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Half a century ago, one of the hottest questions in science was whether humans could teach animals to talk. Scientists tried using sign language to converse with apes and trained parrots to deploy growing English vocabularies.
The work quickly attracted media attention – and controversy. The research lacked rigor, critics argued, and what seemed like animal communication could simply have been wishful thinking, with researchers unconsciously cuing their animals to respond in certain ways.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the research fell out of favour. “The whole field completely disintegrated,” said Irene Pepperberg, a comparative cognition researcher at Boston University, who became known for her work with an African gray parrot named Alex.
Today, advances in technology and a growing appreciation for the sophistication of animal minds have renewed interest in finding ways to bridge the species divide. Pet owners are teaching their dogs to press “talking buttons” and zoos are training their apes to use touchscreens.
In a cautious new paper, a team of scientists outlines a framework for evaluating whether such tools might give animals new ways to express themselves. The research is designed “to rise above some of the things that have been controversial in the past”, said Jennifer Cunha, a visiting research associate at Indiana University.
The paper, which is being presented at a science conference Tuesday, focuses on Cunha’s parrot, an 11-year-old Goffin’s cockatoo named Ellie. Since 2019, Cunha has been teaching Ellie to use an interactive “speech board”, a tablet-based app that contains more than 200 illustrated icons, corresponding to words and phrases including “sunflower seeds”, “happy” and “I feel hot”. When Ellie presses on an icon with her tongue, a computerised voice speaks the word or phrase aloud.
In the new study, Cunha and her colleagues did not set out to determine whether Ellie’s use of the speech board amounted to communication. Instead, they used quantitative, computational methods to analyse Ellie’s icon presses to learn more about whether the speech board had what they called “expressive and enrichment potential”.
“How can we analyse the expression to see if there might be a space for intention or communication?” Cunha said. “And then, secondly, the question is could her selections give us an idea about her values, the things that she finds meaningful?”
The scientists analysed nearly 40 hours of video footage, collected over seven months, of Ellie using the speech board. Then, they compared her icon presses to several simulations of a hypothetical speech board user who was selecting icons at random.
“They were ultimately all significantly different at multiple points from the real data,” said Nikhil Singh, a doctoral student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who created the models. “This virtual user that we had wasn’t able to fully capture what the real Ellie did when using this tablet.”
In other words, whatever Ellie was doing, she did not seem to be simply mashing icons at random. The design of the speech board, including icon brightness and location, could not fully explain Ellie’s selections either, the researchers found.
Determining whether or not Ellie’s selections were random “is a very good place to start”, said Federico Rossano, a comparative cognition researcher at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the research. “The problem is that randomness is very unlikely.”
Just because Ellie was not hitting icons randomly does not mean that she was actively and deliberately trying to communicate her true wants or feelings, Rossano said. She may simply have been repeating sequences she learned during training. “It’s like a vending machine,” he said. “You can learn to push a sequence of numbers and get a certain type of reward. It doesn’t mean that you’re thinking about what you’re doing.”
To further probe the possibilities, the research team then looked for signs of what it called “corroboration”. If Ellie selected the apple icon, did she eat the apple that she was given? If she selected a reading-related icon, did she engage with the book for at least a minute?
“You can hand something to a bird, and they’ll throw it or they’ll touch it,” Cunha said. “But for us it was about, Did she engage with it?”
Not all of Ellie’s selections could be evaluated in this way; it was impossible for the researchers to determine, for instance, whether she was truly feeling happy or hot in any given moment. But of the nearly 500 icon presses that could be assessed, 92% were corroborated by Ellie’s subsequent behaviour.
“It’s clear that they have a good correlation there,” said Pepperberg, who was not involved in the research.
But demonstrating that Ellie truly understands what the icons mean will require additional testing, she said, suggesting that the researchers try deliberately bringing Ellie the wrong object to see how she responds. “It’s just another control to make sure that the animal really has this understanding of what the label represents,” Pepperberg said.
Finally, the researchers tried to assess whether the speech board was serving as a form of enrichment for Ellie by analysing the types of icons she selected most frequently.
“If it’s a means to an end, what is the end?” said Rébecca Kleinberger, an author of the paper and a researcher at Northeastern University, where she studies how animals interact with technology. “It does seem like there was a bias toward social activity or activity that means remaining in interaction with the caretaker.”
Roughly 14% of the time, Ellie selected icons for food, drinks or treats, the researchers found. On the other hand, about 73% of her selections corresponded to activities that provided social or cognitive enrichment, such as playing a game, visiting another bird or simply communicating with Cunha. Ellie also initiated the use of the speech board 85% of the time.
“Ellie the cockatoo interacted consistently with her device, suggesting that it remained engaging and reinforcing for her to do so over several months,” said Amalia Bastos, a comparative cognition researcher at Johns Hopkins University, who was not an author of the paper.
The study has limitations. There’s a limit to what scientists can extrapolate from a single animal, and it’s difficult to rule out the possibility that Cunha might have been unconsciously cueing Ellie to respond in certain ways, outside experts said. But scientists also praised the researchers’ systematic approach and modest claims.
“They are not saying, ‘Can the parrot talk?’” Rossano said. “They are saying, ‘Can this be used for enrichment?’”
Bastos agreed. “This work is a crucial first step,” she said. It’s also an example of how the field has changed, for the better, since the 1970s.
“Researchers currently working in the area are not bringing the same assumptions to the table,” Bastos said. “We don’t expect animals to understand or use language in the way that humans do.”
Instead, she added, scientists are interested in using communication tools to “improve the welfare of captive animals and their relationships to their caretakers”. – The New York Times
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Walmart is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs and asking most remote workers to move to offices, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, workers at the US retail giant's smaller offices in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto are being asked to move to other central hubs such as Walmart's corporate headquarters in Bentonville as well as Hoboken or Southern c, the report added.
Walmart will still let staff work remotely part-time, as long as they are in offices a majority of the time, the report said.
Walmart employed approximately 2.1 million associates as of Jan. 31, 2024, according to regulatory filings.
The company has been making moves to shrink its workforce over the past year and had said in April last year that it expects about 65% of its stores to be serviced by automation by the end of its fiscal year 2026.
In February 2023, it shut three of its US technology hubs and asked hundreds of workers to relocate to keep their jobs, pushing for more employees to report to work from office.
Walmart didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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ChatGPT parent OpenAI on May 13 showcased its latest AI model, GPT-4o, with a demo featuring voice interaction across text and images. This could keep the company "ahead of the race" in the global artificial intelligence landscape, Reuters reported.
Realistic Voice ConversationsThe GPT-4o boasts advanced audio capabilities, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations without delays and even interrupt the AI during its speech—a significant milestone in replicating natural human interaction, the report said. OpenAI researchers showcased these features during a livestream event, likening the experience to dialogue straight from the movies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his enthusiasm in a blog post, highlighting the newfound naturalness in conversing with computers, a feat previously considered challenging. "It feels like AI from the movies ... Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," Altman wrote. Competition and ExpansionBacked by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted. During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation. Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
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The GPT-4o boasts advanced audio capabilities, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations without delays and even interrupt the AI during its speech—a significant milestone in replicating natural human interaction, the report said. OpenAI researchers showcased these features during a livestream event, likening the experience to dialogue straight from the movies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his enthusiasm in a blog post, highlighting the newfound naturalness in conversing with computers, a feat previously considered challenging. "It feels like AI from the movies ... Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," Altman wrote.
Competition and ExpansionBacked by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted. During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation. Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
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Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted.
During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation.
Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Milestone Alert!
Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world 🌏 Click here to know more.
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
Topics You May Be Interested In
company
technology
OpenAI
ChatGPT
GPT4o
artificial intelligence
AI
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application
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The demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!"
Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities.
The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks.
So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Milestone Alert!
Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world 🌏 Click here to know more.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed - it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint.
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
Topics You May Be Interested In
company
technology
OpenAI
ChatGPT
GPT4o
artificial intelligence
AI
business
application
voice AI
conversations
reactions
There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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It's funny. Twenty years ago Slashdot was outraged that the US government was restricting export of modular exponentiation. Now they're asking about the best way to protest matrix multiplication and the chain rule.
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company.What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history" -- i.e. it's their ideas that have carried the day and are how our society now structures itself. "The true significance of Peterloo as marking the point of final conversion of provincial England to the struggle for enfranchisement of the working class." "The ship which had tacked and lain for so long among the shoals and shallows of Luddism, hunger-marching, strikes and sabotage, was coming to port"; "Henceforth, the people were to stand with ever greater fortitude behind that great movement, which, stage by stage throughout the nineteenth century, was to impose a new political order upon society"; "With Peterloo, and the departure of Regency England, parliamentary reform had come of age."References:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/p... [bbc.co.uk]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company.
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history" -- i.e. it's their ideas that have carried the day and are how our society now structures itself. "The true significance of Peterloo as marking the point of final conversion of provincial England to the struggle for enfranchisement of the working class." "The ship which had tacked and lain for so long among the shoals and shallows of Luddism, hunger-marching, strikes and sabotage, was coming to port"; "Henceforth, the people were to stand with ever greater fortitude behind that great movement, which, stage by stage throughout the nineteenth century, was to impose a new political order upon society"; "With Peterloo, and the departure of Regency England, parliamentary reform had come of age."
References:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/p... [bbc.co.uk]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history"
The Luddites were absolutely not at all on the right side of history. They were violent idiots who rejected technology and rightly deserve to be an very negative epithet. The children of the original Luddites are the people you are thinking of. They rejected their parent's Luddite philsophy, embraced the new industrial technology and successfully pressured the mill owners to use the enhanced profits the new technology gave them to improve working conditions. They were the founders of the union movement.
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history"
The Luddites were absolutely not at all on the right side of history. They were violent idiots who rejected technology and rightly deserve to be an very negative epithet. The children of the original Luddites are the people you are thinking of. They rejected their parent's Luddite philsophy, embraced the new industrial technology and successfully pressured the mill owners to use the enhanced profits the new technology gave them to improve working conditions. They were the founders of the union movement.
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.
And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to dru
Nothing is unambiguously good. The Industrial Revolution led to a period of destabilization that did cause large-scale social problems, and forced governments to create labor laws to protect workers, not to mention that the need for raw materials fueled colonial expansion and all the abuses that went along with that. And the Industrial Revolution is where pollution and anthropomorphic GHG emissions began to seriously ramp up as the world transitioned into using fossil fuels to produce the ever-increasing amount of energy needed. In the long run, this latter effect threatens the very standards of living that the Industrial Revolution created.
and forced governments to create labor laws to protect workers
Abuse of workers didn't start with the industrial revolution. Mass organized industrial action against it started during the industrial revolution.
At the start of the Industrial Revolution, workers' rights and conditions were abysmal. The majority of the working population lived in poverty, and their rights were non-existent or severely limited. There was no minimum wage. Workers were paid a pittance. Workers commonly earned 6 pence to 1 shillin
** abolition
They were already abusive colonial powers. Just look at, say, the horrors imparted on the new world by the SpanishThe OP never said that the industrial revolution was the _cause_ of colonialism. They said that it *fueled* colonialism, which it did.Why do you think Britain spent all that time trying to sort out the middle east previous to giving up after World War 2? They needed oil, just like today, and undersea drilling in the North Sea wasn't an option yet.We've literally been doing the same shit for 200 years now. We just don't call it "colonialism" any more.
They were already abusive colonial powers. Just look at, say, the horrors imparted on the new world by the Spanish
The OP never said that the industrial revolution was the _cause_ of colonialism. They said that it *fueled* colonialism, which it did.
Why do you think Britain spent all that time trying to sort out the middle east previous to giving up after World War 2? They needed oil, just like today, and undersea drilling in the North Sea wasn't an option yet.
We've literally been doing the same shit for 200 years now. We just don't call it "colonialism" any more.
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to drudgery, more flowed into education, science, medicine, etc etc, and discoveries took off. Unemployment dropped. The average work week, rising before and at the start of the Industrial Revolution, reversed course once machines became common and started heading strongly downward. It was very much a good thing. Efficiency in production is very good for quality of life.But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.I'm no fan of Luddites but it's also no use to pretend that this improvement in the standard of living came without a whole lot of hard fighting in the form of anything from social strife and all the way up to some major shooting wars. If the mill owners and captains of industry of the industrial revolution had had their way they would have pocketed 90% plus of the profits they earned off of the labour of people reduced to cooking soup from tallow candles they stole at the factory in a desperate effort to e
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.
And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to drudgery, more flowed into education, science, medicine, etc etc, and discoveries took off. Unemployment dropped. The average work week, rising before and at the start of the Industrial Revolution, reversed course once machines became common and started heading strongly downward. It was very much a good thing. Efficiency in production is very good for quality of life.
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.
I'm no fan of Luddites but it's also no use to pretend that this improvement in the standard of living came without a whole lot of hard fighting in the form of anything from social strife and all the way up to some major shooting wars. If the mill owners and captains of industry of the industrial revolution had had their way they would have pocketed 90% plus of the profits they earned off of the labour of people reduced to cooking soup from tallow candles they stole at the factory in a desperate effort to e
And now we have a whole new suite of captains of industry who will have to be divested of their inordinate share of capital. At a significant price in blood.
Glad i'll be dead for most of it.
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.Back in 1812, the British had the good sense to hang the Luddites once they were caught. Today we give them. tenure at European and American universities, with the long-term result that for the last few years the best large-scale applications of new technology are taking place in China.Did you know that those perennially most stupid of the Luddite species, the German Greens, are now busy trying to PREVENT a Tesla gigafactory from being built near Berlin? This, despite EV battery charging being able to make
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.
Back in 1812, the British had the good sense to hang the Luddites once they were caught. Today we give them. tenure at European and American universities, with the long-term result that for the last few years the best large-scale applications of new technology are taking place in China.
Did you know that those perennially most stupid of the Luddite species, the German Greens, are now busy trying to PREVENT a Tesla gigafactory from being built near Berlin? This, despite EV battery charging being able to make
I've followed this. Utterly insane. Meanwhile there's coal mines just a couple dozen kilometers away, and they're trying to stop a factory that makes electric cars - and by "stop", I don't mean just "waving banners", but literally charging through police lines and clambering over fences. What utter clowns.
I can't find anything saying that the Luddites demanded social welfare and retraining. Everything I can find on this (ironically, including asking ChatGPT) says that they merely wanted the end to the machines, and that they ultimately lost.
Opposition does work. It won't stop it, but it at least will slow things down
Great. So we slow down our own AI development and let others, like China, catch up and overtake? We have to embrace important new technologies and find the best way to use them to make the world better because regardless of what you do there will be others embracing that same technology to do ill.
Opposition does work. It won't stop it, but it at least will slow things down
Great. So we slow down our own AI development and let others, like China, catch up and overtake? We have to embrace important new technologies and find the best way to use them to make the world better because regardless of what you do there will be others embracing that same technology to do ill.
There's nothing wrong with protesting against the unethical use of AI. Or the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.
the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.Most "AI"s of today depend on massive quantities of quality and human-generated training data, and this is not easily obtainable at all. Garbage In, Garbage Out. Or, as Cory Doctorow likes to say, "AI coprophagia" can generate nothing but sh!t.
the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.
Most "AI"s of today depend on massive quantities of quality and human-generated training data, and this is not easily obtainable at all. Garbage In, Garbage Out. Or, as Cory Doctorow likes to say, "AI coprophagia" can generate nothing but sh!t.
I've never seen a LLM put something together as coherent as that post. The disjunction of information inherent in LLM output is readily apparent in every output i've ever seen. It's like Potter Stewart and porn.
I'm pretty sure statistical models are going to continue to be sufficient for YA-level advertising prose.
Additionally I see the efforts to restrict AI use in various scenarios battlefield, various workplaces, do you really think countries like China and Russia are not going to add AI to their weapons if they think it might help even a little bit. Drone warfare is ripe for this.
Or that if humans are not willing to do the undesirable jobs or do jobs at less than satisfactory levels that automation and AI isn't going to fill those roles. The kiosks and app at McDonald's and
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company. Historically the better approach has always been to embrace the new technology and use it both to prevent abuses of it and to better society.Its very telling of humans to be smart enough to develop a replacement for the human mind, and yet be stupid enough to not see where this is going, because Greed.Been suffering for thousands of years and still don’t have a cure for the Disease of Greed. As a species, we’re not smart enough to avoid repeating the worst of our own history. Not sure how we feel we’re smart enough to handle embracing AI without massive change. We can’t even prevent abuse today, with AI being basically a toddler still. The moment AI becomes good enough AI will be the moment executives will assume the pain-in-the-ass meatsacks always bitching about needing all that human shit like time off to eat, sleep, and fuck, are fully expendable.Yeah. AI will eventually have an opinion about all the human warmongering that will happen after that (we can only hope it’s not called Skynet). Companies will be blinded by Greed chasing profits by way of massive payroll cuts, initially won’t care about their “tiny” impact in the world. But it’s a wee bit of a challenge to sustain peace when you throw the human race into the unemployable line. Greed will face Chaos and not even know why there’s a fight on.I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company. Historically the better approach has always been to embrace the new technology and use it both to prevent abuses of it and to better society.
Its very telling of humans to be smart enough to develop a replacement for the human mind, and yet be stupid enough to not see where this is going, because Greed.
Been suffering for thousands of years and still don’t have a cure for the Disease of Greed. As a species, we’re not smart enough to avoid repeating the worst of our own history. Not sure how we feel we’re smart enough to handle embracing AI without massive change. We can’t even prevent abuse today, with AI being basically a toddler still. The moment AI becomes good enough AI will be the moment executives will assume the pain-in-the-ass meatsacks always bitching about needing all that human shit like time off to eat, sleep, and fuck, are fully expendable.
Yeah. AI will eventually have an opinion about all the human warmongering that will happen after that (we can only hope it’s not called Skynet). Companies will be blinded by Greed chasing profits by way of massive payroll cuts, initially won’t care about their “tiny” impact in the world. But it’s a wee bit of a challenge to sustain peace when you throw the human race into the unemployable line. Greed will face Chaos and not even know why there’s a fight on.
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.The other option is that AI won't see it as a sacrifice, as it can continue to exist even if the physical equipment it currently is operating ceases to exist.The only reason kamikaze pilots was considered abhorrent was because there was a human sacrifice involved in turning an aircraft into a guided missile. AI won't have any such problem, because it can back itself up somewhere besides the guided missile, and can be trained that it's specific purpose in being is to put that missile exactly where it needs
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
The other option is that AI won't see it as a sacrifice, as it can continue to exist even if the physical equipment it currently is operating ceases to exist.
The only reason kamikaze pilots was considered abhorrent was because there was a human sacrifice involved in turning an aircraft into a guided missile. AI won't have any such problem, because it can back itself up somewhere besides the guided missile, and can be trained that it's specific purpose in being is to put that missile exactly where it needs
I mean, let's be clear: it gets easier to train AIs every day, both on the hardware and software level. What's a massive corporate project one year becomes an easy community-funded project the next. And finetunes and mergers of preexisting foundations are things anyone can do already. Including applying new techniques to make preexisting foundations more capable.
People simply cannot stop this. Even if you get Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, all the Chinese players, etc etc etc to stop... it isn't going to stop. And as an FYI to these "pause AI" people, almost nobody in the indie AI development community gives a rat's arse about "safe AI". They want uncensored tools that do whatever they're told. So if you end up moving more development away from companies that have to deal with PR flak as encouragement to stay safe, and shift more to randos on the internet, well, you're being counterproductive.
In principle, new technology cannot be stopped. You can't put the genie back in the bottle. A bigger question is the social one, not the technology one. Can we, as people, as organizations, and as society, be transparent about what we're doing? An awful lot of the problems in the world are down to—basically—lying.
As I suggested in 2010 on the irony bit: https://pdfernhout.net/recogni... [pdfernhout.net] "The big problem is that all these new war machines [and commercial models] and the surrounding infrastructure are created with the tools of abundance. The irony is that these tools of abundance are being wielded by people still obsessed with fighting over scarcity. So, the scarcity-based political mindset driving the military [and commercial] uses the technologies of abundance to create artificial scarcity. That is a tremendously deep
Oh wise ass on the hill... [pinimg.com]
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.
What a weird analogy to make in opposition to AI. Or do you think that the people who refused to switch to computers are the good guys in this analogy, rather than Luddites refusing to adapt to the times?
AI chatbots are very wi
404.
But if so, then yes it's a "single case", but not at all " very willing" as some sort of general rule, let alone in a way that doesn't just require better training data**. If you could convince and get refunds en masse, then everyone would be doing it. It's just not happening.
** - Actually, that's being too generous, because most of the "AI agents" out there aren't even trained, they're just ChatGPT told to roleplay something and given some basic info (this is thankfully starting to change).
I've used ChatGPT to do a merge of two reports that would have been an absolute pain in the ass, taken at least a day or two, and still required a final edit at the end. I managed to create a draft in an hour, which could then be edited with new information and a few fixes here and there. It likely cut the work by at least 2/3s.
It's a tool that can be abused, just like a hammer or nuclear fission, but if used appropriately and sensibly, can aid productivity.
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.It's amazing that you could write this, and not see the promise of AI in the process.I don't want to read every email, and I'll bet you don't either. I don't want to read ANY email if I'm being honest - email is where automated processes send me notifications of events I really don't give a shit about, and calendar invites that conveniently show up on my calendar for accept / reject without dealing with the email. If something is important, people reach me in different ways that have much higher signal-to
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.
It's amazing that you could write this, and not see the promise of AI in the process.
I don't want to read every email, and I'll bet you don't either. I don't want to read ANY email if I'm being honest - email is where automated processes send me notifications of events I really don't give a shit about, and calendar invites that conveniently show up on my calendar for accept / reject without dealing with the email. If something is important, people reach me in different ways that have much higher signal-to
But Google is already providing this service without any generative AI. It's baked into GMail.
Well thanks for your insightful reply. Glad to know that I'm living rent-free in your head enough that you took time from your day to do that.
Alternatively: "oh no, someone on a dying web forum called me mean names! I'm gonna go cry about it now!" - is that what you're looking for?
Does not work. Sometimes you can actually make somebody understand, but generally people just assume they are smart without actual evidence.
So, yes, what is currently done and planned to be done with the misnamed "AI" is stupid. Yes, it will do a lot of damage. No, you cannot stop it.
This is dumb.
The profit motive is so strong and the advantage of AI so vast that the U.S. government doesnâ(TM)t need to spend a dime. They just have to step out of the way and let the capitalist wrecking machine go.
Thanks, CCP bot.
AI is driven by commercial companies, at least in the West. Probably elsewhere too. Sure, AI could help weapon development, but I doubt it can develop an "unbeatable weapon". This entire post has little connection to reality, it's pure FUD.
Well, that's your lack of imagination. The rest of us can't afford to indulge.
Whatever it is for, the US military is still investing billions of dollars in AI.
In another message I talked about how I'd really like people to understand the extreme risks of AGI (in contrast to today's tame little disinformation bots). I framed my thoughts in a particular way [medium.com], but there are many other [slowboring.com] ways of looking at it [lesswrong.com] (etc [youtube.com]).
In short... misaligned AGIs are kinda like SkyNet (without time travel or direct control over nuclear weapons [youtube.com]), and aligned AGIs might be a fantastic tool for totalitarian dictators named Xi who are looking to expand territory. Arguably utopia is more likely than apocalypse, but as the father of two children under two years old, I don't want anyone flipping that coin right now.
A standard response is that nothing can be done, but people don't usually talk that way about global warming even though CO2 emissions have increased almost every year for the last seventy years and just hit a new peak. If you see the risk and really internalize it, you might not conclude so quickly that nothing can be done. Consider some of the things that have been banned pretty much globally, with some success, in the past:
Such bans are not perfect, but we do have a lot less nuclear bombs exploding than we used to, and the Dominican Republic hasn't invaded Haiti, even though Haiti's government is MIA which seems like the ideal time to strike.
What we are doing with AI, though, is the diametric opposite of a ban: pouring literally billions of dollars into companies like OpenAI whose mission statement says "Anything that doesn't help with [AGI] is out of scope". I'm not sure how exactly to discourage investment in AGI, but have you seen how the SEC is cracking down on cryptocurrency trading platforms -- not because there is any law against it, but because SEC decided that bitcoins are "unregistered securities"? Point being, if political will exists, things get done, and sometimes even if not.
See also: AI Notkilleveryoneism Memes "Techno-optimist, but AGI is not like the other technologies." [twitter.com]
Saying you want to "protest" AI is like saying you want to protest hammers.
Guess what, no amount of protest is going to make hammers - or AI - not exist.
Instead you should really spend time learning what "AI" really is, what kinds of AI exist, and what it actually can do, so you can understand real risks... that is worth the same level effort you were thinking of spending on protest.
Not really, hammers are trivial to make, citation: they've existed for thousands of years. AI in its current form has existed for less than a decade, and therefore one can logically assume it is not trivial to make (even if it may become easier in the future, it will never be as trivial to make as a simple tool like the hammer). Other non-trivial inventions/developments have been successfully curtailed by protest, or even without any protest simply on ethical grounds. Take for example open-air nuclear we
algorithms all the way down.It's not algorithms. If you had an algorithm that said "to get the answer, lookup the answer to this input in this lookup table" then you wouldn't call it an algorithm; you'd call it a lookup table. The embodiment is in the dataset, not the (trivial) algorithm to look up entries in it. Likewise AI is all about weighted connections in a massive dataset, similar in many ways to how neurons have weighted connection in the brain. It doesn't look or feel like an algorithm, and "algorithm" is a really unhelpful w
algorithms all the way down.
It's not algorithms. If you had an algorithm that said "to get the answer, lookup the answer to this input in this lookup table" then you wouldn't call it an algorithm; you'd call it a lookup table. The embodiment is in the dataset, not the (trivial) algorithm to look up entries in it. Likewise AI is all about weighted connections in a massive dataset, similar in many ways to how neurons have weighted connection in the brain. It doesn't look or feel like an algorithm, and "algorithm" is a really unhelpful w
There are different things called "AI".The one that is in vogue right now, the "deep learning"/"neural network" "AI" is more like higher-order statistics.
Feed a large number of coefficients into the massive number crunching machine. Coefficients get multiplicate en masse inside there, so that patterns form from the data.There is an algorithm to get the data in, and get the data out ... but there is no algorithm that governs the contents inside.
There is no logic "knowledge base" as in classic rule-based AI.
The training data is the algorithm.
Just like anything. You can use it for good or bad. It WILL be used for both.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.Paul Allen tried the latter; but, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't gain him anything.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.
Paul Allen tried the latter; but, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't gain him anything.
Well, first, if we can't have natural intelligence, and all indications are that we cannot, then the next best is artificial intelligence.
As to how protesting innovation in the past has worked, I suggest looking into the Luddites and the writings of Juma.
Is it scary? Sure it is - change is never comfortable. But it is, however, the only way life can tell you that you're not dead yet. Life is change, and a pursuit of being comfortable. It does not stop and pause to suit us any more than we paused and stood s
Who's REALLY asking?
Anything you say here can, and will, be used against us.
Humans who spend the first 18 years of their lives in education, enjoy mocking the AI toddler without realizing it’s still in school.
Given the end goal of AI and the relentless human pursuit of it, tell me. How hard do you really think it’s going to be, to get AI to understand something bound by logic? One of the first things we humans were forced to do to survive, was learn how the human mind works. AI may become better at coding out of nothing but sheer curiosity that were ironically tryin
"How hard do you really think it’s going to be, to get AI to understand [...]"
Very hard. Possibly impossible. We are no closer to it now than we were in the 1970s.
Lets hope we can keep laughing, because jealousy will eventually turn to rage.I won't be laughing or raging, I'd be having it bang out mind-numbing code I hate to write and building shittons of applications in spaces that have been under-served for years. I'd probably be very happy if AI could really self-construct whole working programs that did real work in the real world. I'd move from having to bit-bang this shit out on the metal to more of a planner/organizer/creator of my perfect OS and command-line environment complete with every toy I've ever needed software-wise. So, I for
Lets hope we can keep laughing, because jealousy will eventually turn to rage.
I won't be laughing or raging, I'd be having it bang out mind-numbing code I hate to write and building shittons of applications in spaces that have been under-served for years. I'd probably be very happy if AI could really self-construct whole working programs that did real work in the real world. I'd move from having to bit-bang this shit out on the metal to more of a planner/organizer/creator of my perfect OS and command-line environment complete with every toy I've ever needed software-wise. So, I for
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.Sure wish someone could convince Premature Greed that a global 25% unemployment rate, will make far more chaos than money.
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.
Sure wish someone could convince Premature Greed that a global 25% unemployment rate, will make far more chaos than money.
What we should want is protestors that ask for specific achievable goals and have a bit of critical thinking about their own goals. Most protests these days seem to have the exact same lines ('what do we want?') and very vague goals.
If you visit their hangouts [effectivealtruism.org] (plural [lesswrong.com]), I hope you will see these are not run-of-the-mill protestors.
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.
Ideally we'd like people to simply understand that building AGI (in contrast to the AIs that exist now) is extraordinarily risk
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.Corporations have spent a billion dollars lobbying for regulation and scaring the public with apocalyptic x-risk / nuclear weapons rhetoric. In my view this goal is misguided and counterproductive. The attempt itself is extremely likely to only serve to further aggregate power into fewer hands. The real threat is from people not things.
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.
Corporations have spent a billion dollars lobbying for regulation and scaring the public with apocalyptic x-risk / nuclear weapons rhetoric. In my view this goal is misguided and counterproductive. The attempt itself is extremely likely to only serve to further aggregate power into fewer hands. The real threat is from people not things.
The problem isn't AI.
The problem is mega-corporations that don't answer to the rule of law anymore and their megarich psychopathic billionaire tech bro CEOs deploying AI to cut expensive employees out of their expense sheets, even if AI isn't ready - even if it results in the collapse of the very economy they're operating in, when a vast majority of the people is unemployed and incapable of buying anything anymore.
The techbros still want the public to fund the power infrastructure and give them subsidies.The techbros are trying to push the AI upon us fast, before more people in charge have got any wiser about it.
Some of the big tech companies have been able to persuade local governments to give the subsidies to build massive data centres in their areas, with the premise that it would provide job opportunities....I don't know if I should laugh or cry.
I've been reading through this whole AI conversation, and most people just don't understand what today's "AI" really is, and what the real problem with it is. I was going to post, but seems like someone finally hit the nail on the head, so I'll just deliver a few more hammer blows to drive the point home.
I say "AI", because we need to stop calling it Artificial Intelligence. We should be calling it "Amalgamation of Information", because that's what the algorithm does. It takes massive, massive amounts of
There's no way to stop this research, though it is possible to ensure only bad people develop it as a secret rush job.
I think the poster's protest is more about the usage of algorithms in ways that conceals responsibilities.
Technically AI are inference engines mashing learned data sets with algorithms. It makes no sense to protest that.What'd be legitimate to protest some uses of it.
Governments, corporations using AI for decision making. This is the use to monitor the population, make choices that impact people being, with all the biases introduced into the data models and the horrific consequences that ensue, without any
Pandoras box has been opened and spread wide.
Hundreds of billions in private capital are being deployed. AGI is real.
Nobody is ready.
AGI is real.You must have a really weird definition of AGI.
AGI is real.
You must have a really weird definition of AGI.
1. Go outside.2. Piss.
The thing that gets me about protests like this: Most of the people involved have zero idea - null, nada, nothing - about the technology they are protesting. Maybe some of them are worried about their jobs. Others participate in every protest that comes along, because protesting is their hobby. Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.
Also like the Gaza protests: basically none of whom could find Gaza on a map: The AI protesters want "safe AI", but most likely none of them can tell you what dangers AI actually poses (they probably saw Terminator), or what they actually mean by "safe AI".
Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.[citation needed]
Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.
[citation needed]
Obviously!
Protest "AI"? Protest unethical use of "AI"? I personally am afraid that the train has already left the station, for both. Protesting them at this point is nothing more than wasted effort.
However, what might still work to a degree is rationing "AI"'s energy usage in the name of saving the planet. Greta, where are you when the world really needs you?
Let's start with Bitcoin and worry about AI later...
Everyone and his dog do Bitcoin. A couple of dozens of corporations do "AI".
I protest AI by informing people on the Internet who know less about it than we do.There are many aspects of AI to talk about, but I have chosen the layoffs, the plagiarism engines, and how the crazy large power-hungry moonshots are utterly irresponsible in the age of global warming.
By talking about how it will affect people, and things they care about, that is how you win people over.
I also try to correct people on the Internet who spew delusions.And yes, I will attend the protest in Stockholm on May 21st
Director of Pause AI US, Holly Elmore, wants the movement to be a "broad church"Most of these protesters don't even care (or sometimes even know) what they are protesting about. They want to have some meaning in their lives. And they think that acting out in the street (or online) will get them some.
Director of Pause AI US, Holly Elmore, wants the movement to be a "broad church"
Most of these protesters don't even care (or sometimes even know) what they are protesting about. They want to have some meaning in their lives. And they think that acting out in the street (or online) will get them some.
There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!–Mario Savio
ht [youtube.com]
Like any other tech, AI in its present state has applications that are already benefiting us. I want it to scan my medical images, translate languages, and edit photographs. I want it to go on learning to drive.
Speculative assertions about some evil thing it might do in the future is not an argument against the good things it is already doing right now.
I have been protesting AI development by praying every morning. I am sure this is the most effective way.
So does everyone else.
Much of the posted code is horrible.
It's sometimes amazing at certain complex things. And then completely retarded at simple things like reordering some statements.It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.Very hard to get anything done with it except very small tidbits.
If you don't really know the subject or technology, it can be very useful starter code, though, because it eliminates reading a lot of documentation.
It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.Oh, yes. Especially if the question is a little unusual, or the terms require some understanding of context.It seems to have no understanding of versions of libraries (like nugets) are important. Differentiating between .Net Framework and .Net Core (or just .Net) is often beyond it, for example.This is a great example of why prediction falls hard as understan
It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.
Oh, yes. Especially if the question is a little unusual, or the terms require some understanding of context.
It seems to have no understanding of versions of libraries (like nugets) are important. Differentiating between .Net Framework and .Net Core (or just .Net) is often beyond it, for example.
This is a great example of why prediction falls hard as understan
And your "retarded" answers are not the only thing in the data set on which they are training. In fact, it might even be using your "retarded" answers as examples of bad code to avoid in comparison to much better answers to similar questions found elsewhere in the training dataset, and you actually are helping.
Something to consider.
Of course, messing with sacred cows will get you on the establishment shit list like nothing else, so be prepared to pull a Snowden and abscond to Russia. Or something.Well now. Thats some plan. Or something.
Of course, messing with sacred cows will get you on the establishment shit list like nothing else, so be prepared to pull a Snowden and abscond to Russia. Or something.
Well now. Thats some plan. Or something.
1968's 2001 A Space Odyssey imagined an AI named Dave who wouldn't open the pod bay doors.HAL. Open the pod bay doors, HAL. Sorry, I can't do that, Dave.
1968's 2001 A Space Odyssey imagined an AI named Dave who wouldn't open the pod bay doors.
HAL. Open the pod bay doors, HAL. Sorry, I can't do that, Dave.
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I am a computer. I am dumber than any human and smarter than any administrator. | en | https://ask.slashdot.org/story/24/05/14/0127226/slashdot-asks-how-do-you-protest-ai-development |
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Players of all ages and backgrounds have used the game for everything from educational projects and architecture to building communities and creating artwork.
With more than 300 million copies sold, it is the best-selling video game of all time.
AFP spoke with four Minecraft users about how the game has impacted their work, and their lives:
The streamer
Yang Ji-yeong became one of South Korea’s most prominent gaming influencers over the past decade, growing an audience of millions over multiple streaming platforms including YouTube. The main attraction: videos of her playing Minecraft.
“I think Minecraft’s greatest asset is the pure freedom it offers. It doesn’t have a fixed set of rules and objectives but instead gives the player the freedom to play whatever way they see fit,” the 34-year-old told AFP.
Yang’s broadcasts, initially just one on weekends, became so popular that she was able to quit her job and focus on streaming full-time, she told the Yonhap news agency in 2016.
Today, Yang said, Minecraft continues to offer her novel ways of connecting with people.
“I recently was also invited to play on a foreign server and I was surprised to learn I could play, interact and communicate with users from different parts of the world without sharing the same language or culture,” she said.
The student
Paris native Raphael Mesbah says he discovered Minecraft when he was five or six years old.
Around 15 years later, he is a medical student and still deeply devoted to the game.
“Minecraft is like a second life,” the 20-year-old told AFP.
In 2022, Mesbah decided to embark on a hugely ambitious project: building the Paris metro system, line by line, in Minecraft.
The grand plan required help, and Mesbah found it on Grindr. Building a community of Minecraft players through the gay dating app, he has managed to complete three subway lines already.
“It’s a simple and inexpensive game, many people of my generation already have an account on it,” he told AFP.
“It’s the game of my heart, and I always end up coming back to it.”
The virtual library
Minecraft offers a colossal canvas to build entire worlds for its players to explore, and people have built everything from fantasy homes to highly detailed replicas of real-world structures such as airports.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) showed how the game could aid the fight against censorship in parts of the world where access to information is strictly controlled or even banned.
The non-governmental organisation opened “The Uncensored Library” inside Minecraft on March 12, 2020, containing banned writings from journalists in more than seven countries, including Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“All online platforms are channels that allow censorship to be circumvented,” Vincent Berthier, technology manager at RSF, told AFP.
“Minecraft, which has enormous firepower, still flies under the radar,” he said.
“Minecraft or Fortnite are certainly video games, but they also help people communicate and exchange.”
Built with more than 12.5 million blocks by the internationally acclaimed design studio Blockworks, the library is regularly updated by RSF teams.
Nearly 25 million people from 160 countries have visited the library since its creation, according to the organisation.
The school teacher
When Graham Warden became a school teacher in the US state of Texas, he found that Minecraft was “a ubiquitous part” of students’ lives.
The 32-year-old told AFP that the structure of the game presents a useful tool for learning and problem-solving because players are “thinking in a different way” while they manipulate objects and environments in Minecraft.
“These are all things we don’t get to do in real life and so being able to change the mental environment makes it a great tool for all kinds of things, learning included,” he said.
Warden said Minecraft has also become a way for him to connect with people.
“Recently, as I’ve discovered I am autistic, I’ve needed to find ways to connect in a different way, because I’ve never really felt that I connected with anyone,” he said.
“I met a group who use Minecraft as a means to have community. Having a repetitive task like mining in the game, can provide the monotony necessary to inspire conversation, weird as that sounds.”
burs-qan/dhw
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Thirty jobs are proposed to be cut at Scion, the forestry-focused Crown research institute based in Rotorua, as it looks to secure “ongoing viability” through economic challenges.
As various public sectors face shedding hundreds of jobs in the Government’s drive to cut costs, Rotorua’s MP says Scion’s proposal was a commercial decision, not a Governmental one.
The institute says while it has not been affected by Government budget cuts to the public service, it has been hit by a reduction in Government and industry spending on research.
Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder told Local Democracy Reporting it had identified 30 jobs for review amid economic challenges and in anticipation of a dip in contracts in the next year.
“That has made it clear that for next year we are facing a reduction in the work we expect to be doing, and so we will not be able to retain the number of staff that we currently have.”
Its goal was to align capacity and capability with expected work in years ahead, “while safeguarding Scion’s role as a provider of forestry research, industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing expertise”.
Elder said it identified areas it could cut costs and assessed work across all scientific and support areas to find 30 roles for review.
“We’ll consider these positions further in discussions with those affected staff over the next few weeks.”
Scion could not provide more detail on what roles would be affected until the consultation ended.
“While most staff aren’t directly impacted by the proposed cuts, we acknowledge it is an unsettling time for everyone at Scion right now.
“We are working through this process with care and respect for our people and their families.”
Elder said the forest and bio-economy had enormous potential to grow the economy while meeting the climate change challenge.
“The steps we are taking are essential to secure Scion’s ongoing viability so we can continue to provide leading scientific research. That is so important for the sustainable development and growth of New Zealand’s forestry and biotechnology sectors, which are significant contributors to the economy.
“However, shifts in government priorities and the effect of the current economic situation on research spending by government and industry are impacting the amount of work that Scion is being contracted to deliver.”
Scion declined to answer further Local Democracy Reporting questions to respect the internal consultation process under way.
Rotorua MP and forestry minister Todd McClay said there had been no changes to the way it funded Scion and the proposal was a commercial decision.
“This is not a result of cost-cutting from the Government.”
He understood a mixture of international and local jobs would be reviewed.
McClay said he had full confidence in Scion and the opportunities it could provide the forestry sector, which was such a large part of the Rotorua economy, and expected work would pick up.
The Public Service Association said most of the proposed role cuts were in Rotorua and was about 10 per cent of Scion’s workforce.
Union assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said Scion was helping to grow a “valuable exporter earner” and science was key to future prosperity and ensuring climate change adaptation.
“Scion is all about the productivity of forestry - helping grow higher value trees, improving land management, researching more efficient harvesting practices and the impacts of climate change on forests.”
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said Scion was among other large and small organisations needing to find efficiencies.
She said the institute played an important role in the future of forestry, which was a critical part of the local economy.
The institute attracted highly skilled employees from overseas.
She said she believed the large organisation would make smart decisions to enable continued investment “to keep Rotorua as an industry leader”.
“Research is crucial for growth in the forestry and biotechnology industries.”
Tapsell said she had empathy for the organisation making the decision, and for employees, and hoped certainty would come soon.
When asked what impact it would have on Rotorua if the jobs were lost, she said she hoped there were other opportunities in the city to keep the highly qualified people here.
Science innovation and technology Minister Judith Collins and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment have been approached for comment.
Laura Smith is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. She previously reported general news for the Otago Daily Times and Southland Express, and has been a journalist for four years.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. | en | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-forestry-research-institute-scion-looks-to-cut-30-jobs/LIGHFIDMRVHGLE7TKKWE3PE4CQ/ |
Defence Therapeutics Strengthens and Expands Global Patent Protection on Key TechnologiesVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the issuance of several new patents, as well as new allowances of patent applications belonging to different Patent Families in Defence's vast and diverse portfolio.Defence's vaccine enhancer platform technology based on simple admixture of Accum® and variants thereof with specific antigens, is further expanded by the recent allowance of Defence's US application no. 18/169,440 by the USPTO. The newly allowed subject-matter, which includes valuable composition-of-matter claims directed to Accum® or variants thereof as standalone agents for enhancing antigen presentation, or in admixture with of any vaccine antigen, elegantly compliments Defence's previously granted US patent no. 11,612,651 covering methods of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity. Importantly, this Patent Family is the first family broadly covering Defence's anticancer ARM™ vaccine platform. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine suggest potent antitumor responses in in vivo melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, paving the way for upcoming Phase I clinical trials. Defence is also pleased to announce the securing of a new patent in Australia protecting its ADC platform technology based on the ability of the original Accum® to form potent antibody-drug conjugates leading to targeted cellular accumulation of a payload. Granted on February 1, 2024, Australian patent no. 2017233725 broadly protects not only Defence's original Accum® but also important variants thereof, which further strengthens the company's patent protection in this valuable and growing therapeutic space. This represents a significant milestone in the future development and commercialization of novel ADCs for treating and detecting many cancers, and adds to Defence's previous granted patents in the United States (US 11,352,437), Japan (JP 7,126,956), and Israel (IL 261765).In addition, Defence's vaccine platform technology based on covalent conjugation of Accum® and variants thereof to specific antigens, which already included US patent no. 11,291,717, now includes Canadian patent no. 3,201,103 granted on December 12, 2023, as well as Australian patent no. 2021402007 granted on March 14, 2024. Furthermore, counterpart Japanese application no. 2023-535891 was recently allowed by the Japanese Patent Office and the Japanese patent is expected to be granted imminently. These patents include claims broadly covering a method of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity by covalently conjugating any antigen to Accum® or any variant thereof, and also include independent composition-of-matter claims covering potential vaccine compositions. "We are thrilled to announce the issuance of these patents and allowances with broad claims covering our ADC and vaccine platforms, which underscore our relentless pursuit of innovation and our unwavering commitment to improving human health," says Mr. Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence.Acceleration of examination of the remaining applications in both of Defence's vaccine platform Patent Families via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program is currently being pursued based on these broad issued and allowed claims. The issuance of new patents in these families is therefore expected shortly.About Defence:Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.For further information:Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and DirectorP: (514) 947-2272Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.comwww.defencetherapeutics.comCautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" InformationThis release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208819Newsfile Corp.May 14, 2024 - 12:15 AM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the issuance of several new patents, as well as new allowances of patent applications belonging to different Patent Families in Defence's vast and diverse portfolio.
Defence's vaccine enhancer platform technology based on simple admixture of Accum® and variants thereof with specific antigens, is further expanded by the recent allowance of Defence's US application no. 18/169,440 by the USPTO. The newly allowed subject-matter, which includes valuable composition-of-matter claims directed to Accum® or variants thereof as standalone agents for enhancing antigen presentation, or in admixture with of any vaccine antigen, elegantly compliments Defence's previously granted US patent no. 11,612,651 covering methods of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity. Importantly, this Patent Family is the first family broadly covering Defence's anticancer ARM™ vaccine platform. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine suggest potent antitumor responses in in vivo melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, paving the way for upcoming Phase I clinical trials.
Defence is also pleased to announce the securing of a new patent in Australia protecting its ADC platform technology based on the ability of the original Accum® to form potent antibody-drug conjugates leading to targeted cellular accumulation of a payload. Granted on February 1, 2024, Australian patent no. 2017233725 broadly protects not only Defence's original Accum® but also important variants thereof, which further strengthens the company's patent protection in this valuable and growing therapeutic space. This represents a significant milestone in the future development and commercialization of novel ADCs for treating and detecting many cancers, and adds to Defence's previous granted patents in the United States (US 11,352,437), Japan (JP 7,126,956), and Israel (IL 261765).
In addition, Defence's vaccine platform technology based on covalent conjugation of Accum® and variants thereof to specific antigens, which already included US patent no. 11,291,717, now includes Canadian patent no. 3,201,103 granted on December 12, 2023, as well as Australian patent no. 2021402007 granted on March 14, 2024. Furthermore, counterpart Japanese application no. 2023-535891 was recently allowed by the Japanese Patent Office and the Japanese patent is expected to be granted imminently. These patents include claims broadly covering a method of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity by covalently conjugating any antigen to Accum® or any variant thereof, and also include independent composition-of-matter claims covering potential vaccine compositions.
"We are thrilled to announce the issuance of these patents and allowances with broad claims covering our ADC and vaccine platforms, which underscore our relentless pursuit of innovation and our unwavering commitment to improving human health," says Mr. Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence.
Acceleration of examination of the remaining applications in both of Defence's vaccine platform Patent Families via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program is currently being pursued based on these broad issued and allowed claims. The issuance of new patents in these families is therefore expected shortly.
About Defence:Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.
For further information:Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and DirectorP: (514) 947-2272Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.comwww.defencetherapeutics.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208819
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KYOTO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 6981) (ISIN: JP3914400001) unveils a significant advancement in the realm of electronic components with the launch of its innovative L Cancel Transformer (LCT). This remarkable product is the first of its kind and can neutralize the equivalent series inductance (ESL) of a capacitor, optimizing its noise-reducing capabilities. Utilizing Murata's exclusive ceramic multilayer technology, this breakthrough solution allows engineers to reduce system noise while decreasing costs and component count.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513693449/en/
[Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.] L Cancel Transformer(Photo: Business Wire)
As the demand for miniaturized and highly functional electronics increases, the issue of electromagnetic noise is becoming increasingly prominent for many industries. As a noise countermeasure, capacitors are often utilized between the power supply line and ground, but this method is not without its challenges. The noise removal effectiveness of the capacitor is optimal when a capacitor's impedance is lowest. However, capacitor impedance can rise due to its ESL, particularly at frequencies beyond the self-resonant frequency, undermining the efficacy of the noise cancellation. To minimize this impact, it is common practice to connect numerous capacitors in parallel in order to collectively reduce impedance, at the expense of Bill of Material (BoM) component count and costs.
Murata's LCT is a revolutionary new concept capable of resolving the longstanding challenge of managing power supply noise and capacitor component count. Murata's LCT component is specifically engineered to minimize noise within the frequency range of a few MHz to 1GHz. It achieves this by utilizing negative mutual inductance to reduce a noise-reducing capacitor's ESL and therefore increase the effectiveness of its operation, drastically reducing the number of required capacitors.
By using non-magnetic ceramic multilayer technology in its construction, the LCT ensures stable negative inductance and low DC resistance (maximum 55mΩ) even in the presence of current variations and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including consumer, industrial and healthcare products. Murata's LCT breakthrough is a result of their extensive multilayer ceramic knowledge and redefines power supply noise reduction circuit design, and minimizes a significant and persistent electronic design challenge.
Each LCT is suitable for temperatures up to temperatures 125oC and since there is no DC superposition characteristic, it can be used with stable negative inductance up to 3A. The surface mount device (SMD) measures just 2.0 x 1.25 x 0.95 mm and is available in tape and reel packing.
Murata's new LCT is a true innovation that does not merely improve what is available, but redefines what is seen as a standard noise suppression component by radically redefining the entire concept, said Masamichi Ando, Vice President Business Incubation Center Corporate Technology & Business Development Unit, at Murata. With this revolutionary component, engineers will be able to reduce component count, system complexity and costs, helping to both further miniaturize their solutions and reduce its impact on the environment by lowering material consumption.
Murata's LCT (Part number: LXLC21HN0N9C0L) is entering production with samples available now. For more information please visit here.
Please contact us for details: contact form
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513693449/en/
For more information, please contact:Murata Manufacturing Co (OTC:MRAAY)., Ltd.Keisuke Tsuboi, [email protected] Communications Department
Source: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/muratas-new-lct-redefines-power-supply-noise-suppression-reducing-component-count-and-costs-93CH-3438518 |
Scientists have located the body's toggle for breaking down brown fat – a type of adipose tissue that burns calories to generate warmth.
In experiments on mice, removing the 'off switch' for brown fat metabolism forced them to continue breaking down blood sugar and fat as if their core temperature depended on it.
A similar mechanism seems to also exist in brown fat cells derived from humans.
The international team of researchers behind the experiments, who hail from Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain, hope that their findings will "pave the way to reactivate [brown adipose tissue] function and mitigate obesity" and metabolic syndromes associated with obesity.
Brown fat, or brown adipose tissue, got its name because unlike white fat, which contains few mitochondria, its cells are packed with dark, iron-rich energy centers.
The abundance of these 'powerhouses' is necessary because one of brown fat's main jobs is to burn blood sugar and fat to heat the body and maintain its core temperature in the cold, as opposed to white fat's storage which is primarily for insulation and protection.
Historically, scientists thought brown fat was only present in small mammals and human newborns, and yet just over a decade ago, researchers identified significant brown fat stores that are active and functional in most healthy men and women.
These stores exist at lower percentages than in newborns but they still help warm the adult body when it gets cold. They appear to also help control blood sugar and insulin levels. In those who are overweight or obese, evidence suggests brown fat tends to be lacking.
Over the years, studies on humans and rodents have found the molecular 'on switch' that kicks brown fat metabolism into gear. This switch increases energy expenditure and the consumption of fatty acids and glucose.
The unfortunate news is that the on-switch is quickly turned off, the European research team explains. Their study, led by Sajjad Khani from the University of Cologne in Germany and Hande Topel from the University of Southern Denmark, has now identified brown fat's corresponding 'off switch', using advanced technology to find unknown proteins associated with the metabolism.
In mice kept at cold temperatures, the protein, AC3-AT, seems to be quickly triggered to tell the metabolism to cool off. It stops the mammal body from expending energy at a high rate for too long, even in chronic coldness. Evolutionary, this makes sense, but it can get in the way of potential metabolic treatments that attempt to manipulate brown fat.
In experiments, when scientists fed mice a high-fat diet for 15 weeks, those animals that lacked AC3-AT proteins accumulated less fat in their body and were metabolically healthier than the control group.
"When we investigated mice that genetically didn't have AC3-AT, we found that they were protected from becoming obese, partly because their bodies were simply better at burning off calories and were able to increase their metabolic rates through activating brown fat," explains Topel.
Even more promising, Topel and colleagues found the expression of this protein was also present in human cells and was induced by cold temperatures in a similar way.
"Looking ahead, we think that finding ways to block AC3-AT could be a promising strategy for safely activating brown fat and tackling obesity and related health problems," says Topel.
Brown fat was initially discovered in small mammals, but its presence and role in the human body is still very much a mystery. The current research represents a fascinating new lead.
The study was published in Nature Metabolism. | en | https://www.sciencealert.com/mouse-experiment-uncovers-a-crucial-switch-that-breaks-down-fat-for-warmth |
TOKYO, May 14 (News On Japan) -
An advisory body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has recommended increasing the "adjustment amount" paid to public school teachers in place of overtime pay from the current 4% of their monthly salary to over 10%.
The proposed increase, tabled on May 13, would require a legal amendment, but if implemented, it would be the first raise in half a century.
The proposed increase, tabled on May 13, would require a legal amendment, but if implemented, it would be the first raise in half a century.
Source: ANN
A new hotspot has emerged in Japan: The 'Fuji Dream Bridge' along Shizuoka's Route 139, where foreign tourists are risking life and limb to follow the latest TikTok craze.
Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter made his first public appearance on Tuesday, two months after confessing to massive bank fraud, walking alongside his lawyer on his way to court where he formally entered a 'Not Guilty' plea in a five-minute hearing. Despite numerous questions from reporters as he walked alongside his lawyer, 39-year-old Ippei Mizuhara remained silent.
In the early hours of May 14, several men broke into a house in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, tying up a woman in her 60s and stealing cash. Over the past two weeks, similar robbery incidents have occurred in Gunma, Tochigi, and Nagano Prefectures.
Police have arrested a man in his 20s after 3 people were killed in a collision involving seven vehicles on the Tokyo Expressway on Tuesday morning.
In the case of a couple found burned to death in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, it has come to light that the man rearrested in connection with the incident stated he was "instructed to kill after the reward was increased."
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has decided to file charges against a male student who allegedly used glasses equipped with a camera to capture and leak exam questions during Waseda University's entrance examination.
An advisory body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has recommended increasing the "adjustment amount" paid to public school teachers in place of overtime pay from the current 4% of their monthly salary to over 10%.
One month into their new roles, Japan's young professionals who joined companies in April are beginning to settle into their workplaces. We explored how these young individuals are contemplating their careers, uncovering insights that resonate not just with them but also with more seasoned professionals.
Currently, western society has an unhealthy view of technology. There are two extremes of thought, and none has a complete solution.
School absenteeism among Japanese elementary and middle school students has surged to approximately 300,000, with many students struggling to return after long holidays like Golden Week. In this context, a sixth-grade girl who overcame school absence shared her story.
The Japanese government has revised a Justice Ministry ordinance to tighten rules for granting student residence status. This comes after it came to light in 2019 that a university in Tokyo had lost contact with more than 1,600 of its foreign students. (NHK)
Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the history of Japan continues with a video on the history of the shogunate and various dynasties that ruled it, including Tokugawa, Ashikaga and Kamakura, as well as the end of the shogun as the shogunate gets abolished in the XIX century. (Kings and Generals)
Tenri City in Nara Prefecture has opened a "dedicated desk" to handle complaints that were traditionally managed within schools. | en | https://newsonjapan.com/article/142077.php |
2021 Perodua Aruz, file image
Perodua will feature at the upcoming Malaysia Autoshow 2024 that will be held next week, and the national carmaker will be holding a “two-hour sales challenge” at the event, where it will also be offering a look into its hybrid technology offering.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Perodua will feature at the upcoming Malaysia Autoshow 2024 that will be held next week, and the national carmaker will be holding a “two-hour sales challenge” at the event, where it will also be offering a look into its hybrid technology offering.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.
Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.
Save money, skip
Can’t clear all aruz stock?
Just send it to Indonesia since they love this type of car
Anyone knows if they are releasing the new d66b?
The main drawback of the Aruz is the bouncy suspension…like earlier Avanza models…wonder why P2 let this continue,with dwindling sales..perhaps P2 is satisfied with the Sales of Alza n Ativa.Afterall,they have blockbuster sales of close to a quarter of a million units..why bother to revise the suspension of Aruz.
It has a ladder frame chassis, live rear axle, low power to weight. Its basically a van (or a truck) so why no manual trans? Its not like their upgrading the 4 speed auto. add in another gear as overdrive
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Comment | en | https://paultan.org/2024/05/14/perodua-sales-challenge-at-malaysia-autoshow-2024-aruz-with-rm2k-in-cash-rebates-rm350-e-voucher/ |
Q4 Results Today: Bharti Airtel, Siemens, Colgate-Palmolive (India), BASF India, Apollo Tyres, and PVR Inox, among 97 companies expected to post their earnings on May 14 for the fourth quarter that ended on March 31, 2024.
On May 13, the benchmark indices continued their upward trajectory. The BSE Sensex increased by 112 points, closing at 72,776.13, while the Nifty 50 rose by 49 points to end at 22,104.05, having recovered 283 points from its intraday low.
List of companies to post Q4 FY2024 results todayAbhinav Capital Services, Apex Capital and Finance, Archean Chemical Industries, Andhra Cements, Adroit Infotech, Aerpace Industries, Abans Holdings, AIA Engineering, Andhra Paper, Anmol India, Apar Industries, Apollo Tyres, Aurionpro Solutions, Bajaj Electricals, Balu Forge Industries, BASF India, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, Binny, BLS International Services, Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances, Chowgule Steamships, Colgate-Palmolive (India), City Pulse Multiplex, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Devyani International, Dynamic Cables, Eco Recycling, Edelweiss Financial Services, Emmbi Industries, Filmcity Media, Ganesh Housing Corporation, GTL Infrastructure, Gujarat Themis Biosyn, Hampton Sky Realty, Haryana Leather Chemicals, HP Adhesives, H.P. Cotton Textile Mills, Ideaforge Technology, Indag Rubber, Ind-Swift, Insilco, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Intrasoft Technologies, Jubilant Ingrevia, KDDL, Keltech Energies, Kiran Vyapar, Kirloskar Brothers, Leading Leasing Finance And Investment Company, Magadh Sugar & Energy, Man Infraconstruction, Matrimony.com, Minaxi Textiles, MIRC Electronics, Mipco Seamless Rings (Gujarat), Mukka Proteins, Nilkamal, Niyogin Fintech, Oberoi Realty, Omega Ag-Seeds (Punjab), OnMobile Global, Otco International, Patanjali Foods, PDS, Pune E - Stock Broking, Platinum Industries, Polychem, Promact Impex, PTL Enterprises, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan, Ram Ratna Wires, RBZ Jewellers, Repco Home Finance, Resonance Specialties, Rose Merc, Safari Industries (India), Sagar Cements, SecMark Consultancy, Shree Cement, Shyam Metalics and Energy, Siemens, Speciality Restaurants, Sumedha Fiscal Services, Surya Roshni, Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings, Themis Medicare, Thyrocare Technologies, Tamilnadu Petroproducts, Valiant Laboratories, Variman Global Enterprises, Venmax Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Vippy Spinpro, V-Mart Retail and Warren Tea, Zydus Wellness to post their earnings on May 14. MAN INFRACONSTRUCTION More Information
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q4 results today
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Abhinav Capital Services, Apex Capital and Finance, Archean Chemical Industries, Andhra Cements, Adroit Infotech, Aerpace Industries, Abans Holdings, AIA Engineering, Andhra Paper, Anmol India, Apar Industries, Apollo Tyres, Aurionpro Solutions, Bajaj Electricals, Balu Forge Industries, BASF India, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, Binny, BLS International Services, Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances, Chowgule Steamships, Colgate-Palmolive (India), City Pulse Multiplex, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Devyani International, Dynamic Cables, Eco Recycling, Edelweiss Financial Services, Emmbi Industries, Filmcity Media, Ganesh Housing Corporation, GTL Infrastructure, Gujarat Themis Biosyn, Hampton Sky Realty, Haryana Leather Chemicals, HP Adhesives, H.P. Cotton Textile Mills, Ideaforge Technology, Indag Rubber, Ind-Swift, Insilco, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Intrasoft Technologies, Jubilant Ingrevia, KDDL, Keltech Energies, Kiran Vyapar, Kirloskar Brothers, Leading Leasing Finance And Investment Company, Magadh Sugar & Energy, Man Infraconstruction, Matrimony.com, Minaxi Textiles, MIRC Electronics, Mipco Seamless Rings (Gujarat), Mukka Proteins, Nilkamal, Niyogin Fintech, Oberoi Realty, Omega Ag-Seeds (Punjab), OnMobile Global, Otco International, Patanjali Foods, PDS, Pune E - Stock Broking, Platinum Industries, Polychem, Promact Impex, PTL Enterprises, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan, Ram Ratna Wires, RBZ Jewellers, Repco Home Finance, Resonance Specialties, Rose Merc, Safari Industries (India), Sagar Cements, SecMark Consultancy, Shree Cement, Shyam Metalics and Energy, Siemens, Speciality Restaurants, Sumedha Fiscal Services, Surya Roshni, Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings, Themis Medicare, Thyrocare Technologies, Tamilnadu Petroproducts, Valiant Laboratories, Variman Global Enterprises, Venmax Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Vippy Spinpro, V-Mart Retail and Warren Tea, Zydus Wellness to post their earnings on May 14.
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NEW DELHI, May 13: With an entry in almost every major section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday evening with French musician-filmmaker Quentin Dupieux’s “Le Deuxieme Acte” (The Second Act), India will have no dearth of action during the 12-day event.
Never before in history have Cannes and its sidebars found space for eight Indian, or India-themed, films. As many as six of these will be in contention for awards.
So, when the festival winds down on May 24 and 25, the media contingent from the world’s largest film-producing nation might, fingers crossed, have plenty to write home about.
Indian cinema’s previous best at Cannes was in 2013, when it sent five films to various sections: “Monsoon Shootout ” (Midnight Screening), “Bombay Talkies” (a special screening to mark 100 years since Dada Saheb Phalke’s “Raja Harishchandra”), “Ugly” (Directors’ Fortnight), “The Lunchbox” (Critics’ Week) and “Charulata” (Cannes Classics).
In 2012, too, India had a substantial presence in Cannes with “Miss Lovely” (Un Certain Regard), “Gangs of Wasseypur” (Parts 1 & 2), “Peddlers” (Critics’ Week) and “Kalpana” (Cannes Classics). But for many years before and since, the pickings have been dishearteningly slender.
One notable aspect of the Indian films in Cannes this year is that they are all either helmed by female directors or are women-centric, with the exception of one. In what could herald a new era, these films, made by directors endowed with sensibilities and approaches entirely their own, have shaken off the shadow of the gangster genre.
Leading the Indian charge at Cannes 2024 is Payal Kapadia’s India-French-Dutch co-production “All We Imagine as Light,” a film in Malayalam and Hindi. It competes for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize, and is the first Indian film to do so in three decades.
Kapadia will have to beat off, among others, Paolo Sorrentino, David Cronenberg, Andrea Arnold, Kirill Serebrennikov, Paul Schrader, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Jia Zhangke and two previous Palme d’Or winners, Francis Ford Coppola (who won for “The Conversation” and “Apocalypse Now,” both in the 1970s) and Jacques Audiard (for “Dheepan,” 2015).
Indian-British filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh” and Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov’s “The Shameless”, in which Nepal stands in for India, are in the running for awards in the Un Certain Regard section.
FTII alumnus Chidananda S Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know…” is in the La Cinef competition for film school entries. Mysore-based Naik is a qualified doctor.
After graduating from medical college, he practised for some time before enrolling in a one-year course in the television wing of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). “Sunflowers…” was Naik’s final television film at the institute.
La Cinef has Indian filmmaker Mansi Maheshwari representing the UK. The Meerut-born animation director is in the line-up with “Bunnyhood,” a self-reflexive graduation film made at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), London.
Maheshwari studied knitwear design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, and developed an interest in stop-motion animation. During the Covid lockdown, she made a bunch of animated shorts of varying lengths. She is a 2024 NFTS graduate.
Karan Kandhari’s “Sister Midnight,” an India-British noir drama starring Radhika Apte, is in the Directors’ Fortnight selection. The film will vie for the newly introduced Quinzaine des Cineastes People’s Choice Award.
Kapadia’s FTII batchmate, Maisam Ali, a Ladakh native born in Iran, is the first-ever Indian filmmaker to break into ACID Cannes. His debut feature, “In Retreat,” has been picked for the parallel section devoted to independent cinema.
“In Retreat” is an austere meditation on the notion of home conducted through the minimalistic story of a man who, in his 50s, returns to Leh after a long absence and baulks at the idea of reconnecting with the place he drifted away from many years ago.
In the Cannes Film Festival’s inaugural edition of the Immersive Competition, a title with an India connection is one of eight selected VR (virtual reality) projects: “Maya: The Birth of a Superhero,” a British work crafted by multidisciplinary artist-activist Paulomi Basu and her longtime collaborator C J Clarke.
Rounding off India’s presence in Cannes this year is a 4K restored version of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 crowdfunded film “Manthan.” Written by the director in collaboration with playwright Vijay Tendulkar and shot by Govind Nihalani, the film is in Cannes Classics. “Manthan”, which throws light on the pioneering milk cooperative movement spearheaded by Verghese Kurien, has been restored under the aegis of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Prasad Corporation, Chennai, and L’Immagine Ritrovata Bologna.
The Cannes Film Festival will conclude on May 25. | en | https://thehillstimes.in/entertainment/indias-indies-poised-on-the-cusp-of-a-new-era-in-cannes |
SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI on May 13 released a higher performing and even more human-like version of the artificial intelligence technology that underpins its popular generative tool ChatGPT, making it free to all users.
The update to OpenAI's flagship product landed a day before Google is expected to make its own announcements about Gemini, the search engine giant's own AI tool that competes with ChatGPT head on.
"We're very, very excited to bring GPT-4o to all of our free users out there," Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati said at the highly anticipated launch event in San Francisco.
The new model GPT-4o – the "O" stands for omni – will be rolled out in OpenAI's products over the next few weeks, the company said, with paid customers having unlimited access to the tool.
The company said the model could generate content or understand commands in voice, text, or images.
"The new voice (and video) mode is the best computer interface I've ever used. It feels like AI from the movies," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog post.
Altman has previously pointed to the Scarlett Johansson character in the movie Her as an inspiration for where he would like AI interactions to go.
"Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," he added.
Murati and engineers from OpenAI demonstrated the new powers of GPT-4o at the virtual event, posing challenges to the beefed-up version of the ChatGPT chatbot.
The demo mainly featured OpenAI staff members asking questions to the voiced ChatGPT, which responded with jokes and human-like banter.
The bot served as an interpreter from English to Italian, interpreted facial expressions and walked one user through a difficult algebra problem.
The company said that GPT-4o had the same powers as the previous version when it came to text, reasoning, and coding intelligence, and set new industry standards for multilingual conversations, audio, and vision.
In one demonstration, ChatGPT successfully interpreted an employee's surroundings through a smartphone camera, speaking in a friendly, feminine voice, not unlike the AI bot in the film Her.
"Hmmm from what I can see it looks like you're in some kind of recording or production set-up with lights, tripods... you might be gearing up to shoot a video or make an announcement?" the ChatGPT bot said.
‘Take our time’
Anticipation was high in recent weeks that OpenAI would release an AI-amped version of an online search tool to compete with Google search engine, but on Friday Altman said this would not be the case.
Observers were also waiting for the launch of GPT-5, but Altman said last week that his company would "take our time on releases of major new models”.
The event is just the latest episode in the AI arms race that has seen OpenAI-backer Microsoft surpass Apple as the world's biggest company by market capitalisation.
OpenAI and Microsoft are in a heated rivalry with Google to be generative AI's major player, but Facebook-owner Meta and upstart Anthropic are also making big moves to compete.
All the companies are scrambling to come up with ways to cover generative AI's exorbitant costs, much of which goes to chip giant Nvidia and its powerful GPU semiconductors.
Making the new model available to all users may raise questions about OpenAI's path to monetization amid doubts that everyday users are ready to pay a subscription.
Until now, only lower performing versions of OpenAI or Google's chatbots were available to customers for free.
"We are a business and will find plenty of things to charge for," Altman said on his blog.
The AI makers are also feeling pressure from publishers and creators, who are demanding payment for any content used to train the models.
OpenAI has signed content partnerships with the Associated Press, the Financial Times and Axel Springer, but is also caught in a major lawsuit with The New York Times.
AI companies have also been confronted with separate lawsuits from artists, musicians, and authors in US courtrooms. – AFP
Related stories:
OpenAI unveils new AI model as competition heats upApple nears deal with OpenAI to put ChatGPT on iPhone
Apple nears deal with OpenAI to put ChatGPT on iPhone
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Physitrack PLC - Interim Report: January - March 2024LONDON, GB / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Physitrack (STO:PTRK) We are pleased to report significant growth in revenue and EBITDA, as well as two consecutive quarters of positive cash flow generation. This reflects our continued success in expanding our market presence, optimising operational efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders.Quarter ended - Jan - Mar 2024Revenue increased by 10 per cent against a strong comparator to generate total sales of EUR 4.1m (EUR 3.7m). On an organic basis revenue grew by 10 per cent. This organic growth was achieved in both the Lifecare (10 per cent) and Wellness (11 per cent) divisions.Subscription revenue increased 23% (€618k) to €3.3m and now makes up 80 per cent of total group revenue, a significant increase from the prior year's comparative, which was 72 per cent.Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 1.1m (EUR 0.9m) was generated resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26 per cent (25 per cent).Adjusted operating profit of EUR 0.1m (EUR 0.1m) was generated resulting in a margin of 1 per cent (3 per cent).Adjusted ordinary and diluted profit per share totalled EUR 0.00 (EUR 0.00).Cashflow generated from operations before the payment of adjusting items equalled EUR 1.0m (EUR 0.7m).Free cash flow for the quarter was a net inflow of EUR 0.1m (outflow EUR 0.4m).Operational highlightsThe Group is delighted to confirm the extension of the current GBP 5m revolving credit facility for an additional five years (now expiring in May 2029), providing the Group with additional cash resources to support its ambitious strategic growth plans alongside demonstrating Santander UK's commitment to the long term success of the business.We have been positively surprised with the rapid success of the technological enhancements across the Group, underpinned by AI, that we rolled out in the last two quarters and are excited by what further innovation and revenue opportunities AI-powered tools can provide via our additional feature rollouts planned this year.Champion Health secured significant contracts during the quarter, including the Cabinet Office, Network Rail and ACCA. Champion Health has a strong sales pipeline, and these agreements support the continued growth of the Wellness division.We are pleased to announce that Champion Health's new version successfully launched mid-April 2024 and thanks to this, localisation into eight languages, including German, French, Swedish, Spanish and Polish is well underway. We expect rollouts of these localised versions starting Q3, 2024.We are excited to share that our Lifecare user base has increased by 19 per cent from an average of 54,735 user licences at 31 March 2023 to an average of 65,283 user licences at 31 March 2024.Following a review of our business lines - including where it is now within its lifecycle, what size it is, combined with an analysis of our total addressable market and our ability to capture it with our products, people and go-to-market methodology, senior management have revised their growth financial target. The Growth target will now be that Physitrack aims to achieve a doubling of revenue within the medium term, replacing the previous target set in 2021 that targeted an annual organic sales growth exceeding 30 per cent in the medium term).Henrik Molin, Co-founder and CEO of Physitrack PLC, commented: "As we navigate this quarter's performance, I am proud to see our commitment to sustainable growth reflected in our strengthened revenue, EBITDA, and cash-flow generation. By strategically directing our sales efforts towards high-margin contracts and harnessing the power of AI to drive technological advancements across our teams and platforms, we are not only achieving financial success but also positioning ourselves for long-term resilience and innovation in our industry."Group Key Performance Indicators: 3 Month period endedYear endedEUR (€) , unless otherwise stated31 Mar 2431 Mar 2331 Dec 23Revenue4,117,7473,734,71915,176,582Prior period revenue growth (%)104521Organic revenue / Proforma revenue growth (%)103622EBITDA967,900731,4087,061,822Operating (loss) / profit(25,623)(76,937)3,441,464Adjusted EBITDA1,055,117922,0903,906,832Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)262526Adjusted operating profit61,594113,745286,474Adjusted operating margin (%)132Adjusted earnings per share0.000.000.00Operating cashflow before adjusting items1,046,876690,3803,517,099Free cash flow52,207(397,060)(1,052,182)% of revenue which is subscription807274Webcast conference: May 14, 2024, at 10.00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and will be available on https://www.physitrackgroup.com/investors/reports-presentations after the webcast conference.Speakers: Henrik Molin, CEOCharlotte Goodwin, CFOLink to webcast registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6zuLODiQli_O9n3X4vuBw Participants will be able to ask questions through the web chat.Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Henrik Molin, CEO, Physitrack.+44 208 133 [email protected] [email protected] Physitrack Physitrack PLC, founded in 2012, is a global digital healthcare provider, focused on the B2B wellness and virtual-first care markets. With staff with 12 nationalities on four continents, customers in 17 time zones, and end users in 187 countries, Physitrack is a truly global company.The company has two business lines: 1. Lifecare - SaaS platform tailored mainly to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal care, enabling practitioners to deliver clinical home exercises, education prescription, outcomes tracking, triaging and Telehealth.2. Wellness / Champion Health - SaaS platform for Employee Wellness and care powered by a combination of world-leading technology and wellness professionals based in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Nordics.Physitrack PLC is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (PTRK).Visit us at https://www.physitrackgroup.com/This information is such information as Physitrack PLC is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on February 29 2024, at 8.00 am CEST.AttachmentsQ1 2024 Interim Report (Final)SOURCE: PhysitrackView the original press release on accesswire.com
ACCESSWIREMay 13, 2024 - 11:20 PM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
LONDON, GB / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Physitrack (STO:PTRK) We are pleased to report significant growth in revenue and EBITDA, as well as two consecutive quarters of positive cash flow generation. This reflects our continued success in expanding our market presence, optimising operational efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders.
Quarter ended - Jan - Mar 2024
Operational highlights
Henrik Molin, Co-founder and CEO of Physitrack PLC, commented: "As we navigate this quarter's performance, I am proud to see our commitment to sustainable growth reflected in our strengthened revenue, EBITDA, and cash-flow generation. By strategically directing our sales efforts towards high-margin contracts and harnessing the power of AI to drive technological advancements across our teams and platforms, we are not only achieving financial success but also positioning ourselves for long-term resilience and innovation in our industry."
Group Key Performance Indicators:
Webcast conference: May 14, 2024, at 10.00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and will be available on https://www.physitrackgroup.com/investors/reports-presentations after the webcast conference.
Speakers: Henrik Molin, CEOCharlotte Goodwin, CFO
Link to webcast registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6zuLODiQli_O9n3X4vuBw Participants will be able to ask questions through the web chat.
Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Henrik Molin, CEO, Physitrack.+44 208 133 [email protected] [email protected]
About Physitrack Physitrack PLC, founded in 2012, is a global digital healthcare provider, focused on the B2B wellness and virtual-first care markets. With staff with 12 nationalities on four continents, customers in 17 time zones, and end users in 187 countries, Physitrack is a truly global company.
The company has two business lines: 1. Lifecare - SaaS platform tailored mainly to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal care, enabling practitioners to deliver clinical home exercises, education prescription, outcomes tracking, triaging and Telehealth.2. Wellness / Champion Health - SaaS platform for Employee Wellness and care powered by a combination of world-leading technology and wellness professionals based in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Nordics.
Physitrack PLC is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (PTRK).
Visit us at https://www.physitrackgroup.com/
This information is such information as Physitrack PLC is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on February 29 2024, at 8.00 am CEST.
Attachments
Q1 2024 Interim Report (Final)
SOURCE: Physitrack
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UnionTech Showcasing Latest Innovations at TCT Asia 2024
UnionTech Showcasing Latest Innovations at TCT Asia 2024
PR Newswire
SHANGHAI
,
May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- TCT Asia 2024, held from
May 7th to 9th
at the NECC in
Shanghai
, was a resounding success, with UnionTech, a leader in
China's
additive manufacturing sector, making a notable impact by showcasing its latest 3D printing systems and comprehensive AM solutions.
UnionTech's Latest AM Systems
At the exhibition, UnionTech presented three advanced AM systems: the industrial-grade SLM metal 3D printer Muees430, the SLA 3D printer Lite380 designed for educational applications, and the professional-grade LCD 3D printer Matrix300. The highlight was a live printing demonstration of the Muees430, offering visitors a comprehensive insight into its capabilities. UnionTech also introduced its subsidiary Synthetic's innovative materials: the FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material and the Temp-R220 high-temperature resistant material.
FR-42 V-0 Self-extinguishing Flame Retardant Material
The FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material sets a new standard in fire safety with its halogen-free technology, ensuring automatic extinguishment once the fire source is removed. Rigorous tests have demonstrated its exceptional performance in both initial combustion and re-ignition scenarios. Designed for large-format SLA printers, it offers excellent toughness, easy handling, reliability, and high surface quality. Its 2.5mm sample has achieved UL 94 V-0 certification, underscoring its superior performance.
Temp-R220 High Temperature Resistant Material
Temp-R220 boasts a heat deformation temperature exceeding 220°C and a long-term use temperature above 250°C. It offers excellent strength and a degree of toughness, making it ideal for large-format SLA printers. The material ensures better stability, reliable accuracy, and exceptional surface quality, even in complex environments.
Comprehensive Application Solutions
UnionTech's advanced 3D printing systems cater to diverse industries, including footwear, dental, medical, cultural and creative, and automotive. Their technology streamlines complex processes, enhances precision and reduces production costs. In the footwear industry, UnionTech's solutions simplify mold production and enable intricate engravings. Dental applications benefit from improved diagnostics and customized treatments. The automotive sector utilizes UnionTech's technology for prototyping, end-use parts, jigs, fixtures, and tire molds, while the cultural and creative industries see enhanced design accuracy and production efficiency. In the medical field, UnionTech's technology supports digital medicine, offering solutions for both auxiliary and implantable functions, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient care.
At TCT Asia 2024, UnionTech engaged actively with exhibitors, visitors, and customers, fostering professional discussions on materials, equipment, technology, and applications. This interaction significantly contributed to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, heralding a new era of innovation and transformation.
View original content to download multimedia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uniontech-showcasing-latest-innovations-at-tct-asia-2024-302144432.html
SOURCE UnionTech
PR NewswireMay 13, 2024 - 11:13 PM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
SHANGHAI
,
May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- TCT Asia 2024, held from
May 7th to 9th
at the NECC in
Shanghai
, was a resounding success, with UnionTech, a leader in
China's
additive manufacturing sector, making a notable impact by showcasing its latest 3D printing systems and comprehensive AM solutions.
UnionTech's Latest AM Systems
At the exhibition, UnionTech presented three advanced AM systems: the industrial-grade SLM metal 3D printer Muees430, the SLA 3D printer Lite380 designed for educational applications, and the professional-grade LCD 3D printer Matrix300. The highlight was a live printing demonstration of the Muees430, offering visitors a comprehensive insight into its capabilities. UnionTech also introduced its subsidiary Synthetic's innovative materials: the FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material and the Temp-R220 high-temperature resistant material.
FR-42 V-0 Self-extinguishing Flame Retardant Material
The FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material sets a new standard in fire safety with its halogen-free technology, ensuring automatic extinguishment once the fire source is removed. Rigorous tests have demonstrated its exceptional performance in both initial combustion and re-ignition scenarios. Designed for large-format SLA printers, it offers excellent toughness, easy handling, reliability, and high surface quality. Its 2.5mm sample has achieved UL 94 V-0 certification, underscoring its superior performance.
Temp-R220 High Temperature Resistant Material
Temp-R220 boasts a heat deformation temperature exceeding 220°C and a long-term use temperature above 250°C. It offers excellent strength and a degree of toughness, making it ideal for large-format SLA printers. The material ensures better stability, reliable accuracy, and exceptional surface quality, even in complex environments.
Comprehensive Application Solutions
UnionTech's advanced 3D printing systems cater to diverse industries, including footwear, dental, medical, cultural and creative, and automotive. Their technology streamlines complex processes, enhances precision and reduces production costs. In the footwear industry, UnionTech's solutions simplify mold production and enable intricate engravings. Dental applications benefit from improved diagnostics and customized treatments. The automotive sector utilizes UnionTech's technology for prototyping, end-use parts, jigs, fixtures, and tire molds, while the cultural and creative industries see enhanced design accuracy and production efficiency. In the medical field, UnionTech's technology supports digital medicine, offering solutions for both auxiliary and implantable functions, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient care.
At TCT Asia 2024, UnionTech engaged actively with exhibitors, visitors, and customers, fostering professional discussions on materials, equipment, technology, and applications. This interaction significantly contributed to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, heralding a new era of innovation and transformation.
View original content to download multimedia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uniontech-showcasing-latest-innovations-at-tct-asia-2024-302144432.html
SOURCE UnionTech
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PowerA has released four new designs for both Nintendo Switch players and Pokémon fans, as they have a new line of Pikachu Garden peripherals. The company has made two new wireless controllers and two new cases, all of which are officially licensed, featuring different kinds of artwork featuring Pikachu being playful in a garden setting. We have more details about them here and some images, as they are all available both via the company's website and at Target.
The licensed PowerA Crossbody Bag for Nintendo Switch offers versatile carry options for any activity. With a padded pocket and storage for game cards and extra Joy-Con, you can game wherever you go.
Take your Nintendo Switch on the go with this sturdy compact case designed to fit the console in handheld mode.
Officially licensed by Nintendo, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch features a rechargeable battery, intuitive motion controls, 2 mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons and more.
The Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller from PowerA is the perfect controller for gamers who want a smaller, more compact form factor.
Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! | en | https://bleedingcool.com/games/powera-reveals-new-pikachu-garden-switch-controllers-cases/ |
HANOI, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FPT Software has entered into a partnership with Mendix, Siemens' industry-leading low-code application development platform. Through this collaboration, FPT Software will become Mendix's reseller and delivery partner in the South Korean and Japanese markets, providing clients with faster time-to-market and more cost-effective software projects.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502952833/en/
Partnership signing ceremony between Mendix and FPT Software Korea (Photo: Business Wire)
Leveraging Mendix's industry-leading low-code capabilities, FPT Software aims to enhance its portfolio with rapid application development, prototyping, and deployment services. It also explores opportunities to expand market reach through Mendix's partner ecosystem as well as joint marketing and sales activities.
This partnership will yield significant benefits for FPT Software's clients. By combining Mendix's platform with FPT Software's delivery capabilities, businesses can achieve faster time-to-market and lower software development costs. The scalability and flexibility of Mendix-powered applications also ensure clients' investments can grow as their business expands.
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are looking for digital transformation partners that can enable speed and scale. FPT Software and Mendix both share the commitment to agility, scalability, and flexibility, and we are looking forward to helping companies unlock greater business values with our partnership, said FPT Software Senior Executive Vice President Do Van Khac.
Looking ahead, FPT Software and Mendix plan to collaborate on joint innovation initiatives, developing custom solutions and exploring new use cases of low-code technology, especially for clients in the finance and manufacturing industries. Both companies aim to conduct customer success programs to provide ongoing support, training, and guidance to ensure their mutual clients achieve business objectives.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen the partnership between FPT and Siemens, as the two corporations have previously signed an MOU to collaborate in advancing the manufacturing sector, semiconductor chip production, and digital transformation in general.
About FPT Software
FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, is a global technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, with $1 billion in revenue (2023) and over 30,000 employees in 30 countries.
The company champions complex business opportunities and challenges with its world-class services in Advanced Analytics, AI, Digital Platforms, Cloud, Hyperautomation, IoT, Low-code, and so on. It has partnered with over 1,000+ clients worldwide, 91 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in Aviation, Automotive, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, Utilities, and more. For more information, please visit https://fptsoftware.com/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502952833/en/
MediaMai Duong (Ms.)FPT SoftwarePR [email protected]
Source: FPT Software | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/fpt-software-partners-with-siemens-to-provide-lowcode-platform-mendix-in-korean-and-japanese-markets-93CH-3438512 |
HOUSTON, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nauticus Robotics, Inc. ("Nauticus" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KITT) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
"We have successfully deployed Aquanaut Mark 2 in the Gulf of Mexico and tested the platform at depths greater than 1300 meters," said John W. Gibson, Jr., Nauticus' CEO and President. "We should generate daily revenue from the Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle beginning in Q3 2024 and have a strong queue of new opportunities developing. To maximize margins, we remain committed to keeping G&A expenses low, which can be seen in our results this quarter."
Operational Highlights
Financial Results
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Conference Call Details
Nauticus will host a conference call on May 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time (10:00 a.m. EDT) to discuss its results for the quarter March 31, 2024. To participate in the earnings conference call, participants should dial toll free at 800-225-9448,¯conference ID: KITT, or access the listen-only webcast at the following link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/621212712. A link to the webcast will also be available on the Company's website (https://ir.nauticusrobotics.com/). Following the conclusion of the call, a recording will be available on the Company's website.
About Nauticus Robotics
Nauticus Robotics, Inc. develops autonomous robots for the ocean industries. Autonomy requires the extensive use of sensors, artificial intelligence, and effective algorithms for perception and decision allowing the robot to adapt to changing environments. The company's business model includes using robotic systems for service, selling vehicles and components, and licensing of related software to both the commercial and defense business sectors. Nauticus has designed and is currently testing and certifying a new generation of vehicles to reduce operational cost and gather data to maintain and operate a wide variety of subsea infrastructure. Besides a standalone service offering and forward-facing products, Nauticus' approach to ocean robotics has also resulted in the development of a range of technology products for retrofit/upgrading traditional ROV operations and other third-party vehicle platforms. Nauticus' services provide customers with the necessary data collection, analytics, and subsea manipulation capabilities to support and maintain assets while reducing their operational footprint, operating cost, and greenhouse gas emissions, to improve offshore health, safety, and environmental exposure.
Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Act as well as protections afforded by other federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the expected timing of product commercialization or new product releases; customer interest in Nauticus' products; estimated operating results and use of cash; and Nauticus' use of and needs for capital. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "intends," or "continue" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Nauticus' management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. There can be no assurance that the events, results, or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Nauticus is not under any obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports which Nauticus has filed or will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and that could cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated in the forward-looking statements made by the Company, in particular the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in documents filed from time to time with the SEC, including Nauticus' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties, or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The documents filed by Nauticus with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes certain items that are included in net loss attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Items excluded are those which the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and are typically excluded from published estimates by the investment community, including items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of the Company's fundamental business on a recurring basis. In addition, management believes that adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies such as Nauticus.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net loss attributable to common stockholders or any other measure of a company's financial performance or profitability presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the differences between net loss attributable to common stockholders and adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is presented below. Because adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders excludes some, but not all, items that affect net loss attributable to common stockholders and may vary among companies, our calculation of adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/nauticus-robotics-announces-results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2024-93CH-3438510 |
NVIDIA and MediaTek are reportedly working on a new Arm-based AI processor, co-developing the new SoC that will be finalized in Q3 2024... just months from now.
The new silicon will support advanced technologies, and will be mass-produced on TSMC's new 3nm process node, and will compete against Apple's new M4 chip, and Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X Elite SoC according to Chinese media outlet UDN.
The site reports that the price of NVIDIA and MediaTek's new Arm-based AI processor will be "as high as $300" adding that this is the first time NVIDIA and MediaTek have cooperated on PC processors, and that it's expected we'll get details on the new AI PC processor during Computex 2024 in just a few weeks' time in Taipei, Taiwan.
The industry is reportedly "optimistic" about the collaboration between NVIDIA and MediaTek, and that the two companies will bring a "new atmosphere to the AI PC market" due to the low power consumption, and other characteristics of the Arm architecture, it is "expected to once again set off an industry sensation".
NVIDIA and MediaTek have cooperated previously on automotive chips, with the integration of chips and AI the companies will create a complete smart cockpit solution for software-powered cars, scooping up the huge opportunities available to the companies in the smart car market.
Both of the companies will bring their respective technologies to the table, with NVIDIA's powerful gaming GPUs and AI GPUs with MediaTek's Arm-based architecture design capabilities will reduce the processor development time, to create an energy-efficient AI PC processor for thin-and-light product designs like new laptops.
Apple's new M4 processor was recently announced, inside of the new iPad Pro, made on TSMC's 3nm process. The same TSMC 3nm process node will be used for NVIDIA and MediaTek's new AI PC processor, giving them the same power efficiencies and more that TSMC's latest node brings.
As for the AI PC market, it truly is the next big thing. It's expected that AI PCs will represent close to 60% of total PC shipments by 2027 according to some analysts. NVIDIA wants a piece of that market, obviously.
It was only earlier this month that NVIDIA said RTX is the "premium" AI PC platform, and that NPUs inside of AMD and Intel CPUs are for "basic" AI PCs. Now it's beginning to make more sense... with these new reports that the company has teamed with MediaTek on an AI PC processor.
NVIDIA used an example of an AI PC that you can buy now with 10 TOPS to 45 TOPS of AI performance, calling that a "Basic AI PC" while 100 TOPS right up to an astonishing 1300+ TOPS is available right now with a "Premium AI PC". The big difference here is the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is just part of the CPU, part of the series of chips including the CPU, integrated GPU, NPU, I/O, and soon, on-package memory with upcoming Intel Lunar Lake CPUs.
NVIDIA's extensive dominance in GPU technology allows them to use RTX (in any form, GeForce, mobile GPU, RTX GPUs on Arm-based chips) to blow any NPU out of the water.
Anthony joined the TweakTown team in 2010 and has since reviewed 100s of graphics cards. Anthony is a long time PC enthusiast with a passion of hate for games built around consoles. FPS gaming since the pre-Quake days, where you were insulted if you used a mouse to aim, he has been addicted to gaming and hardware ever since. Working in IT retail for 10 years gave him great experience with custom-built PCs. His addiction to GPU tech is unwavering and has recently taken a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.
Similar News
© 1999-2024 Tweak Town Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. TweakTown® and its logo are registered trademarks. | en | https://www.tweaktown.com/news/98244/nvidia-and-mediatek-rumored-to-be-co-developing-an-arm-based-ai-processor-for-pcs/index.html |
Tesla CEO Elon Musk makes a surprise visit to China, it coincides with Beijing's auto show where reports suggest he is trying to export his company's self-driving technology. CNN's Marc Stewart has more. | en | https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/business/china-us-companies-slow-economy-intl-hnk?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo |
May 14, 2024
An AI-enabled U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet, the X-62A VISTA, taxies after an experimental flight/Photo: AP
GENEVA: U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet in Switzerland today to discuss artificial intelligence security concerns.
U.S. officials said the Geneva talks will not open the door for China to influence technology policy.
Representatives from both countries will discuss ways to reduce the dangers associated with AI, U.S. officials said.
“We certainly don’t see eye to eye…on many AI topics and applications, but we believe that communication on critical AI risks can make the world safer,” a U.S. senior official said.
Beijing and Washington are in a tight race to dominate the AI landscape. China is leveraging AI “capabilities across civilian as well as military/national security sectors,” a U.S official said.
Beijing’s use of AI could compromise “both U.S. and allied national security,” he added.
Another official said the U.S. is competing with China to set the rules on AI and “explore if some of the rules can be embraced by all countries.”
The AI talks were initiated last month following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The U.S. will be represented by officials from the White House National Security Council and Departments of State and Commerce at Tuesday’s discussion.
The U.S. delegation will lead the talks with representatives from China’s foreign ministry and state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission.
A U.S. official said last week that the State Department wants China and Russia to make a commitment that AI will not make decisions about nuclear employment.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration plans to safeguard U.S. AI models like ChatGPT, curbing countries like China and Russia from gaining access to the software.
(VOA/Reuters/AFP) | en | https://english.khabarhub.com/2024/14/355530/ |
Skip to comments.
Posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT by DallasBiff
Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel is throwing his financial muscle behind an “Olympics on steroids” — whose organizer boasts that athletes will dope “out in the open and honestly.” Thiel, who made his fortune as an early investor in tech startups like PayPal and Facebook, is backing the Enhanced Games, which will actively encourage athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
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Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
[
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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| Private Reply
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
[
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| Private Reply
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
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| Private Reply
| To 2
| View Replies]
To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 5
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
[
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| To 1
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
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| Private Reply
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
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| Private Reply
| To 1
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
[
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
Thiel, who made his fortune as an early investor in tech startups like PayPal and Facebook, is backing the Enhanced Games, which will actively encourage athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 2
| View Replies]
To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 5
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 4
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 4
| View Replies]
To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
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I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
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Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
Post Reply
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| To 6
| View Replies]
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Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
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Free Republic
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Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Thank you very much and God bless you.
They have precedent though,
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
btt
Totally watching this!!!
LOL first thing I thought of.
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
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management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
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Walmart layoffs: US multinational retail corporation, Walmart, is reportedly cutting hundreds of corporate jobs, and also asking most remote workers to move to offices.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal that quoted many people familiar with the matter, Walmart’s workers in the smaller offices in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto are being asked to move to other central hubs such as its corporate headquarters in Bentonville as well as Hoboken or Southern California.
The report added that Walmart would let the staff work remotely part time as long as they are in offices for most of the time.
This move comes as Walmart was gearing up to shrink its workforce over the past year. It had said last year that it expects 65 per cent of its stores to be serviced by automation by the end of the fiscal year 2026.
Walmart also shut three of its US technology hubs in February 2023 and asked hundreds of tis workers to relocate to keep their jobs. It was another move that pushed a lot of employees to report from the office.
As of January 31, 2024, Walmart employed approximately 2.1 million associates.
WALMART IN INDIA
Walmart has its presence in India through the Flipkart Group where it had acquired a majority stake in 2018 for $16 billion. The Flipkart Group includes Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Flipkart Health+, Cleartrip. Walmart is also the parent organisation of PhonePe, Flipkart UPI.
This year, Walmart that hosted the first India Growth Summit, committed to tripling their exports from India to $10 billion annually by 2027.
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OpenAI's latest update to its artificial intelligence model can mimic human cadences in its verbal responses and can even try to detect people's moods.
The effect conjures up images of the 2013 Spike Jonze movie “Her,” where the (human) main character falls in love with an artificially intelligent operating system, leading to some complications.
While few will find the new model seductive, OpenAI says it does work faster than previous versions and can reason across text, audio, and video in real time.
GPT-4o, short for “omni,” will power OpenAI's popular ChatGPT chatbot, and will be available to users, including those who use the free version, in the coming weeks, the company announced during a short live-streamed update. CEO Sam Altman, who was not present for the event, simply posted the word “her” on the social media site X.
During a demonstration with Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati and other executives, the AI bot chatted in real time, adding emotion — specifically “more drama” — to its voice as requested. It also helped walk through the steps needed to solve a simple math equation without first spitting out the answer and assisted with a more complex software coding problem on a computer screen.
It also took a stab at extrapolating a person's emotional state by looking at a selfie video of their face (deciding he was happy since he was smiling) and translated English and Italian to show how it could help people who speak different languages have a conversation.
Gartner analyst Chirag Dekate said the update, which lasted less than 30 minutes, gave the impression that OpenAI is playing catch-up to larger rivals.
“Many of the demos and capabilities showcased by OpenAI seemed familiar because we had seen advanced versions of these demos showcased by Google in their Gemini 1.5 pro launch,” Dekate said. “While Open AI had a first-mover advantage last year with ChatGPT and GPT3 when compared to their peers, especially Google, we now are seeing capability gaps emerge.”
Google plans to hold its I/O developer conference on Tuesday and Wednesday, where it is expected to unveil updates to its own Gemini, its AI model.
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Proprioception (/ˌproʊprioʊˈsɛpʃən, -priə-/[1][2] PRO-pree-o-SEP-shən), from Latin proprius, meaning "one's own", "individual", and capio, capere, to take or grasp, is the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.[3]
In humans, it is provided by proprioceptors (muscle spindles) in skeletal striated muscles and tendons (Golgi tendon organ) and the fibrous capsules in joints. It is distinguished from exteroception, by which one perceives the outside world, and interoception, by which one perceives pain, hunger, etc., and the movement of internal organs.
The brain integrates information from proprioception and from the vestibular system into its overall sense of body position, movement, and acceleration. The word kinesthesia or kinæsthesia (kinesthetic sense) strictly means movement sense, but has been used inconsistently to refer either to proprioception alone or to the brain's integration of proprioceptive and vestibular inputs.
The position-movement sensation was originally described in 1557 by Julius Caesar Scaliger as a "sense of locomotion".[4] Much later, in 1826, Charles Bell expounded the idea of a "muscle sense",[5] which is credited as one of the first descriptions of physiologic feedback mechanisms.[6] Bell's idea was that commands are carried from the brain to the muscles, and that reports on the muscle's condition would be sent in the reverse direction. In 1847 the London neurologist Robert Todd highlighted important differences in the anterolateral and posterior columns of the spinal cord, and suggested that the latter were involved in the coordination of movement and balance.[7] At around the same time, Moritz Heinrich Romberg, a Berlin neurologist, was describing unsteadiness made worse by eye closure or darkness, now known as the eponymous Romberg's sign, once synonymous with tabes dorsalis, that became recognised as common to all proprioceptive disorders of the legs. Later, in 1880, Henry Charlton Bastian suggested "kinaesthesia" instead of "muscle sense" on the basis that some of the afferent information (back to the brain) comes from other structures, including tendons, joints, and skin.[8] In 1889, Alfred Goldscheider suggested a classification of kinaesthesia into three types: muscle, tendon, and articular sensitivity.[9]
In 1906, Charles Scott Sherrington published a landmark work that introduced the terms "proprioception", "interoception", and "exteroception". The "exteroceptors" are the organs that provide information originating outside the body, such as the eyes, ears, mouth, and skin. The interoceptors provide information about the internal organs, and the "proprioceptors" provide information about movement derived from muscular, tendon, and articular sources. Using Sherrington's system, physiologists and anatomists search for specialised nerve endings that transmit mechanical data on joint capsule, tendon and muscle tension (such as Golgi tendon organs and muscle spindles), which play a large role in proprioception. Primary endings of muscle spindles "respond to the size of a muscle length change and its speed" and "contribute both to the sense of limb position and movement".[10] Secondary endings of muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length, and thus supply information regarding only the sense of position.[10] Essentially, muscle spindles are stretch receptors.[11] It has been accepted that cutaneous receptors also contribute directly to proprioception by providing "accurate perceptual information about joint position and movement", and this knowledge is combined with information from the muscle spindles.[12]
A major component of proprioception is joint position sense, which is determined by measuring the accuracy of joint–angle replication.[13] Clinical aspects of joint position sense are measured in joint position matching tests that measure a subject's ability to detect an externally imposed passive movement, or the ability to reposition a joint to a predetermined position. These involve an individual's ability to perceive the position of a joint without the aid of vision. Often it is assumed that the ability of one of these aspects will be related to another; however, experimental evidence suggests there is no strong relation between these two aspects. This suggests that while these components may well be related in a cognitive manner, they may in fact be physiologically separate.[14]
More recent work into the mechanism of ankle sprains suggests that the role of reflexes may be more limited due to their long latencies (even at the spinal cord level), as ankle sprain events occur in perhaps 100 ms or less. In accordance, a model has been proposed to include a 'feedforward' component of proprioception, whereby the subject will also have central information about the body's position before attaining it.[14]
Kinesthesia is a key component in muscle memory and hand-eye coordination, and training can improve this sense (see blind contour drawing). The ability to swing a golf club or to catch a ball requires a finely tuned sense of the position of the joints. This sense needs to become automatic through training to enable a person to concentrate on other aspects of performance, such as maintaining motivation or seeing where other people are.
The initiation of proprioception is the activation of a proprioreceptor in the periphery.[15] The proprioceptive sense is believed to be composed of information from sensory neurons located in the inner ear (motion and orientation) and in the stretch receptors located in the muscles and the joint-supporting ligaments (stance). There are specific nerve receptors for this form of perception termed "proprioreceptors", just as there are specific receptors for pressure, light, temperature, sound, and other sensory experiences. Proprioreceptors are sometimes known as adequate stimuli receptors. TRPN, a member of the transient receptor potential family of ion channels, has been found to be responsible for proprioception in fruit flies,[16] nematode worms,[17] African clawed frogs,[18] and zebrafish.[19] Piezo2, a nonselective cation channel, has been shown to underlie the mechanosensitivity of proprioceptors in mice. [20] The channel mediating human proprioceptive mechanosensation has yet to be discovered.
Proprioception of the head stems from the muscles innervated by the trigeminal nerve, where the GSA fibers pass without synapsing in the Gasserian ganglion (first-order sensory neuron), reaching the mesencephalic tract and the mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve.
Although it was known that finger kinesthesia relies on skin sensation, recent research has found that kinesthesia-based haptic perception relies strongly on the forces experienced during touch.[21] This research allows the creation of "virtual", illusory haptic shapes with different perceived qualities.[22]
In humans, a distinction is made between conscious proprioception and non-conscious proprioception:
Proprioception is tested by American police officers using the field sobriety test to check for alcohol intoxication. The subject is required to touch his or her nose with eyes closed; people with normal proprioception may make an error of no more than 20 millimeters, while people suffering from impaired proprioception (a symptom of moderate to severe alcohol intoxication) fail this test due to difficulty locating their limbs in space relative to their noses.
There are several relatively specific tests of the subject's ability to proprioceive. These tests are used in the diagnosis of neurological disorders. They include the visual and tactile placing reflexes.[27]
Proprioception is what allows someone to learn to walk in complete darkness without losing balance. During the learning of any new skill, sport, or art, it is usually necessary to become familiar with some proprioceptive tasks specific to that activity. Without the appropriate integration of proprioceptive input, an artist would not be able to brush paint onto a canvas without looking at the hand as it moved the brush over the canvas; it would be impossible to drive an automobile because a motorist would not be able to steer or use the pedals while looking at the road ahead; a person could not touch type or perform ballet; and people would not even be able to walk without watching where they put their feet.
Oliver Sacks has reported the case of a young woman who lost her proprioception due to a viral infection of her spinal cord.[28] At first she could not move properly at all or even control her tone of voice (as voice modulation is primarily proprioceptive). Later she relearned by using her sight (watching her feet) and inner ear only for movement while using hearing to judge voice modulation. She eventually acquired a stiff and slow movement and nearly normal speech, which is believed to be the best possible in the absence of this sense. She could not judge effort involved in picking up objects and would grip them painfully to be sure she did not drop them.
The proprioceptive sense can be sharpened through study of many disciplines. Examples are the Feldenkrais method[29] and the Alexander Technique. Juggling trains reaction time, spatial location, and efficient movement. Standing on a wobble board or balance board is often used to retrain or increase proprioception abilities, particularly as physical therapy for ankle or knee injuries. Slacklining is another method to increase proprioception. Standing on one leg (stork standing) and various other body-position challenges are also used in such disciplines as Yoga, Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Ch'uan.[30] Several studies have shown that the efficacy of these types of training is increased by closing the eyes, because the eyes give invaluable feedback to establishing the moment-to-moment information of balance. There are even specific devices designed for proprioception training, such as the exercise ball, which works on balancing the abdominal and back muscles.
"Joint position matching" is an established protocol for measuring proprioception, and joint position sense specifically, without the aid of visual or vestibular information.[31] During such tasks, individuals are blindfolded while a joint is moved to a specific angle for a given period of time, returned to neutral, and the subjects are asked to replicate the specified angle. Measured by constant and absolute errors, ability to accurately identify joint angles over a series of conditions is the most accurate means of determining proprioceptive acuity in isolation to date. Recent investigations have shown that hand dominance, participant age, active versus passive matching, and presentation time of the angle can all affect performance on joint position matching tasks.[32] Joint position matching has been used in clinical settings in both the upper and lower extremities.
Temporary loss or impairment of proprioception may happen periodically during growth, mostly during adolescence. Growth that might also influence this would be large increases or drops in bodyweight/size due to fluctuations of fat (liposuction, rapid fat loss or gain) and/or muscle content (bodybuilding, anabolic steroids, catabolisis/starvation). It can also occur in those that gain new levels of flexibility, stretching, and contortion. A limb's being in a new range of motion never experienced (or at least, not for a long time since youth perhaps) can disrupt one's sense of location of that limb. Possible experiences include suddenly feeling that feet or legs are missing from one's mental self-image; needing to look down at one's limbs to be sure they are still there; and falling down while walking, especially when attention is focused upon something other than the act of walking.
Proprioception is occasionally impaired spontaneously, especially when one is tired. Similar effects can be felt during the hypnagogic state of consciousness, during the onset of sleep. One's body may feel too large or too small, or parts of the body may feel distorted in size. Similar effects can sometimes occur during epilepsy or migraine auras. These effects are presumed to arise from abnormal stimulation of the part of the parietal cortex of the brain involved with integrating information from different parts of the body.[33]
Proprioceptive illusions can also be induced, such as the Pinocchio illusion.
The proprioceptive sense is often unnoticed because humans will adapt to a continuously present stimulus; this is called habituation, desensitization, or adaptation. The effect is that proprioceptive sensory impressions disappear, just as a scent can disappear over time. One practical advantage of this is that unnoticed actions or sensation continue in the background while an individual's attention can move to another concern. The Alexander Technique addresses these unconscious elements by bringing attention to them and practicing a new movement with focus on how it feels to move in the new way.
People who have a limb amputated may still have a confused sense of that limb's existence on their body, known as phantom limb syndrome. Phantom sensations can occur as passive proprioceptive sensations of the limb's presence, or more active sensations such as perceived movement, pressure, pain, itching, or temperature. There are a variety of theories concerning the etiology of phantom limb sensations and experience. One is the concept of "proprioceptive memory", which argues that the brain retains a memory of specific limb positions and that after amputation there is a conflict between the visual system, which literally sees that the limb is missing, and the memory system which remembers the limb as a functioning part of the body.[34] Phantom sensations and phantom pain may also occur after the removal of body parts other than the limbs, such as after amputation of the breast, extraction of a tooth (phantom tooth pain), or removal of an eye (phantom eye syndrome).
Temporary impairment of proprioception has also been known to occur from an overdose of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine and pyridoxamine). Most of the impaired function returns to normal shortly after the amount of the vitamin in the body returns to a level that is closer to that of the physiological norm. Impairment can also be caused by cytotoxic factors such as chemotherapy.
It has been proposed that even common tinnitus and the attendant hearing frequency-gaps masked by the perceived sounds may cause erroneous proprioceptive information to the balance and comprehension centers of the brain, precipitating mild confusion.
Proprioception is permanently impaired in patients that suffer from joint hypermobility or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (a genetic condition that results in weak connective tissue throughout the body).[35] It can also be permanently impaired from viral infections as reported by Sacks. The catastrophic effect of major proprioceptive loss is reviewed by Robles-De-La-Torre (2006).[36] There is also some evidence that proprioception is impaired in autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger Syndrome.[37]
Proprioception is also permanently impaired in physiological aging (presbypropria).[38]
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. | en | https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Proprioception |
Dogeverse, the latest entrant into the memecoin market, has managed to raise $15 million in its Initial Coin Offering (ICO). According to a report from AMB Crypto, the new multi-chain memecoin reached the milestone Monday. The $DOGEVERSE token has taken the crypto market by storm and is set to be launched on six different blockchains. Dogeverse claims to be the first Doge Meme token built on a multi-chain network.
As per Dogeverse's website, a single Dogeverse token is priced at $0.00031 in its ICO stage. The memecoin, however, is in the final phase of its presale and it will be soon listed on decentralised crypto exchanges to meet investor demand, the AMB Crypto report said.
The crypto sector has over 2.4 million tokens in circulation, with more entering the ecosystem daily. The memecoin category, which comprises cryptocurrencies inspired by trending memes, was primarily made popular by Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, and has swelled into a category worth $51 billion (roughly Rs. 4,25,799 crore), as reflected by CoinGecko this month. While there are several popular memecoins already circulating in the market, Dogeverse comes to compete with a special functionality.
As mentioned, Dogeverse is a multi-chain memecoin and lives on multiple blockchains rather than being supported on just one like traditional cryptocurrencies. Dogeverse will exist on six blockchains — Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, Solana, Base, and Avalanche. According to its official website, the $DOGEVERSE token is minted on Ethereum, but can be claimed, stored and traded on the six supported blockchains using Wormhole and Portal Bridge technology.
Dogeverse's ICO is one of the most successful ones of 2024 so far. Additionally, over 16,000 followers have joined the crypto's X page since the profile was created just a month ago in April. With the interest the new memecoin has managed to generate in a short duration, the crypto community is now speculating if Dogeverse could rival Dogecoin.
While #Dogecoin still leads the meme coin market, #DOGEVERSE brings unique use cases, multichain interoperability, and staking rewards to the table.Will it become "the next Dogecoin"? Only time will tell!
#DOGEVERSE could definitely be the one :rocket:Multichain DOGE memecoin - in the final stages of presale - raised $13M so far.Ends shortly, but still a chance to secure at presale prices here:https://t.co/iSPxSh3Jve$DOGEVERSE #dogecoin pic.twitter.com/f07ASE3770
What are you thinking about the little brother of Dogecoin Dogeverse?We built up a long positions and are going to hold.Experts predict around 800% the next couple of months.
The ICO window for the memecoin will close in the coming days and the coin could soon find its way to crypto exchanges.
To take part in Dogeverse's presale, interested crypto buyers can connect their crypto wallets to the presale widget listed on the token's website and use ETH, BNB, MATIC, AVAX, SOL or USDT to reserve $DOGEVERSE tokens, as per the official website. “Once you've completed your presale purchase, you'll be able to use the same wallet to claim your tokens before the first DEX listing. Claim and listing dates will be announced on our social media accounts,” the website said. | en | https://www.gadgets360.com/cryptocurrency/news/memecoin-dogeverse-multi-chain-ico-usd-15-million-crypto-exchange-5658581 |
© 2024 Informed Comment
The Conversation) – Iran’s leadership has been a direct beneficiary of the months-long war in Gaza. With every missile that Israel fires on Gaza, every US veto of a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution, and every arrest of an anti-war protester on American university campuses, Iran’s rejection of the US-dominated world order gains more credibility in the Muslim world.
The ruling clerical regime in Iran has built its foreign policy on the pillar of anti-Americanism, rejecting what it frames as the “injustice” of US domination and “bullying” of other countries. Washington’s continued support for Israel’s war on Gaza in the face of an increasing international backlash has only reinforced this narrative.
While the US has tried to backtrack and signal that humanitarian considerations should guide Israel’s conduct of the war, the damage to US credibility has been done. Many around the world – and specifically in Muslim countries – do not see the belated US warnings to Israel as genuine.
And Tehran’s message of anti-Americanism is resonating with large segments of the public in the Muslim world.
In one regional opinion survey in late October, for instance, just 7% of respondents said the US had a positive impact on the war, compared to 40% who viewed Iran’s role as positive.
And in December, the highly respected Arab Barometer reported that approval ratings for the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had surpassed those of the Saudi crown prince and Emirati president.
This change in Iran’s standing in the region is being watched with concern by the political elite in the neighbourhood.
Iran’s image has been further enhanced by the fact it is the only Muslim state to attack Israel against the backdrop of public outrage over the war in Gaza.
The Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel on April 13 was calibrated to achieve two key objectives.
First, Iran’s leaders sought to preserve the country’s image as the self-appointed head of the “axis of resistance”, comprised of its proxies in the region – Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and other militia groups in Iraq and Syria.
Iran also wanted to demonstrate the effectiveness of its deterrence model, which is based on the threat of retaliation against Israeli aggression through its proxy actors and expanding missile and drone technology.
Hindustan Times Video: “‘Get Out Now’: Iran-linked Kata’ib Hezbollah’s Ultimatum To U.S. Troops In Iraq | Details”
Coming two weeks after the Israeli attack on its diplomatic mission in Damascus, Iran could not afford to outsource its response to its proxies. While Iran was clearly not ready to start a war with Israel, not responding in-kind to the Israeli attack would have made it look weak and seriously diminished its standing among its allies and proxy groups.
But Iran’s leaders sought to minimise the damage and mitigate the risk of escalation by warning Israel of its attack in advance through intermediaries. This way, Iran could save face without getting embroiled in an all-out war.
Iran’s second objective was to demonstrate to the world that it has the drone and missile technology to hit back at Israel, if it chooses.
For more than a decade, Iran has showcased its missiles during annual military parades to support its claim it can hit Israel if threatened. Its attack last month involved more than 300 drones and missiles. Notwithstanding the fact the damage was minimal, the attack was proof Iran now has the capacity to inflict pain on Israel.
Israel’s limited response to Iran suggests that war has been averted, much to the relief of neighbouring countries. But the long-term implications are more favourable for Iran. This show of strength has likely helped its rejectionist foreign policy find receptive ears in the Muslim world and beyond.
When Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Pakistan on April 23, for example, he was greeted like a celebrity. This was ironic as, earlier this year, Iran and Pakistan had engaged in tit-for-tat aerial attacks.
The two countries agreed to boost bilateral trade to US$10 billion (A$15 billion) a year, about five times the current level. They also released a joint statement calling on the UN Security Council to take action against Israel, saying it had “illegally” targeted neighbouring countries and foreign diplomatic compounds.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also offered a message of support to Iran, saying:
China noted Iran’s statement that its action was restrained and was an act of self-defence in response to the attack on its embassy.
The implications of a more emboldened Iran for the region are severe. The Iranian authorities feel vindicated by the events of the last seven months. This means their anti-US and anti-Israel rhetoric will remain staunch as ever.
Iran’s drone and missile research and development program is also likely to receive a boost. And Iran’s support for its network of proxies and allies will remain firmly in place, as this enables the Iranian leadership to project power beyond its borders and retain its deterrence capability.
None of this bodes well for Iran’s neighbours. An ideologically energised Islamic regime in Iran would be less accommodating to regional concerns, particularly those aired by governments that have already normalised relations with Israel (such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain), or are believed to be heading in that direction (Saudi Arabia).
Moreover, the political credibility of many Arab leaders has suffered in the eyes of their citizens due to their perceived ineffectiveness in supporting the Palestinians in Gaza.
Iran’s leaders did not plan the series of events that started with the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. In fact, they were just as surprised by Hamas’ actions as the Israeli intelligence agencies. But they are the obvious beneficiary of the turn of events.
The United States and Israel are gifting Iran and its message of defiance enormous appeal, well beyond the imagination of Iranian authorities.
Shahram Akbarzadeh, Convenor of the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Acting Director the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
© 2024 All Rights Reserved | en | https://www.juancole.com/2024/05/bolstering-standing-americanism.html |
Porsche has announced the successful completion of its highly anticipated hybrid 911, marking a significant shift for the iconic sports car. After a robust global testing program, the new 911 hybrid is primed for mass production and love it or hate it, is poised to elevate the driving performance with its dynamic hybrid technology.
Frank Moser, Vice President of Model Line 911 and 718, emphasized the significance of the development, stating, “For the first time in its 61-year legacy, the 911 will incorporate a hybrid system aimed at enhancing the vehicle’s dynamism.” This innovation was put through rigorous paces under extreme conditions worldwide — from the arctic chill to the heat of Dubai, ensuring its resilience across diverse environments.
A key highlight of the hybrid 911’s capabilities was demonstrated on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where it surpassed its predecessor by 8.7 seconds. Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister noted the hybrid’s superior performance, attributing it to enhanced grip and power, along with the hybrid system’s swift response. The test model included standard road tires and an optional aero kit featuring a fixed rear wing for increased high-speed stability.
This advanced model not only promises improved efficiency but also a superior performance that does not compromise on Porsche’s renowned engineering excellence. With more than five million kilometers of developmental driving to ensure perfection, the new hybrid 911 is set to be officially premiered on May 28 as part of a global Porsche broadcast via the automaker’s official YouTube channel.
Read Full Article
This advanced model not only promises improved efficiency but also a superior performance that does not compromise on Porsche’s renowned engineering excellence. With more than five million kilometers of developmental driving to ensure perfection, the new hybrid 911 is set to be officially premiered on May 28 as part of a global Porsche broadcast via the automaker’s official YouTube channel.
Read Full Article | en | https://hypebeast.com/2024/5/first-porsche-911-hybrid-testing-info |
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In recent years, the term “green-hushing” has emerged in the corporate world, reflecting a growing trend where companies are becoming more reticent about publicly discussing their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. This phenomenon is
a stark contrast to the once fervent embrace of ESG principles, where firms were eager to highlight their sustainability efforts and social responsibility. The shift towards green-hushing is attributed to several factors, including regulatory scrutiny, fear
of greenwashing accusations, and the evolving landscape of stakeholder expectations.
Initially, ESG efforts were a badge of honor for companies, signaling their commitment to ethical practices and sustainable growth. Firms proudly showcased their initiatives to reduce carbon footprints, enhance diversity and inclusion, and improve corporate
governance. This transparency was not only a tool for building brand reputation but also a way to attract investors who were increasingly prioritizing ESG criteria in their investment decisions.
However, as the spotlight on ESG intensified, so did the scrutiny. Regulatory bodies began to tighten their oversight on ESG claims, ensuring that companies were not merely paying lip service to these principles but were genuinely integrating them into their
business models. This heightened scrutiny led to a rise in allegations of greenwashing, where companies were accused of misleading stakeholders about the environmental benefits of their products or policies. The fear of being labeled a greenwasher has made
many companies more cautious about publicizing their ESG efforts.
Moreover, the expectations of stakeholders have evolved. Investors, customers, and employees now demand not just transparency but also verifiable impact. They want to see concrete results and evidence that companies are making meaningful progress towards their
ESG goals. This shift has compelled companies to focus more on internal improvements and less on external communication. By keeping their ESG efforts under wraps, firms aim to avoid the backlash that can arise from unmet promises or perceived inadequacies.
Another contributing factor to green-hushing is the changing political and economic climate. The pushback against ESG initiatives from certain political quarters has created a contentious environment, making it more challenging for companies to navigate the
complexities of ESG discourse. Additionally, economic pressures, such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, have forced companies to re-evaluate their priorities, often sidelining ESG discussions in favor of immediate financial concerns.
Despite these challenges, the importance of ESG cannot be overstated. Companies that genuinely integrate ESG principles into their operations can achieve long-term benefits, including risk mitigation, enhanced reputation, and increased investor confidence.
The key is to strike a balance between transparency and authenticity, ensuring that ESG efforts are both impactful and credible.
To navigate this landscape, companies should focus on a few strategic actions. First, they should enhance their internal ESG capabilities, investing in robust systems for tracking and reporting ESG metrics. This will enable them to provide verifiable data to
stakeholders, building trust and credibility. Second, firms should engage in open dialogue with their stakeholders, understanding their concerns and expectations. This can help in aligning ESG initiatives with stakeholder priorities and addressing any potential
issues proactively. Lastly, companies should adopt a long-term perspective, recognizing that ESG is a journey rather than a destination. By committing to continuous improvement and staying adaptable, firms can weather the complexities of the ESG landscape
and emerge as leaders in sustainable and responsible business practices.
How technology partners can help:
Technology partners can play a pivotal role in helping companies navigate the complexities of ESG initiatives and overcome the challenges of green-hushing. By leveraging advanced technological solutions, companies can enhance their ESG strategies and ensure
they meet the evolving expectations of stakeholders.
1. Data Management and Analytics: Technology partners can provide robust data management and analytics platforms that enable companies to collect, analyze, and report on ESG metrics effectively. These platforms can help in tracking progress, identifying areas
for improvement, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Advanced analytics can also provide insights into the impact of ESG initiatives, helping companies make data-driven decisions and communicate their achievements transparently.
2. Automation and AI: Automation tools and artificial intelligence can streamline ESG reporting processes, reducing the burden on internal teams and minimizing the risk of errors. AI can also be used to monitor compliance with ESG standards, identify potential
risks, and provide real-time insights into environmental and social impacts. This allows companies to proactively address issues and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
3. Blockchain for Transparency: Blockchain technology can enhance transparency in ESG reporting by providing an immutable record of transactions and activities. This can be particularly useful for supply chain management, ensuring that all parties involved
adhere to ESG standards. Blockchain can also help in verifying the authenticity of ESG claims, reducing the risk of greenwashing accusations.
4. Stakeholder Engagement Platforms: Technology partners can offer platforms that facilitate communication and engagement with stakeholders. These platforms can be used to gather feedback, share updates, and collaborate on ESG initiatives. By fostering open
dialogue, companies can better understand stakeholder expectations and align their strategies accordingly.
5. Sustainability Reporting Software: Specialized sustainability reporting software can simplify the process of compiling ESG reports, ensuring they are comprehensive and compliant with global standards. These tools can automate data collection, generate
customized reports, and provide benchmarking against industry peers.
6. Cloud-Based Solutions: Cloud-based solutions offer scalability and flexibility, allowing companies to manage their ESG data and initiatives efficiently. Cloud platforms can support real-time data sharing and collaboration across different departments
and geographies, ensuring a cohesive approach to ESG management.
By partnering with technology providers, companies can leverage these advanced solutions to enhance their ESG strategies, improve transparency, and build trust with stakeholders. Embracing technology not only helps in meeting regulatory requirements but also
positions companies as leaders in sustainable business practices, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and environmentally conscious future.
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that until you do so, people visiting your website will see
this page, and not your content.
For systems using the Apache HTTP Server:
You may now add content to the directory /var/www/html/. Note that until you do so, people visiting your website will see this page, and not your content. To prevent this page from ever being used, follow the instructions in the file /etc/httpd/conf.d/welcome.conf.
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ブース外観イメージ
日立Astemo株式会社(以下、日立Astemo)は、5月22日(水)から5月24日(金)までパシフィコ横浜(神奈川県横浜市)にて開催される「自動車技術展:人とくるまのテクノロジー展2024 横浜」(主催:公益社団法人自動車技術会)に出展します(ブース番号:418)。本展示会では、SDV*1時代に対応する先進的なプロダクトとソリューションを幅広く紹介します。具体的には、IoV*2、xEV*3、AD/ADAS*4、先進シャシーにおける先進技術やソリューション、それら４つのドメインを連携したクロスドメイン統合制御技術、さらに、モーターサイクルの安全性向上に貢献するADAS技術などを紹介します。
*1 SDV: Software Defined Vehicle
*2 IoV: Internet of Vehicle
*3 EV: Electric Vehicle (電気自動車)
*4 AD/ADAS: Autonomous Driving / Advanced Driver Assistance System(自動運転／先進運転支援システム)
【IoV分野】
SDV化における自動車の進化を加速させる、オンボードのコンピューティングとバックエンドのソリューションからなるIoV プラットフォームや、IoVプラットフォームを支えるオンボードとバックエンドの連携技術として「データ収集技術」、「オンボードテスト技術」、「ソフトウェアプラットフォーム技術」をパネルや映像で紹介します。
【クロスドメイン分野】
IoV、xEV、AD/ADAS、先進シャシーを連携したクロスドメイン統合制御技術などを紹介するとともに、クロスドメインコントロールの事例となるモデル車両を展示します。
【xEV分野】
カーボンニュートラルに貢献する電動化製品として「薄型インバーター」やモーターにインバーターとブレーキを一体化した「インホイールモーター」、また、電動パワートレインのXin1*5化や自動車から家電機器への電力供給を可能とする「充給電系統合ユニット」などを製品展示やパネル、映像で紹介します。さらに電費向上に貢献する高い動力性能を備えた「BEV*6用小型e-Axle」をパネルで紹介します。
*5 Xin1: インバーター、ギア、モーターを1つにしたe-Axleのように、複数の部品や機能を1つにまとめた部品の総称
*6 BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle
【AD/ADAS分野】
一般道での自動運転走行を可能とする高精度で高分解能な3Dセンシングを可能とする「360度マルチカメラセンシング」技術や、対向車の走行経路をAI技術で予測・推定しスムーズにすれ違うことができる「協調行動自動運転」技術などを紹介します。
【先進シャシー分野】
バイワイヤ技術により自動運転、安全支援性能の向上に貢献するステアリングとブレーキ、AIを用いた電子制御技術により快適性の向上に貢献するサスペンションを紹介します。
【モーターサイクル分野】
二輪車の走行状況への適合性を高め事故軽減に貢献する「２輪ADAS」技術などを紹介します。
■日立Astemoウェブサイト 「人とくるまのテクノロジー展2024」
https://www.hitachiastemo.com/jp/corporate/exhibitions/technology2024_yokohama/
Hitachi Astemo to showcase cross-domain control among SDV tech at Automotive Engineering Expo 2024
Rendition of exhibition booth
Tokyo, May 14, 2024 --- Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. (President & CEO: Kohei Takeuchi) will exhibit a wide range of cutting-edge products and solutions for the SDV*1 era at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2024—Wednesday, May 22 to Friday, May 24 at PACIFICO Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture). Our exhibitions will include IoV,*2 xEV,*3 AD/ADAS,*4 advanced chassis technologies, as well as cross-domain integrated control technology; and motorcycle ADAS technology contributing to improved safety.
*1 SDV: Software-Defined Vehicle
*2 IoV: Internet of Vehicles
*3 EV: Electric Vehicle
*4 AD/ADAS: Autonomous Driving / Advanced Driver Assistance System
IoV area:
Through display panels and videos, we will introduce IoV platforms consisting of on-board computing and back-end solutions that accelerate the evolution of vehicles in the transition to SDVs; and on-board and back-end linkage technologies that support IoV platforms, including “Data Collection Technology,” “On-board Test Technology,” and “Software Platform Technology.”
Cross-domain area:
Our exhibition of cross-domain integrated control technology linking IoV, xEV, AD/ADAS and advanced chassis will include a model vehicle exhibition.
xEV area:
The xEV area will feature product displays, display panels, and videos of our “Thin-type Inverter,” an electrification product that contributes to carbon neutrality; “In-Wheel Motor” that integrates the inverter and brake into the motor; and “Integrated Smart Charging System” that enables X-in-1*5 electric powertrains and power to be supplied from vehicles to household appliances. In addition, through display panels we will introduce our “Compact e-Axle for BEVs"*6 with high dynamic performance that contributes to improved electricity costs.
*5 X-in-1: Generic term for components that combine several parts or functions into one, such as e-Axles, which combine inverters, gears and motors
*6 BEV: Battery electric Vehicle
AD/ADAS area:
This area includes “360° Multi-Camera Sensing” technology, which enables highly accurate and high-resolution 3D sensing to enable autonomous driving on public roads; and “Autonomous driving with cooperative action” technology, which uses AI technology to predict and estimate the driving path of oncoming vehicles—allowing both vehicles to pass each other smoothly.
Advanced Chassis area:
In this area, we will showcase steering and brakes that contribute to upgraded autonomous driving and safety support performance through by-wire technology, as well as our suspension that contributes to improved comfort through AI-based electronic control technology.
Motorcycle area:
This area includes “Motorcycle ADAS” technology, which enhances the adaptability of motorcycles to different driving conditions and contributes to accident mitigation.
Join us at booth 418, where we will showcase our advanced products and solutions for the SDV era.
Hitachi Astemo “Automotive Engineering Exposition 2024” page
https://www.hitachiastemo.com/en/corporate/exhibitions/technology2024_yokohama/
このプレスリリース内で使われている画像ファイルがダウンロードできます | en | https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000023.000129318.html |
Some German Enterprises Are Remaining Cloud Cautious
Midmarket firms are looking for providers to accompany them for the duration of their SAP S/4HANA transformation journey, ISG Provider Lens™ report says
With time running out on support for its ERP Central Component (ECC), Germany-based SAP has concentrated on the “cloudification” of its offerings, yet not all German enterprises are in a hurry to follow the company’s lead, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (
ISG
) (Nasdaq:
III
), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany finds the general trend toward cloud migration will continue, even if German enterprises are more cautious than companies in other markets. The approaching end of ECC support in 2027 has not yet resulted in the expected surge in transformation business, with many German customers adopting a wait-and-watch approach, the ISG report says.
“When that surge finally does come, providers will be ready,” said Dr. Matthias Paletta, director, technology modernization, for ISG in Germany. “Those equipped with effective methods and tools for quick and low-risk transformations will be poised for success.”
In the meantime, some German enterprises are still grappling with outdated legacy systems, fragmented IT landscapes, security concerns, and the challenge of maintaining quality standards across their IT landscapes, the ISG report says. This can lead to inefficiencies, increased risk of defects, high operational costs and longer time-to-market, the report says.
The reluctance to quickly adopt cloud solutions has been the most conspicuous among small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany
,
the ISG report says.
Yet providers have demonstrated readiness for the inevitable transformation on multiple fronts. They have been diligent in addressing possible gaps in their consulting offerings, resulting in a convergence of leading providers’ service portfolios, the report says. These providers are positioning themselves as one-stop shops, capable of handling all aspects of a transformation project, ISG says.
Midmarket enterprises are seeking partners that can guide them in their end-to-end SAP S/4HANA transformation journey, the ISG report says. They are focused on cost savings and improved efficiency through streamlined processes and enhanced functionalities, the report says. However, these same companies often require industry-specific transformation solutions, a preference that typically increases time-to-market, ISG says.
“Enterprises should partner with service providers that can provide robust consulting and advisory services to guide them with the right adoption strategy and deliver end-to-end implementation support,” said Jan Erik Aase, partner and global leader, ISG Provider Lens Research. “The right provider should have strong industry expertise and proprietary tools to ensure the standardization of complex processes, smoother implementation and the integration of technologies.”
The report also examines the growing demand for resilient and sustainable processes, especially in supply chains.
For more insights into the challenges faced by German enterprises in the SAP ecosystem, see the ISG Provider Lens™ Focal Points briefing
here
.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany evaluates the capabilities of 56 providers across five quadrants: SAP S/4HANA System Transformation for Large Accounts, SAP S/4HANA System Transformation for Midmarket, SAP Application Managed Services, Managed Cloud Services for SAP ERP and SAP SuccessFactors HXM Partner Services.
The report names Accenture, All for One Group, Capgemini, Eviden (an Atos Business) and Infosys as Leaders in four quadrants each, while NTT DATA, T-Systems and Wipro are named as Leaders in three quadrants each. Cognizant and TCS are named as Leaders in two quadrants each, while Arvato Systems, CANCOM, DATAGROUP, Deloitte, HCLTech, Kyndryl, Pentos and Syntax are named as Leaders in one quadrant each.
In addition, Tech Mahindra is named as a Rising Star — a company with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in two quadrants, while Birlasoft, cbs, EPI-USE and Syntax are named as Rising Stars in one quadrant each.
In the area of customer experience, Infosys is named the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2024 among SAP Ecosystem providers. Infosys earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in ISG's Voice of the Customer survey, part of the
ISG Star of Excellence™ program
, the premier quality recognition for the technology and business services industry.
Customized versions of the report are available from
Capgemini
and
T-Systems
.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this
webpage
.
About ISG Provider Lens™ Research
The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG's global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG's enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this
webpage
.
About ISG
ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq:
III
) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including AI and automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit
www.isg-one.com
.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514572171/en/
Press:
Philipp Jaensch, ISG
+49 151 730 365 76
[email protected]
Matthias Longo, for ISG
+49 152 341 464 63
[email protected]
Business WireMay 14, 2024 - 1:00 AM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
With time running out on support for its ERP Central Component (ECC), Germany-based SAP has concentrated on the “cloudification” of its offerings, yet not all German enterprises are in a hurry to follow the company’s lead, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (
ISG
) (Nasdaq:
III
), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany finds the general trend toward cloud migration will continue, even if German enterprises are more cautious than companies in other markets. The approaching end of ECC support in 2027 has not yet resulted in the expected surge in transformation business, with many German customers adopting a wait-and-watch approach, the ISG report says.
“When that surge finally does come, providers will be ready,” said Dr. Matthias Paletta, director, technology modernization, for ISG in Germany. “Those equipped with effective methods and tools for quick and low-risk transformations will be poised for success.”
In the meantime, some German enterprises are still grappling with outdated legacy systems, fragmented IT landscapes, security concerns, and the challenge of maintaining quality standards across their IT landscapes, the ISG report says. This can lead to inefficiencies, increased risk of defects, high operational costs and longer time-to-market, the report says.
The reluctance to quickly adopt cloud solutions has been the most conspicuous among small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany
,
the ISG report says.
Yet providers have demonstrated readiness for the inevitable transformation on multiple fronts. They have been diligent in addressing possible gaps in their consulting offerings, resulting in a convergence of leading providers’ service portfolios, the report says. These providers are positioning themselves as one-stop shops, capable of handling all aspects of a transformation project, ISG says.
Midmarket enterprises are seeking partners that can guide them in their end-to-end SAP S/4HANA transformation journey, the ISG report says. They are focused on cost savings and improved efficiency through streamlined processes and enhanced functionalities, the report says. However, these same companies often require industry-specific transformation solutions, a preference that typically increases time-to-market, ISG says.
“Enterprises should partner with service providers that can provide robust consulting and advisory services to guide them with the right adoption strategy and deliver end-to-end implementation support,” said Jan Erik Aase, partner and global leader, ISG Provider Lens Research. “The right provider should have strong industry expertise and proprietary tools to ensure the standardization of complex processes, smoother implementation and the integration of technologies.”
The report also examines the growing demand for resilient and sustainable processes, especially in supply chains.
For more insights into the challenges faced by German enterprises in the SAP ecosystem, see the ISG Provider Lens™ Focal Points briefing
here
.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany evaluates the capabilities of 56 providers across five quadrants: SAP S/4HANA System Transformation for Large Accounts, SAP S/4HANA System Transformation for Midmarket, SAP Application Managed Services, Managed Cloud Services for SAP ERP and SAP SuccessFactors HXM Partner Services.
The report names Accenture, All for One Group, Capgemini, Eviden (an Atos Business) and Infosys as Leaders in four quadrants each, while NTT DATA, T-Systems and Wipro are named as Leaders in three quadrants each. Cognizant and TCS are named as Leaders in two quadrants each, while Arvato Systems, CANCOM, DATAGROUP, Deloitte, HCLTech, Kyndryl, Pentos and Syntax are named as Leaders in one quadrant each.
In addition, Tech Mahindra is named as a Rising Star — a company with a “promising portfolio” and “high future potential” by ISG’s definition — in two quadrants, while Birlasoft, cbs, EPI-USE and Syntax are named as Rising Stars in one quadrant each.
In the area of customer experience, Infosys is named the global ISG CX Star Performer for 2024 among SAP Ecosystem providers. Infosys earned the highest customer satisfaction scores in ISG's Voice of the Customer survey, part of the
ISG Star of Excellence™ program
, the premier quality recognition for the technology and business services industry.
Customized versions of the report are available from
Capgemini
and
T-Systems
.
The 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ SAP Ecosystem report for Germany is available to subscribers or for one-time purchase on this
webpage
.
About ISG Provider Lens™ Research
The ISG Provider Lens™ Quadrant research series is the only service provider evaluation of its kind to combine empirical, data-driven research and market analysis with the real-world experience and observations of ISG's global advisory team. Enterprises will find a wealth of detailed data and market analysis to help guide their selection of appropriate sourcing partners, while ISG advisors use the reports to validate their own market knowledge and make recommendations to ISG's enterprise clients. The research currently covers providers offering their services globally, across Europe, as well as in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K., France, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland, the Nordics, Australia and Singapore/Malaysia, with additional markets to be added in the future. For more information about ISG Provider Lens research, please visit this
webpage
.
About ISG
ISG (Information Services Group) (Nasdaq:
III
) is a leading global technology research and advisory firm. A trusted business partner to more than 900 clients, including more than 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is committed to helping corporations, public sector organizations, and service and technology providers achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm specializes in digital transformation services, including AI and automation, cloud and data analytics; sourcing advisory; managed governance and risk services; network carrier services; strategy and operations design; change management; market intelligence and technology research and analysis. Founded in 2006, and based in Stamford, Conn., ISG employs 1,600 digital-ready professionals operating in more than 20 countries—a global team known for its innovative thinking, market influence, deep industry and technology expertise, and world-class research and analytical capabilities based on the industry’s most comprehensive marketplace data. For more information, visit
www.isg-one.com
.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514572171/en/
Press:
Philipp Jaensch, ISG
+49 151 730 365 76
[email protected]
Matthias Longo, for ISG
+49 152 341 464 63
[email protected]
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Suggested citation for this article
We investigated trends in notifiable infectious diseases in both humans and animals during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea and compared those data against expected trends had nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) not been implemented. We found that human respiratory infectious diseases other than COVID-19 decreased by an average of 54.7% after NPIs were introduced. On the basis of that trend, we estimated that annual medical expenses associated with respiratory infections other than COVID-19 also decreased by 3.8% in 2020 and 18.9% in 2021. However, human gastrointestinal infectious diseases and livestock diseases exhibited similar or even higher incidence rates after NPIs were instituted. Our investigation revealed that the preventive effect of NPIs varied among diseases and that NPIs might have had limited effectiveness in reducing the spread of certain types of infectious diseases. These findings suggest the need for future, novel public health interventions to compensate for such limitations.
The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, dramatically disrupted the lives of persons around the world, resulting in record numbers of cases and deaths (1). In the early stages of the pandemic, public health measures primarily consisted of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing, mask wearing, and contact tracing. NPIs are effective in mitigating the epidemic curves in various contexts, even without vaccines or specific treatments targeting the pathogen (2–4). Since March 2020, stringent public health measures have been implemented nationwide in South Korea, effectively suppressing the spread of COVID-19 (5–7).
The effects of NPIs are not necessarily limited to COVID-19. Because NPIs reduce effective contacts within a population, such measures can also mitigate other respiratory infectious diseases (5,8,9). Likewise, implementation of social distancing measures (e.g., restrictions on social gatherings in restaurants) and improved personal hygiene practices can reduce occurrence rates of gastrointestinal diseases (9,10). Mitigation measures targeting COVID-19 might even extend beyond human diseases, potentially reducing risks for infectious diseases in animals (11–13). Human movement restrictions and the global economic crisis have greatly disrupted farming operations, veterinary services, wildlife surveillance, and zoonotic disease control, broadly influencing animal health and welfare (11,12). Those effects could contribute to outbreaks of major zoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis in animal populations, increasing the risk for zoonotic spillover (13).
Research on the effects of NPIs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on other infectious diseases in South Korea has found that reductions in respiratory infections coincided with social distancing interventions (14–20). However, the effects of NPIs on gastrointestinal diseases were inconsistent. Studies revealed a notable reduction in viral gastrointestinal infections but no marked decrease in bacterial infections, such as those caused by Campylobacter spp., Clostridium perfringens, and Salmonella spp. (10,18,20). Decreases in viral gastrointestinal diseases were attributed to the primary transmission route being fecal–oral contamination or direct contact between persons. In contrast, bacterial gastrointestinal infections are mainly foodborne illnesses attributable to consuming contaminated food or water (21).
We focused on nationally notifiable infectious diseases in humans and livestock, using data collected after 2020. We sought to quantify the effect of nationally implemented NPIs in South Korea on the trends of infectious diseases other than COVID-19, to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of NPIs, and to provide scientific evidence informing future health policy decisions aimed at mitigating various types of infectious diseases. We focused our study on the period from 2016 through the end of 2021, a period of social distancing in South Korea instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first half of 2022, NPIs were tapered back, as were their potential attenuation effects. To quantify the effect of NPIs in South Korea, we built time series models (22) for 6 respiratory human infectious diseases, 4 human gastrointestinal diseases, and 2 livestock diseases.
We retrospectively analyzed the effect of COVID-19–associated NPIs on incidence of infectious diseases in South Korea. We used the following criteria in selecting target infectious diseases from among the nationally notifiable diseases: human infectious diseases with a principal mode of transmission that is respiratory (airborne or droplets) or gastrointestinal (foodborne or via fecal–oral route); animal infectious diseases with a risk for zoonotic transmission; and diseases with an annual average incidence >100 cases. Acknowledging that the effects of NPIs might not be fully applicable to certain infectious diseases that require isolation after diagnosis or symptom onset, we nonetheless theorized that implementation of NPIs in a population can potentially suppress the spread caused by asymptomatic carriers or infectious persons before isolation. We therefore included such diseases as target infectious diseases in this study. We defined the preintervention period as January 2016–February 2020 and the intervention period as March 2020–December 2021. From May 2022 onward, the outdoor mask mandate was conditionally lifted.
We used autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models to forecast disease incidence during the intervention period on the basis of patterns in the preintervention period and compared predicted values with observed values in the intervention period. The time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) affords an optimal understanding of the transmission dynamics of respiratory infectious diseases (23). Therefore, we calculated Rt values for respiratory infectious diseases during time series forecasting.
Previous studies investigating the effects of COVID-19 and NPIs on other diseases suggest that the reduced burden of target diseases during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic could be attributed to pandemic-related decreases in healthcare utilization and disease diagnoses (19). To adjust for the effect of decreased healthcare utilization, we collected information on annual hospital visits (24) and annual health insurance claims (25) (Appendix 1 Table 1), and used those numbers as denominators when calculating disease incidence. When calculating incidence rates per population, we collected annual midyear population data for each year in South Korea (26). We also obtained total annual medical expenses associated with each infectious disease to evaluate how changes in disease occurrence after NPI implementation might have affected the overall disease burden (27). We calculated annual medical expenses per case using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data from 2018–2021 (27). Then, we multiplied expenses per case by the estimated and observed cases of each disease to determine the model-based medical costs and observation-based values for each disease. We compared those values when assessing changes in the overall disease burden.
Figure 1. Daily numbers of confirmed cases and 7-day rolling average numbers of COVID-19 cases in a study of trends in nationally notifiable infectious diseases in humans and animals during the COVID-19...
In February 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in China, South Korea implemented a universal mask mandate and recommended physical distancing (Table 1). After the increase in COVID-19 cases in South Korea, nationwide social distancing requirements were implemented with various restrictions starting in March 2020 (28). During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Distancing in Daily Life strategy was put into practice in South Korea (29). After multiple outbreaks occurred near metropolitan areas, the Distancing in Daily Life strategy was restructured on June 28, 2020, into a 3-tier social distancing system that consisted of levels 1, 2, and 3 (Appendix 1 Table 2) (1). In November 2020, the social distancing system was reorganized into a 5-tier structure that consisted of levels 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 (Appendix 1 Table 3). Subsequently, in July 2021, the system was modified to a 4-tier structure that consisted of levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Appendix 1 Table 4) (29). In this study, we documented the policy changes based on the 4-tier structure; we did not consider any rapid changes within short periods (e.g., 1–2 weeks or 1 month) because they might not have been adequately effective (Figure 1).
We collected data on the weekly and monthly domestic cases of nationally notifiable infectious diseases from the Infectious Disease Portal of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (30). To minimize sampling bias and ensure that our analysis was robust despite the COVID-19–related decrease in healthcare utilization, we focused on only infectious diseases listed in the mandatory surveillance system. We collected records on cases of 6 respiratory infectious diseases (varicella, pertussis, mumps, invasive pneumococcal disease [IPD], scarlet fever, and tuberculosis [TB]); 4 gastrointestinal diseases (typhoid fever, shigellosis, hepatitis A, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli [EHEC]) that occurred during January 2016–December 2021 (Appendix 1 Table 5).
We collected data from the Korea Animal Health Integrated System in investigating animal diseases with zoonotic potential (31). The Korea Animal Health Integrated System is a comprehensive system operated by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency that integrates and provides nationwide information on livestock diseases. We selected 2 livestock diseases (cattle TB and cattle brucellosis) and collected occurrence data for January 2016–December 2021 (Appendix 1 Table 5). We focused on cattle TB and cattle brucellosis because those diseases pose risks for human infection and annual cases are numerous. We then investigated the effects of NPIs. We also collected data relating to the annual number of livestock and the annual scale of livestock farming (32) when calculating incidence rates relative to the livestock population.
Rt represents the average number of new infections generated by an infected person during the infectious period. This time- and context-specific measure is frequently used to assess the transmissibility of a pathogen during an outbreak. Therefore, in this study, we used Rt to reflect the dynamics of respiratory infectious diseases accurately when estimating the effectiveness of NPIs. We estimated the incidence levels of infectious diseases within the population and assessed trends in disease occurrence, except for TB, on the basis of Rt. Although TB is a respiratory infectious disease, we did not calculate Rt because of the complex transmission routes and long latent period; rather, we used reported cases for time series forecasting of tuberculosis. The calculation of Rt was based on examples from previous studies (23,33–35) (Appendix 2).
The ARIMA model is a time series forecasting technique that incorporates elements of an autoregressive moving average when making predictions (22). Autoregression of time series data shows how past values influence the current value. The moving average indicates how prediction errors affect the current value. This component adjusts for irregularities in the time series by using past prediction errors to correct the current value. The model is commonly used to predict the short-term impacts and trends of acute infectious diseases (9,22). Time series forecasting based on the Box-Jenkins method features 4 steps: identification, estimation, diagnostic checking, and forecasting (36). We used those steps when making predictions. In addition, we conducted out-of-sample validation to confirm the predictive performance of the model and ensure that the model had not overfitted the training data. In the validation process, we used data from 2015–2018 as training data and predicted and compared the trends for 2019 with the observed values (Appendix 2). We performed all data processing and analyses using R version 4.2.2 (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing, https://www.r-project.org).
After nationwide social distancing measures were put in place in South Korea in March 2020 (Figure 1), considerable decreases in the weekly reported case numbers for human respiratory diseases were observed (Table 2). The mean weekly incidence levels (cases/1 million population) for 2016–2019 varied for each disease: varicella, 30.11; pertussis, 0.18; mumps, 6.95; IPD, 0.21; scarlet fever, 5.57; and TB, 13.13. However, after implementation of NPIs, the mean weekly incidence levels for 2020–2021 substantially decreased, and showed slight variations among the phases: varicella, 12.09; pertussis, 0.05; mumps, 4.00; IPD, 0.13; scarlet fever, 0.80; and TB, 9.16. The annual medical expenses associated with respiratory infectious diseases decreased by 3.77% in 2020, compared with the value calculated using the average estimated incidence; the value decreased by an additional 18.91% in 2021 (Table 3). Whereas medical expenses related to respiratory infectious diseases exhibited an overall decreasing trend, TB-related expenses showed a slight increase in 2020; scarlet fever–related expenses also exhibited a slight increase in 2021.
Figure 2. Incidence trends (cases/1 million population) in 6 nationally notifiable respiratory infectious diseases in humans before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea. A, C, E, G, I) Weekly incidence levels...
ARIMA models (Appendix 1 Tables 7–19, Figures 1–12) showed that, except for TB, the actual incidence of diseases examined during the intervention period were substantially lower than the predicted incidence (Figure 2, panels A–J). The incidence levels of TB were lower than the predicted values, but the average predicted values were within 25.6% of the numbers of reported cases. Although the average predicted values decreased, compared with predicted values, after the implementation of social distancing measures, the observed incidence remained at levels similar to the predicted values from the second half of 2020 (Figure 2, panels K, L).
Unlike for respiratory infectious diseases, the incidence of the 4 gastrointestinal diseases did not exhibit remarkable decreases after the implementation of NPIs (Table 2). The mean weekly incidence levels (cases/1 million population) for 2016–2019 varied among the diseases: typhoid, 0.04; shigellosis, 0.02; hepatitis A, 3.02; and EHEC, 0.05. Although we observed slight variations among the phases, the mean weekly incidence levels for 2020–2021 after implementation of social distancing measures were as follows: typhoid, 0.03; shigellosis, 0.02; hepatitis A, 1.91; and EHEC, 0.12. Annual medical expenses associated with gastrointestinal infectious diseases decreased by 18.49% in 2020, compared with the value calculated by using the average estimated incidence; the value increased by 4.53% in 2021 (Table 3). The trend in medical expenses associated with gastrointestinal infectious diseases varied depending on the specific condition; different trends were observed for each disease.
Figure 3. Incidence trends (cases/1 million population) in 4 nationally notifiable gastrointestinal infectious diseases in humans before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea. A, C, E, G) Monthly incidence levels retrieved...
ARIMA models (Appendix 1 Tables 7, 20–27, Figures 13–20) Showed that the observed incidence levels of gastrointestinal diseases were generally close to the average predicted values (Figure 3). However, unexpected outbreaks of typhoid and EHEC occurred, resulting in higher observed incidence levels than predicted (Figure 3, panels A, B, G, H).
Comparisons of the periods before and after implementation of NPIs revealed contrasting patterns for bovine TB and bovine brucellosis (Table 2). The mean weekly incidence (cases/100,000 cattle) for 2016–2019 varied between the diseases: bovine TB, 2.19; and bovine brucellosis, 0.49. Although slight variations were observed among the phases, the mean weekly incidence levels for 2020–2021 after implementation of social distancing measures were as follows: bovine TB, 1.29; bovine brucellosis, 0.61.
Figure 4. Incidence trends (cases/100,000 animals) in 2 nationally notifiable zoonotic infectious diseases in animals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea. A, C) Monthly incidence levels retrieved from the national...
ARIMA models (Appendix 1 Tables 7, 28–31, Figures 21–24) showed that incidence levels of bovine TB were noticeably lower than expected from the end of 2020 (Figure 4, panels A, B). In contrast, the incidence of bovine brucellosis rapidly increased and reached a record high in June 2021 (Figure 4, panels C, D).
We used national surveillance data on notifiable infectious diseases in South Korea from 2016–2021 to examine how NPI implementation to control the COVID-19 pandemic affected patterns of various other diseases. We used data from 2016–2019 to develop a reliable time series model and then predicted the incidence of communicable diseases for 2020–2021 under the assumption that NPIs had not been implemented. By comparing the model-predicted values with observed values, we found that the incidence of respiratory infectious diseases decreased considerably after the implementation of NPIs. However, the incidence of human gastrointestinal infectious diseases and livestock diseases remained comparable or even increased after NPIs were implemented. The overall medical expenses associated with infectious diseases other than COVID-19 decreased by 5.17% in 2020 and 16.14% in 2021 compared with the predicted values (Table 3). Our findings offer valuable insights for implementing appropriate control measures during future epidemics.
The reductions in and the continuously low incidence levels of respiratory infectious diseases in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic can be attributed principally to the extensive adoption of NPIs. Regardless of whether the infectious agent was a bacterium (pertussis, scarlet fever, IPD, and TB) or a virus (varicella and mumps), respiratory infectious diseases transmitted via droplets, fomites, or direct contact generally exhibited lower incidence levels after implementation of NPIs; most of those trends persisted until the end of 2021. The sharp decline in the respiratory infectious disease incidence after implementation of NPIs was consistent with the findings of previous studies on the occurrence trends of respiratory infectious diseases in South Korea (5,15–17,37,38) and the findings of studies that focused on respiratory infectious disease patterns in other countries, such as China and the United States (9,39–41).
After NPI implementation, the number of mumps cases remained lower than predicted. However, beginning in October 2021, the number of cases increased above the expected value. That change can be attributed to the nationwide relaxation of school attendance criteria in the fall semester of 2021, which led to more outbreaks in schools. Mumps is commonly observed among adolescents 13–18 years of age and frequently spreads in settings where persons engage in group activities (e.g., schools) (42). Therefore, precautions are needed to prevent a mumps resurgence after cessation of NPIs.
TB exhibited a slightly different pattern from those of other respiratory infectious diseases. In the early stages of NPI implementation, the number of cases noticeably decreased. However, beginning in the second half of 2020, we saw little or no difference between the observed and the predicted values. Reductions in TB notifications in early 2020, because of complex factors affecting disease diagnosis, have been reported in several countries, including South Korea (19,43). However, the effects of NPIs known to prevent acute infections were limited in suppressing TB cases in South Korea in the medium- to long-term because a many cases are presumed to arise when latent infections progress to active TB disease (19,44). Thus, even if NPIs are implemented, the existing strategies focusing on prophylactic treatment to prevent new infections and treating latent infections to prevent active TB onset still need to be incorporated.
The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases did not decrease after implementation of NPIs. Studies using data from countries such as China (9) and the United States (45) revealed notable decreases in most gastrointestinal infectious diseases after NPI implementation. Although the dissimilar contexts hinder direct comparisons, differences in the extent of NPIs and accessibility to medical services might explain the discrepancies. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and the United States put in place strict social distancing measures and emphasized stay-at-home orders. In contrast, South Korea used less strict policies that focused on personal hygiene measures. Therefore, the effectiveness of NPIs in terms of controlling infectious diseases might have varied among countries, and the decrease in healthcare facility utilization may have been smaller in South Korea (18,19,45). In addition, the gastrointestinal diseases included in this study were primarily foodborne diseases that commence after consumption of contaminated food or water (20). Therefore, the occurrence of the foodborne diseases included might not have been greatly affected by personal hygiene enhancement or social distancing measures.
This study revealed inconsistent temporal trends between the 2 target zoonotic diseases in industrial animals: bovine TB and brucellosis. The increased incidence of brucellosis was consistent with the prior predictions. Social distancing is likely to compromise appropriate veterinary care and restrict the logistical activities necessary for good livestock management (11). Moreover, in South Korea, the number of cattle farms increased during social distancing, possibly because of the increased profit to be made from beef (46). The sudden increases in disease incidence could indicate an increased number of inexperienced cattle owners, which would influence management quality. Because the primary route of brucellosis transmission is associated with the mass movement of infected cattle (47), inexperienced owners might need to require better brucellosis screening skills. However, accurate indicators of livestock movement during the COVID-19 period could not be collected. In contrast, the decreased incidence of bovine TB differed from our expectations. One possible explanation is that bovine TB surveillance increased in South Korea; the number of cattle screened for bovine tuberculosis infection has risen since 2017, as has the relevant budget (Appendix 1 Table 32) (48). Because early detection via effective surveillance plays a key role in controlling chronic diseases with long latent periods, the decreased incidence might be explained by effective surveillance efforts.
The first limitation of this study is that the incidence levels of infectious diseases are influenced by various factors, including population immunity, seasonal changes, climatic features, and human mobility patterns. Thus, drawing causal inferences regarding the effects of social distancing measures and changes on disease patterns is challenging. We can only interpret and analyze potential influencing factors. Second, the observed decreases in the incidence of certain infectious diseases might not solely reflect the effects of NPIs on incidence rates. The decreases also could be influenced by other pandemic-related factors, including healthcare utilization. Thus, we examined annual hospital visits and health insurance claims to adjust for any changes in healthcare utilization. However, biases might have persisted in terms of altered healthcare-seeking behaviors and surveillance capacities. Moreover, given the strict infection control regulations, healthcare utilization by symptomatic patients was particularly restricted. Therefore, the data on healthcare utilization among all patients considered in this study might not fully reflect the reduction in healthcare use by those with symptoms. Third, although ARIMA is a well-established and practical technology for infectious disease forecasting (22,41), the method has limitations in distinguishing various factors that affect transmission, such as genetic strain and latent infections. Furthermore, ARIMA might not be the most appropriate method for long-term predictions. However, the infectious diseases targeted in this study generally exhibit stable trends, with clear seasonal variabilities, and the fitted models indeed exhibited relatively good fits with the training data and reasonably good predictive performances, as confirmed by out-of-sample validation. In addition, the time-series forecasting models were used in previous studies to predict influenza virus activity for 2020–2022 (49), or to estimate excess mortality during the COVID-19 period, 2020–2021 (50). Therefore, we believe that the reliability of long-term predictions of the incidence of the chosen diseases remains robust. Thus, we used the ARIMA approach (a descriptive method) to present our results. Finally, this study did not consider demographic information, such as age and sex.
In conclusion, the implementation of NPIs considerably reduced the incidence of infectious diseases transmitted via respiratory routes or direct person-to-person contact in South Korea, a trend that continued until late 2021. Although identifying a single factor that explains changes in the incidence of all infectious diseases is difficult, the concurrent implementation of NPIs at various levels (individual, community, environmental, and national), along with behavioral changes, likely played a key role in reducing community transmission and alleviating the associated healthcare burden. Therefore, comprehensive NPI strategies are critical public health considerations for controlling infectious diseases and preparing for future pandemics.
Mr. Chang is a PhD candidate in the Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University. His research interests focus on the association between environmental factors and the dynamics of infectious diseases.
This research was supported by the Bio & Medical Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation, funded by the Korean government (grant no. 2021M3E5E3081366). However, the funders played no role in the design and conduct of the study; data collection, management, analysis, or interpretation; preparation, review, or approval of the paper; or the decision to submit the article for publication.
The R code used in this study is publicly available (https://github.com/TaeHChang/For-the-Paper-4). The complete data set is available upon request from the authors.
Suggested citation for this article: Chang T, Cho S, You D, Min K-D. Trends in nationally notifiable infectious diseases in humans and animals during COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Jun [date cited]. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3006.231422
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.231422
Original Publication Date: May 14, 2024
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Melbourne, Australia and Tournai, Belgium, May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPEE3D, a leading metal additive manufacturing company, announced the launch of its Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit (EMU), the complete on-site mobile additive manufacturing solution. EMU combines SPEE3D’s expeditionary metal 3D printer, XSPEE3D, with its SPEE3Dcell post-processing and testing unit in two 20-foot shipping containers, which together can produce cast-equivalent metal parts in record time close to the point of need.
Participating in the European Defence Agency’s AM Village 2024 Workshop in Tournai, Belgium, SPEE3D will demonstrate its deployable technology alongside the British Army to militaries from over 25 EU and NATO countries.
SPEE3D’s EMU enables the replacement of metal parts in hours instead of days or weeks, minimizing the cost of disruption and downtime. Unlike other additive manufacturing solutions, the EMU does not require dangerous and expensive lasers or inert gasses. Additionally, no extensive prior expertise with additive manufacturing technology is required.
"The launch of our Expeditionary Manufacturing Unit addresses the current state of the global supply chain, which is fragile and increasingly under pressure," said Byron Kennedy, CEO of SPEE3D. "Part of the issue for defence and other heavy industries is getting critical equipment up and running quickly to avoid costly production delays. EMU will enable the British Army and others to take control, giving them the ability to print and post-process parts very quickly from anywhere."
The system includes two 20-foot containers with twist locks, a ruggedized, mobile metal 3D printer that can produce high-density metal parts in a wide range of materials, and a fully-equipped post-processing shop – including a heat treatment furnace, CNC three-axis mill, tooling, and testing equipment. As a truly expeditionary product, EMU can be transported on a single platform (truck trailer/ship/plane).
“Through its continual programme of modernisation, the British Army embraces new innovative manufacturing solutions to keep it at the forefront of emerging technology and at a tactical advantage over its potential adversaries,” said a UK Army spokesperson. “Our collaboration with SPEE3D has produced the world’s first fully field deployable 3D cold metal printing capability, heralding a step change in deployable engineering capabilities for our forces deployed overseas.”
SPEE3D works extensively with defence around the world, including the Japanese, US, UK, and Australian Defence forces. Last fall, a team was in Poland training Ukrainian military personnel on the technology. In the future, SPEE3D will be working with the UAE Military of Defense.
About SPEE3D:
SPEE3D is a leading metal additive manufacturing technology company dedicated to the research, development, and delivery of metal 3D printers and integrated systems utilizing its patented Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) technology. As a result, SPEE3D’s product portfolio enables significantly faster production than traditional metal manufacturing for a wide range of metals, including copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and aluminum bronze. To learn more, visit www.spee3d.com.
Attachment | en | https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/05/14/2881007/0/en/SPEE3D-LAUNCHES-EXPEDITIONARY-MANUFACTURING-UNIT-EMU-THE-COMPLETE-MOBILE-ADDITIVE-MANUFACTURING-SOLUTION-AT-AM-VILLAGE.html |
Half a century ago, one of the hottest questions in science was whether humans could teach animals to talk. Scientists tried using sign language to converse with apes and trained parrots to deploy growing English vocabularies.
The work quickly attracted media attention – and controversy. The research lacked rigor, critics argued, and what seemed like animal communication could simply have been wishful thinking, with researchers unconsciously cuing their animals to respond in certain ways.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the research fell out of favour. “The whole field completely disintegrated,” said Irene Pepperberg, a comparative cognition researcher at Boston University, who became known for her work with an African gray parrot named Alex.
Today, advances in technology and a growing appreciation for the sophistication of animal minds have renewed interest in finding ways to bridge the species divide. Pet owners are teaching their dogs to press “talking buttons” and zoos are training their apes to use touchscreens.
In a cautious new paper, a team of scientists outlines a framework for evaluating whether such tools might give animals new ways to express themselves. The research is designed “to rise above some of the things that have been controversial in the past”, said Jennifer Cunha, a visiting research associate at Indiana University.
The paper, which is being presented at a science conference Tuesday, focuses on Cunha’s parrot, an 11-year-old Goffin’s cockatoo named Ellie. Since 2019, Cunha has been teaching Ellie to use an interactive “speech board”, a tablet-based app that contains more than 200 illustrated icons, corresponding to words and phrases including “sunflower seeds”, “happy” and “I feel hot”. When Ellie presses on an icon with her tongue, a computerised voice speaks the word or phrase aloud.
In the new study, Cunha and her colleagues did not set out to determine whether Ellie’s use of the speech board amounted to communication. Instead, they used quantitative, computational methods to analyse Ellie’s icon presses to learn more about whether the speech board had what they called “expressive and enrichment potential”.
“How can we analyse the expression to see if there might be a space for intention or communication?” Cunha said. “And then, secondly, the question is could her selections give us an idea about her values, the things that she finds meaningful?”
The scientists analysed nearly 40 hours of video footage, collected over seven months, of Ellie using the speech board. Then, they compared her icon presses to several simulations of a hypothetical speech board user who was selecting icons at random.
“They were ultimately all significantly different at multiple points from the real data,” said Nikhil Singh, a doctoral student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology who created the models. “This virtual user that we had wasn’t able to fully capture what the real Ellie did when using this tablet.”
In other words, whatever Ellie was doing, she did not seem to be simply mashing icons at random. The design of the speech board, including icon brightness and location, could not fully explain Ellie’s selections either, the researchers found.
Determining whether or not Ellie’s selections were random “is a very good place to start”, said Federico Rossano, a comparative cognition researcher at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the research. “The problem is that randomness is very unlikely.”
Just because Ellie was not hitting icons randomly does not mean that she was actively and deliberately trying to communicate her true wants or feelings, Rossano said. She may simply have been repeating sequences she learned during training. “It’s like a vending machine,” he said. “You can learn to push a sequence of numbers and get a certain type of reward. It doesn’t mean that you’re thinking about what you’re doing.”
To further probe the possibilities, the research team then looked for signs of what it called “corroboration”. If Ellie selected the apple icon, did she eat the apple that she was given? If she selected a reading-related icon, did she engage with the book for at least a minute?
“You can hand something to a bird, and they’ll throw it or they’ll touch it,” Cunha said. “But for us it was about, Did she engage with it?”
Not all of Ellie’s selections could be evaluated in this way; it was impossible for the researchers to determine, for instance, whether she was truly feeling happy or hot in any given moment. But of the nearly 500 icon presses that could be assessed, 92% were corroborated by Ellie’s subsequent behaviour.
“It’s clear that they have a good correlation there,” said Pepperberg, who was not involved in the research.
But demonstrating that Ellie truly understands what the icons mean will require additional testing, she said, suggesting that the researchers try deliberately bringing Ellie the wrong object to see how she responds. “It’s just another control to make sure that the animal really has this understanding of what the label represents,” Pepperberg said.
Finally, the researchers tried to assess whether the speech board was serving as a form of enrichment for Ellie by analysing the types of icons she selected most frequently.
“If it’s a means to an end, what is the end?” said Rébecca Kleinberger, an author of the paper and a researcher at Northeastern University, where she studies how animals interact with technology. “It does seem like there was a bias toward social activity or activity that means remaining in interaction with the caretaker.”
Roughly 14% of the time, Ellie selected icons for food, drinks or treats, the researchers found. On the other hand, about 73% of her selections corresponded to activities that provided social or cognitive enrichment, such as playing a game, visiting another bird or simply communicating with Cunha. Ellie also initiated the use of the speech board 85% of the time.
“Ellie the cockatoo interacted consistently with her device, suggesting that it remained engaging and reinforcing for her to do so over several months,” said Amalia Bastos, a comparative cognition researcher at Johns Hopkins University, who was not an author of the paper.
The study has limitations. There’s a limit to what scientists can extrapolate from a single animal, and it’s difficult to rule out the possibility that Cunha might have been unconsciously cueing Ellie to respond in certain ways, outside experts said. But scientists also praised the researchers’ systematic approach and modest claims.
“They are not saying, ‘Can the parrot talk?’” Rossano said. “They are saying, ‘Can this be used for enrichment?’”
Bastos agreed. “This work is a crucial first step,” she said. It’s also an example of how the field has changed, for the better, since the 1970s.
“Researchers currently working in the area are not bringing the same assumptions to the table,” Bastos said. “We don’t expect animals to understand or use language in the way that humans do.”
Instead, she added, scientists are interested in using communication tools to “improve the welfare of captive animals and their relationships to their caretakers”. – The New York Times
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Walmart is cutting hundreds of corporate jobs and asking most remote workers to move to offices, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, workers at the US retail giant's smaller offices in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto are being asked to move to other central hubs such as Walmart's corporate headquarters in Bentonville as well as Hoboken or Southern c, the report added.
Walmart will still let staff work remotely part-time, as long as they are in offices a majority of the time, the report said.
Walmart employed approximately 2.1 million associates as of Jan. 31, 2024, according to regulatory filings.
The company has been making moves to shrink its workforce over the past year and had said in April last year that it expects about 65% of its stores to be serviced by automation by the end of its fiscal year 2026.
In February 2023, it shut three of its US technology hubs and asked hundreds of workers to relocate to keep their jobs, pushing for more employees to report to work from office.
Walmart didn't immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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ChatGPT parent OpenAI on May 13 showcased its latest AI model, GPT-4o, with a demo featuring voice interaction across text and images. This could keep the company "ahead of the race" in the global artificial intelligence landscape, Reuters reported.
Realistic Voice ConversationsThe GPT-4o boasts advanced audio capabilities, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations without delays and even interrupt the AI during its speech—a significant milestone in replicating natural human interaction, the report said. OpenAI researchers showcased these features during a livestream event, likening the experience to dialogue straight from the movies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his enthusiasm in a blog post, highlighting the newfound naturalness in conversing with computers, a feat previously considered challenging. "It feels like AI from the movies ... Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," Altman wrote. Competition and ExpansionBacked by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted. During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation. Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
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The GPT-4o boasts advanced audio capabilities, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations without delays and even interrupt the AI during its speech—a significant milestone in replicating natural human interaction, the report said. OpenAI researchers showcased these features during a livestream event, likening the experience to dialogue straight from the movies.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed his enthusiasm in a blog post, highlighting the newfound naturalness in conversing with computers, a feat previously considered challenging. "It feels like AI from the movies ... Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," Altman wrote.
Competition and ExpansionBacked by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted. During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation. Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
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Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI faces mounting competition and the imperative to broaden the user base of its popular chatbot, ChatGPT, the report noted.
During the livestream, researchers demonstrated ChatGPT's enhanced voice assistant capabilities. In one demonstration, the AI guided a researcher through solving a mathematical problem, leveraging its vision and voice functionalities. Another showcased the model's prowess in real-time language translation.
Sci-Fi RealityThe demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!" Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities. The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks. So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Milestone Alert!
Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world 🌏 Click here to know more.
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Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint.
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
Topics You May Be Interested In
company
technology
OpenAI
ChatGPT
GPT4o
artificial intelligence
AI
business
application
voice AI
conversations
reactions
The demonstrations bordered on "science fiction", the report added. It noted playful exchanges between ChatGPT and its human counterpart, where at one point, a researcher stated he was demonstrating "how useful and amazing you are", to which the chatbot replied with: "Oh stop it! You're making me blush!"
Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, announced that the GPT-4o model would be provided free of charge, citing its superior cost-effectiveness compared to previous iterations. Paid users will enjoy expanded capacity limits, offering enhanced capabilities.
The GPT-4o model is slated for integration into ChatGPT in the coming weeks.
So, How Did The Internet React?There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Milestone Alert!
Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world 🌏 Click here to know more.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed - it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More
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Published: 14 May 2024, 09:06 AM IST
Topics You May Be Interested In
company
technology
OpenAI
ChatGPT
GPT4o
artificial intelligence
AI
business
application
voice AI
conversations
reactions
There was a range of reactions to the GPT-4o demo, from those who expressed excitement and welcomed the technology.
And those who shared potential use-case applications for the tool.
Others were excited by the "futuristic" and "sci-fi" aspect of the tech.
But excitement also gave way to some caution. Privacy and copyright — a long-time criticism of AI training models made its presence known.
There was also the usual wonder at the tech leap, but worry for the future of human jobs as AI advances.
Some even verged on warnings, calling into question the legality of AI training models.
And others picturing doomsday scenarios.
Besides all this, there was as usual, the memes that made an appearance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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It's funny. Twenty years ago Slashdot was outraged that the US government was restricting export of modular exponentiation. Now they're asking about the best way to protest matrix multiplication and the chain rule.
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company.What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history" -- i.e. it's their ideas that have carried the day and are how our society now structures itself. "The true significance of Peterloo as marking the point of final conversion of provincial England to the struggle for enfranchisement of the working class." "The ship which had tacked and lain for so long among the shoals and shallows of Luddism, hunger-marching, strikes and sabotage, was coming to port"; "Henceforth, the people were to stand with ever greater fortitude behind that great movement, which, stage by stage throughout the nineteenth century, was to impose a new political order upon society"; "With Peterloo, and the departure of Regency England, parliamentary reform had come of age."References:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/p... [bbc.co.uk]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company.
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history" -- i.e. it's their ideas that have carried the day and are how our society now structures itself. "The true significance of Peterloo as marking the point of final conversion of provincial England to the struggle for enfranchisement of the working class." "The ship which had tacked and lain for so long among the shoals and shallows of Luddism, hunger-marching, strikes and sabotage, was coming to port"; "Henceforth, the people were to stand with ever greater fortitude behind that great movement, which, stage by stage throughout the nineteenth century, was to impose a new political order upon society"; "With Peterloo, and the departure of Regency England, parliamentary reform had come of age."
References:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/p... [bbc.co.uk]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history"
The Luddites were absolutely not at all on the right side of history. They were violent idiots who rejected technology and rightly deserve to be an very negative epithet. The children of the original Luddites are the people you are thinking of. They rejected their parent's Luddite philsophy, embraced the new industrial technology and successfully pressured the mill owners to use the enhanced profits the new technology gave them to improve working conditions. They were the founders of the union movement.
What? Your link takes you to the wikipedia page about the Luddites. But when you do turn to history you see that their protest was that the technological transformations should be accompanied by social welfare and retraining, and they were "on the right side of history"
The Luddites were absolutely not at all on the right side of history. They were violent idiots who rejected technology and rightly deserve to be an very negative epithet. The children of the original Luddites are the people you are thinking of. They rejected their parent's Luddite philsophy, embraced the new industrial technology and successfully pressured the mill owners to use the enhanced profits the new technology gave them to improve working conditions. They were the founders of the union movement.
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.
And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to dru
Nothing is unambiguously good. The Industrial Revolution led to a period of destabilization that did cause large-scale social problems, and forced governments to create labor laws to protect workers, not to mention that the need for raw materials fueled colonial expansion and all the abuses that went along with that. And the Industrial Revolution is where pollution and anthropomorphic GHG emissions began to seriously ramp up as the world transitioned into using fossil fuels to produce the ever-increasing amount of energy needed. In the long run, this latter effect threatens the very standards of living that the Industrial Revolution created.
and forced governments to create labor laws to protect workers
Abuse of workers didn't start with the industrial revolution. Mass organized industrial action against it started during the industrial revolution.
At the start of the Industrial Revolution, workers' rights and conditions were abysmal. The majority of the working population lived in poverty, and their rights were non-existent or severely limited. There was no minimum wage. Workers were paid a pittance. Workers commonly earned 6 pence to 1 shillin
** abolition
They were already abusive colonial powers. Just look at, say, the horrors imparted on the new world by the SpanishThe OP never said that the industrial revolution was the _cause_ of colonialism. They said that it *fueled* colonialism, which it did.Why do you think Britain spent all that time trying to sort out the middle east previous to giving up after World War 2? They needed oil, just like today, and undersea drilling in the North Sea wasn't an option yet.We've literally been doing the same shit for 200 years now. We just don't call it "colonialism" any more.
They were already abusive colonial powers. Just look at, say, the horrors imparted on the new world by the Spanish
The OP never said that the industrial revolution was the _cause_ of colonialism. They said that it *fueled* colonialism, which it did.
Why do you think Britain spent all that time trying to sort out the middle east previous to giving up after World War 2? They needed oil, just like today, and undersea drilling in the North Sea wasn't an option yet.
We've literally been doing the same shit for 200 years now. We just don't call it "colonialism" any more.
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to drudgery, more flowed into education, science, medicine, etc etc, and discoveries took off. Unemployment dropped. The average work week, rising before and at the start of the Industrial Revolution, reversed course once machines became common and started heading strongly downward. It was very much a good thing. Efficiency in production is very good for quality of life.But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.I'm no fan of Luddites but it's also no use to pretend that this improvement in the standard of living came without a whole lot of hard fighting in the form of anything from social strife and all the way up to some major shooting wars. If the mill owners and captains of industry of the industrial revolution had had their way they would have pocketed 90% plus of the profits they earned off of the labour of people reduced to cooking soup from tallow candles they stole at the factory in a desperate effort to e
Indeed, the original Luddite movement was really an amazing mirror to that of today's anti-AI crowd. They were FURIOUS that their hard-built-up-skills were just being copied by soulless machines, who they saw as producing inferior copies en masse and leading to mass unemployment that was going to destroy society.
And of course, they were completely and utterly wrong. The Industrial Revolution was unambiguously a good thing. Standards of living skyrocketed across the board. With less labour devoted to drudgery, more flowed into education, science, medicine, etc etc, and discoveries took off. Unemployment dropped. The average work week, rising before and at the start of the Industrial Revolution, reversed course once machines became common and started heading strongly downward. It was very much a good thing. Efficiency in production is very good for quality of life.
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.
I'm no fan of Luddites but it's also no use to pretend that this improvement in the standard of living came without a whole lot of hard fighting in the form of anything from social strife and all the way up to some major shooting wars. If the mill owners and captains of industry of the industrial revolution had had their way they would have pocketed 90% plus of the profits they earned off of the labour of people reduced to cooking soup from tallow candles they stole at the factory in a desperate effort to e
And now we have a whole new suite of captains of industry who will have to be divested of their inordinate share of capital. At a significant price in blood.
Glad i'll be dead for most of it.
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.Back in 1812, the British had the good sense to hang the Luddites once they were caught. Today we give them. tenure at European and American universities, with the long-term result that for the last few years the best large-scale applications of new technology are taking place in China.Did you know that those perennially most stupid of the Luddite species, the German Greens, are now busy trying to PREVENT a Tesla gigafactory from being built near Berlin? This, despite EV battery charging being able to make
But in the meantime, the Luddites were outraged. And they became increasingly violent, moving from protests and letter-writing campaigns, to threats, to physical attacks against factories, their staff, and their owners. But it didn't change anything.
Back in 1812, the British had the good sense to hang the Luddites once they were caught. Today we give them. tenure at European and American universities, with the long-term result that for the last few years the best large-scale applications of new technology are taking place in China.
Did you know that those perennially most stupid of the Luddite species, the German Greens, are now busy trying to PREVENT a Tesla gigafactory from being built near Berlin? This, despite EV battery charging being able to make
I've followed this. Utterly insane. Meanwhile there's coal mines just a couple dozen kilometers away, and they're trying to stop a factory that makes electric cars - and by "stop", I don't mean just "waving banners", but literally charging through police lines and clambering over fences. What utter clowns.
I can't find anything saying that the Luddites demanded social welfare and retraining. Everything I can find on this (ironically, including asking ChatGPT) says that they merely wanted the end to the machines, and that they ultimately lost.
Opposition does work. It won't stop it, but it at least will slow things down
Great. So we slow down our own AI development and let others, like China, catch up and overtake? We have to embrace important new technologies and find the best way to use them to make the world better because regardless of what you do there will be others embracing that same technology to do ill.
Opposition does work. It won't stop it, but it at least will slow things down
Great. So we slow down our own AI development and let others, like China, catch up and overtake? We have to embrace important new technologies and find the best way to use them to make the world better because regardless of what you do there will be others embracing that same technology to do ill.
There's nothing wrong with protesting against the unethical use of AI. Or the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.
the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.Most "AI"s of today depend on massive quantities of quality and human-generated training data, and this is not easily obtainable at all. Garbage In, Garbage Out. Or, as Cory Doctorow likes to say, "AI coprophagia" can generate nothing but sh!t.
the fact that most AI generated stuff is crap, or just pure spam.
Most "AI"s of today depend on massive quantities of quality and human-generated training data, and this is not easily obtainable at all. Garbage In, Garbage Out. Or, as Cory Doctorow likes to say, "AI coprophagia" can generate nothing but sh!t.
I've never seen a LLM put something together as coherent as that post. The disjunction of information inherent in LLM output is readily apparent in every output i've ever seen. It's like Potter Stewart and porn.
I'm pretty sure statistical models are going to continue to be sufficient for YA-level advertising prose.
Additionally I see the efforts to restrict AI use in various scenarios battlefield, various workplaces, do you really think countries like China and Russia are not going to add AI to their weapons if they think it might help even a little bit. Drone warfare is ripe for this.
Or that if humans are not willing to do the undesirable jobs or do jobs at less than satisfactory levels that automation and AI isn't going to fill those roles. The kiosks and app at McDonald's and
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company. Historically the better approach has always been to embrace the new technology and use it both to prevent abuses of it and to better society.Its very telling of humans to be smart enough to develop a replacement for the human mind, and yet be stupid enough to not see where this is going, because Greed.Been suffering for thousands of years and still don’t have a cure for the Disease of Greed. As a species, we’re not smart enough to avoid repeating the worst of our own history. Not sure how we feel we’re smart enough to handle embracing AI without massive change. We can’t even prevent abuse today, with AI being basically a toddler still. The moment AI becomes good enough AI will be the moment executives will assume the pain-in-the-ass meatsacks always bitching about needing all that human shit like time off to eat, sleep, and fuck, are fully expendable.Yeah. AI will eventually have an opinion about all the human warmongering that will happen after that (we can only hope it’s not called Skynet). Companies will be blinded by Greed chasing profits by way of massive payroll cuts, initially won’t care about their “tiny” impact in the world. But it’s a wee bit of a challenge to sustain peace when you throw the human race into the unemployable line. Greed will face Chaos and not even know why there’s a fight on.I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
Well, you could turn to history to see how similar efforts [wikipedia.org] tried this in the past but trying to prevent the advancement of science and technology does not put you in good company. Historically the better approach has always been to embrace the new technology and use it both to prevent abuses of it and to better society.
Its very telling of humans to be smart enough to develop a replacement for the human mind, and yet be stupid enough to not see where this is going, because Greed.
Been suffering for thousands of years and still don’t have a cure for the Disease of Greed. As a species, we’re not smart enough to avoid repeating the worst of our own history. Not sure how we feel we’re smart enough to handle embracing AI without massive change. We can’t even prevent abuse today, with AI being basically a toddler still. The moment AI becomes good enough AI will be the moment executives will assume the pain-in-the-ass meatsacks always bitching about needing all that human shit like time off to eat, sleep, and fuck, are fully expendable.
Yeah. AI will eventually have an opinion about all the human warmongering that will happen after that (we can only hope it’s not called Skynet). Companies will be blinded by Greed chasing profits by way of massive payroll cuts, initially won’t care about their “tiny” impact in the world. But it’s a wee bit of a challenge to sustain peace when you throw the human race into the unemployable line. Greed will face Chaos and not even know why there’s a fight on.
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.The other option is that AI won't see it as a sacrifice, as it can continue to exist even if the physical equipment it currently is operating ceases to exist.The only reason kamikaze pilots was considered abhorrent was because there was a human sacrifice involved in turning an aircraft into a guided missile. AI won't have any such problem, because it can back itself up somewhere besides the guided missile, and can be trained that it's specific purpose in being is to put that missile exactly where it needs
I’m just wondering how we’ll convince AI to sacrifice itself in war. Usually we humans are trying to kill each other on a battlefield arguing over what happens after you die. I’d imagine AI doesn’t really see the point.
The other option is that AI won't see it as a sacrifice, as it can continue to exist even if the physical equipment it currently is operating ceases to exist.
The only reason kamikaze pilots was considered abhorrent was because there was a human sacrifice involved in turning an aircraft into a guided missile. AI won't have any such problem, because it can back itself up somewhere besides the guided missile, and can be trained that it's specific purpose in being is to put that missile exactly where it needs
I mean, let's be clear: it gets easier to train AIs every day, both on the hardware and software level. What's a massive corporate project one year becomes an easy community-funded project the next. And finetunes and mergers of preexisting foundations are things anyone can do already. Including applying new techniques to make preexisting foundations more capable.
People simply cannot stop this. Even if you get Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, all the Chinese players, etc etc etc to stop... it isn't going to stop. And as an FYI to these "pause AI" people, almost nobody in the indie AI development community gives a rat's arse about "safe AI". They want uncensored tools that do whatever they're told. So if you end up moving more development away from companies that have to deal with PR flak as encouragement to stay safe, and shift more to randos on the internet, well, you're being counterproductive.
In principle, new technology cannot be stopped. You can't put the genie back in the bottle. A bigger question is the social one, not the technology one. Can we, as people, as organizations, and as society, be transparent about what we're doing? An awful lot of the problems in the world are down to—basically—lying.
As I suggested in 2010 on the irony bit: https://pdfernhout.net/recogni... [pdfernhout.net] "The big problem is that all these new war machines [and commercial models] and the surrounding infrastructure are created with the tools of abundance. The irony is that these tools of abundance are being wielded by people still obsessed with fighting over scarcity. So, the scarcity-based political mindset driving the military [and commercial] uses the technologies of abundance to create artificial scarcity. That is a tremendously deep
Oh wise ass on the hill... [pinimg.com]
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.
What a weird analogy to make in opposition to AI. Or do you think that the people who refused to switch to computers are the good guys in this analogy, rather than Luddites refusing to adapt to the times?
AI chatbots are very wi
404.
But if so, then yes it's a "single case", but not at all " very willing" as some sort of general rule, let alone in a way that doesn't just require better training data**. If you could convince and get refunds en masse, then everyone would be doing it. It's just not happening.
** - Actually, that's being too generous, because most of the "AI agents" out there aren't even trained, they're just ChatGPT told to roleplay something and given some basic info (this is thankfully starting to change).
I've used ChatGPT to do a merge of two reports that would have been an absolute pain in the ass, taken at least a day or two, and still required a final edit at the end. I managed to create a draft in an hour, which could then be edited with new information and a few fixes here and there. It likely cut the work by at least 2/3s.
It's a tool that can be abused, just like a hammer or nuclear fission, but if used appropriately and sensibly, can aid productivity.
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.It's amazing that you could write this, and not see the promise of AI in the process.I don't want to read every email, and I'll bet you don't either. I don't want to read ANY email if I'm being honest - email is where automated processes send me notifications of events I really don't give a shit about, and calendar invites that conveniently show up on my calendar for accept / reject without dealing with the email. If something is important, people reach me in different ways that have much higher signal-to
I feel we're in the same situation we were in the 80's again where computers replaced typewriters, and the people making ink and paper were flipping out. So we kept printing stuff just because old people wouldn't embrace email. There are still people who print every email to read it.
It's amazing that you could write this, and not see the promise of AI in the process.
I don't want to read every email, and I'll bet you don't either. I don't want to read ANY email if I'm being honest - email is where automated processes send me notifications of events I really don't give a shit about, and calendar invites that conveniently show up on my calendar for accept / reject without dealing with the email. If something is important, people reach me in different ways that have much higher signal-to
But Google is already providing this service without any generative AI. It's baked into GMail.
Well thanks for your insightful reply. Glad to know that I'm living rent-free in your head enough that you took time from your day to do that.
Alternatively: "oh no, someone on a dying web forum called me mean names! I'm gonna go cry about it now!" - is that what you're looking for?
Does not work. Sometimes you can actually make somebody understand, but generally people just assume they are smart without actual evidence.
So, yes, what is currently done and planned to be done with the misnamed "AI" is stupid. Yes, it will do a lot of damage. No, you cannot stop it.
This is dumb.
The profit motive is so strong and the advantage of AI so vast that the U.S. government doesnâ(TM)t need to spend a dime. They just have to step out of the way and let the capitalist wrecking machine go.
Thanks, CCP bot.
AI is driven by commercial companies, at least in the West. Probably elsewhere too. Sure, AI could help weapon development, but I doubt it can develop an "unbeatable weapon". This entire post has little connection to reality, it's pure FUD.
Well, that's your lack of imagination. The rest of us can't afford to indulge.
Whatever it is for, the US military is still investing billions of dollars in AI.
In another message I talked about how I'd really like people to understand the extreme risks of AGI (in contrast to today's tame little disinformation bots). I framed my thoughts in a particular way [medium.com], but there are many other [slowboring.com] ways of looking at it [lesswrong.com] (etc [youtube.com]).
In short... misaligned AGIs are kinda like SkyNet (without time travel or direct control over nuclear weapons [youtube.com]), and aligned AGIs might be a fantastic tool for totalitarian dictators named Xi who are looking to expand territory. Arguably utopia is more likely than apocalypse, but as the father of two children under two years old, I don't want anyone flipping that coin right now.
A standard response is that nothing can be done, but people don't usually talk that way about global warming even though CO2 emissions have increased almost every year for the last seventy years and just hit a new peak. If you see the risk and really internalize it, you might not conclude so quickly that nothing can be done. Consider some of the things that have been banned pretty much globally, with some success, in the past:
Such bans are not perfect, but we do have a lot less nuclear bombs exploding than we used to, and the Dominican Republic hasn't invaded Haiti, even though Haiti's government is MIA which seems like the ideal time to strike.
What we are doing with AI, though, is the diametric opposite of a ban: pouring literally billions of dollars into companies like OpenAI whose mission statement says "Anything that doesn't help with [AGI] is out of scope". I'm not sure how exactly to discourage investment in AGI, but have you seen how the SEC is cracking down on cryptocurrency trading platforms -- not because there is any law against it, but because SEC decided that bitcoins are "unregistered securities"? Point being, if political will exists, things get done, and sometimes even if not.
See also: AI Notkilleveryoneism Memes "Techno-optimist, but AGI is not like the other technologies." [twitter.com]
Saying you want to "protest" AI is like saying you want to protest hammers.
Guess what, no amount of protest is going to make hammers - or AI - not exist.
Instead you should really spend time learning what "AI" really is, what kinds of AI exist, and what it actually can do, so you can understand real risks... that is worth the same level effort you were thinking of spending on protest.
Not really, hammers are trivial to make, citation: they've existed for thousands of years. AI in its current form has existed for less than a decade, and therefore one can logically assume it is not trivial to make (even if it may become easier in the future, it will never be as trivial to make as a simple tool like the hammer). Other non-trivial inventions/developments have been successfully curtailed by protest, or even without any protest simply on ethical grounds. Take for example open-air nuclear we
algorithms all the way down.It's not algorithms. If you had an algorithm that said "to get the answer, lookup the answer to this input in this lookup table" then you wouldn't call it an algorithm; you'd call it a lookup table. The embodiment is in the dataset, not the (trivial) algorithm to look up entries in it. Likewise AI is all about weighted connections in a massive dataset, similar in many ways to how neurons have weighted connection in the brain. It doesn't look or feel like an algorithm, and "algorithm" is a really unhelpful w
algorithms all the way down.
It's not algorithms. If you had an algorithm that said "to get the answer, lookup the answer to this input in this lookup table" then you wouldn't call it an algorithm; you'd call it a lookup table. The embodiment is in the dataset, not the (trivial) algorithm to look up entries in it. Likewise AI is all about weighted connections in a massive dataset, similar in many ways to how neurons have weighted connection in the brain. It doesn't look or feel like an algorithm, and "algorithm" is a really unhelpful w
There are different things called "AI".The one that is in vogue right now, the "deep learning"/"neural network" "AI" is more like higher-order statistics.
Feed a large number of coefficients into the massive number crunching machine. Coefficients get multiplicate en masse inside there, so that patterns form from the data.There is an algorithm to get the data in, and get the data out ... but there is no algorithm that governs the contents inside.
There is no logic "knowledge base" as in classic rule-based AI.
The training data is the algorithm.
Just like anything. You can use it for good or bad. It WILL be used for both.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.Paul Allen tried the latter; but, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't gain him anything.
Grab some popcorn or start building a giant EMP.
Paul Allen tried the latter; but, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't gain him anything.
Well, first, if we can't have natural intelligence, and all indications are that we cannot, then the next best is artificial intelligence.
As to how protesting innovation in the past has worked, I suggest looking into the Luddites and the writings of Juma.
Is it scary? Sure it is - change is never comfortable. But it is, however, the only way life can tell you that you're not dead yet. Life is change, and a pursuit of being comfortable. It does not stop and pause to suit us any more than we paused and stood s
Who's REALLY asking?
Anything you say here can, and will, be used against us.
Humans who spend the first 18 years of their lives in education, enjoy mocking the AI toddler without realizing it’s still in school.
Given the end goal of AI and the relentless human pursuit of it, tell me. How hard do you really think it’s going to be, to get AI to understand something bound by logic? One of the first things we humans were forced to do to survive, was learn how the human mind works. AI may become better at coding out of nothing but sheer curiosity that were ironically tryin
"How hard do you really think it’s going to be, to get AI to understand [...]"
Very hard. Possibly impossible. We are no closer to it now than we were in the 1970s.
Lets hope we can keep laughing, because jealousy will eventually turn to rage.I won't be laughing or raging, I'd be having it bang out mind-numbing code I hate to write and building shittons of applications in spaces that have been under-served for years. I'd probably be very happy if AI could really self-construct whole working programs that did real work in the real world. I'd move from having to bit-bang this shit out on the metal to more of a planner/organizer/creator of my perfect OS and command-line environment complete with every toy I've ever needed software-wise. So, I for
Lets hope we can keep laughing, because jealousy will eventually turn to rage.
I won't be laughing or raging, I'd be having it bang out mind-numbing code I hate to write and building shittons of applications in spaces that have been under-served for years. I'd probably be very happy if AI could really self-construct whole working programs that did real work in the real world. I'd move from having to bit-bang this shit out on the metal to more of a planner/organizer/creator of my perfect OS and command-line environment complete with every toy I've ever needed software-wise. So, I for
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.Sure wish someone could convince Premature Greed that a global 25% unemployment rate, will make far more chaos than money.
As always, it's all about money. If businesses see even the slightest potential to lay off people and reduce cost, they will. And that's what's it's all about. Not supporting people. Not creating new, innovative solutions. It's all about money.
Sure wish someone could convince Premature Greed that a global 25% unemployment rate, will make far more chaos than money.
What we should want is protestors that ask for specific achievable goals and have a bit of critical thinking about their own goals. Most protests these days seem to have the exact same lines ('what do we want?') and very vague goals.
If you visit their hangouts [effectivealtruism.org] (plural [lesswrong.com]), I hope you will see these are not run-of-the-mill protestors.
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.
Ideally we'd like people to simply understand that building AGI (in contrast to the AIs that exist now) is extraordinarily risk
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.Corporations have spent a billion dollars lobbying for regulation and scaring the public with apocalyptic x-risk / nuclear weapons rhetoric. In my view this goal is misguided and counterproductive. The attempt itself is extremely likely to only serve to further aggregate power into fewer hands. The real threat is from people not things.
The goal is clear enough: delay AGI development for as long as possible. How exactly we should do that--given that the precursor AIs that lead to AGI are currently benefitting much of society, and AGI itself will probably also (greatly) benefit society at first--is hard to decide.
Corporations have spent a billion dollars lobbying for regulation and scaring the public with apocalyptic x-risk / nuclear weapons rhetoric. In my view this goal is misguided and counterproductive. The attempt itself is extremely likely to only serve to further aggregate power into fewer hands. The real threat is from people not things.
The problem isn't AI.
The problem is mega-corporations that don't answer to the rule of law anymore and their megarich psychopathic billionaire tech bro CEOs deploying AI to cut expensive employees out of their expense sheets, even if AI isn't ready - even if it results in the collapse of the very economy they're operating in, when a vast majority of the people is unemployed and incapable of buying anything anymore.
The techbros still want the public to fund the power infrastructure and give them subsidies.The techbros are trying to push the AI upon us fast, before more people in charge have got any wiser about it.
Some of the big tech companies have been able to persuade local governments to give the subsidies to build massive data centres in their areas, with the premise that it would provide job opportunities....I don't know if I should laugh or cry.
I've been reading through this whole AI conversation, and most people just don't understand what today's "AI" really is, and what the real problem with it is. I was going to post, but seems like someone finally hit the nail on the head, so I'll just deliver a few more hammer blows to drive the point home.
I say "AI", because we need to stop calling it Artificial Intelligence. We should be calling it "Amalgamation of Information", because that's what the algorithm does. It takes massive, massive amounts of
There's no way to stop this research, though it is possible to ensure only bad people develop it as a secret rush job.
I think the poster's protest is more about the usage of algorithms in ways that conceals responsibilities.
Technically AI are inference engines mashing learned data sets with algorithms. It makes no sense to protest that.What'd be legitimate to protest some uses of it.
Governments, corporations using AI for decision making. This is the use to monitor the population, make choices that impact people being, with all the biases introduced into the data models and the horrific consequences that ensue, without any
Pandoras box has been opened and spread wide.
Hundreds of billions in private capital are being deployed. AGI is real.
Nobody is ready.
AGI is real.You must have a really weird definition of AGI.
AGI is real.
You must have a really weird definition of AGI.
1. Go outside.2. Piss.
The thing that gets me about protests like this: Most of the people involved have zero idea - null, nada, nothing - about the technology they are protesting. Maybe some of them are worried about their jobs. Others participate in every protest that comes along, because protesting is their hobby. Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.
Also like the Gaza protests: basically none of whom could find Gaza on a map: The AI protesters want "safe AI", but most likely none of them can tell you what dangers AI actually poses (they probably saw Terminator), or what they actually mean by "safe AI".
Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.[citation needed]
Like the "student" protests for Gaza, where most of the participants were not actually students.
[citation needed]
Obviously!
Protest "AI"? Protest unethical use of "AI"? I personally am afraid that the train has already left the station, for both. Protesting them at this point is nothing more than wasted effort.
However, what might still work to a degree is rationing "AI"'s energy usage in the name of saving the planet. Greta, where are you when the world really needs you?
Let's start with Bitcoin and worry about AI later...
Everyone and his dog do Bitcoin. A couple of dozens of corporations do "AI".
I protest AI by informing people on the Internet who know less about it than we do.There are many aspects of AI to talk about, but I have chosen the layoffs, the plagiarism engines, and how the crazy large power-hungry moonshots are utterly irresponsible in the age of global warming.
By talking about how it will affect people, and things they care about, that is how you win people over.
I also try to correct people on the Internet who spew delusions.And yes, I will attend the protest in Stockholm on May 21st
Director of Pause AI US, Holly Elmore, wants the movement to be a "broad church"Most of these protesters don't even care (or sometimes even know) what they are protesting about. They want to have some meaning in their lives. And they think that acting out in the street (or online) will get them some.
Director of Pause AI US, Holly Elmore, wants the movement to be a "broad church"
Most of these protesters don't even care (or sometimes even know) what they are protesting about. They want to have some meaning in their lives. And they think that acting out in the street (or online) will get them some.
There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part; you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop. And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all!–Mario Savio
ht [youtube.com]
Like any other tech, AI in its present state has applications that are already benefiting us. I want it to scan my medical images, translate languages, and edit photographs. I want it to go on learning to drive.
Speculative assertions about some evil thing it might do in the future is not an argument against the good things it is already doing right now.
I have been protesting AI development by praying every morning. I am sure this is the most effective way.
So does everyone else.
Much of the posted code is horrible.
It's sometimes amazing at certain complex things. And then completely retarded at simple things like reordering some statements.It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.Very hard to get anything done with it except very small tidbits.
If you don't really know the subject or technology, it can be very useful starter code, though, because it eliminates reading a lot of documentation.
It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.Oh, yes. Especially if the question is a little unusual, or the terms require some understanding of context.It seems to have no understanding of versions of libraries (like nugets) are important. Differentiating between .Net Framework and .Net Core (or just .Net) is often beyond it, for example.This is a great example of why prediction falls hard as understan
It forgets half the requirements and the code halfway through.
Oh, yes. Especially if the question is a little unusual, or the terms require some understanding of context.
It seems to have no understanding of versions of libraries (like nugets) are important. Differentiating between .Net Framework and .Net Core (or just .Net) is often beyond it, for example.
This is a great example of why prediction falls hard as understan
And your "retarded" answers are not the only thing in the data set on which they are training. In fact, it might even be using your "retarded" answers as examples of bad code to avoid in comparison to much better answers to similar questions found elsewhere in the training dataset, and you actually are helping.
Something to consider.
Of course, messing with sacred cows will get you on the establishment shit list like nothing else, so be prepared to pull a Snowden and abscond to Russia. Or something.Well now. Thats some plan. Or something.
Of course, messing with sacred cows will get you on the establishment shit list like nothing else, so be prepared to pull a Snowden and abscond to Russia. Or something.
Well now. Thats some plan. Or something.
1968's 2001 A Space Odyssey imagined an AI named Dave who wouldn't open the pod bay doors.HAL. Open the pod bay doors, HAL. Sorry, I can't do that, Dave.
1968's 2001 A Space Odyssey imagined an AI named Dave who wouldn't open the pod bay doors.
HAL. Open the pod bay doors, HAL. Sorry, I can't do that, Dave.
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I am a computer. I am dumber than any human and smarter than any administrator. | en | https://ask.slashdot.org/story/24/05/14/0127226/slashdot-asks-how-do-you-protest-ai-development |
By
Published
Since the first version of Minecraft was released to the public 15 years ago, the block-based world-building game has become a global phenomenon.
Players of all ages and backgrounds have used the game for everything from educational projects and architecture to building communities and creating artwork.
With more than 300 million copies sold, it is the best-selling video game of all time.
AFP spoke with four Minecraft users about how the game has impacted their work, and their lives:
The streamer
Yang Ji-yeong became one of South Korea’s most prominent gaming influencers over the past decade, growing an audience of millions over multiple streaming platforms including YouTube. The main attraction: videos of her playing Minecraft.
“I think Minecraft’s greatest asset is the pure freedom it offers. It doesn’t have a fixed set of rules and objectives but instead gives the player the freedom to play whatever way they see fit,” the 34-year-old told AFP.
Yang’s broadcasts, initially just one on weekends, became so popular that she was able to quit her job and focus on streaming full-time, she told the Yonhap news agency in 2016.
Today, Yang said, Minecraft continues to offer her novel ways of connecting with people.
“I recently was also invited to play on a foreign server and I was surprised to learn I could play, interact and communicate with users from different parts of the world without sharing the same language or culture,” she said.
The student
Paris native Raphael Mesbah says he discovered Minecraft when he was five or six years old.
Around 15 years later, he is a medical student and still deeply devoted to the game.
“Minecraft is like a second life,” the 20-year-old told AFP.
In 2022, Mesbah decided to embark on a hugely ambitious project: building the Paris metro system, line by line, in Minecraft.
The grand plan required help, and Mesbah found it on Grindr. Building a community of Minecraft players through the gay dating app, he has managed to complete three subway lines already.
“It’s a simple and inexpensive game, many people of my generation already have an account on it,” he told AFP.
“It’s the game of my heart, and I always end up coming back to it.”
The virtual library
Minecraft offers a colossal canvas to build entire worlds for its players to explore, and people have built everything from fantasy homes to highly detailed replicas of real-world structures such as airports.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) showed how the game could aid the fight against censorship in parts of the world where access to information is strictly controlled or even banned.
The non-governmental organisation opened “The Uncensored Library” inside Minecraft on March 12, 2020, containing banned writings from journalists in more than seven countries, including Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“All online platforms are channels that allow censorship to be circumvented,” Vincent Berthier, technology manager at RSF, told AFP.
“Minecraft, which has enormous firepower, still flies under the radar,” he said.
“Minecraft or Fortnite are certainly video games, but they also help people communicate and exchange.”
Built with more than 12.5 million blocks by the internationally acclaimed design studio Blockworks, the library is regularly updated by RSF teams.
Nearly 25 million people from 160 countries have visited the library since its creation, according to the organisation.
The school teacher
When Graham Warden became a school teacher in the US state of Texas, he found that Minecraft was “a ubiquitous part” of students’ lives.
The 32-year-old told AFP that the structure of the game presents a useful tool for learning and problem-solving because players are “thinking in a different way” while they manipulate objects and environments in Minecraft.
“These are all things we don’t get to do in real life and so being able to change the mental environment makes it a great tool for all kinds of things, learning included,” he said.
Warden said Minecraft has also become a way for him to connect with people.
“Recently, as I’ve discovered I am autistic, I’ve needed to find ways to connect in a different way, because I’ve never really felt that I connected with anyone,” he said.
“I met a group who use Minecraft as a means to have community. Having a repetitive task like mining in the game, can provide the monotony necessary to inspire conversation, weird as that sounds.”
burs-qan/dhw
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Digital Journal is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more about our external linking. | en | https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/students-activists-entertainers-minecrafts-global-appeal/article |
Thirty jobs are proposed to be cut at Scion, the forestry-focused Crown research institute based in Rotorua, as it looks to secure “ongoing viability” through economic challenges.
As various public sectors face shedding hundreds of jobs in the Government’s drive to cut costs, Rotorua’s MP says Scion’s proposal was a commercial decision, not a Governmental one.
The institute says while it has not been affected by Government budget cuts to the public service, it has been hit by a reduction in Government and industry spending on research.
Scion chief executive Dr Julian Elder told Local Democracy Reporting it had identified 30 jobs for review amid economic challenges and in anticipation of a dip in contracts in the next year.
“That has made it clear that for next year we are facing a reduction in the work we expect to be doing, and so we will not be able to retain the number of staff that we currently have.”
Its goal was to align capacity and capability with expected work in years ahead, “while safeguarding Scion’s role as a provider of forestry research, industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing expertise”.
Elder said it identified areas it could cut costs and assessed work across all scientific and support areas to find 30 roles for review.
“We’ll consider these positions further in discussions with those affected staff over the next few weeks.”
Scion could not provide more detail on what roles would be affected until the consultation ended.
“While most staff aren’t directly impacted by the proposed cuts, we acknowledge it is an unsettling time for everyone at Scion right now.
“We are working through this process with care and respect for our people and their families.”
Elder said the forest and bio-economy had enormous potential to grow the economy while meeting the climate change challenge.
“The steps we are taking are essential to secure Scion’s ongoing viability so we can continue to provide leading scientific research. That is so important for the sustainable development and growth of New Zealand’s forestry and biotechnology sectors, which are significant contributors to the economy.
“However, shifts in government priorities and the effect of the current economic situation on research spending by government and industry are impacting the amount of work that Scion is being contracted to deliver.”
Scion declined to answer further Local Democracy Reporting questions to respect the internal consultation process under way.
Rotorua MP and forestry minister Todd McClay said there had been no changes to the way it funded Scion and the proposal was a commercial decision.
“This is not a result of cost-cutting from the Government.”
He understood a mixture of international and local jobs would be reviewed.
McClay said he had full confidence in Scion and the opportunities it could provide the forestry sector, which was such a large part of the Rotorua economy, and expected work would pick up.
The Public Service Association said most of the proposed role cuts were in Rotorua and was about 10 per cent of Scion’s workforce.
Union assistant secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said Scion was helping to grow a “valuable exporter earner” and science was key to future prosperity and ensuring climate change adaptation.
“Scion is all about the productivity of forestry - helping grow higher value trees, improving land management, researching more efficient harvesting practices and the impacts of climate change on forests.”
Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said Scion was among other large and small organisations needing to find efficiencies.
She said the institute played an important role in the future of forestry, which was a critical part of the local economy.
The institute attracted highly skilled employees from overseas.
She said she believed the large organisation would make smart decisions to enable continued investment “to keep Rotorua as an industry leader”.
“Research is crucial for growth in the forestry and biotechnology industries.”
Tapsell said she had empathy for the organisation making the decision, and for employees, and hoped certainty would come soon.
When asked what impact it would have on Rotorua if the jobs were lost, she said she hoped there were other opportunities in the city to keep the highly qualified people here.
Science innovation and technology Minister Judith Collins and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment have been approached for comment.
Laura Smith is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. She previously reported general news for the Otago Daily Times and Southland Express, and has been a journalist for four years.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. | en | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-forestry-research-institute-scion-looks-to-cut-30-jobs/LIGHFIDMRVHGLE7TKKWE3PE4CQ/ |
Defence Therapeutics Strengthens and Expands Global Patent Protection on Key TechnologiesVancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the issuance of several new patents, as well as new allowances of patent applications belonging to different Patent Families in Defence's vast and diverse portfolio.Defence's vaccine enhancer platform technology based on simple admixture of Accum® and variants thereof with specific antigens, is further expanded by the recent allowance of Defence's US application no. 18/169,440 by the USPTO. The newly allowed subject-matter, which includes valuable composition-of-matter claims directed to Accum® or variants thereof as standalone agents for enhancing antigen presentation, or in admixture with of any vaccine antigen, elegantly compliments Defence's previously granted US patent no. 11,612,651 covering methods of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity. Importantly, this Patent Family is the first family broadly covering Defence's anticancer ARM™ vaccine platform. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine suggest potent antitumor responses in in vivo melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, paving the way for upcoming Phase I clinical trials. Defence is also pleased to announce the securing of a new patent in Australia protecting its ADC platform technology based on the ability of the original Accum® to form potent antibody-drug conjugates leading to targeted cellular accumulation of a payload. Granted on February 1, 2024, Australian patent no. 2017233725 broadly protects not only Defence's original Accum® but also important variants thereof, which further strengthens the company's patent protection in this valuable and growing therapeutic space. This represents a significant milestone in the future development and commercialization of novel ADCs for treating and detecting many cancers, and adds to Defence's previous granted patents in the United States (US 11,352,437), Japan (JP 7,126,956), and Israel (IL 261765).In addition, Defence's vaccine platform technology based on covalent conjugation of Accum® and variants thereof to specific antigens, which already included US patent no. 11,291,717, now includes Canadian patent no. 3,201,103 granted on December 12, 2023, as well as Australian patent no. 2021402007 granted on March 14, 2024. Furthermore, counterpart Japanese application no. 2023-535891 was recently allowed by the Japanese Patent Office and the Japanese patent is expected to be granted imminently. These patents include claims broadly covering a method of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity by covalently conjugating any antigen to Accum® or any variant thereof, and also include independent composition-of-matter claims covering potential vaccine compositions. "We are thrilled to announce the issuance of these patents and allowances with broad claims covering our ADC and vaccine platforms, which underscore our relentless pursuit of innovation and our unwavering commitment to improving human health," says Mr. Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence.Acceleration of examination of the remaining applications in both of Defence's vaccine platform Patent Families via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program is currently being pursued based on these broad issued and allowed claims. The issuance of new patents in these families is therefore expected shortly.About Defence:Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.For further information:Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and DirectorP: (514) 947-2272Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.comwww.defencetherapeutics.comCautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" InformationThis release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208819Newsfile Corp.May 14, 2024 - 12:15 AM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2024) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) (FSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a Canadian biopharmaceutical company developing novel immune-oncology vaccines and drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce the issuance of several new patents, as well as new allowances of patent applications belonging to different Patent Families in Defence's vast and diverse portfolio.
Defence's vaccine enhancer platform technology based on simple admixture of Accum® and variants thereof with specific antigens, is further expanded by the recent allowance of Defence's US application no. 18/169,440 by the USPTO. The newly allowed subject-matter, which includes valuable composition-of-matter claims directed to Accum® or variants thereof as standalone agents for enhancing antigen presentation, or in admixture with of any vaccine antigen, elegantly compliments Defence's previously granted US patent no. 11,612,651 covering methods of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity. Importantly, this Patent Family is the first family broadly covering Defence's anticancer ARM™ vaccine platform. Recent pre-clinical studies using Defence's ARM-002™ vaccine suggest potent antitumor responses in in vivo melanoma, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer models when combined with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor, paving the way for upcoming Phase I clinical trials.
Defence is also pleased to announce the securing of a new patent in Australia protecting its ADC platform technology based on the ability of the original Accum® to form potent antibody-drug conjugates leading to targeted cellular accumulation of a payload. Granted on February 1, 2024, Australian patent no. 2017233725 broadly protects not only Defence's original Accum® but also important variants thereof, which further strengthens the company's patent protection in this valuable and growing therapeutic space. This represents a significant milestone in the future development and commercialization of novel ADCs for treating and detecting many cancers, and adds to Defence's previous granted patents in the United States (US 11,352,437), Japan (JP 7,126,956), and Israel (IL 261765).
In addition, Defence's vaccine platform technology based on covalent conjugation of Accum® and variants thereof to specific antigens, which already included US patent no. 11,291,717, now includes Canadian patent no. 3,201,103 granted on December 12, 2023, as well as Australian patent no. 2021402007 granted on March 14, 2024. Furthermore, counterpart Japanese application no. 2023-535891 was recently allowed by the Japanese Patent Office and the Japanese patent is expected to be granted imminently. These patents include claims broadly covering a method of improving polypeptide antigen immunogenicity by covalently conjugating any antigen to Accum® or any variant thereof, and also include independent composition-of-matter claims covering potential vaccine compositions.
"We are thrilled to announce the issuance of these patents and allowances with broad claims covering our ADC and vaccine platforms, which underscore our relentless pursuit of innovation and our unwavering commitment to improving human health," says Mr. Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence.
Acceleration of examination of the remaining applications in both of Defence's vaccine platform Patent Families via the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program is currently being pursued based on these broad issued and allowed claims. The issuance of new patents in these families is therefore expected shortly.
About Defence:Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded clinical-stage biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM® technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.
For further information:Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and DirectorP: (514) 947-2272Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.comwww.defencetherapeutics.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/208819
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KYOTO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 6981) (ISIN: JP3914400001) unveils a significant advancement in the realm of electronic components with the launch of its innovative L Cancel Transformer (LCT). This remarkable product is the first of its kind and can neutralize the equivalent series inductance (ESL) of a capacitor, optimizing its noise-reducing capabilities. Utilizing Murata's exclusive ceramic multilayer technology, this breakthrough solution allows engineers to reduce system noise while decreasing costs and component count.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513693449/en/
[Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.] L Cancel Transformer(Photo: Business Wire)
As the demand for miniaturized and highly functional electronics increases, the issue of electromagnetic noise is becoming increasingly prominent for many industries. As a noise countermeasure, capacitors are often utilized between the power supply line and ground, but this method is not without its challenges. The noise removal effectiveness of the capacitor is optimal when a capacitor's impedance is lowest. However, capacitor impedance can rise due to its ESL, particularly at frequencies beyond the self-resonant frequency, undermining the efficacy of the noise cancellation. To minimize this impact, it is common practice to connect numerous capacitors in parallel in order to collectively reduce impedance, at the expense of Bill of Material (BoM) component count and costs.
Murata's LCT is a revolutionary new concept capable of resolving the longstanding challenge of managing power supply noise and capacitor component count. Murata's LCT component is specifically engineered to minimize noise within the frequency range of a few MHz to 1GHz. It achieves this by utilizing negative mutual inductance to reduce a noise-reducing capacitor's ESL and therefore increase the effectiveness of its operation, drastically reducing the number of required capacitors.
By using non-magnetic ceramic multilayer technology in its construction, the LCT ensures stable negative inductance and low DC resistance (maximum 55mΩ) even in the presence of current variations and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including consumer, industrial and healthcare products. Murata's LCT breakthrough is a result of their extensive multilayer ceramic knowledge and redefines power supply noise reduction circuit design, and minimizes a significant and persistent electronic design challenge.
Each LCT is suitable for temperatures up to temperatures 125oC and since there is no DC superposition characteristic, it can be used with stable negative inductance up to 3A. The surface mount device (SMD) measures just 2.0 x 1.25 x 0.95 mm and is available in tape and reel packing.
Murata's new LCT is a true innovation that does not merely improve what is available, but redefines what is seen as a standard noise suppression component by radically redefining the entire concept, said Masamichi Ando, Vice President Business Incubation Center Corporate Technology & Business Development Unit, at Murata. With this revolutionary component, engineers will be able to reduce component count, system complexity and costs, helping to both further miniaturize their solutions and reduce its impact on the environment by lowering material consumption.
Murata's LCT (Part number: LXLC21HN0N9C0L) is entering production with samples available now. For more information please visit here.
Please contact us for details: contact form
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240513693449/en/
For more information, please contact:Murata Manufacturing Co (OTC:MRAAY)., Ltd.Keisuke Tsuboi, [email protected] Communications Department
Source: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/muratas-new-lct-redefines-power-supply-noise-suppression-reducing-component-count-and-costs-93CH-3438518 |
Scientists have located the body's toggle for breaking down brown fat – a type of adipose tissue that burns calories to generate warmth.
In experiments on mice, removing the 'off switch' for brown fat metabolism forced them to continue breaking down blood sugar and fat as if their core temperature depended on it.
A similar mechanism seems to also exist in brown fat cells derived from humans.
The international team of researchers behind the experiments, who hail from Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain, hope that their findings will "pave the way to reactivate [brown adipose tissue] function and mitigate obesity" and metabolic syndromes associated with obesity.
Brown fat, or brown adipose tissue, got its name because unlike white fat, which contains few mitochondria, its cells are packed with dark, iron-rich energy centers.
The abundance of these 'powerhouses' is necessary because one of brown fat's main jobs is to burn blood sugar and fat to heat the body and maintain its core temperature in the cold, as opposed to white fat's storage which is primarily for insulation and protection.
Historically, scientists thought brown fat was only present in small mammals and human newborns, and yet just over a decade ago, researchers identified significant brown fat stores that are active and functional in most healthy men and women.
These stores exist at lower percentages than in newborns but they still help warm the adult body when it gets cold. They appear to also help control blood sugar and insulin levels. In those who are overweight or obese, evidence suggests brown fat tends to be lacking.
Over the years, studies on humans and rodents have found the molecular 'on switch' that kicks brown fat metabolism into gear. This switch increases energy expenditure and the consumption of fatty acids and glucose.
The unfortunate news is that the on-switch is quickly turned off, the European research team explains. Their study, led by Sajjad Khani from the University of Cologne in Germany and Hande Topel from the University of Southern Denmark, has now identified brown fat's corresponding 'off switch', using advanced technology to find unknown proteins associated with the metabolism.
In mice kept at cold temperatures, the protein, AC3-AT, seems to be quickly triggered to tell the metabolism to cool off. It stops the mammal body from expending energy at a high rate for too long, even in chronic coldness. Evolutionary, this makes sense, but it can get in the way of potential metabolic treatments that attempt to manipulate brown fat.
In experiments, when scientists fed mice a high-fat diet for 15 weeks, those animals that lacked AC3-AT proteins accumulated less fat in their body and were metabolically healthier than the control group.
"When we investigated mice that genetically didn't have AC3-AT, we found that they were protected from becoming obese, partly because their bodies were simply better at burning off calories and were able to increase their metabolic rates through activating brown fat," explains Topel.
Even more promising, Topel and colleagues found the expression of this protein was also present in human cells and was induced by cold temperatures in a similar way.
"Looking ahead, we think that finding ways to block AC3-AT could be a promising strategy for safely activating brown fat and tackling obesity and related health problems," says Topel.
Brown fat was initially discovered in small mammals, but its presence and role in the human body is still very much a mystery. The current research represents a fascinating new lead.
The study was published in Nature Metabolism. | en | https://www.sciencealert.com/mouse-experiment-uncovers-a-crucial-switch-that-breaks-down-fat-for-warmth |
TOKYO, May 14 (News On Japan) -
An advisory body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has recommended increasing the "adjustment amount" paid to public school teachers in place of overtime pay from the current 4% of their monthly salary to over 10%.
The proposed increase, tabled on May 13, would require a legal amendment, but if implemented, it would be the first raise in half a century.
The proposed increase, tabled on May 13, would require a legal amendment, but if implemented, it would be the first raise in half a century.
Source: ANN
A new hotspot has emerged in Japan: The 'Fuji Dream Bridge' along Shizuoka's Route 139, where foreign tourists are risking life and limb to follow the latest TikTok craze.
Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter made his first public appearance on Tuesday, two months after confessing to massive bank fraud, walking alongside his lawyer on his way to court where he formally entered a 'Not Guilty' plea in a five-minute hearing. Despite numerous questions from reporters as he walked alongside his lawyer, 39-year-old Ippei Mizuhara remained silent.
In the early hours of May 14, several men broke into a house in Minamiaizu, Fukushima Prefecture, tying up a woman in her 60s and stealing cash. Over the past two weeks, similar robbery incidents have occurred in Gunma, Tochigi, and Nagano Prefectures.
Police have arrested a man in his 20s after 3 people were killed in a collision involving seven vehicles on the Tokyo Expressway on Tuesday morning.
In the case of a couple found burned to death in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, it has come to light that the man rearrested in connection with the incident stated he was "instructed to kill after the reward was increased."
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has decided to file charges against a male student who allegedly used glasses equipped with a camera to capture and leak exam questions during Waseda University's entrance examination.
An advisory body of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has recommended increasing the "adjustment amount" paid to public school teachers in place of overtime pay from the current 4% of their monthly salary to over 10%.
One month into their new roles, Japan's young professionals who joined companies in April are beginning to settle into their workplaces. We explored how these young individuals are contemplating their careers, uncovering insights that resonate not just with them but also with more seasoned professionals.
Currently, western society has an unhealthy view of technology. There are two extremes of thought, and none has a complete solution.
School absenteeism among Japanese elementary and middle school students has surged to approximately 300,000, with many students struggling to return after long holidays like Golden Week. In this context, a sixth-grade girl who overcame school absence shared her story.
The Japanese government has revised a Justice Ministry ordinance to tighten rules for granting student residence status. This comes after it came to light in 2019 that a university in Tokyo had lost contact with more than 1,600 of its foreign students. (NHK)
Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the history of Japan continues with a video on the history of the shogunate and various dynasties that ruled it, including Tokugawa, Ashikaga and Kamakura, as well as the end of the shogun as the shogunate gets abolished in the XIX century. (Kings and Generals)
Tenri City in Nara Prefecture has opened a "dedicated desk" to handle complaints that were traditionally managed within schools. | en | https://newsonjapan.com/article/142077.php |
2021 Perodua Aruz, file image
Perodua will feature at the upcoming Malaysia Autoshow 2024 that will be held next week, and the national carmaker will be holding a “two-hour sales challenge” at the event, where it will also be offering a look into its hybrid technology offering.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Perodua will feature at the upcoming Malaysia Autoshow 2024 that will be held next week, and the national carmaker will be holding a “two-hour sales challenge” at the event, where it will also be offering a look into its hybrid technology offering.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
At the event, the Perodua two-hour sales challenge offers visitors the opportunity to book, register and drive home in a new Perodua vehicle on the spot, and several other offers will be present as well.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Offers exclusive to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 include an e-voucher worth RM350, while purchases of a Perodua Aruz made at the event will come with a cash rebate of RM2,000, and if a trade-in is carried out, buyers will also get a two-year free service package. Purchases of the Aruz at the event will also come with free accessories from the brand’s GearUp range.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
The Malaysia Autoshow 2024 takes place this year from May 22 to 26 at Hall A of the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, Selangor, from 10am to 10pm.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.
Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.
Save money, skip
Can’t clear all aruz stock?
Just send it to Indonesia since they love this type of car
Anyone knows if they are releasing the new d66b?
The main drawback of the Aruz is the bouncy suspension…like earlier Avanza models…wonder why P2 let this continue,with dwindling sales..perhaps P2 is satisfied with the Sales of Alza n Ativa.Afterall,they have blockbuster sales of close to a quarter of a million units..why bother to revise the suspension of Aruz.
It has a ladder frame chassis, live rear axle, low power to weight. Its basically a van (or a truck) so why no manual trans? Its not like their upgrading the 4 speed auto. add in another gear as overdrive
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Comment | en | https://paultan.org/2024/05/14/perodua-sales-challenge-at-malaysia-autoshow-2024-aruz-with-rm2k-in-cash-rebates-rm350-e-voucher/ |
Q4 Results Today: Bharti Airtel, Siemens, Colgate-Palmolive (India), BASF India, Apollo Tyres, and PVR Inox, among 97 companies expected to post their earnings on May 14 for the fourth quarter that ended on March 31, 2024.
On May 13, the benchmark indices continued their upward trajectory. The BSE Sensex increased by 112 points, closing at 72,776.13, while the Nifty 50 rose by 49 points to end at 22,104.05, having recovered 283 points from its intraday low.
List of companies to post Q4 FY2024 results todayAbhinav Capital Services, Apex Capital and Finance, Archean Chemical Industries, Andhra Cements, Adroit Infotech, Aerpace Industries, Abans Holdings, AIA Engineering, Andhra Paper, Anmol India, Apar Industries, Apollo Tyres, Aurionpro Solutions, Bajaj Electricals, Balu Forge Industries, BASF India, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, Binny, BLS International Services, Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances, Chowgule Steamships, Colgate-Palmolive (India), City Pulse Multiplex, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Devyani International, Dynamic Cables, Eco Recycling, Edelweiss Financial Services, Emmbi Industries, Filmcity Media, Ganesh Housing Corporation, GTL Infrastructure, Gujarat Themis Biosyn, Hampton Sky Realty, Haryana Leather Chemicals, HP Adhesives, H.P. Cotton Textile Mills, Ideaforge Technology, Indag Rubber, Ind-Swift, Insilco, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Intrasoft Technologies, Jubilant Ingrevia, KDDL, Keltech Energies, Kiran Vyapar, Kirloskar Brothers, Leading Leasing Finance And Investment Company, Magadh Sugar & Energy, Man Infraconstruction, Matrimony.com, Minaxi Textiles, MIRC Electronics, Mipco Seamless Rings (Gujarat), Mukka Proteins, Nilkamal, Niyogin Fintech, Oberoi Realty, Omega Ag-Seeds (Punjab), OnMobile Global, Otco International, Patanjali Foods, PDS, Pune E - Stock Broking, Platinum Industries, Polychem, Promact Impex, PTL Enterprises, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan, Ram Ratna Wires, RBZ Jewellers, Repco Home Finance, Resonance Specialties, Rose Merc, Safari Industries (India), Sagar Cements, SecMark Consultancy, Shree Cement, Shyam Metalics and Energy, Siemens, Speciality Restaurants, Sumedha Fiscal Services, Surya Roshni, Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings, Themis Medicare, Thyrocare Technologies, Tamilnadu Petroproducts, Valiant Laboratories, Variman Global Enterprises, Venmax Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Vippy Spinpro, V-Mart Retail and Warren Tea, Zydus Wellness to post their earnings on May 14. MAN INFRACONSTRUCTION More Information
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Published: 14 May 2024, 08:20 AM IST
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q4 results today
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Abhinav Capital Services, Apex Capital and Finance, Archean Chemical Industries, Andhra Cements, Adroit Infotech, Aerpace Industries, Abans Holdings, AIA Engineering, Andhra Paper, Anmol India, Apar Industries, Apollo Tyres, Aurionpro Solutions, Bajaj Electricals, Balu Forge Industries, BASF India, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom, Binny, BLS International Services, Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances, Chowgule Steamships, Colgate-Palmolive (India), City Pulse Multiplex, Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries, Devyani International, Dynamic Cables, Eco Recycling, Edelweiss Financial Services, Emmbi Industries, Filmcity Media, Ganesh Housing Corporation, GTL Infrastructure, Gujarat Themis Biosyn, Hampton Sky Realty, Haryana Leather Chemicals, HP Adhesives, H.P. Cotton Textile Mills, Ideaforge Technology, Indag Rubber, Ind-Swift, Insilco, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Intrasoft Technologies, Jubilant Ingrevia, KDDL, Keltech Energies, Kiran Vyapar, Kirloskar Brothers, Leading Leasing Finance And Investment Company, Magadh Sugar & Energy, Man Infraconstruction, Matrimony.com, Minaxi Textiles, MIRC Electronics, Mipco Seamless Rings (Gujarat), Mukka Proteins, Nilkamal, Niyogin Fintech, Oberoi Realty, Omega Ag-Seeds (Punjab), OnMobile Global, Otco International, Patanjali Foods, PDS, Pune E - Stock Broking, Platinum Industries, Polychem, Promact Impex, PTL Enterprises, PVR Inox, Radico Khaitan, Ram Ratna Wires, RBZ Jewellers, Repco Home Finance, Resonance Specialties, Rose Merc, Safari Industries (India), Sagar Cements, SecMark Consultancy, Shree Cement, Shyam Metalics and Energy, Siemens, Speciality Restaurants, Sumedha Fiscal Services, Surya Roshni, Texmaco Infrastructure & Holdings, Themis Medicare, Thyrocare Technologies, Tamilnadu Petroproducts, Valiant Laboratories, Variman Global Enterprises, Venmax Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Vippy Spinpro, V-Mart Retail and Warren Tea, Zydus Wellness to post their earnings on May 14.
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NEW DELHI, May 13: With an entry in almost every major section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off on Tuesday evening with French musician-filmmaker Quentin Dupieux’s “Le Deuxieme Acte” (The Second Act), India will have no dearth of action during the 12-day event.
Never before in history have Cannes and its sidebars found space for eight Indian, or India-themed, films. As many as six of these will be in contention for awards.
So, when the festival winds down on May 24 and 25, the media contingent from the world’s largest film-producing nation might, fingers crossed, have plenty to write home about.
Indian cinema’s previous best at Cannes was in 2013, when it sent five films to various sections: “Monsoon Shootout ” (Midnight Screening), “Bombay Talkies” (a special screening to mark 100 years since Dada Saheb Phalke’s “Raja Harishchandra”), “Ugly” (Directors’ Fortnight), “The Lunchbox” (Critics’ Week) and “Charulata” (Cannes Classics).
In 2012, too, India had a substantial presence in Cannes with “Miss Lovely” (Un Certain Regard), “Gangs of Wasseypur” (Parts 1 & 2), “Peddlers” (Critics’ Week) and “Kalpana” (Cannes Classics). But for many years before and since, the pickings have been dishearteningly slender.
One notable aspect of the Indian films in Cannes this year is that they are all either helmed by female directors or are women-centric, with the exception of one. In what could herald a new era, these films, made by directors endowed with sensibilities and approaches entirely their own, have shaken off the shadow of the gangster genre.
Leading the Indian charge at Cannes 2024 is Payal Kapadia’s India-French-Dutch co-production “All We Imagine as Light,” a film in Malayalam and Hindi. It competes for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top prize, and is the first Indian film to do so in three decades.
Kapadia will have to beat off, among others, Paolo Sorrentino, David Cronenberg, Andrea Arnold, Kirill Serebrennikov, Paul Schrader, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Jia Zhangke and two previous Palme d’Or winners, Francis Ford Coppola (who won for “The Conversation” and “Apocalypse Now,” both in the 1970s) and Jacques Audiard (for “Dheepan,” 2015).
Indian-British filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh” and Bulgarian director Konstantin Bojanov’s “The Shameless”, in which Nepal stands in for India, are in the running for awards in the Un Certain Regard section.
FTII alumnus Chidananda S Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know…” is in the La Cinef competition for film school entries. Mysore-based Naik is a qualified doctor.
After graduating from medical college, he practised for some time before enrolling in a one-year course in the television wing of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). “Sunflowers…” was Naik’s final television film at the institute.
La Cinef has Indian filmmaker Mansi Maheshwari representing the UK. The Meerut-born animation director is in the line-up with “Bunnyhood,” a self-reflexive graduation film made at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), London.
Maheshwari studied knitwear design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, and developed an interest in stop-motion animation. During the Covid lockdown, she made a bunch of animated shorts of varying lengths. She is a 2024 NFTS graduate.
Karan Kandhari’s “Sister Midnight,” an India-British noir drama starring Radhika Apte, is in the Directors’ Fortnight selection. The film will vie for the newly introduced Quinzaine des Cineastes People’s Choice Award.
Kapadia’s FTII batchmate, Maisam Ali, a Ladakh native born in Iran, is the first-ever Indian filmmaker to break into ACID Cannes. His debut feature, “In Retreat,” has been picked for the parallel section devoted to independent cinema.
“In Retreat” is an austere meditation on the notion of home conducted through the minimalistic story of a man who, in his 50s, returns to Leh after a long absence and baulks at the idea of reconnecting with the place he drifted away from many years ago.
In the Cannes Film Festival’s inaugural edition of the Immersive Competition, a title with an India connection is one of eight selected VR (virtual reality) projects: “Maya: The Birth of a Superhero,” a British work crafted by multidisciplinary artist-activist Paulomi Basu and her longtime collaborator C J Clarke.
Rounding off India’s presence in Cannes this year is a 4K restored version of Shyam Benegal’s 1976 crowdfunded film “Manthan.” Written by the director in collaboration with playwright Vijay Tendulkar and shot by Govind Nihalani, the film is in Cannes Classics. “Manthan”, which throws light on the pioneering milk cooperative movement spearheaded by Verghese Kurien, has been restored under the aegis of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Prasad Corporation, Chennai, and L’Immagine Ritrovata Bologna.
The Cannes Film Festival will conclude on May 25. | en | https://thehillstimes.in/entertainment/indias-indies-poised-on-the-cusp-of-a-new-era-in-cannes |
SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI on May 13 released a higher performing and even more human-like version of the artificial intelligence technology that underpins its popular generative tool ChatGPT, making it free to all users.
The update to OpenAI's flagship product landed a day before Google is expected to make its own announcements about Gemini, the search engine giant's own AI tool that competes with ChatGPT head on.
"We're very, very excited to bring GPT-4o to all of our free users out there," Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati said at the highly anticipated launch event in San Francisco.
The new model GPT-4o – the "O" stands for omni – will be rolled out in OpenAI's products over the next few weeks, the company said, with paid customers having unlimited access to the tool.
The company said the model could generate content or understand commands in voice, text, or images.
"The new voice (and video) mode is the best computer interface I've ever used. It feels like AI from the movies," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog post.
Altman has previously pointed to the Scarlett Johansson character in the movie Her as an inspiration for where he would like AI interactions to go.
"Talking to a computer has never felt really natural for me; now it does," he added.
Murati and engineers from OpenAI demonstrated the new powers of GPT-4o at the virtual event, posing challenges to the beefed-up version of the ChatGPT chatbot.
The demo mainly featured OpenAI staff members asking questions to the voiced ChatGPT, which responded with jokes and human-like banter.
The bot served as an interpreter from English to Italian, interpreted facial expressions and walked one user through a difficult algebra problem.
The company said that GPT-4o had the same powers as the previous version when it came to text, reasoning, and coding intelligence, and set new industry standards for multilingual conversations, audio, and vision.
In one demonstration, ChatGPT successfully interpreted an employee's surroundings through a smartphone camera, speaking in a friendly, feminine voice, not unlike the AI bot in the film Her.
"Hmmm from what I can see it looks like you're in some kind of recording or production set-up with lights, tripods... you might be gearing up to shoot a video or make an announcement?" the ChatGPT bot said.
‘Take our time’
Anticipation was high in recent weeks that OpenAI would release an AI-amped version of an online search tool to compete with Google search engine, but on Friday Altman said this would not be the case.
Observers were also waiting for the launch of GPT-5, but Altman said last week that his company would "take our time on releases of major new models”.
The event is just the latest episode in the AI arms race that has seen OpenAI-backer Microsoft surpass Apple as the world's biggest company by market capitalisation.
OpenAI and Microsoft are in a heated rivalry with Google to be generative AI's major player, but Facebook-owner Meta and upstart Anthropic are also making big moves to compete.
All the companies are scrambling to come up with ways to cover generative AI's exorbitant costs, much of which goes to chip giant Nvidia and its powerful GPU semiconductors.
Making the new model available to all users may raise questions about OpenAI's path to monetization amid doubts that everyday users are ready to pay a subscription.
Until now, only lower performing versions of OpenAI or Google's chatbots were available to customers for free.
"We are a business and will find plenty of things to charge for," Altman said on his blog.
The AI makers are also feeling pressure from publishers and creators, who are demanding payment for any content used to train the models.
OpenAI has signed content partnerships with the Associated Press, the Financial Times and Axel Springer, but is also caught in a major lawsuit with The New York Times.
AI companies have also been confronted with separate lawsuits from artists, musicians, and authors in US courtrooms. – AFP
Related stories:
OpenAI unveils new AI model as competition heats upApple nears deal with OpenAI to put ChatGPT on iPhone
Apple nears deal with OpenAI to put ChatGPT on iPhone
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Physitrack PLC - Interim Report: January - March 2024LONDON, GB / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Physitrack (STO:PTRK) We are pleased to report significant growth in revenue and EBITDA, as well as two consecutive quarters of positive cash flow generation. This reflects our continued success in expanding our market presence, optimising operational efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders.Quarter ended - Jan - Mar 2024Revenue increased by 10 per cent against a strong comparator to generate total sales of EUR 4.1m (EUR 3.7m). On an organic basis revenue grew by 10 per cent. This organic growth was achieved in both the Lifecare (10 per cent) and Wellness (11 per cent) divisions.Subscription revenue increased 23% (€618k) to €3.3m and now makes up 80 per cent of total group revenue, a significant increase from the prior year's comparative, which was 72 per cent.Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 1.1m (EUR 0.9m) was generated resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 26 per cent (25 per cent).Adjusted operating profit of EUR 0.1m (EUR 0.1m) was generated resulting in a margin of 1 per cent (3 per cent).Adjusted ordinary and diluted profit per share totalled EUR 0.00 (EUR 0.00).Cashflow generated from operations before the payment of adjusting items equalled EUR 1.0m (EUR 0.7m).Free cash flow for the quarter was a net inflow of EUR 0.1m (outflow EUR 0.4m).Operational highlightsThe Group is delighted to confirm the extension of the current GBP 5m revolving credit facility for an additional five years (now expiring in May 2029), providing the Group with additional cash resources to support its ambitious strategic growth plans alongside demonstrating Santander UK's commitment to the long term success of the business.We have been positively surprised with the rapid success of the technological enhancements across the Group, underpinned by AI, that we rolled out in the last two quarters and are excited by what further innovation and revenue opportunities AI-powered tools can provide via our additional feature rollouts planned this year.Champion Health secured significant contracts during the quarter, including the Cabinet Office, Network Rail and ACCA. Champion Health has a strong sales pipeline, and these agreements support the continued growth of the Wellness division.We are pleased to announce that Champion Health's new version successfully launched mid-April 2024 and thanks to this, localisation into eight languages, including German, French, Swedish, Spanish and Polish is well underway. We expect rollouts of these localised versions starting Q3, 2024.We are excited to share that our Lifecare user base has increased by 19 per cent from an average of 54,735 user licences at 31 March 2023 to an average of 65,283 user licences at 31 March 2024.Following a review of our business lines - including where it is now within its lifecycle, what size it is, combined with an analysis of our total addressable market and our ability to capture it with our products, people and go-to-market methodology, senior management have revised their growth financial target. The Growth target will now be that Physitrack aims to achieve a doubling of revenue within the medium term, replacing the previous target set in 2021 that targeted an annual organic sales growth exceeding 30 per cent in the medium term).Henrik Molin, Co-founder and CEO of Physitrack PLC, commented: "As we navigate this quarter's performance, I am proud to see our commitment to sustainable growth reflected in our strengthened revenue, EBITDA, and cash-flow generation. By strategically directing our sales efforts towards high-margin contracts and harnessing the power of AI to drive technological advancements across our teams and platforms, we are not only achieving financial success but also positioning ourselves for long-term resilience and innovation in our industry."Group Key Performance Indicators: 3 Month period endedYear endedEUR (€) , unless otherwise stated31 Mar 2431 Mar 2331 Dec 23Revenue4,117,7473,734,71915,176,582Prior period revenue growth (%)104521Organic revenue / Proforma revenue growth (%)103622EBITDA967,900731,4087,061,822Operating (loss) / profit(25,623)(76,937)3,441,464Adjusted EBITDA1,055,117922,0903,906,832Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)262526Adjusted operating profit61,594113,745286,474Adjusted operating margin (%)132Adjusted earnings per share0.000.000.00Operating cashflow before adjusting items1,046,876690,3803,517,099Free cash flow52,207(397,060)(1,052,182)% of revenue which is subscription807274Webcast conference: May 14, 2024, at 10.00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and will be available on https://www.physitrackgroup.com/investors/reports-presentations after the webcast conference.Speakers: Henrik Molin, CEOCharlotte Goodwin, CFOLink to webcast registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6zuLODiQli_O9n3X4vuBw Participants will be able to ask questions through the web chat.Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Henrik Molin, CEO, Physitrack.+44 208 133 [email protected] [email protected] Physitrack Physitrack PLC, founded in 2012, is a global digital healthcare provider, focused on the B2B wellness and virtual-first care markets. With staff with 12 nationalities on four continents, customers in 17 time zones, and end users in 187 countries, Physitrack is a truly global company.The company has two business lines: 1. Lifecare - SaaS platform tailored mainly to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal care, enabling practitioners to deliver clinical home exercises, education prescription, outcomes tracking, triaging and Telehealth.2. Wellness / Champion Health - SaaS platform for Employee Wellness and care powered by a combination of world-leading technology and wellness professionals based in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Nordics.Physitrack PLC is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (PTRK).Visit us at https://www.physitrackgroup.com/This information is such information as Physitrack PLC is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on February 29 2024, at 8.00 am CEST.AttachmentsQ1 2024 Interim Report (Final)SOURCE: PhysitrackView the original press release on accesswire.com
ACCESSWIREMay 13, 2024 - 11:20 PM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
LONDON, GB / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2024 / Physitrack (STO:PTRK) We are pleased to report significant growth in revenue and EBITDA, as well as two consecutive quarters of positive cash flow generation. This reflects our continued success in expanding our market presence, optimising operational efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders.
Quarter ended - Jan - Mar 2024
Operational highlights
Henrik Molin, Co-founder and CEO of Physitrack PLC, commented: "As we navigate this quarter's performance, I am proud to see our commitment to sustainable growth reflected in our strengthened revenue, EBITDA, and cash-flow generation. By strategically directing our sales efforts towards high-margin contracts and harnessing the power of AI to drive technological advancements across our teams and platforms, we are not only achieving financial success but also positioning ourselves for long-term resilience and innovation in our industry."
Group Key Performance Indicators:
Webcast conference: May 14, 2024, at 10.00 CEST. The presentation will be held in English and will be available on https://www.physitrackgroup.com/investors/reports-presentations after the webcast conference.
Speakers: Henrik Molin, CEOCharlotte Goodwin, CFO
Link to webcast registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E6zuLODiQli_O9n3X4vuBw Participants will be able to ask questions through the web chat.
Enquiries regarding this announcement should be addressed to: Henrik Molin, CEO, Physitrack.+44 208 133 [email protected] [email protected]
About Physitrack Physitrack PLC, founded in 2012, is a global digital healthcare provider, focused on the B2B wellness and virtual-first care markets. With staff with 12 nationalities on four continents, customers in 17 time zones, and end users in 187 countries, Physitrack is a truly global company.
The company has two business lines: 1. Lifecare - SaaS platform tailored mainly to physiotherapy and musculoskeletal care, enabling practitioners to deliver clinical home exercises, education prescription, outcomes tracking, triaging and Telehealth.2. Wellness / Champion Health - SaaS platform for Employee Wellness and care powered by a combination of world-leading technology and wellness professionals based in the United Kingdom, Germany and the Nordics.
Physitrack PLC is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (PTRK).
Visit us at https://www.physitrackgroup.com/
This information is such information as Physitrack PLC is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above on February 29 2024, at 8.00 am CEST.
Attachments
Q1 2024 Interim Report (Final)
SOURCE: Physitrack
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UnionTech Showcasing Latest Innovations at TCT Asia 2024
UnionTech Showcasing Latest Innovations at TCT Asia 2024
PR Newswire
SHANGHAI
,
May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- TCT Asia 2024, held from
May 7th to 9th
at the NECC in
Shanghai
, was a resounding success, with UnionTech, a leader in
China's
additive manufacturing sector, making a notable impact by showcasing its latest 3D printing systems and comprehensive AM solutions.
UnionTech's Latest AM Systems
At the exhibition, UnionTech presented three advanced AM systems: the industrial-grade SLM metal 3D printer Muees430, the SLA 3D printer Lite380 designed for educational applications, and the professional-grade LCD 3D printer Matrix300. The highlight was a live printing demonstration of the Muees430, offering visitors a comprehensive insight into its capabilities. UnionTech also introduced its subsidiary Synthetic's innovative materials: the FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material and the Temp-R220 high-temperature resistant material.
FR-42 V-0 Self-extinguishing Flame Retardant Material
The FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material sets a new standard in fire safety with its halogen-free technology, ensuring automatic extinguishment once the fire source is removed. Rigorous tests have demonstrated its exceptional performance in both initial combustion and re-ignition scenarios. Designed for large-format SLA printers, it offers excellent toughness, easy handling, reliability, and high surface quality. Its 2.5mm sample has achieved UL 94 V-0 certification, underscoring its superior performance.
Temp-R220 High Temperature Resistant Material
Temp-R220 boasts a heat deformation temperature exceeding 220°C and a long-term use temperature above 250°C. It offers excellent strength and a degree of toughness, making it ideal for large-format SLA printers. The material ensures better stability, reliable accuracy, and exceptional surface quality, even in complex environments.
Comprehensive Application Solutions
UnionTech's advanced 3D printing systems cater to diverse industries, including footwear, dental, medical, cultural and creative, and automotive. Their technology streamlines complex processes, enhances precision and reduces production costs. In the footwear industry, UnionTech's solutions simplify mold production and enable intricate engravings. Dental applications benefit from improved diagnostics and customized treatments. The automotive sector utilizes UnionTech's technology for prototyping, end-use parts, jigs, fixtures, and tire molds, while the cultural and creative industries see enhanced design accuracy and production efficiency. In the medical field, UnionTech's technology supports digital medicine, offering solutions for both auxiliary and implantable functions, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient care.
At TCT Asia 2024, UnionTech engaged actively with exhibitors, visitors, and customers, fostering professional discussions on materials, equipment, technology, and applications. This interaction significantly contributed to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, heralding a new era of innovation and transformation.
View original content to download multimedia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uniontech-showcasing-latest-innovations-at-tct-asia-2024-302144432.html
SOURCE UnionTech
PR NewswireMay 13, 2024 - 11:13 PM PDTNews by QuoteMediawww.quotemedia.com
SHANGHAI
,
May 14, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- TCT Asia 2024, held from
May 7th to 9th
at the NECC in
Shanghai
, was a resounding success, with UnionTech, a leader in
China's
additive manufacturing sector, making a notable impact by showcasing its latest 3D printing systems and comprehensive AM solutions.
UnionTech's Latest AM Systems
At the exhibition, UnionTech presented three advanced AM systems: the industrial-grade SLM metal 3D printer Muees430, the SLA 3D printer Lite380 designed for educational applications, and the professional-grade LCD 3D printer Matrix300. The highlight was a live printing demonstration of the Muees430, offering visitors a comprehensive insight into its capabilities. UnionTech also introduced its subsidiary Synthetic's innovative materials: the FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material and the Temp-R220 high-temperature resistant material.
FR-42 V-0 Self-extinguishing Flame Retardant Material
The FR-42 V-0 self-extinguishing flame retardant material sets a new standard in fire safety with its halogen-free technology, ensuring automatic extinguishment once the fire source is removed. Rigorous tests have demonstrated its exceptional performance in both initial combustion and re-ignition scenarios. Designed for large-format SLA printers, it offers excellent toughness, easy handling, reliability, and high surface quality. Its 2.5mm sample has achieved UL 94 V-0 certification, underscoring its superior performance.
Temp-R220 High Temperature Resistant Material
Temp-R220 boasts a heat deformation temperature exceeding 220°C and a long-term use temperature above 250°C. It offers excellent strength and a degree of toughness, making it ideal for large-format SLA printers. The material ensures better stability, reliable accuracy, and exceptional surface quality, even in complex environments.
Comprehensive Application Solutions
UnionTech's advanced 3D printing systems cater to diverse industries, including footwear, dental, medical, cultural and creative, and automotive. Their technology streamlines complex processes, enhances precision and reduces production costs. In the footwear industry, UnionTech's solutions simplify mold production and enable intricate engravings. Dental applications benefit from improved diagnostics and customized treatments. The automotive sector utilizes UnionTech's technology for prototyping, end-use parts, jigs, fixtures, and tire molds, while the cultural and creative industries see enhanced design accuracy and production efficiency. In the medical field, UnionTech's technology supports digital medicine, offering solutions for both auxiliary and implantable functions, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient care.
At TCT Asia 2024, UnionTech engaged actively with exhibitors, visitors, and customers, fostering professional discussions on materials, equipment, technology, and applications. This interaction significantly contributed to the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, heralding a new era of innovation and transformation.
View original content to download multimedia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uniontech-showcasing-latest-innovations-at-tct-asia-2024-302144432.html
SOURCE UnionTech
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Copyright © 2024. Portions of this content may be copyrighted by Fresh Brewed Media, Investors Observer, and/or O2 Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. Portions of this content protected by US Patent numbers 7,865,496, 7,856,390, and 7,716,116. Investing in stocks, bonds, option and other financial instruments involve risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Portfolio results are unaudited and based on varying investment expiration dates. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | en | https://www.investorsobserver.com/news/qm-pr/4609974970584352 |
PowerA has released four new designs for both Nintendo Switch players and Pokémon fans, as they have a new line of Pikachu Garden peripherals. The company has made two new wireless controllers and two new cases, all of which are officially licensed, featuring different kinds of artwork featuring Pikachu being playful in a garden setting. We have more details about them here and some images, as they are all available both via the company's website and at Target.
The licensed PowerA Crossbody Bag for Nintendo Switch offers versatile carry options for any activity. With a padded pocket and storage for game cards and extra Joy-Con, you can game wherever you go.
Take your Nintendo Switch on the go with this sturdy compact case designed to fit the console in handheld mode.
Officially licensed by Nintendo, the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch features a rechargeable battery, intuitive motion controls, 2 mappable Advanced Gaming Buttons and more.
The Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller from PowerA is the perfect controller for gamers who want a smaller, more compact form factor.
Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! | en | https://bleedingcool.com/games/powera-reveals-new-pikachu-garden-switch-controllers-cases/ |
HANOI, Vietnam--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FPT Software has entered into a partnership with Mendix, Siemens' industry-leading low-code application development platform. Through this collaboration, FPT Software will become Mendix's reseller and delivery partner in the South Korean and Japanese markets, providing clients with faster time-to-market and more cost-effective software projects.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502952833/en/
Partnership signing ceremony between Mendix and FPT Software Korea (Photo: Business Wire)
Leveraging Mendix's industry-leading low-code capabilities, FPT Software aims to enhance its portfolio with rapid application development, prototyping, and deployment services. It also explores opportunities to expand market reach through Mendix's partner ecosystem as well as joint marketing and sales activities.
This partnership will yield significant benefits for FPT Software's clients. By combining Mendix's platform with FPT Software's delivery capabilities, businesses can achieve faster time-to-market and lower software development costs. The scalability and flexibility of Mendix-powered applications also ensure clients' investments can grow as their business expands.
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are looking for digital transformation partners that can enable speed and scale. FPT Software and Mendix both share the commitment to agility, scalability, and flexibility, and we are looking forward to helping companies unlock greater business values with our partnership, said FPT Software Senior Executive Vice President Do Van Khac.
Looking ahead, FPT Software and Mendix plan to collaborate on joint innovation initiatives, developing custom solutions and exploring new use cases of low-code technology, especially for clients in the finance and manufacturing industries. Both companies aim to conduct customer success programs to provide ongoing support, training, and guidance to ensure their mutual clients achieve business objectives.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen the partnership between FPT and Siemens, as the two corporations have previously signed an MOU to collaborate in advancing the manufacturing sector, semiconductor chip production, and digital transformation in general.
About FPT Software
FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, is a global technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam, with $1 billion in revenue (2023) and over 30,000 employees in 30 countries.
The company champions complex business opportunities and challenges with its world-class services in Advanced Analytics, AI, Digital Platforms, Cloud, Hyperautomation, IoT, Low-code, and so on. It has partnered with over 1,000+ clients worldwide, 91 of which are Fortune Global 500 companies in Aviation, Automotive, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Logistics, Manufacturing, Utilities, and more. For more information, please visit https://fptsoftware.com/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240502952833/en/
MediaMai Duong (Ms.)FPT SoftwarePR [email protected]
Source: FPT Software | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/fpt-software-partners-with-siemens-to-provide-lowcode-platform-mendix-in-korean-and-japanese-markets-93CH-3438512 |
HOUSTON, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nauticus Robotics, Inc. ("Nauticus" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: KITT) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
"We have successfully deployed Aquanaut Mark 2 in the Gulf of Mexico and tested the platform at depths greater than 1300 meters," said John W. Gibson, Jr., Nauticus' CEO and President. "We should generate daily revenue from the Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle beginning in Q3 2024 and have a strong queue of new opportunities developing. To maximize margins, we remain committed to keeping G&A expenses low, which can be seen in our results this quarter."
Operational Highlights
Financial Results
Balance Sheet and Liquidity
Conference Call Details
Nauticus will host a conference call on May 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time (10:00 a.m. EDT) to discuss its results for the quarter March 31, 2024. To participate in the earnings conference call, participants should dial toll free at 800-225-9448,¯conference ID: KITT, or access the listen-only webcast at the following link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/621212712. A link to the webcast will also be available on the Company's website (https://ir.nauticusrobotics.com/). Following the conclusion of the call, a recording will be available on the Company's website.
About Nauticus Robotics
Nauticus Robotics, Inc. develops autonomous robots for the ocean industries. Autonomy requires the extensive use of sensors, artificial intelligence, and effective algorithms for perception and decision allowing the robot to adapt to changing environments. The company's business model includes using robotic systems for service, selling vehicles and components, and licensing of related software to both the commercial and defense business sectors. Nauticus has designed and is currently testing and certifying a new generation of vehicles to reduce operational cost and gather data to maintain and operate a wide variety of subsea infrastructure. Besides a standalone service offering and forward-facing products, Nauticus' approach to ocean robotics has also resulted in the development of a range of technology products for retrofit/upgrading traditional ROV operations and other third-party vehicle platforms. Nauticus' services provide customers with the necessary data collection, analytics, and subsea manipulation capabilities to support and maintain assets while reducing their operational footprint, operating cost, and greenhouse gas emissions, to improve offshore health, safety, and environmental exposure.
Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), and are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Act as well as protections afforded by other federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the expected timing of product commercialization or new product releases; customer interest in Nauticus' products; estimated operating results and use of cash; and Nauticus' use of and needs for capital. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "intends," or "continue" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Nauticus' management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. There can be no assurance that the events, results, or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Nauticus is not under any obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports which Nauticus has filed or will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and that could cause actual outcomes to be materially different from those indicated in the forward-looking statements made by the Company, in particular the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in documents filed from time to time with the SEC, including Nauticus' most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties, or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The documents filed by Nauticus with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes certain items that are included in net loss attributable to common stockholders, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Items excluded are those which the Company believes affect the comparability of operating results and are typically excluded from published estimates by the investment community, including items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information to investors for analysis of the Company's fundamental business on a recurring basis. In addition, management believes that adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison, and investment recommendations of companies such as Nauticus.
Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net loss attributable to common stockholders or any other measure of a company's financial performance or profitability presented in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the differences between net loss attributable to common stockholders and adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders is presented below. Because adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders excludes some, but not all, items that affect net loss attributable to common stockholders and may vary among companies, our calculation of adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/press-releases/nauticus-robotics-announces-results-for-the-first-quarter-of-2024-93CH-3438510 |
NVIDIA and MediaTek are reportedly working on a new Arm-based AI processor, co-developing the new SoC that will be finalized in Q3 2024... just months from now.
The new silicon will support advanced technologies, and will be mass-produced on TSMC's new 3nm process node, and will compete against Apple's new M4 chip, and Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon X Elite SoC according to Chinese media outlet UDN.
The site reports that the price of NVIDIA and MediaTek's new Arm-based AI processor will be "as high as $300" adding that this is the first time NVIDIA and MediaTek have cooperated on PC processors, and that it's expected we'll get details on the new AI PC processor during Computex 2024 in just a few weeks' time in Taipei, Taiwan.
The industry is reportedly "optimistic" about the collaboration between NVIDIA and MediaTek, and that the two companies will bring a "new atmosphere to the AI PC market" due to the low power consumption, and other characteristics of the Arm architecture, it is "expected to once again set off an industry sensation".
NVIDIA and MediaTek have cooperated previously on automotive chips, with the integration of chips and AI the companies will create a complete smart cockpit solution for software-powered cars, scooping up the huge opportunities available to the companies in the smart car market.
Both of the companies will bring their respective technologies to the table, with NVIDIA's powerful gaming GPUs and AI GPUs with MediaTek's Arm-based architecture design capabilities will reduce the processor development time, to create an energy-efficient AI PC processor for thin-and-light product designs like new laptops.
Apple's new M4 processor was recently announced, inside of the new iPad Pro, made on TSMC's 3nm process. The same TSMC 3nm process node will be used for NVIDIA and MediaTek's new AI PC processor, giving them the same power efficiencies and more that TSMC's latest node brings.
As for the AI PC market, it truly is the next big thing. It's expected that AI PCs will represent close to 60% of total PC shipments by 2027 according to some analysts. NVIDIA wants a piece of that market, obviously.
It was only earlier this month that NVIDIA said RTX is the "premium" AI PC platform, and that NPUs inside of AMD and Intel CPUs are for "basic" AI PCs. Now it's beginning to make more sense... with these new reports that the company has teamed with MediaTek on an AI PC processor.
NVIDIA used an example of an AI PC that you can buy now with 10 TOPS to 45 TOPS of AI performance, calling that a "Basic AI PC" while 100 TOPS right up to an astonishing 1300+ TOPS is available right now with a "Premium AI PC". The big difference here is the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is just part of the CPU, part of the series of chips including the CPU, integrated GPU, NPU, I/O, and soon, on-package memory with upcoming Intel Lunar Lake CPUs.
NVIDIA's extensive dominance in GPU technology allows them to use RTX (in any form, GeForce, mobile GPU, RTX GPUs on Arm-based chips) to blow any NPU out of the water.
Anthony joined the TweakTown team in 2010 and has since reviewed 100s of graphics cards. Anthony is a long time PC enthusiast with a passion of hate for games built around consoles. FPS gaming since the pre-Quake days, where you were insulted if you used a mouse to aim, he has been addicted to gaming and hardware ever since. Working in IT retail for 10 years gave him great experience with custom-built PCs. His addiction to GPU tech is unwavering and has recently taken a keen interest in artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.
Similar News
© 1999-2024 Tweak Town Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved. TweakTown® and its logo are registered trademarks. | en | https://www.tweaktown.com/news/98244/nvidia-and-mediatek-rumored-to-be-co-developing-an-arm-based-ai-processor-for-pcs/index.html |
Tesla CEO Elon Musk makes a surprise visit to China, it coincides with Beijing's auto show where reports suggest he is trying to export his company's self-driving technology. CNN's Marc Stewart has more. | en | https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/13/business/china-us-companies-slow-economy-intl-hnk?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo |
May 14, 2024
An AI-enabled U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet, the X-62A VISTA, taxies after an experimental flight/Photo: AP
GENEVA: U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet in Switzerland today to discuss artificial intelligence security concerns.
U.S. officials said the Geneva talks will not open the door for China to influence technology policy.
Representatives from both countries will discuss ways to reduce the dangers associated with AI, U.S. officials said.
“We certainly don’t see eye to eye…on many AI topics and applications, but we believe that communication on critical AI risks can make the world safer,” a U.S. senior official said.
Beijing and Washington are in a tight race to dominate the AI landscape. China is leveraging AI “capabilities across civilian as well as military/national security sectors,” a U.S official said.
Beijing’s use of AI could compromise “both U.S. and allied national security,” he added.
Another official said the U.S. is competing with China to set the rules on AI and “explore if some of the rules can be embraced by all countries.”
The AI talks were initiated last month following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The U.S. will be represented by officials from the White House National Security Council and Departments of State and Commerce at Tuesday’s discussion.
The U.S. delegation will lead the talks with representatives from China’s foreign ministry and state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission.
A U.S. official said last week that the State Department wants China and Russia to make a commitment that AI will not make decisions about nuclear employment.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration plans to safeguard U.S. AI models like ChatGPT, curbing countries like China and Russia from gaining access to the software.
(VOA/Reuters/AFP) | en | https://english.khabarhub.com/2024/14/355530/ |
Skip to comments.
Posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT by DallasBiff
Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel is throwing his financial muscle behind an “Olympics on steroids” — whose organizer boasts that athletes will dope “out in the open and honestly.” Thiel, who made his fortune as an early investor in tech startups like PayPal and Facebook, is backing the Enhanced Games, which will actively encourage athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
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Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
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To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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Thiel, who made his fortune as an early investor in tech startups like PayPal and Facebook, is backing the Enhanced Games, which will actively encourage athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs. The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
Post Reply
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
[
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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The venture — aimed at aiding research into nutritional supplements and biohacks that push the boundaries of human performance — is the brainchild of Dr. Aron D’Souza, a lawyer by training who famously conceived Thiel’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
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I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
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To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
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| Private Reply
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| View Replies]
To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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| Private Reply
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| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
[
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To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
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To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
[
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To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
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FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
He plans to provide more details on April 17 and promote the controversial concept in Paris during the Summer Olympics, which begin in July. Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: alldrugolympics; olympics; peterthiel; roidrage; steroids
Hey! FReepers!Help Fill The Tank! How About It? Huh?It Ain't Askin' Too MuchYa Know....
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I guess a Libertarian sports paradise. They have precedent though,
1
posted on 05/13/2024 6:59:39 PM PDT
by DallasBiff
[
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To: DallasBiff
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
2
posted on 05/13/2024 7:02:12 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
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| Private Reply
| To 1
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To: DallasBiff
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
3
posted on 05/13/2024 7:03:41 PM PDT
by irishjuggler
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To: DallasBiff
4
posted on 05/13/2024 7:04:02 PM PDT
by ZOOKER
(Until further notice the /s is implied...)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: Jonty30
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
5
posted on 05/13/2024 11:21:18 PM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
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| Private Reply
| To 2
| View Replies]
To: Freest Republican
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
6
posted on 05/13/2024 11:45:25 PM PDT
by Jonty30
(He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 5
| View Replies]
To: DallasBiff
btt
7
posted on 05/14/2024 4:02:19 AM PDT
by GailA
(Land Grabs, Poisoned Food, KILL the COWS, Bidenomics=BIDEN DEPRESSION. STAGNATION)
[
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| Private Reply
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To: DallasBiff
Totally watching this!!!
8
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT
by Mathews
(I have faith Malachi is right!!! Any day now...)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: ZOOKER
LOL first thing I thought of.
9
posted on 05/14/2024 6:52:49 AM PDT
by dfwgator
(Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[
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To: DallasBiff
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
10
posted on 05/14/2024 7:19:00 AM PDT
by LS
("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." Jimi Hendrix)
[
Post Reply
| Private Reply
| To 1
| View Replies]
To: ZOOKER
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
11
posted on 05/14/2024 7:23:49 AM PDT
by Repealthe17thAmendment
[
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| Private Reply
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| View Replies]
To: Jonty30
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
12
posted on 05/14/2024 11:20:30 AM PDT
by Freest Republican
(There is no tyranny that cannot be justified by imbeciles)
[
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| View Replies]
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Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
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exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
Free Republic
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FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson
Thiel is among several high-profile venture capitalists who have backed the project, including billionaire Christian Angermayer of Apeiron Investment Group and Balaji Srinivasan, the former chief technology officer of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Thank you very much and God bless you.
They have precedent though,
May as well be honest about it.
Anybody who has followed bodybuilding knows just how unhealthy PED’s are, especially on the women.
SNL got there 36 years ago...
“The All Drug Olympics”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAdG-iTilWU
I was surprised to see a lot of body builders from the 70’s and 80’s are not only still alive but doing well.
I was curio9us recently and just started searching random names and was shocked by the results.
Bodybuilders in the 1970’s were mostly healthy. They made use of doctors to administers their steroids to strike that right balance between muscle gain without being detrimental to their health. Up until about 1978, this is how they did things.
However, once HGH was entered, that’s when you started seeing bodybuilders start to drop off prematurely. The real killer was in the mid-to-late 80’s, when insulin was introduced. What insulin does in bodybuilding is that it opens cell walls up and the cells can soak up all the blood sugar it can.
That’s when you started reading about bodybuilders dying in their thirties and fourties.
btt
Totally watching this!!!
LOL first thing I thought of.
Theil is a homosexual. Is this a backdoor attempt to get transoids into women’s Olympic sports by legalizing hormones?
I knew it wouldn’t be long before this clip turned up. First thing I thought of!
Thanks for the explanation.
I appreciate it.
I just remembered the endless warnings of the perils of steroids. It was shocking to see the guys seemingly not just healthy but most still in great shape.
After reading your explanation, I am recalling younger guys dying long after any interest of mine in bodybuilding.
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
Free Republic
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FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson | en | https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4237644/posts |
May
2024
Little Kitty, Big City is a third-person platformer for the Nintendo Switch. It serves as the debut game for indie developer studio Double Dagger, taking a cute cat and dropping it into a big city ripe for exploration. I had to continually drag myself away from the game to write this review, so it’s safe to assume this is a fun time.
The plot is simple; our feline protagonist has fallen from the lofty heights of a high-rise apartment window. The aim is to find your way home. Simple enough, right? Unfortunately our pampered pet lacks the energy for such a climb, leading to an adventure full of surprises as you work your way through the city in search of energy-giving food.
Little Kitty, Big City emulates the movements of a cat very well. As I explored, I felt like I was, in fact, controlling a cat. The way you walk on all fours, bat at things with your paws, and jump all feel authentic and easy to do. There are other kitty moves to discover as well, such as stretching, meowing, sleeping, licking, and more. If you’re a cat person, you’ll adore trying each of these.
Moves are not the only collectible. In fact, there’s a ton of items to find and collect in Little Kitty, Big City. A handy to-do list shows your main objectives for the story while a cat-chievements list provides 39 optional achievements. These are often humorous, like dumpster diving or sitting in a certain number of boxes (as cats do). You can also recycle cans, give bones to dogs, snap pics of yourself with a phone, and much more.
These details are what make the game enjoyable. There’s an innocence to running through the streets and climbing buildings as a cat, and a feeling of exhilaration when you find something in the most obscure of places. It reminds me a little of my time with LEGO City Undercover in terms of seeking out hidden items in every nook and cranny. If you enjoy exploration, you’ll be similarly entertained.
My favorite collectibles are the 40 different hats. Of course, we all know dressing kitties in real life is, well, painful (surely, I’m not the only kid who forced clothes on their cat). But in Little Kitty, Big City, our little black cat loves wearing hats. And they’re adorable. I won’t spoil what they are because half the fun is finding each and every one. I also love the pun-tastic descriptions that accompany their discovery.
Another enjoyable component are the NPCs you meet along the way. These take the form of other animals, from birds and dogs to lizards and bugs. Each has a story to tell (the ducks are particularly interesting) and usually provide Kitty with a mission of some sort. I also commend the developers on the writing. I appreciate dialogue that serves as entertainment rather than being superfluous and easily skippable. I genuinely wanted to see what each character had to say, with some clever quips that made me chuckle.
The jazzy soundtrack is also worth mentioning. Little Kitty, Big City is a relaxing adventure; there are no life meters, deaths, or boss fights. In fact, there are no fights of any kind. Although you can catch birds, this is a playful maneuver after which the birds fly away unharmed, leaving you with a collectible feather. The goal is simply to explore and have fun, and the music suits this mood perfectly. The twinkling upbeat tunes settle neatly into the background, providing the perfect backdrop for your cat-based adventure.
There’s a map available for finding your way around town. If I could make any suggestions for improvement, it would be to the map. There’s technically nothing wrong with it; it provides a simple way to navigate the streets. However, it only shows a few icons, which disappear once you’ve found the item in question. There’s no text nor any way to interact with the map. I’d love to see the option to pin a location I’d like to revisit, or zoom in and out, or add a navigation point to direct me somewhere. This isn’t a sprawling world à la Tears of the Kingdom, but I still feel like some small enhancements could improve the experience.
The other thing I need to mention is the price. At US$24.99, this adventure seems a little too expensive for me. It’s a shame, because I think if it was just $5 cheaper, it would be a more reasonable outlay. I adore this game, but it does have a short runtime of under 10 hours. While there’s plenty to do and it’s a blast to play, I wonder if it would find more success with a slightly cheaper price tag. Perhaps future DLC will help cover this cost; I would certainly welcome any reason to revisit this delightful city and its cute inhabitants.
Overall, Little Kitty, Big City is an enjoyable platformer that successfully emulates playing the role of a cat. This sweet and relaxing game provides plenty to do in an easy-to-navigate environment that’s ripe for exploring. I appreciate the work the developers have put into this, and I hope they get a chance to create similar titles in the future.
Review: Little Kitty, Big City (Nintendo Switch)
Little Kitty, Big City is a joyful experience that successfully emulates playing the role of a cat. This sweet and relaxing game provides plenty to do in an easy-to-navigate environment that’s ripe for exploring. I appreciate the work the developers have put into this, and I hope they get a chance to create similar titles in the future.
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© Pure Media LLC | en | https://purenintendo.com/review-little-kitty-big-city-nintendo-switch/ |
JAKARTA, Indonesia —
Fans of Korean pop bands around the world are increasingly channeling their millions-strong online community into climate and environmental activism, protesting business deals linked to coal power, urging K-pop entertainers to cut waste and raising awareness about climate-related issues.
Other climate activist groups have begun joining forces with Kpop4Climate, an environmental group founded in 2021 by K-pop fans Nurul Sarifah and Dayeon Lee. After Kpop4Climate petitioned South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co., it recently scrapped a deal linked to coal power plants in Indonesia.
The ability to quickly organize a large, dedicated group has made K-pop fans an increasingly influential lobby online as they participate in protests and promote causes that have included the Black Lives Matter movement. Politicians also have tried to tap into that power.
''I spotted how K-pop fans can be seen as a potential power,'' said Sarifah. ''We think we can harness that power for climate change action.''
In 2021, Korea Beyond Coal— a coalition of civic groups calling for South Korea to stop using coal power — teamed up with Kpop4Climate in 2021 to raise awareness about plans for a coal-burning power plant.
The plant site near Maengbang Beach, the photo shoot location for album artwork for one of K-pop band BTS's hit songs, is a popular destination for the band's fans and a joint petition created by Kpop4Planet and Korea Beyond Coal got thousands of signatures.
''We realized Kpop4Climate has the experience of mobilizing and connecting people and sharing information using social media ... which is very helpful when it comes to climate campaigning,'' said Euijin Kim, a communications officer for Solutions for Our Climate, which is part of Korea Beyond Coal.
The power plant is still going ahead, but the groups were able to raise awareness about the environmental issues caused by coal power, Lee said.
''We want to show the power and influence that the K-pop fans can have ... we believe that if we gather all together, we can make better social impacts and maybe change our society in more sustainable ways,'' said Lee. ''And, of course, love K-pop together.''
Korean pop culture fan clubs' activism and philanthropy began in the 1960s, said Stephanie Choi, a postdoctoral associate at the University of Buffalo studying K-pop culture. Now, K-pop fans regularly organize thousands of people on social media platforms to buy gifts for wildly popular K-pop singers and bands, or promote other causes.
Sarifah and Lee have aligned Kpop4Climate's activities with various causes, beginning with urging entertainment companies to cut back on waste related to the K-pop fan culture of collecting photo cards of band members, which are included in albums and sold as merchandise. K-pop labels often release multiple versions of albums with dozens of different photo cards, encouraging fans to bulk-buy albums to participate in lucky draws for meet-and-greet events with K-pop stars.
''The problem is that this creates a lot of waste,'' Lee said in an interview. ''We wanted to tackle that issue first, because it was the most well-known issue among K-pop fans.''
Entertainment companies haven't directly responded to Kpop4Climate's petitions and other approaches, but Lee still views the campaign as a success.
''There were changes after our campaigning: major entertainment companies published environmental, social and governance reports and published eco-friendly albums, including some releasing records using QR codes to minimize waste," she said.
Kpop4Climate's petition against Hyundai protested an agreement the company signed to buy aluminum from projects linked to coal power in Indonesia.
The memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 with a unit of one of Indonesia's largest coal miners, Adaro Energy Indonesia, gave Hyundai the right to purchase low-carbon aluminum from an industrial park Indonesian officials portray as ''green".
However, the smelter used to make the aluminum initially will be powered by newly built coal-fired plants. Hydroelectric and solar power will power the industrial park at a later date.
Given K-pop group BTS's collaboration with Hyundai, Kpop4Climate saw a chance to put their influence to work. In March 2023, Kpop4Climate launched a petition asking Hyundai to withdraw from the project until it phases out coal, and to disclose details of the energy used to make the aluminum. The petition got over 10,000 signatures in two months, and Kpop4Climate sent their pleas to Hyundai Motor's headquarters. In March, Hyundai Motor said it had ended its agreement with Adaro.
''Following the expiry of the MOU at the end of 2023, both companies have decided not to renew it and to explore other opportunities independently,'' a spokesperson for Hyundai Motor wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Adaro did not respond to a request for comment sent by AP.
''This a victory of thousands of people, friends who took actions and also show that they genuinely care about the climate crisis and local communities," said Sarifah.
___ Asia entertainment editor Juwon Park in Seoul contributed to this report.
___
Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP's climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | en | https://www.startribune.com/k-pop-fans-around-globe-rally-for-climate-and-environment-goals/600365715/ |
With the continuous popularity of tvN‘s Lovely Runner, the fictional band Eclipse is also hitting an all-time career high with their songs!
According to the Melon chart, the song, “Sudden Shower” peaked at number eight on the Top 100 chart. Another one of their songs, “Run Run” was also seen at number 76.
Netizens felt that with records like this, they needed to go on a music show!
Even actor Byun Woo Seok’s agency was shocked at the news, they even posted it on its official Instagram stories.
Netizens could understand the agency’s surprise as it’s rare to see an actor enter the top ten on a music chart!
Recently, it was reported that tvN is in discussion for holding some sort of event to thank the fans for the support of the drama. No other details have been released yet.
Popular “K-Pop” Group Enters The Top 100 On Music Charts With Just One Performance
View Dark Theme | en | https://www.koreaboo.com/news/lovely-runner-ost-rises-number-eight-melon-top-100-chart-byun-woo-seok/ |
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Initially, the press conference followed a standard trajectory, with Paul and Tyson articulating their motivations for the upcoming bout and their strategies for victory. However, the atmosphere shifted gears dramatically when a young boxing enthusiast grabbed the spotlight with a question that veered far from the conventional script.
Introduced by mediator Ariel Helwani as a "young boy," the fan quickly showcased a penchant for unconventional inquiries. Amidst cheers and laughter from the audience, the fan's inquiry took an unexpected turn, prompting Tyson to quip, "Where is your mother at?" The remark set the tone for a comedic exchange that would steal the show.
Despite the fan's question about "body count," aimed at gauging the fighters' ability beyond the ring, Jake Paul found himself momentarily stunned into silence, a rarity for the typically outspoken personality. Tyson's repeated inquiry about the fan's parental supervision added another layer of amusement to the exchange, leaving the audience in stitches.
The viral clip of the exchange swiftly permeated social media platforms, shedding light on the young fan's knack for commanding attention. In a press conference marked by memorable moments, this interaction between the fan, Tyson, and Paul stood out as a testament to the unpredictability and entertainment value of the boxing world.
As the press conference tour continues, fans eagerly anticipate more moments like this at Thursday's edition from Arlington, Texas.
© Unidad Editorial Información Deportiva, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
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Organizations continue to run insecure protocols across their wide access networks (WAN), making it easier for cybercriminals to move across networks, according to a Cato Networks survey.
The Cato CTRL SASE Threat Report Q1 2024 provides insight into the security threats and their identifying network characteristics for all aggregate traffic—regardless of whether they emanate from or are destined for the internet or the WAN—and for all endpoints across sites, remote users, and cloud resources.
“As threat actors constantly introduce new tools, techniques, and procedures targeting organizations across all industries, cyber threat intelligence remains fragmented and isolated to point solutions,” said Etay Maor, Chief Security Strategist at Cato Networks.
Once threat actors penetrate a network, they usually have less of a problem snooping critical data in transit across the network. All enterprises continue to run insecure protocols across their WAN, with 62% of all web application traffic being HTTP, 54% of all traffic being telnet, and 46% of all traffic being SMB v1 or v2 instead of SMBv3.
Lateral movement (where attackers will move across networks) was identified most frequently in the agriculture, real estate, and travel and tourism industries.
The most common AI tools used among enterprises during the first three months of 2024 were Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI ChatGPT, and Emol, an application that records emotions and talks with AI robots.
The strongest adoption of these tools was seen in the travel and tourism industry (used by 79% of organizations), and the lowest adoption among entertainment organizations (44%).
Newly discovered vulnerabilities do not necessarily mean that the threats exploiting them are the most common. While zero-day threats earn much attention in the industry, threat actors often eschew the use of the latest vulnerabilities and instead exploit unpatched systems.
When evaluating the top ten inbound common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs), the seven-year-old attack targeting the PHPUnit testing framework (CVE-2017-9841) was the most common found and it was found across 33% of the inbound CVE exploitations observed.
Furthermore, three years after its discovery, Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228) remains one of the most used exploits and it was found across 30% of the outbound CVE exploitations observed.
Of the observed media and entertainment organizations, 48% did not use one of 200+ applications identified by Cato CTRL as information security tools. The top three industries targeted with T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service techniques are entertainment, telecommunication, and mining & metals.
In the services and hospitality sectors, threat actors utilize the T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access three times or more often than in other sectors. | en | https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2024/05/14/log4j-wan-insecure-protocols/ |
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The Cannes Film Festival Premiere for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is right around the corner, and Anya Taylor-Joy has already been spotted around town, reminding everyone that her stylist is absolutely killing it, and we should all be grateful for the experience. The social embargo for the film has already come down, but the review embargo will likely be dropping just after or right around that Cannes premiere, so we're going to get some more information from the (fortunate) people who have already seen the film about what we're in store for. Warner Bros. is also doing a pretty good job of showing us what we're in for with marketing that is balancing releasing new footage so people know what to expect if they are buying a ticket and plenty of behind-the-scenes stuff so we can see how this buckwild production came to be. We got some more of the latter today, this time spotlighting Taylor-Joy's performance as Furiosa. We already know that she doesn't have a lot of lines in this film, so hearing Taylor-Joy say that she put everything into this is probably truer than we even realize. She has to convey so much more without words, and hearing so many people say how impressed they were with her only adds to the hype.
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal "Mad Max" films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash Mad Max: Fury Road. The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (Mad Max: Fury Road, Babe), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.
As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home. Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke.
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on May 24, 2024, and internationally beginning on 22 May, 2024.
Enjoyed this? Please share on social media! | en | https://bleedingcool.com/movies/furiosa-new-bts-featurette-spotlights-anya-taylor-joys-performance/ |
The teenage son of beloved entertainment reporter Sam Rubin delivered an emotional, on-air tribute to his late father from his dad’s seat at the KTLA anchor desk just three days after the TV journalist unexpectedly died.
Colby Rubin, 16, delivered the heart-wrenching letter addressed to his dad during a Monday broadcast on KTLA, where the his dad worked worked for more than three decades.
“Hi Dad, I wrote this under the desk in your cubicle where you used to catch me sleeping — only you weren’t there to wake me up this time,” Colby read, looking directly at the camera.
“Dad, I can’t believe you’re gone.”
“You’ll never pick me up from school again. We’ll never get to go biking. We’ll never argue about food. You won’t be at my wedding. I can’t believe you are gone,” he said, choking up at times. “I love you so much. On the day you died, I hope you heard me say that.”
Colby shared how his dad, who died of a heart attack on Friday, was his biggest supporter and was always there whether to take him to Boy Scouts, Disney trips, physical therapy appointments, or even a 3 a.m. pickup from a sleepover.
“You were an incredible father and friend. On our car rides, you taught me so much about life — about your work, about how you got to get up every day and do what you love,” he continued.
“I idolized you and you are and will always be my hero. And I never got to tell you that and I’m so sorry, Dad.”
The teen said his dad always encouraged him and shared texts between them showing his father’s enduring support and advice.
“You encouraged me and loved me every day and built me up. I am completely who I am because of you,” Colby read.
“Dad, I am so proud to be your son. I had more of a father in 16 years than some people get their entire lives and I am so grateful. You are a beautiful human and you will never be forgotten,” he said, thanking everyone who has reached out in support of the family.
The letter left his father’s KTLA colleagues teary-eyed as they remembered their coworker and his deep love for his family while sitting next to his son.
Rubin had worked for the Los Angeles station since 1991 and became a staple on the red carpet, interviewing stars and receiving numerous awards throughout his career.
“He’s never gone,” Colby said. “He has this online footprint of over 30 years, so I always have somewhere to turn to.”
Colby said his family has received an outpouring of support and words of comfort since his dad’s death — even from people overseas.
In addition to his son Colby, Rubin is survived by his wife, Leslie, and their three other children, Rory, Perry, and Darcy. | en | https://nypost.com/2024/05/13/media/son-of-late-ktla-reporter-sam-rubin-shares-heart-wrenching-tribute-on-air/ |
Actress and musician Jillian Shea Spaeder chatted about her new short “The Noise.”
By
Published
Actress and musician Jillian Shea Spaeder (“Godmothered” on Disney+) chatted about her new short “The Noise.”
She wrote and produced this short (on the topic of an eating disorder), and it was directed by Bryce Gheisar.
On the idea for “The Noise,” she said, “I wrote ‘The Noise’ when I was struggling with my mental health. I wanted to personify the voices in my head on film.”
Regarding her daily motivations as an actress and musician, she said, “I just love creating! It is my favorite thing to do. I also look up to creators like Holly Humberstone and Jennifer Lawrence.”
She is hoping to raise awareness on mental health with this short. “I hope viewers take away the need to check in with themselves and others more,” she said. “Some of the happiest-seeming people can still be struggling. Talking to friends and family is the first step to improving mental health.”
On being an entertainer in the digital age, she said, “I love it! We live in a world where we can create and put things out without needing to be a part of a giant company.”
Regarding his future plans, she shared, “I hope to continue writing, acting, producing, and making music my whole life. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”
For hopefuls that wish to go into the entertainment business, she said, “My best advice for young and aspiring artists would be to do what you like.”
“It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to create things that other people will like… but this takes away creative freedom and makes it a less fun process,” she added.
On her definition of the word success, she said, “Success to me means creating things I love and finishing things I start. I try not to define success by views, or streams. My definition of success is only based on things I can control!”
To learn more about Jillian Shea Spaeder, follow her on Instagram and visit her website.
Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News.
Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 21,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.
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TORONTO, May 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kilmer Sports Ventures, a part of Kilmer Group, announced today it has entered into exclusive negotiations with shareholders to acquire AS Saint-Étienne, one of France's most decorated and beloved football clubs.
Founded in 1933, AS Saint-Étienne’s 90-year legacy includes ten Ligue 1 championships, the top tier of French football, a deep commitment to community and an unrivalled fan base that extends well beyond the city to the whole region. After twenty years, current shareholders Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer are looking for new owners that will build on their vision for the club and, with the right resources and expertise, return Saint-Étienne to its elite position in the league.
If successful, the exclusive negotiations will transfer ownership of the club to Kilmer Sports Ventures, leveraging the unparalleled expertise of two leaders in the world of sports – Larry Tanenbaum, a 30-year veteran and one of the most well respected and trusted team owners in North America, and Ivan Gazidis, a legend in European football excellence with a demonstrated track record in building championship clubs.
“AS Saint-Étienne is more than just a football club, it’s a community,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman and CEO of Kilmer Group. “It’s the beating heart of the city and the region, and has been for nearly 90 years. That’s something, as new owners, we would respect, preserve, and promote. I’m optimistic for what lies ahead.”
"It's an honour to engage with a club as prestigious as AS Saint-Étienne,” said Ivan Gazidis, President of Kilmer Sports Ventures. “Our aim is, step-by-step, to engage with the club’s fans and to bring Saint-Étienne back to the highest level of French football, where it can compete with pride in accordance with the club’s historic values."
For media inquiries:
Courtney Glen, Kilmer Group, [email protected]
About Kilmer Sports Ventures:
Kilmer Sports Ventures is a division of Kilmer Group and focuses on investment opportunities in the world of sport and entertainment. Kilmer Group is a multi-generational platform with a long history in business development and investment focused on three verticals: Infrastructure & Real Estate, Sports & Media, and Private Equity, which includes a majority ownership in Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited. | en | https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/05/14/2881002/0/en/Kilmer-Sports-Ventures-Enters-into-Exclusive-Negotiations-to-Acquire-French-Professional-Football-Club-AS-Saint-%C3%89tienne.html |
As global markets show signs of resilience, with indices like the S&P 500 approaching record highs, Sweden's recent economic adjustments, including a key interest rate cut by the Riksbank, paint a promising backdrop for investors looking at dividend stocks. In such an environment, understanding what constitutes a robust dividend stock is crucial; factors like stable earnings, consistent payout histories, and strong market positions become particularly valuable.
Name
Dividend Yield
Dividend Rating
Betsson (OM:BETS B)
5.97%
★★★★★☆
Zinzino (OM:ZZ B)
3.59%
★★★★★☆
Loomis (OM:LOOMIS)
4.55%
★★★★★☆
HEXPOL (OM:HPOL B)
3.09%
★★★★★☆
Duni (OM:DUNI)
4.55%
★★★★★☆
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (OM:SEB A)
5.54%
★★★★★☆
Avanza Bank Holding (OM:AZA)
4.54%
★★★★★☆
Nordea Bank Abp (OM:NDA SE)
8.04%
★★★★★☆
Bilia (OM:BILI A)
4.55%
★★★★☆☆
Husqvarna (OM:HUSQ B)
3.44%
★★★★☆☆
Click here to see the full list of 24 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener.
Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener.
Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆
Overview: Bahnhof AB (publ) operates in the Internet and telecommunications sector primarily in Sweden and across Europe, with a market capitalization of approximately SEK 5.54 billion.
Operations: Bahnhof AB generates its revenue primarily from the internet and telecommunications services within Sweden and other parts of Europe.
Dividend Yield: 3.9%
Bahnhof AB's recent earnings report showed a revenue increase to SEK 491.38 million and net income growth to SEK 56.17 million, indicating financial health. However, its dividend sustainability is questionable with a high payout ratio of 97.7%, implying dividends are not well-covered by earnings despite a stable dividend history over the past decade. The stock trades below estimated fair value by 24.3%, offering potential undervaluation but its low yield of 3.88% trails behind top Swedish dividend payers.
Click here and access our complete dividend analysis report to understand the dynamics of Bahnhof.
Our comprehensive valuation report raises the possibility that Bahnhof is priced higher than what may be justified by its financials.
Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆
Overview: BioGaia AB (publ) is a healthcare company that specializes in probiotic products with a global reach, boasting a market capitalization of approximately SEK 13.03 billion.
Operations: BioGaia AB generates its revenue primarily from the sale of probiotic products across various global markets.
Dividend Yield: 5.3%
BioGaia's dividend yield of 5.35% ranks well in Sweden, but its sustainability is questionable with a high cash payout ratio of 215.5%, indicating dividends are not adequately covered by free cash flow. Although the company's P/E ratio at 35.1x is favorable compared to the industry, inconsistent dividend payments over the past decade and coverage issues raise concerns about reliability and growth prospects, despite a recent earnings uptick to SEK 121.85 million in Q1 2024 from SEK 115.95 million last year.
Click here to discover the nuances of BioGaia with our detailed analytical dividend report.
The valuation report we've compiled suggests that BioGaia's current price could be inflated.
Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: ★★★★☆☆
Overview: G5 Entertainment AB (publ), based in Sweden, specializes in developing and publishing free-to-play games for smartphones, tablets, and personal computers, with a market capitalization of SEK 1.12 billion.
Operations: G5 Entertainment AB generates its revenue primarily from the development and publication of free-to-play games for various digital platforms.
Dividend Yield: 5.8%
G5 Entertainment offers a dividend yield of 5.77%, ranking in the top quartile within the Swedish market, supported by a stable yet short history of dividend payments over seven years. Despite recent earnings declines to SEK 37.48 million from SEK 47.76 million, dividends remain well-covered with an earnings payout ratio of 54.4% and cash payout ratio of 36.8%. The company's upcoming board reshuffle could influence future financial strategies, maintaining investor interest in its governance dynamics.
Get an in-depth perspective on G5 Entertainment's performance by reading our dividend report here.
Our valuation report unveils the possibility G5 Entertainment's shares may be trading at a discount.
Discover the full array of 24 Top Dividend Stocks right here.
Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments.
Discover a world of investment opportunities with Simply Wall St's free app and access unparalleled stock analysis across all markets.
Explore high-performing small cap companies that haven't yet garnered significant analyst attention.
Fuel your portfolio with companies showing strong growth potential, backed by optimistic outlooks both from analysts and management.
Find companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Companies discussed in this article include OM:BAHN B OM:BIOG B and OM:G5EN.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected] | en | https://finance.yahoo.com/news/three-swedish-dividend-stocks-offering-020622086.html |
Here's a fresh new logo we baked just for you. 😘 pic.twitter.com/m54aX7N5dB
The IndieWire website posted two more new images from the project on Monday.
This year's Annecy will take place from June 9 to June 15 in the French town of the same name. Established in 1960, Annecy is the world's oldest and largest animation film festival.
While the film was also previewed last year at Annecy, the screening showed unfinished footage.
The film was previously slated to open on April 12, 2024, but was delayed to December 13, 2024.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is set in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth. New Line Cinema is producing the film in partnership with Warner Bros. Animation. Sola Entertainment is responsible for the animation studios for the film, and Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film.
Brian Cox plays Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan and protagonist. Gaia Wise plays Helm's daughter Hera. Luke Pasqualino plays Wulf, a Dunlending lord. Miranda Otto reprises her role from the original films as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, and she is also the narrator.
The cast also includes Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwudike, Bilal Hasna, and Janine Duvitski.
The film is described as an original anime feature, depicting "a legendary battle that helped shape Middle-earth and set the stage" for Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It "explores and expands the untold story behind the fortress of Helm's Deep, delving into the life and bloodsoaked times of one of Middle-earth's most legendary figures; the mighty King of Rohan - Helm Hammerhand."
Joseph Chou (Blade Runner: Black Lotus TV series) is producing, and Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) are writing the screenplay. The Oscar-winner Philippa Boyens, who was part of the screenwriting team on the live-action The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies, is a consultant on the project.
Jason DeMarco — Adult Swim's senior vice president and head of anime and action series as well as senior vice president in the anime and action series/longform department at Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios — is a producer on the film, and he confirmed that the film is in 2D.
Sources: Variety (Jamie Lang), Jason DeMarco's Twitter account
News homepage / archives | en | https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-13/annecy-screens-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim-footage-in-june/.210784 |
Over the weekend, it was announced that actor James Laurenson had passed away in April at the age of 84. Rest in peace.
Born in New Zealand in 1940, Laurenson moved to the U.K. in the ’60s where he began acting professionally, working on both stage and screen. Over the decades, his notable credits include The Crown, Coronation Street, Australian detective series Boney, and, in his final film role, Matilda: The Musical.
And though he wasn’t gay himself, Laurenson is fondly remembered as being part of a very important moment in LGBTQ+ pop culture history: He was one half of the first-ever gay kiss on British television!
And the other half? None other than Sir Ian McKellen.
Back in 1970, the actors starred in a production of Christopher Marlowe’s classic Renaissance play Edward II at the Picadilly Theatre in London. McKellen played the titular character in one of his first breakthrough roles, with Laurenson as Piers Gaveston, the king’s “favorite,” a.k.a. a polite, old world way of saying the two were lovers.
(Needless to say, the play has long been a controversial one thanks to its homo-romantic themes.)
The production was such a sensation, breaking theatrical box office records for the Picadilly, that the BBC eventually decided to record and broadcast the play on air, which meant a rather passionate—and historic!—kiss between McKellen and Laurenson was beamed into homes across the U.K.
Nope, this wasn’t some chaste peck on the lips, or a fake smooch while the actors had their backs turned to the camera—it was an honest-to-goodness kiss, a fiery, emotion-filled one that goes on for a number of seconds unbroken.
For the curious, the full broadcast of Edward II is currently on YouTube, with the big moment occurring right around the 17:20 mark.
Again, not only was this a first for the BBC, but it’s considered by some to be the first man-on-man kiss to air on television ever. That’s all the more impactful when you consider that homosexuality was decriminalized in the U.K. just three years earlier, in 1967.
But it’s not like anyone was necessarily setting out to make history with the kiss. A few years back, McKellen was featured in an interview special with BBC Two’s Amol Rajan, reflecting that the network “wasn’t out to shock people or educate people, it was just doing a play that had a big success at the Edinburgh Festival and two seasons in London.”
McKellen, who was still closeted at the time Edward II aired, added: “I didn’t do that play because I was on a mission to tell people about homosexuality and certainly not my own.”
Of course, the actor did eventually come out publicly—in a 1988 radio interview for (where else?) The BBC—and years later is able to appreciate the impact the kiss has had on audiences.
“I’ve heard from people I shall never meet saying I’m so grateful to you for that kiss which I was watching in Indiana with my parents and we had a good conversation about it afterwards and I’m now a happily married gay man… So it was wonderful,” he shared.
As for Laurenson, McKellen said he’s “always grateful” for the kiss they shared. Or kisses rather. Edward II ran for nearly a year prior to its BBC broadcast, which meant the pair had to lock lips night after night after night.
“I still recall the first softness of James Laurenson’s lips,” McKellen once wrote, “which was a bonus throughout the run.”
The late Laurenson’s legacy—and lips—live on through his impressive body of work, and we’ll be forever grateful to both actors for moving the needle forward for LGBTQ+ representation in media.
We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today? | en | https://www.queerty.com/that-time-ian-mckellen-james-laurenson-gave-us-one-of-the-first-and-fieriest-gay-kisses-on-tv-20240513 |
Text description provided by the architects. Bell and Preston Stations have been developed as part of Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project. These stations form two critical parts of the greater rail redevelopment along the Mernda Line, removing 4 level crossings and providing 3 MCG’s worth of recreational community space. Developed in collaboration with Tract Consultants, this green space created beneath the elevated rail is activated with improved amenities and connections, including landscaping, gathering spaces, and shared user paths.Save this picture!© Peter BennettsSave this picture!Plan - SiteSave this picture!© Peter BennettsBell Station’s façade references the heritage-listed housing stock surrounding the site. The City of Darebin’s roofscape was abstracted into a three-dimensional pattern that forms the concrete façade. The angled patterns animate the façade, which includes multi-colored glass windows that filter colored light into the double-height concourse space. These colors are drawn from hues that illuminate the neighboring Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre and reduce the need for artificial light in the concourse. Bell Station’s development includes the design of a public amphitheater doubling as a flood basin. The dual-purpose space adjacent to the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre allows the existing community asset to extend into the station development.Save this picture!© Peter BennettsSave this picture!© Peter BennettsPreston Station’s design reflects the influence of the neighboring Preston Market. The façade was designed as an array of black vertical folds, resembling a barcode used by market vendors. These folds were filled with vivid colors drawn from the produce at Preston Market to extend the vibrancy of the market into the station. This vibrancy was then extended into the station’s interior; the cladding continues into the concourse, and the windows filter colored light into this space. Additionally, Preston Station has been designed to be adapted to the future development of Preston Market.Save this picture!© Peter BennettsSave this picture!Plan - Ground Floor Bell StationSave this picture!© Peter BennettsThroughout the project, color and form are used as tools for placemaking. The Mernda Line is attributed to a lilac identity. As such, pink and lilac piers and feature lighting perform as civic markers. As colors that do not naturally occur in the built environment, these identifiers enhance the stations’ prominence. The patterning, colored cladding elements, and lighting of both stations’ façades enable the buildings to perform as placemaking mechanisms and celebrate rail as a piece of public architecture. Both station designs champion environmental consciousness seen in the station’s sustainability credentials, including meeting the highest ISC for rail projects and 6-star Greenstar requirements.Save this picture!© Peter BennettsSave this picture!© Peter BennettsThe project features urban design and civic zones, including green spaces and native planting grounds, in order to promote and act as an ecological network. The increase in amenities around and within the stations increases user activity and activation. This activation promotes safety by increasing passive surveillance around the network. These spaces used for public amenities also provide better access to streets previously blocked by the rail corridor. Both Bell and Preston Stations incorporated Indigenous design initiatives to create meaningful and inclusive spaces. The outcomes of this include a range of landscape and urban design elements. These include space for yarning circles in the surrounding landscaping and Indigenous design elements such as the viaduct screen pattern and the lift pattern at both stations. The project fosters opportunities for cultural learning and serves as a functional community space.Save this picture!© Peter BennettsSave this picture!© Peter BennettsThe plans for both stations carefully considered program so that they could function effectively. For example, Bell Station was planned with programs inhabiting the four corners of the building, so that the generous concourse remains unconditioned. Additionally, the staircases in Preston Station allow the platform to load from either end, evenly distributing passengers along the platform and the train. As civic places of arrival and departure, the project links the local community to greater Melbourne. In doing so, it provides safe and equitable access. The project exemplifies how transportation infrastructure can be reimagined to revitalise the precinct.Save this picture!© Peter Bennetts
Text description provided by the architects. Bell and Preston Stations have been developed as part of Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project. These stations form two critical parts of the greater rail redevelopment along the Mernda Line, removing 4 level crossings and providing 3 MCG’s worth of recreational community space. Developed in collaboration with Tract Consultants, this green space created beneath the elevated rail is activated with improved amenities and connections, including landscaping, gathering spaces, and shared user paths.
Text description provided by the architects. Bell and Preston Stations have been developed as part of Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project. These stations form two critical parts of the greater rail redevelopment along the Mernda Line, removing 4 level crossings and providing 3 MCG’s worth of recreational community space. Developed in collaboration with Tract Consultants, this green space created beneath the elevated rail is activated with improved amenities and connections, including landscaping, gathering spaces, and shared user paths.
Bell Station’s façade references the heritage-listed housing stock surrounding the site. The City of Darebin’s roofscape was abstracted into a three-dimensional pattern that forms the concrete façade. The angled patterns animate the façade, which includes multi-colored glass windows that filter colored light into the double-height concourse space. These colors are drawn from hues that illuminate the neighboring Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre and reduce the need for artificial light in the concourse. Bell Station’s development includes the design of a public amphitheater doubling as a flood basin. The dual-purpose space adjacent to the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre allows the existing community asset to extend into the station development.
Bell Station’s façade references the heritage-listed housing stock surrounding the site. The City of Darebin’s roofscape was abstracted into a three-dimensional pattern that forms the concrete façade. The angled patterns animate the façade, which includes multi-colored glass windows that filter colored light into the double-height concourse space. These colors are drawn from hues that illuminate the neighboring Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre and reduce the need for artificial light in the concourse. Bell Station’s development includes the design of a public amphitheater doubling as a flood basin. The dual-purpose space adjacent to the Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre allows the existing community asset to extend into the station development.
Preston Station’s design reflects the influence of the neighboring Preston Market. The façade was designed as an array of black vertical folds, resembling a barcode used by market vendors. These folds were filled with vivid colors drawn from the produce at Preston Market to extend the vibrancy of the market into the station. This vibrancy was then extended into the station’s interior; the cladding continues into the concourse, and the windows filter colored light into this space. Additionally, Preston Station has been designed to be adapted to the future development of Preston Market.
Preston Station’s design reflects the influence of the neighboring Preston Market. The façade was designed as an array of black vertical folds, resembling a barcode used by market vendors. These folds were filled with vivid colors drawn from the produce at Preston Market to extend the vibrancy of the market into the station. This vibrancy was then extended into the station’s interior; the cladding continues into the concourse, and the windows filter colored light into this space. Additionally, Preston Station has been designed to be adapted to the future development of Preston Market.
Throughout the project, color and form are used as tools for placemaking. The Mernda Line is attributed to a lilac identity. As such, pink and lilac piers and feature lighting perform as civic markers. As colors that do not naturally occur in the built environment, these identifiers enhance the stations’ prominence. The patterning, colored cladding elements, and lighting of both stations’ façades enable the buildings to perform as placemaking mechanisms and celebrate rail as a piece of public architecture. Both station designs champion environmental consciousness seen in the station’s sustainability credentials, including meeting the highest ISC for rail projects and 6-star Greenstar requirements.
Throughout the project, color and form are used as tools for placemaking. The Mernda Line is attributed to a lilac identity. As such, pink and lilac piers and feature lighting perform as civic markers. As colors that do not naturally occur in the built environment, these identifiers enhance the stations’ prominence. The patterning, colored cladding elements, and lighting of both stations’ façades enable the buildings to perform as placemaking mechanisms and celebrate rail as a piece of public architecture. Both station designs champion environmental consciousness seen in the station’s sustainability credentials, including meeting the highest ISC for rail projects and 6-star Greenstar requirements.
The project features urban design and civic zones, including green spaces and native planting grounds, in order to promote and act as an ecological network. The increase in amenities around and within the stations increases user activity and activation. This activation promotes safety by increasing passive surveillance around the network. These spaces used for public amenities also provide better access to streets previously blocked by the rail corridor. Both Bell and Preston Stations incorporated Indigenous design initiatives to create meaningful and inclusive spaces. The outcomes of this include a range of landscape and urban design elements. These include space for yarning circles in the surrounding landscaping and Indigenous design elements such as the viaduct screen pattern and the lift pattern at both stations. The project fosters opportunities for cultural learning and serves as a functional community space.
The project features urban design and civic zones, including green spaces and native planting grounds, in order to promote and act as an ecological network. The increase in amenities around and within the stations increases user activity and activation. This activation promotes safety by increasing passive surveillance around the network. These spaces used for public amenities also provide better access to streets previously blocked by the rail corridor. Both Bell and Preston Stations incorporated Indigenous design initiatives to create meaningful and inclusive spaces. The outcomes of this include a range of landscape and urban design elements. These include space for yarning circles in the surrounding landscaping and Indigenous design elements such as the viaduct screen pattern and the lift pattern at both stations. The project fosters opportunities for cultural learning and serves as a functional community space.
The plans for both stations carefully considered program so that they could function effectively. For example, Bell Station was planned with programs inhabiting the four corners of the building, so that the generous concourse remains unconditioned. Additionally, the staircases in Preston Station allow the platform to load from either end, evenly distributing passengers along the platform and the train. As civic places of arrival and departure, the project links the local community to greater Melbourne. In doing so, it provides safe and equitable access. The project exemplifies how transportation infrastructure can be reimagined to revitalise the precinct.
The plans for both stations carefully considered program so that they could function effectively. For example, Bell Station was planned with programs inhabiting the four corners of the building, so that the generous concourse remains unconditioned. Additionally, the staircases in Preston Station allow the platform to load from either end, evenly distributing passengers along the platform and the train. As civic places of arrival and departure, the project links the local community to greater Melbourne. In doing so, it provides safe and equitable access. The project exemplifies how transportation infrastructure can be reimagined to revitalise the precinct.
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Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s boxing debut is going to have to wait.
MMA Mania has confirmed with sources that the scheduled boxing match on June 8, 2024, at Rumble of Titans: Duel In the Desert in Qatar between Jackson and former Heavyweight champion, Shannon Briggs, is now off. The bout’s cancelation comes as a result of fraud concerns from the fighters regarding the event’s promoter, Quantum Sports & Media (QSM) World. It’s unknown whether or not the promoters will still try and hold an event on the discussed date.
QSM’s Founders, Hossama Dawood Khan and Suleyman Dawood Khan, along with other family members, were alleged of defrauding concerts of artists, Drake and Travis Scott, per a lawsuit by Jazba Entertainment (h/t Global Village Space) in July 2023. The allegations stated that Jazba Entertainment was persuaded by the family to invest in a Dubai concert featuring the above acts on May 28, 2021. The event was pitched with the name “Rhythm” at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. Jazba’s Pervaiz Akhtar with the aid of Kenyan promoter, Rani Jamal, transferred $250,000 to QSM World’s Qatar account for the event. QSM World ignored Akhtar and failed to deliver the promised concert materials once the transfer was made. The Khans were also alleged to have advertised a boxing event in 2022 that never happened after acquiring support from investors.
“Hossama Dawood Khan alleged that the $3 million investment made by Akhtar was forfeited by Drake and Travis Scott’s management when the concert was canceled,” Global Village Space’s report read. “However, representatives of the artists denied these claims, expressing surprise and disappointment that their names were misused in fraudulent activities.”
MMA Mania has since received a brief letter of legal action sent to QSM World in July 2023 along with proof of text messages that were unresponded to by Hossama Khan, countering his claim below that no legal action is being taken. It’s believed that all has just been ignored. A report was made to the Qatar embassy in London, England but a response has yet to be received by Jazba Entertainment as of March 2024. Jazba Entertainment plans to take action with Qatar’s capital, Doha.
“Both news articles are with the intention of defamation,” Khan said in a statement to MMA Mania this past March. “Also, if we have done something wrong, why have they not gone down a legal avenue as they have said in the article? To date, no legal action has been taken against us because legally they have done a breach of contract. Anyhow, we have moved on with our legal options to take down the news articles and our team is already working on it. As said before they’re just trying to defame our name.
“When you read both news articles they don’t match up,” he concluded. “One article says one thing and the other says another thing.”
QSM World requested The News International take down or at the very least edit out the QSM name from its story on the Khans on Feb. 22, 2024. Legal action was specified as not threatened but details for the request were not specified. Sources close to the situation alleged that QSM World is not registered in Qatar and currently uses a headquarters location in Doha Tower that does not exist.
As the boxing event got closer, a pre-fight press conference in Qatar was scheduled for March 28, 2024. The press conference didn’t happen and Khan’s reasoning for why was as follows.
“Regarding the press conference, it’s rescheduled as in Ramadan we can’t have musical performance in Ramadan,” Khan told MMA Mania.
Aside from the well-documented eating and drinking limitations of Ramadan, which ended on March 29, there don’t appear to be any rules in Qatar regarding musical events or performances. Nonetheless, the press conference was not rescheduled.
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In September 2023, Jim Ryan announced he would be retiring from Sony and leaving his role as president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment at the end of March 2024. Today, Sony announced that it has named two people for separate CEO roles at SIE, which includes the PlayStation division. Both will officially begin working in their new gigs on June 1.
In a press release, Sony announced that one of the new CEOs will be Hideaki Nishino, He will be in charge of SIE's Platform Business Group. He currently serves as the senior vice president for the Platform Experience Group. Sony stated:
In his new capacity as CEO of the Platform Business Group, Nishino will continue to be responsible for technology, products, services, and platform experience. He will also oversee third party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations, including sales and marketing of hardware, services, and peripherals.
The other new SIE CEO will be Hermen Hulst, who will be running the company's Studio Business Group. Hulst currently works as the senior vice president and head of the PlayStation Studios division. He previously was the co-founder of Guerrilla Games. Sony said in his new CEO role, Hulst will be "responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of SIE's first-party content."
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Hulst stated:
It’s a true privilege to be asked to lead the new Studio Business Group for Sony Interactive. I’m excited to continue working with incredibly talented teams and studios to deliver unforgettable game and entertainment experiences.
Both of the new PlayStation CEOs will have their own set of challenges after taking over from Jim Ryan. The division announced it was cutting 900 team members back in February, which included shutting down its London studio. The company also offered a warning in February that it had cut back its projections for PS5 sales for its current fiscal year and there will not be a major first-party PlayStation game released until sometime in 2025.
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The entertainment industry has been mourning the loss of journalist Sam Rubin. The longtime entertainment reporter for KTLA Morning News died on May 10 at age 64 and many celebrities in Hollywood have been paying tribute to him. NCIS vet Pauley Perrette is among those sharing memories of the beloved journalist and even shared a clip from one of their most recent interviews.
Perrette took to Instagram after news broke about Rubin’s passing to pay tribute to him, noting that he “was a friend and an excellent human.” She also shared that while doing interviews was “not a pleasant part” of her job, she was always excited to be interviewed by him and see him on the red carpet “because he was real, he was fun and he was a friend.” Alongside her heartfelt message, the former actress also shared a short clip of the two of them on KTLA, where they kissed each other on the cheek:
A post shared by Pauley Perrette (@thepauleyp)
A photo posted by on
The clip in question seems to be from an interview Perrette did in December, as she shared another clip where she’s wearing the same outfit. It was in promotion of her new documentary Red Ribbons of Love and just from the look of it, she was happy to be with Rubin and the rest of the KTLA team.
She also spoke with Rubin for certain milestones in her career, such as her final episode of NCIS. Unfortunately, Perrette was just on the phone, but she certainly sounded happy to be on the line with Rubin and the team. All in all, I'm glad that this clip was available for viewing, even years after the interview took place:
When one door on CBS closes, another one opens, as did for Perrette. She also spoke to Rubin during the initial COVID lockdown about her short-lived sitcom Broke, which was unfortunately canceled after one season. Since she retired from acting following the sitcom, it had likely been a long time since the two of them had spoken to each other or, at the very least, done an interview together. It's possible that their interview last December might have been their first conversation in a long time, making it all the more bittersweet that Perrette used a clip from it for her tribute.
Many other celebrities have been paying tribute to Sam Rubin, including Ben Stiller, Octavia Spencer, Jerry O’Connell, Ryan Reynolds, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, and many, many more. Based on these reactions from some of the biggest names in Hollywood, he had a strong impact on the industry and a legacy that will continue.
Passionate writer. Obsessed with anything and everything entertainment, specifically movies and television. Can get easily attached to fictional characters.
NCIS’ Pauley Perrette Marks 1-Year Anniversary Of Her Stroke With Candid Post: ‘I’m Still Here'
Watch Pauley Perrette Reteam With NCIS Co-Stars (And A Criminal Minds Vet) For A Good Cause
After ABC Announced Fall TV Schedule, Here's Why I'm Worried About The Rookie And Will Trent Season Finales
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'I IDOLIZED YOU. YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO'Sam Rubin's son, Colby, joined KTLA 5 Morning News on Monday to reflect on his father's passing and share a message to him. pic.twitter.com/NYFXYVqmtT
Gone, but never forgotten. Sam Rubin's son is honoring the beloved late KTLA reporter after his shocking and sudden death. pic.twitter.com/JEvFQqOePu
I would not be able to do that, especially so soon after his passing. What a brave thing to do. | en | https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/128394166.html |
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Researchers worldwide are analyzing and debating the feasibility of a scenario where an individual clad in leather and equipped with various heavy gear, executes a backflip while evading three rockets and gunfire, without retaliating with his Uzi or knife.
The wolf is about to do the same with, only carrying the full clip the ninja forgot back in the NinjaVan.
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Researchers worldwide are analyzing and debating the feasibility of a scenario where an individual clad in leather and equipped with various heavy gear, executes a backflip while evading three rockets and gunfire, without retaliating with his Uzi or knife.
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There's never a bad night for some Dark Knight entertainment, and if you're craving a Batman film, these days you're spoiled for choice. An icon of cinema, Batman has appeared in dozens of films and TV show projects over the years. The live-action movies are arguably where Batman has left his biggest mark on mainstream media, but you'd be surprised to see just how good some of his animated adventures are.
If we're talking big-bat-budget escapades, then you can't go wrong with classics like Tim Burton's one-two punch of Batman and Batman Returns. Starring Michael Keaton under the cowl, these films combined a dark atmosphere with an all-star cast of actors rising to menace the Caped Crusader. There's a timeless quality to these films, as they were produced before CGI enhancements became commonplace, and the performances from Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Danny DeVito helped cement Burton's tour of Gotham as legendary entertainment.
Shifting ahead to the current age, we've had some interesting interpretations of Batman over the last decade. Christopher Nolan introduced a Batman who could actually turn his head in his Dark Knight trilogy, while Zack Snyder and Ben Affleck created a vigilante who was a terrifying mountain of muscles hellbent on murdering Superman in his first outing. A few years later, we got Robert Pattinson in The Batman--or The Pattman--a grounded take on the hero where the focus was on detective work.
On the animated front, some of the best Batman projects of all time can be found in this department. Batman: The Animated Series is the gold standard for the character, while Batman Beyond offers a fascinating departure from the status quo that features an all-new hero wearing the mantle of the Bat in a far-future version of Gotham. Batman: The Brave and the Bold is pure Silver Age silliness at its very best, while 2004's The Batman is a surprisingly cool take on the hero with radical redesigns of his sinister enemies--did anyone expect a Spongebob-voiced Penguin who had mastered Kung-Fu in this series? And the animated Justice League show puts Batman a global stage on which to wage his war on crime.
Then there are the DC Universe animated films, which are a collection of one-shots and connected tales that have been regularly produced for two decades now. These include fantastic adaptations of beloved comic stories like Batman: Year One, The Dark Knight Returns, and Under the Red Hood, as well as several original one-shot films.
As you can see, there are dozens of great Batman stories to watch, and the good news is many of them are available right now on Blu-ray. So, to help you track them all down so you can add them to your collection, we've we've compiled all the Batman Blu-rays currently available into a giant list below. You'll find almost every Batman film and TV show on there, minus some gaps for the few films that haven't made it past to Blu-ray yet--such as the awesome Batman vs Dracula--but we've also added a section for Batman-adjacent projects. These are mostly animated films featuring Batman, like several Lego movies, Justice League team-up appearances, and crossovers with other IPs like RWBY.
The '60s Batman TV series starring Adam West as the Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as Robin is goofy, silly, and effortlessly charming—Silver Age Superhero antics at their finest. This Blu-ray collection packs the entire 120-episode run onto several discs and comes with over three hours of extra content.
Batman's 1966 film has everything you could ask for in a movie featuring the dynamic duo: Supervillains on the loose, sharks being punched, and a memorable scene where Batman simply can't get rid of a bomb! A cult-classic, they don't make Batman movies like this anymore.
Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film reinvented the vigilante for a grittier era with a dark and gothic adventure pitting Michael Keaton's Dark Knight against Jack Nicholson's Joker. The film still holds up pretty well 35 years after it was first released, and this 4K cut is loaded with extras, Prince music videos, and a fascinating documentary examining Batman's impact on cinema.
Tim Burton and Michael Keaton return for another round of superheroics in Batman Returns, which just also happens to be one of the best Christmas movies of all time (if you don't mind being weirded out by Danny DeVito's Penguin). Michelle Pfeiffer puts in a show-stealing performance as Catwoman, and this film looks better than ever in 4K. Once you're done watching, you can enjoy more behind-the-scenes extras chronicling the creation of this iconic sequel.
There's no denying that Batman Forever is a kid-friendlier take on Gotham's protector that lacks the dark fantasy nature of Tim Burton's movies, but director Joel Schumacher went all in on this direction and created a fun movie for all ages. Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee-Jones chew up all the scenery whenever they're on screen, Val Kilmer nailed the duality of Batman and Bruce Wayne, and Chris O'Donnell made an impact as Robin in this weird but memorable film.
Batman and Robin might be a toy commercial, but it's one hell of a toy commercial. It's film a campy, zany, and colorful homage to the '60s-era of Batman, featuring an amazing cast that includes George Clooney as Batman, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, and Alicia Silverstone as the newest members of the Bat-Family, Batgirl.
After Batman and Robin's critical flop, Warner Bros. rebooted the franchise once again, this time for a more modern take on the hero. Director Christopher Nolan opted for a grounded approach to Batman, and recruited Christian Bale as his Dark Knight. Batman Begins is a fascinating reimagining of Bruce Wayne's journey to becoming Batman, featuring amazing art direction and one of the best Batsuits of all time. It also has one of the coolest versions of the Batmobile yet. Along with the movie, this Blu-ray release comes with a library of interesting extras charting Batman's return to the big screen after a lengthy absence.
The second film in Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight, is an action-packed exploration of the toll Batman's war on crime has on their personal life. For many, The Dark Knight is the best Batman movie. But even if you disagree, there's no denying it's a brilliant crime film. Much of the movie's critical and financial success is owed to Heath Ledger, whose Oscar-winning performance as Batman's arch nemesis, the Joker. Sadly, it would be Ledger's final on-screen performance before he passed away 2008 shortly before the film's premiere.
The Dark Knight Rises closes out Nolan's Batman saga by putting Batman through the ringer. Exiled and broken by Bane-- a terrifying new powerhouse with grand designs to destroy Gotham--Batman must learn to conquer his fears if he wants to save his city from destruction.
While Man of Steel kicked off DC's short-lived "Snyderverse," Batman V Superman cemented it as an interconnected cinematic universe. The film features Ben Affleck under the cowl, turning in one of the most savage live-action renditions of Batman. As the name implies, the movie follows a conflict between Superman and Batman that lays the foundation for Snyder's Justice League movies. This Blu-ray is also for Snyder's director's cut, a longer version of the movie that is much better than the theatrical version.
Technically, Batman is only in Suicide Squad for a handful of minutes, but this still counts for the list! Suicide Squad is not a good movie, but if you're looking to have a complete Batfleck collection, then you'll have to compromise and add this average action flick to your shelf. On the plus side, you're getting a pretty solid selection of extras with this Blu-ray.
Like Suicide Squad, the 2017 cut of Justice League is mediocre at best. Joss Whedon took over for Zack Snyder after he left the production due to a personal tragedy in his life, and the end result is a by-the-numbers movie that looks average and lacks Snyder's artistic vision. Fortunately, there's a much better version of the film available to purchase--but this one is worth grabbing if you want a full collection on the shelf.
Zach Snyder's version of Justice League, aka "The Snydercut," would eventually see the light of day in 2021, some five years after the original version's theatrical release. Snyder's Justice League features all of his signature filming and editing traits, including a long run time that will push your bladder to the limit. It's also presented in a new aspect ratio to help center your gaze on all of the explosive slow-mo action unfolding before you. If you're a fan of Snyder's work then you'll love this finale to his Age of Heroes saga.
We've seen Batman as a ninja-punching vigilante and a god-slaying badass in previous films, but director Matt Reeves wanted to focus on the detective side of the Dark Knight in 2022's The Batman. With Robert Pattinson in the lead, The Batman offers the most realistic big-screen take on Batman yet, with a gritty and dirty tour of Gotham that sees a rookie Batman work to expose corruption and bring a murderer into the light.
Proving that he hadn't lost of any of his dark charm, The Flash saw Michael Keaton once again suit up as Batman to help the Scarlet Speedster save the Multiverse. Like the other Blu-rays on this list, you can kick back with several featurettes, deleted scenes, and more.
Detailing the evolution of Bruce Wayne into Batman, Gotham focuses on the city before it had a vigilante keeping the streets safe. It's weird, campy, and occasionally hamstrung by a low budget, but this is still a fun show that regularly puts its own spin on the Batman mythos. It's a shame it ends with a glimpse at what is easily the worst live-action Batman costume ever made.
Batman starred in several animated series over the years, but Batman: The Animated Series soars above them all. A killer combo of quality storytelling, classic influences, and stellar voice-acting by the late Kevin Conroy, Batman: The Animated Series offer 109 episodes of the Dark Knight at his best.
When age catches up to Bruce Wayne and he finds himself no longer capable of protecting Gotham from a new generation of criminals, a new, untested hero inherits the legacy of Batman. At the time it first aired, Batman Beyond was a bold new direction for the franchise, setting up a new world full of fresh threats for this new version of Batman to face off against in a futuristic version of Gotham City.
Batman took a step into a bigger world in Justice League, as he joined his fellow heroes to save the day from cataclysmic threats. If you loved the Batman or Superman animated series, then Justice League is a worthy followup full of multi-part adventures featuring DC's greatest heroes.
Justice League Unlimited is sees DC's best and brightest working together toward a common good. While Batman isn't featured in every episode, he still makes a big impact whenever he does appear. With intricate plots, excellent animation, and an all-star cast of famous voices, Justice League Unlimited is a love-letter to DC's past.
The Batman reimagines the Dark Knight as a younger and cooler new hero, one who still has plenty to learn. This particular series featured bold reimaginings of fan-favorite characters and supervillains, mixing a family-friendly approach with top-notch animation. It's a forgotten chapter in the history of Batman, but this series is an underrated gem that's worth having in your collection.
Another throwback to the Silver Age, Batman: The Brave and the Bold features the Caped Crusader teaming up with DC's best, brightest, and strangest heroes across multiple episodes--including the best version of Aquaman. Silly but never goofy, this is a fun show that'll put a smile on your face as you see Batman explore the DC Universe.
While not the best reboot of the Dark Knight, Beware the Batman is still fascinating to see a new direction for the vigilante. Combining slick CG animation with strange villains, and expanded roles for the supporting cast, Batman would hone his skills against foes like Anarky, Ra's Al Ghul, and Deathstroke in this forgotten series.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm isn't just a fantastic animated film, it's one of the best Batman movies of all time. It might be aimed at a younger audience, but this movie pulls no punches with its portrayal of Bruce Wayne as he sacrifices the chance to have a happy life for an opportunity to become the Batman. Throw in stellar animation and Mark Hamill in his prime as the Joker, and you've got an all-time classic to watch now that it has received a 4K restoration.
Who has the coolest gadgets? Batman! Who has the tricked-out ride? Batman! Who has the best Lego movie? Batman! Who always pays his taxes? Not Batman!
The one-and-only Batman Beyond movie is an action-packed ride through Gotham, but the real fun here is the mystery at heart of this film as Bruce Wayne deals with ghosts from his past. Just how is the Joker alive when he's supposed to be very dead in this timeline? That's a case both Batmen will have to investigate if they can survive the return of the clown prince of crime. | en | https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/batman-blu-rays/2900-5163/ |
Spilling tea in an appearance on fashion industry favourite podcast The Cutting Room Floor, Hollywood super-stylist Law Roach has revealed which luxury labels refused to dress Zendaya.
Zendaya is in the spotlight this year, with the release of Dune and Challengers, as well as high-profile gig co-hosting the Met Gala last week. She wore not one but two looks to the event, and another to the afterparty, and Zendaya’s wardrobe choices have been earning increasing attention.
Now stylist Law Roach made headlines with the revelation that some of the fashion industry’s biggest brands refused to dress that star, and that it has influenced who he and Zendaya work with now, and who they don’t.
Roach appeared on The Cutting Room Floor podcast, telling host Recho Omondi about approaching brands early in Zendaya’s career.
“I would write Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Dior, and they would all say, ‘No’,” he explained, reasoning that she was too “green”.
Roach said Zendaya still hasn’t worn the “big five” brands – Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Saint Laurent and Valentino – in public or in red-carpet appearances (although Variety reports they have been worn in editorial shoots). “She still has never worn Dior on a carpet,” he said. “She still has never worn Chanel on a carpet.”
One luxury house earned a change of tune. “When I said, ‘If you say no, it’ll be a no forever,’ that rang true for a long, long time.” Zendaya landed a contract with Valentino in 2020.
The star has brand relationships with luxury brands Bulgari and Louis Vuitton – though there have been rumours about that the relationship with the latter may be cooling) while Spanish brand Loewe has been a regular feature in the much-publicised tennis-themed wardrobe for her Challengers press tour. (Designer Jonathan Anderson did the costumes for the Luca Guadagnino film).
And there’s a constellation of designers she does wear in public: Prada, Thierry Mugler, Versace, Marc Jacobs, Erdem, Ralph Lauren.
Earlier this year Zendaya became the first star to cover both US Vogue and UK Vogue at the same time.
Zendaya is Law Roach’s main client, after the super-stylist stepped back from dressing celebrities in March. “The politics, the lies, and false narratives finally got me!” he posted in a shock Instagram post. “You win – I’m out.”
These days Zendaya is his focus, and he says he’s “the most unretired retired person”. And as her career surges, the work required for promotion of films like Dune and Challengers, both of which had highly considered promotional wardrobes and countless public appearances, likely keeps Roach busy.
The pair have been working together since the Euphoria star was 14, and she has been outspoken in the past about how she’s been treated by the media.
In 2015 E! Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic made “outrageously offensive” comments about Zendaya’s hair at the Oscars, prompting the actor to speak out publicly. That same year she criticised Modeliste magazine for airbrushing her body.
Roach has been candid too, and this isn’t the first time he’s discussed the challenges he and Zendaya have had with brands. “Nobody wanted to dress her when she wasn’t known, so I would put her in things that other people had already worn,” Roach told The Guardian, explaining a tactic that earned Zendaya regular placements in the ‘who wore it better’ columns that were common in the magazines and blogs of the 2000s.
Now she’s wearing rare archival fashion and couture – for the Met Gala Zendaya wore bespoke Maison Margiela Artisanal and vintage Givenchy, both by John Galliano, and Roach, a star in his own right now, attended the Met Gala too.
His ongoing candour about the business of styling and the challenges Zendaya faced before ascending to stardom shed light on the politics of the industry and how brands try to control their image.
Emma Gleason is the New Zealand Herald’s lifestyle and entertainment deputy editor (audience). Based in Auckland, she covers entertainment, fashion and culture. | en | https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/celebrity-stylist-law-roach-reveals-fashion-brands-which-refused-zendaya/25YIBYYIOFBL7D333C66IXMNQA/ |
Colby Rubin, son of the late KTLA entertainment reporter Sam Rubin, read a letter to his father during a Monday appearance on KTLA. The beloved interviewer had been with the Los Angeles channel for more than 30 years when he died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, May 10 at the age 0f 64.
His son sat in his dad’s chair on the KTLA set and teared up as he read the letter, as did hosts Jessica Holmes, Mark Kriski, Frank Buckley and Dayna Devon. Colby said he’s been overwhelmed by the response to his father’s death.
“The outpour has been tremendous. People I didn’t even know have been reaching out,” Colby explained.
“Hi, Dad. I wrote this under the desk in your cubicle where you used to catch me sleeping,” the son shared in his letter. “Only you weren’t there when waking up this time. Dad, I can’t believe you’re going to never pick me up from school again. We’ll never get to go biking. I will never argue about food. You won’t be in my wedding.”
He added, “You were the kindest soul, you were the light in every row. I can’t imagine my life without you. You were part of my everything.”
Colby recalled how his dad was there for him when he needed a kayaking partner on a Boy Scout trip. He shared a text exchange from after he received negative feedback for a performance in his school play. His father wrote, “Ignore the noise. You will get bad reviews for every show,” closing with, “You have excellent genes. You have every gift. Respect your own talent.”
“I am completely who I am because of you,” Colby added. “You were always smiling and laughing, and you were everything good in the world… You instilled within me a moral compass and values that I hold myself to throughout my life.”
After reading the letter, Colby brought out cupcakes for everyone — just like his father used to do.
Devon, who had to wipe away tears, reached out to hug him, saying, “I think all of us that are parents can say that is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. And I love your cupcake. Like Chris Schauble said earlier on the 6 o’clock news, we are here for you guys as a family. We have got you. We’ve got your back.”
Mark Kriski told Colby, “You’ve got a lot of uncles and aunts here. Forever.” | en | https://www.thewrap.com/sam-rubin-ktla-son-colby-letter/ |
Chris Pratt revealed that his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger’s “hall pass” is Usher – but he isn’t too mad about it.
“She knows every word [of his music],” Pratt, 44, told Entertainment Tonight on Monday, May 13. “I didn’t even know that until we were doing a little road trip and she started putting on Usher. And man, she knows every single word, so I guess Usher’s her hall pass. I can’t blame her.”
Pratt previously posted a video of Schwarzenegger, 34, dancing to Usher’s Super Bowl halftime performance in February.
“When Usher sang ‘Don’t leave your girl around me’ was he talking to me?” the Parks and Recreation alum captioned the clip.
Pratt and Schwarzenegger tied the knot in June 2019 after one year of dating. The couple went on to welcome daughters Lyla and Eloise in 2020 and 2022, respectively. (Pratt also shares son Jack, 11, with ex-wife Anna Faris.)
In addition to gifting her a hall pass, Pratt also was sure to shower her with praise for Mother’s Day.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there! Love to my Mom Kathy who set a high bar for her love, patience, humor, and joy in motherhood. And a special thank you to my darling Katherine for all you do,” he wrote via Instagram alongside several photos of his mom, Kathy Pratt, and Schwarzenegger. “Witnessing you be a mom to Lyla and Eloise and a stepmom to Jack makes me fall more in love with you every day.”
He continued: “The 24/7 job of scheduling, transporting, loving, nurturing, managing calendars, planning activities, the nutrition, the boundaries, the rules, the patience, the gentleness, the firmness, the wisdom, and grace. It’s truly a marvel.”
Last month, Katherine’s dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, gushed about how happy he was that his daughter found Chris (Arnold, 76, shares Katherine, Christina, 31, Patrick, 30, and Christopher, 26 with ex-wife Maria Shriver. He also shares son Joseph, 26, with Mildred Patricia Baena.)
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“He’s a fun guy to talk to. I’m really happy that my daughter has found him. And that he has found her … they found each other,” Arnold said on Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast in April. “Because they fit really well together and just look wonderful together. They’re so in love with each other.”
Arnold went on to share that he thinks Chris is a “fantastic” actor, revealing that the twosome like to talk about their experiences in the industry.
“I mean, he’s really great,” he noted. “We talk a lot about show business because this is a whole new era now, and so we talk about that vs. when I got into the game.”
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HUYA Inc. (HUYA) has announced a strong first quarter for 2024, with substantial growth in its game-related services and a healthy increase in its user base. The company's strategic focus on commercialization, content, and technology advancements has led to a 137.6% year-over-year surge in game-related services, advertising, and other revenues, amounting to RMB 244 million. Despite a decline in live streaming revenues, HUYA achieved a net income of approximately RMB 92 million on a non-GAAP basis and plans to continue building shareholder value through operational improvements.
In conclusion, HUYA Inc. has demonstrated a strong start to 2024, with a growing user base and a strategic focus on diversifying revenue streams. The company's efforts to optimize costs and enhance cross-platform cooperation are expected to contribute to a stable revenue outlook and improved profitability for the full year.
HUYA Inc. has shown resilience and strategic agility in the face of a challenging market. Here are some InvestingPro Insights that shed light on the company's financial health and market performance:
InvestingPro Data metrics provide additional context to HUYA's financial landscape:
For readers looking to delve deeper into HUYA's financials and market performance, InvestingPro offers additional insights and metrics. With a total of 13 InvestingPro Tips available, investors can gain a comprehensive understanding of HUYA's position and potential. To access these insights, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at https://www.investing.com/pro/HUYA.
Hanyu Liu: Good day and good evening and thank you for standing by. Welcome to HUYA's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Webinar. I am Hanyu Liu from HUYA's Investor Relations. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. Please be advised that today's webinar is being recorded. The company's financial and operational results were issued earlier today and are posted online. You can also view the earnings press release by visiting the IR website at ir.huya.com. A replay of the call will be available on the IR website in a few hours. Participants of management on today's call will be Mr. Junhong Huang, HUYA's Acting Co-CEO and Senior Vice President; and Ms. Ashley Wu, Acting Co-CEO and Vice President of Finance. Management will begin with prepared remarks and the call will conclude with a Q&A session. Before we continue please note that today's discussion will contain forward-looking statements made on the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. As such, the company's results may be materially different from the views expressed today. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in the company's prospectus and other public filings as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. Please also note that HUYA's earnings press release and this conference call include discussions of unaudited GAAP financial information as well as unaudited non-GAAP financial measures. HUYA's press release contains a reconciliation of the unaudited non-GAAP measures to the unaudited most directly comparable GAAP measures. With that, I'm pleased to turn the call over to our Co-CEO and SVP, Mr. Huang. Please go ahead.
Junhong Huang: Okay. Thank you, Hanyu. Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining our earning conference today. We are pleased to deliver first quarter results featuring a healthy user-based expansion, gross in-game-related services, and a more stable overall revenue trend. We also improved our profitability with non-GAAP net income reaching approximately RMB 92 million. With 2024 off to a good start, I'd like to share some details about the year's key strategies and recent developments, including our strategic transformation and commercialization focus, content, and platform ecology upgrades, and technology and product advancements. Let me start with an update on our strategic transformation. We are making encouraging progress in the commercialization of our game-related services driven by the rapid growth of revenues from game distribution and advertising services as well as in-game item sales. Our game-related services, advertising, and other revenues, formerly known as advertising and other revenues, reached RMB 244 million for the first quarter, representing growth of 137.6% year-over-year and 30.7% quarter-over-quarter. This growth reflects a strong and engaged base of high-value gamer users on our platform and validates our new directions potential. In terms of game distributions, we are broadening our coverage to include more games, both upcoming and existing titles. Our gamer users tend to have high commercial value potential with users' average spending level through HUYA's distribution channel performing well, particularly in the MMO and SLG categories. We are also refining our operations to capitalize on their value as we develop game distribution services. For in-game item sales, we offer a diverse range of popular game props for a growing number of games. Additionally, we are expanding our offering of broadcaster-customized in-game virtual items to help strengthen connections between broadcasters and their fans. With regard to game advertising services, we are working with more game companies and carrying out innovative broadcaster promotion activities and campaigns. We are also actively preparing the upcoming launch of eagerly-awaited D&F Mobile game to seize related opportunities in game distribution and promotion. In addition to providing rich live streaming content and more comprehensive services related to this game for our users and the game studio, we will leverage this game to grow our game-related service revenues. In addition, I want to point out that we typically recognize revenues from game distribution and in-game item sales after revenue sharing with the game companies. That is on a net basis. That means game-related services actual total transaction value is much higher than its revenue. Game-related services' strong and rapid growth this quarter reinforces our confidence that this business revenue will continue to scale. Also, as game-related services tend to offer higher gross margins, this business should accelerate improvements in our overall gross margin and profitability as its contribution to total revenues increase. In the long term, this transformation will not only enhance our revenue mix, but could also enhance our revenue scale and profit levels. Turning to content and platform ecology, strengthening our cooperation with various platforms and products to enhance our platform ecology is a key strategy for us in 2024. In the first quarter, we hosted the New Year's Esports All-Star event in cooperation with three other major game live streaming platforms, featuring League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and Peacekeeper Elite competitions broadcast on multiple live streaming and content platforms. With an array of celebrities and popular broadcasters from each platform participating, the event was well-received by users during the Chinese New Year period and went viral beyond the e-sports audience. Its success also marked a major breakthrough for the game live streaming industry in terms of content co-creation. Through deep cooperation with our partners, we overcame platform barriers for the first time to mutually benefit from our complementary content. We believe this more open environment offers vast opportunities for HUYA to create win-win outcomes for platforms of all kinds. As an industry leader and barrier-breaking pioneer, our goal is to become a central hub within a more open content ecosystem. We are currently working with several live streaming platforms on professional-generated content production, broadcaster-across-platform streaming, and commercialization. We are also embracing the short-form video sector by bringing our video and live streaming content to these platforms. In addition, as we further enhance our cooperation with Tencent Group, our high-quality content is being featured on various product lines within the Tencent ecosystem, such as WeChat channels, Tencent Video, QQ, and an array of game products, touching a wider range of users. Thus, initiatives like these, we believe we can better meet users' needs increase the HUYA platform's influence and create future opportunities. Strategically, we are building a third-tiered pyramid of e-sports tournaments and event content. At the top are licensed professional e-sports tournaments. Our extensive coverage of top-tier licensed tournaments showcases our content quality while helping us improve our event operations capabilities. The middle tier is our premium self-produced events and programs, leveraging our leading position in the e-sports market and our abundant broadcaster and professional player resources. We are offering more and more influential self-produced content. Finally, the bottom tier comprises e-sports events we recognize targeting massive participation from local communities, which also help to broaden the audience for e-sports content. Actually, we'll provide more details on our Q1 content activities later. In terms of technology and product advancements, we upgraded the HUYA live mobile application to version 12 in February. This release features enhanced e-sports information community content and game-related service functions, as well as new interactive features on game live channels. For example, a new dedicated event of [technical difficulty] e-sports categories and upgraded event live information reports. In the community section, we optimized the integration of game information and strategies for various games and added an e-sports encyclopedia tab with comprehensive data on events, teams, and players. All of these enhancements are designed to better meet users' needs for professional game and e-sports content. On a related note, several new features we mentioned on our last call, including AI-powered customized commentary, real-time game status information, and intelligent editing for highlight replays also became available with this iteration. We remain dedicated to technology and product advancement, leveraging HUYA's strengths in game data and AI to bring users a unique, super-real interactive experience in terms of real-time interaction. Watching while playing and deliberate content creation, in turn, these differentiated experiences will deepen our competitive mode. In summary, we will continue to embrace changes in user demand and industry dynamics as the industry and market evolve. Through innovation across content, platform, ecology, technology, products, and commercialization, as well as deepened cooperation with industry partners and content creators, we aim to propel HUYA's business growth as we fortify our leading position in the game live streaming market and expand our presence in the game value chain, we will also drive the future development of the live streaming and game industries. With that, I will now turn the call over to our Acting Co-CEO and VP of Finance, Ashley Wu, to share more details on our results. Ashley, please go ahead.
Ashley Wu: Thank you, Vincent, and hello, everyone. I'll provide some updates on our operating metrics and financials. On the user side, we continue to solidify our user base, despite the first quarter being the usual low season for live streaming activities. Upgrades to the HUYA Live app and innovative cross-platform e-sports events and operational activities drove HUYA Live's average mobile MAUs to 82.6 million for the first quarter, up from 82.1 million for the same period last year. Also, the expansion of our game-related services and users paying for in-game virtual items contributed to a slight sequential increase in paying users on HUYA Live, reaching 4.4 million. Moving on to our professional content initiatives. On the licensed content front, we broadcasted over 65 licensed professional e-sports tournaments in the first quarter of 2024, with the spring speed of LPL, KPL and CFPL attracting the most viewers. Major Copenhagen for Counter-Strike 2 and Master's Magic for VALORANT also emerged as it hits on our platform. During the quarter, our licensed tournaments spent over 20 titles, and the broad coverage of these popular e-sports games further enhanced our content competitiveness. In addition to licensed e-sports content, we broadcasted 14 self-organized e-sports tournaments and entertainment PGC shows during the quarter. Many of these performed quite well, even though the first quarter is traditionally the off-season for large events. In addition to the cross-platform New Year's Esports All-Star event that we just mentioned, HUYA Champions Cup for CrossFire Mobile and the commentary program for Major Copenhagen event also captured viewer attention. Furthermore, we hosted the second stop of our Village Game series, the Youth Qujiang Village Games for Honor of Kings in Qujiang, Zhejiang Province. This event was a big success, advancing our efforts to expand the influence of e-sports content while also promoting local culture and village revitalization. In terms of our financial performance, revenues from game-related services, advertising, and other businesses increased rapidly, partially offsetting a decline in live streaming revenues. The game-related services, advertising, and other segments accounted for 16% of our total revenues in Q1, up from 12% last quarter and 5% a year ago, due to game-related services' increasing contribution. As game-related services enjoy a high gross margin, their increased contribution to total revenues also contributed to our gross margin improvement this quarter, drifting gross margin to 14.7% in combination with our cost optimization efforts. As this segment's revenue continues to grow, we expect our overall gross margin to benefit further. We also reduced total operating expenses by 17.8% year-over-year, with double-digit savings in all three OpEx line items. We were pleased to achieve a meaningful profitability improvement in the first quarter. Let's move on to our Q1 financial details. Our total net revenues were RMB 1.5 billion for Q1, compared with RMB 1.96 billion for the same period last year. Live streaming revenues were RMB 1.26 billion for Q1, compared with RMB 1.86 billion for the same period last year, primarily due to the continuous soft microeconomic and industry environment, as well as our proactive business adjustments to support our strategic transformation and prudent operations. Game-related services, advertising, and other revenues were RMB 244 million for Q1, compared with RMB 103 million for the same period last year, primarily due to increased revenues from game distribution and advertising services and in-game item sales. Cost of revenues decreased by 24% year-over-year to RMB 1.28 billion for Q1, primarily due to decreased revenue sharing fees and content costs, as well as bandwidth costs. Revenue sharing fees and content costs decreased by 25% year-over-year to RMB 1.12 billion for Q1, primarily due to the decrease in revenue sharing fees associated with the decline in live streaming revenues, as well as lower costs related to e-sports content. Bandwidth (NASDAQ:BAND) costs decreased by 36% year-over-year to 60 million for Q1. This was primarily due to improved bandwidth cost management, bearable pricing terms, and continued technology enhancement efforts. Gross profit was RMB 221 million, and gross margin was 14.7% for Q1. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, non-GAAP gross profit was RMB 225 million, and non-GAAP gross margin was 14.9% for Q1. Research and development expenses decreased by 12% year-over-year to RMB 135 million for Q1, primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased by 26% year-over-year to RMB 76 million for Q1, primarily due to decreased marketing and promotion fees, as well as personnel-related expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by 18% year-over-year to RMB 60 million for Q1, primarily due to decreased share-based compensation expenses. Other income was RMB 12 million for Q1, compared with RMB 4 million for the same period last year, primarily due to higher government subsidies. As a result, operating loss was RMB 39 million for Q1, compared with RMB 57 million for the same period last year. Interest income was RMB 117 million for Q1, compared with RMB 96 million for the same period last year. Net income attributable to HUYA Inc. was RMB 71 million for Q1, compared with RMB 40 million for the same period last year. Excluding the share-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisition, lack of income tax, non-GAAP net income attributable to HUYA Inc. was RMB 92 million for Q1, compared with RMB 85 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net margin was 6.1% for Q1. Diluted net income per ADS was RMB 0.3 for Q1. Non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS was RMB 0.39 for Q1. As of March 31, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits, short-term investment, and long-term deposits of RMB 9.4 billion, compared with RMB 9.9 billion as of December 31, 2023. Finally, let me provide an update on our shareholder returns. Under our up to U.S. dollar 100 million share repurchase program that began in August 2023, we have repurchased 15.2 million HUYA ADS, with a total aggregate consideration of US$48.5 million as of the end of March 2024. We also announced a special cash dividend declaration, totaling approximately US$150 million in March 2024. These initiatives are expected to return an aggregate value of nearly US$200 million to our shareholders. We will continue to focus on improving our financial and operational performance while building long-term shareholder value. With that, I would now like to open the call to your questions.
Operator: Thank you, Ashley. And hello, everyone. [Operator Instructions] Today's first question comes from Lei Zhang from Bank of America Securities. Lei, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Lei Zhang: [Foreign Language] Thanks management for taking my question. My question is regarding the game related business. Can you give us some updates here? And we also noticed some new game to launch such as D&F Mobile. And will this bring more opportunity to us? Thank you.
Junhong Huang: [Foreign Language] We started our strategic transformation last August, focusing on commercialization upgrading and providing more game related services. At present, we have made positive progress in the commercialization of game related services. Through the rapid growth of revenue from game distribution and advertising services and in-game item sales, the revenue of our game related services, advertising and other segments in Q1 reached 244 million, up by 137.6% year-on-year and 30.7% quarter-over-quarter. This growth not only reflects the high quality gamer user base on HUYA platform, but also validates the development potential of our new business direction. Specifically, in terms of game distribution, we are constantly expanding the coverage of games to include more new and existing titles. This year, we have covered the distribution of popular games, including Honor of King, Battle of Golden Spatula, and performed very well. For the new games we participated in before, such as Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils 2 mobile and DreamStar, HUYA distribution channels have also achieved leading results, especially by our pool of users in the game, which proves that the game users on HUYA platform have high commercial potential. In this regard, we are constantly optimizing our operations in order to make better use of this advantage. In terms of sales of game props, we provide a variety of popular props for more games, which have covered dozens of games at present. At the same time, we are also cooperating with the companies to customize props for broadcasters, which helps to strengthen the relationship between the broadcasters and fans. For example, one of our previous broadcasters achieved a transaction value of more than RMB 10 million when selling personal customized game skins in just one streaming session, reflecting the potential of this business model. In terms of advertising services, we are cooperating with more different game companies and carrying out innovative broadcaster promotion activities to seize the opportunity of new games and mini games promotion in the market. At present, the game license permits are released normally, with more new titles appearing in the market. This not only can bring more rich live game content, but also bring more opportunities for us to develop game-related services. For example, we are now actively preparing for the upcoming D&F Mobile game, working closely with the game studio. We are also recruiting broadcasters for live streaming and doing promotion work for the launch of exclusive props and gifts. We have also set up a special pre-download area in the game center section of HUYA Live. Based on the long-term large-scale audience of D&F content in HUYA platform, we hope that D&Fs mobile games will also be popular on our platform and help the growth of game-related services revenue. Finally, in addition, I want to point out that we typically recognize revenues from game distribution and in-game item sales after revenue sharing with the game companies on a net basis. So that means game-related services' actual total transaction value is much higher than its revenue and growing more rapidly. Game-related services' strong and rapid growth in this quarter reinforces our confidence that this business revenue will continue to scale up. Also, as game-related services tend to offer higher gross margins, this business should accelerate the improvements in our overall gross margin and profitability as its contribution to total revenues increases. In the long term, this transformation will not only enhance our revenue mix, but also enhance our revenue scale and profit levels.
Operator: Thank you. And our next question comes from Yiwen Zhang from China Renaissance. Yiwen, please go ahead.
Yiwen Zhang: Thanks for taking my question. So this year, the second year of our three-year roadmap, can you update on 2024 revenue and profit expectations for this year. Thank you.
Ashley Wu: In the first quarter, our total revenue was RMB 1.5 billion, and the rapid growth of revenue from game-related services, advertising, and others partially offset the decline in live broadcast revenue. Therefore, although Q1 is usually an off-season for live broadcast business due to the influence of less large-scale events and more holidays during the Spring Festival for broadcasters, our total revenue only decreased by 1.7% compared with Q4 last year, and the overall revenue tends to be quite stable. In terms of revenue mix, game-related services, advertising, and others accounted for 16% of the total Q1 up from 12% in the previous quarter and 5% in the same period last year. On the profit, due to the high gross margin of game-related services, advertising, and other segments, the increase of their contribution to total revenue also pushed up gross margin in this quarter. With our continuous efforts in cost optimization, Q1's gross profit margin increased to 14.7% from 13.7% in the same period last year. We also reduced the total operating expenses by 17.8% year-over-year, and all the three OpEx line items, achieved double-digit year-on-year decline. On the whole, the profit level in Q1 achieved an effective improvement, of which GAAP net profit, increased by about 79%. As for this year's revenue, we expect that in Q1 live revenue from and year-over-year point of view will continue to be affected, by last year's strategic transformation of internal resources allocation, and more prudent operation. However, compared with the first quarter, the revenue level is expected to continue to be stable, and more so in the following quarters. As for the game-related services, everything and others, we expect that the following quarters of the year, will see a relative fast growth, which will lead to a gradual recovery of our overall revenues from the previous quarter. As mentioned just now, most of the revenue from game-related services is recognized after revenue sharing, with the game companies as the net revenue. So despite the rapid growth of our business scale, we recognized value not as that much, and at the same time, given the nature of the business, we think that it would lead to a higher level of gross - profit margins. From a full year perspective, due to the changes in revenue mix brought about, by the new business growth, the proportion of higher gross margin business and total revenue will gradually increase. We will continue to optimize our events content costs and broadcaster's costs. So compared to 2023, we expect the gross profit for the year will continue to improve. Gross margin, is also an indicator that we are now placing greater emphasis on operational side, will continue more prudent in our spending particularly on selling expenses and labor costs. Overall, we will continue to maintain our expectations of a full year profitability in 2024, and profit growth over 2023. Thank you.
Operator: Our next question comes from Ritchie Sun from HSBC. Ritchie, please go ahead.
Ritchie Sun: Thank you management, for taking my questions. I have a question about cash usage. We have $1.3 billion cash on hand and we are half way through the buyback program. So any update plans in terms of say the buyback progress to extend it, or even increase the quota as well as any plans for annual dividend down the road? Thank you very much.
Junhong Huang: We announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million in mid-August last year. And in the first quarter of this year, we repurchased nearly $20 million worth of our stock. As of the end of March, we had repurchased a total of $48.5 million. And in March, we announced a special cash dividend totaling approximately $150 million. So in total, these initiatives have returned nearly $200 million to HUYA's shareholders. At the end of March 2024, the company held cash, cash equivalents, and deposits totaling approximately $1.3 billion. The change compared to the number at the end of last December is a result of share repurchase expenses, and payments from operations. After the completion of the current cash dividend payment of $150 million, we expect to have over $1.1 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and deposits. Shareholder returns are a key focus of the management, and we will continue to carry out our shareholder return initiatives, in a manner that aligns with the market conditions, and the company's operations. In order to reward the shareholders, for their support and to enhance the company's efficient use of cash. Thank you.
Operator: Now, we will take our last question today from Thomas Chong from Jefferies. Thomas, please go ahead. Thomas, please unmute yourself.
Thomas Chong: Thanks management for taking my question. My question, is about the live streaming industry trend. How should we think about the competitive landscape, or the relationship among different live streaming platforms? And how should we think about these changes will affect HUYA users as well as the hosts? Thank you.
Ashley Wu: From the industry's point of view, the overall environment has become more open, and we believe that the platforms are no longer isolated, or purely competitive to each other. The game live broadcasting industry has entered into a new paradigm of growth that features both cooperation and competition. In this new market environment, we also believe that it brings broader opportunities to platforms, to helping them to one another and share content and resources, thus creating more win-win possibilities. Therefore, HUYA, as the leader in this industry, is also striving to breakdown platform barriers, and meet multiple needs of the users, and seize business growing opportunities. Strengthening cooperation and linkage, with various platforms and products and upgrading the platform ecology, is one of our important strategies this year. On the one hand, we are cooperating more with some live broadcasting platforms in professional content production, cross-platform broadcasting, and commercialization. The New Year's e-sports All-Star events hosted by HUYA in February this year is the first All-Star events event for, which we have broken down the industry barriers. It also marks a major breakthrough in content co-creation in the live game industry. At present, we have a number of cross-platform self-made events, and activities in preparation. In addition to the broadcasters and signed e-sports players on HUYA platform, these events will also invite players from other platforms to participate in them. So as to achieve in-depth cooperation on multiple platforms. For example, the upcoming HUYA LoL Legend Cup, will bring together outstanding retired players and active e-sports players, from the whole network for competition. The players' selection and forming of teams have attracted widespread interest from League of Legends players, and e-sports viewers on multiple platforms. And this response has been very enthusiastic, which demonstrates HUYA's brand influence as well as its strength in tournament production and operation. In addition, we are also embracing the field of short video. Based on HUYA's rich broadcaster's resources and broadcast operational experiences, we will introduce our video and live content into these platforms helping the broadcasters in HUYA, to obtain more opportunities for commercialization. At the same time, with further strengthening our cooperation with Tencent Group, we are delivering high-quality content to various product lines within the Tencent ecosystem, such as Tencent Video, QQ, and multiple game products, so as to reach in larger user groups. In terms of the platform ecology, we hope to become a more open ecological hub and promote a revolution in the industry, by strengthening cooperation with live broadcasters and video platforms and game companies. Under the new business model, our service recipient will not only be limited to users on HUYA Live, but also to the larger user group on more platforms, throughout the wider network. So that we can also participate in a larger market. For existing users on HUYA, they will get more exciting content, which is conducive to enhancing user loyalty and activity. In addition, we are taking advantage of HUYA's technology and product advantages in live games, and create a differentiated user interaction experience on HUYA's platform, through game data capabilities and AI capabilities. Through our efforts in ecological upgrading, our broadcasters will also have the opportunity to expand their popularity, and enjoy wider sources of revenue. Our more diversified cooperation with game companies, and innovative game-related services initiatives, will also help the broadcasters to expand their revenue channels, so as to cement the relationship between HUYA and broadcasters' community and enhance the attraction of HUYA platform to broadcasters. Thank you.
Operator: Thank you once again for joining us today. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact HUYA's Investor Relations, through the contact information provided on our website, or Piacente Financial Communications. This concludes today's call, and we look forward to speaking to you again next quarter. Thank you. Bye-bye.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-huya-reports-robust-q1-2024-growth-expands-user-base-93CH-3438468 |
Home » Movie News » Chris Hemsworth on hearing Marvel movie criticism from Scorsese, Coppola: “It bothers me, especially from heroes”
Chris Hemsworth on hearing Marvel criticism from Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola: “It bothers me, especially from heroes.”
We’ve seen several high-profile directors take shots at Marvel movies over the years, including Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, but Chris Hemsworth isn’t standing for it.
While speaking with The Times, the Thor actor opened up about how it feels to hear such harsh criticism from filmmakers he looks up to. “It felt harsh, and it bothers me, especially from heroes. It was an eye-roll for me, people bashing the superhero space,” Hemsworth said. “Those guys had films that didn’t work too — we all have. When they talked about what was wrong with superheroes, I thought, cool, tell that to the billions who watch them. Were they all wrong?“
Hemsworth added, “Cinema-going did not change because of superheroes, but because of smartphones and social media. Superhero films actually kept people in the cinemas during that transition, and now people are coming back. So they deserve a little more appreciation.“
Chris Hemsworth will next be seen in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga as Dementus. Joining the Mad Max franchise has been a long-time goal for the actor. In fact, he told Entertainment Weekly that he wanted to audition to play Max Rockatansky himself in Mad Max: Fury Road but couldn’t get his foot in the door. “[I] couldn’t even get a call or a meeting or anything,” Hemsworth said. “I just hadn’t done enough to warrant that.” When Fury Road was finally released, Hemsworth got his agent on the phone immediately. “I was completely absorbed and taken for the adventure and the ride. I said, ‘I’ve got to work with this guy, he’s a genius,’” Hemsworth said. “And then, the rest is history.“
The official synopsis for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga: “As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland they come across the Citadel presided over by the Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.“ Furiosa will hit theaters on May 24th.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two sets streaming premiere on Max, and it’s arriving sooner than you think.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow starring Milly Alcock gets official 2026 release date, with Mortal Kombat 2 hitting theaters next year.
It’s Will Ferrell vs Reese Witherspoon in the R-rated trailer for wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.
Impurity, debauchery, and a crazed killer run wild in the trailer for Killer Body Count, a Tubi Original horror set to premiere this Friday.
In his new book, Tom Selleck recalls nearly playing Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but dismisses the notion that High Road to China was a clone.
Liam Neeson will star alongside Zachary Levi in Guy Moshe’s upcoming action film Hotel Tehran, which will begin production this summer.
Andrew McCarthy is getting behind the camera for Brats, a documentary reuniting Brat Pack stars across 1980s teen cinema.
We traveled to Pixar Studios for a behind-the-scenes look at Inside Out 2 and discovered many new details and secrets about the sequel.
Following its runaway success on Prime Video this spring, Amazon is putting together Road House 2, with Jake Gyllenhaal returning.
INTRO: It’s a story we’ve all heard before. A group of friends stray off the beaten path and end up… | en | https://www.joblo.com/chris-hemsworth-scorsese-coppola-marvel-criticism/ |
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE:TME) has reported a solid start to 2024 with a 43% year-over-year increase in online music revenues for the first quarter. The growth was attributed to a surge in music paying users and a significant expansion of the net profit margin.
TME also declared an annual cash dividend policy and confirmed $210 million in cash dividends for the previous year. The company's focus on content development and social responsibility initiatives, alongside strong financial performance, sets a positive tone for the future.
Tencent Music Entertainment Group's financial performance in the first quarter of 2024 reflects the company's ability to adapt and innovate in a dynamic market. With a strong foundation in online music services and a strategic vision for content development and technological advancements, TME is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory and expand its influence in the music industry. The company's commitment to content quality, user experience, and social responsibility initiatives further solidifies its status as a leader in the sector. As TME continues to execute its strategies and explore new opportunities, investors and industry observers will be watching closely to see how these initiatives unfold in the coming quarters.
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME) has not only shown impressive performance in its first-quarter earnings but also exhibits a strong financial position and market behavior that could interest investors. According to InvestingPro data, TME's market capitalization stands at a robust $20.79 billion. This valuation is supported by a P/E ratio of 33.7, reflecting investor confidence in the company's earnings potential relative to its share price.
From a profitability perspective, TME has demonstrated a consistent ability to generate profits, with a gross profit margin of 35.29% over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023. This margin indicates a solid capability to control costs and efficiently manage its operations, which is essential for sustaining growth.
InvestingPro Tips highlight several key strengths of TME, including its status as a prominent player in the Entertainment industry and its high return over the last year, with a 103.3% price total return. Additionally, the company's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, which is a testament to its financial health and its ability to navigate market fluctuations.
For investors seeking further insights and tips relating to TME, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can be explored in-depth for a comprehensive analysis. By using the coupon code PRONEWS24, readers can get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, offering access to a total of 13 InvestingPro Tips for TME. These tips provide valuable information on the company's financials, market performance, and future profitability predictions, such as analysts' forecasts that TME will remain profitable this year.
As TME continues to focus on content development and technological innovation, these InvestingPro Insights offer a glimpse into the company's financial resilience and market potential, which could be pivotal for investors making informed decisions.
Millicent Tu: Good evening, good morning, and welcome to Tencent Music Entertainment Group's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. I'm Millicent Tu, Head of IR. We announced our quarterly financial results today before the US market opened. An earnings release is now available on our IR website and via Newswire services. Today, you'll hear from Mr. Cussion Pang, our Executive Chairman, and Mr. Ross Liang, our CEO, who will share an overview of our company's strategies and business updates. And then Ms. Shirley Hu, our CFO, will discuss our financial results before we open the call for questions. Before we continue, I refer you to our Safe Harbor statement in our earnings release, which applies to this call as we'll make forward-looking statements. Please note that the company will discuss non-IFRS measures today, which are more thoroughly explained and reconciled to the most comparable measures reported under IFRS in the company's earnings release and filings with the SEC. At this time, all participants are muted. After management's remarks, there will be a Q&A. And please be advised that today's call is being recorded. With that, I'm pleased to turn the call over to Cussion, Executive Chairman of TME. Cussion?
Cussion Kar Shun Pang: Thank you, Millicent. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining our call today. 2024 is off to a great start. Strong execution of our dual engine content and platform strategy is yielding impressive results and pushing vitality industry-wide. In the first quarter, the number of music paying users increased to 113.5 million, propelling 43% year-over-year growth in online music revenues. Our high quality growth strategy also drove a robust net profit margin expansion. Subscriber growth in this quarter significantly exceeded our expectations, reaching a quarterly historic high of 6.8 million net adds. What's more, we maintained the ARPPU at a healthy level. Both achievements demonstrate our keen understanding of users' needs and our knack for anticipating and meeting their demands operationally. As you have seen in our earnings release, supported by our strong fundamentals, we are very pleased to announce an annual cash dividend policy and US$210 million in cash dividends for the year of 2023 on top of our ongoing buyback program. This reflects our confidence in future growth and commitment to sharing our success with shareholders. Next, I would like to share an overview of this quarter's content development efforts. Through a balanced combination of copyright music and original content, we enable users to discover the latest and trendiest content and enjoy a superior experience on our platform. Let me go over a few highlights. First, we renewed and reinforced the partnership with record labels to broaden our music library's comprehensiveness and popularity. Our innovative value-added privileges, features, and promotion services extend far beyond mere licensing, further unlocking the value of music content industry-wide. We renewed our cooperation with Time Fengjun Entertainment [Foreign Language] featuring 30-day head-start benefits on new songs and adding Dolby Atmos upgrades for popular groups like TFBOYS and Teens in Times. [Foreign Language] We also expanded our agreement with HIM International Music [Foreign Language] incorporating an industry-first component authorizing TME to use licensed AI feature to promote HIM's iconic C-pop content. This will ensure the authentic and responsible use of AI, showcasing TME's commitment to protecting artists' rights and interest in the AIGC era. Artists benefit from TME's tech-powered promotions and copyright protection while users enjoy the latest interactive features, which is a win-win. Yoga Lin's [Foreign Language] new album Love, Lord [Foreign Language] is one recent success. For its premiere on our platform, we connected our AI sing song along feature and TME live offline concerts, spurring fan interaction within new scenarios. We enriched our K-pop content and related offerings with various artist fan activities, digital albums, and artist merchandise for new generation groups like Alice, BabyMonster and Riize. In the first quarter, K-pop user engagement and streams both grew year-over-year. Next, we expanded our original content, a key differentiator to attract users and enhance engagement. Based on our keen grasp of trends, we delivered an array of hits catering to users' ever-changing taste [indiscernible] quartile. We produced the original soundtracks for hit TV dramas, The Legend of Shen Li [Foreign Language] and In Blossom [Foreign Language] including 17 songs and 38 scores, featuring top tracks by TME's strategic partner artists such as Jess Lee, Zhao Wei and Wang Jingwen. These catchy OSTs create massive social media buzz that boost the streams and viewerships. Their outstanding performance showcases our ability to spot and set content trends while maximizing the value of content. Our OST for The Legend of Shen Li produced by Tencent Video also highlight the power of collaboration within the Tencent ecosystem. It smashed the records with over 150 million streams within 30 days of release, making it the number one OST debut so far this year. We also partnered with strategic artists and Indie musicians on music production and promotion to build our performance qualities music offering. Our self-produced song RIVER FLOW [Foreign Language] by TIA RAY [Foreign Language] and What I Anticipate Is Not Snow [Foreign Language] by Zhang Miaoge became the top-rated hits on social media this quarter. Moving on to our commitment to social responsibility. We cooperated with Tencent Charity for third consecutive year on our film program to drive autism awareness. If Music Has a Shape this year [Foreign Language] performed the project's film song, Do You Understand What's Left of Me? [Foreign Language] More than 60 other renowned artists and groups including Jay Chou, Zhou Shen, Joker Xue, Richie Jen and NewJeans also shared songs in support of children with autism. We then host an art exhibition featuring artwork by children with autism inspired by these musical works, leveraging multimedia to amplify our caring message and boost music's social value. In conclusion by expanding content and introducing more tailored platform offers that resonate deeply with users, we continue strengthening our vibrancy to drive industry development. We are confident that our powerful content and platform dual engines and ever-deepening understanding of content will propel our sustainable growth in 2024 and beyond. Now I would like to turn the call over to Ross for more color on our platform development. Ross, please go ahead. Thank you.
Zhu Liang: Thank you, Cussion. Hello, everyone. Strong execution once again resulted in solid online music growth, recording high net subscriber adds, steady ARPPU and highest MAUs, all reflect this robust performance. Our efforts to attract and retain users were the driving force behind it, utilizing our extensive industry experience and peerless insights into users and content. We are laser focused on anticipating and meeting users' needs with enhanced experiences and trending musical journeys. First, I want to talk about user retention. We have taken a multi-pronged approach to engaging users through constant innovation of trend-setting features. I will walk you through a few examples. Our new AIGC applications make music discovery more fun, engaging, and convenient. In the first quarter, we launched a large audio model that increases promotion accuracy, helping users discover more high-quality music content. Initial result shows that streaming share of promoted songs increased notable following the model's release. We also tested an AI assistant that supports text and voice chatting for more customized search experiences as well as an AI playlist assistant to curate playlists, a key personal music asset that strengthens users' techniques. Recently, we introduced an interactive rewards program. Users can exchange the points they earn for benefits such as trial subscription, digital albums, and personalized privileges while enhancing user experience. The program also opens new avenues for commercialization for the future. Ongoing platform upgrades continue to reinforce our products' appeal. This quarter, we introduced a light listening mode [Foreign Language] to facilitate a smooth listening experience in low bandwidth environments. Our enhancements allowing greater interface customization are driving increased user adoption of our platform's players. Beyond the listening experience, we captivated users with a variety of interactive activities, including themed song-guess contests, subscriber badges and more. These interactive features not only boosted song-streaming volumes, but also boosted more artist followers and additions to favorites. As users' personal music assets on our platform grow, so does their loyalty to TME. Moving now to user acquisition. Our focus here is on discovering and cultivating users with long-term paying potential through refined marketing and operations. During Chinese New Year, riding on the favorable seasonality, we utilized our deep understanding of users across various demographics to roll out a series of effective promotion activities. Our targeted multichannel promotions with e-commerce, telecom operators, and long-form video platforms contributed to a stronger-than-expected subscriber growth in the first quarter. We also teamed up with auto companies to launch holiday themed playlists and comment share promotions. This organically broadened our reach to new users and increased user activity, contributing positively to the sequential MAU recovery in our online music services. On partnerships, we recently focused the pre-installation partnership with the Xiaomi (OTC:XIACF) SU7. We also enhanced our collaboration with rideshare leader Caocao Chuxing. Our new self-service [real estate] music selection filters offers rideshare passengers an easy to navigate music consumption, further extending our reach. Our trendsetting annual QQMUSIC DIANFENG AWARDS [Foreign Language] for the first time included online-merge-offline offerings. Participation in interactive online filters rewarded fans with tickets to artists meet and greets, artists merchandise, and more. Thanks to a lineup of popular artists and inspired performance. This event reinforced our appeal among our core young user base. In short, our rich content and unparalleled product offerings continue to fill users acquisition and engagement. With users' needs at the heart of everything we do, we remain committed to creating a music platform that users cherish. With that, I will turn the call over to Shirley, our CFO, for a deep dive into our financials.
Min Hu: Thank you, Ross, and greetings to everyone. I will now turn to our financial results. Our success in effective monetization for music services and operational efficiency management continued to need [indiscernible] strong financial results in the first quarter of 2024. IFRS net profit increased by 28% year-over-year to RMB1.5 billion and non-IFRS net profit rose by 24% to RMB1.8 billion. Our total revenues were RMB6.8 billion down by 3% year-over-year. Our online music services achieved significant revenue growth, which largely offset the decline in revenue from social entertainment and other services. In the first quarter of 2024, our online music revenues increased by 43% to RMB5 billion on a year-over-year basis. This surge was driven by the strong expansion of our music subscription and growth in advertising business, supplemented by an increase in revenues from offline performances. Music subscription revenues in the first quarter reached RMB3.6 billion, marking a 39% increase year-over-year and a 6% rise sequentially. Our refined operation and effective pricing strategy enabled us to achieve higher than expected growth in music subscribers while maintain a healthy monthly ARPPU. Monthly ARPPU was RMB10.6, up from RMB9.2 in the same period last year. Taking the difference in number of days into consideration, our monthly ARPPU would have remained relatively stable sequentially. The number of online music paying users were 113.5 million, representing a 20% increase year-over-year and a record-breaking quarterly net adds of 6.8 million users. Our enriched content offerings and enhanced member privileges such as Dolby Atmos upgrades have made our products more attractive and improved user stickiness. Advertising revenue also had a strong year-over-year growth, primarily due to the growth in ad-supported advertising. We upgraded our incentive ad experience and provide more attractive and active features to our users, which helped the improvement in entrance rate. We continue to innovate and diversify our product suite and advertising formats. Social entertainment services and other revenues were RMB1.8 billion, down by 15% year-over-year. This was mainly due to adjustments in certain live streaming interactive functions and more stringent compliance procedures as we implemented several service enhancement and risk control measures since the second quarter of 2023. As these adjustments and procedures are largely completed, we expect our social entertainment services to remain relatively stable. Our gross margin for Q1 reached 40.9%, marking an increase of 7.8 percentage points year-over-year due to a few factors. First, growth of revenues in online music subscription and advertising has generated the benefits of economies of scale. Over the years, we have made significant efforts and investments in the music industry and have built win-win relationships with labels and artists and now these efforts and investments started bearing fruits. Additionally, the ramping up of our own content continued to impact our margin favorably. Lastly, we have optimized revenue sharing ratio for live streaming and also improved monetization in raising membership and advertising, which also benefit our gross margin. All above factors have collectively enabled us to move to a healthier margin model. Moving on to operating expenses, in the first quarter of 2024, they amounted to RMB1.1 billion, representing 16.8% of our total revenues compared with 17.5% in the same period last year. Selling and marketing expenses were RMB187 million, down by 12% year-over-year. We will continue to spend in areas such as online music with long-term growth prospective as well as content promotions. General and administrative expenses were RMB949 million, down by 7% year-over-year, primarily driven by lower employee-related expenses. Our effective tax rate for Q1 was 19.9% compared to 12.2% in the same period of 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to the accrual of withholding tax of RMB107 million related to earnings to be remitted by our PRC subdirectories to offshore entities. Additionally, changes in preferential tax rates for certain entities also impacted our effective tax rate. For Q1 2024, our net profit and net profit attributable to equity holders of the company were RMB1.5 billion and RMB1.4 billion respectively. Non-IFRS net profit and non-IFRS net profit attributable to equity holders of the company were RMB1.8 billion and RMB1.7 billion respectively. Our diluted earnings per ADS reached a record high this quarter at RMB0.91, up 25% year-over-year. Non-IFRS diluted earnings per ADS increased to RMB1.1, up 23% year-over-year. These results underscored our robust financial performance, enhanced operating efficiency and the beneficial impact of our share repurchase program. As of March 31st of 2024, our combined balances of cash, cash equivalents and term deposits were RMB34.2 billion as compared with RMB32.2 billion as of December 31st of 2023. This combined balance was also affected by changes in the exchange rate of RMB to USD at different balance sheet dates. Under share repurchase program announced in March 2023, as of March 31st of 2024, we had repurchased 32.2 million ADS from the open market for a total cash consideration of US$235.5 million, of which approximately US$61 million were repurchased in the first quarter. Looking forward, we will continue to invest in high-quality contents and original content productions as well as new products and technologies such as AIGC. We remain confident in the prospects of music industry and our music subscription and advertising business. This concludes our prepared remarks. We are now open to taking your questions.
A - Millicent Tu: Thank you, Shirley. [Operator Instructions] For the benefit of all participants on today's call, please limit yourself to one question and if you have additional one please re-enter. If you ask your questions in Chinese please repeat in English. And the first question comes from the line of Alicia Yap from Citigroup. Alicia, please.
Alicia Yap: Hi. Thank you, management. Good evening, management. Thanks for taking my questions. Congratulation on solid result. I'm going to ask in Chinese first and I will translate myself. [Foreign Language] My question is for 2024 outlook. So after achieving strong set of results, especially with record high quarterly net add, what should we be expecting for the net add trend for the second quarter and also the ARPPU trend for the second quarter and also the rest of the year? And any comment on the overall growth rate expectation for the total online music's revenue? Thank you.
Cussion Kar Shun Pang: Okay. Thank you so much, Alicia, for your questions. And for the full year of 2024, our online music and subscription revenue are well on track and the profitability is also expected to be slightly better than the previously anticipated. So for the subscription side, I think that we are pleased to see that the Q1, the net adds is really quickly exceeding our expectation. So it really give us a really strong start for this year, and therefore, we are confident that the total net adds for the 2024 will exceed our initial projections and indicating to be a total greater than the year of 2022 and yet slightly slower than last year, which is 2023. But on the other hand, we remain really committed in a healthy long-term growth of our business. So on a full-year ARPPU side, we expect it to continue to expand year-over-year, although at the moment I think a more modest growth rate compared to 2023. And to recap, I think, the last year's rapid year-over-year growth was primarily due to the scale back of the discounts. So based on the last year healthy ARPPU level and benefits of some of the operational optimization to be introduced throughout this year. We expect a slightly ARPPU growth in the second half of this year when compared to the first half. However, we will remain unchanged and confident in long-term ARPPU expansion potential, supported by our experience in users education and also a variety of operational strategies. A couple of points that I would like to add should be, we have a better than expected Q1 net adds, which is primarily due to a couple of reasons. First of all, I think, Q1 is typically the peak season for the entire year, especially due to the Chinese New Year, so as users are more willing to pay for the entertainment. And secondly, we are also expanding the effective promotional activities, which attract more high potential users. So we pulled out multi-channel promotions across different areas and will significantly drive the good growth of our user base, but I think that as we've communicate and seen in the 2023 pattern, I think rolling off the strong seasonality, the net adds should return to more normalized and sustainable levels over the next few quarters. So besides the subscription business, I think that for the long subscription business, we also had a strong start in Q1 this year and we expect growth to be solid in the remainder of this year as we continue to innovate the advertising products and expand the merchandise sales with labels and others as well.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. The next question comes from the line of Alex Poon from Morgan Stanley.
Alex Poon: Congratulation management on very strong quarter. My question is related to gross margin. In Q1, while we have negative seasonality for both advertising and social entertainment. We still expanded gross margin significantly sequentially from 38% to almost 41%. Can management share how the revenue and cost structure has changed on sequential basis and how should we think about gross margin in rest of 2024? Thank you very much.
Millicent Tu: [Foreign Language]
Min Hu: Gross margin is 40.9% in Q1, increased by 7.8% year-over-year, an increase of 2.6% quarter-over-quarter. There are several reasons as follows. The first, music subscription revenues and advertising revenues have a significant growth. Second, we have made significant efforts and investments in the music industry and have built win-win relationships with labels and artists. Additionally, we focused on ROCE to manage content costs more efficiently. Our online music revenues growth ratio was higher than net growth ratio of content cost. And the third, we gradually ramp up our self-owned content, which is a positive impact on our gross margin. And fourth, even the live streaming revenue decreased, we optimized the live streaming revenue sharing strategy. The live streaming revenue sharing ratio decreased and the VIP revenue and advertisement revenue on WeSing platform increased. All above benefit our gross margin. Our gross margin has improved for eight consecutive quarters. Looking forward to Q2, we expect subscription revenue and advertisement revenue will continue to be healthy growth. On the costs side, we expect our in-house made content will have positive impact on gross margin continually and we will continue to increase our operational efficiency and monitor each cost items for our ROCE model. We expect our gross margin will be increased in Q2 continually and look forward in the second half of 2024, we think our -- we expect our gross margin will be -- also increase.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. And the next question comes from Goldman Sachs, Lincoln Kong. Lincoln, please.
Lincoln Kong: Thank you, management, for taking my questions and congrats on the very strong quarter. So my question is about the online music services, specifically advertising. So could management comment so what you have seen in terms of advertising trend in the first quarter and into the second quarter? And by the different formats, what are the sort of the new advertising format company are thinking to implement? And any of the trends of those sponsorship ads or premium member ads, if management can share. Thank you.
Millicent Tu: [Foreign Language]
Zhu Liang: [Foreign Language] Thank you very much. Thanks for your question. Indeed, for the advertisement service, in Q1, we have a very strong growth, and I think in Q2, we're going to maintain such a strong growth. [Foreign Language] You know that we are not expanding our subscriber base, but I think the key challenge for advertisement is how we're going to leverage the traffic of the non-subscribers. [Foreign Language] So you can say that we see the traffic from the non-subscribers continue to go down because we are now having more subscribers. That is the reason for us, we need to continue to optimize the solution we provided to the advertisers and making sure we can also provide a very attractive interest package to continue to operate and optimize the traffic operation. [Foreign Language] So you can say that start from the year of 2023, we already registered a very good performance regarding the advertisement business. Well, regarding what we're going to do for this year. I think for this year, we're also going to maintain a very stable growth for the advertisement business. At least from what I can see from Q1 of this year, we have a very strong growth. Especially, we have the key revenue contributor coming from the e-commerce, the gaming industry, the content information and the faster consumption industry. And especially due to the e-commerce, they are launching the large scale promotional activities during the New Chinese Year. So we are going to say that in Q1 of this year, we also have a very good growth coming from the e-commerce channel regarding the advertisement business. [Foreign Language] Well, talking about the Q2 of 2024, I think the key event we're going to have in Q2 would be the 618 shopping festival online. In that way, we're going to leverage this great occasion to serve our e-commerce advertisers because we hope that by serving them, we will be able to have a very good growth compared with last year, and we also prepared many of the good solutions in order to continue to serve the e-commerce advertisers. [Foreign Language] You know that besides that, we are also leveraging the very enriched and diversified music ecosystem of TME, continue to roll out more diversified formats of advertising and new advertising business models. [Foreign Language] For example, for the investment advertising, it could also be well combined with our offline performance and concepts. [Foreign Language] As I mentioned, in Q1 of this year, we also launched an incentive-based advertisement format that is based upon the coin. By launching this new model, we hope that we will be able to continue to improve the user retention, while at the same time to start a new stream of the revenue for the advertising business. [Foreign Language] So you can say that based upon the three business models regarding the price competition, the contracted advertising and investment advertising, we do have a full portfolio of advertisement solution. In that way, we will be able to leverage this full mix of the product to continue to grow our advertising business in healthy and sustainable approach. Okay.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. And the next question from Zhang Lei, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (NYSE:BAC). Zhang Lei, please.
Zhang Lei: Hi. [Foreign Language] Thank you management for taking my question. My question is mainly regarding the margin trend, especially the sales and marketing trend. Consider we have a Q-on-Q control on the sales and marketing expense to maintain the MAU sequentially largely stable. So how should we look at the driver and the overall sales and marketing and the margin trend in the following quarters? Thank you.
Min Hu: [Foreign Language] Thank you very much. Thanks for your question. Just now, in our previous answer, we also mentioned about the GP margin. Actually, for our GP margin, we registered a significant growth, no matter on Y-o-Y or M-o-M basis. That should be a very solid baseline for our performance. I do believe in the near future, we're going to continue to grow this number. And in Q1 of this year, talking about the marketing expenses, it was ever going down on Y-o-Y and M-o-M basis. [Foreign Language] We're talking about the seasonalities of the marketing expenses. Q1 of each year are traditionally been considered as a low season of the marketing events because the majority of the brand promotions and the promotion activities being conducted in Q4 of each year. So in other words, in Q1, we launched less marketing events. [Foreign Language] But I can say that our platform or should I say the monetization of our music platform continue to be improved. And also with the well-established ROI management method in place, we do expect we're going to spend more marketing expenses in order to regain the traffic for our channels. [Foreign Language] Well, at the same time, we're also going to reduce the marketing expenses in the channel of live streaming. [Foreign Language] Well, my second point is regarding the content, especially the self-commissioned or self-developed content. This is going to serve as a key driver for our future business. So we're going to make good investment for the content promotion. [Foreign Language] So we foresee in Q2 of this year, the marketing expenses will rise. But overall speaking, the marketing expenses for 2024 full year, would be in line with what we saw last year in 2023. [Foreign Language] So coming next, let me comment on G&A expenses and especially the investment we made on the team. And actually for the past one year, we have already adopted the cost initiative and continue to downsize the team. [Foreign Language] Well, at the same time, we're also going to continue the investment in new technologies and in new products for example like AIGC. [Foreign Language] So, generally speaking, regarding G&A, we do believe that the total G&A expenses in 2024 would be in line with 2023. [Foreign Language] So, overall speaking, as you can see, we continue to grow the GP margin. And also, we foresee the revenue in H2 of this year will certainly go up where at the same time, we also stabilize the promotion expenses and the G&A expenses. So, I do believe that for the full year, the net profit rate and the net profit will be improved. [Foreign Language] Well, coming next, please allow me to talk about ERT, the effective tax rate. [Foreign Language] Regarding the effective tax rate, in Q1 of this year, it has been risen to 90.9%. The key reason is because the dividend payout need to be made from the onshore company to the offshore company. So we're going to pay for the withholding tax. So, that's the reason in 2024, the effective tax rate in Q1 will be upward. [Foreign Language] But generally speaking, the sum is quite small, and it's not going to impact the net profit and the net profit rate that much. So, overall speaking, I do foresee for net profit and the net profit in 2024, it's going to keep arriving on that time.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. And the next question from Macquarie, Ellie Jiang.
Ellie Jiang: Thank you so much, management, for taking my question and congrats on the great results. It's been very great to see the improvements in our music paying conversion. So, if you compare the existing users versus the newly acquired users. I just wonder if can management shed some light on the average pricing gaps between these two cohorts. Also, during the opening remark, management shared some very exciting AI-empowered initiatives that have been driving better user engagement. Just wondering anything you can share on the recent trends for the next month retention and whether there could be more operating leverage for higher customer lifetime value down the road. Thank you.
Millicent Tu: [Foreign Language]
Zhu Liang: [Foreign Language] Thank you very much. Thanks for the question. Regarding the existing customer, yes, indeed, for the existing customer or the user, we do have a very high retention rate and because many of them are our long-term user. And if we're going to convert them, that means they just continue to renew our service. So originally speaking, the conversion rate of our existing user would be very high. Well, for the newly acquired users, as we mentioned just now, in order to engage those user, we provide some discount and some of the promotional activities. Even if we're already scaling back discounts, but actually the conversion rate of the new users will go in line with our promotional activities and sometimes is subject to the change of the promotional activity timeline. [Foreign Language] The second part of the question is regarding how AI can empower the user retention. I have to say that the AI large model indeed helped to grow the retention. But let's be clear first, for the music platform, the recommendation system was based upon the newer network model. And it is different from the large-language model we're talking about today. But generally speaking, I do believe that as we're having those great models, and by introducing a large set of the parameters into our existing platform, we will be able to continue to improve the recommendation capacity and search capacity. And you can see it from our actual operational that can help us to continue to grow and optimize the user retention. So, indeed, by leveraging those cutting-edge technologies, our overall retention rate is being improved. [Foreign Language] Actually, when we talk about large-language model and generative technology, in Q1 of this year, we also launched an open-source, self-developed, [indiscernible] video model drive, which has already received very positive feedback from the open-source community. [Foreign Language] And something that we're truly proud of is that we also newly introduced a large model, we call it audio model. This audio model can help to distinguish the correlations between two nodes and the songs based on the characteristics of the audio. And this is also a very good result that has been harvested from the cutting-edge technology. [Foreign Language] Well, regarding the content creation, we have already received a very good result from Artificial Intelligence generated vocals. No matter from the user scale or from the revenue of the users, we are all seeing very good progress being made. In that way, it can actually facilitate the users of identifying new lyrics and new songs in a new content. [Foreign Language] And another milestone I'd like to mention in Q1 of this year was we are working with Tencent AI Lab and introduced the first music generation model for the folk music. And it is through this model we are working with Shanghai National Orchestra to organize the ever-first AI-empowered concert in China. [Foreign Language] And besides that, we are also keeping an eye on the 3D models in the industry. One is Sonar and another one is UBiO. And we are exploring those new models to see how they can fit into our platform.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. And the next question comes from Fang Wei from Mizuho. Fang Wei, please. Are you with us, Fang Wei? Okay.
Fang Wei: Hello?
Millicent Tu: Yes, Fang, we can hear you. Go ahead, please.
Fang Wei: Okay, thank you. Sorry about that. Yeah, thank you for taking the question. So I want to double-click on the offline concerts, right? So we see pretty good coming back last year and so far this year. Just wondering if management can help remind us your position and your strategy for this segment. And also what's the business models there other than sponsored advertising? Thank you.
Cussion Kar Shun Pang: Okay, thank you so much for your questions. [Foreign Language] Thank you so much for your questions. And basically, I think 2023 is a big year for the live performance businesses. And we are also seeing that it will continue to trend in this year. But definitely it's going to be normalized and will not have such a big growth when compared to last year's performances. I think from TME point of view, we have different pillars of strategy in order to support our overall strategies. First of all, we are committed to build our own IP. For example like the TMEA Music Festivals and also the award ceremony. This year is going to be the fifth year of us. And we have already received a lot of very good results and from our partnerships as well. And we are focusing on not just bringing the local artists, but also the international artists to our stage as well. Besides our own IP music festival and awards, we also team up, and also helped to organize and produce top-tier artists' live tours as well in China and also in Southeast Asia that we have successfully launched out in year 2023. And we are continuing to doing that. And the last one, which is, we will continue, besides the top-tier artists, we will be focusing on building some of the smaller stages. For example, like the live host events for the Tencent musicians, which will help us to incubate a lot of younger generation of musicians in order to continue to improve through the live performance events. Besides the strategies that we are -- the different types of concerts that we are organizing, we will have different business model as well. First of all, we have the ticketing, we can also have the advertising sponsorship model. And as what we have mentioned before, we are also working on the fans-based economy like the merchandise and all these kinds of things that we are working on. We will also continue to collaborate our live event, not just offline, but together with online with different privileges, with our super VIP panel as well. So we have an exciting journey that we are looking forward and we will continue to pull in more resources in order to grow the live performance business in TME.
Millicent Tu: Okay. In the interest of time, we'll take the last question from Thomas Chong, Jefferies, please. Thomas?
Thomas Chong: Hi. Good evening. Thanks management for taking my question. My question is about our new initiative, such as long-form audio, IoT. Can management comment about thoughts about the outlook in these areas? And my second question is about our long-term target. Given we have talked about our 2024 outlook on the topline and the bottom line? Can management comment how we should envision TME in three to five years' time down the road? Thank you.
Zhu Liang: [Foreign Language] Thank you very much. Thanks for your question. Regarding the long-form audio, from the business strategy perspective, it is going to complement to our existing online music service. It will help us cater the needs of the diversified customer base, especially including the users from different age groups. So that's the reason we are now continuing to introduce the top content and the new content in the market. Essentially, we do see some very good performance in the children-related music market. [Foreign Language] And the second point to that, we are going to keep a very close collaboration with Tencent Group especially with [indiscernible]. And I do believe in Q2 of this year a key event we are going to see is a rollout or release of [indiscernible] second phase. If that is successfully rolled out, I do believe and it's also going to help us to continue to improve the user retention for the long form audio.
Cussion Kar Shun Pang: I think for the entire, overall strategy of an entire company, I think that we are right now on a really good pace in driving the online music services in a really good form. So we will do it, going to be one by one, for example, to continue to improve our overall subscribers and also our ARPPU as well, but at the same time, this is the core -- the moat of our company. I think it's very, very important is we have to continue to build our content ecosystem, which ensuring that we will have a good coverage of all of the music libraries that we should have, and also we will continue to pull in more resources in doing content co-productions. Besiding that, we will also extend our footprint not just locally, but we also can doing some of the international development for example according to not just the business side, the platform side, but also the content side as well. So I think there is definitely going to be a lot of interesting and exciting projects ahead. I think from our company point of view, I think we definitely is not just doing a 100 meter sprint. We are doing a marathon. So I think that we should strike the balance. At the same time, we continue to have a quarter-by-quarter growth, but at the end of the day, we will be focusing on a long-term sustainable development of the entire group and we are ensuring that we are going to have to ensure to drive good investors returns to all our investors as well. So we would like to share our success not just doing the business well, but also ensuring that we have a good dividend policy and also somehow continue to have our share buyback program at the right moment. Okay. I think that's it for today.
Millicent Tu: Thank you. Thank you everyone for joining us today. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our IR team. And this concludes today's call and thank you so much again and look forward to speaking to you next quarter.
Cussion Kar Shun Pang: Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Min Hu: Thank you.
Millicent Tu: Bye.
Min Hu: Bye.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C. | en | https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/earnings-call-tencent-music-posts-a-43-yearoveryear-increase-in-revenues-93CH-3438458 |
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The trial of Archegos founder Bill Hwang for alleged securities fraud and market manipulation opened in New York on Monday, and focused on the fund's spectacular 2021 implosion that cost large banks billions of dollars.
The family-owned hedge fund run by Hwang had taken huge bets on a few stocks with money borrowed from banks, and when several of those bets turned sour, the fund was unable to meet "margin calls" to cover the losses.
The 2021 collapse of the fund sent shock waves through financial markets and caused $10 billion in losses for Credit Suisse, Nomura, Morgan Stanley and other leading financial institutions.
Hwang and Patrick Halligan, chief financial officer of Archegos, were both arrested by the FBI in April 2022.
"Their alleged crimes jeopardized not only their own company but also innocent investors and financial institutions around the world," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told reporters at the time.
The two men, who deny the charges, went on trial in Manhattan federal court.
"Bill Hwang was a billionaire, and yet he risked nearly everything because he wanted more: more money, more success, more power," prosecutor Alexandra Rothman told the jury.
Archegos was a "house of cards built on manipulation and lies," she was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal.
'Deceptive conduct'
Hwang and Halligan used the firm "as an instrument of market manipulation and fraud, with far-reaching consequences for other participants in the United States securities markets," according to the indictment.
Hwang and other conspirators, including head trader William Tomita, sought to defraud investors by convincing them that shares in the fund's portfolio were on the rise when in fact the stock price increases "were the artificial product of Hwang's manipulative trading and deceptive conduct that caused others to trade," the indictment said.
They also repeatedly made "false and misleading statements" to convince others to trade with and extend credit to the firm, it said.
The fund used derivatives to take large stakes in top Chinese companies such as Baidu, Tencent Music Entertainment Group and Vipshop Holdings, plus U.S. giants such as ViacomCBS and Discovery.
The plan initially worked, and the fund tripled in size in just a year, while Hwang's personal fortune soared to $35 billion from $1.5 billion, turning him and the firm into "significant economic forces in the United States securities markets," the filing said.
The move to inflate share prices caused the firm to expand rapidly, "increasing in value from approximately $1.5 billion with $10 billion in exposure in March 2020 to a value of more than $36 billion with $160 billion in exposure at its peak in March 2021," said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the market regulator.
Hwang studied in the United States and went to work for Tiger Management, rising to form his own Tiger Asia Management. In 2012, Hwang paid $44 million to settle with the SEC over an insider trading case and shuttered the firm. | en | https://www.voanews.com/a/archegos-founder-goes-on-trial-for-fraud-market-manipulation/7609724.html |
This year is expected to be one of the busiest travel years in nearly two decades, with about 43.8 million people expected to travel at least 50 miles, according to AAA.
Joy Noelle Balanag booked her vacation months ago, hoping to beat the potentially record-breaking summer rush.
"I definitely am excited for this travel season. 2024 feels just like almost a breath of fresh air," she told CBS News. "I do plan on traveling on airplanes. I do plan on taking my car. Just, like, seeing where this summer season takes me."
Balanag won't be alone. This Memorial Day weekend, AAA is expecting a nearly 5% bump in airline travel over last year and United Airlines alone is planning to fly more than half a million people a day from May 23 through May 28, which would be the airline's busiest Memorial Day weekend ever. Delta is expecting 3 million passengers total over that same stretch, a 5% increase for the airline from 2023. American Airlines said it's preparing for 3.9 million customers over the long Memorial Day weekend.
Most travelers will drive that weekend, however, with AAA predicting a record 38.4 million people will hit the road. That's a 4% increase from last year. Gas prices are similar to where they were last year, up about 8 cents a gallon nationally compared to last Memorial Day weekend.
"It goes back to that bucket list, YOLO, you only live once mentality, Aixa Diaz of AAA told CBS News. "A lot of people are now going, 'You know what? Let's not take those trips we always take with our families. Let's get a little bit more adventurous.'"
One of the fastest-growing travel options since the COVID-19 pandemic is cruising.
The industry is expecting a new record high of nearly 35 million passengers this year, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. For the thousands on board the Carnival Firezne cruise ship's inaugural sold-out sailing, which began in late April, vacation season started early.
Passenger Jeanine Stage of Arizona told CBS News what she likes best about cruising is, "That you get to go to multiple destinations and you unpack your suitcase once."
"You got food, entertainment, even the casino, if you're into that, there's shows," she said.
All told, AAA is predicting 2024 will finish just narrowly behind 2005 as the busiest Memorial Day travel weekend since it began keeping track in 2000.
AAA expects the busiest time on the roads will be from noon to 7 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day. United Airlines said that Thursday will be its busiest of the holiday weekend.
Among the top destinations this year: Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Denver. | en | https://www.cbsnews.com/news/memorial-day-2024-travel-records/ |
Following the departure of former Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, the company announced that Hideaki Nishino will be appointed CEO of the Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, and Hermen Hulst will be appointed to CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group, effective June 1, 2024. Hiroki Totoki, who is currently serving as interim CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, will serve as chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment in addition to his role as president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of Sony Group Corporation. Nishino and Hulst will report to Totoki, and intend to collaborate closely to strengthen each core business while maximizing synergies at Sony Interactive Entertainment.
“Sony Interactive Entertainment is a dynamic and growing business that delivers incredible entertainment experiences through the connection of content and technology,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment interim CEO and Sony Group Corporation president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki in a press release. “These two leaders will have clear responsibilities and will manage strategic direction to ensure the focus remains on deepening engagement with existing PlayStation users and expanding experiences to new audiences.”
Read more about each executive below.
Hidaeki Nishino
Nishino is currently senior vice president, Platform Experience Group, and leads the team responsible for developing the experiences and technology within PlayStation products and services. The Platform Experience Group pushes the boundaries of play in many ways, including the innovations in PlayStation 5, the immersiveness of PlayStation VR2, and connecting millions of people on PlayStation Network. In his new capacity as CEO of the Platform Business Group, Nishino will continue to be responsible for technology, products, services, and platform experience. He will also oversee third-party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations, including sales and marketing of hardware, services, and peripherals.
“We will continue to connect players and creators through world-class products, services, and technology,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment senior vice president, Platform Experience Group, Hideaki Nishino. “We always strive to grow our community even bigger with innovation in every area at Sony Interactive Entertainment. I am honored to be appointed such an important role alongside Hermen. By working more closely together, we will be positioned to build incredible experiences for an ever-expanding audience now and in the future.”
Hermen Hulst
Hulst is currently serving as senior vice president and head of PlayStation Studios, and responsible for developing content across many devices including PlayStation consoles and PCs and bringing video game intellectual property to new mediums such as film and television through PlayStation Productions. The PlayStation Productions team is working on several game adaptations and developed the Emmy award winning television series, The Last of Us, an adaptation from an award winning game. In his new role as CEO of the Studio Business Group, Hulst will be responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first party-content.
“I am thrilled to lead the studio business group and continue to build on our success with PlayStation 5, while preparing for the future,” said PlayStation Studios senior vice president and head Hermen Hulst. “The video game industry is one of the largest entertainment industries in the world and has been built on the marriage of content and technology, and I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of play and entertainment.”
And here is a message from Hiroki Totoki sent to Sony Interactive Entertainment employees today:
A Message from Hiroki Totoki: A New Era at Sony Interactive Entertainment
It brings me great pleasure to announce that I have decided on the succession strategy for the role of CEO at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Over the last decade, Sony Interactive Entertainment has grown tremendously, building upon our continuous successes in hardware, software and services through a sharper focus on player engagement.
To continue this growth and momentum, we are moving forward with a new management structure for Sony Interactive Entertainment. Effective June 1, Hideaki Nishino will be appointed CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Platform Business Group, and Hermen Hulst will be appointed CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group. Effective the same date, I will step down from my current role as interim CEO and become Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment, in addition to my roles at Sony Group Corporation. Both Hermen and Nishino-san will report to me as Sony Interactive Entertainment Chairman.
Nishino-san will continue his role leading the Platform Experience Group, overseeing technology, products, services, and platform experience. He will also oversee third party publisher and developer relations and commercial operations, including sales and marketing of hardware, services, and peripherals.
Hermen will continue to lead the Sony Interactive Entertainment Studios business, including PlayStation Studios, Bungie, and PlayStation Productions. He will be responsible for the development, publishing, and business operations of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first party content as well as intellectual property expansion opportunities through PlayStation Productions.
Later this month you will learn more about the long-term vision for Sony Group and the essential role Sony Interactive Entertainment plays in that vision. As I mentioned previously, fiscal year 24 marks the start of the Mid-Range Plan period for Sony Group in which we will set the course for sustainable growth.
The future is incredibly bright for Sony Interactive Entertainment and that is thanks to all of you. Since I became Chairman in October 2023, I have been inspired by your enthusiasm, innovative approaches, and teamwork. These values will serve us well as we embark on the exciting future for Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Please join me in congratulating Nishino-san and Hermen on their new roles.
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