A Japanese lunar spacecraft has resumed operations after a glitch had caused a temporary halt. The spacecraft, named Kaguya, is part of Japan's space exploration efforts and is designed to study the moon's surface and environment. This development marks a positive step forward in Japan's ongoing mission to advance its space technology and contribute to the global understanding of the moon.
343 Industries announced that Season 5 will be the last for Halo Infinite, with the game moving away from seasons in favor of smaller "Operation" events. The upcoming Content Update 29 will introduce new content, and Operations will replace seasons, offering free limited-time rewards and a premium version with extra bonuses. Despite this shift, support for Halo Infinite will continue through 2024, and 343 is also working on new projects, although the rumored battle royale mode has reportedly been canceled.
Halo Infinite will no longer have traditional seasons and will instead focus on shorter, free Operations released every 4-6 weeks, with the upcoming January 30 update introducing a new Halo Wars-themed Operation, customization options, and a new map. The game's last season, Season 5, will feature the Spirit of Fire Operation and will be the final season with a 100-tier battle pass. Additionally, new Forge options and customization items inspired by the Halo television series are set to be added, while a rumored Halo battle royale game has reportedly been canceled.
John Felton will be taking on a new role as SVP and AWS CFO, while Udit Madan will take over leading Worldwide Operations at Amazon. Felton, who has been with Amazon for over 19 years, expressed gratitude for his time in Operations and is excited for the future, while Madan, with 15+ years at Amazon, is set to lead the organization to new heights.
Apple Tree Children's Centers announced earlier this week that they would be closing in January, but the Apple Tree West location in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will remain open. Former Apple Tree Executive Director Pete Nelson will take over financial responsibility for the center, while the current director and her team will continue day-to-day operations. More information is expected to be revealed on Monday.
Twitch has announced that it will cease operations in South Korea due to the "prohibitively expensive" network fees imposed by the country. The popular streaming platform cited the high costs as the reason for its decision to withdraw from the South Korean market.
IF Metall, the union representing Tesla Sweden workers, has blocked the automaker from receiving new license plates for vehicle orders, putting pressure on Tesla's operations. The Swedish Transport Agency refuses to change postal providers, leaving Tesla in a tough spot. Several trade unions have joined the strike, impacting Tesla's operations, including the refusal to repair charging stations, paint vehicles, and clean Tesla premises. While the blockade does not immediately impact deliveries, it may affect Tesla in the long run.
Accenture has announced its acquisition of OnProcess Technology, a provider of supply chain managed services. The acquisition aims to enhance Accenture's supply chain capabilities, particularly in asset recovery and service supply chain management. By integrating OnProcess's expertise in reverse logistics and Accenture's supply chain delivery capabilities, the combined solution will improve operational efficiency, enhance the customer experience, and support a more sustainable supply chain. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
Nvidia warns that a widened U.S. ban on AI tech products to China could lead to delays and the need to transition certain operations out of affected countries, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, the company does not anticipate a significant near-term financial impact and believes that the additional restrictions will not affect its strong global demand for products. Nvidia shares fell after the announcement.
Biotech and pharma companies in Israel are assessing the impact of recent Hamas strikes on their operations and employees. The attacks, which included rocket launches and airstrikes, have prompted some companies to issue statements clarifying the situation. Israel has declared war on Hamas, and casualties are increasing on both sides.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) will reopen to arriving flights only on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and resume full operations, including departures, on Thursday, following the impact of Hurricane Idalia.
Norfolk Southern, a U.S. railroad operator, has restored all rail systems after a hardware-related outage that impacted its operations. The company expects the impact to last for at least a couple of weeks and has been working with customers to update shipment timings. There is no indication that the outage was a cybersecurity incident. Norfolk Southern has recently faced scrutiny from the U.S. Transportation Department's Federal Railroad Administration following a hazardous materials train derailment in Ohio.
U.S. trucking company Yellow has ceased all operations and is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy, according to notices sent to customers and employees. The Nashville-based company had recently averted a strike by paying off worker benefits and pension accruals, but has now shut down and laid off a significant number of workers. Yellow is also exploring options to divest its third-party logistics company, Yellow Logistics Inc.
At least three key leaders have departed from Amazon this week, including Melissa Nick, a North America customer fulfillment vice president responsible for one of Amazon's largest fulfillment regions, Chris Vonderhaar, an Amazon Web Services data center vice president, and Puneet Chandok, the head of AWS in India and South Asia. The departures come amid reports of a mass employee walkout and just weeks after Amazon committed over $12 billion in India by 2030.
