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Nippon Steel Drops Lawsuit against Toyota, Prioritizing National Competitiveness in Electric Vehicle Race

JAPAN: In a strategic move towards bolstering Japan’s global position in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market, Nippon Steel Corp. has officially withdrawn its lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp. over a patent dispute involving electric motor technology. The steel giant emphasized that internal disputes among Japanese companies would be counterproductive during a pivotal period of transition towards “carbon neutrality.”

The lawsuit, initially filed in Tokyo District Court in October 2021, sought compensation for damages amounting to 20 billion yen ($133 million) related to intellectual property about steel sheets utilized in electric vehicle motors. These sheets were produced and supplied by Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., commonly known as Baosteel, a major Chinese steelmaker.

Nippon Steel, headquartered in Tokyo, emphasized the significance of its partnership with Toyota, highlighting its critical role in propelling the Japanese auto industry forward. Recognizing the pressing need for collaborative efforts in the race to develop sustainable electric vehicles, Nippon Steel underlined the inopportuneness of internal disputes within the industry.

While Nippon Steel has opted to cease its legal pursuit against Toyota, it has chosen to maintain legal action against Baosteel, which it alleges has violated the disputed patent. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights and maintaining fair competition within the steel industry.

As the global automotive landscape undergoes a transformative shift towards electrification, cooperation and innovation are becoming increasingly pivotal. Nippon Steel’s strategic withdrawal from the lawsuit against Toyota signals a collective effort to prioritize national competitiveness and contribute to the broader goal of achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future in the automotive sector.

Also Read: Toyota’s Lexus Unveils Groundbreaking EV Concept with 800km Range

High Hopes for Brazilian Grand Prix as Red Bull Seeks to Extend Dominance

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BRAZIL: As records continue to fall in favour of Red Bull and Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 community eagerly anticipates the Brazilian Grand Prix at the beloved Interlagos circuit.

Known for its old-school charm, vibrant atmosphere, and unpredictable weather, Interlagos has solidified its place as one of the most thrilling races of the season.

The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, originally a colossal 7.96km track with 26 turns, has evolved since its inception, now standing at 4.3km in length.

Though some high-speed corners have been lost over the years, the track remains a cherished fixture on the F1 calendar.

The Interlagos circuit boasts 15 turns, blending slow, cambered corners with heart-pounding sweeps. In wet conditions, the track transforms into treacherous terrain, demanding precise throttle control.

Situated at a considerable altitude, Interlagos offers some of the season’s most dramatic elevation changes, challenging both drivers and their finely tuned machines.

The three sectors of the track will be key indicators of car setup. Sectors one and three demand maximum throttle, testing straight-line performance. In contrast, sector two, a slower, higher-downforce section, features the majority of the circuit’s corners, presenting teams with a delicate balancing act.

Turn 1, leading into the famed ‘Senna S’ sequence, offers the primary overtaking opportunity. Should drivers miss their chance, they’ll have another shot at Turn 4, Descida do Lago. Unlike the scorching temperatures in Mexico City, Interlagos promises milder conditions, with tires and brakes enduring less stress.

Mercedes surprised in 2022 with a remarkable sprint-and-grand prix victory in Brazil. Looking ahead to 2023, they target Brazil as their best chance to secure a win and avoid a winless season. Ferrari, on the other hand, seeks to maintain its one-lap dominance and improve race pace.

Lando Norris’s impressive recovery in Mexico hints at McLaren’s potential for a podium finish. Meanwhile, the intriguing battle lies among this season’s backmarkers, with AlphaTauri showing promise after a late surge in Mexico.

As the paddock converges on Interlagos, eyes will be on Red Bull and Max Verstappen, but surprises are always in store at this legendary circuit. The Brazilian Grand Prix promises to deliver yet another unforgettable chapter in the 2023 F1 season.

Also Read: Max Verstappen Dominates Mexican Grand Prix with Record-Breaking Win after Sergio Perez Heartbreak

Thomson Reuters Pours $100 Million into Generative AI, Unleashing New Era for Professionals

UNITED STATES: Thomson Reuters Corp., a global leader in information services, has announced a game-changing initiative to invest over US$100 million annually in generative artificial intelligence (AI). 

The company is poised to revolutionize the professional landscape by integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities into its suite of products. One such advancement is set to debut on November 15 for U.S. customers with the launch of an AI-powered tool for its Westlaw Precision service.

Earlier this year, Thomson Reuters acquired Casetext, a company known for its pioneering work in advanced AI and machine learning technology for the legal profession. This strategic move reflects the company’s commitment to harnessing the full potential of AI and machine learning.

In addition to internal development, Thomson Reuters plans to bolster its AI capabilities through acquisitions, partnerships, and comprehensive staff training initiatives.

These investments in AI coincide with the company’s strong financial performance, reporting a third-quarter profit of US$367 million, a notable increase from the previous year’s US$228 million.

The company’s profits, denominated in U.S. dollars, equated to 80 cents per diluted share for the quarter ending on September 30, representing a significant surge from the 47 cents per diluted share recorded in the corresponding period the year prior.

With net divestitures partially offsetting growth in recurring revenues, the third quarter’s total revenue of US$1.59 billion barely outpaced that of US$1.57 billion from the previous year.

On an adjusted basis, Thomson Reuters reported earnings of 82 cents per share, a notable rise from the previous year’s adjusted profit of 58 cents per share.

These robust financial results underscore the company’s commitment to innovation and its position at the forefront of the AI revolution, poised to redefine the future of professional work worldwide.

Also Read: WhatsApp to Bring User Support with AI-Powered Messages

Lucy’s Milestone Flyby of ‘Dinky’ Asteroid Sets Stage for Epic Solar System Journey

UNITED STATES: On Nov. 1, NASA confirmed its Lucy spacecraft completed a flyby of asteroid Dinkinesh, a relatively small space rock located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. This marks a milestone in Lucy’s journey, as Dinkinesh, or ‘Dinky,’ is the first of 10 asteroids the probe will visit over the next 12 years.

Based on the information received from the spacecraft, NASA’s team has determined that the spacecraft is in good health, according to officials in a blog post after the flyby. The team has commanded the spacecraft to start downlinking the data collected during the encounter.

In a nutshell, the Lucy mission is part of NASA’s ambitious endeavour to unveil the secrets of our solar system’s past. Though Lucy will also be passing by a few relatively nearby asteroids like Dinky, the probe’s main goal is to fly by a few more distant Trojan asteroids orbiting the sun alongside Jupiter-like bundles of pebbles bound to the gravitational tides of a giant boulder. 

Scientists are interested in learning more about those Trojans because they’re believed to be ancient relics of the solar system, like extra Lego bricks from the box that built the planets.

Lucy’s flyby of Dinkinesh can be thought of as a test run in this regard, as many of the spacecraft’s instruments have now been oiled while collecting data about this first asteroid encounter, including a colour imager, high-resolution camera, and infrared spectrometer.

According to the blog post, data from these tools will take about a week to be downlinked to Earth, and the team is “looking forward to seeing how the spacecraft performed during this first in-flight test of a high-speed asteroid encounter.”

Next, Lucy will head back to Earth for a gravity assist that’ll help it zoom towards its second asteroid target: 52246 Donaldjohanson — named after the co-discoverer of the Lucy fossil (representative of one of the earliest human ancestors, for which the spacecraft is named), American paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson.

Also Read: NASA’s Lucy Spacecraft Achieves Milestone with Successful Flyby of Asteroid ‘Dinky’

Leaked Google Email Reignites Antitrust Concerns over Search Monopoly

UNITED STATES: A leaked internal email from Google has intensified the ongoing antitrust case with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), shedding light on the company’s intentions regarding its Chrome browser.

The email, sent by Jim Kolotouros, Google’s VP of Android Platform Partnerships, stated that “Chrome exists to serve Google search,” adding weight to allegations of Google’s monopolistic practices in the online search market.

The DOJ has long accused Google of maintaining a stranglehold on the search market, contending that the company’s efforts to establish itself as the default search engine on various platforms stifle competition. In response, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, has maintained that the company’s practices do not harm competitors.

Kolotouros’ email has provided new ammunition for those arguing against Google’s stance. He asserted that if Chrome were regulated to allow users to choose their default search engine, the value of Chrome to him would be nearly negligible. 

Currently, Google Chrome boasts over 61% of the browser market share, with Safari trailing at 24.36%. Other browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Firefox, hold smaller market shares.

Pichai drew parallels between the current situation and the era of Internet Explorer dominance, emphasizing that users gravitate towards Chrome for its quality and utility, rather than a lack of alternatives.

The implications of Chrome’s reliance on Google search are significant. Users are unable to change the default search engine on Chrome unless they opt for an alternative browser like Microsoft Edge with Bing. 

Additionally, Google pays a staggering sum of over $20 billion to Apple to secure its position as the default search engine on Safari, further solidifying its dominance in the online search market.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has voiced concerns over Google’s practices, asserting that they are detrimental to Bing as a business and product.

In a bid to level the playing field, Microsoft is reportedly willing to pay approximately $15 billion to Apple to make Bing the default search engine on the Safari browser.

Also Read: Microsoft Takes a Stance: Blocks Unauthorised Accessories for Xbox Consoles

SpaceX’s Starship Clears Safety Hurdle, Await Environmental Review for Second Liftoff

UNITED STATES: SpaceX’s colossal Starship rocket has completed a crucial safety review, announced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 31. This assessment gauges the potential risks a launch might pose to public health and property, marking a pivotal milestone on the path to the rocket’s second-ever liftoff.

The FAA’s safety review assessed the potential risks to public health and property associated with a Starship launch, providing a glimpse of the regulatory approval needed for liftoff. Despite this progress, there remains one more critical regulatory hurdle to clear before SpaceX can secure a license for its next Starship liftoff.

Starship, standing at a towering 400 feet (122 meters) when fully stacked, is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built. It consists of two fully reusable components—the Super Heavy booster and the Starship upper stage. To date, the full-size vehicle has only completed one test flight on April 20, launched from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas.

Starship’s inaugural full-scale flight, which took place on April 20 from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in South Texas, encountered challenges shortly after liftoff, resulting in a planned detonation above the Gulf of Mexico.

Following the incident, the FAA initiated a thorough mishap investigation, concluding on September 8. However, the agency emphasized that further work was necessary before SpaceX could obtain the license for the second liftoff.

The FAA’s recent update indicates that an environmental review remains pending, primarily focused on the potential effects of a water deluge system installed beneath Starbase’s orbital launch mount after the April test flight. This innovative system aims to safeguard the mount from the immense power of Super Heavy’s 33 Raptor engines, which caused substantial damage during the initial launch.

Assuming a successful conclusion of the environmental review, SpaceX and its visionary CEO, Elon Musk, have expressed confidence in the readiness of the latest Starship vehicle, having passed all prelaunch tests. With the remaining regulatory requirements on the horizon, the aerospace community eagerly anticipates the next chapter in Starship’s journey towards the stars.

Also Read: Mice Embryos Thrive in Space, Opening New Frontiers for Human Reproduction Research

Mercedes Loses Chief Technical Officer Mike Elliott After 11 Years of Innovation

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MEXICO: Mercedes has bid farewell to one of its key technical figures, Mike Elliott. After serving as the team’s Chief Technical Officer since early 2023, Elliott’s departure marks the end of an era that spanned 11 years.

Elliott’s journey with Mercedes began in 2012, and over the years, he climbed through the ranks, eventually leading the aerodynamic department and becoming the Technology Director. In mid-2021, he took on the role of technical director, steering the team through the transition to the new ground-effect regulations introduced in 2022.

Under Elliott’s guidance, the first car built under these regulations, the W13, faced challenges. Its successor, the W14, also encountered a rocky start to the 2023 season.

Elliott initiated an internal review, leading to a reversal of roles with James Allison, who returned to the helm as technical director while Elliott assumed the broader position of Chief Technical Officer.

Since then, under Allison’s leadership, Mercedes has seen a resurgence in competitiveness. The team abandoned the zero-sidepod concept and adopted a new design inspired by Red Bull’s successful RB19 concept, resulting in improved performance throughout 2023.

Mercedes’ Team Principal, Toto Wolff, expressed mixed feelings about Elliott’s departure, acknowledging his significant contributions to the team’s success over the past decade.

Wolff praised Elliott’s intelligence and teamwork, highlighting his impact on both the technical aspects and the team culture.

Elliott, reflecting on his time with Mercedes, expressed gratitude for the privilege of being part of the team’s journey. He acknowledged the challenges faced in recent seasons and his role in reevaluating performance strategies. 

Elliott stated that he believes now is the right time to take a step beyond Mercedes, allowing him to pause and seek out new challenges after dedicating 23 years to the sport.

As Mike Elliott embarks on a new chapter, Mercedes will face the task of filling the void left by a figurehead who played a pivotal role in the team’s achievements and technological advancements over the past decade.

Also Read: Mercedes Vows to Overhaul Design for 2024 Season, Addressing Hamilton’s Complaints

Ubisoft Announces Server Shutdown for Ten Legacy Titles, Leaving Players without Multiplayer Access

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UNITED STATES: Ubisoft has revealed plans to discontinue server support for ten of its legacy titles, leaving players without access to multiplayer options and additional content. This decision, set to take effect on January 25, 2024, is in line with Ubisoft’s practice of discontinuing support for games that have become technologically obsolete or economically unviable to maintain.

Among the affected titles, the renowned Assassin’s Creed franchise takes the hardest hit, with four titles losing online support. These titles include Assassin’s Creed 2 for Xbox 360, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood for Mac, Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and Assassin’s Creed Revelations for PC. The impact of this decision will be felt by a substantial number of players who still find enjoyment in these older games.

In addition to the Assassin’s Creed series, other titles on the list include Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Heroes of Might & Magic VI, Splinter Cell: Conviction, NCIS, R.U.S.E., and Triassic Evolution. This move means that players will no longer have access to multiplayer features and will be unable to unlock rewards through the Ubisoft Connect platform for these games.

Furthermore, games on this list that previously relied on Ubisoft’s reward unlock system will cease to function as intended. Ubisoft has issued an official statement explaining the rationale behind this decision. Notably, the most recent game on the list dates back to 2012, highlighting the enduring appeal of these titles to their dedicated player base.

This decision leaves fans of the Assassin’s Creed franchise disappointed, as the PvP multiplayer experience will now only be accessible in the Black Flag title. It also raises crucial questions about the sustainability of older games in a rapidly advancing technological landscape and an ever-evolving market.

The move spotlights concerns about digital ownership of games, a topic fraught with uncertainties for both players and the gaming industry as a whole. While Ubisoft’s explanation provides some clarity, it does little to assuage the disappointment and frustration of the loyal player base that has invested time and resources into these beloved titles.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, decisions like these are likely to become more common, emphasizing the need for ongoing conversations about the digital future of gaming and the rights and expectations of players in these virtual worlds.

Also Read: Microsoft’s Strategic Pivot: Ubisoft Deal Reshapes Activision Acquisition amid Regulatory Clash

Threads Software Gives Meta 30 Days to Rebrand Social Platform Amid Trademark Dispute

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UNITED KINGDOM: Threads Software Limited, a U.K.-based company, has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Meta, demanding that the tech giant cease using the name ‘Threads’ for its latest social media venture in the United Kingdom.

The software company asserts that it secured the trademark for ‘Threads,’ referred to as an “intelligent message hub,” back in 2012 and has actively promoted it on a global scale since 2014. In an official statement, Threads Software Limited warns that it will pursue legal action if Meta fails to comply with its demand.

Despite Meta’s attempts to acquire the ‘threads. app’ domain name, the software company maintains that it turned down all four offers, emphasizing that the domain was not available for purchase.

This, however, did not dissuade Meta from introducing its Twitter-like platform, Threads, in July. Threads Software Ltd. reports that Facebook subsequently expelled them from the platform.

John Yardley, the managing director of Threads Software Ltd., expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that the company dedicated a decade to building its platform and establishing the Threads brand. He added that the business faces a significant threat from one of the largest tech conglomerates in the world.

As reported by the media, Threads Software Ltd. is not the sole entity employing the name for their business or product. American Threads, a Los Angeles-based apparel company, initially held the @Threads handle on Instagram. A month later, they changed their account handle to @americanthreads after Meta acquired the @Threads handle.

This pattern of reappropriation is not unique to Meta. X, previously known as Twitter, similarly obtained the @x handle from a platform user when it underwent rebranding earlier this year.

The actions taken by these account holders remain uncertain. Nevertheless, Threads Software Ltd. remains resolute in its stance.

Also Read: Reliance Jio Takes on Meta with JioGlass: A New Player in the Smart Glasses Market

Sergio Perez’s Home Race Nightmare Puts His Red Bull Seat in Jeopardy

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MEXICO: Sergio Perez’s high hopes for a triumphant return to his home race were dashed on Sunday as a crash in Turn 1 sent him spiralling out of contention. This unfortunate incident, a consequence of his current struggles on the track, highlights a driver in dire need of a turnaround.

Perez’s confidence has taken a hit, evident in his relentless battle against a dominant teammate, Max Verstappen.

The Mexican driver had pinned his aspirations on Mexico being the turning point of his season, a venue brimming with support from an ardent home crowd.

However, Verstappen’s unyielding brilliance has consistently thwarted Perez’s every attempt to regain his stride. The crash serves as a stark reminder that sometimes tactical retreats are essential in the pursuit of victory.

For Perez, this marked the third race this season with zero points, raising concerns beyond race day. Red Bull’s interest in retaining Perez for 2024 hangs in the balance, as does Perez’s desire to fulfil his contract. The prospect of a reshuffle in the driver lineup cannot be dismissed.

As the 2024 season looms, Red Bull’s iron grip on the Constructors’ title faces potential challenges from a resurgent field. McLaren’s meteoric rise, Mercedes’ strategic focus, and Ferrari’s impressive qualifying display all signal a more competitive landscape.

Perez’s struggles, while not as explosive as some, are increasingly prolonged, prompting speculation of an imminent demotion. In stark contrast, Daniel Ricciardo’s standout performance for AlphaTauri hints at a compelling case for his return to the Red Bull fold.

While Christian Horner maintains support for Perez, the pressure is mounting.

With Verstappen’s commanding lead and Norris’s strong showings, Perez’s standing within the team is in question. The RB19 may be the pinnacle of engineering, and Verstappen is an undisputed force, but the uncertainty surrounding the second driver spot leaves Red Bull with a critical decision to make.

Also Read: Red Bull Shifts Wind Tunnel Plans to New Location after Withdrawing Initial Application