With rapid expansion in the gaming world, the notion of inclusivity is at the forefront of every design. As expansion occurs in all industries, more awareness is established regarding an incredible spectrum of players' needs, including those with hearing impairments. According to the research conducted by the World Health Organization, over 5% of the world’s population – about 430 million people, including 34 million children – experience disabling hearing loss that requires rehabilitation. For any deaf gamer, inadequate features of access will turn their enjoyable play from pleasurable into nagging. In this article, we will explore the challenges that hearing-impaired players face and offer solutions that can be endorsed to make the gaming experience more inclusive for all. Recognizing the Challenges The gaming experiences of people who are deaf or hard of hearing are far more different than those of someone with adequate hearing. Audio cues support gameplay in many ways, such as with the movement of enemies, changes in the environment, or the plot of a game. Without those cues, deaf players can miss essential moments that might leave an impression on the gaming experience and immersion. The missing audio cue may then have profound, sometimes devastating consequences: failure to detect an incoming attack, losing track of significant storyline development, and so on. Overall, it would then make gameplay more challenging and, of course, less enjoyable. Communication plays a more critical role in multiplayer games. Some games are team-based, depending on real-time coordination, which most commonly uses voice chat. Though most video games usually have a text chat facility, voice communication is limited to fewer games. It is thus a significant challenge for hearing-impaired players to keep track of the rapid flow of gameplay. Isolated or marginalized players who cannot participate in voice chat may feel competitively disadvantaged against their hearing counterparts. Technological Advancements and Solutions Despite all these challenges, the gaming industry has gone a long way to serve inclusively. Presently, developers are ever so aware of the need for accessibility features and are actively working on creating solutions that make gaming more enjoyable for the hearing-impaired. Some of the most effective solutions in this regard are as follows: Subtitles and Closed Captions Captions have been a synonym for accessibility since the old days of video games for hearing-impaired players. They transcribe spoken dialogue so players may continue understanding what is happening in the game. The closed captions extend the reach further by encompassing the descriptions of the non-verbal sounds, such as footsteps and environmental noises, and the sound effects in the context of explosion sounds and creaking doors. The disabled players, unable to fully hear everything in the game, can stay engaged in the action without missing the important audio-based clues. Having subtitles become extremely common in many games is very beneficial not only to deaf players but also to offer a better experience for those who find it easier to play games without sound. Visual Indicators A hearing-impaired gamer can be similarly notified of important events in a game by using visual cues to replace or supplement audio cues. For example, Fortnite and other games have used visual indicators that alert players to nearby sounds, such as footsteps or gunfire, through on-screen visual cues. The indicators may appear color-coded, flashing, or displayed at certain locations on the screen for quick notice. They could use visual signals for a threat or objective, such as flashing an icon when an enemy is close by or pulsing an area indicating in-game activity that needs attention. This will level the playing field so the hearing-impaired player will be able to react to threats at the same rate as their hearing peers. Haptic Feedback One of the emerging solutions is haptic feedback, or vibration, providing tactile responses to in-game events. This way, the player can "feel" the game as an alternate way of experiencing the audio cues. For example, a rumble in the controller could signal the incoming attack or an explosion near you to tell you what's essential in the game through touch. For instance, in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, they used haptic feedback to create a sensory-rich environment where specific vibrations are carefully adjusted with the specific emotional and environmental moments. This is a great way to communicate the intensity of something happening or bring a player's attention to some danger close by for deaf players. Customizable Audio Settings This factor significantly increases the accessibility of a game for hearing-impaired players by offering customizable audio settings. That is because the user can control the audio experience, finding it as perfect as possible for their needs. This could be in the form of amplifying specific sounds, say dialogue or environmental noise, while diluting background music or sound effects that might be harder to listen to. Others may allow users to alter the frequency range of particular sounds to be more perceivable for gamers with partial hearing loss. By tailoring the audio experience, hearing-impaired players can be confident of getting the most out of the game by not missing critical audio cues. The Role of Game Developers Game developers are clearly at the top when it comes to developing accessible gaming experiences . By incorporating accessibility features at the onset of game design, developers can ensure games are fun for hearing-impaired gamers and all types of players. Committing to this will help developers reach a wider audience, better player satisfaction, and improvement in the gaming community at large. According to Private Internet Access (PIA), inclusivity in game design should be central, not something to be tacked on at the end. Accessibility features in the case of a study show that hear-impaired players benefit not only the targeted individual but also the layman, who might experience partial hearing loss or who merely prefers this accommodation. With this increased awareness of accessibility issues, more game studios have begun incorporating features that support diverse gamers in a more comprehensive, inclusive community. Conclusion Inclusion gaming isn't about adding features; it is more about creating a world where everyone is appreciated and included, regardless of their abilities. The deaf gaming community will always benefit from the proper accessibility options put together thoughtfully in their game: subtitles, visual cues, haptic feedback, and customizable audio settings. As technology evolves, the door will open even more for the tearing down of barriers between the industry and inclusive experiences, allowing every player, irrespective of their ability to hear, to enjoy the world of his favorite games without limit. It is a matter of all the developers, the community, and gamers themselves to make this dream a reality when everybody can be given joy.Possible tornado strikes downtown Athensfishing materials 。

Men's Basketball: Sutton Leads Omaha Past MMUThird Eye: Sudden change in tone & tenor, no movement despite promise & BJP members thank RahulSteelers WR George Pickens returns to practice, hopeful to play against Chiefs

My tech New Year's resolution is to buy my dream displays (and a PC powerful enough for them)Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have pioneered a 3D concrete printing method that captures and stores carbon dioxide, marking a major step toward reducing the construction industry’s environmental footprint. The innovative technique offers a promising solution to mitigate cement’s massive carbon emissions. The process works by integrating CO2 and steam—byproducts of industrial processes—into the concrete mix during 3D printing. As the material is printed, CO2 reacts with components in the concrete, forming a solid, stable compound that remains locked within the structure. Steam, in turn, enhances CO2 absorption, boosting the material’s strength and printability. Lab tests confirmed that the new technique not only traps more carbon but also produces concrete that is stronger and more durable than conventional 3D-printed concrete. Stronger, greener, more efficient Cement production is responsible for approximately 1.6 billion metric tonnes of CO2 annually—about eight percent of global emissions. By reducing material use, construction time, and labor needs, the NTU-developed method provides a greener alternative for building practices. In detailed lab evaluations, NTU researchers found that the carbon-infused 3D-printed concrete demonstrated a 50 percent improvement in printability, enabling faster and more precise construction. Its mechanical properties also showed remarkable gains: the printed structure was up to 36.8 percent stronger under compression (resistance to weight) and 45.3 percent stronger in bending (flexibility) compared to standard 3D printed concrete. Most notably, the method captured and stored 38 percent more CO2 than traditional 3D printing processes, making it a significantly greener option for construction projects. Professor Tan Ming Jen, principal investigator of the study from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP), emphasized the broader implications of the technology. “The building and construction sector causes a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions.” “Our newly developed 3D concrete printing system offers a carbon reducing alternative by not only improving the mechanical properties of concrete but also contributing to reducing the sector’s environmental impact. It demonstrates the possibility of using CO 2 produced by power plants or other industries for 3D concrete printing.” Shaping the future of sustainable construction The development of this carbon-sequestering technology arrives at a critical time as industries worldwide race to meet climate change targets. PhD candidate Lim Sean Gip, the study’s first author, underscored the urgency of the team’s work: “We are at a critical time where the world is accelerating efforts to meet climate change targets. We believe our technology could contribute to making the construction industry more sustainable.” Dr. Daniel Tay, co-author and Research Fellow at NTU’s School of MAE, highlighted the innovation’s dual benefits: “Our proposed system shows how capturing carbon dioxide and using it in 3D concrete printing could lead to stronger, more eco-friendly buildings, advancing construction technology.” Looking ahead, the researchers have filed a joint US patent application with their collaborators to secure the innovation’s intellectual property. Future research will focus on optimizing the printing process for greater efficiency and exploring the use of waste gases—rather than pure CO2 —further increasing the system’s environmental benefits. The research has been published in Carbon Capture Science & Technology .

UK study warns of perils in AI-driven 'intention economy'Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Monday warned against those indulging in deceitful politics in the name of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar . She reiterated her call for peaceful protests at district headquarters across the country on Tuesday to support her demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw his words against Ambedkar spoken in Parliament. She stated that BSP's "Ambedkarwadi movement to ensure self-respect for Bahujan Samaj" is a political mission meant to make them rulers. The other parties only pretend to be Ambedkarwadi to get the votes of the Bahujan Samaj, she said. She also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his visit to violence-hit Parbhani in Maharashtra and "shedding crocodile tears" over the incident. She said that the incident was the outcome of disrespect towards Babasaheb and looking down upon their followers. "Congress's attitude towards the welfare of Babasaheb's followers, while he was alive and even after his death, has been casteist and disrespectful. They remember Dalits and weaker sections only in their bad phase. Neither BJP nor Congress is the true well-wisher of Dalits and weaker sections," she said. Lucknow: BSP chief Mayawati on Monday warned against those indulging in deceitful politics in the name of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. She reiterated her call for peaceful protests at district headquarters across the country on Tuesday to support her demand for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw his words against Ambedkar spoken in Parliament. She stated that BSP's "Ambedkarwadi movement to ensure self-respect for Bahujan Samaj" is a political mission meant to make them rulers. The other parties only pretend to be Ambedkarwadi to get the votes of the Bahujan Samaj, she said. She also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his visit to violence-hit Parbhani in Maharashtra and "shedding crocodile tears" over the incident. She said that the incident was the outcome of disrespect towards Babasaheb and looking down upon their followers. "Congress's attitude towards the welfare of Babasaheb's followers, while he was alive and even after his death, has been casteist and disrespectful. They remember Dalits and weaker sections only in their bad phase. Neither BJP nor Congress is the true well-wisher of Dalits and weaker sections," she said. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.

Socceroos lose Harry Souttar for 2025 World Cup qualsStormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”

A DUP minister rebuffed a suggestion that there could be an extension of pub opening hours in Northern Ireland to celebrate the golden jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, declassified files show. Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. The correspondence says: “One of the issues the committee is currently considering is the possibility of deregulating liquor licensing laws during the golden jubilee celebrations on the same lines as the arrangements made for the millennium. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. It says: “I spoke to Gordon Gibson, DSD, about Terry Smith’s letter of 12 January 2001 about licensing laws: the matter was put to their minister Maurice Morrow (DUP) who indicated that he would not be asking the NIE (Northern Ireland Executive) to approve any change to current licensing laws in NI to allow for either 24 hour opening (as at the millennium) nor a blanket approval for extended opening hours as is being considered in GB. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. It goes on: “DSD await further pronouncements from the Home Office and Gibson and I have agreed to notify each other of any developments we become aware of and he will copy me to any (existing) relevant papers. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”

NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple’s Tim Cook, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase — in most cases — from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives — who’ve largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance — joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. “Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs,” said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company’s president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, “the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government.” Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Biden’s sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect people’s rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasn’t specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be “rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.” Trump’s choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. “The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country,′′ Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. “And the AI that’s coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So there’s just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration′′ to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. “Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of ‘The Art of The Deal’ to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration,” suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. “I won’t be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees.” Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trump’s first term as president — and flourished under Biden — most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trump’s return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isn’t in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly . But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google won’t be entirely off the hook. Cook’s notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the bloc’s order for Apple to pay back up to $13.7 billion in Irish back taxes as “total political crap.” Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as the “tax lady” who “really hates the U.S.” Brussels was eventually vindicated after the bloc’s top court rejected Apple’s appeal this year, though it didn’t stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Trump hosted Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly. Neither Apple nor the Trump transition team has commented on the nature of their discussions. Altman , Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trump’s inaugural fund. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trump’s past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trump’s bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit in New York that he was “optimistic” about Trump’s second term, while also endorsing president-elect’s plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump’s response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Unveil New Cannabis Legalization Plan

Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Online Education Market Opportunities and Strategies to 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global online education market reached a value of nearly $55.6 billion in 2023, having grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.30% since 2018. The market is expected to grow from $55.6 billion in 2023 to $160.3 billion in 2028 at a rate of 23.60%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 24.22% from 2028 and reach $474 billion in 2033. Growth in the historic period resulted from the increased consumer preference for online education, strong economic growth in emerging markets and rising internet penetration. Factors that negatively affected growth in the historic period include data privacy concerns. Going forward, the increasing deployment of 5G technology, rising digital transformation, increased penetration of smartphones and laptops and increasing urbanization will drive the market. Factors that could hinder the growth of the online education market in the future include high cost of online courses. The online education market is segmented by category into primary and secondary supplemental education, higher education, test preparation, reskilling and online certification, and language and casual learning. The primary and secondary supplemental education market was the largest segment of the online education market segmented by category, accounting for 34.51% or $19.2 billion of the total in 2023. Going forward, the reskilling and online certification segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the online education market segmented by category, at a CAGR of 26.62% during 2023-2028. The online education market is segmented by device into laptop, mobile, and personal computer. The laptop market was the largest segment of the online education market segmented by device, accounting for 43.39% or $24.1 billion of the total in 2023. Going forward, the mobile segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the online education market segmented by device, at a CAGR of 26.39% during 2023-2028. The online education market is segmented by end user into academic, corporate, and government. The academic market was the largest segment of the online education market segmented by end user, accounting for 56.02% or $31.1 billion of the total in 2023. Going forward, the corporate segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the online education market segmented by end user, at a CAGR of 25.00% during 2023-2028. The online education market is segmented by technology into mobile e-learning, learning management system, application simulation tool, rapid e-learning, podcast, and virtual classroom. The mobile e-learning market was the largest segment of the online education market segmented by technology, accounting for 29.86% or $16.6 billion of the total in 2023. Going forward, the mobile e-learning segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the online education market segmented by technology, at a CAGR of 26.41% during 2023-2028. North America was the largest region in the online education market, accounting for 33.35% or $18.5 billion of the total in 2023. It was followed by Asia-Pacific, Western Europe and then the other regions. Going forward, the fastest-growing regions in the online education market will be Asia-Pacific and South America, where growth will be at CAGRs of 28.80% and 24.06% respectively. These will be followed by the Middle East and Africa, where the markets are expected to grow at CAGRs of 23.99% and 22.74% respectively. The global online education market is highly fragmented, with a large number of players operating in the market. The top ten competitors in the market made up to 15.22% of the total market in 2023. Blackboard Inc (now Anthology Inc.) was the largest competitor with a 2.29% share of the market, followed by McGraw-Hill Education Inc. with 2.29%, Stride Inc. with 2.20%, TAL Education Group with 1.56%, 2U, Inc. with 1.36%, Edureka Technologies Pvt Ltd. with 1.35%, Coursera Inc. with 1.14%, Udemy Inc. with 1.12%, VIPKid International Inc. with 1.01% and LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) with 0.88%. The top opportunities in the online education market segmented by category will arise in the test preparation segment, which will gain $31.9 billion of global annual sales by 2028. The top opportunities in the online education market segmented by device will arise in the mobile segment, which will gain $43.3 billion of global annual sales by 2028. The top opportunities in the online education market segmented by end user will arise in the academic segment, which will gain $58.3 billion of global annual sales by 2028. The top opportunities in the online education market segmented by technology will arise in the mobile e-learning segment, which will gain $37 billion of global annual sales by 2028. The online education market size will gain the most in the USA at $25.6 billion. Market-trend-based strategies for online education market include focus on revolutionizing virtual classrooms with interactive learning environments, introducing diverse courses for aspiring students, launching innovative online undergraduate programs, developing new learning and training solutions to bridge the skills gap, expanding online learning platforms into business education and innovative technology advancements such as customizable assessment solutions to increase profitability in the market. Player-adopted strategies in the online education market include focus on enhancing operational capabilities by developing new product solutions and enhancing business operations through strategic partnerships. To take advantage of the opportunities, the analyst recommends the online education companies to focus on enhancing engagement through interactive learning, focus on expanding course diversity to enhance accessibility, focus on launching flexible, skill-oriented programs, focus on developing comprehensive learning solutions, focus on expanding online learning platforms, focus on innovative assessment solutions, focus on reskilling and online certification segment, expand in emerging markets, continue to focus on developed markets, focus on expanding distribution channels, focus on competitive pricing strategies, focus on targeted digital marketing, focus on strategic partnerships to expand promotional reach and focus on targeting corporate users in online education. The report covers market characteristics; size and growth; segmentation; regional and country breakdowns; competitive landscape; market shares; trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's history and forecasts market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider online education market; and compares it with other markets. Markets Covered: Category: Primary and Secondary Supplemental Education; Higher Education; Test Preparation; Reskilling and Online Certification; Language and Casual Learning Device: Laptop; Mobile; Personal Computer End User: Academic; Corporate; Government Technology: Mobile E-Learning; Learning Management System; Application Simulation Tool; Rapid E-Learning; Podcast; Virtual Classroom Key Attributes: Key Topics Covered: Major Market Trends Revolutionizing Virtual Classrooms With Interactive Learning Environments Introduction of Diverse Courses For Aspiring Students Launch of Innovative Online Undergraduate Programs New Learning and Training Solutions To Bridge the Skills Gap Expansion of Online Learning Platforms in Business Education The Role of Customizable Assessment Solutions in Online Learning Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles Blackboard Inc (now Anthology Inc.) McGraw Hill Education Inc Stride Inc TAL Education Group 2U, Inc Other Major and Innovative Companies Edureka Technologies Pvt Ltd Coursera Inc Udemy Inc VIPKid International Inc LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) Chegg Skillsoft Corporation Duolingo Instructure Holdings Inc Pearson Education Byju's (Think and Learn Pvt Ltd) Pluralsight Aptara Inc MasterClass Inc Unacademy Key Mergers and Acquisitions Adda247 Acquired PrepInsta 360training Acquired Compliance Training Online (CTO) Savvas Learning Company Acquired Pointful Education Innova Capital Acquired Tutore Group D2L Inc Acquired H5P Group Sdui Acquired FoxEducation Accenture Acquired Udacity Academic Partnerships Acquired Wiley's online program business BibliU Acquired Texas Book Company IU International University of Applied Sciences Acquired University of Fredericton (UFred) Physics Wallah Acquired Knowledge Planet Noodle Acquired Hubble Studios GoStudent Acquired Studienkreis Visionary Education Technology Holdings Group Inc Acquired Shanghai Jinhuiercheng Technology Co. Ltd Sovereign Fund of Egypt Acquired Selah El Telmeez Class Technologies Inc Acquired Anthology UOL EdTech Acquired Qulture. Rocks Savvas Learning Company Acquired Rubicon Publishing Sandbox & Co Acquired PlayKids Byju's Acquired GeoGebra Clarivate Plc Acquired ProQuest VK Acquired Uchi Group Unacademy Acquired Kreatryx For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2je1ex About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Online Education MarketDearborn Heights, MI (Planet Detroit) A poll released Tuesday found a majority of those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump oppose efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency, as local advocates warn that EPA cuts could impact Michigan environmental programs. The poll, which also found that support from all voters for the agency has increased since 2017, was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Network, a group founded by former EPA scientists and officials during the first Trump administration to support environmental agencies and communities impacted by environmental injustice. "These numbers were frankly astounding to me," said Matt George, head of research for the communications firm Seven Letter, which performed the poll. However, he noted that there has historically been strong bipartisan support for the EPA. Sean McBrearty, Michigan director for the nonprofit Clean Water Action, told Planet Detroit the poll results were similar to other surveys that found overwhelming bipartisan support in Michigan for protecting the Great Lakes and reinstating "polluter pay" legislation to hold businesses accountable for cleaning up pollution. "Holding corporations accountable was actually one of the arguments that Republicans used in their State House campaigns," he said. Despite broad support for environmental action and Trump's promises to protect air and water quality, former EPA staffers on a Tuesday press call said the President-elect will seek to roll back regulations, decline to defend established rules from corporate lawsuits and find ways to shrink the agency. The result could be weaker environmental protections and declining support for Michigan's environmental programs. "Trump tried to dismantle EPA in the past, and he seems dead set on trying again," said Michelle Roos, executive director for EPN. Roos said the poll confirms that Trump does not have a mandate to weaken the EPA. Trump won a majority of electoral votes in this year's election but secured less than 50% of the popular vote. The poll, conducted between Nov. 7 and 13, included responses from 1,000 voters. It found that 76% of Trump voters and 86% of all voters wanted to either strengthen the EPA or protect it at its current level. Sixty-four percent of Trump voters (and 88% of all voters) expressed concern that Trump would hand EPA leadership to a director who will "put the interests of polluting corporations ahead of protecting clean water, clean air, and public health." Trump has picked former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Zeldin has questioned whether climate change is an urgent problem and voted to expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands. He's widely seen as someone who will be loyal to Trump's agenda of shrinking the EPA and eliminating environmental protections. Former EPA officials on the Tuesday call said widespread support for the agency may not influence the incoming administration, which has discussed using a "schedule F" order to fire as many as 50,000 federal employees. Jeremy Symons, senior advisor for EPN and former climate policy advisor for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, said the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint for radically restructuring the executive branch is a "novel plan" for dismantling the EPA and driving staff out. Although Republicans will gain control of the U.S. House and Senate next year, they could still resist the Trump administration's efforts to slash EPA's budget. However, Project 2025's chapter on the EPA proposes relocating regional offices "so that they are more accessible to the areas they serve and deliver cost savings to the American people," which could drive out EPA workers. When the Trump administration moved the Bureau of Land Management's headquarters from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2020, it led to an exodus of workers in leadership positions. Russel Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget who worked on Project 2025, previously described plans to inflict "trauma" on EPA employees. "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected," Vought said. "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains." Recently released EPA data shows over 143 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in drinking water, which has been detected in drinking water systems across Metro Detroit. If the Trump administration proposes different PFAS regulations, the 2029 deadline for complying with the rules will automatically be pushed back by a decade, according to Elizabeth Southerland, former director of the Office of Science and Technology in the EPA's Office of Water. If Congress were to approve EPA budget cuts, it could have a dramatic impact on Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy received roughly 35% of its funding from the EPA in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said the president-elect and Republican lawmakers are likely to cut programs that largely serve low-income people and communities of color, such as Biden's Justice 40 Initiative, which directs climate and infrastructure funding to historically disadvantaged communities. Johnson said this would force EGLE and the state to make difficult decisions about what programs to support. Budget cuts and a loss of staff at EPA could also drain support for environmental enforcement and cleaning up contaminated sites, Johnson said. EPA administers the Superfund program, which is involved in the cleanup of over 60 highly contaminated sites in Michigan. But the agency also provides support for the cleanup of other sites that aren't on the list. "When the EPA is there, we've heard from impacted residents that it does make a difference," Johnson said. In 2017, the Trump administration sought to reduce the agency's budget by a third, although Congress resisted these cuts. If Trump finds more success securing cuts in his coming term, it would add to a long decline in agency funding. According to an EPN report, the EPA's inflation-adjusted spending decreased by 50% between 1980 and 2019, while the U.S. population increased by 44%. McBrearty stressed the need for grassroots opposition to the budget cuts and deregulation that political donors often support. He said it was important to support environmental groups and organizations like labor unions, which have previously worked collectively to push for environmental protections and workplace safety. "We need to take every step we can to build a system that makes lawmakers accountable to the people, not to the corporations funding their campaigns," he said. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with nina@planetdetroit.org should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://planetdetroit.org/2024/11/trump-voters-oppose-epa-budget-cuts/

None

Leaks: Nvidia’s RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti and 5070 tipped with new ‘neural rendering’

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria's de facto leader said Sunday it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans to dissolve his Islamist group that led the country's insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview with Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad's decades-long rule, ending the country's uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. Al-Sharaa said it would take time to hold elections because of the need for Syria's different forces to hold political dialogue and rewrite the country's constitution following five decades of the Assad dynasty's dictatorial rule. Also, the war-torn country's battered infrastructure needs to be reconstructed, he said. “The chance we have today doesn’t come every 5 or 10 years,” said al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani. “We want the constitution to last for the longest time possible.” Al-Sharaa is Syria's de facto leader until March 1, when Syria's different factions are set to hold a political dialogue to determine the country's political future and establish a transitional government that brings the divided country together. There, he said, HTS will dissolve after years of being the country's most dominant rebel group that held a strategic enclave in the country's northwest. Earlier, an Israeli airstrike in the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday killed 11 people, according to a war monitor, as Israel continues to target Syrian weapons and military infrastructure even after the ouster of Assad. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike targeted a weapons depot that belonged to Assad’s forces near the industrial town of Adra, northeast of the capital. The observatory said at least 11 people, mostly civilians, were killed. The Israeli military did not comment on the airstrike Sunday. Israel, which has launched hundreds of airstrikes over Syria since the country's uprising turned-civil war broke out in 2011, rarely acknowledges them. It says its targets are Iran-backed groups that backed Assad. Unlike his criticism of key Assad ally Iran, al-Sharaa hoped to maintain “strategic relations” with Russia, whose air force played a critical role in keeping Assad in power for over a decade during the conflict. Moscow has a strategic airbase in Syria. The HTS leader also said negotiations are ongoing with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria, and hopes that their armed forces will integrate with the Syrian security agencies. The Kurdish-led group is Washington’s key ally in Syria, where it is heavily involved in targeting sleeper cells belonging to the extremist Islamic State group. Turkish-backed Syrian rebels have been clashing with the SDF even after the insurgency, taking the key city of Manbij, as Ankara hopes to create a buffer zone near its border in northern Syria. The rebels attacked near the strategic northern border town of Kobani, while the SDF shared a video of a rocket attack that destroyed what it said was a radar system south of the city of Manbij. In other developments: — Syrian state-run media said a mass grave was found near the third largest city of Homs. SANA said civil defense workers were sent to to the site in al-Kabo, one of many suspected mass graves where tens of thousands of Syrians are believed to have been buried during a brutal crackdown under Assad and his network of security agencies. — An Egyptian activist wanted by Cairo on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism, Abdulrahman al-Qardawi, was detained by Lebanese security forces after crossing the porous border from Syria, according to two judicial and one security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to to talk to the press. Al-Qardawi is an Egyptian activist residing in Turkey and an outspoken critic of Egypt's government. He had reportedly visited Syria to join celebrations after Assad's downfall. His late father, Youssef al-Qaradawi, was a top and controversial Egyptian cleric revered by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. He had lived in exile in Qatar for decades. — Lebanese security forces apprehended an armed group in the northern city of Tripoli that kidnapped a group of 26 Syrians who were recently smuggled into Lebanon, two Lebanese security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information with the media. The Syrians included five women and seven children, and security officials are working to return them to Syria. Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated PressDUP minister rejected suggestion licensing laws could be relaxed for jubilee

NEW YORK (AP) — Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner has been fined $2,000 for embellishment during a recent game against the New York Rangers, the NHL said Monday. Skinner was issued a warning after a diving/embellishment incident in an Oct. 22 game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the league said. His second citation, which triggered the fine, came in the second period of a 6-2 victory over the Rangers on Nov. 23. Skinner was being followed by Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller as he had the puck along the boards in the New York zone. Skinner lost his footing and the puck despite minimal contact from Miller. The Oilers forward looked toward the referee as he got up but no penalty call was made on the play. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHLHope Does Not End: Jimmy Carter's Death At 100, His Hospice Care Choice, And What Canada's Health System Can Learn From ItOne of Eddie Hearn 's biggest achievements as a promoter is the way he guided and built the career of Anthony Joshua . Hearn signed Joshua to the Matchroom banner back in 2013 after he won gold in the 2012 London Olympics and slowly turned a young, raw and talented boxer from Watford into one of the most feared heavyweights alive who would also go on to become one of the biggest draws in the history of the heavyweight division in boxing . Hearn, who has been on record saying that he loves developing young fighters, has another project on the go with a highly rated Olympic boxer which has the potential to be another incredible success. It was announced last week that British Olympic heavyweight prospect, Pat Brown had signed with Matchroom Boxing and was set to begin his professional boxing career in 2025 in the cruiserweight division. There are four medalists from the 2024 Olympic Games who could now take pro boxing by storm! Eddie Hearn Excited About Pat Brown's Future Following Signing With Matchroom Boxing Eddie Hearn has yet another highly-rated Olympian on his hands. Last week, it was announced that Matchroom Boxing had signed highly-rated British Olympian, Pat Brown. Brown is 25 years old and despite just having turned pro, Hearn believes the Olympian already has a following behind him which many boxers don't have. Speaking to SportsBoom.com , the Matchroom chairman had a lot of praise for Brown's ticket-selling abilities, as he has a strong presence in his community in Manchester and even compared the 25-year-old's ticket-selling ability to the likes of other high-profile British boxing stars over the years such as Ricky Hatton , Josh Warrington and Anthony Crolla . “There’s something real about this, the backing for Pat. Social media followings are great but I’ve never known a ticket seller - and I mean a real ticket seller - to be built purely on one of those. Hatton, Warrington Crolla - they were huge. That was because they knew the people who came to see them. They were out and about and people in their communities felt they knew them. Know them in fact. Things like this, what’s going on around Pat, makes me feel good. It’s a lot better than reading s**t online.” When listening to Hearn speak about his latest Matchroom project, he clearly already envisions many big fights for Brown and has even mentioned that a future unification fight at Old Trafford could potentially be on the cards. “One day we might be having a world unification fight at Old Trafford and looking back to when Pat’s pro career was launched in an old church." Despite looking forward to huge moments with Brown, Hearn pumped the breaks and spoke about wanting to build the 25-year-old up despite plans to fast-track him through the cruiserweight division. Hearn also praised Brown as a person and added that it is not just his talent as to why he is so excited to work with him, it is what he is like as a person as well. “Sometimes you meet someone and you just know. I knew all about Pat’s ability but I also discovered I really liked him as a lad too. If I’m putting money into you, then I want to invest in you as a person as well. It’s like buying a racehorse. You don’t just look at its pedigree. You also look at its character.” Now that Brown is officially signed to Matchroom, the work will now begin for his professional debut, which will take place in the cruiserweight division in 2025. It has already been confirmed that Brown will be trained by Jamie Moore and top British super-lightweight fighter, Jack Catterall .