The business landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by artificial intelligence technologies that are reshaping how companies approach sales and customer relationships. As we navigate through 2024, AI has evolved from a futuristic concept to an indispensable business tool, offering unprecedented capabilities in lead generation, customer engagement, and sales optimization. This technological revolution is democratizing access to sophisticated sales tools, allowing businesses of all sizes to compete effectively in the global marketplace. From predictive analytics to conversational AI, these tools are not just automating routine tasks but are providing deep insights into customer behavior, enabling personalized engagement at scale, and dramatically improving conversion rates.HubSpot Sales HubHubSpot Sales Hub is a powerful CRM and sales automation platform developed by HubSpot, a leader in inbound marketing and sales solutions. It helps businesses automate email sequences, track customer interactions, and gain insights into sales performance. This platform enables companies like Shopify to optimize their outreach and engagement by integrating seamlessly with other HubSpot tools. While its intuitive interface and robust analytics are significant advantages, the pricing can be a barrier for smaller businesses.AdCreative AIAdCreative.ai is an AI-powered platform that transforms your ad creation process. Generate high-converting, engaging ad visuals and copy in seconds. Boost your sales and marketing ROI with data-driven designs tailored to your audience, perfect for any campaign or platform.Salesforce EinsteinSalesforce Einstein is a machine learning platform that integrates with Salesforce to provide predictive analytics and automation capabilities. It analyzes customer data to generate actionable insights, allowing businesses to create highly personalized marketing campaigns. Companies like Adidas use it to better segment their customer base and drive conversions. Its integration with Salesforces ecosystem is a major strength, though the platform requires substantial setup and training to unlock its full potential.DriftDrift is an AI-powered conversational marketing tool that enables real-time engagement with website visitors through chatbots. Launched in 2015, Drift helps businesses automate customer interactions and qualify leads effectively. Companies like Slack leverage Drift to enhance customer support and streamline lead conversion processes. Its strengths lie in real-time engagement and lead qualification, though the limited functionality in smaller pricing plans can be a downside for growing companies.Gong.ioGong.io is a cutting-edge conversation analytics platform founded in 2015. It provides detailed insights into sales calls, enabling businesses to identify strategies that drive success. By analyzing sales conversations, Gong.io empowers companies like LinkedIn Sales Solutions to enhance team performance and customer engagement. Its ability to deliver in-depth analytics is a key strength, but it performs best in data-rich environments, which might be a limitation for smaller teams.Grammarly BusinessGrammarly Business is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps businesses improve communication quality. Since its launch in 2009, it has become indispensable for crafting compelling emails and content. Freelancers and corporations like Cisco use Grammarly to maintain professionalism in their correspondence. The platforms real-time editing and tone adjustments make it highly effective, but customization options for advanced AI suggestions remain limited.ZoomInfoZoomInfo is a B2B intelligence platform established in 2000, offering a vast database for lead generation. It helps businesses identify high-value prospects and provides accurate contact information. Companies like Microsoft use ZoomInfo to refine their targeted outreach strategies. The platforms extensive database and search filters are significant strengths, but data accuracy can vary by region, which is a notable limitation.CrystalCrystal is an AI-driven tool founded in 2015 that enhances interpersonal communication by analyzing personality traits. It helps businesses tailor sales pitches and messages to individual customers. Sales teams at IBM use Crystal to create more personalized communication strategies. Its unique personality insights make it a valuable asset, though its effectiveness is heavily reliant on the availability of sufficient data.ClariClari specializes in revenue operations and forecasting, providing businesses with a comprehensive view of their sales pipeline. By tracking key metrics, Clari enables companies like Okta to forecast revenue more accurately and identify potential risks. Its ability to provide end-to-end visibility into sales pipelines is a significant strength, though its high learning curve can pose challenges for new users.InsideSales (XANT)XANT offers AI-driven sales acceleration solutions that recommend optimal communication times and channels. Used by companies like HP, XANT enhances sales productivity by prioritizing high-value leads and optimizing team workflows. Its actionable engagement recommendations are a standout feature, though the platforms reliance on online connectivity can be limiting in certain scenarios.Zoho CRMZoho CRM is a sales management tool developed by Zoho Corporation, designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses. It automates follow-ups, monitors sales performance, and provides valuable insights. Startups like Freshworks rely on Zoho CRM for efficient customer management. Its affordability and scalability make it a strong choice for growing businesses, but it may lack advanced features required by large enterprises.Chorus.aiChorus.ai is a conversation intelligence platform that helps businesses analyze customer calls for trends and insights. By identifying successful communication strategies, Chorus.ai enables companies like Zoom to enhance their sales training and performance. The platforms detailed insights and trend analysis are major strengths, though it requires integration with other tools to maximize its utility.ConversicaConversica is an AI-driven conversation platform designed for lead nurturing. It automates follow-ups and engages potential leads, enabling companies like Oracle to improve their customer engagement efforts. Conversicas ability to maintain consistent and personalized interactions is a key strength, but customization options may be limited for businesses with unique requirements.People.aiPeople.ai is a revenue intelligence platform that tracks sales activities to optimize team performance. By integrating seamlessly with existing CRMs, it provides actionable insights into team productivity. Cisco uses People.ai to enable their sales teams and achieve better results. While its CRM integration capabilities are a strength, the platforms initial setup can be complex and time-consuming.SEMrushSEMrush is a comprehensive digital marketing platform that provides insights into SEO and content marketing. By helping businesses improve website visibility, SEMrush drives traffic and increases conversions. Companies like eBay use SEMrush for competitive analysis and keyword research. Its powerful suite of SEO tools is a strength, but the platform requires expertise to be used effectively.LeadfeederLeadfeeder specializes in identifying companies visiting your website, providing actionable data to convert visitors into leads. B2B firms like SAP use Leadfeeder to understand their audience and enhance targeting strategies. The platforms real-time tracking capabilities are highly beneficial, but its utility is limited to website interactions, which can restrict its overall scope.Einstein Analytics (Tableau CRM)Einstein Analytics is Salesforces advanced business intelligence tool. It provides visual dashboards and predictive analytics to help companies like Coca-Cola track sales performance. Its data visualization capabilities are a major strength, though its high licensing cost can make it inaccessible for smaller businesses.OutreachOutreach is a sales engagement platform that automates multi-channel outreach campaigns. Founded in 2014, Outreach is used by companies like Zendesk to manage customer interactions and improve efficiency. Its scalability and engagement features are noteworthy, though the platform can be expensive for small businesses.Pega Sales AutomationPega offers a robust sales automation platform that streamlines workflows and reduces manual tasks. It is commonly used by banking firms to integrate CRM systems and improve operational efficiency. The platforms customizable workflows are a strength, but it requires technical expertise for proper implementation.Canva ProCanva is a versatile visual design tool founded in 2013. It enables businesses to create compelling marketing materials without needing graphic design expertise. Startups use Canva to design promotional content quickly and efficiently. Its user-friendly interface and broad functionality are strengths, though it lacks advanced features for professional designers.Marketo EngageMarketo is a marketing automation platform acquired by Adobe in 2018. It manages campaigns, tracks ROI, and enhances customer acquisition efforts. Companies like HubSpot use Marketo to execute large-scale marketing campaigns. Its robust analytics are a strength, but the platforms cost can be prohibitive for smaller businesses.ChatGPTChatGPT is a conversational AI developed by OpenAI. It automates FAQs, customer support, and personalized interactions. Businesses like Shopify integrate ChatGPT into their platforms to provide efficient and engaging customer experiences. Its versatility and conversational capabilities are strengths, though it may struggle with complex queries requiring deep contextual understanding.MentionMention is a social media monitoring tool that helps businesses track brand mentions and monitor their online reputation. Companies like Coca-Cola use Mention to gain real-time insights into customer sentiment. Its real-time monitoring capabilities are beneficial, but it offers limited access to historical data.LatticeLattice is a performance management platform that focuses on employee productivity and engagement. It tracks key metrics and sets actionable goals, enabling companies like Salesforce to improve team performance. Its employee-focused insights are a strength, but the platform is primarily designed for internal use, which may limit its direct impact on sales.VidyardVidyard is a video marketing tool that enables businesses to create personalized video messages for prospects. Companies like Lenovo use Vidyard to engage clients with tailored video content. Its ability to drive high engagement rates is a significant strength, though the platform can be bandwidth-intensive, which may pose challenges for some users.ConclusionAI tools have become indispensable for businesses aiming to enhance sales processes and customer engagement. From predictive analytics to conversational AI, each tool offers unique benefits that cater to specific business needs. By integrating these tools, businesses can automate mundane tasks, gain deeper insights, and deliver personalized experiences to their customers. Pragati Jhunjhunwala+ postsPragati Jhunjhunwala is a consulting intern at MarktechPost. She is currently pursuing her B.Tech from the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Kharagpur. She is a tech enthusiast and has a keen interest in the scope of software and data science applications. She is always reading about the developments in different field of AI and ML. [Download] Evaluation of Large Language Model Vulnerabilities Report (Promoted)

Yes, yes, its better to give than to receive, but in these few, special cases, receiving wins out. Thats because the below are a different class of givers theyre fictional for a start, some of them have magical powers, and at least one of them is a bear.These are the movie or TV characters we hope would pick our names out of the hat in the annual Secret Santa draw because we imagine that their choice of gift would suit us down to the ground. Maybe theyre extra thoughtful, or extra loaded, or extra in tune with our personal take on the world. Either way, theyre our picks. Let us know who youd nominate below.Leslie Knope from Parks and RecreationBecause Im an asshole, my initial thought here was to simply identify the richest fictional character I could find and then request them as my Secret Santa. But not only does that betray the spirit of Christmas (and most Secret Santa gift exchanges strict spending limit), its also hard to see the likes of Bruce Wayne or Scrooge McDuck giving a stranger $1 billion. So instead, I retreated to the same place I often do: the warming glow of TV sitcoms. Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) of Parks and Recreation would be my ideal Secret Santa. The Pawnee, Indiana parks director is generous, thoughtful, and has an established history of finding the right gifts.One of my favorite Parks and Rec moments follows the surly Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) as he spends his birthday dreading what kind of extravagant party Leslie will throw for him. Instead of balloons and a Mariachi band, however, Leslie gets Ron a rare steak, some choice Scotch, a DVD copy of The Bridge on the River Kwai, and a private room for him to enjoy some solitude. Yeah I did that for Ann, Leslie says of the big birthday bash Ron was expecting. Why would I throw Ron Swanson an Ann Perkins party? I would love to see what an Alec Bojalad gift from Leslie Knope would look like. Honestly probably pretty close to Ron Swansons. Alec BojaladChandler and Joey from FriendsI am notoriously Grinch-like when it comes to Christmas I do not enjoy it, find it stressful and any way to minimise fuss is a win for me. Sorry, not sorry. So I dont want someone thoughtful and brilliant at gift-giving to get me, its just going to lead to guilt and anxiety and I wouldnt appreciate it. Instead I would like Chandler and Joey from Friends to pick me, and for them to have to shop when they have absolutely zero time. I am of course referring to the episode of the show when they go with Phoebe to potentially meet her Dad. Its a big deal to her, she needs the support and they are good pals and wait with her. This means they dont really have time to shop for the gang so have to purchase gifts from a gas station. Phoebe gets loo seat covers, Rachel gets windscreen wiper blades and new car smell, Monica gets condoms and Ross gets two cans of fizzy drink. I feel like I should get you another sweater, says Ross. Shut up Ross. Add to the fact that Joey is almost always skint, while Ross and Chandler (and sometimes Monica) have cash, and I just feel like something cheap, crap and funny from a petrol station, so that they can give the far great gift of being there for a mate, is the Christmas spirit I can get on board with. Rosie FletcherPaddington BearWho is the man that would risk his neck for his brother man? Whos the cat that wont cop out when theres danger all about? Not Shaft. Well, yes Shaft, but also Paddington Bear. Can you dig it?Paddington Bear literally goes to prison in pursuit of the perfect gift: the popping book of London sights he saves up to buy for his Aunt Lucys 100th birthday before hes cruelly framed for its theft in Paddington 2 (the Nic Cage and Pedro Pascal-approved greatest movie ever). Who would take the task of Secret Santa-ing more seriously than him? Given a tenner by Mrs Brown to go out and get me something delightful, you just know that Paddington would come up trumps. A gift from him would be thoughtful, quirky, and quite possibly teach me a valuable lesson about opening your heart to strangers and being kind exactly the kind of reminder I need around Christmastime, when Im usually fantasising about pushing dawdling walkers into traffic and Googling How to Get Yourself Sectioned just for the promise of some alone time. Louisa MellorBatman from BatmanOkay, I know what youre thinking. Is there anyone less jolly, less suited to gift-giving that Batman? The answer is YES! For all of his brooding and grouchiness, Batman is a big softy at heart, which is partly why he keeps getting put in the middle of Christmas stories. Heck, I wrote a whole article about it last year.Bruce Waynes inner child still lives within Batman and wants nothing more than to make sure others have the happiness denied to him. So even if Batman sneers under that cowl, his detective mind will be working to determine the best possible gift. And because hes super-rich, I know that he can afford it. It might even come with a cool Bat-logo slapped on the side, because whos better at marketing than the Dark Knight? Joe GeorgeCaleb Widogast from Critical RoleWhen we first meet Caleb Widogast (Liam OBrien) in the Mighty Nein campaign of Critical Role, he is somewhat selfish, keeping to himself and stuck in survival mode after escaping his abusive mentor Trent Ikathon. It takes a lot for him to open up to his teammates and let them in. However, later on in the campaign we see that despite his rough, jaded exterior, he really does care for the rest of the Mighty Nein. In Dungeons & Dragons there is a spell called Mordenkainens Magnificent Mansion that allows the caster to conjure a dwelling of their own design within a pocket dimension for 24 hours. When Caleb uses this spell for the first time to give his friends a place to rest and recover from their adventures, its clear that he has spent time getting to know his companions. Caleb goes on to describe in great detail how each of his friends rooms in this space were crafted specifically with their needs and interests in mind, which is something you definitely want from a Secret Santa. A great Secret Santa is the kind of person who notices that a specific flower reminds you of home or that the smell of fresh baked cookies brings you comfort, even if its someone you wouldnt expect to have remembered those things. He may not always show his love in conventional ways, but Caleb is clearly the kind of friend who listens and pays attention, and most importantly cares. His gift may not necessarily be something you would expect, but you know that it comes from the heart. Brynna ArensGaladriel from The Fellowship of the RingNow theres a hostess. Galadriel didnt get any prior notice that a party of nine were dropping in on her woodland realm of Lothlrien, and yet each of them went away fed, watered, rested and with a very snazzy souvenir. Fancy daggers for Merry and Pippin, some magic rope for Samwise, a little bottle of what looks like Revlons classic 1990s scent Fire and Ice for Frodo, but which actually turns out to be the light of a literal star Add to that the cloaks, brooches and lembas bread. Galadriel has her shit together. Imagine how that elf would handle being somebodys Secret Santa. Shed probably give me the one ring to rule them all, which, at Christmastime, would come in extremely handy invisibility for shoplifting the last bag of Parsnips from Tesco and popping out to the shed for a drop of Baileys and a breather. Lush.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Jack Donagy from 30 RockI know what youre thinking: here is another person picking a rich sugar daddy to spread some of that holiday sugar. And well yeah! Thats part of it anyway! Okay, so Jack Donagy is another unbelievably charitable and affluent fictional character who spent seven years worrying about the professional, personal, and mental health of an employee like Liz Lemonall while wearing the hell out of his Brooks Brothers suits and gravely baritone.But it is also 30 Rock canon that he is the ultimate Secret Santa gift-giver. As relayed by his blindly loyal disciple/executive assistant, Jonathan, Mr. Donagy is the best gift-giver in the world. I tried once. I bought him a $95 bottle of olive oil. In return, he got my sister out of a North Korean jail! Youll never match him! No, I wont. But Ill take whatever expensive flight of fancy he wants to share. You know because of the season. David Crow

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer?Click here for today's Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections and Strands puzzles.Today's New York Times Christas EveWordleanswer is a fun word, and everyone playing likely knows the word and its meaning. But it could be tricky to guess, due to being heavy on vowels in unexpected places. If you need hints and answers, read on. Today's Wordle hints Before we show you today'sWordleanswer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now.Wordle hint No. 1: RepeatsToday's Wordle answer has one repeated letter.Wordle hint No. 2: VowelsThere are two different vowels in today's Wordle answer, but one of them is repeated, so you'll see three vowels total.Wordle hint No. 3: Start letter.Today's Wordle answer starts with the letter E.Wordle hint No. 4: BirdToday's Wordle answer refers to a bird.Wordle hint No. 5: MeaningToday's Wordle answer is often viewed as a symbol of America.TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWERToday's Wordle answer is EAGLE.Yesterday's Wordle answerYesterday's Wordle answer, Dec. 23, No. 1283, was SAUNA.Recent Wordle answersDec. 19, No. 1279: STRAYDec. 20, No. 1280: FLASHDec. 21, No. 1281: BLADEDec. 22, No. 1282: BRAWN

Looking for the most recentregular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Connections: Sports Editionwas a fun one today. But oof, that blue category. For a fan of a team that's never won the Super Bowl (Skol, Vikings!), I felt that description. The other categories were fun, and I took them less personally. (Though I didn't know the real meaning of "Knickerbocker.") Read on for hints and answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle.Read more: NYT Has a Connections Game for Sports Fans. I Tried ItHints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Bills and coins.Green group hint: A classic baseball pitch.Blue group hint: The Vikings are another one.Purple group hint:Teams with names describing natives.Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsYellow group: Money.Green group: Fastball.Blue group: Teams without a Super Bowl win.Purple group:Teams whose nicknames are demonyms.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers?Today's puzzle had a few images, so here's the puzzle grid. How the Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Dec. 24, 2024, looked before being played. NYT/Screenshot by CNET The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Dec. 24, 2024. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is money. The four answers are bank, bread, coin and dough.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is fastball. The four answers are cheese, gas, heat and hummer.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is teams without a Super Bowl win. The four answers are Jaguars, Lions, Panthers and Titans.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is teams whose nicknames are demonyms. The four answers are Canadiens, Hoosiers, Knicks and Texans.

People with chronic kidney disease, or those at risk of heart failure, are greatly affected by potassium imbalances in the body. These can even be life-threatening. While wearable glucose monitors are now commonplace and have transformed the lives of diabetes patients, potassium monitoring is in its infancy as its hard to do. Now, startups are emerging to address the problem.Proton Intelligence is a Canada-based startup developing a continuous potassium monitoring product. Its now closed a $6.95 million Seed financing round led by SOSV in the Bay Area. Clinical trials are underway for the product, which is due to launch in 2025.Proton is developing a small device that would be inserted just below the skin in order to monitor potassium levels. This would connect with a smartphone app so that patients can monitor their potassium levels and get notifications if their levels move out of a safe range, based on lifestyle choices, like diet, or medication.A clinician dashboard will provide a view of a patients potassium trends, and care teams will be able to use the data to fine-tune therapies. In-clinic potassium testing would be drastically reduced, saving a lot of time and costs.The company was co-founded by CEO Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi (based in Vancouver, Canada) and CSO Victor Cadarso (based in Melbourne).The two founded the startup after both working on wearable biosensors as researchers in Switzerland 10 years ago. Ranamukhaarachchi went on to found a skin-based drug delivery start-up (Microdermics), while Cadarso became a professor in micro and nanosensors at Monash University in Melbourne. Proton, therefore, has a commercial-focused HQ in Canada and a wholly-owned R&D-focused subsidiary in Melbourne, Australia.Ranamukhaarachchi told TechCrunch the team did over 100 in-depth interviews with care teams to research their product: These highlighted the devastating consequences of flying blind when managing potassium levels, because delays in monitoring often lead to preventable hospitalizations, stopping therapies, or even sudden cardiac death, he said.He described how patients have talked about a constant fear of potassium imbalances, questioning if eating a single banana or missing a blood test could affect their health or even put their lives at risk.The problem is clearly very real. Some 10% of the population worldwide is affected by chronic kidney disease, and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment.Proton competes with a number of other emerging firms in the sector.AliveCor estimates potassium levels indirectly by detecting cardiac activity (its raised $154.3 million to date). Alio (raised $46M) does potassium monitoring in dialysis patients. Renalyse out of Spain measures potassium via finger-prick blood samples (raised) 1 million. There are of course, several others. That said, Protons founders claim that its solution will be more scalable: No other technology currently offers this level of usability, accuracy, and clinical impact, said Ranamukhaarachchi.In a statement, Mohan S. lyer, General Partner at SOSV, said: We are proud to be the first institutional investor in Proton Intelligence and we are excited to continue to support them as they move into clinical validation.Also investing in this Seed round is We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, 15th Rock, Exor, and Trampoline Venture Partners.

Lux, which makes the iPhone camera app Halide, published a roadmap on Monday detailing the apps next version, called Halide Mark III, to be released sometime next year.The company said Halide Mark III will ship with two new features: Color Grades, and its own take on HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos. The company plans to include color grades or filters that will make images look like theyre taken using film cameras. It already has a similar feature in its video app, Kino. The app will also get a redesign to integrate the new features in the UI. Notably, Lux released Halide Mark II in 2020. Over the past few years, Lux has developed its own algorithms for different features on Halide, such assuper-resolution for macro shots,anda no-process modethat doesnt subject pictures to post-processing as much as possible.The company has also started a Discord server for the community, where it will post the Testflight link to try Halide Mark III in early access before its released.

UFC Performance Institute (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesThe rivalry between UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov is going to the next level. The two men are set to square off in the UFC 311 co-main event on January 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.On Monday, Dvalishvili took to social media insisting UFC Performance Institute security kept him out of the facility where he was supposed to rehab his injury because Nurmagomedov and his team were there.Dvalishvili positioned his post in a way that sounded like he was being slighted, when it actuality, it might be an instance when Nurmagomedov arrived earlier and theyre paths crossing wasnt a part of the plan.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)What Are the Results of Merab Dvalishvilis Last 5 Fights?September 14, 2024: Won against Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision at UFC 306.February 17, 2024: Won against Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision at UFC 298.March 11, 2023: Won against Petr Yan by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night.August 20, 2022: Won against Jos Aldo by unanimous decision at UFC 278.September 25, 2021: Won against Marlon Moraes by TKO at UFC 266What Are the Results of Umar Nurmagomedovs Last 5 Fights?August 3, 2024: Won against Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night.March 2, 2024: Won against Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night.January 14, 2023: Won against Raoni Barcelos by KO/TKO at UFC Fight Night.June 25, 2022: Won against Nate Maness by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night.March 5, 2022: Won against Brian Kelleher by submission at UFC 272What Are the Odds For Dvalishi-Nurmagomedov?Dvalishvili +170, Nurmagomedov -200MORE FOR YOUIt appears UFC staff was ensuring they did not have an incident between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov before their scheduled fight on January 11 in the co-main event of UFC 311.Dvalishvili has scrapped with a person allegedly a part of Nurmagomedovs team and warred with his UFC 311 opponent on social media. It appears tensions are high heading into the fight.This dynamic is good for business, but a bad mix if emotions boil over outside of the Octagon. If a fight breaks out, there can be injuries or even arrests, which is obviously not good for those involved, and that is bad for business if it leads to the fight being delayed or canceled.In any case, what might have erupted into a bigger story stays as something of a breadcrumb leading to what is becoming a more intriguing co-main event as we move closer to UFC 311.Here is a look at the complete card along with watch info for the prelims and main card.UFC 311 Main Card - ESPN+ PPV (10 PM ET)(c) Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan - UFC Lightweight Championship(c) Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov - UFC Mens Bantamweight ChampionshipJi Prochzka vs. Jamahal Hill - Light HeavyweightBeneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano - LightweightKevin Holland vs. Reinier de Ridder - MiddleweightUFC 311 Prelims - ESPNEWS/Disney+/ESPN+ (8 PM ET)Johnny Walker vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light HeavyweightPayton Talbott vs. Raoni Barcelos - BantamweightJailton Almeida vs. Serghei Spivac - HeavyweightZach Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas - MiddleweightUFC 311 Early Prelims - ESPNEWS/Disney+/ESPN+ (6 PM ET)Grant Dawson vs. Diego Ferreira - LightweightKarol Rosa vs. Ailn Prez - BantamweightRinya Nakamura vs. Muin Gafurov - BantamweightRicky Turcios vs. Benardo Sopaj - BantamweightTagir Ulanbekov vs. Clayton Carpenter - FlyweightThe UFC remains on hiatus until January 11 when it returns to the UFC Apex for a card headlined by Mackenzie Dern taking on Amanda Ribas. While less significant than UFC 311, MMA fans will be starving for an event from the No. 1 promotion in the world.Dern vs. Ribas will feel like Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey after three weeks without an event. Be on the lookout for Fight Week coverage for the UFC Fight Night as well as increased monitoring on UFC 311 as we get closer to the first pay-per-view event of 2025.

Why you need a new email address in 2025NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRepublished on December 24 as the threats to Googles other key messaging platformRCS are highlighted with the same challenges as Gmail, opening the market for Elon Musks Xmail or something just as disruptive.Your inbox is under attack. The FBI has issued yet another warning ahead of the holidays, highlighting an alarming surge in email and website threats, just as multiple cyber reports claim this is the most dangerous holiday season yet. Even though Google blocks more than 99.9% of spam, phishing and malware in Gmail, its not enough. But now change is on the way. And for Gmails 2.5 billion users, 2025 looks like being the year your email address should finally change.With more than 2.5 billion users, Gmail, the worlds largest email provider, is now deploying ground-breaking AI models [to] significantly strengthen Gmail cyber-defenses, including a new LLM trained on phishing, malware and spam. But as McAfee has just warned, that AI revolution works both ways. As AI continues to mature and become increasingly accessible, cybercriminals are using it to create scams that are more convincing, personalized, and harder to detect.Email remains an appallingly basic technology. Despite all its advances, the core architecture remains the same. Anyone can access anyone elses inbox with just an email address. Those addresses are basically given away for freeharvested, leaked, stored, searchable. This month, Mailmodo says, spam messages [will] account for more than 46.8% of email traffic.This is why enterprises are looking for new solutionsTeams, Slack, even instant messaging platforms. because even with all the advances and the outside sender and untrusted sender warnings, too many emails get through.MORE FOR YOUThe answer is to restore some semblance of address security and not give away real email addresses like confettia situation made worse given email address are often a primary user credential alongside passwords to log into sites and services. Apple has tried to address this with Hide My Email, to keep your personal email address private... you can generate unique, random email addresses that forward to your personal email account, so you dont have to share your real email address when filling out forms or signing up for newsletters on the web, or when sending email.And as I reported in November, Google is developing something similar for Gmail. Discovered by Android Authority in an Android APK teardown, Shielded Email consists of a system to create single-use or limited-use email aliases that will forward messages along to your primary account.This is a major step forwards and you should make use of this when it arrivesas should Apple users now. Just look at one warning issued to marketeers when Hide My Email was released: Now users can create a limitless number of fake addresses they dont even check, dramatically reducing engagement. And, worse still, they can easily deactivate them without affecting their primary email, meaning marketing databases could be full of dead addresses. This is important because a low deliverability rate can affect sender reputation, meaning your carefully crafted campaign ends up in spam.While Google assures that by spotting patterns and responding rapidly, [its Gmail] LLM alone blocks 20% more spam than before and reviews 1,000 times more user-reported spam daily, the threat will get worse again in 2025. McAfee says that AI is giving cybercriminals the ability to easily create more personalized and convincing emails and messages that look like theyre from trusted sources, such as banks, employers, or even family members. They can craft these scams quickly and with precision, making them more difficult to detect and increasing their success rate. As AI tools become more accessible, these types of attacks are expected to grow in sophistication and frequency.Email must changeand not just by improving central screening technologies. We need a radically different approach to include the following:On-device AI to flag spam and malicious email that has made it through central screening to inboxes. Too many emails still make it though, even though the actual email address and the presentational sender address dont match, with the latter a clear impersonation. How is it possible in 2024 that my inbox contains emails from Apple Support or X verification, when the senders have random email addresses such as sayio[at]hosai.co.jp.A better opt-in, known sender solutionmimicking secure messaging. Even the differentiation of trusted and unknown senders is too basic. There needs to be better deployment of AI or an easy-button for user to opt into a trusted discussion and advocate for a sender.Rather than upping the ante centrally, email security needs to do a better front-end (device-side) job. This is where safe browsing and malware defenses are now heading, making use of new device AI processing. Email needs a complete rethink to do the same.When Elon Musk (again) teased that he may launch an Xmail platform to take on Gmail, the blending of email and messaging featured front and center. The sweet spot is the universal compatibility of email without the mess. When one X post suggested that cutdown approach, Musk responded: Thats exactly what we are going to do.But that opt-in or trusted sender filter remains critical, as its that which opens inboxes to the world and sets email apart from closed messaging alternatives.Gmail isnt the only such challenge facing Google users. The other is RCS, which has been making continual headlines this month following an FBI warning for users to stop sending insecure RCS texts between Androids and iPhones. As Android Police asked on Monday, did RCS messaging open up the spam floodgates?RCS is fast becoming a marketing sensation, just as with email the value is that you can access anyone with just their phone numbers. Theres no real universal marketing filter, and because this is a standard cellular protocol, no-one is really running the show, because its a collective. It then falls to the RCS compliant messaging apps to apply a front-end filterjust as with emailwhich should work but doesntyet.Mobile spam has evolved alongside messaging technology, and RCS may have worsened things, Android Police says, and while email scams were cheaper, easier, and more effective than SMS scams in the past, RCS has changed all that now. The answer, the report says, is that RCS spam can't be eliminated. We can only rely on good security and spam filtering. Unfortunately, thats just like email.This is interesting because it provides a timely parallel to email, pitching the standard (SMS/RCS) with its spam and security challenges with newer (albeit not new) alternatives that take control of the end-to-end experience, and provide a simpler, more secure user experience.And the scale of the RCS spam threat is hugethe risk being that it becomes just like email, making the underlying technology almost unusable as a daily messenger. Last month, Juniper Research reported a 50% year-on-year hike. RCS business messaging traffic will reach 50 billion messages globally in 2025; Apples first full year of support for the technology. This represents a single-year growth from 33 billion in 2024.WhatsApp and other over-the-top messengers are not immune from spam, but its significantly less of a problem. And the platforms can easily police whats sent out and by who, and the controls they provide users to filter this out. Moving from SMS/RCS to an over-the-top is exactly the kind of clean start you can attempt with a clean email address. But its much easier.RCS spam can't be eliminated, Android Police says. We can only rely on good security and spam filtering. Recent advancements in deciphering spam through AI have led to improvements, and there is potential for significant spam reduction in the near future. Fine-tuned large language models (LLM), along with natural language processing (NLP), are positioned to surpass current spam detection systems and will make their way to RCS messaging. There's more to RCS chat than E2EE and spam filtering, so seeing how Google and the GSMA tackle this still-growing problem will be interesting. Again, its just like the tinkering approach to spam on Gmail and the other leading platforms, rather than the fundamental rethink needed.And so, when Musk teases the idea of a new platform that zeroes out the slow evolution to the mess we have today with something that can start with privacy and usability and simplicity in mind, its interesting. In reality we don t need something this drastic, and the transition would be woefully complex.In the meantime, take control. Yes, you need to use Hide My Email or Gmails new Shielded Email as soon as its available to create new addresses. But if you have an email address that has been around for years, then it has become a honey trap for spam and worse. Its time for something new, a primary email address you will better protect through multiple throw-away, masked addresses, without giving that primary address away. You can slowly migrate from one account to the other, and in the meantime use folders, rules and forwarding to capture emails to your old address.Using new email masking technologies is undermined if the primary address they link to has already been extensively harvested, sold and leaked. With 2025 just days away and threats surging, perhaps make email housekeeping one of your New Year resolutions and think about the risks associated with the addresses youre using now.

Russia's natural gas transit deal with Ukraine is set to expire soon, which would cut billions in revenue.The deal's possible end affects European countries relying on Russian gas via Ukraine.Russia has shifted much of its energy exports to India and China amid Western sanctions.Russia is set to lose yet another source of income for its war chest in days and it's Ukraine calling the shots.An agreement to let piped Russian natural gas transit via Ukraine to Europe is set to expire at the end of the year, depriving Moscow of billions of dollars in income for its wartime economy.European countries receiving gas from the pipeline have voiced concerns about the end of the supply, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said that the five-year agreement will not be renewed.Meanwhile, Russia has said it's ready to extend the agreement although President Vladimir Putin said last week it's "clear" there wouldn't be a new contract.Still, the situation could change.Zelenskyy said last week that Ukraine could consider continuing the arrangement if Russia doesn't receive payments for the fuel until the war ends.On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the gas transit was complicated."The situation here is very difficult, requiring greater attention," Peskov said, according to TASS state news agency.Russia is likely making $5 billion in gas sales via Ukraine this yearThe end of the five-year transit deal would be a blow for Russia, which could make about $5 billion from gas sales via Ukraine this year alone, according to Reuters' calculations based on Moscow's gas price forecast.It would also impact several European countries that still depend on Russia for gas, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria. There are alternative energy sources and pipelines available, but they could be pricier.Ukraine could lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year in transit fees a Kyiv consulting firm told Bloomberg in September that this amounts to about $800 million.But Ukraine's $800 million revenue from transit would just be a "paltry 0.5% of the country's annual GDP," wrote analysts at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a think tank, in a report last week.They argued it's "simply preposterous" to think that continuing the transit deal would offer Ukraine a security guarantee, as Russia would want to preserve its gas flows to Europe.This is because "Russia always put itself first," the analysts added.Russia diverts energy flows away from EuropeThe end of the Ukraine transit route for Russia's gas would put more pressure on Putin's wartime economy, which has plummeted because of sweeping Western sanctions targeting its massive oil and gas trade.Energy accounts for about one-fifth of Russia's $2 trillion GDP. The country's energy revenue fell 24% last year on the back of sanctions and continues to be under pressure this year as Europe weans itself off Russian gas.Russia once accounted for as much as 40% of Europe's gas market, but the EU has cut its reliance on the fuel since the Ukraine war.In response, Russia has diversified its energy customer base, diverting most of its previously Europe-bound oil to India and China.On December 20, Russian energy giant Gazprom said in a Telegram post that it delivered a record amount of gas to China via an eastern Siberian pipeline. It didn't specify the volume of gas it delivered, but said it was above its contractual obligations with the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation.

Sala Yangnar / Yangnar StudioSave this picture! Rungkit CharoenwatArchitects: Yangnar StudioAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:55 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Rungkit Charoenwat More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. There is a land embraced by the mountains in northern Thailand, surrounded by lush green paddy fields, with sunlight softly shining through the morning fog. This land is home to a few small buildings that settle humbly in the middle of the fields, where many people seek to escape the chaos of the city and nestle in serenity. At the center of this land stands a small wooden pavilion. In architectural terms, it lacks complexity and astonishment, yet this pavilion stands respectfully within its environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The term "Sala" in Thai refers to a pavilion, a small structure amidst nature used as a shelter and a relaxing space. Sala Yangnar is an outdoor building designed for a team, serving as a multipurpose space for living, welcoming guests, and connecting to other buildings on the property. Here, a group of passionate architects known as "Yangnar Studio" lives together casually, pursuing their careers and enjoying life. For them, many meaningful moments occur under this simple gable roof. This pavilion is not just a temporary relaxing space; it also serves as a mental healing spot in everyday life.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Sala Yangnar is built upon the wisdom, experience, and efforts of Yangnar Studio. Using local materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, corrugated cement tiles, and handmade clay bricks, the design maximizes the potential of these materials and the site itself. For instance, clay bricks are efficient at absorbing water. The teak kitchen counter, which is water-resistant, showcases the beauty of wood in everyday function, with water running down to the ground via a bamboo gutter. The wooden walls, complemented by overhead bamboo shelves, provide additional storage space in the service zone.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The building is oriented along a north-south axis, with the kitchen zone facing south to capture sunlight for most of the day, keeping the area clean and dry. The building is fully open to the breeze, allowing the scent of the rice fields to flow through. The elevated wooden floor serves as a relaxing area that extends toward the green rice fields. The low eaves of the roof allow sunlight to penetrate the space only in the morning and evening, ensuring comfortable ventilation throughout the day.Save this picture!Save this picture!Every detail of Sala Yangnar reflects the skills and traditions of local craftsmen. The building incorporates traditional techniques, such as dowel-pin joints and both powered and hand tools, showcasing the artistry of the team. The construction methods are inspired by vernacular northern Thai architecture, with a commitment to preserve these techniques and share them with future generations through our design. Sala Yangnar was created through the collaboration of architects, craftsmen, and intern students, providing hands-on learning experiences in real-site construction. This shared passion is evident in the work, making the architecture both powerful and humble.Save this picture!Sala Yangnar reminds us that sometimes life requires little more than taking a nap by the rice fields as the rain softly falls. Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeYangnar StudioOfficeMaterialWoodMaterials and TagsPublished on December 24, 2024Cite: "Sala Yangnar / Yangnar Studio" 24 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024413/sala-yangnar-yangnar-studio&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream