At least five games released under the Warner Bros. Discovery publishing label Cartoon Network Games have been delisted from digital stores, including Steam and the Nintendo eShop, seemingly never to return. The mass delisting affects Adventure Time: Finn and Jakes Epic Quest, Adventure Time: Magic Mans Head Games, OK K.O.! Lets Play Heroes, Steven Universe: Save the Light, and Steven Universe: Unleash the Light, which were pulled from sale on Monday, as spotted by Wario64.Additionally, the Adult Swim Games-published Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time has also been removed from sale. That delisting follows similar removals from July, when Adult Swim Games titles Traverser, Zenzizenzic, and Mega Coin Squad were removed from sale.On Steam, each of the new removed games includes a short message announcing the delisting, which says that each game will no longer be available for sale after Dec. 23rd, 2024. The messages are signed by Cartoon Network Games or Adult Swim Games.A handful of titles under the Cartoon Network Games publishing label still exist on Steam, including Cartoon Network Journeys VR and Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake. The soundtrack for OK K.O.! Lets Play Heroes is also still being sold.Cartoon Network Games, Adult Swim Games, and Warner Bros. Discovery have not announced why the games were delisted. Polygon has reached out Warner Bros. Discovery for comment. Weve also reached out to the developers of the delisted games for additional details.Adventure Time: Finn and Jakes Epic Quest is the oldest of the bunch; it was released in April 2014. OK K.O.! Lets Play Heroes was released by Capybara Games (Grindstone, Below) in 2018, the same year Steven Universe: Save the Light from Grumpyface Games launched. Steven Universe: Unleash the Light was the newest release, arriving on Steam in 2021.The move follows a similar planned delisting of many non-licensed, Adult Swim Games-published games from indie developers. Many of those games have since been saved, thanks to public outcry and the publisher transferring ownership to the developers of each title. Earlier this year, Warner Bros. Discovery shut down the Cartoon Network website. The site, which previously hosted Cartoon Network content, now redirects visitors to Max, Warner Bros. Discoverys flagship streaming service.

If you have a well-balanced, diversified portfolio, chances are it was designed to weather the ups and downs of the market. In other words, for most casual investors, your portfolio was created to not need the (potentially costly) help of a hands-on advisor. So, how do you know when you've tipped into situations that warrant professional help? Here's how to decide what's right for you and find quality assistance if needed.The case for DIY investingDIY investing brings several advantages:Lower costs: Most financial advisors charge based on how much money they manage for you, and that fee can range from 0.25% to 1% per year. On a $500,000 portfolio, that could cost you around $1,250-5,000 per year. Over decades, these fees can reduce your returns by hundreds of thousands of dollars (thanks a lot, compound interest).Simpler options: For most investors, managing your own investments through low-cost index funds is a sufficient approach. A basic three-fund portfolio using low-cost index funds (total U.S. stock market, international stocks, and bonds) provides broad diversification and historically strong returns. This strategy requires minimal time and expertise to implement. If you're using this sort of approach, you probably don't need to pay an advisor to keep an eye on it.Sense of control: Managing your own investments means maintaining full visibility and control over your money. You can adjust your strategy immediately as circumstances change without going through an intermediary, which can be very appealing. However, let's dig into why this might sound better than it usually plays out in reality.When professional help makes senseConsider a financial advisor if you:Have complex financial needs: Estate planning, tax optimization across multiple accounts, or managing inherited assets require professional expertise. If you're a business owner or a truly high-net-worth individual, odds are you can affordand will benefit fromcomprehensive wealth management.Lack time or interest: Be honest with yourself. If researching investments and rebalancing portfolios feels overwhelming, an advisor can handle these tasks. The cost may be worthwhile if it prevents analysis paralysis or emotional trading decisions.Need emotional discipline: Quite frankly, you're never as objective as you think you are. When I spoke with Matthew Chancey, CFP, about what it takes to be an active investor, he explained how you need to "have a higher appetite for risk and be more emotionally fortified than every investor sentiment survey has ever suggested that passive investors can be." Some investors panic-sell during market downturns or chase performance. This is where a good advisor comes in: They can provide behavioral coaching and prevent costly mistakes during volatile periods. Face major life transitions: On top of emotional discipline, major life transitions come with their own set of financial potholes. During divorce, inheritance, retirement, or career changes, professional guidance can help navigate complex financial decisions and tax implications. Here are more cases of financial milestones that are worth the time and money of a professional.Finding quality financial helpIf you decide to hire help, here's how you can get started.Fee-only fiduciary advisorsFirst things first: Be sure to pay close attention to the difference between fee-based vs. fee-only advisors, as certain financial advisors may not have your best interests at heart. After all, when it comes to finding the right financial planner for you, the last thing you want is to get ripped off. Look for advisors who:Charge transparent fees (not commissions)Have a fiduciary duty to put your interests firstHold respected credentials (CFP, CFA)Provide comprehensive financial planning, not just investment managementAre willing to explain their approach and fees in detailRobo-advisorsFor hands-off investing with minimal fees, a robo-advisor could suffice. They can be a great choice for newer, younger investors. But for advanced planning and strategy, a human touch may still be required for advice you can trust.Digital platforms like Vanguard Personal Advisor Services or Betterment offer a middle ground:Lower fees (0.20-0.30% annually)Automated investment managementBasic financial planning toolsAccess to human advisorsGood for straightforward situations requiring minimal customizationThe bottom lineMost investors are better served by learning basic investment principles and managing a simple portfolio themselves. The money saved on fees can compound significantly over time.However, if you have complex needs or know you won't stay disciplined without help, working with a qualified advisor can be worthwhile. Choose carefully, understand all fees, and regularly evaluate whether you're getting sufficient value for the cost. For more details about the process of choosing an advisor, check out our guide here.Remember: Even with an advisor, you should understand your investment strategy and feel comfortable asking questions. The best advisors educate their clients rather than create dependency.

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

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The cryptocurrency industry is pushing President-elect Donald Trumps team to kick start his promised crypto policy overhaul when he takes office next month with executive orders that would help push tokens mainstream, according to industry officials.Trump plans to issue a flurry of executive orders and directives on everything from immigration to energy on his first day in office on Jan. 20, Reuters reported this month.On the campaign trail, Trump courted crypto cash with promises to be a crypto president, and the industry wants him to make good on that pledge with executive orders creating a bitcoin stockpile, ensuring the industry can access banking services, and creating a crypto council, the people said.They are pushing for those executive orders within Trumps first 100 days in office, and expect at least one could come on Jan. 20, said two other people with knowledge of the matter.Given the tenor of the campaign, it would be imperative for executive orders to really set out what the actual priorities will be on day one and provide some kind of roadmap, said Rebecca Rettig, chief legal and policy officer at crypto company Polygon Labs.Worried about crime and volatility, President Joe Bidens regulators cracked down on crypto companies, but Trump has pledged to reverse course. His crypto policy team is already taking shape, with the announcement this month of crypto-friendly Securities and Exchange Commission chair Paul Atkins and White House crypto czar David Sacks.There has been an effort in the Washington bureaucratic swamp to stifle innovation but President Trump will deliver on his promise to encourage American leadership in crypto, Trump transition team spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement.Bitcoin, the worlds largest cryptocurrency, hit new records above $107,000 this month after Trump reiterated his plan, first unveiled in a speech in July, for a strategic bitcoin reserve. Bitcoin has since fallen back below $100,000.Analysts are divided on whether Trump could use executive powers to create the reserve, potentially via the Treasury Department, or whether an act of Congress would be necessary.One industry group, the Bitcoin Policy Institute, has gone as far as to draft a text of a potential executive order Trump could use to establish such a stockpile.That draft would designate bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset and require the Treasury Secretary to spend $21 billion over a year to amass a national bitcoin stockpile, according to the draft seen by Reuters.Zack Shapiro, the Bitcoin Policy Institutes head of policy, said the United States should get ahead of geopolitical rivals in monetizing bitcoin, rather than have the price run up without the United States having any reserves. He declined to say if the group had shared the draft with Trumps team.Trump also said in July that he would not let banks choke crypto firms out of the traditional financial system, and some executives expect he will also try to address that issue with an executive order. Crypto companies have long complained that banks wont work with them due to regulatory scrutiny, although regulators say banks are free to lend to crypto firms that follow the law.While an executive order directing bank regulators to go easy on crypto would send a signal to agency officials and provide them with political cover, its unlikely to have legal force since federal bank regulators are independent, some executives warned.(They) are not going to change policy on the ground on day one, said Jonah Krane, partner at financial firm Klaros Group. But they will tell you what direction this administration wants to head.Trump has also said hell create a crypto industry council and his team is discussing how to structure and staff it. Previous administrations have stood up specialized councils via executive orders, executives noted.More broadly, Trump could also try to address crypto complaints that existing regulations are not fit for the industry with an executive order articulating core principles for crypto regulation, similar to an order Trump issued in 2017 directing regulators to review banking rules.I wouldnt be surprised if you get something like an executive order early on that directs the agencies to re-examine their rules in this space, Krane added.Hannah Lang, Reuters

The emergence ofgenerative artificial intelligencetools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has putmerchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say.Phony reviewshave long plagued many popular consumer websites,such as Amazonand Yelp. They are typically traded on private social media groups between fake review brokers and businesses willing to pay. Sometimes, such reviews are initiated by businesses that offer customers incentives such as gift cards for positive feedback.But AI-infused text generation tools, popularized by OpenAIsChatGPT, enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts.The deceptive practice, which isillegal in the U.S., is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during theholiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts.Where are AI-generated reviews showing up?Fake reviews are found across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce, lodging and restaurants, to services such as home repairs,medical careand piano lessons.The Transparency Company, a tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews, said it started to see AI-generated reviews show up in large numbers in mid-2023 and they have multiplied ever since.For a report released this month, The Transparency Company analyzed 73 million reviews in three sectors: home, legal and medical services. Nearly 14% of the reviews were likely fake, and the company expressed a high degree of confidence that 2.3 million reviews were partly or entirely AI-generated.Its just a really, really good tool for these review scammers, said Maury Blackman, an investor and advisor to tech startups, who reviewed The Transparency Companys work and is set to lead the organization starting Jan. 1.In August, software company DoubleVerify said it was observing a significant increase in mobile phone and smart TV apps with reviews crafted by generative AI. The reviews often were used to deceive customers into installing apps that could hijack devices or run ads constantly, the company said.The following month, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company behind an AI writing tool and content generator called Rytr, accusing it of offering a service that could pollute the marketplace with fraudulent reviews.The FTC, which this year banned thesale or purchaseof fake reviews, said some of Rytrs subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of replica designer handbags and other businesses.Its likely on prominent online sites, tooMax Spero, CEO of AI detection company Pangram Labs, said the software his company uses has detected with almost certainty that some AI-generated appraisals posted on Amazon bubbled up to the top of review search results because they were so detailed and appeared to be well thought-out.But determining what is fake or not can be challenging. External parties can fall short because they dont have access to data signals that indicate patterns of abuse, Amazon has said.Pangram Labs has done detection for some prominent online sites, which Spero declined to name due to non-disclosure agreements. He said he evaluated Amazon and Yelp independently.Many of the AI-generated comments on Yelp appeared to be posted by individuals who were trying to publish enough reviews to earn an Elite badge, which is intended to let users know they should trust the content, Spero said.The badge provides access to exclusive events with local business owners. Fraudsters also want it so their Yelp profiles can look more realistic, said Kay Dean, a former federal criminal investigator who runs a watchdog group called Fake Review Watch.To be sure, just because a review is AI-generated doesnt necessarily mean its fake. Some consumers might experiment with AI tools to generate content that reflects their genuine sentiments. Some non-native English speakers say they turn to AI to make sure they use accurate language in the reviews they write.It can help with reviews (and) make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions, said Michigan State University marketing professor Sherry He, who has researched fake reviews. She says tech platforms should focus on the behavioral patterns of bad actors, which prominent platforms already do, instead of discouraging legitimate users from turning to AI tools.What companies are doingProminent companies are developing policies for how AI-generated content fits into their systems for removing phony or abusive reviews. Some already employ algorithms and investigative teams to detect and take down fake reviews but are giving users some flexibility to use AI.Spokespeople for Amazon and Trustpilot, for example, said they would allow customers to post AI-assisted reviews as long as they reflect their genuine experience. Yelp has taken a more cautious approach, saying its guidelines require reviewers to write their own copy.With the recent rise in consumer adoption of AI tools, Yelp has significantly invested in methods to better detect and mitigate such content on our platform, the company said in a statement.The Coalition for Trusted Reviews, which Amazon, Trustpilot, employment review site Glassdoor, and travel sites Tripadvisor, Expedia andBooking.comlaunched last year, said that even though deceivers may put AI to illicit use, the technology also presents an opportunity to push back against those who seek to use reviews to mislead others.By sharing best practice and raising standards, including developing advanced AI detection systems, we can protect consumers and maintain the integrity of online reviews, the group said.The FTCs rulebanning fake reviews, which took effect in October, allows the agency to fine businesses and individuals who engage in the practice. Tech companies hosting such reviews are shielded from the penalty because they are not legally liable under U.S. law for the content that outsiders post on their platforms.Tech companies, including Amazon, Yelp and Google, have sued fake review brokers they accuse of peddling counterfeit reviews on their sites. The companies say their technology has blocked or removed a huge swath of suspect reviews and suspicious accounts. However, some experts say they could be doing more.Their efforts thus far are not nearly enough, said Dean of Fake Review Watch. If these tech companies are so committed to eliminating review fraud on their platforms, why is it that I, one individual who works with no automation, can find hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews on any given day?Spotting fake AI-generated reviewsConsumers can try tospot fake reviewsby watching out for a fewpossible warning signs, according to researchers. Overly enthusiastic or negative reviews are red flags. Jargon that repeats a products full name or model number is another potential giveaway.When it comes to AI, research conducted by Balzs Kovcs, a Yale professor of organization behavior, has shown that people cant tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written reviews. Some AI detectors may also be fooled by shorter texts, which are common in online reviews, the study said.However, there are some AI tells that online shoppers and service seekers should keep it mind. Panagram Labs says reviews written with AI are typically longer, highly structured and include empty descriptors, such as generic phrases and attributes. The writing also tends to include cliches like the first thing that struck me and game-changer.Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press business writer

Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the worlds third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels.The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company.Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry.An industry shakeupThe ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from Chinas BYD, Great Wall, and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere.Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time.Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japans second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March.A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers.Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japans market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germanys Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japans Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp.What would Honda need from Nissan?Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesnt have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions.Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said.Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesnt currently play, that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt.While Nissans electric Leaf and Ariya havent sold well in the U.S., theyre solid vehicles, Fiorani said. They havent been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology, he said. They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation.Why now?Nissan said last month thatit was slashing 9,000 jobs,or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million).Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan neededto become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes.Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissans credit outlook to negative, citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion).Nissans share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector.The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon.Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China.More headwindsToyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out four million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over one million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker.All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico.Meanwhile, analysts say there is an affordability shift taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, thats forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits.Elaine Kurtenbach, Associated Press business writerAP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.

Called the Mareterra Project, this new urban development on Monacos coastline is a sight to see. It is a floating eco-district that was completed this month, establishing an unprecedented global benchmark. It has been constructed entirely on land that has been reclaimed from the sea to build a new territory for development. This urban development will add six hectares, allowing environmental stewardship and architectural class to merge perfectly and harmoniously.I wanted this new area to embody the excellence and conviviality that distinguish the Principality of Monaco so well, said HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. Mareterra will integrate perfectly with our shoreline, and in a few years will be seen as a natural extension of our territory.Designer: Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), Valode et Pistre Architectes, and Michel DesvigneThe urban project has been developed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW), Valode et Pistre Architects, and the landscape architect Michel Desvigne. The entire district focuses on public access. It includes the Le Renzo residential complex, a marina, public parks, and commercial spaces. Most of the area is occupied by parks and leisure spaces. So, the Mareterra is another innovative and valuable addition to this public-centric district.One of the star features of Mareterra is its innovative construction on water. This ambitious project extends Monacos coastline through the use of underwater caissonslarge concrete structuresthat not only create new land space but also double as marine habitats to enhance biodiversity. Developed in collaboration with marine biologists, this engineering approach aims to minimize ecological disruption. Proactive measures have been implemented to relocate and monitor native species such as Posidonia seagrass and red coral. Anti-turbidity screens have also been incorporated to protect the nearby marine reserves, thereby preserving the surrounding marine environment.The project features energy-efficient systems, which are in line with Monacos carbon neutrality goals for 2025. Solar panels generate 40% of the districts energy needs, while a seawater thalasso-thermal loop efficiently provides heating and cooling, significantly reducing overall energy consumption. Rainwater is collected for irrigation purposes, and green roofs, together with over 1,000 trees, play a crucial role in mitigating urban heat. While a 1-hectare (2.47-acre) pine forest has been created, providing residents with environmental and recreational advantages.Mareterra is designed to improve Monacos cultural infrastructure. Around 6,000 square meters have been given to exhibition spaces, offering venues for cultural events. It also features restored artworks such as Alexander Calders Quatre Lances in Princess Gabriella Square, and a Meditation Space designed by Tia-Thy Nguyn. A pedestrianized promenade is created to connect different parts of the district while offering serene views of the sea. Different residential, commercial, and recreational areas have been connected and linked.The post Monaco Welcomes An Impressive Floating Eco-District Focused On Public Access first appeared on Yanko Design.

When I last wrote to you in this magazine, I told you a bit about the MIT Collaboratives, an effort to spark new ideas and modes of inquiry and help the people of MIT solve global problems. Since then, weve launched the first collaborative, grounding it in the human-centered fields represented by our School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS). Were calling it the MIT Human Insight Collaborative, or MITHIC.In broad terms, MITHIC is an endorsement of the quality of our faculty in these fields and an expression of how deeply we value the scholarly and artistic practices that expand our understanding of the things that make us human.In a practical sense, its designed to help our scholars in human-centered disciplines go big. MITHIC will give them the resources to pursue their most innovative ideas within their discipline, create opportunities for them to collaborate with colleagues outside it, and enable them to explore fresh approaches to teaching our students.We celebrated the launch of MITHIC with a showcase of creative excellence. MIT faculty shared research that blends the humanistic with the technological, MIT students improvised on jazz saxophone, and in a keynote conversation, the acclaimed novelist Min Jin Lee talked about her dedication to putting the human at the center of her work.Our faculty are wonderfully energized by MITHIC, and more than 100 have already taken part in the collaboratives Meeting of the Minds events, organized to connect researchers across the Institute who work on similar topicsfrom cybersecurity to food security, climate simulations to the bioeconomy.There may never have been a more important time for society to make humane choices about new technologies. And Im thrilled that at MIT weve created a collaborative powered by human insight to support our scholars, students, explorers, and makers in shaping a future of technology in service to humanity.