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After complaints about the lack of a Diablo 4 holiday event, PlayStation players have started receiving notifications about something called Slay Ride to Hell. Here’s what we know. Diablo 4 is well into its sixth seasonal content update; the Season of Hatred Rising . Having launched alongside the Vessel of Hatred in October, the Season is currently in its winding down phase with many players having maxed out their reputation with the Zakarum Remnants and downing more Realmwalkers than they thought possible. The recent launch of Path of Exile 2’s early access has Diablo 4 players feeling a little left out as ARPG fans flock to the competitor . The seeming lack of any holiday-themed events to spice things up had been a major complaint on the game’s Subreddit. Worry not. PlayStation players have started receiving notifications about the Slay Ride to Hell holiday event for Diablo 4. This information comes before any official announcement from Blizzard but there are some details to be gleaned from the notification. Diablo 4 Slay Ride to Hell holiday event dates While Blizzard has yet to announce or confirm anything related to the event, PlayStation notifications regarding Diablo 4’s Slay Ride to Hell suggest the event will run from December 17, 2024, until December 21, 2024 . The notifications in the PlayStation store also give a start time of 1 PM but do not specify a time zone. It should be noted that without any official confirmation, this information needs to be taken with a healthy heaping of salt. Diablo 4 Slay Ride to Hell holiday event details Details on rewards and what the Slay Ride to Hell holiday event will entail are sparse at the moment because we only have a single image to go off. It looks as if Diablo 4 will continue the trend of Treasure Goblins bombarding sanctuary. Related: Given the Christmas theme and the gift-giving nature of that holiday, it makes sense. Whether or not it will differ greatly from the beloved March of the Goblins event from earlier in 2024 is still up in the air at the moment. The image also shows off a mount and barding based on a Reindeer, albeit with a very Diablo 4 twist to it. Most Diablo 4 holiday events like the Meat or Treat Halloween event come with time-limited rewards or tiered rewards that you can exchange event-themed currency for. That’s all we know about Diablo 4’s Slay Ride to Hell holiday event at the moment. Given that it’s only a leak for now, more information should come from Blizzard and we’ll be sure to update this guide with more concrete details when they emerge.
Georgian Pro-EU Protesters On Streets Again After Violent Government CrackdownThe hardest movie ticket to get this weekend was for a film audiences have been able to watch at home for years: Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar.” The science fiction epic starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway earned $4.5 million from only 166 screens in the U.S. and Canada. Its 70mm IMAX film presentations sold out in minutes, leaving theaters scrambling to add more and people paying up to $300 on the re-sale market. Those 10 film screens alone had a staggering $70,000 per theater average, one of the highest of the year and usually the bragging rights of acclaimed arthouse movies playing on only four screens. Ten years after “Interstellar” was given a film release as a special exception at time when its studio, Paramount, was committing to a digital future, film is not only back but driving audiences to theaters. “I was just so gratified by the response,” Nolan said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “It’s really thrilling when people respond to your work at any point. But 10 years later, to have new audiences coming and experiencing it in the way that we’d originally intended it on the big IMAX screens and in particular on those IMAX film prints? It’s really rewarding to see that it continues to have a life.” “Interstellar” had been a labor of love, with Nolan fighting against the tides of a changing industry to use film, certain of its value. Like McConaughey’s Cooper, an astronaut clinging to skills that were all but obsolete in his dust bowl reality, “Interstellar” was made by a celluloid-loving filmmaker when the format was least valued. “Celluloid film was very threatened. Digital was taking over everything,” Nolan said. “We put an enormous amount of work and effort into the IMAX 70mm film format release at the time feeling like we didn’t know how much longer we’d be able to do that.” During its time, “Interstellar” was received warmly and an unambiguous success, but it also had its detractors. Its five Oscar nominations and win were all for crafts. And yet in the decade since, “Interstellar” has become beloved, a true classic. Nolan observed that it was the film that people kept wanting to talk about, telling him what it meant to them and asking if it was ever going to be re-released. Those grand emotions and sentimental themes of love, family and exploration that were a liability with some are now its most cherished qualities. “A lot of these people were younger people who, it was clear to me, had seen the film in the home and hadn’t had the chance to see it on the big screen,” Nolan said. While there have been “Interstellar” rereleases internationally, in China and at the Science Museum in London, Nolan saw an opportunity and spoke to IMAX and Paramount, now under a new regime, about a proper North American re-release for its 10th anniversary. The prints, Nolan said, hadn't aged a day. IMAX hardly needed convincing: They’ve had the anniversary date circled on the calendar. For years, “Interstellar” was by far the biggest request on their social channels. “We saw this coming from the beginning,” IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said. “It reminded us in a small way of the frenzy around ‘Oppenheimer.’ But the result is far beyond our expectations." “Interstellar” is now the ninth highest-grossing IMAX release of all time and is closing in on eight (currently occupied by “The Last Jedi.”) The company is currently exploring options for re-releases in different territories. The “Oppenheimer" effect was real in redeeming film's value for the business. IMAX screens accounted for some 20% of the nearly $1 billion this year's Oscar best picture winner made globally (it ranks at No. 5 for IMAX). While filmmakers have long cherished film stock, “Oppenheimer” had studios, distributors and theaters taking note of the demand. Earlier this year the film showings of “Dune: Part Two” were sold out for four weeks. And there's more to come: Ryan Coogler's new film “Sinners," opening in March 2025, was shot with IMAX cameras. The “Interstellar” release was fairly “low key" when it came to promotion, but it also didn’t need much — fans made sure of that. Before IMAX had even announced that tickets were on sale, some noticed that AMC had made them available. News spread on socials and overnight every 70mm IMAX showing at the Lincoln Square location in New York had sold out. It wasn’t just the “primetime” slots either: The 1 AM showtimes were at capacity too. After the weekend's turnout surpassed expectations, they added more 70mm IMAX screenings through the week which also filled up quickly. While Nolan is in some ways an anomaly, as the rare filmmaker whose name alone can draw crowds for original fare, there are lessons to be learned from the weekend. “It just shows our industry once again that audiences truly understand the difference between a communal, big screen theatrical experience that they crave even on films that they’ve had the opportunities to see in the home,” Nolan said. “That theatrical experience that we all know and love is so powerful and so exciting. It’s a very clear demonstration of it, especially coming amidst all the great successes right now, “Wicked,” “Gladiator II,” “Moana 2.” "Audiences are coming out in droves for that experience that we all love so much.” Before the weekend, Nolan was able to see the film again on the big screen for the first time since the original release, accompanied by his Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer” cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema . “Interstellar” was their first collaboration and Hoytema’s introduction to IMAX cameras (where he proved that they could be handheld if you tried hard enough). “It was really, really fun," Nolan said. He also approved the new 4K UHD “Interstellar" set that's now available. Since “Oppenheimer's" big night at the Oscars and Nolan's best director win , there's been much speculation about his next film with near daily rumors circulating about casting and genre, none of which have been officially confirmed. It's not something he's speaking publicly about yet. One thing he will say, however, is that he’s in the throes of intensive testing for a new film technology with IMAX to use in the next production. “They have an incredible engineering staff, really brilliant minds doing extraordinary work,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see innovation in the celluloid film arena still happening and happening at the highest level possible.” And he’s still making time to go to the movies. Over the weekend, Nolan went to see “Wicked” at a theater in Burbank where he also peeked into one of the IMAX presentations of his film. “It was pretty magical to see a full house on that film,” he said. “It was a very special thing to see, 10 years later.”
Arts quango that funded porn film handed extra £28million of YOUR money in SNP BudgetTens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in BarcelonaBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment. 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Did you know that according to a report by Deloitte, Africa’s insurance penetration rate is one of the lowest in the world, hovering around 2.6% on average? This statistic highlights the vast potential for growth, but it also points to significant challenges. Historically, limited access to insurance products, lack of awareness, and infrastructural gaps have hindered widespread adoption. As the global market rapidly shifts towards digital solutions, the African insurance industry must adapt or risk falling behind. Related Stories Digital transformation offers an opportunity to address these barriers, improve customer experiences, and create new avenues for growth across the continent. In the opinion of industry experts, “ Digital tools can transform the insurance landscape in Africa to make products more accessible, affordable and efficient.” This transformation is not just about technology; it is about meeting the evolving needs of the modern consumer and staying competitive in an increasingly dynamic market. Mobile and Internet Penetration It is worth noting that by 2030, smartphone adoption in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to hit 87%. Such a massive number presents an enormous opportunity for insurers to extend their reach. With mobile-based platforms, insurance providers can connect with underserved areas, offering customers the ability to purchase and manage policies directly from their smartphones. The rise of digital payments and mobile wallets is also transforming the customer experience, making insurance services more inclusive and accessible. African consumers are showing a preference for using digital channels in interacting with service providers. This shift underscores the growing demand for fast, personalised, and seamless service. To meet these expectations, insurers are adopting self-service options, real-time support, and tailored products that cater to individual lifestyles. Digital transformation enables insurers to offer the convenience and engagement that today’s customers expect. African governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly pushing for the adoption of digital insurance solutions. In Nigeria, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has introduced policies aimed at fostering digital innovation within the sector. This regulatory support is necessary for creating an enabling environment for technological adoption, encouraging insurers to leverage digital tools to comply with regulations while improving service delivery. The insurance industry in Africa is witnessing significant transformations through the adoption of key technologies, each playing a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer service, and driving competitiveness. AI and machine learning are poised to reshape the insurance industry by transforming how insurers assess risk, process claims, and personalise policies. Through predictive analytics, insurers can analyse vast datasets, allowing for more accurate risk assessments and tailored solutions for individual clients. Additionally, AI-powered systems streamline claims processing, significantly reducing turnaround times. These systems can automatically evaluate damage reports or medical claims, expediting decisions and improving overall customer satisfaction. Many may not realise that blockchain technology, often associated with cryptocurrencies, is becoming an integral part of the insurance landscape. Blockchain enhances transparency and reduces fraud through its decentralised, tamper-proof ledger. This technology ensures that customer data is securely stored and shared across stakeholders, allowing for seamless verification of claims and accuracy in record-keeping. A recent study revealed that blockchain has the potential to save billions in administrative costs globally by automating processes and increasing trust in transactions. Across Africa, insurtech startups are at the forefront of driving innovation within the insurance sector. These startups are introducing mobile-first insurance solutions, providing affordable and accessible coverage to underserved populations. From microinsurance offerings for rural communities to flexible pay-as-you-go health policies, these companies are challenging traditional models and creating new opportunities for insurance inclusion. Collaborations between traditional insurers and insurtech firms are fostering technological advancements that ensure insurance services are more widely available, meeting the evolving demands of the African market. Digital transformation continues to shape the insurance industry, providing key benefits that improve efficiency, enhance customer satisfaction, and increase market accessibility. One of the most significant outcomes of digital transformation is the improvement in operational efficiency. Insurers can now automate repetitive tasks such as claims processing and policy management, which not only saves time but also reduces human error. Digital platforms streamline internal workflows, allowing teams to focus on more complex tasks to improve overall service delivery and accuracy. The digital age has brought about a major shift in customer expectations. Customers now expect seamless, easy-to-use platforms to handle their insurance needs. Digital platforms allow them to generate quotes, purchase policies, file claims, and manage coverage, all from their smartphones or computers. This convenience leads to greater satisfaction, as customers can access the services they need quickly and without the usual delays associated with traditional processes. Digital transformation also enables insurers to reach new markets. With the rise of mobile connectivity, especially in regions like Africa, insurers can now provide services to previously underserved populations. Through mobile apps and online platforms, customers in remote areas are gaining access to affordable and accessible insurance options. This expansion is necessary for growth, allowing insurers to tap into new customer bases that were previously out of reach. While digital transformation offers numerous benefits, it also presents several challenges that insurers must navigate carefully. In many parts of Africa, infrastructure remains a critical barrier. Limited internet access and unreliable electricity can hinder the full adoption of digital platforms. A lack of consistent connectivity means insurers may struggle to offer seamless services in some regions. As insurers adopt digital tools, they also face increased exposure to cybersecurity risks. The rise of data breaches and hacking incidents makes cybersecurity a top priority. Protecting sensitive customer information is not just about building trust—it is also about maintaining regulatory compliance. “Data is the new oil,” some say, but as with oil, it is highly valuable and highly vulnerable. Digital transformation also encounters internal resistance. Employees and customers alike may be reluctant to adopt new technologies. It is human nature to resist change, and many organisations find that training and communication are essential to overcoming this hurdle. Without proper engagement, the transition may be slower than anticipated. In examining successful digital transformation in Africa’s insurance industry, several notable cases demonstrate the value of innovation in meeting evolving market needs. Coronation Life Assurance Limited provides an excellent example of a company harnessing digital tools to improve customer experience and streamline operations. Through user-friendly mobile platforms, Coronation Life Assurance enables clients to manage their policies, file claims, and receive support directly from their devices. This shift not only enhances accessibility but also fosters customer trust and engagement. A customer remarked, “It’s like having your insurance agent in your pocket, ready to help whenever needed.” Beyond Coronation Life Assurance, other success stories highlight the regional impact of digital transformation. For instance, South African insurers are using predictive data analytics to offer more customised policies, demonstrating how data-driven insights can align with customer needs. These examples illustrate that digital transformation is not just about technology; it is about reshaping the insurance experience to be more responsive, inclusive and accessible across Africa. The future of digital insurance in Africa promises continued growth and innovation. Insurers have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern technology. “The goal isn’t just to go digital; it’s to go digital with purpose.” To remain competitive, companies must invest in user-friendly platforms, expand digital literacy and strengthen data protection measures. Also, partnerships with tech innovators and local organisations will be vital in reaching remote communities and providing them with affordable, accessible insurance products. The path forward is clear: embracing technology to deliver a more inclusive and efficient insurance experience for all. Digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping Africa’s insurance industry, offering the chance to deliver services that are faster, more accessible, and more personalised. As insurers move through this shift, those who adapt swiftly and prioritise customer-centric innovation will be best positioned for long-term growth. The integration of AI, blockchain, and mobile technology represents a new era where insurers can respond more effectively to customer needs, extend their reach to underserved areas and build a foundation of trust in our digital world. Coronation Life Assurance is proud to be part of this evolution, leading with innovative digital solutions designed to simplify and enhance the insurance experience for clients across Nigeria and Africa. Embracing this future, Coronation Life Assurance continues to set new standards in accessible and reliable insurance. For more information, visit our website: www.coronation.ng to get started. Call 02-012774500 | 02-012774566 | 02-012774577 or send an email to info@coronationinsurance.com.ng. Website: www.coronation.ng