a male was recovered on Sunday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Damandeep Kaur said, adding the victim has been identified as Abhishek Dhanwal, hailing from Haryana's Ambala. Earlier, a woman, identified as Drishti Verma, 20, from Himachal Pradesh, died in the incident. Officiating Deputy Commissioner Viraj S. Tidke along with Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek, told the media the search and rescue operation to evacuate the trapped people whose exact number was not ascertained initially, got a boost when a critically injured woman was rescued from the wreckage.After that, the operation continued the entire night and onwards till 4.30 pm on Sunday when it was made clear by the NDRF that there was no more possibility of any person being trapped under the debris. ALSO READ: Delhi CM Atishi Visits Indira Camp After LG VK Saxena Exposes 'Hellish' Living Conditions, Promises Swift Action Tidke said the debris had been checked by the NDRF thoroughly before declaring the operation over. He said that a total of 600 NDRF, Army, and police personnel were roped in for the round-the-clock operation. He said about 140 NDRF team members, 167 from the Army's 57 Engineers Regiment, over 300 local police personnel and the rest from allied departments were involved in the operation.During the operation, requisite machinery was provided to the NDRF in addition to what they already had.He said that a magisterial probe had been ordered in this incident to fix the responsibility. SDM Damandeep Kaur has been entrusted with the probe and she has been asked to submit the report within three weeks.The whole operation was monitored by the district civil and police officials till its completion. Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, and Superintendent of Police Jyoti Yadav Bains were present at the site of the operation.According to officials, people were buried under the debris when the structure of a gym collapsed owing to digging in an adjacent building's basement in Sector 77.The police have booked and arrested the building owners -- Parwinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, charging them with culpable homicide.Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had spoken with the district administration about the ongoing rescue works and directed us to make all possible efforts to rescue the victims. ALSO READ: Bengaluru News: Cubbon Reads Community's Books Confiscated During Secret Santa Event At Cubbon Park | VIDEO Also, Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang and local MLA Kulwant Singh were at the site on Saturday to oversee the rescue work. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also took stock of the rescue work and directed the local police to ensure the safety of victims at all costs. (Except header, this copy has not been edited by Jagran English. Source: IANS)In recent weeks, gamers diving into the latest Delta Force release, “Hawk Ops,” have encountered surprising challenges, sparking lively discussions across forums. While the game is lauded for its cutting-edge graphics and immersive storytelling, a new issue has emerged, leading players to question the reliability of certain in-game mechanisms. Innovation Meets Frustration As developers integrate emerging technologies, the game’s AI decision-making has become notably complex. Enthusiasts have observed the AI behaving unpredictably, with characters making questionable tactical decisions during critical missions. This has introduced a real-world problem where an AI’s capacity for adaptation might be overstretching current technological boundaries. The Implications of Advanced AI Delta Force’s “Hawk Ops” serves as a poignant case study in understanding the balance between innovation and practicality. By utilizing advanced AI, the aim was to enhance realism, offering players a richer experience. However, the unpredictable behavior suggests a need for a redesign or recalibration. Industry specialists propose that a hybrid approach might be required, merging AI ingenuity with human oversight to remedy current issues. The Developer Response Acknowledging player concerns, the development team is actively working on patches to address these challenges. They have expressed openness to player feedback, noting that collective insights will inform future updates. As Delta Force navigates these technological seas, the gaming world watches on, eager to see how developers will harmonize next-gen tech with player experience. Delta Force: Hawk Ops – The AI Revolution in Gaming and Its Challenges Unpacking the AI Complexity in Delta Force: Hawk Ops The latest title from the Delta Force franchise, “Hawk Ops,” has both wowed and frustrated players with its cutting-edge technology and complex AI. While the game is praised for its stunning graphics and gripping narratives, the AI’s unpredictable decision-making has left players perplexed. This issue underscores the ongoing struggle in gaming to balance advanced technology with user expectations. Pros and Cons of Advanced AI in Gaming The integration of sophisticated AI in games like “Hawk Ops” aims to enrich the virtual environment by making it more responsive and challenging. However, there are both benefits and downsides to this innovation: Pros: – Enhanced Realism: AI that adapts in real-time offers an unparalleled realism, mimicking human-like behavior. – Dynamic Gameplay: Unpredictable AI can lead to varied gaming experiences, enhancing replayability. Cons: – Unpredictable Outcomes: Players often feel frustrated by AI making nonsensical choices in critical game scenarios. – Increased Complexity: Handling highly sophisticated AI can be daunting, both for developers and players. The Future of AI in Gaming Industry experts predict that future advancements in AI will continue to shape the gaming landscape. Hybrid models, which fuse AI management with human oversight, are seen as a potential solution to current issues. This approach could strike a better balance between innovation and playability, allowing developers to harness AI’s full potential while maintaining control over the user experience. Developer’s Commitment to Improvement The development team behind “Hawk Ops” is keenly aware of the feedback from the gaming community. They are actively working on updates to refine AI behavior, emphasizing community feedback as a pivotal part of the improvement process. This open-dialog approach suggests that future titles will likely benefit from lessons learned with “Hawk Ops.” Looking Ahead: Predictions and Insights In the coming years, gaming is expected to see more seamless AI integration, where game and player interactions will be more fluid and intuitive. Developers are likely to continue exploring new ways to marry AI innovation with engaging game design, ensuring that technology enhances rather than hinders the player experience. For more information on the Delta Force series and its latest innovations, visit NovaLogic .We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as is the Sheffield Shield. It is a packed summer schedule, with the Australian women’s cricket team competing in an Ashes series against England that will culminate in a historic Test at the MCG on January 30: the first women’s Test played at the venue since 1948–49. That match will also be the 90th anniversary of the first ever women’s Ashes series, when England toured Australia in the summer of 1934–35. It’s an exciting schedule for fans and one Cricket Australia will be looking to capitalise on. But is all this cricket driving participation? The changing face of cricket participation Like most sports, cricket faces a challenge to retain junior players in an oversaturated sports market. It is also competing with other entertainment offerings, increased screen time, financial pressures, and parent and guardian unavailability. Read more: No cash, no play? Have cost-of-living pressures impacted sports participation in Australia? Ahead of the 2024–25 summer, Cricket Australia released its annual report , which included 2023–24 participation numbers. On the whole, things are looking somewhat positive, with growth in junior cricket (ages 5-12) increasing 5%. For women and girls, the numbers are even more encouraging, with Cricket Australia reporting 18% growth for the 2023–24 season, attributed to a 44% rise in school competitions, 6% growth in social competitions and a record-breaking year of youth girls’ participation (ages 5–12). But Cricket Australia highlighted challenges in that next phase – the teenage years, with the governing body reporting an overall 5% drop in teenage participation . The death of backyard cricket? There has been reflection recently about the decline of junior participation in some demographics and a changing cricketing landscape . A query that often arises in these conversations is whether the sport’s traditional breeding ground, backyard cricket, is under threat. What is interesting is the nostalgia many cricket fans hold for the days of the iconic pastime and how it is central to a person’s, and maybe even our national, identity. Backyard cricket has long been a staple for many Australian families (and those in cricketing countries). It has attracted a certain rose-coloured nostalgia that fills the memories of generations – the sounds of a ball bouncing off a wheelie bin, the shouts of “car!” in quiet suburban streets and maybe sometimes, of smashed glass and the cries of angry parents to not play near the windows. Cricket fans can connect to stories of backyard cricket, reflecting on simpler times, mates made in the streets and maybe even how they perfected their action in narrow driveways, to avoid trees or to not lose the ball over the neighbour’s fence. Cricket lovers can not only recall their childhood and growing cricket fandom, but also imagine how their cricketing heroes were likely doing the exact same thing. In 2009, Steve Cannane wrote the book First Tests – Great Australian Cricketers and The Backyards That Made Them . The book is a testament to the romance of backyard cricket and how we can relate as fans to the icons of the game, who also experienced modest beginnings in similar streets. They were just like us. But recreation looks different to today’s teens, with the rise of technology and other entertainment options, as well as changing social patterns where organic interactions are less likely or not encouraged . This can make it hard to find fielders for those long cover drives down the driveway. I recently discussed this on ABC Radio’s The Conversation Hour . We discussed how children might be less likely to approach other children to play today , which might be a result of COVID restrictions or general concerns about children’s safety. Australia’s changing housing market is also affecting backyard cricket. Apartment living and smaller homes in urban areas with limited outdoor space make the activity not only very difficult but not visible to invite others in. Modern city planning appears focused on making cities more compact and experts note the loss of outdoor space could increase the risks of physical and mental health problems among city residents. It appears for many, the days of walking down a street, seeing kids playing a game and joining in until your parents called out “dinner” (or “tea” in the rural neighbourhood I grew up in) are long gone. Finding the fandom balance Kerry Packer’s 1977 World Series Cricket is what inspired CEO of Softball Australia Sarah Loh to pick up a cricket bat when her family migrated to Australia when she was six years old. She told ABC Radio Melbourne : There were those great characters, and that is when my love of sport and cricket came. While traditional cricket fans often bemoan new formats, flashy tournaments and increased commercialisation of cricket, for many, these innovations also offer entry points, drive interest and allow their fandom to grow. Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket James Allsopp has spoken of the need for more social forms of cricket to keep kids interested in the game and prevent the drop-off in teen years. A balance must be achieved in our rapidly changing society – the challenge for cricket’s administrators will now be to connect with kids, women, and diverse communities in ways that respond to their needs and bring them to the sport on their terms. They must also do this in a way that protects the history that has already brought so many people together every summer in front of televisions, in stadiums and in backyards across the country.Liverpool manager Arne Slot gestures on the touchline Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was far from happy with his side’s performance in the 1-0 victory at Girona which extended the Champions League leaders’ perfect start to six matches. Mohamed Salah’s 63rd-minute penalty – his 50th goal in the competition – was the difference but it was far from plain sailing with the first half particularly disturbing for Slot. “If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results,” he said. “I’m really pleased with the five games, the way we played. I am far from pleased about the performance tonight.” Asked what had made him so unhappy he added: “A lot. Especially two things. “If you play against a team who has such a good idea about football and know how to bring the ball out from the back like some other teams we faced recently, like (Manchester) City or Real Madrid then you have to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them. “But if every time you are waiting a few seconds and then if you do press, you are so easily out-played as this team can cause you problems and this is what they showed during the whole Champions League campaign, except for PSV Eindhoven away. “I almost feel sorry for them because they deserve so much more in this campaign than the three points they have now. “And every time we lost the ball we were not aggressive enough, almost every time they just went all the way to our goal. “We had hardly any control in the game, maybe the second half was better – I’m trying to be positive.” The low intensity meant goalkeeper Alisson Becker had a busier night than he would have expected after returning from two months out with a hamstring injury. He made five saves in the first half to help extend the club’s run without conceding for close to nine hours and Slot was indebted to the Brazil international. “We have an incredible goalkeeper. I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work,” he added. “He showed today he is probably one of the best – in my opinion the best goalkeeper – in the world. “Let’s hope he can continue to keep bringing these performances and hope more he can stay fit.”
New Zealand Manufacturing Sales: -1.2% (3Q) vs previous 0.6%
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.Kuwait, Thailand hold first round of political consultations
Broncos hope to continue playoff push when they meet the banged-up RaidersSLT-Mobitel has announced that it has secured the Gold Award in the Telecommunications and Technology sector at the TAGS Awards 2024, held on December 12, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. Organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), SLT-Mobitel received the award in recognition for excelling in both financial and non-financial reporting. The TAGS Awards aim to promote transparency, accountability, governance, and sustainability among organisations. This year’s awards, themed ‘The Digital Edge—Enriching Corporate Reporting Excellence,’ celebrated organisations that showcased the transformative potential of AI and digital innovation in corporate reporting. SLT-Mobitel’s achievement demonstrates a commitment to high standards in corporate governance and dedication to innovation within the telecommunications industry. The company’s Annual Report showcased achievements and strategic initiatives that align with its mission to enhance connectivity and digital transformation in Sri Lanka. Prominent figures from various sectors attended the award ceremony, highlighting the significance of receiving this recognition within the industry.None
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