Author: Max Smith

The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) reported that Australian consumer spending on video games and gaming hardware will experience steady growth of 5% in 2023, with A$4.4 billion spent across digital games, traditional retail and mobile. According to IGEA's latest report, digital sales account for the majority of purchases, with AUD1.67 billion spent on this segment, up 11% from 2022. Mobile gaming spending follows closely behind with AUD1.58 billion. Traditional retail remains popular with AUD1.15 billion spent, but it's worth noting that retail spending is down 0.5% year-on-year. The majority of reported spending involved in-game purchases (AU$823.5m), full games…

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In today's interconnected world, the threats we face are not only physical, but also digital, insidious and far-reaching.Among these threats, the Islamic Republic of Iran stands out as a relentless and insidious adversary. Recent analyses, such as a May 2023 Atlantic Council report, have revealed Iran's strengthening cyber capabilities aimed at disrupting state functions and targeting individuals around the world. This threat is of particular concern to the Jewish diaspora, whom Iran targets as part of a broader plan encapsulated in the terrifying slogan, “Death to America, Death to Israel.”In 2022, I warned that Tehran was closely scrutinizing the…

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The month of May also saw its fair share of investments in cloud, data, cyber, and AI startups. Both fundings and acquisitions took place in healthy numbers. One of the biggest funding rounds was CoreWeave, the leading specialised cloud provider for AI, securing $1.1 billion in new funding. Cyber startup Wiz also raised $1 billion in a private funding round that valued the four-year old cloud cyber security company at $12 billion.Meanwhile in acquisitions, Synopsys, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement with Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. and Francisco Partners, two global private equity firms, for the sale of its Software…

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Down icon An icon in the shape of a downward angle. A group of researchers from the University of Chicago investigated GPT's financial statement analysis capabilities. Rafael Enrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images A group of researchers questioned whether OpenAI’s GPT-4 could effectively perform financial analysis.The researchers found that in some cases the tool could outperform humans.GPT-4 performed better in financial analyses of larger, more mature companies, the researchers told BI. According to a study OpenAI's GPT-4 can perform financial statement analysis and, in some cases, predict a company's future performance more accurately than human analysts.Three researchers at the University of…

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Tommy Pham currently plays for the Chicago White Sox, a team at the bottom of the major leagues, but the veteran hasn't given up on his on-field drama or memorable quotes.During Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Pham was out at home plate in the top of the eighth inning. After receiving the throw from left fielder Christian Yelich, catcher William Contreras made a smart block at home plate to stop Pham from scoring and end the inning.However, neither player returned to their respective dugouts. Contreras appeared to complain to Pham, who slid into the catcher rather than going…

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TORONTO (AP) — Daniel Vogelbach had two hits and two RBIs, Chris Bassitt pitched five innings and the Toronto Blue Jays remained unbeaten in five games against Pittsburgh, leading them to a 5-4 victory over the Pirates on Sunday.Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Davis Schneider each had one RBI and Doulton Varshaw scored two runs as the Blue Jays pulled away from Pittsburgh for a two-game series victory over Pittsburgh in the third.”We're playing well right now, but there's always room to get better,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.Bassitt (6-6) allowed three runs and eight hits as he extended his…

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WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina S. Khan and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler urging the agencies to hold UnitedHealth Group accountable for negligent cybersecurity practices that have caused significant harm to consumers, investors, the health care system and U.S. national security. UHG announced on February 21 that the computer systems of its subsidiary, Change Healthcare, had been infected with ransomware. The company also disclosed that sensitive data, including information on military personnel and other U.S. government employees, may have been stolen. As…

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