Residents of India’s capital New Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog Wednesday as worsening air pollution surged past 50 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended daily maximum.

Many in the city cannot afford air filters, nor do they have homes they can effectively seal from the misery of foul-smelling air blamed for thousands of premature deaths.

Cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap deadly pollutants each winter, stretching from mid-October until at least January.

At dawn on Wednesday, “hazardous” pollutant levels in parts of the sprawling urban area of more than 30 million people topped 806 micrograms per cubic metre, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

That is more than 53 times the WHO-recommended daily maximum of fine particulate matter — dangerous cancer-causing microparticles known as PM2.5 pollutants that enter the bloodstream through the lungs.

By midday, when air usually is at its best, it eased to about 25-35 times above danger levels, depending on different districts.

The city is blanketed in acrid smog each year, primarily blamed on stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring regions to clear their fields for ploughing, as well as factories and traffic fumes.

‘Alarming’

But a report by The New York Times this month, based on air and soil samples it collected over five years, revealed the dangerous fumes also spewing from a power plant incinerating the city’s landfill garbage mountains.

Experts the newspaper spoke to said that the levels of heavy metals found were “alarming”.

Swirling white clouds of smog also delayed several flights across northern India.

The India Meteorological Department said that at least 18 regional airports had a visibility lower than 1,000 metres (1,093 yards) — dropping below 500m in Delhi.

India’s Supreme Court last month ruled that clean air was a fundamental human right, ordering both the central government and state-level authorities to take action.

But critics say arguments between rival politicians heading neighbouring states — as well as between central and state-level authorities — have compounded the problem.

Politicians are accused of not wanting to anger key figures in their constituencies, particularly powerful farming groups.

City authorities have launched several initiatives to tackle pollution, which have done little in practice.

Government trucks are regularly used to spray water to briefly dampen the pollution.

A new scheme unveiled earlier this month to use three small drones to spray water mist was derided by critics as another “band-aid” solution to a public health crisis.

The WHO says that air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

It is particularly punishing for babies, children and the elderly.

A study in The Lancet medical journal attributed 1.67m premature deaths to air pollution in the world’s most populous country in 2019.

Donald Trump will make a triumphant return to the White House to meet President Joe Biden on Wednesday, in the Republican’s first visit since departing amid a cloud of scandal nearly four years ago.

Trump’s meeting with Biden comes as he moves swiftly to name his top team, including the world’s richest man Elon Musk as head of a new group aimed at slashing government waste.

Democrat Biden invited his sworn rival to meet in the Oval Office — despite the fact that Trump, who has consistently refused to admit his 2020 election loss, never afforded Biden the same courtesy.

Biden, 81, is expected to urge a smooth transition of power in the encounter at 11am (1600 GMT) — and push for continued support for Ukraine.

“He believes in the norms. He believes in our institutions,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday when asked why Biden was inviting Trump.

“The American people deserve this. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power.”

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Biden would go over top foreign policy issues when he meets Trump — including US support for Kyiv against Russia, which Trump has criticised.

“The president will have the chance to explain to President Trump how he sees things, where they stand, and talk to President Trump about how President Trump is thinking,” Sullivan told CBS on Sunday.

But the meeting may be a bitter pill to swallow for Biden, who branded Trump a threat to democracy and was vying for the presidency against him until a disastrous debate performance forced the Democrat out of the race in July.

House speaker Mike Johnson said Trump may also visit the US Capitol — the building a mob of his supporters stormed in 2021 to try to reverse his election loss — but these plans have not been finalised.

Trump’s party looks set to take both chambers of Congress and consolidate his extraordinary comeback.

Tradition restored

Biden’s Oval Office invitation restores a presidential transition tradition that Trump tore up when he lost the 2020 election, refusing to sit down with Biden or even attend the inauguration.

Then-president Barack Obama had welcomed Trump to the White House when the tycoon won the 2016 election.

But by the time Trump took his last Marine One flight from the White House lawn on January 20, 2021, he had also been repudiated by many in his own party for having encouraged the Capitol riot.

The period of disgrace soon evaporated, however, as Republicans returned to Trump’s side, recognising his unique electoral power at the head of his right-wing movement.

Trump, 78, enters his second term with a near-total grip on his party and the Democrats in disarray.

He has spent the week since the election at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida assembling his top team, as the world watches to see how closely he sticks to his pledges of isolationism, mass deportations and sweeping tariffs.

Trump named Space X, Tesla and X boss Musk, and another stalwart ally, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency (‘DOGE’)” — a tongue-in-cheek reference to an internet meme and cryptocurrency.

In a flurry of announcements, Trump also picked Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth as his incoming defense secretary. Hegseth has been an outspoken opponent of so-called “woke” ideology in the armed forces.

Trump further named South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem — an ally who famously wrote about shooting her dog because it did not respond to training — as head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio is tipped for secretary of state, US media reported, while Trump has also confirmed Congressman Mike Waltz, a former special forces officer, as his national security advisor.

Both have hawkish views on China but are not considered isolationists, despite Trump’s previous threats to retreat from or cut obligations to alliances like the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted on Wednesday that financial pledges made at the previous two United Nations’ annual climate summits — COP27 and COP28 — were yet to materialise.

He made the remarks during the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29, that is being held in Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku. The premier presented Pakistan’s case on the second and final day of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit.

Pakistan is ranked among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. It has faced increasingly frequent and severe weather events, such as unprecedented floods, intense monsoon rains, devastating heat waves, rapid glacial melting and glacial lake outburst floods.

Addressing the summit, PM Shehbaz asserted that COP29 should “make this understanding loud and clear that we will have to fulfil those financial pledges” committed at COP27 and COP28.

“And yet, I think, those huge financial commitments have to be materialised.”

The prime minister said the event was aimed at understanding the “calamities which, unfortunately, some of the countries have already faced and some will if we do not act”.

At COP27 in 2022, which was also attended by PM Shehbaz, countries had adopted a hard-fought final agreement to set up a “loss and damage fund” to help poor countries battered by climate disasters.

At COP28 last year, then-caretaker premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar had called for immediately executing the $100 billion in commitments for climate finance.

According to the UN, around $700 million have been pledged so far for the loss and damage fund, with France, Italy, Germany and the UAE being the biggest contributors.

At COP29 today, PM Shehbaz also spoke about the devastating monsoon floods of 2022, highlighting they had resulted in 1,700 deaths, massive displacement, destruction of houses and crops, and $30 billion loss to the country’s economy.

He called on the international community “to take measures which are so important at this point in time to have a conducive environment” to combat climate change.

The prime minister stressed that Pakistan was one of the countries that “hardly contribute” to global emissions, yet it was vulnerable to climate change and listed as one of the “10 countries which can, God forbid, face this kind of devastation again”.

“My memories are still fresh,” he said, recalling a meeting with flood affectees in Balochistan, including a boy named Ikramullah who had “lost everything”.

“His entire village was erased from the face of the earth, his home was completely demolished, and his school was also submerged. And we had arranged his education [in] another part of Pakistan,” he said.

PM Shehbaz stated he would not want “other countries to face the plight Pakistan faced back in 2022”.

Describing Pakistan as a “resilient, hard-working and responsible nation”, the premier affirmed his country was “fully committed to being part of the global climate solutions”.

Concluding his speech, the prime minister expressed the hope that under Azerbaijan’s leadership, COP29 can transform into a “finance COP by restoring confidence in the pledging process and scaling up climate finance”.

“I strongly feel that climate finance must be grant-based and not add to the debt burden of vulnerable developing countries,” he said, reiterating his remarks from yesterday on the sidelines of the summit.

“Two years ago, I warned, and I warned at the top of my voice, that the future would never forgive our inaction. Today, I echo the same warning with greater urgency,” PM Shehbaz asserted.

‘We shouldn’t brave impact of emissions by others’

Referring to the 2015 Paris Agreement, PM Shehbaz said: “Ten years ago in Paris, we had failed to stop the rise in emissions and catastrophic global warming, and those pledges in Paris 10 years ago, which were made have yet to see the light of the day.”

“As the minus-one emitters, we should not brave the impact of emissions realised by others without even the tools to finance resilience,” he emphasised.

“Without climate justice, there can be no real resilience,” the prime minister asserted.

The premier further said Pakistan would “go through a renewable energy revolution”, noting that the country last year presented a “comprehensive National Adaptation Plan”.

He continued: “This year, we have developed our National Carbon Market Framework. But we cannot do it alone. Pakistan needs international support to deliver on its climate ambitions.”

“My government has taken concrete actions to deliver on its commitment of producing 60 per cent of all energy from green sources and shifting 30pc of our vehicles to EVs (electric vehicles) by the end of this decade,” he told the summit.

PM Shehbaz stated that developing countries would need an estimated $6.2 trillion by 2030 to implement less than half of their current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“The same goes for adaption and loss and damage,” he added, recalling the efforts at COP27 led by then-climate change minister Sherry Rehman.

Early warning systems for all

Addressing the COP29 summit, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the utility of early warning systems for climate-induced disasters and extended his gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for launching the ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative.

“Today, the threat is not limited to floods, we are facing rising temperatures, more intense and frequent heatwaves, and erratic rainfall patterns,” Dar said. “Early warning systems for various climate-induced hazards including floods, glacial lake outbursts, droughts and extreme heat are essential for resilience, not just for Pakistan but for all vulnerable nations worldwide,” he added.

The deputy PM thanked the UN Secretary-General for the early warning initiative, which “aims to protect every person on earth with an early warning system by 2027”.

Dar added that the threat of extreme heat emphasises the necessity of multi-hazard early warning systems, which he said were “critical to saving lives and supporting sustainable development in the face of climate adversity”.

“Despite our limited resources, Pakistan is committed to climate action and has set very ambitious goals,” the deputy PM said. “Our pledge to reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions by 50pc by 2030 comprises a 15pc reduction through national efforts and an additional 35pc contingent on international support.”

Dar named the Green Pakistan Project, an “electric vehicle policy”, a large-scale project to rehabilitate mangroves and implement Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mass transit systems in Pakistan’s major cities.

“These efforts aim to fulfil our nationally determined contributions and to balance our global mitigation role with local adaptation needs,” Dar said. “However, we must acknowledge that national efforts alone are insufficient.”

The deputy PM highlighted that accessible climate finance is essential for Pakistan to meet these targets. “We urgently call on developed nations to honour their $100bn climate finance annual pledge and establish a new collective quantitative goal that reflects today’s needs with funding reaching the trillions,” he stated.

He added that this funding must be “accessible, grant-based and reflective of the historical responsibilities of industrialised nations”, adding that the burden “cannot rest solely on developing countries”.

“While Pakistan is ready to do its part, we look to the international community for support, particularly in accessing climate finance for early warning systems and climate resilience projects,” he said. “We need mechanisms that ensure easy, direct access to funds that can bolster national programmes rather than piloting isolated projects.”

Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to “being part of the solution” to the shared climate crisis and stressed that through shared partnerships and support from global allies, “we can bridge the early warning gap, enhance resilience and build a safer, more sustainable future for generations to come”.

‘Debt cannot be new normal’

Speaking at a Pakistan-organised conference at COP29 yesterday, PM Shehbaz had said debt cannot become the “acceptable new normal” in climate financing.

He had explained that finan­c­ing in the form of loans pushes developing nations towards “mounting debt traps”, which he ref­erred to as “death traps”.

Speaking at Glaciers 2025: Actions for Glaciers, the prime minister had also linked humanity’s survival with the health of glaciers, saying Pakistan was ready to work with the world on the matter.

PM Shehbaz also met with various world leaders on the sidelines of the summit, including UAE President Sheikh Moha­m­med bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UK PM Sir Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as those from South and Central Asia.

Dozens of world leaders convened in Azerbaijan for COP29 but many big names skipped the UN climate talks where the impact of Donald Trump’s election victory was keenly felt.

US President Joe Biden, China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s PM Narendra Modi and France’s President Emmanuel Macron were among the G20 leaders missing the event.

Pakistan witnessed devastating floods during the 2022 monsoon season, induced by climate change, resulting in the loss of at least 1,700 lives.

With 33m people affected and swathes of agricultural land washed away, the damage incurred losses worth $30bn, according to government estimates.

In June 2024, a heat wave brought record-high temperatures, severely impacting public health and agriculture.

A US government employee has been indicted for leaking classified national defence information, according to federal court records unsealed on Wednesday.

The indictment, charging Asif William Rahman with two counts of willfully transmitting classified information, does not provide details about the nature of the leak.

However, it says the leak occurred on or about October 17.

That was around the time that a pro-Iranian Telegram account called “Middle East Spectator” published what appeared to be a pair of documents produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency which shared information about Israel’s preparations for an attack on Iran.

The intelligence in the documents was based on satellite imagery from Oct 15 to 16.

In a previous statement, the Middle East Spectator said it had received the documents through an anonymous source, and that it had no connection to the original leaker nor could it verify the authenticity of the documents.

The FBI in October confirmed it was investigating who had leaked the documents.

According to the indictment, which is dated November 7, investigators believe the leak took place in Cambodia.

Rahman was arrested in Cambodia on Nov 12, and is expected to make an initial court appearance in a federal court in Guam on Nov 14 before he is transferred to stand trial in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Security forces killed four terrorists, including a “high-value target”, during an exchange of fire in Balochistan’s Kech district, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the general Balgatar area of Kech District on the “reported presence of terrorists”.

“During [the] conduct of the operation, after an intense fire exchange between own troops and the terrorists, four terrorists including a high-value target, terrorist ring leader Sana [alias] Baru were killed,” the statement said.

It added that the killed terrorist was a focal recruitment agent, “especially suicide bombers, for the so-called Majeed Brigade in District Kech and was highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies.”

A sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.

Pakistan’s security forces “remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the statement said.

The country has lately witnessed a sharp uptick in the number of attacks targeting security forces, other law enforcement agencies, and security checkpoints, particularly in Balochistan and KP.

Attacks escalated after the TTP broke a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in 2022 and vowed to target security forces.

Last Sunday, security forces killed 10 terrorists and injured eight others during three different engagements in North Waziristan.

On Nov 7, security forces killed five terrorists during an exchange of fire in South Waziristan, while four soldiers were martyred in the operation.

In another incident on Nov 4, security forces killed seven terrorists in separate operations, with one terrorist killed in Balochistan and the other six killed during two operations in KP.

Likewise, on November 2, four terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in KP’s South Waziristan region.

1. Longleng District Observes World Pneumonia Day  Eastern Mirror
2. Govt to equip dist hosps to cut child pneumonia deaths  The Times of India
3. World Pneumonia Day: 7 natural ways to keep your lungs healthy  Health shots
4. World Pneumonia Day: 9 foods to fight pneumonia  Firstpost
5. World Pneumonia Day: Three young lives lost daily in Gujarat  Gujarat Samachar

1. ₹50000 for 1 night in Ahmedabad? Fans claim Coldplay’s upcoming concert skyrocketed hotel prices  Hindustan Times
2. Coldplay announces 4th India show in Ahmedabad: Check out ticket sale details  Hindustan Times
3. Everything You Need to Know About The World's Largest Cricket Stadium In Ahmedabad, Which Will Hold Coldplay's Gujarat Concert  NDTV
4. Coldplay Announces New Concert in Ahmedabad: Know The Date and How To Book Tickets  News18
5. Coldplay announces fourth show in Ahmedabad after Mumbai due to unprecedented demand  Moneycontrol

1. Wedding Invitation Scams at rise: A single click may put you in grave danger  India TV News
2. Police warns: Wedding invites on WhatsApp are taking control of smartphones; stealing money, photos and m  The Times of India
3. All about the 'wedding invitation' scam on WhatsApp that can get your phone hacked  Moneycontrol
4. WhatsApp wedding invitations are the new cyber trap — here's how scammers are stealing your data  CNBCTV18
5. WhatsApp wedding invite scam: What to know about this and how to be alert  India Today

1. Evening brief: BJP asks Delhi govt to close schools amid rising AQI; IMA condemns attack on doctor in Chennai; and more  Hindustan Times
2. Smog Blanket Over North India, Air Quality Drops To "Severe" Level  NDTV
3. BJP targets govt on pollution, AAP says don’t play politics  The Times of India
4. Delhi overtakes Lahore to become world's most polluted city  The Economic Times
5. City In Greyscale: Season’s First Fog, ‘Severe’ Air Day  The Times of India

Background

Asthma exacerbations in children pose a significant burden on healthcare systems and families. While traditional risk assessment tools exist, artificial intelligence (AI) offers the potential for enhanced prediction models.

The main monogenic causes of pulmonary fibrosis in adults are mutations in telomere-related genes. These mutations may be associated with extrapulmonary signs (hepatic, haematological and dermatological) and typically present radiologically as usual interstitial pneumonia or unclassifiable fibrosis. In children, the monogenic causes of pulmonary fibrosis are dominated by mutations in surfactant-related genes. These mutations are not associated with extrapulmonary signs and often manifest radiologically as unclassifiable fibrosis with cysts that can lead to chest wall deformities in adults. This review discusses these mutations, along with most of the monogenic causes of interstitial lung disease, including interferon-related genes, mutations in genes causing cystic lung disease, Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, lysinuric protein intolerance and lysosomal storage disorders, and their pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations.

Background

Lung cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is evidence that second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer in never-smokers. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide the most accurate quantification of the association between SHS exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers.

Publisher 11 bit studios and developer Fool’s Theory announced the character-driven RPG, The Thaumaturge, will launch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on December 4.

The game first released for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG in March.

View the console date reveal trailer below:

Read details on the game below:

The Thaumaturge is a historically rich, character-driven RPG set in 1905 Warsaw.

The game follows Wiktor, a world-weary thaumaturge returning to his roots in Warsaw—a bustling city teeming with cultural diversity, serving as a vivid backdrop for his journey. Wiktor’s story unravels the secrets of his troubled past alongside those of Warsaw’s eclectic residents, representing every facet of the city’s society. Ultimately, he may even uncover the intrigues of Rasputin, a shadowy figure weaving influence at the highest levels of the Imperial Court and within the Tsarist forces occupying Poland.

With his thaumaturgic powers, Wiktor sees beyond the ordinary, manipulating others’ wills to achieve his ends and forming connections with mystical beings known as Salutors. While these entities offer distinct advantages in turn-based combat and detective-style investigations, each also brings a unique burden—whether Pride, Recklessness, or another flaw—which Wiktor must absorb, making their powers a double-edged sword.

Features:

• Play an isometric RPG where your choices will shape the final outcome of the story.
• Use your unique skills to influence and manipulate other characters to bend their will to your liking.
• Tame the power of folklore-inspired demons called Salutors to gain an advantage when exploring the world and bringing adversaries to their knees.
• Experience unique turn-based combat and defeat your foes using both physical attacks and the skills of your tamed Salutors.
• Meet a rich gallery of characters from different parts of society on your journey and use your mystic abilities to discover their hidden secrets.
• Explore the rarely portrayed historical period of early 20th-century Warsaw, where crime and luxury are often two sides of the same coin.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463052/the-thaumaturge-launches-december-4-for-ps5-and-xbox-series-xs/

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer speaking with Bloomberg revealed Xbox is still open to acquiring more publishers and developers.

"We definitely want to be in the market, and when we can find teams and technology and capability that add to what we're trying to do in gaming at Microsoft, absolutely we will keep our heads up," said Spencer.

Spencer added no deals were "imminent" and any that might happen won't be on the scale of Activision Blizzard.

China is a potential area for acquisitions, according to Spencer. 

"It’s been a good area for us to learn from creative teams that have real unique capability," he said. "The real opportunity is to partner with creative teams in China for global."

Xbox in recent years has acquired Activision Blizzard, Bethesda parent company ZeniMax, and over a dozen other studios.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463054/xbox-is-still-open-to-acquiring-more-publishers-and-developers/

The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.

This monthly series compares the aligned sales of the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox 360 in Japan, as well as looking at lifetime original Xbox sales and Xbox One sales.

The Xbox Series X|S launched in Japan in November 2020, while the Xbox 360 launched in Japan in December 2005. The original Xbox launched in Japan in February 2002 and the Xbox One in September 2014.

XSX|S Vs. X360 Japan:

Gap change in latest month: 9,729 - X360

Gap change over last 12 months: 260,451 - X360

Total Lead: 557,867 - X360

Xbox Series X|S Total Sales: 636,764

Xbox 360 Total Sales: 1,194,631

October 2024 is the 48th month the Xbox Series X|S has been available for in Japan. In the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the Xbox 360 when compared to the aligned launch of the Xbox Series X|S by 9,729 units.

In the last 12 months, the Xbox 360 has outsold the Xbox Series X|S by 0.26 million units. The Xbox 360 is currently ahead by 0.56 million units.

The Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.64 million units in 48 months, while the Xbox 360 sold 1.19 million units. Month 48 for the Xbox Series X|S is October 2024 and for the Xbox 360 is November 2009.

The Xbox 360 crossed 1.2 million units in month 49 and 1.5 million units in month 67. The Xbox 360 sold 1.66 million units lifetime. The Xbox Series X|S is 1.02 million units behind lifetime Xbox 360 sales.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463010/xbox-series-xs-vs-xbox-360-sales-comparison-in-japan-october-2024/

Hundreds of employees at Bethesda have gone on strike, according to a report from Inverse.

Bethesda employees in Maryland and Texas have claimed the company has not addressed remote work concerns at the bargaining table and has been outsourcing quality assurance work without an agreement with the union.

"I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I think it's going to be a fun event," said quality assurance test lead Rhyanna Eichner a day before the strike.

"I know that sounds weird, but we're all really looking forward to coming together and spending time together. Everybody understands that this needs to happen. This is what needs to be done to move on. We're all just kind of ready for it."

The union is looking to limit the percentage of quality assurance testers that Bethesda outsources when compares to the number of full-time employees.

The union is also looking for a more flexible remote work policy. Currently ZeniMax employees are required to go to the office twice a week and the union says many employees have been denied remote work requests.

"They have continually given us their first proposal again and again, and it’s become obvious that our different mobilization tactics have not worked," said Eichner.

Senior quality assurance tester at Rockville, Maryland Juniper Dowell added, "Striking isn’t fun or ideal, but there’s a satisfaction in having a concrete physical action we can do to fight for better work conditions. Hopefully, we can convince them to stop dragging their feet and meet us at the table."

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463058/hundreds-of-bethesda-employees-go-on-strike/

A well-preserved section of the 2,000-year-old road, known as Watling Street, was unearthed under Old Kent Road in Southwark

The discovery could lead to a new treatment for millions of people with obesity and type 2 diabetes who do not respond well to current treatments.

1. World Diabetes Day 2024: Early and surprising signs of the silent killer  The Times of India
2. U.S. Diabetes Rates Rise to Nearly 1 in 6 Adults  Avery Journal Times
3. Healthwatch: Millions of Americans have diabetes and don't know it  CBS Chicago
4. CDC: 1 in 6 American adults have diabetes, costs rise  Business Insurance
5. 16% of Adults Have Diabetes; Compounded Semaglutide Deaths; Testosterone Tx Surge  Medpage Today

1. Canada’s first human bird flu case: Teen in critical condition; dangers of H5N1 in kids and young  The Times of India
2. Teenager in critical condition with Canada’s first human case of bird flu  The Guardian
3. B.C. teen in critical condition in hospital with Canada’s 1st presumptive human case of bird flu  Global News Toronto
4. Bird flu alert in Canada as teen tests positive; officials launch investigation  Business Insider India
5. All you need to know about H5N1 avian influenza  CTV News

8 weird causes of weight gain that might surprise you  The Times of India

1. ‘ICC should snatch hosting rights from India and Pakistan for 8 years’: Rashid Latif to HT on Champions Trophy muddle  Hindustan Times
2. Mohammad Rizwan's request for KL Rahul, Suryakumar amid Champions Trophy chaos wins hearts: 'Whatever PCB decides...'  Hindustan Times
3. Shahid Afridi cites ‘Olympics spirit’ example amid ICC Champions Trophy chaos after India-Pakistan standoff  Mint
4. Champions Trophy Row Escalates, Report Says Pakistan Government Asked PCB To...  NDTV Sports
5. CT 2025: PCB pens letter to ICC after India refuses to travel, says `we will not be accepting a hybrid model`  WION

1. 'We've got a bit of history': Ricky Ponting responds to Gautam Gambhir's remarks, calls him 'prickly...  Moneycontrol
2. Ricky Ponting hits back at Gautam Gambhir, calls him 'prickly character'  The Times of India
3. 'That's a bad move, Ricky. What are you doing?': Ponting's Virat Kohli jibe questioned amid 'spicy' ball-tampering claim  Hindustan Times
4. "What Are You Doing?" Lee Warns Ricky Ricky Ponting Over 'Virat Kohli Remark'  NDTV Sports
5. ‘What Are You Doing?’: Former Australian Cricketer Hits Back At Ricky Ponting Over Remark On Virat Kohli’s Test Form  News24

1. India vs South Africa Live Score, 3rd T20I: Flying Ants Stop Play During India-SA 3rd T20I, Game To Resume At...  NDTV Sports
2. South Africa vs India, 3rd T20I  Cricbuzz
3. Flying ants halt SA vs IND T20I in Centurion! Other bizarre stoppages in cricket  India Today
4. Tilak Varma takes down South Africa, breaks world record with maiden T20I century, hits 7 sixes in Centurion  Hindustan Times
5. Bizarre:Flying Ants 'Attack' Stops India vs South Africa T20I In Centurion. Internet Can't Keep Calm..  NDTV Sports

1. Kanguva Box Office Day 1 Advance Booking: Suriya Starrer Jumps By 353%, Already Enters Biggest Tamil Openers Of 2024!  Koimoi
2. 5 Reasons To Watch Suriya and Bobby Deol Starrer 'Kanguva' In Theatres  Zee News
3. Waiting for Suriya's 'Kanguva', watch these blockbuster films by National Award-winning actor for free  India TV News
4. Kanguva budget and actor salaries: Suriya took Rs 39 crore, Bobby Deol earned Rs 5 crore for his role – How much money others charged for the film  The Financial Express
5. Kanguva Movie Release, Review Live Updates: Suriya-starrer has already earned over Rs 7.3 crore before opening day  The Indian Express

1. Amazon Sale 2024 On Best i5 Laptop Brands At A Price Drop Of 41% Off  Jagran English
2. Amazon Laptop days: Get over 50% off on best selling laptops from top brands like Acer, HP. Sale ends today!  Mint
3. Amazon Sale 2024 On Best ASUS Vivobook Laptops: Snag Up To 42% Off  HerZindagi English
4. Best-selling gaming laptops on Amazon: Starting at 44990, get up to 12000 off on exchange, 12-month no-cost EMI  Hindustan Times
5. Amazon Sale: Bumper Discount Of 26% Off On Best Gaming Laptop Under 1 Lakh  Jagran English

1. Your Google Pixel Phone's Newest Android 15 Beta Update Arrived  Droid Life
2. Google rolls out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update  FoneArena
3. Google is preparing to bring back a beloved customization feature from Android 11  Android Authority
4. Android 15 QPR2: Do Not Disturb gets big upgrade with Modes  9to5Google
5. Android 15 QPR2 brings the Pixel 9's new Linux kernel to all Tensor-powered phones and tablets  Android Police

1. Zomato welcomes rival Swiggy on Dalal Street  The Economic Times
2. Swiggy's dollar millionaires: 70 employees to pocket over $1 million each as company delivers IPO  Moneycontrol
3. Swiggy shares surge 17% on debut, market capitalization exceeds Rs 1 lakh crore  The Times of India
4. Swiggy Share Price & IPO Listing Highlights: Swiggy shares surge 10% after listing at premium on NSE, BSE  BusinessLine
5. Swiggy's IPO debut sees strong gains, but competition challenges loom  Business Standard

1. John Thune elected Senate majority leader, Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s bid comes up short  Florida’s Voice
2. John Thune elected Senate Majority Leader  CNBC
3. Republican John Thune, who once sparred with Trump, elected as next Senate majority leader  Hindustan Times
4. Latest News Today Live Updates November 13, 2024: Big GOP leadership change: John Thune named next Senate Republican leader  Mint
5. US Senate Republicans pick insider John Thune as their next leader  Reuters

1. Nitish Kumar tries to touch PM Modi's feet on stage | Watch  Hindustan Times
2. Video: Nitish Kumar Bends To Touch PM's Feet At Event, He Does This  NDTV
3. PM Modi states ‘1 lakh medical seats in India’, vows to add ‘75,000 more’, lays foundation stone of AIIMS in Bihar  Mint
4. Watch: PM Modi's unexpected gesture as Nitish Kumar bows down to touch his feet  The Times of India
5. PM Modi lays foundation stone for AIIMS Darbhanga in Bihar, says NDA Govt committed to welfare of people  The Hindu

1. Chennai hospital stabbing: IMA demands ‘overhaul of security atmosphere’  Hindustan Times
2. Video: Chennai man calmly walks away after stabbing doctor, wipes knife  India Today
3. Chennai doctor stabbed, raises safety concerns among health workers, Tamil Nadu govt takes action: What happened so far  Mint
4. 'No law and order': BJP, AIADMK attack ruling DMK after government doctor stabbed in Chennai  The Times of India
5. Indian Medical Association condemns brutal attack on doctor in Chennai  The New Indian Express

Following its Cannes-winning run, French director Jacques Audiard talks about how ‘Emilia Pérez’ reshapes the musical genre, with its lead star’s dazzling spectacle of contradiction and rebirth

The upcoming season, created by Sam Levinson, will consist of eight episodes and is expected to include a time jump that catches up with the characters in new stages of their turbulent lives

Seven years after transitioning from Malayalam playback to the world of ghazals, Gayatri Asokan is set to release yet another track, ‘Kitne Aish Se Rahte Honge’, inspired by the poetry of Jaun Elia

Roerich was an artist whose life and art bridged Russian and Indian cultural traditions.

The tangled trio of Tahir Raj Bhasin, Anchal Singh and Shweta Tripathi is joined by fresh entrant Gurmeet Choudhary in the new season of ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’

The unscripted Telugu Original eight-episode series will feature a host of guests, including Dulquer Salmaan, Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Sree Leela, Nani, S.S. Rajamouli and Ram Gopal Varma

Created by Amritpal Singh Bindra and Anand Tiwari, the romantic drama show features actors Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhry as Radhe and Tamanna, two musicians who come from different worlds of music

‘Zebra’, starring ‘Daali’ Dhananjaya and Satyadev, is directed by Eashvar Karthic

Alison Hammond's fall not even halfway into the Great British Bake Off's week eight caused chaos in the tent.

Noel Fielding called the moment ‘the best thing I’ve ever seen’

Actor said he won’t be ‘rushing’ to watch it after hearing about scene

As organizations increasingly adopt AI, ensuring that data quality is optimized is paramount for success. Good data is not just an asset; it serves as the foundation for effective AI models. High-quality data influences cost-efficiency, reliable decision-making and scalability. In this article, we will explore six data strategies that can prepare your organization for AI adoption. 1. Detect anomalies in your data Anomaly detection refers to identifying data points that deviate from expected patterns.…

Good morning, Bay Area. Prepare for more rain Wednesday as a cold front pushes across California's north coast. And if you are flying, expect more confusion over the name of the airport that resides in Oakland. A federal judge granted an injunction to stop Oakland's airport from calling itself the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, a move that rankled San Francisco International airport, who sued claiming the name change would cause confusion. Mark Calvey has more. In stock news, Instacart…

The entrepreneur has been a mentor to Birmingham's tech community for many years.

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo in UK custody, awaiting extradition hearing Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo, who is in custody in the UK, is currently awaiting an extradition hearing, reported CNA on Tuesday (Nov 12).  A court date for the extradition hearing has not been determined, but Yeo is set to attend a bail hearing on Friday, according to the report... » READ MORE 2. Vietnamese woman sells banh mi from her HDB flat, waiting time up to 1 hour during peak periods

Netflix has expanded the cast of live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender in its second season, with Singapore actor Chin Han one of the latest eight additions. He will play the role of Long Feng — leader of Dai Li, the secret police force of Ba Sing Se, or the capital of the Earth Kingdom. Another new joiner is Taiwanese-American actor Justin Chien, who starred with Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh in the Netflix series The Brothers Sun (2024) and will play King Kuei, ruler of the Earth Kingdom in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Meanwhile, Vietnamese-Australian actor Hoa Xuande, who starred with American actor Robert Downey Jr in the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer (2024), will play Professor Zei, head of the anthropology department at Ba Sing Se University.  Other actors in the cast are Amanda Zhou as Joo Dee, Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong, Kelemete Misipeka as The Boulder, Lourdes Faberes as General Sung and Rekha Sharma as Amita.

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia - The expansion of the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland has been completed after eight years of development. With the expanded training area now five times the size of Singapore, this means that the scale and complexity of overseas exercises involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can be increased in the future, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said on Wednesday (Nov 13). Heng was speaking to reporters after witnessing Singaporean and Australian soldiers being put through their paces during a simulated beach landing as part of Exercise Trident. He also flew on a CH-47F chinook to view the new facilities within the expanded SWBTA and interacted with SAF and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) soldiers who participated in the bilateral exercise. Jointly developed by Australia and Singapore since 2016, the expansion of the overall training area was set out in a treaty between the two countries in 2020. State-of-the-art facilities such as the combined arms air-land ranges and urban operations live-firing facilities have been included in the expansion.

COLOMBO — Chanu Nimesha is contesting Sri Lanka's parliamentary election on Thursday (Nov 14) as the first openly transgender candidate, hoping to forge a more inclusive and tolerant political culture on the South Asian island. Transgender people are estimated to make up about one per cent of Sri Lanka's 22 million people, according to Equal Ground, a local civil society group. They frequently face social rejection, lack legal protection and have almost no representation in political parties. Nimesha, who is contesting from Kegalle — about 80km east of Colombo — said she was the first transgender person to run for a seat in the 225-strong parliament and that her message of social justice had been well received. "I'm not concerned about winning or losing," she said, sitting in her one-bedroom flat. "But it is important for me to be present in this space, to be seen, to inspire others like me. I want to help everyone, not just my community."