In this article ORCL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Oracle chairman and chief technology officer Larry Ellison speaks at the Oracle OpenWorld conference in San Francisco on Sept. 16, 2019. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images News | Getty Images Oracle shares slid 7% in extended trading on Monday after the database software company reported fiscal second-quarter results that fell short of analysts' estimates. Here is how Oracle did compared to LSEG consensus: Earnings per share: $1.47 adjusted vs. $1.48 expected Revenue: $14.06 billion vs. $14.1 billion expected Oracle's second-quarter sales grew 9% year over year. Net income increased 26% to $3.15 billion, or $1.10 a share, from $2.5 billion, or 89 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue in Oracle's cloud services business jumped 12% from a year earlier to $10.81 billion, accounting for 77% of total revenue. Oracle's biggest growth engine has been cloud infrastructure, where it's competing with Amazon , Microsoft and Google as businesses move workloads out of their own data centers. The business is booming due to soaring demand for computing power that can handle artificial intelligence projects. Oracle said revenue in its cloud infrastructure unit soared 52% from a year earlier to $2.4 billion. Oracle said that it just signed an agreement with Meta , allowing the social media company to use its infrastructure to help with various projects related to the Llama family of large language models . "Oracle Cloud Infrastructure trains several of the world's most important generative AI models because we are faster and less expensive than other clouds," Oracle founder Larry Ellison said in a statement. In September, Oracle it raised its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $66 billion, which was about $1.5 billion more than what analysts projected. During that month, Oracle also announced that its cloud unit would start taking customer orders for so-called computing clusters derived from over 131,000 Nvidia "Blackwell" graphics processing units, used for AI-model training and related tasks. As of Monday's close, the stock is up more than 80% this year, headed for its best annual performance since 1999. WATCH : Final trades: Oracle, Vertiv Holdings and GSK watch now VIDEO 0:18 00:18 Final Trades: Oracle, Vertiv Holdings and GSK Halftime Report
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 GameAbove Sports, a leader in global sports business development and strategic investments, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Sports Travel Group. The multi-million-dollar deal is set to fuel the growth of Golf Traveller, a premier global golf tourism brand, expanding its footprint across North America. Golf Traveller specializes in ultra-premium, customized golf travel experiences that cater to the most discerning golf enthusiasts. Known for offering exclusive access to world-class golf courses, luxury accommodations, and tailored itineraries, Golf Traveller is renowned for delivering an unparalleled golfing lifestyle. The company also recently entered a strategic multi-year partnership with Troon Partners Network, earning the designation of “Preferred International Travel Partner.” This new alliance between GameAbove Sports and Golf Traveller combines both companies’ expertise to elevate the game of golf and its tourism sector. GameAbove Sports has long been committed to advancing the sport, with investments spanning grassroots player development, state-of-the-art training facilities, and cutting-edge golf technology. This partnership is set to revolutionize how golf tourism is experienced, providing enthusiasts with exceptional access to top-tier golfing destinations and exclusive experiences across the continent. “We are thrilled to partner with Sports Travel Group and Golf Traveller as they continue to broaden their reach and impact within the global golf community,” said GameAbove Founder and Chairman Keith J. Stone. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision and partnering with transformative companies that inspire, engage, and deliver exceptional value to sports. Golf Traveller’s recent partnership with Troon represents their momentum towards continuing to be a leader in providing exceptional golf experiences.” “Partnering with GameAbove Sports opens incredible opportunities to expand our reach and continue our journey of delivering innovative solutions within the world of golf and beyond,” said Euan Gillon, CEO of Golf Traveller. “We are excited by the opportunities this alignment will present to both parties and we look forward to working more closely with Keith and his team in the years to come. Together, we aim to make meaningful contributions to the evolution of golf and sports tourism globally.” GameAbove Sports is on a mission to grow its strategic portfolio through investments in professional and youth teams, franchises, and leagues across the globe. By enhancing the global presence of athletes, teams, leagues, youth academies, and other sports-related organizations, the company seeks to create lasting impact in the sports industry. Known for its innovative and adaptable investment strategies, GameAbove Sports takes both minority and majority ownership stakes in its ventures, ensuring long-term value and growth. In addition to its recent partnership with Sports Travel Group, GameAbove Sports has made significant moves in the world of professional basketball. The company has acquired a substantial ownership stake in the Brisbane Bullets of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) and secured majority ownership of the Detroit team in the BIG3, which is set to debut in the summer of 2025. Furthermore, GameAbove Sports has become the title sponsor of the 2024 college football bowl game in Detroit, now officially called the GameAbove SportsTM Bowl, further solidifying its commitment to the growth of sports across various platforms and regions.Housing Design Awards: An air of celebration and gratitude
Image Small Image Mark Kaufman Body It should come as no surprise that we’ve shifted from an “information economy” to an “attention economy.” Computer scientists and psychologists have been studying attention spans for about 20 years, over which time the average time that a person can focus on any one thing has dropped from around 21⁄2 minutes to around 45 seconds – even less if it’s a lecture you’re listening to. When was the last time you had any time at all free from distractions? Our brains are wired to pick up external cues like sights and sounds, all of which can distract us from the task at hand. Add technology to the mix – the time we spend in front of screens – and you begin to wonder how we ever get anything done. All kinds of things can contribute to a diminished attention span: sleep deprivation, stress, a noisy or cluttered environment, and screen time. Making changes to any one of these factors would help; so would full immersion in a book. There’s little doubt that reading is an activity that you have to consciously make time for, when there are so many other things competing for our time and attention. The challenge, of course, is to find just the right book to capture your attention and imagination, and keep you engrossed. Online, you’ll find algorithms designed to make suggestions based on past purchases. Instead, spend time browsing a bookstore and talk with a bookseller (usually a voracious reader), who will recommend something based on your interests and tastes. You’ll find more than 50 categories from which to choose, from science-fiction to romance, nature to current affairs, personal growth to faith. As the holidays approach, books are the perfect gift that can be opened again and again. You’ll never have to worry about viruses, software updates or changing the batteries. Even if you’re shopping for that impossible-to-please relative, you’ll find something among the 10,000 or so books a bookstore carries, or hundreds of thousands more that can be ordered and available within a couple of days. Author Sandi Richmond (“Milepost 75”) celebrated her 80th birthday by hiking rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon. Physical activity, sensible eating, and time management all contribute to living longer, healthier lives. You can be sure that Richmond has kept her brain just as healthy. Trading screen time for a good book is a great place to start. Mark Kaufman is the co-owner of Story & Song Bookstore Bistro. mark@storyandsongbookstore.comGrowing up on a tropical island means being able to catch and harvest your own food, and for Nornie Bero, it is these practices, closely tied to culture and community, which inspired a culinary career. or signup to continue reading Bero is from the Komet tribe of the Meriam people on Mer Island and said her family instilled her love of food when she was a child. "My dad made half of our house into a tuck shop and he used to make pumpkin dampers and pumpkin buns and make fish burgers and stuff to keep the lights on for us, to get money for the generators," she said. "When you grow up in a a family on an island you've got so many aunties and uncles that are hunting and gathering all the time and food is a big conversation in island households. "It's always been part of my life and I've always loved the traditional foods that I grew up with." The celebrated chef founded native food business Mabu Mabu, and flagship restaurant Big Esso in Melbourne with plans to expand to Sydney. "I love being Australian because we have our own flavour here, we just don't utilise it to the best that we can," Bero said. "We're such a multicultural country and we have so many different cuisines here so I'm just putting island cuisine on the map too and showcasing Australian food that comes out of the soil." Her mission to put the foods of her childhood on the map has taken her back to her home, where she recently filmed a cooking show, Island Echoes with Nornie Bero. As host, Bero travels across the Torres Strait, meeting with local community members, showcasing the landscape, making traditional foods and sharing the stories behind them. "It was so nice to be able to do a lot of outdoor cooking... cooking on the beach and people inviting us into their back yards, or even front yards, which is usually a beach," she said. "As a chef that's a dream right, to be able to go back home and showcase how beautiful your home is." Not only is Bero thrilled to bring island cuisine to the forefront, she said it's just as exciting to return to her homeand share new ways to prepare traditional foods with her family and community. "It's part of our lifeblood, the food that comes out of the ocean and in their backyards," she said. "It's so great to be able to be someone like myself who's come all the way down here to the city and create the stuff I've been taught along the way from many different places and then take it back home and showcase what they could do with traditional foods that we already have." In the midst of writing a new cookbook, Bero said there's a lot of things on the horizon for her and Mabu Mabu. One thing is certain, she's determined to continue her mission to champion native ingredients and the flavours of her home. Island Echoes with Nornie Bero will premiere on January 9 on NITV. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Qatar tribune Khalid Tawalbeh Doha Marking a transformative milestone in Qatar’s innovation journey, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a key pillar of Qatar Foundation (QF), inaugurated ‘AI Week 2024’ on Sunday. Running from November 24 to 28, the event positions Qatar at the heart of the global AI revolution, celebrating 15 years of QSTP’s commitment to empowering technological advancements and fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem. AI Week 2024 brings together an eclectic mix of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, and policymakers to delve into the cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Packed with interactive workshops, thought-provoking keynotes, panel discussions, and live demonstrations, the event is set to redefine perceptions about AI and its transformative potential across industries. In his statements to press, Dr Jack Lau, president of QSTP, emphasised the event’s importance in shaping Qatar’s innovation landscape. “AI Week is not just an event; it’s a platform for collaboration, creativity, and the exchange of bold ideas,” he said. “It reflects Qatar’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to address global challenges while fostering a culture of innovation that benefits society at large.” Dr Lau highlighted the integral role of QSTP in nurturing a dynamic ecosystem that empowers students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to translate ambitious ideas into impactful ventures. “For 15 years, QSTP has been a launchpad for innovation in Qatar. AI Week builds on this legacy by focusing on one of the most transformative technologies of our time,” he added. The opening day set the stage for an engaging week, featuring a keynote by Dan Givens, vice-president of Computer Science and Digital Innovation at Shell. Givens shared insights on integrating AI into digital transformation strategies, particularly in sustainability and operational efficiency. AI Week’s sessions cover a wide range of topics, including ‘Sustainability’, exploring how AI is optimising energy efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and advancing smart city solutions; ‘Healthcare’, revolutionising early disease detection, personalised medicine, and efficient healthcare delivery systems; ‘Education’, harnessing AI for personalised learning experiences through advanced EdTech platforms; ‘Transportation and Public Safety’, addressing traffic management, autonomous vehicle innovation, and AI-driven safety measures. Interactive workshops led by industry experts promise hands-on learning experiences. Tashan Technology showcased a groundbreaking demonstration on robotic grasping with tactile sensing, highlighting AI’s potential in robotics and human-AI collaboration. AI Week includes initiatives like the Ride and Pitch competition, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their AI-driven business ideas aboard the Education City Tram. Participants are mentored by experts before presenting their innovative concepts to a distinguished panel of judges. Additionally, the AI Hackathon, organised in collaboration with Qatar Scientific Club and the Ministry of Sports and Youth, invites students to tackle real-world challenges using robotics and AI programming. From smart waste management to sustainable agriculture, the hackathon encourages creativity and problem-solving among Qatar’s youth. Workshops throughout the week focus on practical applications of AI, with topics including ‘Cybersecurity’, using AI to detect vulnerabilities and enhance digital safety, ‘Marketini’, optimising strategies through advanced user experience insights, and ‘Human-AI Collaboration’, redefining how humans and machines work together in professional environments. In the coming days, participants will explore AI’s applications in maritime logistics, automotive technology, and public safety. Sessions will also delve into AI’s role in boosting operational efficiency and fostering sustainability across industries. Copy 25/11/2024 10Google names UK executive as president for Europe, Middle East and Africa
The future of healthcare: AI-designed drugs, digital twins, and precision medicineAffiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money. My father always told me that it's better to save $5 than nothing at all — some savings is better than none. My father also made sure I understood that the first priority is paying off bills immediately. I get the most out of a Costco membership so I never feel like I have to eat out. When I graduated from school and started working my first job, my father called. We were on the phone for two hours that night discussing money — specifically, how I should handle my money so that I wasn't without resources when I needed them. My father's view was always that I take care of home first. He told me, "If you're working, there are steps you should take so you are always comfortable." When he said comfortable, he meant that I was secure. "Always take care of home first and then work outward from there," he said. When student loan payments resumed in 2023, many people feared they would have to choose between their student loan payments and groceries — or even rent. When I was paying my student loans back, there were times when I didn't go out or didn't buy something I may have wanted right then, and I was known to say, "I can always go home." I think like that to this day, even when I have the money. Here is the advice my father gave me. 1. Save as much money as you can I save money now automatically, so it's in my savings account before I even see it. My father always told me that it's better to save $5 than nothing at all. I can't tell you how many times having money saved helped me out when emergencies came up — whether it was replacing a washer/dryer in my new home or arriving very late in Paris and learning the room I had reserved was no longer available, and the only one left was $175 more per night . What my father was trying to tell me, and what I saw for myself, was that having money gives you options and can be a safety net for when things don't go as planned. No matter what is happening, I always save a portion of my income. Estimate Your Interest Earnings 2. Pay all of my household bills first, including that cellphone bill Sometimes we have to learn these money lessons the hard way. I can tell you that I have had friends who have had their electricity turned off — and even a friend who had her water shut off after not paying the bill for six months in her brand-new home. My father was and is a great example of how to run a home. When the first of the month came around, he paid every bill that was due. Since this was before you could pay all of your bills online, there were times when I went with him to pay the bills that he did not mail. So when I started working and had my first apartment, he told me, "When you get paid, every bill associated with your home should be paid. That is the first thing you do." And that is what I do to this day. I pay every bill in my home first: rent, cable, electricity, water, and my cellphone bill. Our cellphones are such a big part of our lives, and you may even use your cellphone for work. Make sure that everything you need for your home to run well is taken care of. 3. Stock your refrigerator When you first start earning money, it's so easy to go out, to buy that piece of clothing, or to meet friends for drinks. But it doesn't make any sense to spend $100 on drinks with friends when you don't have groceries in the fridge. Since I can be a homebody, especially during the winter months, this piece of advice is easy for me to follow, but look at the common sense aspect of it. When I hear people say that they are eating beans and rice or ramen noodles and they cannot afford anything else, I always wonder about the money they spent that day. Did you buy coffee, have lunch out, or buy clothing? When I stock my fridge, that is exactly what I do. I can easily have five weeks of groceries in my apartment. Then when I do need to go to the grocery store, it's only for something I have run out of. I'm not starting fresh at the grocery store every week. I also have a Costco membership and buy items I know I use all the time in bulk. My home is my sanctuary, and I can spend time there without spending more money. I have books and magazines that I like to read, I have every snack that I like to eat, and I subscribe to Netflix and Apple TV+. Since I have poured into my home upfront, if I decide not to go out, I don't feel like I am missing out on anything, and I save so much money. It comes down to paying yourself first. Instead of giving yourself what's left, take the first slice and set yourself up for financial stability. Credit scores Credit history Credit reports Budgeting Saving Housing Retirement The economy Financial trends
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 12/3/2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein announced his choices for a majority of his Cabinet positions Monday before he takes office next month, with two of the seven revealed department secretaries being holdovers from outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration. The two current secretaries — Reid Wilson and Pamela Cashwell — have been appointed by Stein to lead departments new to them. Other Cabinet appointees include a top lieutenant for Stein while in his current job as attorney general. Stein’s transition office also said the Cabinet will include its first Latino and first Indian American secretaries in Gabe Esparza and Dr. Devdutta Sangvai, respectively. Wilson, at present the Natural and Cultural Resources Department secretary, is set to become the next head of the Department of Environmental Quality. And Cashwell, the current Department of Administration secretary, is Stein’s choice to succeed Wilson. Stein, who defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson last month, and his transition leadership team have been working to fill out positions in the next administration. A public inauguration ceremony for the governor and others elected to statewide executive branch positions is set for Jan. 11 in Raleigh. It’s anticipated that Stein will get officially sworn as governor earlier as the new year begins. RELATED COVERAGE North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion hits enrollment goal about a year ahead of projections Clemson’s Swinney can’t wait for Belichick’s positive impact on the Atlantic Coast Conference Governor presents Hurricanes’ coach Rod Brind’Amour with North Carolina honor His Cabinet appointees — likely 11 in all — will be subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Since a 2016 law that laid out the confirmation process, the Senate has rejected only one Cabinet appointee — Dionne Delli-Gatti as environment secretary in 2021. Wilson’s long work history includes stints at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and as national political director for the Sierra Club. Stein picked Sangvai as the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, which in part oversees Medicaid, mental health services and state-run hospitals. Sangvai, a Duke University medical school professor, recently served as Duke Regional Hospital president and is current president of the North Carolina Medical Board, which licenses and disciplines doctors. Esparza, a former U.S. Small Business Administration administrator and previous candidate for state treasurer from Charlotte, is in place to succeed Cashwell leading the Department of Administration. The department oversees many internal business affairs within government, including purchasing and contracting, the state’s motor fleet, and government buildings and property. Leslie Cooley Dismukes, the criminal bureau chief within Stein’s state Department of Justice, is the governor-elect’s choice to lead the Department of Adult Correction, which includes the state’s prisons and probation and parole services. Dismukes was previously a criminal division chief for the U.S. attorney’s office for eastern North Carolina. Other Stein Cabinet choices named Monday were McKinley Wooten Jr. leading the Department of Revenue and Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette leading the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Wooten has had a long state government career and is currently an assistant revenue secretary. Mallette has been a private attorney who graduated from the U.S Air Force Academy and served as an Air Force intelligence officer and prosecutor. Cabinet secretaries yet to be announced include those who would lead the commerce, public safety, information technology and transportation departments.Eli Lilly announces $15 billion buyback, dividend hike
Two charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East
Inside the wild YOLO nights at the drug-fuelled bars of the exotic 'new Bali' - where every traveller's worst nightmare is now unfolding as six people die after drinking 'contaminated' alcohol.. and the death toll is expected to soar