expansion slots To drill or not to drillATLANTA , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KORE Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KORE ) ("KORE" or the "Company"), the global pure-play Internet of Things ("IoT") hyperscaler and provider of IoT Connectivity, Solutions, and Analytics, today announced it has received notification (the "Acceptance Letter") from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") that the NYSE has accepted the Company's previously-submitted plan (the "Plan") to regain compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual relating to minimum market capitalization and stockholders' equity. In the Acceptance Letter, the NYSE granted the Company an 18-month period from September 12, 2024 (the "Plan Period") to regain compliance with the continued listing standards. As part of the Plan, the Company is required to provide the NYSE quarterly updates regarding its progress towards the goals and initiatives in the Plan. In the Plan, Kore included details regarding previously reported operational restructuring activities, as well as an outlook on the Company's business. The Company expects its common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE during the Plan Period, subject to the Company adherence to the Plan and compliance with other applicable NYSE continued listing standards. The Company's receipt of such notification from the NYSE does not affect the Company's business, operations or reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "guidance," "project," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected progress with the Company's compliance plan submitted to the NYSE, expected compliance with continued listing standards of the NYSE and expected continued listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of KORE's management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of KORE. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; risks related to the rollout of KORE's business and the timing of expected business milestones; risks relating to the integration of KORE's acquired companies, including the acquisition of Twilio's IoT business, changes in the assumptions underlying KORE's expectations regarding its future business; our ability to negotiate and sign a definitive contract with a customer in our sales funnel; our ability to realize some or all of estimates relating to customer contracts as revenue, including any contractual options available to customers or contractual periods that are subject to termination for convenience provisions; the effects of competition on KORE's future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which KORE is, or may become a party. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that KORE presently does not know or that KORE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect KORE's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. KORE anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while KORE may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, KORE specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing KORE's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. KORE Investor Contact: Vik Vijayvergiya Vice President, IR, Corporate Development and Strategy [email protected] (770) 280-0324 SOURCE KORE Group Holdings, Inc.Ellen DeGeneres is having a little fun with her hairstyle. While the former talk show host—who stepped away from show business after ending The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022—is known for her platinum blonde pixie cut, she recently resurfaced sporting a darker ‘do. In a video shared on social media Nov. 13, the 66-year-old smiled as she sat alongside wife Portia de Rossi , 51, at Burford, U.K. pub The Farmer’s Dog, owned by U.K. talk show host Jeremy Clarkson . The video, taken by Jeremy’s girlfriend Lisa Hogan , showed Ellen sporting a more natural brown color without bangs. It’s not the first time the Emmy winner has switched up her signature style. She previously debuted a new hairdo in 2020, sporting her hair in a slicked back pompadour fashion on an episode of her talk show. One year earlier, she also hosted the show with a noticeably different cut, citing an unexpected hair coloring fiasco. “When you have short hair, you have to color it often, cause my hair grows really fast,” she explained during an Apr. 2019 episode . “I'm constantly coloring it, so it always looks different when you watch the show. Some days it's a different tone. Today it’s really different.” Ellen explained that she used a different hairstylist than usual, but their efforts to speed up the coloring process backfired—badly. “When you have short hair, you have to color it often, cause my hair grows really fast,” she explained during a 2019 episode . “I'm constantly coloring it, so it always looks different when you watch the show. Some days it's a different tone. Today it’s really different.” Ellen explained that she used a different hairstylist than usual, but their efforts to speed up the coloring process backfired—badly. “It was basically many colors,” she said. “I couldn’t even pinpoint what color it was. It was like orange and pink and purple... I had the Pride flag on me.” “My hair was falling out,” the comedian went on. “Like literally, I would touch my head and hair was falling out. I think my hair was so embarrassed, it didn't want anything to do with my head and said, ‘I'm getting out of here.’” Fortunately, Ellen was able to rectify the issue with an at-home appointment, but she had to take extra caution to prevent further hair damage. “Literally, I can't touch it,” she said. “I can't wash it. I should be fine if I don't blink or sneeze.” And while she’s mostly maintained her signature blonde style since then, she’s made other changes in life, including releasing her final comedy special — Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval , out on Netflix now—and moving across the pond to the Cotswolds in rural England, according to multiple reports . See other stars who’ve debuted new hairstyles by reading on. Hailey Bieber The model debuted lighter locks in September 2024, a month after giving birth to her and Justin Bieber 's first baby, son Jack Blues Bieber . Lily Collins The Emily in Paris star debuted her dramatic transformation at the world premiere of her new horror movie, MAXXXINE , in June 2024. "Changing my hair always brings out different sides of my personality and I love playing around," Lily told Vogue . "This cut and color feels bolder and yet somehow lighter. And completely more me —right now." Katie Holmes While attending Chanel's Tribeca Film Festival Artists dinner in June 2024, Katie debuted a subtle, yet striking transformation of rich caramel balayage highlights that were blended throughout her brunette tresses. Kylie Jenner The Kardashians star debuted a platinum blonde look and a bob haircut after rocking waist-length strands for quite some time. "Did someone say they missed king kylie," Kylie teased in the caption of her June 8 Instagram post , to which her sister Khloe Kardashian cheekily replied, "I did! I did!!!!!!" Lisa Rinna The former Bravo star debuted a platinum blonde look during 2024 Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture. Priyanka Chopra The Heads of State star debuted a drastic haircut—a shoulder-grazing bob—while attending a Bulgari event in Rome i May 2024. Jessica Biel In May 2024, the actress chopped her hair into a bob that many fans on social media said reminded them of one of the looks she sported as Mary Camden on the '90s series 7th Heaven . Megan Fox The Transformers actress returned to her dark brown tresses and debuted a sassy bob in May 2024, a month after she dyed her hair blue to enter what she dubbed her " Jedi era ." Dannielynn Birkhead At age 17, the daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith debuted a new lob hairstyle overnight during 2024 Kentucky Derby weekend, which she attended with dad Larry Birkhead . Demi Lovato The singer debuted a lighter, shorter 'do in April 2024. Kelly Osbourne The Fashion Police alum debuted a blonde bombshell hair transformation May 8. Kim Kardashian Back to blonde: Kim debuted a new platinum 'do in April 2024. Rihanna The Fenty Beauty founder debuted a bright blonde hair transformation April 17 while celebrating her latest Fenty x Puma collection in London. Delilah Belle Hamlin The model debuted a bleach blonde pixie cut at the FRAME event April 4. Megan Fox The Jennifer's Body star traded in her bubblegum pink tresses for a baby blue bob, which she debuted April 2. Zendaya Less than a month afer chopping her hair into a long bob, Zendaya debuted a honey blonde transformation at the Challengers premiere March 26. Elle Fanning The Great star ushered in spring with a fresh cut, as she debuted a long bob March 25. Rachel McAdams The Mean Girls alum swapped out her signature blonde hair for a dark brunette transformation on March 18. Bre Tiesi The Selling Sunset star looked completely unrecognizable after debuting a dramatic blonde transformation March 16. Kelly Osbourne The Fashion Police alum ditched her signature purple hair after six years, tinting it an icy silver in March 2024. Zendaya The Dune actress debuted a shoulder-grazing bob at Essence 's Black Women in Hollywood Awards March 7. Sydney Sweeney The Anyone But You star made a showstopping appearance at Miu Miu's fall/winter 2024-2025 show during Paris Fashion Week. For the March 5 event, she unveiled a dramatic long bob haircut. Zoey Deutch To prepare for her upcoming role as Jean Seberg, the 29-year-old debuted a bleached blonde pixie cut. Anne Hathaway The Princess Diaries alum unveiled fringe bangs at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Selena Gomez The star debuted a bangin' new style at the premiere of her friend Nicola Peltz Beckham 's film Lola in February 2024. Jennifer Lopez The "On the Floor" singer made a dramatic hair change, as she debuted a chin-grazing bob cut at Schiaparelli's haute couture spring/summer 2024 show on Jan. 22. Gypsy Rose Blanchard In January 2024, a month after her prison release, the now-influencer shared a pic of herself sporting a shorter 'do. Kylie Jenner Kylie Jenner traded in her dark locks for a pink 'do in January 2024. Julianne Hough In January 2024, the Dancing With the Stars personality shared a video of herself cutting her own hair. "Out with the old energy," she wrote, "and in with the new." Kate Beckinsale The Underworld actress took the plunge and went full blonde, while also debuting a short bob haircut.

OpenAI is aiming to reach 1 billion users by 2025 as it rolls out new artificial intelligence products, builds its own data centres, and strengthens its partnership with Apple. The San Francisco-based company, known for its ChatGPT chatbot with 250 million weekly active users, plans to introduce AI “agents,” a proprietary AI-powered search engine, and deepen integration of ChatGPT with Apple devices. “We are coming into our own as a research lab serving millions and aiming for billions of consumers worldwide,” Financial Times cited Sarah Friar, OpenAI’s chief financial officer, as saying. The company recently raised more than $6 billion in funding at a valuation of $150 billion, making it the highest-valued startup in Silicon Valley’s history. Friar said OpenAI plans to continue raising both equity and debt to fuel its growth, including constructing data centres in the US Midwest and Southwest. “We’re in a massive growth phase,” she said, adding that advancing AI models remains a costly endeavour. Expanding AI reach OpenAI’s strategy includes launching “agents” — advanced chatbot-like assistants that perform web tasks, such as booking services or gathering information. Friar said 2025 could see the first highly successful agents helping users with everyday needs. Integration with Apple devices, which began last month in the US, is expected to significantly boost user numbers. A venture capital investor said OpenAI could quickly reach its goal of 1 billion users, using Apple’s global base of 2 billion iPhones. “If you get to that threshold, you’re competing with Google and Facebook,” the investor said. OpenAI’s transition from a non-profit to a for-profit business has seen the company expand its headcount to more than 2,000 employees and focus on monetising AI products to offset costs exceeding $5 billion annually. Navigating political hurdles OpenAI’s growth comes as it navigates a politically charged environment. Chris Lehane, the company’s policy chief and a veteran political strategist, is engaging with US policymakers to position OpenAI as a leader in “democratic” AI, countering Chinese-led technological advancements. Lehane said the company has been in discussions with the incoming Trump administration about AI’s role in national security and economic competitiveness. While tensions with former co-founder Elon Musk persist — including a lawsuit filed by Musk accusing OpenAI of deceit — Lehane stressed alignment with federal priorities on AI leadership.Article content The comforts of home await the Raptors, who have been reduced to road kill when venturing into enemy territory this season. Recommended Videos To date, 12 road games have been played with 11 losses recorded. At home, Toronto’s record is far superior, having gone 4-4 at Scotiabank Arena where Sunday the Raptors will play host to virtually the same Miami Heat team that used a decisive third quarter to topple the visitors 121-111 on Friday night. Bam Adebayo posted a triple-double in Miami’s win, though it was tainted given Jimmy Butler air balled a jumper in the game’s waning seconds to provide Adebayo with his 10th rebound and eighth-career triple-double. For the record, Butler, who led Miami with 26 points, heaved a 14-foot jumper. To the naked eye, it appeared the hoopster known as Jimmy Buckets intentionally missed the shot, paving the way for Adebayo to grab the offensive rebound. Post-game, Butler wasn’t particularly convincing when asked to recall the errant shot and the statistical milestone that ensued. “I had no idea,” said Butler. “I just shoot terrible shots like that where I throw the ball straight up in there.” Butler is one of the game’s big-game performers who isn’t known for heaving mid-range air balls. So be it, but at the same time it should serve as some fodder for the Raptors as they aim to earn a split with the Heat. Butler has recorded 16 career triple-doubles. Also Friday night, Scottie Barnes posted a triple-double. He also earned a technical on a sequence involving Butler. Barnes asked for a video review and it was granted. In reality, the Raptors should have waived off Barnes’ request on a play that would be upheld. The time of the game did not warrant a video review to begin with and Barnes’ antics — when he basically mimicked the official — was completely unnecessary. All it revealed was a lack of maturity. It also highlighted how the Raptors continue to treat their anointed franchise face with kid gloves. During Toronto’s 1-3 road trip, Ochai Agbaji was called out following a poor performance in Detroit. He responded in a convincing win over a woeful New Orleans Pelicans team as the Raptors finally earned their first road victory. There’s no denying Barnes’ talent and potential, but on nights when he’s settling for three-point shots the Raptors can’t be hesitant to rein him in. Early makes from distance serve as fool’s gold when everyone in basketball knows Barnes is at his best when he’s drawing defenders or resorting to bully ball when operating on the block. His passing can be sublime, but his shooting is very suspect. In Miami, he attempted more threes than free throws. He also turned the ball over five times. As a team, the Raptors committed 19 turnovers that led to 27 Miami points and were outscored by 30 from distance. With their margin for error so thin given a depleted roster, on nights when the Raptors are guilty of committing self-inflicted wounds they have no chance. Miami broke the game open when its three-point heaves began to drop. A total of 54 three-pointers were taken by the Heat, third most in club history, and 21 found net. At home, the Raptors have found their comfort level, which isn’t entirely surprising. Their season began with a 30-point drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a result that served as a harbinger for things to come, at least from a Cleveland perspective as it continues to be among the biggest surprise stories in the NBA. Toronto has beaten an inferior Philly team and tamed the Timberwolves on a night Barnes made his return from his orbital fracture. The Raptors also earned a home win over Sacramento in overtime when Vince Carter’s jersey was raised to the rafters. Toronto’s fourth home win was against a very inferior Indiana team missing a few key pieces. Still, the Raptors are better on their turf and this run of home games, beginning Sunday, should be interesting. It also has the potential of being intriguing because one suspects some of the team’s injured players appear poised to return. RJ Barrett, for one, has feasted on home cooking. When his potential game-winner against visiting Denver didn’t drop, it came on a night when Barnes was initially hurt following an inadvertent elbow by Nikola Jokic. Unlike Barnes, Barrett does not fall in love with his perimeter shooting when shots are dropping from beyond the arc. One of the issues Barrett must clean up is his penchant for turning the ball over. In South Beach on Friday, he recorded a game-high six turnovers. Add Barnes’ five to the mix and Toronto’s two best offensive players had more turnovers (11) than the entire Heat team (10). The other worrisome area to Barrett’s game can be found at the charity stripe. Missed free throws did not result in the Raptors losing Friday night when the essence of the game could be summed up in the points off turnover discrepancy and the disparity in three-point efficiency. Barrett did lead the Raptors in scoring by pouring in 25 points on a night he attempted 18 shots. Tyler Herro took a team-high 18 shots for Miami in the win as he ended the night by scoring 23 points. Miami lacks size, a big reason why Jakob Poeltl was able to go 10-for-11 from the field in recording yet another double-double (24 points, 10 rebounds). Miami also resorts to zone defences. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic is well aware such defensive schemes often lead to players overthinking when the ball is in their hands. The second-year bench boss encourages his players to play with freedom. And when good ball movement leads to open shots, he wants players to shoot with confidence. The negative to zone defences is that it does make teams vulnerable in terms of offensive rebounds. Four of Poeltl’s 10 boards came on the offensive glass. In Friday’s loss, the Raptors outscored Miami 62-36 in paint points. fzicarelli@postmedia.com

Drake eases by Stetson 49-10 to secure a second straight outright Pioneer Football League title

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lando Norris ignored team orders and handed his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri the sprint race in Qatar on Saturday, while Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen was stripped of the pole position. His penalty elevated George Russell to first on the grid. With McLaren eyeing its first F1 constructors' title in 26 years and Russell close behind for Mercedes, Norris was told by the team over the radio to “finish in this order,” ahead of Piastri. He chose to gift his teammate the win anyway, easing off to the right on the exit of the final corner and then swooping back across in front of Russell, who finished third. “The team told me not to do it, but I thought I could get away with it and we did,” Norris said. "Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m not here to win sprint races. I’m here to win races and the championship, but that’s not gone to plan." Norris was paying Piastri back for doing the same in the sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Verstappen for the drivers’ title. “I made my mind up in Brazil when it happened,” Norris said. “I needed to do something to give it back.” Piastri said he hadn't expected Norris to take the risk. “I was aware it could happen. I was a bit surprised that with George half a second (away) it did,” Piastri said. “It just shows off our teamwork and the lack of egos within the team.” It continues a season where McLaren’s race tactics have often been a talking point, such as when Norris and Piastri swapped for the lead in Hungary after a lengthy and often awkward radio exchange with the team. On Saturday, Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past Russell for second. As Russell repeatedly attacked Piastri, Norris dropped back instead of building a lead. That put Piastri within one second of Norris, allowing the Australian to use the DRS overtaking aid for extra speed. Russell said he found the McLaren teamwork “pretty infuriating” while stuck behind Piastri and also objected to what he saw as late moves from Piastri to defend the position. “Hopefully we can have a proper race (on Sunday) rather than this team orders stuff,” Russell said. The F1 champion thought he'd secured his first pole position since the Austrian GP in June, but a lengthy stewards' inquiry gave him a one-place penalty for driving “unnecessarily slowly” in an incident with Russell, who moved up to first on the grid. The Mercedes driver complained over the radio that it was “super dangerous” that he'd had to avoid Verstappen, who was ahead of him on the racing line as both drivers prepared for their final runs of qualifying. The stewards agreed Verstappen was going too slowly as he tried to cool his tires but didn't apply the usual three-place penalty because neither driver was trying to set a fast time. Verstappen hadn't been much of a factor in the sprint but he returned to form in qualifying, beating Russell by just .055 of a second on his last run. “Crazy. I mean, honestly, I didn’t expect that,” Verstappen said. “We did change a bit on the car but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance.” Norris was .252 off the pace and lines up third, with Piastri fourth, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren increased its lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship to 30 points, and has both of its drivers ahead of the Ferraris on the grid. Teams can earn a maximum 88 more points from the grand prix in Qatar and next week’s Abu Dhabi GP. Red Bull dropped to 67 points behind McLaren in the standings as Verstappen — crowned the drivers' champion for the fourth time last week in Las Vegas — finished eighth and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was last after a pit stop to change his car's nose. AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Share Tweet Share Share Email The gaming industry has transformed into much more than just a source of entertainment. In our current digital landscape, it exists at the intersection of technology, finance, and community involvement, forming an ecosystem where players not only enjoy games but also engage in vibrant digital economies. As these economies grow more intricate and intertwined with real-world financial systems, the need for tools that enhance and secure player experiences is on the rise. Companies like PeakCheats are entering this dynamic arena, providing innovative solutions that enable players to navigate these virtual marketplaces with accuracy and safety. This article delves into how digital economies in gaming are influencing the industry, the importance of innovative tools in improving player experiences, and how these trends connect with wider technological and financial developments. The Emergence of Digital Economies in Gaming Digital economies within video games have seen remarkable growth in recent years. Titles like World of Warcraft, Fortnite, and Escape from Tarkov have created entire ecosystems where players can trade goods, services, and even real-world currency. These virtual economies often reflect traditional markets, complete with dynamics of supply and demand, inflation, and resource scarcity. For example: In-game currencies: Many games feature their own currencies, such as V-Bucks in Fortnite or ISK in EVE Online, which players can earn or buy with real money. Item trading: Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Rocket League have established marketplaces where rare items can be bought, sold, or traded, sometimes for significant amounts. Player-driven economies: In titles like Escape from Tarkov or Runescape, players actively shape the economy through resource gathering, crafting, and trading, which in turn affects prices based on their actions. These systems signify a digital transformation in economic engagement. Players are no longer just consumers; they are active participants who influence and shape game economies. Challenges in Gaming Economies As digital economies continue to grow, several challenges have surfaced that demand creative solutions: Market saturation and competition: Players find themselves in fiercely competitive environments where obtaining valuable items or currency can be quite challenging. This often results in a steep learning curve for casual or new players. Security risks: Virtual economies are vulnerable to fraud, scams, and hacking. Issues such as unauthorized account access or manipulation of in-game systems highlight the ongoing security concerns. Time investment: Many games require significant hours of grinding to gather resources or items, making it tough for casual gamers to compete with more dedicated players. These challenges highlight the need for advanced tools that can level the playing field, enhance security, and provide a smoother experience for all players. Innovative Tools Empowering Players As gaming economies become more intricate, players need innovative tools to thrive. PeakCheats, a frontrunner in creating safe and dependable gaming cheats, offers solutions that tackle these challenges while emphasizing user security and integrity. 1. Streamlining Competitive Edge Tools like aimbots, ESP (extra-sensory perception), and wallhacks enable players to enhance their performance in competitive games. For example, in games with a strong economic component, such as Escape from Tarkov, these tools assist players in efficiently securing valuable loot, allowing them to trade or sell items within the in-game economy. 2. Enhancing Security Security is paramount for PeakCheats. In virtual economies, where stolen accounts or items can lead to considerable financial losses, tools equipped with advanced encryption and undetectable features give players peace of mind. By protecting user data and ensuring stealthy operation, companies like PeakCheats are fostering a more secure gaming landscape. 3. Saving Time for Casual Gamers For those who don’t have the time to grind, these tools provide a means to stay competitive. By automating repetitive tasks or offering advantages that accelerate progression, innovative cheats help level the playing field between casual and hardcore gamers. The Connection to FinTech The convergence of gaming and financial technology is becoming more apparent. Many of the principles that contribute to the success of digital economies in gaming mirror innovations in FinTech, especially in areas such as: 1. Digital Transactions Similar to how FinTech has transformed payment systems with platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and cryptocurrencies, gaming economies have embraced comparable systems for in-game purchases. For instance, blockchain technology is being utilized in games to improve transparency and security in digital transactions. 2. Marketplaces and Trading Platforms Gaming platforms now incorporate advanced trading systems that resemble financial markets. Tools like PeakCheats assist players in optimizing their experience in these marketplaces, much like how financial trading platforms provide investors with sophisticated analytics. 3. Cybersecurity Solutions As FinTech emphasizes the protection of user data and fraud prevention, the gaming industry is adopting similar measures. Tools that bolster security and anonymity, such as hardware ID (HWID) spoofers, are becoming crucial for ensuring fair play and safeguarding user investments. The Ethical Debate Around Gaming Tools While tools like those offered by PeakCheats have their benefits, they also spark debate. Critics claim that these tools can upset game balance and create unfair advantages. Yet, the ethical implications of using them often hinge on the situation: Leveling the playing field: Casual gamers may rely on tools to keep pace with more dedicated players. Addressing economic disparities: In games with pay-to-win elements, these tools can enable players to compete without shelling out large sums of money. Personal choice: Many gamers view these tools as a means to tailor their gaming experience and enjoy games on their own terms. In the end, the popularity of these tools highlights the gaming industry’s need to tackle the challenges posed by its digital economies more effectively. The Future of Gaming Economies and Tools The evolution of gaming economies is still in its early stages. As these systems expand, the importance of innovative tools will only increase. Several trends are influencing the future of this sector: 1. Integration with Real-World Economies The distinction between virtual and real-world economies is becoming less clear. Games such as Axie Infinity and Decentraland already enable players to earn actual money through gameplay. Tools that improve efficiency and security in these games will be essential for players looking to optimize their earnings. 2. Advancements in AI and Machine Learning As AI technology advances, gaming tools will provide even more accuracy and flexibility. For example, machine learning algorithms could monitor in-game economies in real-time, offering players valuable insights. 3. Regulatory Challenges With the increase in real-money transactions in gaming, governments and regulatory agencies are likely to enforce stricter regulations. This will create a demand for tools that adhere to these regulations while giving players a competitive advantage. 4. Player-Driven Innovation As players take a more active role in shaping gaming economies, their input will influence the creation of new tools. Companies like PeakCheats are well-positioned to spearhead this innovation by prioritizing user-focused design and cutting-edge technology. Conclusion Digital economies are changing the gaming landscape, bringing both new opportunities and challenges for players. As these systems become more complex, the need for innovative tools like those provided by PeakCheats is expected to grow. By giving players the means to streamline their gameplay, enhance security, and save time, these tools are transforming how gamers engage with virtual economies. Moreover, the similarities between gaming economies and FinTech underscore the wider implications of these trends on technology and finance. Whether through digital transactions, advanced security measures, or AI-driven insights, the merging of gaming and financial innovation presents an exciting frontier for both sectors. PeakCheats is leading the way in this transformation, equipping players with the necessary tools to succeed in these evolving digital environments. As gaming economies expand in importance and scale, the significance of innovative solutions in shaping the future of gaming has never been more crucial. Related Items: Digital Economies in Gaming , Digital Economies in Gamings Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsAutomotive Turbocharger Market Huge Growth in Future Scope 2024-2031

PHILIPPE CLEMENT makes a HUGE call up front as Rangers take on Nice in the South of France. The Rangers boss could cool some of the sacking talk with a huge win away from home in the Europa League . Advertisement 2 Philippe Clement is a man under pressure at Ibrox Credit: Kenny Ramsay And the Belgian has gone for broke after watching his side fall 11 points behind Celtic in the Premiership title race after slumping to a 1-1 draw against Dundee United at Ibrox . It's only December and their chances of pipping the Hoops to the league looks extremely unlikely. However, they are still very much in the running in Europe after being unbeaten in their two away trips to Malmo and Olympiacos - winning in Sweden and holding the Greek giants to a 1-1 draw. In up front comes Hamza Igamane with Cyriel Dessers on the bench - with James Tavernier sitting alongside him as Dujon Sterling continues at right back. Advertisement read more football stories 'VERY HONEST' Jim Goodwin hits back at claims of Rangers kick off 'mind games' NICE OFFER Nice vs Rangers: Get £50 in free bets for Europa League on Thursday with Betfred What time does Nice vs Rangers kick off? Rangers take on Nice TONIGHT, November 28 The match kicks off at 8pm UK time It will be held at the Allianz Riviera in France. What TV channel will Nice vs Rangers be on and can I live stream it? Yes, the match will be shown live on TNT Sports 3. Coverage will begin at 7.45pm - 15 minutes before kick-off. There will be live radio coverage on BBC Sportsecene. Alternatively, you can follow all the action via SunSport's LIVE blog. Team news 2 Keep up to date with ALL t h e latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football pagePSG in 'difficult' spot against heavyweights Bayern

On SI’s Brooks Austin watched the footage of the now-infamous postgame brawl following Michigan’s 13-10 win over Ohio State in “The Game,” and he’s concluded that Buckeyes head football coach Ryan Day was an uninspired observer while implying that Sherrone Moore was far more of a leader than his coaching counterpart. “Not to do the thing, But I’ve seen a lot of video footage of the Ohio State and Michigan brawl. Sherrone Moore is in the middle pulling guys apart. Damn near got pepper sprayed. Ryan Day is on the outside looking in with his hands on his hips,” Austin tweeted. Day acted as though he did something during the postgame press conference. "I don’t know all the details, but I know these guys were looking to put a flag on our field and we’re not going to let that happen,” Day said postgame. With the loss, Day is now 1-4 against Michigan in his coaching career. Many believe he is either falling short of a national championship away from being fired, while some believe his fate is already sealed . “If Ryan Day doesn't win the national title this year, he should be fired. Not make the title game, not make the semis, win it,” CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah wrote in the aftermath of the unfathomable Week 14 upset. “This feels like Ryan Day's equivalent of John Calipari losing to Oakland. Whether it's by his choice or someone else's, the guy is going to need an exit plan after this. There's no coming back from it,” The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel wrote. Losing this rivalry game nearly every year is a one-way ticket to the unemployment line, especially with a $20 million NIL-valuated roster. Day may be counting his days in Columbus.Donald Trump’s election interference and classified documents cases dismissedLOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present Friday with the surprise drop of a new album. The Grammy winner's 12-track “GNX” is his first release since 2022's “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” and his sixth studio album overall. It also comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. Lamar first teased the album with a cover art and video snippet of “GNX,” which features multi-instrumentalist Jack Antonoff as a co-producer on every track except for “Peekaboo.” Other notable producers include Sounwave and DJ Mustard , who both contributed production on the hit “Not Like Us,” the ubiquitous diss track emanating from the Drake feud. Lamar's former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA appears on a couple songs including “Gloria” and “Luther,” which also features sampled vocals from Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn through “If This World Were Mine." On the opening track “Wacced Out Murals,” Lamar raps about cruising in his Buick GNX (Grand National Experimental) car with listening to Anita Baker. He brings up Snoop Dogg posting Drake's AI-assisted “Taylor Made Freestyle” diss track on social media and Nas congratulating Lamar for being selected to headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. Lamar also shows admiration for Lil Wayne, who expressed his hurt feelings after being passed over as the headliner in his hometown. Lamar, 37, has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.” The surprise release caps a big year for Lamar, who was featured on the song “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin — a track that spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. Lamar is up for seven Grammys, fueled by “Not Like Us,” which earned nods for record and song of the year, rap song, music video as well as best rap performance. He has two simultaneous entries in the latter category, a career first: “Like That” is up for best rap performance and best rap song, too. 1. “Wacced Out Murals” 2. “Squabble Up” 3. “Luther” (feat. SZA) 4. “Man at the Garden” 5. “Hey Now” 6. “Reincarnated” 7. “TV Off” 8. “Dodger Blue” 9. “Peekaboo” 10. “Heart Pt. 6” 11. “GNX” 12. “Gloria” (feat. SZA)

Nigeria’s military and security forces have delivered a crushing blow to the shadowy illegal oil trade. By dismantling 56 bunkering sites, authorities are attempting to drain the lifeblood of this underground economy. Despite being Africa’s biggest crude oil producer, Nigeria has faced significant setbacks due to large-scale oil theft and pipeline sabotage. These issues have slashed output, reduced exports, crippled government finances, and posed a serious challenge for President Bola Tinubu. In a recent crackdown, the country’s army and other security agencies have also seized at least 88 cooking drums and recovered 1.2 million liters (317,000 gallons) of stolen crude oil. Authorities have destroyed at least 15 illegal refining sites in the Okorodia forest of Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Thousands of liters of stolen crude oil and illegally refined automotive gas oil were also recovered. Seventeen suspects were also arrested and vehicles and oil refining equipment seized. Between 2009 and 2020, Nigeria lost approximately 620 million barrels of crude oil, valued at $46 billion (€42 billion), according to the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which promotes accountability in managing the nation’s oil, gas, and mining revenue. Oil theft in Nigeria is nothing new, but its scale and sophistication have increased in recent years. The oil-rich Niger Delta is considered the main hot spot. According to Umaru Ahmadu, a financial consultant on oil and gas, oil theft will continue unless the government first tackles social and economic justice in the region. He told DW that successive governments had neglected the residents in the oil-producing areas. “They don’t have the infrastructure, they don’t have the basic social and economic support. There are no social safety nets. They’ve lost their means of livelihood. Their environment has been jeopardized and obliterated completely,” he said. Ahmadu believes that as long as the government continues to extract the mineral resources without caring for the local community, “the chances and the propensity to continually sabotage the government by stealing crude oil by refining in an illegal refinery would not stop.” “As long as we continue to pay lip service to their issues and nobody is interested and we just come extract their crude oil, destroy their their environment and they don’t get any reasonable financial reward, They will always resort to self help through either stealing the crude or refining it illegally,” Ahmadu stressed, adding that by addressing these issues, the government can find a lasting solution to the problems caused by crude production. Benjamin Boakye, executive director at Africa Centre for Energy Policy in Ghana, told DW that the situation in Nigeria is a case of people getting away with crimes and only looking out for money and not responding to regulation and protecting the environment. Boakye noted that the issue persists because the same politicians and security agencies responsible for preventing environmental pollution and enforcing the law often operate within the same circles. “Unless there is a political will to clean up the mess and get people accountable. We would just be speaking about this and not get a solution to the bigger picture,” he added. He further emphasized the need to hold people accountable for the power and mandate given to them to protect state resources and ensure that they do not allow individuals driven by profit to destroy the environment. Studies have shown that oil theft has contaminated the air, land, and water, leading to devastating effects on residents’ health and livelihoods. Ahmadu shared similar sentiments, saying that illegal mining significantly impacts the environment “because these guys are not experts; they are not specialists.” “They go about doing this thing in the most crude form. As a result, the environment gets affected,” he said. In extreme cases, fire outbreaks have occurred due to oil theft. Ahmadu noted that the Nigerian government is losing massive revenue due to the ongoing destruction of pipelines and other oil infrastructure, hindering progress. Source: Deutsche WelleThe baseball that Freddie Freeman hit for a historic World Series walk-off grand slam sold for $1.56 million at auction this weekend. SCP Auctions did not reveal the buyer of the ball, which Freeman hit with two outs in the 10th inning to give the host Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1. Freeman went on to homer in the first four games and earn World Series Most Valuable Player honors for the champion Dodgers, who took the series in five games. The auction opened on Dec. 4 and closed Saturday night, and drew 22 bids on the item, according to SCP Auctions. "We are so honored to have handled one of the most important artifacts in World Series history, dating back to 1903," SCP Auctions president David Kohler said in a statement. The sale price is among the highest for an auctioned baseball, with Freeman's teammate Shohei Ohtani's ball hit for his 50th homer selling for $4.392 million in October. Freeman hit the only walk-off grand slam in World Series history. The ball landed over Dodger Stadium's right-field wall and at the feet of Zachary Ruderman, 10, who kicked it over to his father, Nico. Zachary, who lives in Los Angeles, thought he was leaving school earlier that day to get his braces removed, but his parents surprised him with tickets to Game 1. "Our family hopes the baseball will be displayed in Dodger Stadium so all Dodgers and baseball fans can view a very special piece of history for the city of Los Angeles," the family said in a statement. --Field Level Media

High above the sparkling surface of the Athens coastline, the cranes for building the 50-floor luxury tower centerpiece of Greece’s future “smart city” look out over the Saronic Gulf. At their feet, construction machinery stirs up dust. The eight-billion-euro ($8.5-billion) project financed by private funds is, according to its backers, a symbol of Greece’s renaissance after the years of financial stagnation that saw investors flee the country. Critics, however, see it more as a future “ghetto for the rich”. It is hard to imagine that 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Acropolis, a new city “three times the size of Monaco” will rise from the ground by 2036, according to Odisseas Athanasiou, chief executive of the group Lamda that owns the site. One of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects, the Ellinikon initiative features plans for villas, two hotels, shopping centers, a university, a marina and other buildings. It will also feature the Riviera Tower, which would be Athens’s tallest skyscraper when it is completed at the end of 2026. Around 30,000 people are expected to live on the 6.2-square-kilometre (2.4-square-mile) site on what for decades was Athens’ international airport. The former terminal, a listed building since the airport relocated in 2001, is to be converted into an exhibition hall. During the 2004 Olympic Games, Ellinikon became a sports hub and hosted sports competitions including canoeing and hockey. But the facilities were subsequently abandoned, and then came the financial crisis, which hit the Greeks hard. Solidarity groups created a self-managed garden, a community grocery shop and a free medical centre at Ellinikon, to make up for the shortcomings of a virtually bankrupt state. Refugees were also temporarily housed in the derelict stadiums during the migrant crisis of 2015. Amid the wave of privatizations imposed by the country’s EU-IMF creditors, Athens was forced to sell Ellinikon. Lamda, a holding company specializing in property development, investment and management, won the bid in 2014 for less than a billion euros. The company is listed on the stock exchange and majority-owned by Greek tycoon Spiros Latsis. Lamda CEO Athanasiou says the company is building “the largest coastal park in the world”, with a third of the surface area reserved for green areas accessible to all. Ellinikon will be a “smart city” with advanced technological solutions, said other project managers who escorted an AFP team in a mini-bus through the huge construction site. An ‘offshore colony’ “We’re building from scratch, which is a major advantage,” Athanasiou said in front of a huge model of the project. “Cities like Singapore, Copenhagen and Amsterdam have done incredible things in terms of technology. But they have had to adapt what they have developed to an existing infrastructure,” he said. In total, the park will have 8,000 to 9,000 homes. The most luxurious apartments in the Riviera Tower can cost up to 25 million euros, Athanasiou said. The least expensive will sell for around 400,000 euros, a price entirely unaffordable for many Athenians, critics say. “This is not a real estate development project, it’s an ‘offshore’ colony,” said Nikos Belavilas, director of the urban environment laboratory at the National Technical University of Athens. “We will have a gated community isolated from the city, with skyscrapers and casinos for the oil-rich,” he said, at a time when Athens is more in need of social or student housing. The concrete-clad capital, with its jumbled streets that have grown out of control, is cruelly lacking in green areas. Ellinikon, with its parks and beaches, represented “an opportunity to have a large urban green space”, Belavilas said. ‘Dire’ It could have become an Athenian Tempelhof, he said, referring to the former West Berlin airport which was transformed into a huge park open to all in the center of the German capital, he said. The Ellinikon project is “dire on several levels”, especially in terms of the “macro-economic management of the country”, one Athenian architect said on condition of anonymity. Other Greeks complain that the state simply flogged off the site. Athanasiou counters that when the privatization took place “we were the only ones to respond to the call for tenders”. He said the project would “strengthen the country’s credibility abroad, which was damaged during the years of crisis”. Up to 80,000 jobs will be created and the Greek state will reap more than 14 billion euros in tax revenue once the project is completed, he said. —AFP

ATLANTA , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KORE Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KORE) ("KORE" or the "Company"), the global pure-play Internet of Things ("IoT") hyperscaler and provider of IoT Connectivity, Solutions, and Analytics, today announced it has received notification (the "Acceptance Letter") from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") that the NYSE has accepted the Company's previously-submitted plan (the "Plan") to regain compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual relating to minimum market capitalization and stockholders' equity. In the Acceptance Letter, the NYSE granted the Company an 18-month period from September 12, 2024 (the "Plan Period") to regain compliance with the continued listing standards. As part of the Plan, the Company is required to provide the NYSE quarterly updates regarding its progress towards the goals and initiatives in the Plan. In the Plan, Kore included details regarding previously reported operational restructuring activities, as well as an outlook on the Company's business. The Company expects its common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE during the Plan Period, subject to the Company adherence to the Plan and compliance with other applicable NYSE continued listing standards. The Company's receipt of such notification from the NYSE does not affect the Company's business, operations or reporting requirements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "guidance," "project," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected progress with the Company's compliance plan submitted to the NYSE, expected compliance with continued listing standards of the NYSE and expected continued listing of the Company's common stock on the NYSE. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of KORE's management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of KORE. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; risks related to the rollout of KORE's business and the timing of expected business milestones; risks relating to the integration of KORE's acquired companies, including the acquisition of Twilio's IoT business, changes in the assumptions underlying KORE's expectations regarding its future business; our ability to negotiate and sign a definitive contract with a customer in our sales funnel; our ability to realize some or all of estimates relating to customer contracts as revenue, including any contractual options available to customers or contractual periods that are subject to termination for convenience provisions; the effects of competition on KORE's future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which KORE is, or may become a party. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that KORE presently does not know or that KORE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect KORE's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. KORE anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while KORE may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, KORE specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing KORE's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. KORE Investor Contact: Vik Vijayvergiya Vice President, IR, Corporate Development and Strategy vvijayvergiya@korewireless.com (770) 280-0324 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kore-announces-nyse-acceptance-of-plan-to-regain-listing-compliance-302338621.html SOURCE KORE Group Holdings, Inc.

If you’ve been following (or fading) our bettors’ picks, you’re probably flush with cash for Christmas and/or Hanukkah. Jon Greenberg and Zac Jackson managed to scramble together some holiday cheer, i.e., picks for this week. GREENBERG (5-5 last week, 65-48 overall): Our NFL hot streak continued as we combined to go 6-3 following our 9-0 week, but we were less successful picking college games. I’m only taking a bowl game this week if you assure me it’s a lock. (And then I’ll probably fade you.) Advertisement Because of a midweek Christmas, we’re pumping this out early, so no time for pleasantries. I’ll start with the two Christmas Day games. I don’t, as a rule, bet against the Steelers . But if you don’t have that rule, you should take the Chiefs -2.5 . Yes, this would be a perfect spot for them to lose in a short week on the road. But the Steelers are banged up and have hit a lull since disposing of the Browns . Mike Tomlin sounded optimistic that George Pickens (who practiced in full Monday) and other injured players could return this week, so keep an eye out for that. If that happens, I’ll probably take over 43.5. I wanted to take Baltimore -5.5 but decided to play it safe. When they blow out the Texans , you can laugh at me in the comments. I’m still debating on whether I want to drag myself to Soldier Field for the last home game of the year on Thursday night. They couldn’t air this game at noon? The Bears are mentally fried, and playing on a short week after facing the Lions surely isn’t going to help their physical well-being. Take the visiting Seahawks -3.5 and maybe put some bets in loved ones’ stockings or near the menorah. Any thoughts on Christmas matchups, the bowl games or the rest of the NFL schedule? (If you don’t, this will be a brief column.) JACKSON (4-4 last week, 56-58): Midday bowl games make me jolly. Picking winners remains difficult, but we do this for the love of the game, Jon. Under 43.5 in Chiefs-Steelers feels like a winner. With a short week (after a short week) and two offenses fine operating in second gear, I’ll take my chances here. I hate to be against your heater, but I’ll do it. I’ll pass on the other Christmas game and save my bullets for the bowl games. It’s an absolute bowl bonanza from Thursday-Saturday, and I have two circled. I’m on Navy +8 vs. Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl, and I’m not alone because the line has dropped five points as of this writing. I think Navy wins against whatever operation Oklahoma runs out there, so take Navy +3 . Friday night in the Liberty Bowl, I’ll take Arkansas -2 vs. what’s left of Texas Tech’s roster. Advertisement GREENBERG: I’ll take your word for it on the bowl games. I think I’m running on a short week too, because I’m too tired to make good decisions. To show you how sluggish my brain is, I bought NBA tickets for Monday night before teams announced which stars are sitting out. (It’s Giannis and Dame. Whoops.) I can get it together enough to pick two more NFL games: the Chargers -5 at New England — that’ll be up to 6 or more, I’m guessing — and in a week, I like Detroit -3.5 at San Francisco. Maybe it’s recency bias, having watched the Lions gnaw at the Bears’ collective kneecaps and bet on the Niners at Miami, but I like this matchup. Any holiday thoughts before we close this out? JACKSON: With you on the Lions -3.5 . They’re going to try to stay on the gas. I’d play it up to a touchdown. I like Denver +3 at Cincinnati on Saturday. Joe Burrow is doing some Superman stuff, but that’s a flawed Bengals team. I like the Broncos to keep it close and potentially steal it outright. On motivation, I like Boston College +145 moneyline to beat Nebraska in the Pinstripe Bowl. And I certainly like Louisiana +13 to stay within the number vs. TCU. I assume we’ll be doing this again before the next round of College Football Playoff games. I’m just trying to string a few winners together and not drown in shrimp cocktail this holiday season. Or maybe I am trying to drown in cocktail sauce, actually. Through family in Austin, we grew up Texas fans. My mom would buy us Longhorns bowl game gear most years, and I specifically remember opening a shirt one year and hearing my dad tell my mom that if she’d just waited a week, the shirt would have been on sale. He must have been losing his football picks. It happens. Jon Greenberg’s picks  Zac Jackson’s picks (Photo of Joe Burrow: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)Suspect identified in burning of a woman on NYC subwayNone

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