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In this article COST Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT A Costco Wholesale store in Connecticut. Lindsey Nicholsonp | Getty Images Costco on Thursday beat Wall Street's quarterly earnings and sales estimates, as e-commerce sales jumped and shoppers bought jewelry, luggage and furniture. Here is how the warehouse club did for the fiscal first quarter compared to what Wall Street expected, according to a survey of analysts by LSEG: Earnings per share: $4.04 vs. $3.79 expected Revenue: $62.15 billion vs. $62.08 billion expected In the three-month period that ended Nov. 24, Costco's net income rose to $1.80 billion, or $4.04 per share, from $1.59 billion, or $3.58 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue increased from $57.80 billion in the year-ago period. Costco has benefited from its reputation for selling bulk items at better value, as U.S. households feel the cumulative effect of higher food and housing prices. The membership-based club also hiked its annual membership fee for the first time in about seven years. The quarterly results are the first Costco has reported since that fee increase took effect in September. Costco's membership fee revenue came in at $1.17 billion, compared to the $1.16 billion Wall Street had expected. It jumped by almost 8% year over year, excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates. But on the company's earnings call, CFO Gary Millerchip said the membership fee hike didn't have much of an effect yet because of deferred accounting. It represented less than 1% of fee growth in the quarter, he said. Comparable sales for the company increased 5.2% year over year. In the U.S., comparable sales rose 5.2% as well. Customers visited Costco's stores and website more during the quarter. Traffic rose 5.1% globally and 4.9% in the U.S. The company's average ticket was up 0.1% worldwide and 0.3% in the U.S., including the negative impact of gas deflation and foreign exchange rates. If adjusted to exclude those, average ticket would have risen 2% worldwide and 2.3% in the U.S. Gold and jewelry, gift cards, home furnishings, sporting goods, health and beauty aids, luggage kiosk and hardware were all up double digits year over year, Millerchip said. In Costco's fresh category, which includes items like produce, sales grew by high single-digits in the quarter, Millerchip said. Sales of meat were up by double-digits, as some members continued to purchase pricier premium cuts and other gravitated more toward low-cost options, he said. E-commerce sales rose 13% in the quarter compared with the year-ago period. The company is gaining market share by shipping big and bulky items, CEO Ron Vachris said on the company's earnings call, and it hit nearly 1 million deliveries in the quarter, which was a new record. Membership renewal rates were 90.4% worldwide, down one tenth of a percent, Millerchip said on the company's call. He said renewal rates are down slightly as the popularity of digital signsup grow. He said dthe digital signups tend to renew at a slightly lower rate. It ended the quarter with 77.4 million paid household members, an approximately 8% year over year increase, or 138.8 million cardholders. Costco also hit new records in its U.S. bakery division by selling 4.2 million pies in the three days prior to Thanksgiving and selling 274,000 whole pizzas in its food courts across the country on Halloween, Vachris said on the call. Costco opened seven new clubs in the quarter and plans to open 29 during the fiscal year, including three relocations, Vachris said. Ten of those clubs will be outside of the U.S. The company has a total of nearly 900 clubs, with 617 in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As of Thursday's close, shares of Costco are up nearly 50% so far this year, surpassing the 27% gains of the S&P 500 during the same period. Shares closed at $988.39 on Thursday. Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO This is the biggest AI winner two years after ChatGPT's debut — and it's not Nvidia Goldman Sachs has a trading strategy to score a few big wins before year end Bernstein says this tech stock is its best idea for 2025, could be added to S&P 500 Oracle is on pace for the best year since 1999. What led to the meteoric riseBoxing/MMA Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jake Paul has slapped back at rumours that have spread across the internet after his fight with Mike Tyson descended into a farce. The YouTuber’s Most Valuable Promotions company said he’s “embracing the doubt” amid rumours that the blockbuster event was rigged . BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday (AEDT), the 27-year-old vehemently denied that his unanimous decision win over his 58-year-old opponent at AT&T Stadium in Texas was manipulated through their contractual agreements after both fighters faced backlash for putting on a lacklustre event . The statement said it was “insulting” for commentators to suggest the fighters hadn’t competed to the best of their abilities — despite Paul admitting himself that he deliberately avoided knocking Tyson out in the final rounds. “Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight,” the organisation said in the statement. Jake Paul was announced the winner. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix. “Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. “There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules. “Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naive but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself. “It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer — an organisation that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson — would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.” Jake Paul has heard the accusations. Twitter and Getty. MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian went on to say that the accusations were baseless. “This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded scepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,” Bidarian said. “From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities — unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. “Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves. “This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. “We embrace the doubt — it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.” Many believed Paul and Tyson’s highly anticipated showdown was a snoozefest because both fighters didn’t appear to give it their all in the ring. The former heavyweight champ seemed off balance and gassed in the final rounds. After the bout, Paul explained that he didn’t want to hurt the former heavyweight champ further. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul said. “I didn’t wanna hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.” Bang. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for Netflix. NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who was sitting in the second row behind Jones, claimed he heard people talking about a contract containing a clause that Tyson couldn’t utilise his famous uppercut — and that both fighters couldn’t go all out in the ring. DJ Whoo Kid, who said he spoke with Paul at an afterparty following the fight, claimed there were rules for the fight. Tyson landed 18 punches out of 97 and Paul connected on 78 out of 278 punches, according to the final results. Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone also went public with a theory that Tyson was only there to put on a show. “Business is business. SOMETIMES you have to do hard things and sacrifice for the sake of helping your FAMILY,” he wrote on Instagram. “I have known this unbelievable athlete since he’s 19 years old and what we saw was him giving one of the great Oscar winning performances of all time!!!! “Please, Jake, be grateful, HE SPARED YOUR LIFE! Trust me. Paul and Netflix are facing another battle with a Florida man last week filing a class-action lawsuit against the streaming giant over the poor streaming quality that affected millions during the widely viewed fight. Tyson reportedly earned $20 million for the fight, while Paul received $40 million. — with The New York Post More Coverage ‘Humiliation’: McGregor’s wife photo horrifies Mary Madigan Australia bans Olympic medallist for life Andrew McMurtry Originally published as ‘Disbelief’: Jake Paul responds to ‘criminal’ accusation Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories UFC Jury ‘stunned’ as McGregor mask slipped Bombshell details about the exact moment Conor McGregor lost the jury in his assault case have been reported in graphic fashion. Read more NRL Video: Journalist steps into the ring with Matt Lodge It may have been labelled a light sparring session between a rugby league enforcer and a journalist - but nothing about the right hooks of Matt Lodge are light, writes TYSON JACKSON. Read more
Researchers from King's College London, in collaboration with academics from Imperial College London, are exploring whether artificial intelligence (AI) can help doctors predict which brain aneurysms are likely to rupture—a life-threatening event that requires urgent treatment. Aneurysms, which are bulges in blood vessels in the brain, affect about 3.2% of the population. While only some rupture, the decision to treat is complicated because treatments like surgery also carry risks for the patient. A new review of 20 studies, analyzing over 20,000 cases, examined how well AI models predict aneurysm rupture risk. The paper is published in the journal Clinical Neuroradiology . The results were promising, with AI achieving accuracy rates of 66–90%, comparable to or slightly better than traditional methods like the PHASES score. However, the studies varied widely, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions. "AI models show potential in automating and improving predictions," the authors noted, "but they aren't ready for clinical use yet." "This systematic review emphasizes the use of innovative machine learning models to predict the rupture risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. These machine learning algorithms offer the potential to automate and standardize the identification of rupture-prone aneurysms, aiding in decisions regarding high-risk prophylactic interventions," said Dr. Thomas Booth, Clinical Reader in Neuroimaging at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences. "However, we found that the current evidence base is limited, making these models unsuitable for clinical use at this stage. To enable safe implementation, further high-quality studies are now required." Currently, doctors rely on factors like aneurysm size, location, and patient demographics to assess rupture risk. But existing scoring systems aren't perfect. Small aneurysms can rupture unexpectedly, while large ones might never cause harm. AI could eventually help by processing large datasets to make more personalized and accurate predictions. "This research is a step forward towards predicting the outcome of intracranial aneurysms, which is difficult to speculate, and if ruptured, could be fatal. Machine learning is a strong tool which can comprehend a myriad of complex factors rapidly to aid patients and clinicians in managing these aneurysms," said Dr. Karan Daga, Radiology Registrar at the Imperial College NHS Trust. The authors urge further research, particularly large, diverse studies that test AI models in real-world medical settings. If successful, this technology could save lives by improving decisions about whether to monitor or treat aneurysms, reducing unnecessary interventions and ensuring high-risk patients get timely care. More information: Karan Daga et al, Machine Learning Algorithms to Predict the Risk of Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms: a Systematic Review, Clinical Neuroradiology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00062-024-01474-4Liam Payne was remembered as a "son, brother and father" inside his funeral
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL DraftTetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level Media
Rams don't dominate, but they're rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary footballShoprite has warned that the website checkershypersa.co.za, selling products at significantly discounted prices, is a scam. The supermarket chain told MyBroadband that its cybersecurity team has already initiated a takedown and is closely monitoring the process. MyBroadband was informed about the website by a reader and has reached out to the domain registrar, 1Api. The scam site also appears to use Flutterwave for its payment gateway. Neither Flutterwave nor 1Api had responded by publication. The website bears the Checkers Hyper branding and claims to sell several technology products, including washing machines, laptops, and gaming consoles. To entice buyers, all items are on sale — most of which are roughly 50% off. Shoprite said it notifies its customers about fake websites, competitions, or scams through its official social media platforms. It has also provided several guidelines that users can follow to stay safe when engaging with its platforms online. Scams like this are particularly prominent around Black... Daniel Puchert
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Holoconnects, a pioneer in 3D holographic solutions, has joined forces with Mews, a leading cloud-native hospitality management system, and CIC Hospitality, a prominent hotel operator in the Nordics, to unveil an innovative AI-powered holographic front desk avatar. This cutting-edge solution, developed in collaboration with RAVATAR—experts in creating real-time, lifelike AI digital humans—promises to revolutionize guest interactions in the hospitality sector. The AI holographic avatar is designed to streamline hotel operations and elevate the guest experience. Deployed inside Holoconnects’ Holobox, the avatar delivers an immersive, lifelike experience through 4K high-resolution 3D holographic visualization. Guests can interact with the avatar in real-time, engaging in natural, human-like conversations powered by RAVATAR’s AI Avatar Platform. This advanced technology allows the avatar to assist with various tasks, including checking in and out, generating room keys, booking additional rooms, arranging dinner or spa reservations, and providing instant answers to frequently asked questions. The first implementation of this AI-powered greeter took place at the Aiden by Best Western Lolland in Denmark on November 21, marking a significant milestone in the integration of AI and holography in the hospitality industry. CIC Hospitality, which operates 13 Aiden by Best Western hotels in its portfolio across the Nordics, played a crucial role in bringing this futuristic solution to life. Mews’ integration with the holographic avatar further enhances its functionality, enabling seamless handling of hotel bookings and check-ins. As a leader in hospitality software, Mews automates hotel operations to maximize revenue and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration showcases how advanced technology can transform traditional hotel operations while ensuring customer satisfaction. The partnership between Holoconnects, Mews, CIC Hospitality, and RAVATAR is a testament to the potential of AI and holography in redefining guest services. By combining lifelike holographic visuals with intelligent automation, hotels can offer a modern, efficient, and memorable experience that caters to the needs of today’s travelers. “This launch underscores CIC Hospitality’s commitment to leveraging innovative technology to transform guest experiences. We are excited to collaborate with Holoconnects and Mews to explore how cutting-edge solutions like this holographic front desk avatar can enhance the hospitality landscape,” said Matthias Tanski, CEO of CIC Hospitality. “The launch of a virtual avatar greeter is an exciting new step forward for Holoconnects and the hospitality sector as a whole. We believe it will ultimately elevate and improve the guest experience and overall hotel customer satisfaction,” said Holoconnects co-founder and CEO André Smith. “Our partnership with Mews, CIC Hospitality and RAVATAR has the potential to change the face of modern hotels. We plan to use this first deployment to learn as much as possible and work with Mews to make the front desk virtual avatar greeter and check-in experience better and more helpful.” Holoconnects, a pioneer in holographic technology, is revolutionizing immersive experiences across a wide range of industries, including hospitality, travel, healthcare, retail, entertainment, communications, events, education, advertising, and more. By continually expanding its product portfolio and entering new market sectors, Holoconnects is at the forefront of innovation in holographic solutions. The company’s flagship products—the Holobox, Holobox Mini, and Hologrid—offer 3D holographic visualizations of people, products, or logos, transforming communication into a dynamic and interactive experience. These cutting-edge tools provide unparalleled engagement, delivering immersive interactions that leave a lasting impact on audiences. With its versatile applications and commitment to innovation, Holoconnects is redefining how businesses and individuals connect and communicate. “At Mews, we are dedicated to building the right solutions that provide remarkable experiences for guests, no matter where they stay. This revolutionary front-desk avatar, in collaboration with Holoconnects, has the potential to transform the hotel reception experience as we know it,” commented Matt Welle, CEO of Mews. “We are delighted to have launched this at Aiden by Best Western Lolland in collaboration with CIC Hospitality, Holoconnects and RAVATAR. It is already freeing up front-desk staff who now have more time to deliver a truly personal experience for each of their guests.” “This joint initiative with Holoconnects, Mews, and CIC Hospitality is a transformative step for the hotel industry, blending AI and holographic technology to enhance guest interactions,” said Ruslan Synytskyy, CEO of RAVATAR. “We’re thrilled to bring personalized, lifelike avatars into real-world settings, setting a new benchmark for service innovation.”Motorcycle rider pinched between two trucks in gruesome freeway collision
Tetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level MediaPreview: Mainz 05 vs. Bayern Munich - prediction, team news, lineups